Characterization of Cre recombinase activity for in vivo targeting of adipocyte precursor cells.

The increased incidence of obesity and metabolic disease underscores the importance of elucidating the biology of adipose tissue development. The recent discovery of cell surface markers for prospective identification of adipose precursor cells (APCs) in vivo will greatly facilitate these studies, yet tools for specifically targeting these cells in vivo have not been identified. Here, we survey three transgenic mouse lines, Fabp4-Cre, PdgfRα-Cre, and Prx1-Cre, precisely assessing Cre-mediated recombination in adipose stromal populations and mature tissues. Our data provide key insights into the utility of these tools to modulate gene expression in adipose tissues. In particular, Fabp4-Cre is not effective to target APCs, nor is its activity restricted to these cells. PdgfRα-Cre directs recombination in the vast majority of APCs, but also targets other populations. In contrast, adipose expression of Prx1-Cre is chiefly limited to subcutaneous inguinal APCs, which will be valuable for dissection of APC functions among adipose depots

UPDATED STANDARDIZED CATCH RATES OF SWORDFISH (Xiphias gladius) CAUGHT BY THE SPANISH SURFACE LONGLINE FLEET IN THE INDIAN OCEAN DURING THE 2001-2015 PERIOD

Standardized catch rates of the Spanish surface longline fleet targeting swordfish are provided for the period 2001-2015. Generalized Linear Models (GLM) log-normal were used to update standardized catch rates in number of fish and in weight. Factors such as year, area, quarter, gear and bait, as well as the fishing strategy (based on the ratio between the most prevalent species and that appreciated most by skippers) and the interaction quarter*area were taken into account. The models explained 56% and 58% of CPUE variability in number and weight, respectively

INTERACTION BETWEEN SEABIRDS AND SPANISH SURFACE LONGLINE TARGETING SWORDFISH IN THE INDIAN OCEAN (LAT ≥ 25º SOUTH) DURING THE PERIOD 2011-2015

A total of 310 fishing sets (361,608 hooks) targeting swordfish in the Indian Ocean (lat ≥ 25ºS) between 2011-2015 were analyzed. The areas included in the study are between 25º-36ºS and 34º-72ºE. However, the interaction with seabirds was restricted to areas between 31º-36ºS and 37º-48ºE during the January-April period. A total of 19 seabird individuals during the whole period 2011-2015, identified as belonging to seven species, interacted with the fishing operation (Diomedea exulans, Phoebetria fusca, Procellaria aequinoctialis, Thalassarche carteri, Thalassarche cauta, Thalassarche melanophris, Thalassarche salvini). Most interactions occurred in one year-months and in a single 5ºx5º square. Interactions observed in other areas were minor or regularly null. The overall rate of interaction estimated for areas lat ≥ 25ºS and species combined was estimated at 5.254E-05 seabird/hook. Night setting and low levels of lighting during setting operations as well as other fishing protocols applied by the vessels were identified as the most important factors to explain the regularly low or null interaction with seabirds. Sightings of seabirds were also made during the trips studied, most of them occurring during daytime sailing. Procellaria aequinoctialis was identified as the most prevalent species in sightings. Other less prevalent species were identified as Phoebetria fusca, Thalassarche carteri, Diomedea exulans, Thalassarche cauta, Pterodroma macroptera, Thalassarche salvini and very sporadically Sulidae/Laridae, Oceanites spp. and Ardena pacifica.The paper also summarizes the mitigation regulations put in place at national level for reducing the incidental bycatch of seabirds in the longline fleet in the Indian Ocean

STANDARDIZED CATCH RATES IN BIOMASS FOR THE BLUE SHARK (PRIONACE GLAUCA) CAUGHT BY THE SPANISH SURFACE LONGLINE FLEET IN THE INDIAN OCEAN DURING THE 2001-2015 PERIOD

Based on 2,049 trips by vessels in the Spanish surface longline fleet in the Indian Ocean during the period 2001-2015, standardised CPUE catch rates were obtained for the blue shark (Prionace glauca) using General Linear Modelling. The main factors considered were year, quarter, area, ratio, gear and the interaction quarter*area. The basic significant model obtained explained 81% of CPUE variability observed and suggests a stable trend for this blue shark stock in the Indian Ocean. Most of the variability in CPUE was explained by the targeting factor, as represented by the ratio between catch levels for the two most valued and prevalent species landed: swordfish and blue shark. Other significant factors were identified but these were less important. The MIXED model used to analyse sensitivity showed the same trend as that obtained using the basic case

A Three-Dimensional Dynamic Supramolecular "Sticky Fingers" Organic Framework.

Engineering high-recognition host-guest materials is a burgeoning area in basic and applied research. The challenge of exploring novel porous materials with advanced functionalities prompted us to develop dynamic crystalline structures promoted by soft interactions. The first example of a pure molecular dynamic crystalline framework is demonstrated, which is held together by means of weak "sticky fingers" van der Waals interactions. The presented organic-fullerene-based material exhibits a non-porous dynamic crystalline structure capable of undergoing single-crystal-to-single-crystal reactions. Exposure to hydrazine vapors induces structural and chemical changes that manifest as toposelective hydrogenation of alternating rings on the surface of the [60]fullerene. Control experiments confirm that the same reaction does not occur when performed in solution. Easy-to-detect changes in the macroscopic properties of the sample suggest utility as molecular sensors or energy-storage materials

A system to manage the allocation of MSc Dissertations at University of Minho

This paper describes the basis for the specification of an IT infrastructure, supported by a website, designed to manage the entire paperwork process associated with the management of Masters Dissertations. With this infrastructure it is possible to disclose the subjects offered, to allocate each subject to a candidate - "dissertations in progress", browse dissertations that are awaiting review and consult the archive of dissertations with exams already carried out. PostgreSQL technology was used to support the databases. This technology was chosen to be robust, with easy integration with PHP and its code is open source. The website is housed in a Linux server based infrastructure ready to run continuously.(undefined

Plurality Voting: the statistical laws of democracy in Brazil

We explore the statistical laws behind the plurality voting system by investigating the election results for mayor held in Brazil in 2004. Our analysis indicate that the vote partition among mayor candidates of the same city tends to be "polarized" between two candidates, a phenomenon that can be closely described by means of a simple fragmentation model. Complex concepts like "government continuity" and "useful vote" can be identified and even statistically quantified through our approach.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Considerations Regarding Graduate Student Persistence

Completion of graduate studies is a central issue for universities. Over the past decade researchers interested in higher education have become concerned with graduate student completion rates. Possible reasons underlying variations in graduate student persistence have included the amassed learning experiences and subsequent perceptions of graduate students, supervisory committee members, and other department staff. This article addresses some of the psychosocial considerations that underlie the complex interactions among students, supervisory committees, and departmental support staff, referred to here as the "academic triad." Using Seligman's (1991) explanatory framework and Bandura's (1986) self-efficacy theory, this article explains how student persistence is closely tied to the behavior of students, academics, and departmental support staff. Further, the article provides two frameworks to gain a broadened understanding of the relationship between the academic triad and graduate student persistence. Recommendations are provided as to how to foster graduate student persistence through improved personal and interpersonal reflexivity.L'obtention par les étudiants d'un diplôme de deuxième ou troisième cycle constitue une question centrale pour les universités. Depuis les dix dernières années, les chercheurs dans le domaine de l'éducation postsecondaire se penchent davantage sur les taux de réussite chez les étudiants du deuxième ou troisième cycle. Parmi les raisons évoquées pour expliquer la variation dans la persévérance des étudiants du deuxième ou troisième cycle, on a proposé trois facteurs: l'accumulation des expériences d'apprentissage et les perceptions qu'en ont les étudiants, les membres du comité de thèse et finalement, les membres du personnel non-académique des départements impliqués. Cet article étudie quelques-unes des considérations psychosociales qui sous-tendent les interactions complexes entre les étudiants, les comités de thèse et le personnel non-académique. On nomme ces trois groupes la «triade académique». En s'appuyant à la fois sur le cadre de Seligman (1991) et la théorie d'auto efficacité de Bandura (1986), les auteurs expliquent le lien serré entre la persévérance des étudiants d'une part et le comportement des étudiants, du personnel académique et du personnel non-académique d'autre part. Les auteurs fournissent en plus deux cadres permettant de mieux comprendre le rapport entre la triade académique et la persévérance des étudiants de deuxième ou troisième cycle. Sont également présentées des recommandations pour favoriser la persévérance des étudiants de deuxième ou troisième cycle par le biais d'une autoréférence personnelle et interpersonnelle améliorée

Modelling of chemical control of "Conyza" and the risk of glyphosate resistance

Se ha desarrollado un modelo de genética de poblaciones para estudiar el efecto de diferentes estrategias de manejo químicas en el control de poblaciones de Conyza y el desarrollo de resistencia a glifosato en poblaciones inicialmente susceptibles. Las estrategias de manejo se basaron en la aplicación de dos herbicidas en diferentes fechas, aislados o en mezcla, donde uno de ellos era glifosato. Las simulaciones mostraron que la aplicación de glifosato con herbicidas postemergentes controlaron más eficazmente las poblaciones de “Conyza” que las aplicaciones de glifosato con herbicidas preemergentes. Las aplicaciones tardías (principalmente en marzo) del herbicida postemergente consiguieron los mejores controles de las poblaciones y un riesgo bajo de desarrollar resistencia en poblaciones de Conyza inicialmente susceptibles.We developed a model of population genetics to study the effect of different chemical management strategies on the control of “Conyza” populations and the resistance evolution to glyphosate in initially susceptible populations. The management strategies were based on herbicides; glyphosate and another post- or pre-emergent herbicide applied alone or in mixtures at different timing. The simulations showed that glyphosate and post-emergent herbicides controlled better “Conyza” populations than glyphosate and pre-emergent herbicides. Later post-emergent herbicide applications (in March principally) reached the best control of “Conyza” populations and a low resistance risk in initially susceptible populations

BioRePortAP, an electronic clinical record coupled with a database : an example of its use in a single

Aims: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the treatment of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists in the Rheumatology Department of Hospital de Santa Maria using the BioRePortAP. Methods: The Portuguese Society of Rheumatology (SPR) developed an electronic medical chart coupled with a database for the follow up of PsA patients, the BioRePortAP, which was launched in May 2009. This evaluation was based on all the PsA patients that were on active treatment with TNF antagonists in September 2009 and were registered in the BioRePortAP. All the previous data on these patients were introduced in BioRePortAP using the prospective paper based follow up protocol that this Department was using since 1999. Only patients with more than 9 months of treatment were analyzed. Results: Forty-two patients with PsA, actively treated with anti-TNF agents in September 2009, for at least 9 months, were analyzed in BioRePortAP. Twenty-three patients were male (55%) and nineteen were female (45%). The average age of these patients was 49.8±10.9 years old, the average disease duration was of 10.7±5.6 years and the mean duration of biological therapy was of 37.8±27.8 months. For the 81% of patients with peripheral joint disease there was a mean reduction of more than 80% in the swollen and tender joint counts, and almost 50% in the health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) value. In the 19% of the patients with axial involvement the reduction of BASDAI and BASFI was not statistically significative. On top of that, PASI score suffered a reduction of 64%. Fourteen patients (33.3%) had to switch their TNF antagonist treatment. 58.8% of the switches were due to adverse effects and 41.2% due to therapy failure. Regarding the 56 adverse reactions registered, only one was a severe reaction. The remaining adverse reactions were not severe and 67% of them were due to infections. Discussion: The results of this first report of the use of the BioRePortAP in clinical practice confirm the efficacy and safety of TNF antagonist treatment in PsA. The results shown here elucidate the potential applications of BioRePortAP as a tool for efficacy and safety assessment of PsA patients treated with biotechnological drugs