Non-parametric comparison of histogrammed two-dimensional data distributions using the Energy Test

When monitoring complex experiments, comparison is often made between regularly acquired histograms of data and reference histograms which represent the ideal state of the equipment. With the larger HEP experiments now ramping up, there is a need for automation of this task since the volume of comparisons could overwhelm human operators. However, the two-dimensional histogram comparison tools available in ROOT have been noted in the past to exhibit shortcomings. We discuss a newer comparison test for two-dimensional histograms, based on the Energy Test of Aslan and Zech, which provides more conclusive discrimination between histograms of data coming from different distributions than methods provided in a recent ROOT release.The Science and Technology Facilities Council, U

A time of flight method to measure the speed of sound using a stereo sound card

We present an inexpensive apparatus for measuring the speed of sound, with a time of flight method, using a computer with a stereo sound board. Students measure the speed of sound by timing the delay between the arrivals of a pulse to two microphones placed at different distances from the source. It can serve as a very effective demonstration, providing a quick measurement of the speed of sound in air; we have used it with great success in Open Days in our Department. It can also be used for a full fledged laboratory determination of the speed of sound in air.Comment: Accepted for publication in The Physics Teache

Energy efficiency, sustainability and buildings interior comfort, relevant factors

Na sequência das directivas europeias, Portugal possui desde 2006, legislação no sentido de promover a Eficiência Energética, tendo estas entrada em pleno vigor em janeiro de 2009. No entanto, os autores, enquanto Peritos Qualificados do Sistema de Certificação Energética, no âmbito do Regulamento das Características de Comportamento Térmico dos Edifícios, têm-se vindo a deparar com uma série de casos de incumprimento do referido regulamento, devendo-se este fato, essencialmente à “resistência” que tem vindo a ser exercida pelos empreiteiros, principalmente pelos mais “pequenos”, por desconhecimento das novas directivas legislativas, travando assim todo o esforço de redução de consumos energéticos e de emissões de CO2, que tem vindo a ser levado cabo, em especial pela ADENE, agência para a energia. Apresenta-se, assim de seguida uma proposta de abordagem, tendente a uma efectiva transferência de conhecimento, da comunidade científica até aos seus aplicadores. Cabendo aqui ao Ensino Politécnico esse papel de interlocutor

Lithium carbonate and coenzyme Q10 reduce cell death in a cell model of Machado-Joseph disease

Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) or spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder caused by expansion of the polyglutamine domain of the ataxin-3 (ATX3) protein. MJD/SCA3 is the most frequent autosomal dominant ataxi4912FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO2007/57559-9; 2013/07559-3sem informaçã

17beta-estradiol promotes the synthesis and the secretion of annexin I in the CCRF-CEM human cell line.

AIMS: Annexin I (ANXA1), a 37kDa member of the annexin family of Ca2+-binding and phospholipid-binding proteins, is particularly abundant in various populations of peripheral blood leukocytes. Since this protein modulates the anti-inflammatory actions of the steroid hormones, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the female sex steroid hormone, 17beta-estradiol (E2beta), on the synthesis and secretion of ANXA1 in the human CCRF-CEM acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell line. METHODS: Complementary reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot assays were performed to study the effect of E2beta on the expression of mRNA and protein ANXA1, respectively. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Treatment of CCRF-CEM cells with E2beta, for 30 min, stimulated the synthesis of ANXA1 mRNA molecules, and increased the cellular level of ANXA1 protein. Moreover, when the cells were incubated with E2beta under the same experimental conditions, a significant increase in the amount of ANXA1 secreted from the cells was also detected. ICI 182,780, a selective inhibitor of the intracellular estrogen receptor, had no effect on the E2beta-stimulated expression and externalisation of ANXA1. Taken together, these results indicate that E2beta induces de novo synthesis of ANXA1 and stimulates its secretion in the CCRF-CEM cell line, apparently through a mechanism independent of the intracellular estrogen receptor

Activation of adenosine A2A receptors induces TrkB translocation and increases BDNF-mediated phospho-TrkB localization in lipid rafts : implications for neuromodulation

Copyright © 2010 the authorsBrain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling is critical for neuronal development and transmission. Recruitment of TrkB receptors to lipid rafts has been hown to be necessary for the activation of specific signaling pathways and modulation of neurotransmitter release by BDNF. Since TrkB receptors are known to be modulated by adenosine A2A receptor activation, we hypothesized that activation of A2A receptors could influence TrkB receptor localization among different membrane microdomains. We found that adenosine A2A receptor agonists increased the levels of TrkB receptors in the lipid raft fraction of cortical membranes and potentiated BDNF-induced augmentation of phosphorylated TrkB levels in lipid rafts. Blockade of the clathrin-mediated endocytosis with monodansylcadaverine(100µM) did not modify the effects of theA2A receptor agonists but significantly impairedBDNFeffects on TrkB recruitment to lipid rafts. The effect of A2A receptor activation in TrkB localization was mimicked by 5 µM forskolin, an adenylyl cyclase activator. Also, it was blocked by the PKA inhibitors Rp-cAMPs and PKI-(14 –22), and by the Src-family kinase inhibitor PP2. Moreover, removal of endogenous adenosine or disruption of lipid rafts reduced BDNF stimulatory effects on glutamate release from cortical synaptosomes. Lipid raft integrity was also required for the effects of BDNF on hippocampal long-term potentiation at CA1 synapses. Our data demonstrate, for the first time, a BDNF-independent recruitment of TrkB receptors to lipid rafts induced by activation of adenosine A2A receptors, with functional consequences for TrkB phosphorylation and BDNF-induced modulation of neurotransmitter release and hippocampal plasticity.Supported by Fundacão para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (SFRH/BD/21374/2005 for N.A.L., SFRH/BD/21359/2005 for V.C.S., and SFRH/BPD/11528/2002 for D.B.P.) and by the European Union [European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) COST B30 concerted action, Neural Regeneration and Plasticity (NEREPLAS)]

Efeito da endogamia sobre pesos aos 120 e 210 dias de idade de bovinos da raça Nelore mocho criado no bioma cerrado.

Objetivou-se com este trabalho estudar os efeitos da endogamia sobre pesos calculados aos 120 e 210 dias de idade, em bovinos da raça Nelore pertencentes ao rebanho da Embrapa Cerrados. Os dados foram coletados no período de 1990 a 2010. O coeficiente de endogamia foi calculado por meio do aplicativo MTDFREML. A matriz de parentesco incluiu 23.513 animais, cuja estimativa média e máxima dos animais endogâmicos foi 2,17% e 14,10%, respectivamente. Os resultados indicaram que a endogamia direta provocou redução dos pesos calculados aos 120 e 210 dias de idade, possivelmente, devido à redução na variância genética aditiva. A endogamia é um processo prejudicial para as características de interesse econômico, quando utilizada indiscriminadamente e deve ser utilizada com parcimônia e bastante cuidado ao se promover acasalamentos entre animais consanguíneos