Instantaneous Normal Mode Analysis of Supercooled Water

We use the instantaneous normal mode approach to provide a description of the local curvature of the potential energy surface of a model for water. We focus on the region of the phase diagram in which the dynamics may be described by the mode-coupling theory. We find, surprisingly, that the diffusion constant depends mainly on the fraction of directions in configuration space connecting different local minima, supporting the conjecture that the dynamics are controlled by the geometric properties of configuration space. Furthermore, we find an unexpected relation between the number of basins accessed in equilibrium and the connectivity between them.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Obtenção e caracterização de gelatina de pele de tilápia-do-nilo (Oreochromis niloticus) em escala piloto.

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Explaining Activities as Consistent Groups of Events: A Bayesian Framework Using Attribute Multiset Grammars

We propose a method for disambiguating uncertain detections of events by seeking global explanations for activities. Given a noisy visual input, and exploiting our knowledge of the activity and its constraints, one can provide a consistent set of events explaining all the detections. The paper presents a complete framework that starts with a general way to formalise the set of global explanations for a given activity using attribute multiset grammars (AMG). An AMG combines the event hierarchy with the necessary features for recognition and algebraic constraints defining allowable combinations of events and features. Parsing a set of detections by such a grammar finds a consistent set of events that satisfies the activity’s constraints. Each parse tree has a posterior probability in a Bayesian sense. To find the best parse tree, the grammar and a finite set of detections are mapped into a Bayesian network. The set of possible labellings of the Bayesian network corresponds to the set of all parse trees for a given set of detections.We compare greedy, multiple-hypotheses trees, reversible jump MCMC, and integer programming for finding the Maximum a Posteriori (MAP) solution over the space of explanations. The framework is tested for two applications; the activity in a bicycle rack and around a building entrance

Antigenicity and Protective Efficacy of a Leishmania Amastigote-specific Protein, Member of the Super-oxygenase Family, against Visceral Leishmaniasis

Background:The present study aimed to evaluate a hypothetical Leishmania amastigote-specific protein (LiHyp1), previously identified by an immunoproteomic approach performed in Leishmania infantum, which showed homology to the super-oxygenase gene family, attempting to select a new candidate antigen for specific serodiagnosis, as well as to compose a vaccine against VL.Methodology/Principal Findings:The LiHyp1 DNA sequence was cloned; the recombinant protein (rLiHyp1) was purified and evaluated for its antigenicity and immunogenicity. The rLiHyp1 protein was recognized by antibodies from sera of asymptomatic and symptomatic animals with canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL), but presented no cross-reactivity with sera of dogs vaccinated with Leish-Tec, a Brazilian commercial vaccine; with Chagas' disease or healthy animals. In addition, the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of rLiHyp1 plus saponin was evaluated in BALB/c mice challenged subcutaneously with virulent L. infantum promastigotes. rLiHyp1 plus saponin vaccinated mice showed a high and specific production of IFN-γ, IL-12, and GM-CSF after in vitro stimulation with the recombinant protein. Immunized and infected mice, as compared to the control groups (saline and saponin), showed significant reductions in the number of parasites found in the liver, spleen, bone marrow, and in the paws' draining lymph nodes. Protection was associated with an IL-12-dependent production of IFN-γ, produced mainly by CD4 T cells. In these mice, a decrease in the parasite-mediated IL-4 and IL-10 response could also be observed.Conclusions/Significance:The present study showed that this Leishmania oxygenase amastigote-specific protein can be used for a more sensitive and specific serodiagnosis of asymptomatic and symptomatic CVL and, when combined with a Th1-type adjuvant, can also be employ as a candidate antigen to develop vaccines against VL. © 2013 Martins et al.UFMG (Edital 07/2012), Instituto Nacional de Ciencia e Tecnologia em Nanobiofarmace utica; Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG; CBB-APQ-02364-08, PPSUS/MS/CNPq/FAPEMIG/SES-MG/CBB-APQ-00356-10, and CBB-APQ-00496-11); Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientıfico e Tecnologico (CNPq; APQ-472090/2011-9); Instituto Nacional de Ciencia e Tecnologia; FAPEMIG/CAPES; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion (FIS/PI1100095)Peer Reviewe