Forecasting temporal dynamics of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Northeast Brazil.

IntroductionCutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a vector-borne disease of increasing importance in northeastern Brazil. It is known that sandflies, which spread the causative parasites, have weather-dependent population dynamics. Routinely-gathered weather data may be useful for anticipating disease risk and planning interventions.Methodology/principal findingsWe fit time series models using meteorological covariates to predict CL cases in a rural region of Bahía, Brazil from 1994 to 2004. We used the models to forecast CL cases for the period 2005 to 2008. Models accounting for meteorological predictors reduced mean squared error in one, two, and three month-ahead forecasts by up to 16% relative to forecasts from a null model accounting only for temporal autocorrelation.SignificanceThese outcomes suggest CL risk in northeastern Brazil might be partially dependent on weather. Responses to forecasted CL epidemics may include bolstering clinical capacity and disease surveillance in at-risk areas. Ecological mechanisms by which weather influences CL risk merit future research attention as public health intervention targets

Adaptations and responses of the common dandelion to low atmospheric pressure in high‐altitude environments

Atmospheric pressure is an important, yet understudied factor that may shape plant ecology and evolution. By growing plants under controlled conditions at different experimental stations in the Swiss alps, we evaluated the impact of ecologically realistic atmospheric pressures between 660 and 950 hPa on the growth and defence of different dandelion populations. Low atmospheric pressure was associated with reduced root growth and defensive sesquiterpene lactone production. Defence suppression only occurred in populations originating from lower altitudes. Populations from higher altitudes constitutively produced less sesquiterpene lactones and did not suffer from suppression under low atmospheric pressure. Synthesis. We conclude that atmospheric pressure modulates root growth and defence traits, and that evolutionary history shapes plant phenotypic responses to atmospheric pressure. Our findings have important implications for our understanding of altitudinal gradients and the future use of plants as a source of food and bioactive metabolites in extraterrestrial habitats

THE EFFECT OF DEPTH ON THE DRAG FORCE DURING UNDERWATER GLIDING: A CFD APPROACH

Swimming events are the sum of a gliding part and a swimming part. The gliding is used after the start and turns, and this phase typically corresponds to 10-25% of the total event time (Chatard et al., 1990). Taking this into account, one can notice that gliding is very important in swimming events and, therefore, its biomechanical study in order to make it more efficient is also very relevant. The gliding can be studied experimentally, by using voluntary subjects gliding in a controlled manner in a swimming pool (using video or velocimetry, for instance), or by using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). Although the experimental method gives “real” values it also presents some drawbacks, like usually imposing a heavy setup and also the fact that it is difficult to control all variables, like depth, attitude or intersegment positions of the swimmer. The CFD method does not have these limitations and its results are comparable to those obtained by the experimental method (Bixler & Riewald, 2002; Silva et al., 2005; Bixler et al., 2007; Vilas Boas et al., 2010). This work aims to study the effects of the depth and velocity on the drag force experienced by a swimmer during gliding using the CFD method

Electrochemical behavior of parent and photodegradation products of some selected pesticides

Electrochemical behavior of pesticides is extensively studied, but little attention has been given to the study of their degradation products (by-products) by electrochemical methods. However, the degradation products of pesticides can be even more toxic then the parent products and such studies should be encouraged. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate the electroactivity of by-products of imazaquin, methylparathion, bentazon and atrazine, generated by UV irradiation and measured using cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry and UV-visible absorption spectrophotometry. Results have shown that several by-products exhibit electroactivity, allowing, in some cases, the simultaneous determination of both parent and degradation products.EMBRAPACoordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES)CNPqFAPES

A synthetic biology approach to engineer "therapeutic" bacteria

The high incidence and mortality of solid tumors like breast cancer makes the development of novel therapeutic agents a high priority. Curcumin, a natural substance from the rhizome of Curcuma longa, has captured the attention of the scientific community. Pre-clinical trials and extensive research has demonstrated its ability to prevent cancer. Indeed, curcumin has been shown to target critical genes involved in angiogenesis, apoptosis, cell cycle and metastasis, and consequently to inhibit cell growth. Currently, the clinical use of curcumin is mainly limited by its poor bioavailability which implies repetitive oral doses in order to achieve the therapeutic concentrations inside the cell. The idea of the present work is to design a strategy that could link the common technique used to treat solid tumors (ultrasound) with the therapeutic effects of curcumin. The plan is to use the temperature increase (consequence of ultrasound treatment) to trigger the in situ expression of curcumin by engineered bacteria. Escherichia coli was chosen as the model organism in which the genes involved in the curcumin pathway will be cloned. Those genes (4-coumarate: CoA ligase, diketide-CoA synthase and curcumin synthase) were successfully cloned under the control of a temperature sensitive promoter (dnaK). The proof-of-concept that the dnaK promoter can be induced by a temperature increase, leading to the expression of the 3 necessary genes, is currently being tested, using several biochemical assays. Moreover, several knockouts (KO) of specific genes from the E. coli K-12 MG1655 genome were performed in order to maximize the production of curcumin. The deletion strategy, as well as the definition of the non-essential genes to be KO, was determined in silico. This strategy included one single KO (gnd gene) and the multiple KO of five non-essential genes for aerobic growth (fumA, fumB, fumC, ccmA and argO) and serA gene for anaerobic growth. After optimizing the genes expression under the control of the temperature inducible promoter, the several KO will be transformed with this construction to confirm the improvement of curcumin production

Growth and dry matter production in sugarcane varieties grown under full irrigation

A análise de crescimento é considerada o método padrão para medir a produtividade biológica em espécies vegetais. Neste contexto objetivou-se avaliar, em onze variedades de cana-de-açúcar (SP79-1011, RB813804, RB863129, RB872552, RB943365, RB72454, RB763710, SP78-4764, SP81-3250, RB867515, RB92579) cultivadas sob irrigação plena, o crescimento e a produção de matéria seca no ciclo de cana planta. O experimento foi instalado em condições de campo no município de Carpina, PE. Utilizou-se o delineamento estatístico de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições. A análise de crescimento correspondeu à quantificação dos números de perfilhos e à, na mensuração da altura e diâmetro dos colmos, avaliados mensalmente em onze períodos de cultivo, os quais se estenderam dos 60 aos 360 dias após o plantio (DAP). A produção de matéria seca foi quantificada a partir dos 120 DAP, com intervalos de amostragem a cada dois meses. Observou-se que as variedades RB92579 e SP81-3250 apresentaram o maior perfilhamento e produção de matéria seca e as variedades RB813804 e RB72454 às maiores médias de altura, enquanto as variedades RB867515 e RB72454 obtiveram os maiores diâmetros do colmo.Growth analysis is considered as a standard method for measuring the biological productivity of plant species. The objective of this research was to evaluate the growth and dry matter production of eleven sugarcane varieties (SP79-1011, RB813804, RB863129, RB872552, RB943365, RB72454, RB763710, SP78-4764, SP81-3250, RB867515, RB92579), grown under full irrigation, in the planted cane cycle. The experiment was conducted in field conditions in the municipality of Carpina, PE. A randomized block design with four replications was used. The varieties' growth analysis was represented by the quantification of the tillers numbers, stalk height and diameter, measured monthly, in eleven periods of cultivation that extended from 60 to 360 days after planting (DAP). The dry matter production was measured from 120 DAP, with sampling intervals of every two months. It was observed that, at 360 DAP, the RB92579 and SP81-3250 varieties showed the highest tillering and dry matter production. The RB813804 and RB72454 varieties had the highest average for height, while the RB72454 and RB867515 varieties presented the largest stalk diameters

Computational fluid dynamics vs. inverse dynamics methods to determine passive drag in two breaststroke glide positions

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) plays an important role to quantify, understand and "observe" the water movements around the human body and its effects on drag (D). We aimed to investigate the flow effects around the swimmer and to compare the drag and drag coefficient (CD) values obtained from experiments (using cable velocimetry in a swimming pool) with those of CFD simulations for the two ventral gliding positions assumed during the breaststroke underwater cycle (with shoulders flexed and upper limbs extended above the head-GP1; with shoulders in neutral position and upper limbs extended along the trunk-GP2). Six well-trained breaststroke male swimmers (with reasonable homogeneity of body characteristics) participated in the experimental tests; afterwards a 3D swimmer model was created to fit within the limits of the sample body size profile. The standard k-ε turbulent model was used to simulate the fluid flow around the swimmer model. Velocity ranged from 1.30 to 1.70 m/s for GP1 and 1.10 to 1.50 m/s for GP2. Values found for GP1 and GP2 were lower for CFD than experimental ones. Nevertheless, both CFD and experimental drag/drag coefficient values displayed a tendency to jointly increase/decrease with velocity, except for GP2 CD where CFD and experimental values display opposite tendencies. Results suggest that CFD values obtained by single model approaches should be considered with caution due to small body shape and dimension differences to real swimmers. For better accuracy of CFD studies, realistic individual 3D models of swimmers are required, and specific kinematics respected.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Inferior petrosal sinus catheterization: technical aspects

OBJETIVO: O cateterismo dos seios petrosos inferiores (SPI) ajuda a diferenciar as formas hipofisária e ectópica na síndrome de Cushing (SC). O objetivo desse trabalho é descrever a técnica empregada em nosso serviço, discutir a solução de dificuldades e verificar o índice de sucesso atingido. CASUÍSTICA E MÉTODO: Foram submetidos a cateterismo bilateral dos SPI 42 pacientes com SC, entre setembro de 2000 e setembro de 2005. As dificuldades para o posicionamento do cateter foram correlacionadas com as soluções empregadas. RESULTADOS: As variações anatômicas, a semelhança entre o SPI e a veia emissária do plexo basilar e a dificuldade de contrastar as estruturas a contrafluxo para localizá-las foram os principais problemas. Foram utilizados cateter pré-moldado, fio-guia semicurvo e dirigível, road-maping e venografia por injeção contralateral, além de critérios para diferenciar o SPI da veia emissária. Dos 84 SPI abordados, um apresentava trombose, e dos 83 possíveis, 80 (96,4%) foram cateterizados. Não se observaram complicações. CONCLUSÃO: A cateterização dos SPI pode ser feita na maioria dos pacientes. A identificação da veia emissária do plexo basilar e o uso de flebografia por injeção contralateral melhoraram o desempenho do método.PURPOSE: Inferior petrosal sinus catheterization and sampling for corticotropin dosage helps to differentiate hypophisary and ectopic forms of Cushing syndrome. The aim of this paper is to describe the technique used in inferior petrosal sinus catheterization in our service, emphasizing the solution found for frequent difficulties, and verify the success rate achieved. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between September/2000 and September/2005, forty-two (eighty-four sinuses) patients were submitted to inferior petrosal sinus sampling. The difficulties for correct catheter positioning were identified and correlated with their solutions. RESULTS: Anatomical variations, similarity between IPS and emissary vein of the basilar plexus and unfavorable flow to the contrastation of the structures (retrograde catheterization) were the main problems. Using pre-shaped catheters, curved, steerable guide-wires, road-maping and venography by contalateral injection, besides criteria to differentiate IPS from the emissary vein. Of the 84 sinuses approached, one was thrombosed, and 80 (96.4%) of 83 possible were selectively catheterized. No clinical complication occurred. CONCLUSION: IPSC can be safe and successfully performed in most cases. The identification of the emissary vein of the basilar plexus and use of venography by contralateral injection, improved the method performance

Delimitação de corredores verdes regionais recorrendo a dados fuzzy e análise multi critério

No contexto das ideias dos finais dos anos oitenta, sobre o desenvolvimento sustentado da paisagem, que assentam na manutenção, preservação e recuperação de espaços vitais ao funcionamento ecológico, surge o conceito de corredor verde, entendido como uma estratégia de ordenamento do território, popularizado como resposta às modernas exigências de compatibilização entre os efeitos espaciais negativos da evolução económica e a necessária salvaguarda da qualidade ambiental. Os corredores verdes podem ser definidos como “espaços livres lineares ao longo de corredores naturais, como frentes ribeirinhas, cursos de água, festos, canais, vias cénicas, linhas férreas convertidas em usos de recreio, que ligam entre si parques, reservas naturais, sítios históricos, património natural e áreas habitacionais”(Magalhães, 1992). A decisão correspondente à escolha entre os vários traçados alternativos, tem por base uma análise multi-critério (AMC).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

VIRTUAL REALITY TECHNIQUES IN THE AID TO POPULATION AWARENESS AROUND A NUCLEAR WASTE

Nuclear energy has proved to be an extremely important source of energy for today's society. However, these achievements, even present in people's daily lives, often go unnoticed and suffer rejection by the same society that enjoys such contributions. Rejection, mainly due to the lack of information. In this context, this work used Virtual Reality technology to inform and make the population aware of the benefits and disadvantages of nuclear energy. For this purpose, an interactive virtual environment was produced that allowed the exploration of a nuclear waste repository. Subsequently, an educational video was developed to provide end-user information support. Finally, an educational game was also created with the aim of raising public awareness and demystifying the nuclear area by bringing knowledge, in a clear and engaging way, to the population around a nuclear repository. The developed environment allowed the user to walk through the virtual representation of the reject repository, and also enabled the creation of a video capable of transmitting the initial information and improving the spatial comprehension of the model as a whole. In conclusion, the tool developed in the present work has the capacity to assist in the production of nuclear projects before even entering the construction phase. In addition, it is possible to apply this technique to inform the population about the nuclear practices that will be applied, providing a greater involvement of the people and, consequently, a better assimilation of knowledge about nuclear energy