On the P-representable subset of all bipartite Gaussian separable states

P-representability is a necessary and sufficient condition for separability of bipartite Gaussian states only for the special subset of states whose covariance matrix are $Sp(2,R)\otimes Sp(2,R)$ locally invariant. Although this special class of states can be reached by a convenient $Sp(2,R)\otimes Sp(2,R)$ transformation over an arbitrary covariance matrix, it represents a loss of generality, avoiding inference of many general aspects of separability of bipartite Gaussian states.Comment: Final version with new results added. Slightly more detailed than the accepted manuscript (to appear in Phys. Rev. A

Do Gender And Age Influence Agroforestry Farmers’ Knowledge Of Tree Species Uses In An Area Of The Atlantic Forest, Brazil?

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)This study aimed to explore the extent of knowledge of tree species and their uses by agroforestry farmers in the Vale do Ribeira, Brazil, to verify whether gender and age are related to species knowledge in different use categories. The study was conducted using semi-structured interviews, guided tours, direct observation and collection and identification of botanical material. Analyses were based on the frequency with which plants were mentioned. Forty farmers (17 women and 23 men aged 18 to 78 years) were interviewed. There were significant differences in the species richness cited exclusively by each gender; the number of species mentioned by men (36 sp.) was higher than by women (11 sp.). Men exhibited a greater knowledge of such categories as construction, organic matter, fuel, animal feed, technology and beekeeping, whereas there were no significant differences for food, medical and other categories. Age was also a distinguishing factor; younger people mentioned the lowest number of species (74 sp.) compared to adults (163 sp.) and the elderly (150 sp.). The greater number of species mentioned exclusively by men may indicate the existence of specialized knowledge, whereas environmental constraints and the availability of plant resources may limit the knowledge of young people. © 2016, Sociedade Botanica do Brasil. All rights reserved.304667682CAPES, Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível SuperiorCoordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

An evaluation of open source platforms for identification and quantitative proteomics data mining

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Benchmarking performance of commonly used proteomics biomarker discovery platform-towards clinical proteomics standarization

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The Atp-dependent Rna Helicase Hrpb Plays An Important Role In Motility And Biofilm Formation In Xanthomonas Citri Subsp. Citri

Background: RNA helicases are enzymes that catalyze the separation of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) using the free energy of ATP binding and hydrolysis. DEAD/DEAH families participate in many different aspects of RNA metabolism, including RNA synthesis, RNA folding, RNA-RNA interactions, RNA localization and RNA degradation. Several important bacterial DEAD/DEAH-box RNA helicases have been extensively studied. In this study, we characterize the ATP-dependent RNA helicase encoded by the hrpB (XAC0293) gene using deletion and genetic complementation assays. We provide insights into the function of the hrpB gene in Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri by investigating the roles of hrpB in biofilm formation on abiotic surfaces and host leaves, cell motility, host virulence of the citrus canker bacterium and growth in planta. Results: The hrpB gene is highly conserved in the sequenced strains of Xanthomonas. Mutation of the hrpB gene (Δ;hrpB) resulted in a significant reduction in biofilms on abiotic surfaces and host leaves. Δ;hrpB also exhibited increased cell dispersion on solid medium plates. Δ;hrpB showed reduced adhesion on biotic and abiotic surfaces and delayed development in disease symptoms when sprayed on susceptible citrus leaves. Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR assays indicated that deletion of hrpB reduced the expression of four type IV pili genes. The transcriptional start site of fimA (XAC3241) was determined using rapid amplification of 5′-cDNA Ends (5′RACE). Based on the results of fimA mRNA structure predictions, the fimA 5′ UTR may contain three different loops. HrpB may be involved in alterations to the structure of fimA mRNA that promote the stability of fimA RNA. Conclusions: Our data show that hrpB is involved in adherence of Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri to different surfaces. In addition, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that a DEAH RNA helicase has been implicated in the regulation of type IV pili in Xanthomonas. © 2016 Granato et al.16

Vitamin D receptor alleles and bone mineral density in a normal premenopausal Brazilian female population

Studies on the association between vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphism and bone mineral density (BMD) in different populations have produced conflicting results probably due to ethnic differences in the populations studied. The Brazilian population is characterized by a very broad genetic background and a high degree of miscegenation. Of an initial group of 164, we studied 127 women from the city of São Paulo, aged 20 to 47 years (median, 31 years), with normal menses, a normal diet and no history of diseases or use of any medication that could alter BMD. VDR genotype was assessed by PCR amplification followed by BsmI digestion of DNA isolated from peripheral leukocytes. BMD was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (Lunar DPX) at the lumbar site (L2-L4) and femoral neck. Most of the women (77.6%) were considered to be of predominantly European ancestry (20.6% of them reported also native American ancestry), 12.8% were of African-Brazilian ancestry and 9.6% of Asian ancestry, 41.0% (52) were classified as bb, 48.8% (62) as Bb and 10.2% (13) as BB. The BB, Bb and bb groups did not differ in age, height, weight, body mass index or age at menarche. Lumbar spine BMD was significantly higher in the bb group (1.22 ± 0.16 g/cm²) than in the BB group (1.08 ± 0.14; P<0.05), and the Bb group presented an intermediate value (1.17 ± 0.15). Femoral neck BMD was higher in the bb group (0.99 ± 0.11 g/cm²) compared to Bb (0.93 ± 0.12) and BB (0.90 ± 0.09) (P<0.05). These data indicate that there is a significant correlation between the VDR BsmI genotype and BMD in healthy Brazilian premenopausal females.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)Laboratório FleuryUNIFESPSciEL

Nuts and bolts of ITRAQ-based quantitative analysis

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In Vitro Activity Of Artemisia Annua L (asteraceae) Extracts Against Rhipicephalus (boophilus) Microplus [atividade In Vitro De Extratos De Artemisia Annua L (asteraceae) Sobre Rhipicephalus (boophilus) Microplus]

The activity of plant extracts on parasites may indicate groups of substances that are potentially useful for controlling Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. The aim of the present study was to investigate the in vitro action of Artemisia annua extracts on this tick. The concentrations of the sesquiterpene lactones artemisinin and deoxyartemisinin present in plant extracts were quantified via high-performance liquid chromatography. Four extracts produced from the concentrated crude extract (CCE) were evaluated on larvae using the impregnated paper method, with readings after 24 hours of incubation. The engorged females were immersed in the CCE and in its four derived extracts for five minutes, with incubation for subsequent analysis of biological parameters. The extracts were not effective on the larvae at the concentrations tested (3.1 to 50 mg.mL-1). The CCE showed greater efficacy on engorged females (EC50 of 130.6 mg.mL-1 and EC90 of 302.9 mg.mL-1) than did the derived extracts. These results tend to confirm that the action of artemisinin on engorged females of R. (B.) microplus is conditional to their blood intake. In this case, in vitro methods would be inadequate for effective evaluation of the action of A. annua on R. (B.) microplus.2013135Amaral, N.K., Guidelines for the evaluation of ixodicides against the cattle tick Boophilus microplus (Canestrini, 1887) (Acari: Ixodidae) (1993) Revista Brasileira De Parasitologia Veterinária, 2 (2), pp. 144-151(2009) Anuário Da Pecuária Brasileira, p. 360. , ANUALPEC, Sao Paulo: Angra FNP PesquisasBorges, L.M.F., Acao do extrato hexanico de frutos maduros de Melia azedarach (Meliaceae) sobre Boophilus microplus (Acari: Ixodidae) em bezerros infestados artificialmente (2005) Revista De Patologia Tropical, 34 (1), pp. 53-59Cala, A.C., (2010) Avaliação Da Atividade De Artemisia Annua L., Melia Azedarach L. E Trichilia Claussenii C. Sobre Nematódeos Gastrintestinais De Ovinos, p. 64. , Dissertacao (Mestrado)- Universidade Estadual Paulista, Faculdade de Ciencias Agrarias e Veterinarias, JaboticabalCeleghini, R.M.S., Desenvolvimento e validacao de metodologia analitica por CLAE-IR para determinacao de artemisinina em Artemisia annua L (2009) Química Nova, 32 (4), pp. 875-878Chagas, A.C.S., Efeito acaricida de oleos essenciais e concentrados emulsionaveis de Eucalyptus em Boophilus microplus (2002) Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Research and Animal Science, 39 (5), pp. 247-253Chagas, A.C.S., Sensibilidade do carrapato Boophilus microplus a solventes (2003) Ciência Rural, 33 (1), pp. 109-114Creek, D.J., Kinetics of ironmediated artemisinin degradation:Effect of solvent composition and iron salt (2005) Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 94 (8), pp. 1820-1829Drummond, R.O., Boophilus annulatus and B. Microplus: Laboratory tests of insecticides (1973) Journal of Economic Entomology, 66 (1), pp. 130-133Ekanem, A.P., Brisibe, E.A., Effects of ethanol extract of Artemisia annua L. Against monogenean parasites of Heterobranchus longifilis (2010) Parasitology Research, 106 (5), pp. 1135-1139Fernandes, F.F., Freitas, E.P.S., Acaricidal activity of an oleoresinous extract from Copaifera reticulata (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae against larvae of the southern cattle tick, Riphicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Acari:Ixodidae) (2007) Veterinary Parasitology, 147 (1-2), pp. 150-154Ferreira, J.F.S., Agrotechnological aspects of the anti-malarial plant Artemisia annua and its potential use in animal health in Appalachia (2006) International Symposium on Perfume, Aromatic and Medicinal Plants, (2-4), pp. 797-804. , Revue de Regions Arides - Numero special - Actes du seminaire international les Plants a Parfum, Aromatiques et Medicinales (English version: International Center for Agricultural Research in Dry AreasFerreira, J.F.S., Nutrient Deficiency in the Production of Artemisinin, Dihydroartemisinic Acid, and Artemisinic Acid in Artemisia annua L (2007) Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 55 (5), pp. 1686-1694Ferreira, J.F.S., Gonzalez, J.M., Chemical and biological stability of artemisinin in bovine rumen fluid and its kinetics in goats (Capra hircus) (2008) Revista Brasileira De Parasitologia Veterinária, 17 (SUPPL. 1), pp. 103-109Furlong, J., O carrapato dos bovinos e a resistencia: Temos o que comemorar? (2007) A Hora Veterinária, 159, pp. 26-32Grisi, L., Impacto economico das principais ectoparasitoses em bovinos no Brasil (2002) A Hora Veterinária, 21 (125), pp. 8-10Heimerdinger, A., Extrato alcoolico de Capim-cidreira (Cymbopogon citratus) no controle do Boophilus microplus em bovinos (2006) Revista Brasileira De Parasitologia Veterinária, 15 (1), pp. 37-39Idris, U.A., Adam, S.E., Tartour, G., The anthelmintic efficacy of Artemisia herba-alba against Haemonchus contortus infection in goats (1982) Animal Health Quarterly, 22 (3), pp. 138-143Iqbal, Z., Anthelmintic activity of Artemisia brevifolia in sheep (2004) Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 93 (2), pp. 265-268Keiser, J., Artesunate and artemether are effective fasciolicides in the rat model and in vitro (2006) Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 57 (6), pp. 1139-1145Keiser, J., Efficacy and safety of artemether against a natural Fasciola hepatica infection in sheep (2008) Parasitology Research, 103 (3), pp. 517-522Keiser, J., Utzinger, J., Food-borne trematodiasis: Current chemotherapy and advances with artemisinins and synthetic trioxolanes (2007) Trends In Parasitology, 23 (11), pp. 555-562Klayman, D.L., Qinghaosu (Artemisinin): Na antimalarial drug from China (1985) Science, 228 (4703), pp. 1049-1055La-Scalea, M.A., Silva, H.S.R.C., Ferreira, E., Reducao voltametrica de artemisinina e sua interacao com grupo heme (hemina) (2007) Brazilian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 43 (3), pp. 371-383Martins, R.M., Estudio in vitro de la accion acaricida del aceite esencial de la graminea Citronela de Java (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt) en la garrapata Boophilus microplus (2006) Revista Brasileira De Plantas Medicinais De Botucatu, 8 (2), pp. 71-78Meshnick, S.R., Second-generation antimamalarial endoperoxides (1996) Parasitology Today, 12 (2), pp. 79-82Ribeiro, V.L.S., Acaricidal properties of extracts from the aerial parts of Hypericum polyanthemum on the cattle tick Boophilus microplus (2007) Veterinary Parasitology, 147 (1-2), pp. 199-203Rodrigues, R.A.F., Otimizacao do processo de extracao e isolamento do antimalarico artemisinina a partir de Artemisia annua L (2006) Química Nova, 29 (2), pp. 368-372Silva, H.S.R.C., (2006) Antimaláricos Potenciais: Pró-fármacos Poliméricos E Formas De Liberação Controlada De Artemisinina, p. 209. , Tese (Doutorado)-Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao PauloSimoes, C.M., (2004) Farmacognosia: Da Planta Ao Medicamento, p. 1102. , 5. ed. Porto Alegre: Editora da UFRGSFlorianopolis: Editora da UFSCTaranto, A.G., Estudo sobre o mecanismo de acao da artemisinina e dos endoperoxidos, a mais nova classe de agents antimalaricos (2006) Sitientibus, 34, pp. 47-58Tariq, K.A., Anthelmintic activity of extracts of Artemisia absinthium against ovine nematodes (2009) Veterinary Parasitology, 160 (1-2), pp. 83-8

Molecular dynamics simulation and crystal field calculations of the Eu2O3-PbO-SiO2 glassy system submitted to long annealing time

The Eu2O3-PbO-SiO2 glassy system submitted to a long annealing time (100 ps) has been obtained by molecular dynamics calculations. The average of 87/86 sites of the Eu3 + ion with six/seven nearest neighbours are used to discuss the number of lines and the local symmetry of the luminescent site through the crystal field parameters, using the simple overlap model in the frame of the method of equivalent nearest neighbours. The magnitude of the [View the MathML source] Bq2(q = 0, 1, 2) and the non-negligible [View the MathML source] B44 and [View the MathML source] B46( [View the MathML source] B34, [View the MathML source] B36 and [View the MathML source] B66) lead to the indication of distorted C4h and C3i site symmetries of the six and seven nearest neighbours, respectively. We have then compared very satisfactorily our 7F1 sublevels calculations with those observed in the emission spectra of an Eu-borate glass annealed for 30 min and 17 h. This comparison is justified because the emission behaviour of europium ions in different glassy systems are honestly very similar. Further, the decrease observed in the 5D0→7F2/5D0→7F1 transition intensity ratio is a clear indication that the Eu3 + ion are nucleating a crystalline phase. Such satisfactory comparisons indicate that we have obtained a transparent glass-ceramics