Trend-based analysis of a population model of the AKAP scaffold protein

We formalise a continuous-time Markov chain with multi-dimensional discrete state space model of the AKAP scaffold protein as a crosstalk mediator between two biochemical signalling pathways. The analysis by temporal properties of the AKAP model requires reasoning about whether the counts of individuals of the same type (species) are increasing or decreasing. For this purpose we propose the concept of stochastic trends based on formulating the probabilities of transitions that increase (resp. decrease) the counts of individuals of the same type, and express these probabilities as formulae such that the state space of the model is not altered. We define a number of stochastic trend formulae (e.g. weakly increasing, strictly increasing, weakly decreasing, etc.) and use them to extend the set of state formulae of Continuous Stochastic Logic. We show how stochastic trends can be implemented in a guarded-command style specification language for transition systems. We illustrate the application of stochastic trends with numerous small examples and then we analyse the AKAP model in order to characterise and show causality and pulsating behaviours in this biochemical system

Reachability in Biochemical Dynamical Systems by Quantitative Discrete Approximation (extended abstract)

In this paper, a novel computational technique for finite discrete approximation of continuous dynamical systems suitable for a significant class of biochemical dynamical systems is introduced. The method is parameterized in order to affect the imposed level of approximation provided that with increasing parameter value the approximation converges to the original continuous system. By employing this approximation technique, we present algorithms solving the reachability problem for biochemical dynamical systems. The presented method and algorithms are evaluated on several exemplary biological models and on a real case study.Comment: In Proceedings CompMod 2011, arXiv:1109.104

Evaluation of microscopy, serology, circulating anodic antigen (CAA), and eosinophil counts for the follow-up of migrants with chronic schistosomiasis: a prospective cohort study

Background: An accurate test for the diagnosis and post-treatment follow-up of patients with schistosomiasis is needed. We assessed the performance of different laboratory parameters, including the up-converting reporter particle technology lateral flow assay to detect circulating anodic antigen (UCP-LF CAA), for the post-treatment follow-up of schistosomiasis in migrants attending a dedicated outpatient clinic in a non-endemic country.Methods: Routine anti-Schistosoma serology results and eosinophil counts were obtained of patients with positive urine/stool microscopy and/or PCR (confirmed cases) or only positive serology (possible cases), and at least one follow-up visit at 6 (T6) or 12 (T12) months after praziquantel treatment. All sera samples were tested with the UCP-LF CAA assay.Results: Forty-eight patients were included, 23 confirmed and 25 possible cases. The percentage seropositivity and median antibody titers did not change significantly during follow-up. UCP-LF CAA was positive in 86.9% of confirmed and 20% of possible cases. The percentage positivity and median CAA levels decreased significantly post-treatment, with only two patients having positive CAA levels at T12.Conclusions: The UCP-LF CAA assay proved useful for the diagnosis of active infection with Schistosoma spp. and highly valuable for post-treatment monitoring in migrants, encouraging the development of a commercial test.Cancer Signaling networks and Molecular Therapeutic

Electronic state spectroscopy by high-resolution vacuum ultraviolet photoabsorption, He(I) photoelectron spectroscopy and ab initio calculations of ethyl acetate

Abstract: The high-resolution vacuum ultraviolet photoabsorption spectrum of ethyl acetate,C4H8O2, is presented over the energy range 4.5−10.7 eV (275.5−116.0 nm). Valence and Rydberg transitionsand their associated vibronic series observed in the photoabsorption spectrum, have beenassigned in accordance with new ab initio calculations of the vertical excitation energiesand oscillator strengths. Also, the photoabsorption cross sections have been used tocalculate the photolysis lifetime of this ester in the upper stratosphere(20−50 km). Calculationshave also been carried out to determine the ionisation energies and fine structure of thelowest ionic state of ethyl acetate and are compared with a newly recorded photoelectronspectrum (from 9.5 to 16.7 eV). Vibrational structure is observed in the firstphotoelectron band of this molecule for the first time

A comparative analysis of two approaches to periocular recognition in mobile scenarios

In recent years, periocular recognition has become a popular alternative to face and iris recognition in less ideal acquisition scenarios. An interesting example of such scenarios is the usage of mobile devices for recognition purposes. With the growing popularity and easy access to such devices, the development of robust biometric recognition algorithms to work under such conditions finds strong motivation. In the present work we assess the performance of extended versions of two state-of-the-art periocular recognition algorithms on the publicly available CSIP database, a recent dataset composed of images acquired under highly unconstrained and multi-sensor mobile scenarios. The achieved results show each algorithm is better fit to tackle different scenarios and applications of the biometric recognition problem

Assistive Technologies That Are Meant To Integrate Brain And Computer: Accepted Or Rejected By Society?

The number of research papers in the area of Brain Computer Interface (BCI) assistive technologies is increasing rapidly. In addition, there is a possibility that some prosthetic models based on BCI will soon be available on the market. However, the acceptance and the degree of information that lay people have about this kind of technology is still unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the diffusion of this top-of-the-edge technology and its acceptance by society. We developed a structured questionnaire and we applied it, in a single day, to passersby in downtown of an urban city with over one million people in Southeastern Brazil. The results showed that almost a third of 336 interviewees (mean age of 37 year-old, range from 15 to 89 years) had never heard about such technology. Most (89 %) of the other two thirds that had already heard of it affirmed that BCI based technologies would help in cases of incapacitating physical disabilities. No association was found when confronting the pattern of the answers with demographical data (p>O.05). We conclude that there is a positive attitude towards assistive technology by the society. The majority of the interviewees claimed to know about it, but it seems that the knowledge is superficial and based on broad science diffusion media. The literature on BCI acceptance is still very limited. Approximation between the scientific community and the end users is advised to bring adequate information and to decrease the degree of fantasy naturally related to this area, avoiding future false expectations. © 2013 IEEE.Cook, Hussey, (1995) Assistive Technologies: Principles and Practices, , Saint Louis: Mosby IncJackson, A., Moritz, C.T., Mavoori, J., Lucas, T.H., Fetz, E.E., The neurochip BCI: Towards a neural prosthesis for upper limb function (2006) IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering, 14 (2), pp. 187-190Tan, D.S., Nijholt, A., (2010) Brain-Computer Interfaces, pp. 105-119. , S. LondonNeuper, C., Müller-Putz, G.R., Scherer, R., Pfurtscheller, G., Motor imagery and EEG-based control of spelling devices and neuroprostheses (2006) Prog Brain Res, 159, pp. 393-409Cossio, E.G., Fernandez, C., Gaviria, M.E., Palacio, C., Alvarán, L., Villa, T., Alberto, R., P300 based Brain computer interface for alternative communication: A case study with two teenagers with motor disabilities (2011) Rev. Fac. Ing. Univ, Antioquia, (60), pp. 223-231Galan, F., Nuttin, M., Lew, E., Ferrez, P.W., Vanacker, G., Philips, J., Millá, J.D.R., A brain-actuated wheelchair: Asynchronous and non-invasive brain-computer interfaces for continuous control of robots (2008) Clin Neurophysiol, 119, pp. 2159-2169Rebsamen, B., Guan, C., Zhang, H., Wang, C., Teo, C., Ang, M.H., Burdet, E., A brain controlled wheelchair to navigate in familiar environments (2010) Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering, IEEE Transactions on, 18 (6), pp. 590-598. , DecLebedev, M.A., Nicolelis, M.A.L., Brain-machine interfaces: Past, present and future (2006) Trends in Neurosciences, 29 (9), pp. 536-546McFarland, D.J., Wolpaw, J.R., Brain-computer interface operation of robotic and prosthetic devices (2008) Computer, 41 (10), pp. 52-56. , OctSparrow, R., Defending deaf culture: The case of cochlear implants (2005) The Journal of Political Philosophy, 13 (2), pp. 135-152Nóbrega, J.D., De Andrade, A.B., Pontes, R.J.S., Bosi, M.L.M., Machado, M.M.T., Identity of the deaf and interventions in health from the perspective of a community of sign language users (2012) Ciênc. Saúde Coletiva, 17 (3), pp. 671-67

Development of steroid signaling pathways during primordial follicle formation in the human fetal ovary

<br>Context: Ovarian primordial follicle formation is critical for subsequent human female fertility. It is likely that steroid, and especially estrogen, signaling is required for this process, but details of the pathways involved are currently lacking.</br> <br>Objective: The aim was to identify and characterize key members of the steroid-signaling pathway expressed in the second trimester human fetal ovary.</br> <br>Design: We conducted an observational study of the female fetus, quantifying and localizing steroid-signaling pathway members.</br> <br>Setting: The study was conducted at the Universities of Aberdeen, Edinburgh, and Glasgow.</br> <br>Patients/Participants: Ovaries were collected from 43 morphologically normal human female fetuses from women undergoing elective termination of second trimester pregnancies.</br> <br>Main Outcome Measures: We measured mRNA transcript levels and immunolocalized key steroidogenic enzymes and steroid receptors, including those encoded by ESR2, AR, and CYP19A1.</br> <br>Results: Levels of mRNA encoding the steroidogenic apparatus and steroid receptors increased across the second trimester. CYP19A1 transcript increased 4.7-fold during this period with intense immunostaining for CYP19A detected in pregranulosa cells around primordial follicles and somatic cells around oocyte nests. ESR2 was localized primarily to germ cells, but androgen receptor was exclusively expressed in somatic cells. CYP17A1 and HSD3B2 were also localized to oocytes, whereas CYP11A1 was detected in oocytes and some pregranulosa cells.</br> <br>Conclusions: The human fetal ovary expresses the machinery to produce and detect multiple steroid signaling pathways, including estrogenic signaling, with the oocyte acting as a key component. This study provides a step-change in our understanding of local dynamics of steroid hormone signaling during the key period of human primordial follicle formation.</br&gt

Toxicidade residual de alguns agrotóxicos recomendado na agricultura sobre Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) Residual toxicity of some pesticides recommended for citrus orchards on the predaceous mite Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) (Acari: phytoseiidae)

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a toxicidade residual de alguns agrotóxicos utilizados em citros sobre Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) em condições de laboratório. O método de bioensaio adotado foi o de contato residual. Folhas de citros da variedade Pêra, acondicionadas em arenas, foram pulverizadas em torre de Potter. A toxicidade residual dos produtos foi avaliada duas horas e 1; 3; 5; 7; 10; 14 e 21 dias após a aplicação. Em cada arena, foram transferidas dez fêmeas adultas de N. californicus, juntamente com uma quantidade suficiente de Tetranychus urticae, como fonte de alimento. As avaliações de mortalidade foram realizadas 72 horas após a transferência dos ácaros para as arenas. Os agrotóxicos acrinathrin, deltamethrin, dinocap, enxofre, fenpropathrin, óxido de fenbutatin e propargite não causaram mortalidades significativas em adultos de N. californicus. Foram registradas mortalidades de 29,8; 24,0 e 34,1% para ácaros N. californicus expostos a resíduos de duas horas de idade de abamectim, azocyclotin e cyhexatin, respectivamente. Dicofol, pyridaben e chlorfenapyr causaram 100% de mortalidade aos ácaros predadores expostos aos resíduos tóxicos dos acaricidas, com duas horas de idade. Abamectin provocou mortalidade significativa por um período inferior a um dia. Resíduos dos acaricidas azocyclotin, cyhexatin, dicofol, pyridaben e chlorfenapyr provocaram mortalidades significativas por períodos de 1; 1; 10; 10 e 21dias, respectivamente. Os resultados obtidos no presente experimento servem de subsídio para a escolha adequada dos agrotóxicos a serem utilizados em pomares de citros nos quais N. californicus esteja presente ou naqueles em que o predador venha a ser liberado. Esses resultados também servem para a escolha do momento mais favorável para a liberação dos ácaros predadores dessa espécie no campo, após a aplicação de agrotóxicos nos pomares. Estudos conduzidos em condições de campo ainda são necessários para se compreender melhor o efeito desses agrotóxicos sobre o ácaro predador.<br>This study was carried out to evaluate the residual toxicity of some pesticides used in citrus orchards, on Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) under laboratory conditions. The residual contact bioassay method was adopted. Citrus leaves of the variety "Pêra" were sprayed in a Potter tower. The products' residual toxicity was evaluated at two hours and 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14 and 21 days after treatment. Ten adult females of N. californicus were transferred to each arena together with an enough amount of Tetranychus urticae to feed the predator. Mortality evaluations were performed at 72 hours after transferring the predaceous mites to the arenas. The pesticides acrinathrin, deltamethrin, dinocap, sulphur, fenpropathrin, fenbutatin oxide and propargite did not cause significant mortalities to the adults of N. californicus. Abamectim, azocyclotin and cyhexatin caused mortalities of 29.8, 24.0 and 34.1%, respectively, for N. californicus adults exposed to two-hour pesticide residues. Dicofol, pyridaben and chlorfenapyr caused 100% of mortality to the predators exposed to the two-hour acaricide residues. Abamectin provoked significant mortalities for a period shorter than one day. Residues of azocyclotin, cyhexatin, dicofol, pyridaben and chlorfenapyr caused significant mortalities for periods of 1, 1, 10, 10 and 21 days, respectively. The results of this study provided basic information for choosing the adequate pesticides to be used in citrus orchards in which N. californicus is present, or in those the predator will be released. The results are also useful for the decision of the best releasing time for N. californicus in the field, after pesticide applications. Studies carried out in the field are still necessary to understand better the effect of these pesticides under the predaceous mite

Composição centesimal e lipídica da carne de ovinos do nordeste brasileiro Proximate analysis and lipidic composition of lamb meat from Northeastern Brazil

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar a composição centesimal e lipídica da carne de ovinos do Nordeste brasileiro. Para isso, foram utilizados 21 borregos, machos inteiros, sendo 10 animais ½ Somalis Brasileira ´ ½ Crioula (SB-C) e 11 animais ½ Santa Inês ´ ½ Crioula (SI-C). Os animais receberam duas dietas durante a fase de amamentação: feno de capim-gramão (Cynodon dactylon) + feno de leucena (Leucaena leucocephala) ad libitum (D1) e feno de capim-gramão + feno de leucena + concentrado com 20% de proteína bruta ad libitum (D2). Não foi observado o efeito dos genótipos nem do sistema de alimentação sobre a composição centesimal e lipídica da carne. Os valores de umidade, proteína, cinzas e gordura, variaram de 76,12 a 76,19%, 19,19 a 19,46%, 1,08 a 1,10% e 2,01 a 2,39%, respectivamente. Os valores de colesterol variaram de 54,43 a 60,05mg por 100g de carne. Os ácidos graxos encontrados em maior quantidade na fração lipídica da carne dos animais estudados foram oleico, palmítico e esteárico. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, conclui-se que a carne de ovinos do Nordeste brasileiro apresenta uma composição centesimal e lipídica similar às carnes de ovinos de clima temperado.<br>The objective of this study was to evaluate the proximate and lipidic compositon of lamb meat from tropical sheep reared in Northeastern Brazil. Twenty-one rams, ten ½ Somalis Brasileira ½ ´ Crioula (SB-C) and 11 ½ Santa Inês ´ ½ Crioula (SI-C) were used. Two feeding regimes were utilized during weaning: grass hay (Cynodon dactylon) + leucena hay (Leucaena leucocephala) ad libitum (D1) and grass háy + leucena hay + 20% crude protein concentrate ad libitum (D2). It was not observed effect of crossbreed or feeding regime on proximate and lipidic composition of the meat. Moisture, protein, ash and fat values varied from 76.12 to 76.19%, 19.19 to 19.46%, 1.08 to 1.10% and 2.01 to 2.39%, respectively. Cholesterol content ranged from 54.43 to 60.05mg/100g of meat. The more abundant fatty acids in lamb fat were oleic, palmitic and stearic. Based on these results, it can be concluded that lamb meat from Notheastern Brazil has proximal and lipidic compositions similar to that animals from temperate regions of the World