Development of an organic crop-livestock-forestry system as a Technology Transfer tool.

Resumo

Generation of single-chain LAGLIDADG homing endonucleases from native homodimeric precursor proteins

Homing endonucleases (HEs) cut long DNA target sites with high specificity to initiate and target the lateral transfer of mobile introns or inteins. This high site specificity of HEs makes them attractive reagents for gene targeting to promote DNA modification or repair. We have generated several hundred catalytically active, monomerized versions of the well-characterized homodimeric I-CreI and I-MsoI LAGLIDADG family homing endonuclease (LHE) proteins. Representative monomerized I-CreI and I-MsoI proteins (collectively termed mCreIs or mMsoIs) were characterized in detail by using a combination of biochemical, biophysical and structural approaches. We also demonstrated that both mCreI and mMsoI proteins can promote cleavage-dependent recombination in human cells. The use of single chain LHEs should simplify gene modification and targeting by requiring the expression of a single small protein in cells, rather than the coordinate expression of two separate protein coding genes as is required when using engineered heterodimeric zinc finger or homing endonuclease proteins

RoboCup rescue robot league

The RoboCup Rescue Robot League (RRL) aims to foster the development of rescue robots that can be used after disasters such as earthquakes. These robots help to discover victims in the collapsed structure without endanger the rescue personnel. The RRL has been held since 2000. The experience gained during these competitions has increased the level of maturity of the field, which allowed to deploy robots after real disasters, e.g. at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. This article provides an overview on the competition and its history. It also highlights the current state of the art, the current challenges and the way ahead

Advancing the state of urban search and rescue robotics through the RoboCupRescue Robot League competition

The RoboCupRescue Robot League is an international competition that has grown to be an effective driver for the dissemination of solutions to the challenges posed by Urban Search and Rescue Robotics and accelerated the development of the performance standards that are crucial to widespread effective deployment of robotic systems for these applications. In this paper, we will discuss how this competition has come to be more than simply a venue where teams compete to find a champion and is now “A League of Teams with one goal: to Develop and Demonstrate Advanced Robotic Capabilities for Emergency Responders.

Using competitions to advance the development of standard test methods for response robots

Competitions are an effective aid to the development and dissemination of standard test methods, especially in rapidly developing, fields with a wide variety of requirements and capabilities such as Urban Search and Rescue robotics. By exposing the development process to highly developmental systems that push the boundaries of current capabilities, it is possible to gain an insight into how the test methods will respond to the robots of the future. The competition setting also allows for the rapid iterative refinement of the test methods and apparatuses in response to new developments. For the research community, introducing the concepts behind the test methods at the research and development stage can also help to guide their work towards the operationally relevant requirements embodied by the test methods and apparatuses. This also aids in the dissemination of the test methods themselves as teams fabricate them in their own laboratories and re-use them in work outside the competition. In this paper, we discuss how international competitions, and in particular the RoboCupRescue Robot League competition, have played a crucial role in the development of standard test metrics for response robots as part of the ASTM International Committee of Homeland Security Applications; Operational Equipment; Robots (E54.08.01). We will also discuss how the competition has helped to drive a vibrant robot developer community towards solutions that are relevant to first responders. Copyright © 2012

CACHAÇA QUALITY ASSESSMENT PRODUCED IN NORTH MATO GROSSO

The increased consumption of cachaça and the possibility of exportation are increasingly requiring that producers seek to improvement the quality of the drink. Cachaça is defined as a typical and exclusive name for brandy forsugar cane produced in Brazil, with alcoholic graduation of 38-48% by volume at 20 º C, with peculiar sensory characteristics. A good cachaça must have in its composition and minimum values of contaminants and congeners limited values established by legislation to ensure minimum standards of beverage quality (color, aroma, flavor). The objective of this study was to evaluate the physical and chemical quality of cachaça produced in northern Mato Grosso. We collected five samples of cachaça in the region, and then these were evaluated parameters for total acidity, fixed acidity and volatile acidity, total esters, solids, copper and level alcohol according to standards of the Instituto Adolfo Lutz . The data were submitted to analysis of variance and the means compared by tukey test at 5% probability. Of cachaças analyzed, 4 had results outside the standard set by legislation, where cachaça C showed values of 329.07 and 902.70 mg/100 mL of anhydrous alcohol for the parameter of volatile acid and esters respectively. The cachaça D, B and E showed values of total esters of 452.30, 258.66 and 243.16 mg/100mL anhydrous alcohol respectively. For level of copper rum E showed values above the permitted with 57.08 mg / L of sample and dry extract of 0.1309 g / mL. As the level of alcoool, only cachaça D showed alcohol level below the limit minimum

The 2012 safety, security, and rescue robotics summer school

The 2012 IEEE Robotics and Automation Society Safety, Security, and Rescue Robotics Summer School was held from the 9th to the 15th of September in Alanya, Turkey, and brought together a select group of students, researchers, responders, manufacturers, and standards organization representatives for a week of learning, dissemination of challenges and best-in-class solutions, and networking. This event builds on a series of summer schools that started in Rome in 2004 and were significant in their combination of lectures, hands-on practicals, and networking opportunities, all carried out in one all-inclusive venue. In this paper, we report on the outcomes and novel aspects of the latest incarnation of this event