Nanoindentation of functionally graded hybrid polymer/metal thin films

Hybrid functionally graded coatings (2D-FGC) were deposited by magnetron co-sputtering from poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) and AISI 316L stainless steel (316L) targets. The carbon and fluorine content varied from 7.3 to 23.7 at.% and from 0 to 57 at.%, respectively. The surface modification was developed to change the surface of 316L vascular stents in order to improve the biocompatibility of the outmost layer of the metallic biomaterial. In-depth XPS analysis revealed the presence of a graded chemical composition accompanied by the variation of the film structure. These results were complemented by those of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis that highlighted the nanocomposite nature of the coatings. The nanomechanical characterization of 2D-FGC was performed by nanoindentation at several loads on the thin films deposited onto two different steel substrates: 316L and AISI M2. The study allowed establishing 0.7 mN as the load that characterized the coatings without substrate influence. Both hardness and Young modulus decrease with the increase of fluorine content due to the evolution in chemical composition, chemical bonds and structure

Electrochemical detection of in situ adriamycin oxidative damage to DNA

Adriamycin intercalation and in situ interaction with double helix DNA was investigated using a voltammetric DNA-biosensor. Oxidation and reduction of adriamycin molecules intercalated in double helix DNA were investigated in order to understand the in vivo mechanism of action with this anti-neoplasic drug. The results showed that the interaction of adriamycin with DNA is potential-dependent causing contact between DNA guanine and adenine bases and the electrode surface such that their oxidation is easily detected. A mechanism for adriamycin reduction and oxidation in situ when intercalated in double helix DNA immobilised onto the glassy carbon electrode surface is presented and the formation of the mutagenic 8-oxoguanine explained.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6THP-44PVS7R-M/1/1474d369a4b1d556b84d548d2df2543

Electrochemical and Spectroscopic Studies of the Oxidation Mechanism of the Herbicide Propanil

Electrochemical oxidation of propanil in deuterated solutions was studied by cyclic, differential pulse, and square wave voltammetry using a glassy carbon microelectrode. The oxidation of propanil in deuterated acid solutions occurs at the nitrogen atom of the amide at a potential of +1.15 V vs Ag/AgCl. It was also found that, under the experimental conditions used, protonation at the oxygen atom of propanil occurs, leading to the appearance of another species in solution which oxidizes at +0.60 V. The anodic peak found at +0.79 V vs Ag/AgCl in deuterated basic solutions is related to the presence of an anionic species in which a negative charge is on the nitrogen atom. The electrochemical data were confirmed by the identification of all the species formed in acidic and basic deuterated solutions by means of NMR spectroscopy. The results are supported by electrochemical and spectroscopic studies of acetanilide in deuterated solutions

Using assistive robots to promote inclusive education

Purpose: This paper describes the development and test of physical and virtual integrated augmentative manipulation and communication assistive technologies (IAMCATs) that enable children with motor and speech impairments to manipulate educational items by controlling a robot with a gripper, while communicating through a speech generating device. Method: Nine children with disabilities, nine regular and nine special education teachers participated in the study. Teachers adapted academic activities so they could also be performed by the children with disabilities using the IAMCAT. An inductive content analysis of the teachers’ interviews before and after the intervention was performed. Results: Teachers considered the IAMCAT to be a useful resource that can be integrated into the regular class dynamics respecting their curricular planning. It had a positive impact on children with disabilities and on the educational community. However, teachers pointed out the difficulties in managing the class, even with another adult present, due to the extra time required by children with disabilities to complete the activities. Conclusions: The developed assistive technologies enable children with disabilities to participate in academic activities but full inclusion would require another adult in class and strategies to deal with the additional time required by children to complete the activities. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION - Integrated augmentative manipulation and communication assistive technologies are useful resources to promote the participation of children with motor and speech impairments in classroom activities. - Virtual tools, running on a computer screen, may be easier to use but further research is needed in order to evaluate its effectiveness when compared to physical tools. - Full participation of children with motor and speech impairments in academic activities using these technologies requires another adult in class and adequate strategies to manage the extra time the child with disabilities may require to complete the activities

Using assistive robots to promote inclusive education

Purpose: This paper describes the development and test of physical and virtual integrated augmentative manipulation and communication assistive technologies (IAMCATs) that enable children with motor and speech impairments to manipulate educational items by controlling a robot with a gripper, while communicating through a speech generating device. Method: Nine children with disabilities, nine regular and nine special education teachers participated in the study. Teachers adapted academic activities so they could also be performed by the children with disabilities using the IAMCAT. An inductive content analysis of the teachers’ interviews before and after the intervention was performed. Results: Teachers considered the IAMCAT to be a useful resource that can be integrated into the regular class dynamics respecting their curricular planning. It had a positive impact on children with disabilities and on the educational community. However, teachers pointed out the difficulties in managing the class, even with another adult present, due to the extra time required by children with disabilities to complete the activities. Conclusions: The developed assistive technologies enable children with disabilities to participate in academic activities but full inclusion would require another adult in class and strategies to deal with the additional time required by children to complete the activities. Implications for Rehabilitation Integrated augmentative manipulation and communication assistive technologies are useful resources to promote the participation of children with motor and speech impairments in classroom activities. Virtual tools, running on a computer screen, may be easier to use but further research is needed in order to evaluate its effectiveness when compared to physical tools. Full participation of children with motor and speech impairments in academic activities using these technologies requires another adult in class and adequate strategies to manage the extra time the child with disabilities may require to complete the activities.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Sugar bislactones by one-step oxidative dimerisation with pyridinium chlorochromate versus regioselective oxidation of vicinal diols

Synthesis of 10-membered bislactones by PCC oxidation of methyl 2,6-di-O-pivaloyl-α-D-glucopyranoside and methyl 4,6-O-benzylidene-α-D-glucopyranoside is described, with emphasis on their structure elucidation using the information gained by combination of NMR spectroscopic techniques with X-ray diffraction data. In alternative, the use of PCC and PCC adsorbed on silica gel or alumina for the regioselective oxidation of vicinal diols in sugars is also reported. Both bislactones showed antifungal activity against Candida albicans, and were slightly active against the bacteria Bacillus subtilis. The bislactone presenting pivaloyl protecting groups also promoted some growth inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Sincronização folicular e vascularização do folículo dominante em novilhas mestiças tratadas com estradiol.

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Spreading of HIV-1 subtype G and envB/gagG recombinant strains among injecting drug users in Lisbon, Portugal.

We have evaluated the genetic diversity of HIV-1 strains infecting injecting drug users (IDUs) in Lisbon, Portugal. Heteroduplex mobility assay and/or phylogenetic analysis revealed that env (C2V3C3 or gp41) subtype B is present in 63.7% of the 135 viral samples studied, followed by subtypes G (23.7%), A (6.7%), F (5.2%), and D (0.7%). Similar analysis of gag (p24/p7) performed on 91 of the specimens demonstrated that 49.5% of the infections were caused by subtype G viruses; other gag subtypes identified were B (39.5%), F (3.3%), A and D (1.1.% each), and the recombinant circulating form CRF02_AG (5.5%). Discordant env/gag sub-types were detected in 34.1% of the strains and may reflect the presence of dual infections and/or recombinant viruses. The presumptive B/G recombinant form was highly predominant (21 of 31). The genetic pattern of HIV-1 subtype B and G strains is suggestive of multiple introductions and recombination episodes and of a longstanding presence of both subtypes in the country. C2V3C3 amino acid sequences from IDU-derived subtype G viruses presented highly significant signatures, which distinguish the variants from this transmission group. The unusually high prevalence of subtype G sequences (34.1%), independent of the geographic origin of the infected individuals, makes this IDU HIV-1 epidemic unique

Recomendações para operacionalização do plano de Agricultura de Baixo Carbono (ABC) no Pantanal.

O Governo Brasileiro assumiu voluntariamente durante a COP-15 (Conferência das Nações Unidas sobre Mudança do Clima), realizada em Kopenhagen em 2009, o compromisso de redução de 36,1% a 38,9% da emissão de Gases Efeito Estufa (GEEs) até o ano 2020. As estimativas apontam para um total de emissão de 3.236 milhões de toneladas de CO2 equivalente pela agricultura, nas condições atuais dos sistemas de produção, havendo, portanto a necessidade da implantação de ações que promovam a redução de 1.168 a 1.259 milhões de toneladas de CO2 equivalente até esta data. É sabido que todas as atividades agropecuárias, praticadas nos diferentes biomas brasileiros, são consideradas como as grandes emissoras de Gases de Efeito Estufa, sendo a exploração pecuária extensiva uma das grandes emissoras destes gases. A pecuária de corte praticada no Pantanal é exercida de forma extensiva, com baixo padrão tecnológico em algumas propriedades, portanto considerada como grande emissora de Gases de Efeito Estufa, que podem ser reduzidos com a adoção de tecnologias disponíveis e indicadas pela Embrapa Pantanal para a região. O Pantanal é caracterizado pela alternância de estações seca e cheia e pela peculiaridade das suas pastagens nativas e demais recursos naturais tornando a bovinocultura de corte, na fase de cria, a sua principal atividade econômica. A região tem condições de produzir bezerros com baixo custo, apesar da maior parte das propriedades possuírem custo de produção alto devido a índices zootécnicos serem relativamente baixos. A atividade pecuária é relatada na região pantaneira desde 1737, sendo uma atividade econômica consolidada. Neste sentido, é preciso observar a sua importância dentro do contexto da pecuária do MS devido a complementaridade que a região pantaneira tem com outras regiões onde se pratica a recria e engorda. Isso propicia maiores vantagens competitivas dentro da cadeia de produção da bovinocultura de corte do Estado. Comparando as produtividades em kg de carne por hectare por ano nos sistemas de produção hoje existentes, tradicional (20 kg/hectare/ano) e melhorado (70 kg/hectare/ano), o impacto positivo no número de bezerros que podem ser produzidos e comercializados no Pantanal, nas condições melhoradas, complementa o sistema de engorda até o abate em toda a região. Esta perspectiva ganha força a medida que inúmeras áreas, antes ocupadas com atividades de cria no planalto, estão sendo cada vez mais ocupadas por outras atividades agrícolas. Percebe-se a importância da incorporação das tecnologias preconizadas pela Embrapa Pantanal para obtenção de maiores produtividades na pecuária de corte local com consequente aumento do número de crias por vacas ao longo da sua vida útil (ABREU et al., 2006a, 2006b; ABREU et al., 2008). Isso irá contribuir para uma maior eficiência e sustentabilidade da exploração pecuária no Estado de MS. Para se atingir este grande objetivo e ao mesmo tempo pautá-lo dentro dos princípios da sustentabilidade ambiental, temos o grande desafio de ampliar de forma sistemática a adoção das tecnologias recomendadas pela Embrapa para o Programa ABC na região do Pantanal. Com o intuito de adequação das tecnologias e aplicação correta dos recursos disponibilizados para o Programa o monitoramento das ações do ABC, missão que foi delegada à Embrapa, estabeleceu-se uma parceria entre a Embrapa Pantanal, o Banco do Brasil (BB), Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento (MAPA), Secretaria de Desenvolvimento Agrário, da Produção, da Industria, do Comercio e do Turismo do Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul (SEPROTUR) e Instituto do Meio Ambiente de Mato Grosso do Sul (IMASUL), tendo sido realizadas reuniões com a participação de agentes de crédito, produtores, e técnicos das firmas de planejamento e assistência técnica (ATEs) As tecnologias apresentadas pela Embrapa Pantanal que vão ao encontro dos objetivos do Programa ABC baseiam-se principalmente no aumento da eficiência do uso das áreas e do sistema de produção da pecuária de corte pantaneira, na redução da emissão de GEEs, no aumento da renda dos produtores, na diminuição da pressão para abertura de novas áreas (desmatamentos) e elevação da fixação de CO2 na vegetação e no solo. Este documento tem a finalidade de apresentar as tecnologias propostas pela Embrapa Pantanal em atendimento ao Plano ABC, bem como os parâmetros e os procedimentos operacionais para a elaboração e analise dos projetos, contratação e operacionalização dos contratos.bitstream/item/126070/1/DOC132.pd

A disease-associated gene desert directs macrophage inflammation through ETS2

Increasing rates of autoimmune and inflammatory disease present a burgeoning threat to human health1. This is compounded by the limited efficacy of available treatments1 and high failure rates during drug development2, highlighting an urgent need to better understand disease mechanisms. Here we show how functional genomics could address this challenge. By investigating an intergenic haplotype on chr21q22—which has been independently linked to inflammatory bowel disease, ankylosing spondylitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis and Takayasu’s arteritis3–6—we identify that the causal gene, ETS2, is a central regulator of human inflammatory macrophages and delineate the shared disease mechanism that amplifies ETS2 expression. Genes regulated by ETS2 were prominently expressed in diseased tissues and more enriched for inflammatory bowel disease GWAS hits than most previously described pathways. Overexpressing ETS2 in resting macrophages reproduced the inflammatory state observed in chr21q22-associated diseases, with upregulation of multiple drug targets, including TNF and IL-23. Using a database of cellular signatures7, we identified drugs that might modulate this pathway and validated the potent anti-inflammatory activity of one class of small molecules in vitro and ex vivo. Together, this illustrates the power of functional genomics, applied directly in primary human cells, to identify immune-mediated disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic opportunities