Bovine leukemia virus can be classified into seven genotypes: evidence for the existence of two novel clades.

Previous studies have classified the env sequences of bovine leukemia virus (BLV) provirus from different locations worldwide into between two and four genetic groupings. These different studies gave unique names to the identified groups and no study has yet integrated all the available sequences. Thus, we hypothesized that many of the different groups previously identified actually correspond to a limited group of genotypes that are unevenly distributed worldwide. To examine this hypothesis, we sequenced the env gene from 28 BLV field strains and compared these sequences to 46 env sequences that represent all the genetic groupings already identified. By using phylogenetic analyses, we recovered six clades, or genotypes, that we have called genotypes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Genotypes 1-5 have counterparts among the sequence groupings identified previously. One env sequence did not cluster with any of the others and was highly divergent when compared with the six genotypes identified here. Thus, an extra genotype, which we named 7, may exist. Similarity comparisons were highly congruent with phylogenetic analyses. Furthermore, our analyses confirmed the existence of geographical clusters

Machine-assisted Cyber Threat Analysis using Conceptual Knowledge Discovery

Over the last years, computer networks have evolved into highly dynamic and interconnected environments, involving multiple heterogeneous devices and providing a myriad of services on top of them. This complex landscape has made it extremely difficult for security administrators to keep accurate and be effective in protecting their systems against cyber threats. In this paper, we describe our vision and scientific posture on how artificial intelligence techniques and a smart use of security knowledge may assist system administrators in better defending their networks. To that end, we put forward a research roadmap involving three complimentary axes, namely, (I) the use of FCA-based mechanisms for managing configuration vulnerabilities, (II) the exploitation of knowledge representation techniques for automated security reasoning, and (III) the design of a cyber threat intelligence mechanism as a CKDD process. Then, we describe a machine-assisted process for cyber threat analysis which provides a holistic perspective of how these three research axes are integrated together

Protective effects of eicosapentaenoic acid plus hydroxytyrosol supplementation against white adipose tissue abnormalities in mice fed a high-fat diet

Objective: Obesity induced by high-fat diet (HFD) elicits white adipose tissue dysfunction. In this study, we have hypothesized that the metabolic modulator eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) combined with the antioxidant hydroxytyrosol (HT) attenuates HFD-induced white adipose tissue (WAT) alterations. Methods: C57BL/6J mice were administered with a HFD (60% fat, 20% protein, 20% carbohydrates) or control diet (CD; 10% fat, 20% protein, 70% carbohydrates), with or without EPA (50 mg/kg/day), HT (5 mg/kg/day), or both for 12 weeks. Determinations in WAT include morphological parameters, EPA and docosahexaenoic acid content in phospholipids (gas chromatography), lipogenesis, oxidative stress (OS) and inflammation markers, and gene expression and activities of transcription factors, such as sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-γ), nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) (p65 subunit) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) (quantitative polymerase chain reaction and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay). Results: HFD led to WAT hypertrophy in relation to PPAR-γ downregulation. WAT metabolic dysfunction was characterized by upregulation of lipogenic SREBP-1c system, mitochondrial energy metabolism depression, loss of the antioxidant Nrf2 signaling with OS enhancement, n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids depletion and activation of the pro-inflammatory NF-κB system. EPA and HT co-supplementation diminished HFD-dependent effects additively, reaching values close or similar to controls. Conclusion: Data presented strengthen the importance of combined protocols such as EPA plus HT to attenuate metabolic-inflammatory states triggered by obesity

Active Front-End converter applied for the THD reduction in power systems

The Active Front-End (AFE) converter topology is generated by modifying a conventional back-to-back converter, from using a single VSC to use pVCS connected in parallel. The AFE configuration improves the capability, efficiency and reliability of energy conversion devices connected to the power system. In this paper, a novel technique to reduce the total harmonic distortion (THD) in an AFE converter topology is proposed and analyzed. The THD reduction is achieved by applying a phase shift angle in the SPWM switching signals of each AFE converter VSC. To verify the functionality and robustness of the proposed methodology, the power system simulation in Matlab-Simulink is analyzed for a type-4 wind turbine converter with total power output of 9MW. The obtained simulation results show a THD reduction up to 2.5 for AFE connected to the power network

Potencial forrageiro de seis híbridos de sorgo com capim sudão.

Avaliaram-se quatro híbridos experimentais e duas cultivares comerciais de Sorghum bicolor cv bicolor x Sorghum bicolor cv sudanense quanto às características agronômicas: produções de matéria verde por hectare (MV/ha), matéria seca (MS/ha), altura das plantas, número de plantas/ha, taxa de rebrota e relação folha/haste. Os plantios ocorreram na transição do período seco para o período chuvoso. Os híbridos foram submetidos a três cortes sucessivos, realizados em duas épocas de plantio. Foi empregado um delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso e a comparação de médias foi efetuada pelo teste de SNK, a 5% de probabilidade. Os híbridos estudados não diferiram para a maioria das características avaliadas, com exceção da população de plantas, em que o híbrido experimental ATF 54 x CMSXS 912, com 848 mil plantas/há, foi semelhante (P>0,05) aos híbridos testemunhas (comerciais) AG2501C, com 780 mil plantas/ha, e ao BRS800, com 749 mil plantas/ha, sendo superior (P<0,05) aos demais híbridos. Os resultados de produtividade indicam o potencial dos híbridos de sorgo com capim Sudão estudados para serem utilizados como alternativa para a produção de forragem em regime de corte, na transição do período seco para o período chuvoso

Diagnosis of Transient/Latent HPV Infections - A Point of View!

© 2018 IMSS Diagnosis of transient/latent HPV infections requires a rethinking of ideas concerning the host virus relationship. With this in mind, we address several concepts, such as mutualism and commensalism, to understand better the different stages of development, in addition to briefly covering current methods of detection. We suggest analyzing molecules related to the innate immune response for earlier diagnosis

La agricultura familiar relacionado con los objetivos de desarrollo sostenible uno y dos en los distritos de Rupa Rupa y Castillo Grande, región Huánuco

El objetivo de la investigacion fue evaluar la relación del aporte de la agricultura familiar para el cumplimiento de los objetivos de desarrollo sostenible uno y dos al 2030, asimismo caracterizar y tipificar la agricultura familiar en los distritos de Rupa Rupa y Castillo Grande, región Huánuco. Se trabajó con una muestra de 60 fundos familiares con un nivel de investigación descriptivo y tipo cualitativo-explicativo. Se utilizó el modelo estadístico que corresponde a un diseño completamente al azar, asimismo la prueba de media DGC para determinar diferencias significativas entre los tipos de sistemas. Los resultados mostraron que la agricultura familiar aporta al cumplimiento de los objetivos de desarrollo sostenible uno y dos al 2030 en los distritos de Rupa Rupa y Castillo Grande, debido a que son sistemas integrales de producción, tipificado como un agroecosistema biodiverso, constituida por componentes agrícola, forestal y pecuario, y el funcionamiento de este sistema, está instalado en un área de terreno cuya superficie trabajada en promedio va de 1 a 5 ha y son de manejo familiar, dando soporte a la disminución de la pobreza, y el hambre con una mejor nutrición y promoción de una agricultura con un enfoque agroecológico. Estos sistemas se diferenciaron en tres conglomerados, el primero agrupó al 41.67%, el segundo al 38.83% y el tercero al 20% del total de fundos evaluados, sobresaliendo el conglomerado 1, seguido del 2 y finalmente el tercero, con diferencias estadísticas entre ellos

Injection of iodine to the stratosphere

© 2015. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved. We report a new estimation of the injection of iodine into the stratosphere based on novel daytime (solar zenith angle < 45°) aircraft observations in the tropical tropopause layer and a global atmospheric model with the most recent knowledge about iodine photochemistry. The results indicate that significant levels of total reactive iodine (0.25-0.7 parts per trillion by volume), between 2 and 5 times larger than the accepted upper limits, can be injected into the stratosphere via tropical convective outflow. At these iodine levels, modeled iodine catalytic cycles account for up to 30% of the contemporary ozone loss in the tropical lower stratosphere and can exert a stratospheric ozone depletion potential equivalent to, or even larger than, that of very short-lived bromocarbons. Therefore, we suggest that iodine sources and chemistry need to be considered in assessments of the historical and future evolution of the stratospheric ozone layer.Peer Reviewe

POWERbreathe® Inspiratory Muscle Training in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

Inspiratory muscle training may benefit respiratory function, cardiocirculatory parameters, quality of life and functionality in neuromuscular diseases. This pilot study aimed to demonstrate the POWERbreathe® inspiratory muscle training effects on maximum inspiratory pressure (PImax), heart rate (HR) and HR variability, as well as the quality of life impairment and functionality in patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). A pilot single-blinded, non-randomized controlled clinical trial was carried out. A total of 20T ALS patients were enrolled and divided into experimental (n = 10) and control (n = 10) groups. The experimental group received POWERbreathe® inspiratory muscle training in conjunction with usual care, and the control group received only usual care for 8 weeks. PImax (measured by POWERbreathe® KH1), HR and HR variability (evaluated by Polar H7), quality of life impairment [measured by the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Assessment Questionnaire—40 items (ALSAQ-40)] and functionality [assessed by the ALS Functional Rating Scale Revised (ALSFRS-R)] were collected at baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention. We detected statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) with an effect size ranging from medium to large (Cohen’s d = 0.72–1.37); relative to the control group, the experimental group had an increased PImax (mean difference = 10.80 cm H2O; 95% CI = 3.42–18.17) and ALSFRS-R score (mean difference = 5.30 points; 95% CI = −0.03–10.63) and reduced HR (mean difference = −8.80 beats-per-minute; 95% CI = −20.27–2.67) and R-R interval (mean difference = 78.30 ms; 95% CI = 2.89–153.70). POWERbreathe® inspiratory muscle training, in addition to usual care, may improve inspiratory strength and heart rate in patients with ALS. These results encourage larger and longer trials investigating potential clinically relevant benefits of inspiratory muscle training to these patients over the disease course.post-print6421 K

Qualidade nutricional de seis híbridos de sorgo com capim sudão submetidos a épocas de plantio e cortes distintas.

Foram avaliados quatro híbridos experimentais (ATF 54 x CMSXS 912, CMSXS 156 x CMSXS 912, CMSXS 157 x CMSXS 912 e CMSXS 210 x CMSXS 912) e duas cultivares comerciais de Sorghum bicolor cv bicolor X Sorghum bicolor cv sudanense (AG2501C e BRS800) quanto ao valor nutritivo: produções de MS digestível (MSD t/ha), digestibilidade in vitro da MS (DIVMS%), proteína bruta (PB%), fibra em detergente neutro (FDN%), fibra em detergente ácido (FDA%), fósforo (P%) e cálcio (Ca%). Os híbridos foram submetidos a três cortes sucessivos e o plantio foi realizado em duas épocas diferentes. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos ao acaso e a comparação de médias foi efetuada pelo teste de SNK, a 5% de probabilidade. Os híbridos ATF 54 x CMSXS 912 e AG 2501-C apresentaram valores médios de produção 1,28 t de MSD/ha superiores nas duas épocas de plantio. Ocorreram diferenças entre os híbridos quanto aos teores de PB, com valor médio de 16,33%, Ca com valores entre 0,42% e 0,49% e teores de P com valor médio de 0,26%. O híbrido BRS 800 foi superior (p<0,05) quanto ao teor médio de P (0,28%), teor médio de PB (17,32%), sendo semelhante ao híbrido CMSXS 210 x CMSXS 912, que obteve o valor de 16,75%