Anomalous diffusion and anisotropic nonlinear Fokker-Planck equation

We analyse a bidimensional nonlinear Fokker-Planck equation by considering an anisotropic case, whose diffusion coefficients are $D_x \propto |x|^{-\theta}$ and $D_y \propto |y|^{-\gamma}$ with $\theta, \gamma \in {\cal{R}}$. In this context, we also investigate two situations with the drift force $\vec{F}(\vec{r},t)=(-k_{x}x, -k_y y)$. The first one is characterized by $k_x/k_y=(2+\gamma)/(2+\theta)$ and the second is given by $k_{x}=k$ and $k_{y}=0$. In these cases, we can verify an anomalous behavior induced in different directions by the drift force applied. The found results are exact and exhibit, in terms of the $q$-exponentials, functions which emerge from the Tsallis formalism. The generalization for the $D$-dimensional case is discussed.Comment: 6 pages, tex fil

Re-aproximaciones Y Posibles Aplicaciones Del Concepto De Seguridad Humana

This article describes and analyzes the concept of human security within the scope of the United Nations and International Relations, and its relationship with the Responsibility to protect doctrine (R2P). We aim to answer the following questions: Does the use of the Responsibility to Protect doctrine widen the concept of human security or reduce it to its vertical dimension? The concepts of human security contribute to the understanding and the fighting against human trafficking? In order to answer these questions, the article is divided into three parts: in the first part, we present the theoretical and historical elements of the concept of human security developed in the United Nations documents, and within the scope of the International Relations Theory; in the second part, we analyze the contribution of the content and international practice of the R2P doctrine to the concept of human security; in the third part, we analyze the concept of human security in order to have a global understanding of human trafficking.183621724

Cyclic AMP and calcium interplay as second messengers in melatonin-dependent regulation of Plasmodium falciparum cell cycle

The host hormone melatonin increases cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration and synchronizes Plasmodium cell cycle (Hotta, C.T., M.L. Gazarini, F.H. Beraldo, F.P. Varotti, C. Lopes, R.P. Markus, T. Pozzan, and C.R. Garcia. 2000. Nat. Cell Biol. 2:466–468). Here we show that in Plasmodium falciparum melatonin induces an increase in cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels and cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) activity (40 and 50%, respectively)

Assessing the impact of climate change on the worldwide distribution of Dalbulus maidis (DeLong) using MaxEnt

For the first time, a model was applied at the global scale in order to investigate the effects of climate change on Dalbulus maidis. D. maidis is the main vector of three plant pathogens of maize crops and has been reported as one of the most important maize pests in Latin America. We modeled the effects of climate change on this pest using three Global Climate Models under two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) using the MaxEnt software. Overall, climate change will lead to a decrease in the suitable areas for D. maidis. In South America, climate change will decrease the areas that are suitable for the pest, especially in Brazil. However, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela will have small areas that are highly suitable for the corn leafhopper. Outside of the pest’s range, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, and South Africa also should be concerned about the risk of corn leafhopper invasions in the future since they are projected to have highly suitable conditions for this insect in some areas. This study will allow the relevant countries to increase their quarantine measures and guide researchers to develop new Z. mays varieties that are resistant or tolerant to D. maidis. In addition, the maize‐stunting pathogens for the areas are highlighted in this modeling

Phytoestrogen agathisflavone ameliorates neuroinflammation-induced by LPS and IL-1β and protects neurons in cocultures of glia/neurons

Inflammation and oxidative stress are common aspects of most neurodegenerative diseases in the central nervous system. In this context, microglia and astrocytes are central to mediating the balance between neuroprotective and neurodestructive mechanisms. Flavonoids have potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Here, we have examined the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective potential of the flavonoid agathisflavone (FAB), which is derived from the Brazilian plant Poincianella pyramidalis, in in vitro models of neuroinflammation. Cocultures of neurons/glial cells were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1 µg/mL) or interleukin (IL)-1β (10 ng/mL) for 24 h and treated with FAB (0.1 and 1 µM, 24 h). FAB displayed a significant neuroprotective effect, as measured by nitric oxide (NO) production, Fluoro-Jade B (FJ-B) staining, and immunocytochemistry (ICC) for the neuronal marker β-tubulin and the cell death marker caspase-3, preserving neuronal soma and increasing neurite outgrowth. FAB significantly decreased the LPS-induced microglial proliferation, identified by ICC for Iba-1/bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and CD68 (microglia M1 profile marker). In contrast, FAB had no apparent effect on astrocytes, as determined by ICC for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Furthermore, FAB protected against the cytodestructive and proinflammatory effects of IL-1β, a key cytokine that is released by activated microglia and astrocytes, and ICC showed that combined treatment of FAB with α and β estrogen receptor antagonists did not affect NF-κB expression. In addition, qPCR analysis demonstrated that FAB decreased the expression of proinflammatory molecules TNF-α, IL-1β, and connexins CCL5 and CCL2, as well as increased the expression of the regulatory molecule IL-10. Together, these findings indicate that FAB has a significant neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effect in vitro, which may be considered as an adjuvant for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases

Sequencing of E2 and NS5A regions of HCV genotype 3a in Brazilian patients with chronic hepatitis

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of liver disease throughout the world. The NS5A and E2 proteins of HCV genotype 1 were reported to inhibit the double-stranded (ds) RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR), which is involved in the cellular antiviral response induced by interferon (IFN). The response to IFN therapy is quite different between genotypes, with response rates among patients infected with types 2 and 3 that are two-three-fold higher than in patients infected with type 1. Interestingly, a significant percentage of HCV genotype 3-infected patients do not respond to treatment at all. The aim of this paper was to analyse the sequences of fragments of the E2 and NS5A regions from 33 outpatients infected with genotype 3a, including patients that have responded (SVR) or not responded (NR) to treatment. HCV RNA was extracted and amplified with specific primers for the NS5A and E2 regions and the PCR products were then sequenced. The sequences obtained covered amino acids (aa) 636-708 in E2 and in NS5A [including the IFN sensitivity determining region (ISDR), PKR-binding domain and extended V3 region)]. In the E2 and NS5A regions, we did observe aa changes among patients, but these changes were not statistically significant between the SVR and NR groups. In conclusion, our results suggest that the ISDR domain is not predictive of treatment success in patients infected with HCV genotype 3a.publishersversionpublishe

An Improved Description of the Dielectric Breakdown in Oxides Based on a Generalized Weibull distribution

In this work, we address modal parameter fluctuations in statistical distributions describing charge-to-breakdown $(Q_{BD})$ and/or time-to-breakdown $(t_{BD})$ during the dielectric breakdown regime of ultra-thin oxides, which are of high interest for the advancement of electronic technology. We reobtain a generalized Weibull distribution ($q$-Weibull), which properly describes $(t_{BD})$ data when oxide thickness fluctuations are present, in order to improve reliability assessment of ultra-thin oxides by time-to-breakdown $(t_{BD})$ extrapolation and area scaling. The incorporation of fluctuations allows a physical interpretation of the $q$-Weibull distribution in connection with the Tsallis statistics. In support to our results, we analyze $t_{BD}$ data of SiO$_2$-based MOS devices obtained experimentally and theoretically through a percolation model, demonstrating an advantageous description of the dielectric breakdown by the $q$-Weibull distribution.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

A poorer nutritional status impacts quality of life in a sample population of elderly cancer patients

Rationale Quality of Life (QoL) is impaired in cancer, and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to malnutrition. A diagnosis of cancer in elderly patients further exacerbates risks of negative health outcomes. Here we investigated associations between QoL and nutritional status in a sample population of mostly socially deprived elderly cancer patients. Method 432 cancer patients were recruited for this cross-sectional study at point of admission to a tertiary referral hospital for cancer treatment. Patient-generated subjective global assessment (PG-SGA) assessed nutritional status. Functional assessment of cancer therapy- general (FACT-G) quantified QoL. Relationship between PG-SGA and QoL was assessed by Spearman correlation. PG-SGA outcomes were compared against FACT-G scores employing Mann–Whitney test. Bivariate Linear Regression Model was employed to investigate influences of sociodemographic, clinical and nutritional status upon QoL. Results 37.5% of participants were malnourished or at risk. 39% were illiterate and 54.6% had family income lower than minimum wage. Malnourished patients showed lower FACT-G scores (76.8 vs. 84.7; p = 0.000). Poor nutritional diagnosis was inversely correlated with all QoL domains. Bivariate regression analysis showed that lower PG-SGA scores (βo =  − 1.00; p = 0.000) contributed to FACT-G score deterioration, the male gender showed better QoL scores, and other clinical and sociodemographic variables did not show relationship. Conclusion Poorer nutritional status was significantly associated with worsened physical, social, emotional and functional well-being QoL domains in elderly cancer patients. Poorer nutritional status is an independent risk factor for worsened QoL. Future policies aimed at particularly vulnerable populations may improve QoL and health outcomes