A Systematic Review of Algorithms with Linear-time Behaviour to Generate Delaunay and Voronoi Tessellations

Triangulations and tetrahedrizations are important geometrical discretization procedures applied to several areas, such as the reconstruction of surfaces and data visualization. Delaunay and Voronoi tessellations are discretization structures of domains with desirable geometrical properties. In this work, a systematic review of algorithms with linear-time behaviour to generate 2D/3D Delaunay and/or Voronoi tessellations is presented

Neem oil and crop protection: from now to the future

A major challenge of agriculture is to increase food production to meet the needs of the growing world population, without damaging the environment. In current agricultural practices, the control of pests is often accomplished by means of the excessive use of agrochemicals, which can result in environmental pollution and the development of resistant pests. In this context, biopesticides can offer a better alternative to synthetic pesticides, enabling safer control of pest populations. However, limitations of biopesticides, including short shelf life, photosensitivity, and volatilization, make it difficult to use them on a large scale. Here, we review the potential use of neem oil in crop protection, considering the gaps and obstacles associated with the development of sustainable agriculture in the not too distant future7FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESP2014/20273-4; 2013/12322-2; 2014/20286-9; 2015/15617-9; 2015/17120-

Neem Oil and Crop Protection: From Now to the Future

In current agricultural practices, the control of pests is often accomplished by means of the excessive use of agrochemicals, which can result in environmental pollution and the development of resistant pests. A major challenge of agriculture is to increase food production to meet the needs of the growing world population, without damaging the environment. In this context, biopesticides can offer a better alternative to synthetic pesticides, enabling safer control of pest populations. However, limitations of biopesticides, including short shelf life, photosensitivity, and volatilization, make it difficult to use them on a large scale. Here, we investigate the potential use of neem oil in crop protection, considering the gaps and obstacles associated with the development of sustainable agriculture in the not too distant future

Genome mining of endophytic streptomyces wadayamensis reveals high antibiotic production capability

The actinobacteria Streptomyces wadayamensis A23, an endophitic strain, was recently sequenced and previous work showed qualitatively that the strain inhibits the growth of some pathogens. Herein we report the genome analysis of S. wadayamensis which reveals several antibiotic biosynthetic pathways. Using mass spectrometry, we were able to identify desferoxamines, several antimycins and candicidin, as predicted. Additionally, it was possible to confirm that the biosynthetic machinery of the strain when compared to identified known metabolites is far underestimated. As suggested by biochemical qualitative tests, genome encoded information reveals that the strain A23 has high capability to produce antibiotics.The actinobacteria Streptomyces wadayamensis A23, an endophitic strain, was recently sequenced and previous work showed qualitatively that the strain inhibits the growth of some pathogens. Herein we report the genome analysis of S. wadayamensis which reve27814651475FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO2014/12727-5; 2010/51677-2; 2013/12598-8; 2015/01013-4162191/2015-4; 130933/2015-5We gratefully acknowledge FAPESP (project grant 2014/12727-5 to L. G. O. and 2010/51677-2 to M. N. E.), PETROBRAS (grant 4712-0), and the University of Campinas. C. F. F. A. and B. S. P. acknowledges CNPq (studentships 162191/2015-4 and 130933/2015-5). A

Genetic and Historical Colonization Analyses of an Endemic Savanna Tree, Qualea grandiflora, Reveal Ancient Connections Between Amazonian Savannas and Cerrado Core

The evolutionary processes underlying the high diversity and endemism in the Cerrado, the most extensive Neotropical savanna, remain unclear, including the factors promoting the presence and evolution of savanna enclaves in the Amazon forest. In this study, we investigated the effects of past climate changes on genetic diversity, dynamics of species range and the historical connections between the savanna enclaves and Cerrado core for Qualea grandiflora, a tree species widely distributed in the biome. Totally, 40 populations distributed in the Cerrado core and Amazon savannas were analyzed using chloroplast and nuclear DNA sequences. We used phylogeographic, coalescent and ecological niche modeling approaches. Genetic data revealed a phylogeographic structure shaped by Pleistocene climatic oscillations. An eastern-western split in the Cerrado core was observed. The central portion of the Cerrado core harbored most of the sampled diversity for cpDNA. Ecological niche models predicted the presence of a large historical refuge in this region and multiple small refuges in peripheral areas. Relaxed Random Walk (RRW) models indicated the ancestral population in the north-western border of the central portion of the Cerrado core and cyclical dynamics of colonization related to Pleistocene climatic oscillations. Central and western ancient connections between Cerrado core and Amazonian savannas were observed. No evidence of connections among the Amazonian savannas was detected. Our study highlights the importance of Pleistocene climatic oscillations for structuring the genetic diversity of Q. grandiflora and complex evolutionary history of ecotonal areas in the Cerrado. Our results do not support the recent replacement of a large area in the Amazon forest by savanna vegetation. The Amazonian savannas appear to be fragmented and isolated from each other, evolving independently a long ago

Reduced expression of the murine HLA-G homolog Qa-2 is associated with malignancy, epithelialmesenchymal transition and stemness in breast cancer cells.

Qa-2 is believed to mediate a protective immune response against cancer; however, little is known about the role of Qa-2 in tumorigenesis. Here, we used 4T1 breast cancer cells to study the involvement of Qa-2 in tumor progression in a syngeneic host. Qa-2 expression was reduced during in vivo tumor growth and in cell lines derived from 4T1-induced tumors. Tumor-derived cells elicited an epithelialmesenchymal transition associated with upregulation of Zeb1 and Twist1/2 and enhanced tumor initiating and invasive capacities. Furthermore, these cells showed increased stem characteristics, as demonstrated by upregulation of Hes1, Sox2 and Oct3/4, and enrichment of CD44high/CD24median/low cells. Remarkably, Qa-2 cell-surface expression was excluded from the CD44high/CD24median/low subpopulation. Tumor-derived cells showed increased Src activity, and treatment of these cells with the Src kinase inhibitor PP2 enhanced Qa-2 but reduced Sox2 and CD44high/CD24median/low expression levels, suggesting that Src signaling, while positively associated with stemness, negatively regulates Qa-2 expression in breast cancer. Finally, overexpression of the Qa-2 family member Q7 on the cell surface slowed down in vivo tumor growth and reduced the metastatic potential of 4T1 cells. These results suggest an anti-malignant role for Qa-2 in breast cancer development, which appears to be absent from cancer stem cells.post-print2122 K

Prioridades Axiológicas, Tempo de Serviço e Cidadania Organizacional

The objective of this research was to study the relationship between value priorities, tenure, and organizationalcitizenship. To our knowledge, personal value priorities have not been studied as antecedents of organizational behavior. Thesample was composed of 300 employees, men and women, with average age of 38.07 years. Two instruments were used: theSchwartz Value Inventory and the Organizational Citizenship Scale. Two groups of value priorities' subjects were considered:a high score group and a low score group. Three levels of organizational tenure were considered. The four second-order factorsof value priorities and the five organizational citizenship factors were considered for the analysis (Anova 2X3). Priorities ofself-transcendence, self-enhancement, collectivism and individualism values had a significant influence on several factors oforganizational citizenship. The impact of organizational tenure was limited to two factors: organizational climate and protectionof organizational patrimonyFoi objetivo desta pesquisa estudar a relação entre as prioridades axiológicas, o tempo de serviço e a cidadania organizacional. Os autores não têm conhecimento de que as prioridades axiológicas do indivíduo tenham sido estudadas comoantecedentes da cidadania organizacional. A amostra foi composta por 300 empregados, homens e mulheres, com idade média de 38,07 anos. Dois instrumentos de medida foram utilizados: o Inventário de Valores de Schwartz e a Escala de Cidadania Organizacional. Os sujeitos foram divididos em dois grupos de acordo com as suas prioridades axiológicas (escore alto e baixo). Os quatro fatores axiológicos de ordem superior e  os cinco fatores de cidadania organizacional foram considerados para a análise estatística (Anova 2X3). As prioridades ao nível dos valores de autotranscendência, autopromoção, individualismo e coletivismo tiveram influência significativa sobre vários fatores de cidadania organizacional. O impacto do tempo de serviço foi limitado a dois fatores: clima organizacional externo e proteção  ao patrimônio organizacional

ADME studies and preliminary safety pharmacology of LDT5, a lead compound for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia

This study aimed to estimate the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) properties and safety of LDT5, a lead compound for oral treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia that has previously been characterized as a multi-target antagonist of α1A-, α1D-adrenoceptors and 5-HT1A receptors. The preclinical characterization of this compound comprised the evaluation of its in vitro properties, including plasma, microsomal and hepatocytes stability, cytochrome P450 metabolism and inhibition, plasma protein binding, and permeability using MDCK-MDR1 cells. De-risking and preliminary safety pharmacology assays were performed through screening of 44 off-target receptors and in vivo tests in mice (rota-rod and single dose toxicity). LDT5 is stable in rat and human plasma, human liver microsomes and hepatocytes, but unstable in rat liver microsomes and hepatocytes (half-life of 11 min). LDT5 is highly permeable across the MDCK-MDR1 monolayer (Papp ∼32×10-6 cm/s), indicating good intestinal absorption and putative brain penetration. LDT5 is not extensively protein-bound and is a substrate of human CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 but not of CYP3A4 (half-life >60 min), and did not significantly influence the activities of any of the human cytochrome P450 isoforms screened. LDT5 was considered safe albeit new studies are necessary to rule out putative central adverse effects through D2, 5-HT1A and 5-HT2B receptors, after chronic use. This work highlights the drug-likeness properties of LDT5 and supports its further preclinical development