A multi-photon magneto-optical trap

We demonstrate a Magneto-Optical Trap (MOT) configuration which employs optical forces due to light scattering between electronically excited states of the atom. With the standard MOT laser beams propagating along the {\it x}- and {\it y}- directions, the laser beams along the {\it z}-direction are at a different wavelength that couples two sets of {\it excited} states. We demonstrate efficient cooling and trapping of cesium atoms in a vapor cell and sub-Doppler cooling on both the red and blue sides of the two-photon resonance. The technique demonstrated in this work may have applications in background-free detection of trapped atoms, and in assisting laser-cooling and trapping of certain atomic species that require cooling lasers at inconvenient wavelengths.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figure

Vaccination coverage in Rio Grande do Sul : new information serching tools and the widening of health management

A necessidade de informações consistentes, atualizadas e abrangentes para subsidiar a tomada de decisão quanto às populações-alvo e vacinas disponibilizadas pelo Programa de Imunizações brasileiro aponta para a possibilidade de incorporação de novos métodos de avaliação ao processo decisório. O objetivo deste estudo é analisar a introdução de outros métodos além do indicador clássico, para contribuir na melhoria da avaliação das coberturas vacinais no estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Realizou-se revisão bibliográfica em livros, artigos de revistas especializadas e publicações oficiais no período de 1994 a 2004, totalizando 2.096 referências. As avaliações realizadas pelo método estatístico permitem a obtenção de dados mais fidedignos, uma vez que os resultados não são influenciados pela invasão ou evasão de demanda, pelo sub-registro de doses aplicadas e pela duplicidade de registro. Entretanto, o método de estimativa rápida, a abordagem geográfica e a utilização de tecnologias de imagens devem ser considerados quando se buscam métodos para avaliação ágil, confiável e válida, questão central na gestão em saúde. Conclui-se que estudos para estimar coberturas vacinais com outras metodologias, além da tradicional, podem garantir rapidez, baixo custo e facilidade de realização, permitindo a identificação de problemas no Programa de Imunizações e a adoção tempestiva de medidas corretivas.The necessity of consistent and up to date information to support the decision-making process as to target population and vaccines of the Brazilian Immunization Program highlights the importance of knowing new evaluation methods. The objective of this study is to analyze methods different from the classic one and to contribute to the improvement of the vaccination coverage evaluation in southern Brazil. Books, articles of specialized journals and publications from 1994 to 2004 were reviewed, accounting for a total of 2,096 references. The statistical method allowed to reach more reliable data, as results would not be affected by demand invasion or evasion, sub-registration of applied doses, and register duplication. However, the method of fast estimate, the geographic approach, and the use of imaging technologies must be considered when searching methods for agile, trustworthy and valid evaluation, a core issue in health management. We concluded that studies about vaccine coverage with other methodologies but the traditional can guarantee agility, low cost and easiness of accomplishment, allowing for the identification of problems in the Immunization Program and timely adoption of corrective measures

COBERTURA VACINAL NO RIO GRANDE DO SUL: NOVOS INSTRUMENTOS DE BUSCA DE INFORMAÇÕES PARA AMPLIAR A AÇÃO GERENCIAL

A necessidade de informações consistentes, atualizadas e abrangentes para subsidiar a tomada de decisão quanto às populações-alvo e vacinas disponibilizadas pelo Programa de Imunizações brasileiro aponta para a possibilidade de incorporação de novos métodos de avaliação ao processo decisório. O objetivo deste estudo é analisar a introdução de outros métodos além do indicador clássico, para contribuir na melhoria da avaliação das coberturas vacinais no estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Realizou-se revisão bibliográfica em livros, artigos de revistas especializadas e publicações oficiais no período de 1994 a 2004, totalizando 2.096 referências. As avaliações realizadas pelo método estatístico permitem a obtenção de dados mais fidedignos, uma vez que os resultados não são influenciados pela invasão ou evasão de demanda, pelo sub-registro de doses aplicadas e pela duplicidade de registro. Entretanto, o método de estimativa rápida, a abordagem geográfica e a utilização de tecnologias de imagens devem ser considerados quando se buscam métodos para avaliação ágil, confiável e válida, questão central na gestão em saúde. Conclui-se que estudos para estimar coberturas vacinais com outras metodologias, além da tradicional, podem garantir rapidez, baixo custo e facilidade de realização, permitindo a identificação de problemas no Programa de Imunizações e a adoção tempestiva de medidas corretivas.Unitermos: Serviços de saúde; vigilância epidemiológica; vacinação; indicadores de saúde; Rio Grande do Su

Solar twins in M67

The discovery of true solar analogues is fundamental for a better understanding of the Sun and of the solar system. The open cluster M67 offers a unique opportunity to search for solar analogues because its chemical composition and age are very similar to those of the Sun. We analyze FLAMES spectra of a large number of M67 main sequence stars to identify solar analogues in this cluster.We first determine cluster members which are likely not binaries, by combining proper motions and radial velocity measurements. We concentrate our analysis on the determination of stellar effective temperature, using analyses of line-depth ratios and H$\alpha$ wings, making a direct comparison with the solar spectrum obtained with the same instrument. We also compute the lithium abundance for all the stars.Ten stars have both the temperature derived by line-depth ratios and H$\alpha$ wings within 100 K from the Sun. From these stars we derive, assuming a cluster reddening $E(B-V)=0.041$, the solar colour $(B-V)_\odot=0.649\pm0.016$ and a cluster distance modulus of 9.63. Five stars are most similar (within 60 K) to the Sun and candidates to be true solar twins. These stars have also a low Li content, comparable to the photospheric abundance of the Sun, likely indicating a similar mixing evolution. We find several candidates for the best solar analogues ever. These stars are amenable to further spectroscopic investigations and planet search. The solar colours are determined with rather high accuracy with an independent method, as well as the cluster distance modulus.Comment: 13pages and 8 figures, accepted for publication in A&

Acompanhamento e avaliação tecnológica do enlatamento da anchoita (Engraulis anchoita) em molho com tomate

Abstract - With the decrease of sardine (Sardinella brasiliensis) stocks, the brazilian fish canning industries have been through serious supplies problems. Alternatively has the anchovy (Engraulis anchoita), a small fish near the bottom of the trophic pyramid. Therefore, this work had as an objective the monitoring and technological evaluation of anchovy canning in tomato sauce comparing to sardine. For this, has been conducted analysis in both fish as raw material and canned product; proximal, microbiological, chemical, technological and sensory analysis of the final products. Humidity, protein, fat and ash for frozen anchovy, has been found 76,28%, 18,94%, 2,38% and 2,33% respectively and for frozen sardine 73,58%, 22,26%, 2,15% and 1,97%; the microbiological, volatile nitrogenous bases, trimethylamine and pH the samples shown agreement with the latest legislation. For canned anchovy, has been found proteins contents of 12,41% and 4,02% as fat content, on the other hand for canned sardine has been found 15,60% and 5,73% respectively. The chloride content, rancidity test, sulphide gas reaction, coating test, double seams test, sterility test, water percent over declared liquid weight and drained liquid weight fit under specificated requirements for this kind of product. The acceptance test of canned anchovy and sardine in tomato sauce shown that 58% and 56% respectively, of consumers would buy the canned product. In all the studied aspects, anchovy resembled sardine, moreover its adequacy to the canning process in tomato sauce.Resumo - Resumo - Com a diminuição dos estoques da sardinha (Sardinella brasiliensis), as indústrias de conserva de pescado no Brasil vêm passando por graves problemas de abastecimento. Alternativamente tem-se a anchoita (Engraulis anchoita), um pequeno peixe próximo da base da pirâmide trófica. Assim o trabalho teve por objetivo o acompanhamento e avaliação tecnológica da anchoita acondicionada em molho com tomate, comparando com a sardinha. Para isso foram analisados ambos pescados sob forma de matéria-prima e produto enlatado; análises de composição proximal, microbiológicas, químicas, tecnológicas e sensorial dos produtos finais. Para a anchoita congelada, foram encontrados para umidade, proteínas, lipídeos e cinzas 76,28%, 18,94%, 2,38% e 2,33% respectivamente e para a sardinha 73,58%, 22,26%, 2,15% e 1,97%; quanto a microbiota, bases voláteis totais, trimetilamina e pH, as amostras apresentaram conformidade com a legislação vigente. Para a anchoita enlatada, foi obtido valores de proteínas e lipídeos de 12,41% e 4,02% respectivamente enquanto que a sardinha apresentou 15,60% e 5,73%. O teor de cloreto, teste de rancidez, reação de gás sulfídrico, teste de verniz, teste de recravação, teste de esterilidade, percentual de água sobre peso líquido declarado e peso líquido drenado encontrados se enquadram nas especificações exigidas para este tipo de produto. O teste de aceitação da anchoita e sardinha enlatadas em molho com tomate revelou que 58% e 56% dos julgadores provavelmente comprariam os produtos respectivamente. Em todos os aspectos analisados a anchoita se assemelhou a sardinha, e portanto confirmando sua adequação ao processo de enlatamento em molho com tomate

Mutations in the Beta Propeller WDR72 Cause Autosomal-Recessive Hypomaturation Amelogenesis Imperfecta

Healthy dental enamel is the hardest and most highly mineralized human tissue. Though acellular, nonvital, and without capacity for turnover or repair, it can nevertheless last a lifetime. Amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) is a collective term for failure of normal enamel development, covering diverse clinical phenotypes that typically show Mendelian inheritance patterns. One subset, known as hypomaturation AI, is characterised by near-normal volumes of organic enamel matrix but with weak, creamy-brown opaque enamel that fails prematurely after tooth eruption. Mutations in genes critical to enamel matrix formation have been documented, but current understanding of other key events in enamel biomineralization is limited. We investigated autosomal-recessive hypomaturation AI in a consanguineous Pakistani family. A whole-genome SNP autozygosity screen identified a locus on chromosome 15q21.3. Sequencing candidate genes revealed a point mutation in the poorly characterized WDR72 gene. Screening of WDR72 in a panel of nine additional hypomaturation AI families revealed the same mutation in a second, apparently unrelated, Pakistani family and two further nonsense mutations in Omani families. Immunohistochemistry confirmed intracellular localization in maturation-stage ameloblasts. WDR72 function is unknown, but as a putative β propeller is expected to be a scaffold for protein-protein interactions. The nearest homolog, WDR7, is involved in vesicle mobilization and Ca2+-dependent exocytosis at synapses. Vesicle trafficking is important in maturation-stage ameloblasts with respect to secretion into immature enamel and removal of cleaved enamel matrix proteins via endocytosis. This raises the intriguing possibility that WDR72 is critical to ameloblast vesicle turnover during enamel maturation

Inflammasome-Mediated IL-1β Production in Humans with Cystic Fibrosis

Inflammation and infection are major determinants of disease severity and consequently, the quality of life and outcome for patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) is a key inflammatory mediator. Secretion of biologically active IL-1β involves inflammasome-mediated processing. Little is known about the contribution of IL-1β and the inflammasomes in CF inflammatory disease. This study examines inflammasome-mediated IL-1β production in CF bronchial epithelial cell lines and human patients with CF.Bronchial epithelial cell lines were found to produce negligible amounts of basal or stimulated IL-1β compared to hematopoeitic cells and they did not significantly upregulate caspase-1 activity upon inflammasome stimulation. In contrast, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from both CF and healthy control subjects produced large amounts of IL-1β and strongly upregulated caspase-1 activity upon inflammasome stimulation. PBMCs from CF patients and controls displayed similar levels of caspase-1 activation and IL-1β production when stimulated with inflammasome activators. This IL-1β production was dependent on NF-κB activity and could be enhanced by priming with LPS. Finally, chemical inhibition of CFTR activity in control PBMCs and THP-1 cells did not significantly alter IL-1β or IL-8 production in response to P. aeruginosa.Hematopoeitic cells appear to be the predominant source of inflammasome-induced pro-inflammatory IL-1β in CF. PBMCs derived from CF subjects display preserved inflammasome activation and IL-1β secretion in response to the major CF pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. However, our data do not support the hypothesis that increased IL-1β production in CF subjects is due to an intrinsic increase in NF-κB activity through loss of CFTR function