On the Lengths, Colours and Ages of Bars

In an effort to obtain further observational evidences for secular evolution processes in galaxies, as well as observational constraints to current theoretical models of secular evolution, we have used BVRI and Ks images of a sample of 18 barred galaxies to measure the lengths and colours of bars, create colour maps and estimate global colour gradients. In addition, applying a method we developed in a previous article, we could distinguish for 7 galaxies in our sample those whose bars have been recently formed from the ones with already evolved bars. We estimated an average difference in the optical colours between young and evolved bars that may be translated to an age difference of the order of 10 Gyr, meaning that bars may be long standing structures. Moreover, our results show that, on average, evolved bars are longer than young bars. This seems to indicate that, during its evolution, a bar grows longer by capturing stars from the disk, in agreement with recent numerical and analytical results.Comment: To appear in Galaxy Evolution Across the Hubble Time, proceedings of the IAU Symp. 235, F. Combes and J. Palous (eds.); 1 page; the poster can be found at http://www.mpa-garching.mpg.de/~dimitri/iauga.pd

Dependentes do álcool atendidos em ambulatório especializado: um olhar na questão do gênero

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study, with focus on gender, was aimed at evaluating alcohol-dependent individual in terms of socio-demographic variables related to alcohol consumption and therapeutic interventions. METHODS: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study of 1,051 patients (833 men and 218 women), with diagnosis of alcohol dependence syndrome, according to ICD-10 criteria, who had sought treatment for the first time at a specialised health centre between 2000 and 2006. RESULTS: The results showed that women, compared to men, are more likely to be unemployed and without partner, in addition to having higher educational level, latter age of alcohol initiation, needing less outpatient alcohol detoxification program, consuming more fermented beverage, presenting less psychiatric comorbidities, and using less coadjutant medications during treatment. CONCLUSION: We can state that some peculiarities exist permeating both gender and alcohol consumption. A further focus on the characteristics of each population is needed to facilitate the adequate use of therapeutic interventions according to gender specificities.OBJETIVO: O objetivo do presente estudo, com foco no gênero, foi avaliar dependentes de álcool em termos de variáveis sociodemográficas, relacionadas ao consumo de álcool e intervenções terapêuticas. MÉTODOS: Este é um estudo retrospectivo transversal com 1.051 pacientes (833 homens e 218 mulheres), com diagnóstico de síndrome de dependência do álcool, de acordo com o CID-10, que procuraram tratamento pela primeira vez em um serviço especializado, entre 2000 e 2006. RESULTADOS: Os resultados mostraram que as mulheres, comparadas aos homens, eram desempregadas e sem companheiro, além de ter melhor nível educacional, iniciarem o consumo alcoólico mais tardiamente, necessitarem menos do programa de desintoxicação alcoólica ambulatorial, consumirem mais bebidas fermentadas, apresentarem menos comorbidades psiquiátricas e usarem menos medicamentos coadjuvantes durante o tratamento. CONCLUSÃO: Pode-se afirmar que existem algumas peculiaridades que permeiam ambos os gêneros e o consumo alcoólico. É necessário ampliar o foco nas características de cada população, a fim de facilitar intervenções terapêuticas mais ajustadas, de acordo com as especificidades.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)UNIFESPSciEL

Bayesian Adaptive Selection of Variables for Function-on-Scalar Regression Models

Considering the field of functional data analysis, we developed a new Bayesian method for variable selection in function-on-scalar regression (FOSR). Our approach uses latent variables, allowing an adaptive selection since it can determine the number of variables and which ones should be selected for a function-on-scalar regression model. Simulation studies show the proposed method's main properties, such as its accuracy in estimating the coefficients and high capacity to select variables correctly. Furthermore, we conducted comparative studies with the main competing methods, such as the BGLSS method as well as the group LASSO, the group MCP and the group SCAD. We also used a COVID-19 dataset and some socioeconomic data from Brazil for real data application. In short, the proposed Bayesian variable selection model is extremely competitive, showing significant predictive and selective quality

Shape of the Galactic Orbits in the CNOC1 Clusters

We present an analysis of the orbital properties in 9 intermediate-redshifts cluster of the CNOC1 survey and we compare them to a control sample of 12 nearby clusters. Similar to the nearby elliptical galaxies, the bulge-dominated galaxies in clusters at redshifts ~0.1-0.4 present orbits that are more eccentric than those for disk-dominated galaxies. However, the orbital segregation is less significant than that found for elliptical and spiral galaxies in nearby cluster. When galaxies are separated by colors - red galaxies with colors in the rest frame (U-V)_o > 1.4, and blue galaxies with (U-V)_o =< 1.4 - the strongest orbital segregation is found. Therefore, the segregation we found seems to modify more efficiently the star formation activity than the internal shape of the galaxies. When we compare the orbits of early-type galaxies at intermediate-redshift with those for z=0, they seem to develop significant changes getting much more eccentric. A different behavior is observed in the late-type galaxies, which present no-significant evolution in their orbit shapes.Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJ, April 2000. Latex with aaspp4.sty, 20 pages, 4 tables, 6 eps figure

Shape of the Galactic Orbits in Clusters

A kinematical analysis applied to a sample of galaxy clusters indicates that the differences between the velocity distribution of elliptical and spiral galaxies are associated with the shape of their orbit families. The orbital anisotropies present on each morphological population could be measured with the use of a parameter which is the ratio of the radial and tangential velocity dispersions, and can be recovered through the observed line-of-sight velocity distribution. When a Gaussian velocity distribution is assumed, having different dispersions along the radial and tangential directions, we conclude that the orbits of elliptical galaxies in clusters are close to radial, while spirals have more circular shaped or isotropic orbits. Lenticulars galaxies shares an intermediate orbital parameter, between spirals and ellipticals.Comment: 23 pages including 6 EPS-figures, and 4 tables. Accepted for publication by ApJ, April 199

Experimental Model of Zymosan-Induced Arthritis in the Rat Temporomandibular Joint: Role of Nitric Oxide and Neutrophils

Aims. To establish a new model of zymosan-induced temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthritis in the rat and to investigate the role of nitric oxide. Methods. Inflammation was induced by an intra-articular injection of zymosan into the left TMJ. Mechanical hypernociception, cell influx, vascular permeability, myeloperoxidase activity, nitrite levels, and histological changes were measured in TMJ lavages or tissues at selected time points. These parameters were also evaluated after treatment with the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors L-NAME or 1400 W. Results. Zymosan-induced TMJ arthritis caused a time-dependent leucocyte migration, plasma extravasation, mechanical hypernociception, and neutrophil accumulation between 4 and 24 h. TMJ immunohistochemical analyses showed increased inducible NOS expression. Treatment with L-NAME or 1400 W inhibited these parameters. Conclusion. Zymosan-induced TMJ arthritis is a reproducible model that may be used to assess both the mechanisms underlying TMJ inflammation and the potential tools for therapies. Nitric oxide may participate in the inflammatory temporomandibular dysfunction mechanisms

Heterosis and combining ability for ear yield in a diallel cross among six maize varieties

Este estudo teve o objetivo de estimar os efeitos das capacidades geral e específica de combinação, e os valores de heterose, na produção de espigas de cruzamentos dialélicos parciais entre seis variedades de milho (Zea mays L.) em melhoramento, no Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Milho e Sorgo, (CNPMS), em Sete Lagoas, MG. Os tratamentos compreenderam as variedades CMS 05, CMS 04, CMS 22, CMS 11, CMS 12 e CMS 28, além dos seus quinze híbridos intervarietais (F1). A análise conjunta de variância para produção de espigas mostrou efeitos significativos (P <0.01) para as capacidades geral e específica de combinação e para as interações com locais. Tais resultados indicam variabilidade originada de efeitos gênicos aditivos e não-aditivos. As variedades CMS 04 e CMS 05 apresentaram, respectivamente, os maiores valores para efeitos de capacidade geral de combinação, 142,82 e 233,93, e média geral para peso de espigas de 4.528 kg/ha e 4.445 kg/ha, respectivamente. Os maiores efeitos para capacidade específica de combinação corresponderam aos cruzamentos CMS 05 x CMS 28 com 462,28 e CMS 11 x CMS 28 com 392,87. Os valores percentuais de heterose em relação a média dos pais foram de 21,16% e 17,49%e em relação ao pai mais produtivo foram de 12,92% e 13,28%, para os dois híbridos intervarietais citados. A média de produção das variedades paternais (4.127 kg/ha) foi inferior à média dos seus quinze híbridos (4.433 kg/ha). A maior produção média, 5.026 kg/ha, resultou do cruzamento entre as variedades CMS 05 e CMS 28.The objective of this study was to estimate the general and specific combining ability effects and heterosis value for ear yield from e diallel cross among six varieties of maize (Zea mays L.) under breeding at the Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Milho e Sorgo (CNPMS) at Sete Lagoas, MG, Brazil. The treatments were: CMS 04, CMS 05, CMS 11, CMS 12, CMS 22, CMS 28 and their 15 possible F1 hybrids. The combined analysis showed general and specific effects to be highly significant (P < 0.01), as well as their interactions with locations. There is an indication of variability among varieties with the presence of additive and nonadditive gene effects. The varieties CMS 04 and CMS 05 presented the highest values for general combining ability effects, 142.82 and 233.93, and mean ear weights of 4.528 kg/ha and 4.445 kg/ha, respectively. The hybrids CMS 05 x CMS 28 and CMS 11 x CMS 28 presented the highest values for specific combining ability effects of 462.28 and 392.87, respectively. Heterosis percentual values related to parental mean were 21.16% and 17.49% and to the highest yialding parent were 12.92% and 13.28% for the hybrids CMS 05 x CMS 28 and CMS 11 x CMS 28, respectively. Mean yield of parentals (4.127 kg/ha) was lower tham mean yield of the 15 hybrids (4,433 kg/ha). The highest mean yield was 5.026 kg/ha for the hybrid CMS 05 x CMS 28