Simulation model in hourly basis of the flow at the fluviometric station R-11

Orientador: Secundino Soares FilhoDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Elétrica e de ComputaçãoResumo: A jusante da confluência dos rios Paraná, Iguaçu, Acaray e Monday situa-se a estação fluviométrica da Régua 11 ou simplesmente R-11, localizada no rio Paraná a aproximadamente 20 km da central de Itaipu, na fronteira entre Brasil, Argentina e Paraguai. Esta região está sujeita a restrições impostas por acordos internacionais, como o cumprimento do Acordo Tripartite assinado pelo três países em outubro de 1979, segundo o qual as variações do nível do rio Paraná, neste ponto, não devem superar meio metro de uma hora para outra, ou dois metros de um dia para outro, impondo desta forma restrições operacionais para a usina de Itaipu. O atendimento às restrições hidráulicas decorrentes do Acordo Tripartite é de responsabilidade da Itaipu Binacional, no que depender da operação da usina. Neste trabalho apresenta-se um modelo de simulação que determina a variação horária e diária dos níveis da cota do rio Paraná no posto R-11. O simulador calcula os níveis neste ponto utilizando a curva de propagação de König para determinar o impacto ocorrido no nível do Rio Paraná em R-11, devido às variações da defluência em Itaipu, como consequência das alterações nas vazões vertida e turbinada na central hidrelétrica. Além da influência da operação de Itaipu no nível do posto R-11, o simulador considera também a influência da vazão do rio Iguaçu através do método de propagação de vazões Muskingum-Cunge, ao longo do trecho entre a usina de Salto Caxias e o posto de medição Hotel Cataratas, no rio Iguaçu. Os resultados apresentados mostraram uma boa aderência aos valores verificados, já que não foram consideradas todas as vazões incrementais laterais do trecho em estudo, e as vazões dos rios Acaray e Monday foram considerados constantes em 200 [m3/s] devido à indisponibilidade de dadosAbstract: The fluviometric station of rule 11, or simply R-11, is situated downstream from the confluence of the Paraná, Iguaçu, Acaray and Monday rivers, about 20 km away from Itaipu Hydroelectric Power Plant on the border between Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. This region is subject to restrictions imposed by international agreements such as the implementation of the Tripartite Agreement signed by the three countries in October 1979, which states that variations in the level of the Paraná River at this point should not exceed half a meter per hour, or two meters per day, thus imposing operating restrictions for the Itaipu plant. Itaipu is responsible of the fulfillment of the hydraulic constraints of Tripartite Agreement which are dependent on the plant's operation. This work presents a simulation model on hourly basis of the flow at the fluviometric station R-11, to determine the hourly and daily variation levels of the Paraná River at this station. The simulator calculates levels at the point using the König propagation curve to determine the impact occurred at the level of the Paraná River in R-11, due to variations in the flow release in Itaipu, as a consequence of alterations in turbine discharge and spillage in the hydroelectric. Besides Itaipu operation influence on the level of the post R-11, the simulator also considers the influence of the Iguaçu River flow using the Muskingum-Cunge routing method, along the stretch between the Salto Caxias Hydroelectric Power Plant and the fluviometric station of Hotel Cataratas in Iguaçu River. The results showed an adequate representation of the values observed, since not all incremental water inflow of stretch in study was considered. The flow of the river Acaray and Monday were considered constant at 200 [m3/s] due to data unavailabilityMestradoEnergia EletricaMestre em Engenharia Elétric

Regulation of retinoid-mediated signaling involved in skin homeostasis by RAR and RXR agonists/antagonists in mouse skin.

Endogenous retinoids like all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) play important roles in skin homeostasis and skin-based immune responses. Moreover, retinoid signaling was found to be dysregulated in various skin diseases. The present study used topical application of selective agonists and antagonists for retinoic acid receptors (RARs) α and γ and retinoid-X receptors (RXRs) for two weeks on mouse skin in order to determine the role of retinoid receptor subtypes in the gene regulation in skin. We observed pronounced epidermal hyperproliferation upon application of ATRA and synthetic agonists for RARγ and RXR. ATRA and the RARγ agonist further increased retinoid target gene expression (Rbp1, Crabp2, Krt4, Cyp26a1, Cyp26b1) and the chemokines Ccl17 and Ccl22. In contrast, a RARα agonist strongly decreased the expression of ATRA-synthesis enzymes, of retinoid target genes, markers of skin homeostasis, and various cytokines in the skin, thereby markedly resembling the expression profile induced by RXR and RAR antagonists. Our results indicate that RARα and RARγ subtypes possess different roles in the skin and may be of relevance for the auto-regulation of endogenous retinoid signaling in skin. We suggest that dysregulated retinoid signaling in the skin mediated by RXR, RARα and/or RARγ may promote skin-based inflammation and dysregulation of skin barrier properties

Reduction of Steroid-Induced Intraocular Pressure Elevation in Sheep by Tissue Plasminogen Activator

PURPOSE. To investigate whether tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) can prevent and/or reverse steroid-induced IOP elevation in an ovine model. METHODS. Three animal groups were subjected to bilateral steroid-induced IOP elevation using thrice daily topical ocular prednisolone administration. In the first group (N ¼ 8), one eye each of two sheep was injected intravitreally with 100 lg, 200 lg, 500 lg, or 1 mg human recombinant tPA, while contralateral eyes received vehicle. In the second group (N ¼ 2), one eye was injected intravitreally with tPA (100 lg), while contralateral eyes received vehicle containing L-arginine. In the third group (N ¼ 4), each animal received intravitreal tPA in one eye concurrently with initiation of bilateral steroid administration. IOP was monitored for the duration of the experiment. Tissues from eyes of the third group were used to determine relative gene expression. RESULTS. In the first and second groups, IOP decreased by 9.7 (62.8) and 9.7 (61.6) mm Hg, respectively, 24 hours after tPA administration. In the third group, tPA-treated eyes did not develop IOP elevation with DIOP of 11.8 (61.3) mm Hg 8 days later. In all tPA-treated eyes, IOP remained low until the end of the study. mRNA levels in the trabecular meshwork were decreased for plasminogen activator tissue (PLAT), increased for matrix-metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1), and stable for plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), MMP-2, MMP-9, and MMP- 13 in tPA-treated eyes compared with contralateral controls. PAI-1 mRNA levels in ciliary processes also remained similar. CONCLUSIONS. Recombinant human tPA is effective in both preventing and reversing steroidinduced IOP elevation in sheep. Tissue plasminogen activator may be useful as a therapeutic agent in steroid-induced glaucoma.Fil: Gerometta, Rosana María del Rosario. University Of New York; Estados Unidos. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Medicina; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Kumar, Sandeep. State University Of New York; Estados UnidosFil: Shah, Shaily. State University Of New York; Estados UnidosFil: Alvarez, Larry. State University Of New York; Estados UnidosFil: Candia, Oscar. State University Of New York; Estados UnidosFil: Danias, John. State University Of New York; Estados Unido

Proceso de acompañamiento para la evaluación y acreditación de carreras y programas de postgrado/The escorting process for the evaluation and accreditation of majors and postgraduate programs

El proceso de acompañamiento para la evaluación y acreditación de carreras y programas de postgrado, busca identificar puntos críticos para contribuir a la mejora continua de la gestión universitaria. Como resultado de la reflexión sobre la práctica educativa, se defiende la idea de que el proceso de acompañamiento a las facultades centrado en la autopreparación de los participantes, la autogestión del conocimiento y la creación de condiciones de trabajo, favorece las alternativas de solución a los problemas identificados. Se pretende explicar el proceso de acompañamiento para la evaluación y acreditación de carreras y programas de postgrado desarrollado en la Facultad de Ciencias Pedagógicas de la Universidad de Ciego de Ávila Máximo Gómez Báez, entre 2017 y 2020

The integration of digital technologies in the teaching practices of pre-service teacher training

Este artículo presenta una investigación que examinó la relación entre la formación inicial docente y la integración de las tecnologías digitales en las prácticas de enseñanza de los estudiantes de cuarto año del Instituto de Formación Docente de Rocha. Se enmarca en el curso Iniciación a la Investigación Cualitativa en Educación y Tecnologías Digitales, coordinado por la Unidad Académica de Tecnología Educativa. Este espacio resultó oportuno para dar lugar a la indagación sobre el grado de integración de tecnologías digitales en las prácticas preprofesionales de los estudiantes de cuarto año de Magisterio, interés presente en la comunidad educativa del IFD de Rocha y, particularmente, en quienes integran el equipo de trabajo. La investigación responde a un enfoque cualitativo por medio del estudio de caso. Las técnicas seleccionadas fueron la entrevista en profundidad, la observación, la revisión documental y la encuesta. Como principales hallazgos de esta investigación se identificaron los siguientes factores asociados a la formación inicial docente: la relación teoría-práctica, la confianza y el docente como modelo de enseñanza, todos factores comunes a los tres casos estudiados y que tienen incidencia en la integración de tecnologías digitales. En uno de los casos se identifica además la incidencia de la motivación y en otro la realización de cursos específicos sobre tecnologías digitales

Atendimento online em bibliotecas: a experiência da Universidade de São Paulo

Os serviços de informação aliados às tecnologias evoluíram em sua forma de atuação à\ud medida que oferecem, em menor tempo possível, informação segura de alcance maior aos\ud usuários das bibliotecas. São inúmeros os conceitos de Serviço de Referência\ud Virtual (SRV) que compartilham a ideia de que o uso das tecnologias de informação facilitam\ud a comunicação entre bibliotecários e usuários. As Bibliotecas do Sistema Integrado de\ud Bibliotecas da Universidade de São Paulo (SIBi/USP), detectaram a relevância de\ud modernizar o Serviço de Atendimento ao Usuário, utilizando novos meios de comunicação e\ud melhorando a interação com os usuários por meio de recursos que são de domínio e uso\ud cotidiano dos mesmos. A Biblioteca da Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia\ud (FMVZ) da Universidade de São Paulo (USP) implantou o serviço de Atendimento Online por\ud chat, disponibilizando aos seus usuários um novo canal de comunicação que permite o\ud esclarecimento de dúvidas e solicitações em tempo real com atendentes. A experiência foi\ud extremamente positiva convergindo para a implantação do sistema em outras quatro\ud bibliotecas da USPThe information services allied to technologies have evolved in how they act as they offer in\ud the shortest time secure longer-range information to the library users. There are many\ud concepts of Virtual Reference Service (SRV) that share the idea that the use of information\ud technologies facilitate the communication between librarians and users. The libraries from\ud the Libraries Integrated System of University of Sao Paulo (SIBi/USP) have detected the importance of become up to date the reference desk using new means of communication\ud and improving the interaction with the users through the resources that are of domain and\ud use of them. The library from School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science of University\ud of Sao Paulo (USP) set the customer service through chat offering to users another way of\ud communication that allows the clarifying of doubts and requests in real time with the\ud attendant. The experience was extremely positive converging to implantation of the system in\ud four other libraries of the Universit

Competencias docentes en los estudiantes de último año de formación profesional en ciencias del ejercicio.

El propósito del presente estudio fue determinar los niveles de percepción de las competencias logradas en el proceso formativo de estudiantes de último año de formación profesional y la adaptación de la escala respectiva. Participaron 276 estudiantes en su último año de la carrera, quienes completaron un cuestionario denominado "Escala de Auto-eficacia para Profesores en Formación" de 31 ítems, que integran 6 competencias docentes; Interpersonal, Pedagógica, Conocimiento de la Materia, Organizativa, Trabajo Colaborativo, y Reflexión y Desarrollo. Un Alfa de .93, se realizaron las correlaciones inter-competencias, con valores desde .444 hasta .770.Para el total de la muestra, la media mas baja fue para la competencia Interpersonal (M=238.46) y la media mas alta para la Competencia de Conocimiento de la MAteria (M=590.67). La escala tiene valores de validez y en los resultados de la muestra de estudio, muestran diferencias entre los grupos y las competencias

Retinoic acid receptor beta protects striatopallidal medium spiny neurons from mitochondrial dysfunction and neurodegeneration

Retinoic acid is a powerful regulator of brain development, however its postnatal functions only start to be elucidated. We show that retinoic acid receptor beta (RAR beta), is involved in neuroprotection of striatopallidal medium spiny neurons (spMSNs), the cell type affected in different neuropsychiatric disorders and particularly prone to degenerate in Huntington disease (HD). Accordingly, the number of spMSNs was reduced in the striatum of adult Rar beta(-/-) mice, which may result from mitochondrial dysfunction and neurodegeneration. Mitochondria morphology was abnormal in mutant mice whereas in cultured striatal Rar beta(-/-) neurons mitochondria displayed exacerbated depolarization, and fragmentation followed by cell death in response to glutamate or thapsigargininduced calcium increase. In vivo, Rar beta(-/-)spMSNs were also more vulnerable to the mitochondrial toxin 3-nitropropionic acid (3NP), known to induce HD symptoms in human and rodents. In contrary, an RAR beta agonist, AC261066, decreased glutamate-induced toxicity in primary striatal neurons in vitro, and diminished mitochondrial dysfunction, spMSN cell death and motor deficits induced in wild type mice by 3NP. We demonstrate that the striatopallidal pathway is compromised in Rar beta(-/-) mice and associated with HD-like motor abnormalities. Importantly, similar motor abnormalities and selective reduction of spMSNs were induced by striatal or spMSNspecific inactivation of RAR beta, further supporting a neuroprotective role of RAR beta in postnatal striatum

Hypoxia compromises the mitochondrial metabolism of Alzheimer’s disease microglia via HIF1

Genetic Alzheimer’s disease (AD) risk factors associate with reduced defensive amyloid β plaque-associated microglia (AβAM), but the contribution of modifiable AD risk factors to microglial dysfunction is unknown. In AD mouse models, we observe concomitant activation of the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF1) pathway and transcription of mitochondrial-related genes in AβAM, and elongation of mitochondria, a cellular response to maintain aerobic respiration under low nutrient and oxygen conditions. Overactivation of HIF1 induces microglial quiescence in cellulo, with lower mitochondrial respiration and proliferation. In vivo, overstabilization of HIF1, either genetically or by exposure to systemic hypoxia, reduces AβAM clustering and proliferation and increases Aβ neuropathology. In the human AD hippocampus, upregulation of HIF1α and HIF1 target genes correlates with reduced Aβ plaque microglial coverage and an increase of Aβ plaque-associated neuropathology. Thus, hypoxia (a modifiable AD risk factor) hijacks microglial mitochondrial metabolism and converges with genetic susceptibility to cause AD microglial dysfunction.Instituto de Salud Carlos III CD09/0007, PI18/01556, PI18/01557Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte FPU14/02115, AP2010‐1598, FPU16/02050, FPU15/02898, BES-2010-033886Ministerio de Economia, Industria y Competitividad SAF2012‐33816, SAF2015‐64111‐R, SAF2017-90794-REDT, PIE13/0004, BFU2016-76872-R, BES-2011-047721Junta de Andalucía P12‐CTS‐2138, P12‐CTS‐2232, UMA18-FEDERJA-211, US‐126273

Production of recombinant enzymes of wide use for research

For biotechnological purposes, protein expression refers to the directed synthesis of large amounts of desired proteins. The aim of the present work was to produce reverse transcriptase Moloney murine Leukaemia Virus retro-transcriptase and Taq DNA polymerase, as bioactive products. In the present paper, we report the preparation of recombinant enzymes, expressed in E. coli strains. The enzymes produced exhibited quite good activity, compared with commercial enzymes, allowing us to replace the last ones for several lab applications. We are reporting changes and modifications to standard protocols described. The standard protocols were modified, i.e. for the purification step of Taq, a temperature dependent procedure was designed. The enzymes produced were used in different applications, such as PCR, RT-PCR, PCR Multiplex and RAPDs molecular markers