The SOAR Gravitational Arc Survey - I: Survey overview and photometric catalogs

We present the first results of the SOAR (Southern Astrophysical Research) Gravitational Arc Survey (SOGRAS). The survey imaged 47 clusters in two redshift intervals centered at $z=0.27$ and $z=0.55$, targeting the richest clusters in each interval. Images were obtained in the $g'$, $r'$ and $i'$ bands using the SOAR Optical Imager (SOI), with a median seeing of 0.83, 0.76 and 0.71 arcsec, respectively, in these filters. Most of the survey clusters are located within the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) Stripe 82 region and all of them are in the SDSS footprint. Photometric calibration was therefore performed using SDSS stars located in our SOI fields. We reached for galaxies in all fields the detection limits of $g \sim 23.5$, $r \sim 23$ and $i \sim 22.5$ for a signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) = 3. As a by-product of the image processing, we generated a source catalogue with 19760 entries, the vast majority of which are galaxies, where we list their positions, magnitudes and shape parameters. We compared our galaxy shape measurements to those of local galaxies and concluded that they were not strongly affected by seeing. From the catalogue data, we are able to identify a red sequence of galaxies in most clusters in the lower $z$ range. We found 16 gravitational arc candidates around 8 clusters in our sample. They tend to be bluer than the central galaxies in the lensing cluster. A preliminary analysis indicates that $\sim 10$ of the clusters have arcs around them, with a possible indication of a larger efficiency associated to the high-$z$ systems when compared to the low-$z$ ones. Deeper follow-up images with Gemini strengthen the case for the strong lensing nature of the candidates found in this survey.Comment: 17 pages, 11 figures (most of them multi-panel) MNRAS (2013

The Analyticity of a Generalized Ruelle's Operator

In this work we propose a generalization of the concept of Ruelle operator for one dimensional lattices used in thermodynamic formalism and ergodic optimization, which we call generalized Ruelle operator, that generalizes both the Ruelle operator proposed in [BCLMS] and the Perron Frobenius operator defined in [Bowen]. We suppose the alphabet is given by a compact metric space, and consider a general a-priori measure to define the operator. We also consider the case where the set of symbols that can follow a given symbol of the alphabet depends on such symbol, which is an extension of the original concept of transition matrices from the theory of subshifts of finite type. We prove the analyticity of the Ruelle operator and present some examples

Sugarcane fertigated with vinasse under subsurface drip irrigation in three cycles of cane-ratoon

The objective of this study was evaluate the effect of irrigation and fertigation with mineral fertilizer and vinasse applied by subsurface drip irrigation, in the number of tiller, stem yield, technological quality of sugarcane and yield of recoverable sugar in first three cycles of ratoon cane. The treatments were: T1NI - cultivation without irrigation with mineral fertilization; T2I - cultivation fertigated with mineral fertilizers; T3Iv - cultivation fertigated with the vinasse supplying K and complementation of NP with mineral fertilizer; T4IV - cultivation fertigated with the vinasse supplying NPK. In the cycle of the first ratoon cane, there was no effect of treatments on the variables, already in the subsequent cycles, the T2I and T3Iv showed higher numbers of tillers, 17.4 and 17.2 tiller m-1, in the second ratoon cane and 16.6 and 16.0 tiller m-1 in the third ratoon cane, respectively. The stem yield was amended with the T4IV obtaining the higher yield, 179.6 Mg ha-1, in the second ratoon cane, and the T2I and T3Iv in the third ratoon cane, 151.5 and 151.0 Mg ha-1, respectively. There was no treatment effect on the technological quality and in the second ratoon cane the T3Iv and T4IV showed higher yield of sugar, 25 and 25.9 Mg ha-1, respectively.Objetivou-se, com esta pesquisa, avaliar o efeito da irrigação, da fertigação mineral e da vinhaça, aplicadas via irrigação por gotejamento subsuperficial, no número de perfilhos, produção de colmos, qualidade tecnológica e rendimento de açúcar recuperável, nos três primeiros ciclos de cana-soca. Os tratamentos foram: T1NI - Cultivo não irrigado com adubação mineral; T2I - Cultivo irrigado e fertirrigado com fertilizantes minerais; T3Iv - Cultivo irrigado e fertirrigado com a vinhaça suprindo o K e complementação do NP via fertilizantes minerais e T4IV - Cultivo irrigado e fertirrigado, com a vinhaça suprindo o NPK. No ciclo da primeira cana-soca não houve efeito dos tratamentos sobre as variáveis; já nos ciclos subsequentes o T2I e o T3Iv exibiram maiores números de perfilhos, 17,4 e 17,2 perfilhos m-1 na segunda cana-soca e 16,6 e 16,0 perfilhos m-1 na terceira cana-soca, respectivamente. A produção de colmo foi alterada com o T4Iv obtendo-se a maior produção, 179,6 Mg ha-1, na segunda cana-soca e T2I e T3Iv na terceira cana-soca, 151,5 e 151,0 Mg ha-1, respectivamente. Não houve efeito dos tratamentos sobre a qualidade tecnológica e no ciclo da segunda cana-soca os T3Iv e T4IV exibiram elevado rendimento de açúcar, 25 e 25,9 Mg ha-1, respectivamente.588594Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

Three electrode electrochemical microfluidic cell: construction and characterization

This work describes the construction and characterization of an electrochemical flow-through microcell with the three electrodes (working, pseudo-reference, and auxiliary) inserted in microchannels with thickness smaller than 20 µm. These microchannels were constructed between two stacked polycarbonate slides using one or more overlapped toner masks as spacer. This strategy allows the construction of microcells with a variable internal volume on the working electrode (0.6 to 2.4 µL). Three different materials were optimized as electrodes: gold film or graphite-epoxy composite as working electrode, silver-epoxy composite as pseudo-reference electrode and, graphite-epoxy composite as auxiliary electrode. The performance of the microfluidic cell was characterized by cyclic voltammetry, potentiometric stripping analysis at constant current, and square wave anodic stripping voltammetry using ferrocyanide and heavy metals (Cu2+, Hg2+, Pb2+, and Cd2+) as model analytes

APA FERNÃO DIAS/MG - TRANSFORMAÇÕES SOCIOAMBIENTAIS NA BACIA HIDROGRÁFICA DO RIO JAGUARY

Planning Practice is an instrument used in various spheres of research and management, such as tourism, watersheds use and conservation areas, and involves a group of methodologies and procedures that aim to organize, plan, evaluate and propose alternatives to the use of territory, considering productive activities, the planning of human settlements and the development of society, respecting the natural aspects of the land, the sustainable use of natural resources, the protection of the environment and the quality of life. In the initial stages of the process of planning it is necessary to determine various aspects of the area to be planned considering socio-economic, cultural and environmental characteristics. Within this context, a socio and environmental diagnosis was developed, characterizing the current trends of land use and their main impacts and analyzing the environmental local reality through field work, photographic records, reports and data collection in order to identify the socio-economic, cultural and natural characteristics of Camanducaia, Extrema and Itapeva municipalities, that are part of the Fernão Dias Environmental Protected Area, where the main tributaries of the Jaguary River Watershed are located. It was observed that the main social problems in this area are related to the doubling of the Fernão Dias Highway and its role in the regional dynamics and the lack of proposals for participatory environmental planning that could stimulate sustainable development actions. Key words: Social and Environmental Diagnosis. Water Resources. Jaguary River. Environmental Planning. Fernão Dias APA. Bidiversity. CLIMEP – Climatologia e Estudos da Paisagem Rio Claro – Vol.3 – n.1 – janeiro/junho/2008 – RESUMO/ABSTRACTO planejamento ambiental é um instrumento utilizado em diversas esferas de pesquisa e gestão, tais como do turismo, de bacias hidrográficas e de unidades de conservação, e que consiste em um grupo de metodologias e procedimentos que visam organizar, programar, avaliar e propor alternativas ao uso do território, considerando as atividades produtivas, o ordenamento dos assentamentos humanos e o desenvolvimento da sociedade, respeitando a vocação natural da terra, o aproveitamento sustentável dos recursos e a proteção e qualidade de vida e do meio ambiente. Para as fases iniciais do processo de planejamento ambiental faz-se necessário a determinação de vários aspectos da área de abrangência do plano, a partir do levantamento das características sócio-econômicas, culturais e ambientais. Dentro deste contexto, desenvolveu-se um diagnóstico socioambiental, caracterizando as tendências atuais de uso e ocupação do solo e seus principais impactos, a partir do levantamento da realidade ambiental através de pesquisas de campo, registros fotográficos, relatos e coleta de dados junto a diversos órgãos, de forma a identificar as características sócio-econômicas, naturais e culturais, nos municípios de Camanducaia, Extrema e Itapeva, inseridos na APA Fernão Dias, onde se encontram os principais afluentes mineiros da Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Jaguary. Observou-se que os principais problemas socioambientais nesta área estão relacionados com a duplicação da Rodovia Fernão Dias e sua atuação na dinâmica regional e a falta de propostas de planejamento ambiental participativo que orientem ações sustentáveis de desenvolvimento. Palavras-chave: Diagnóstico Socioambiental. Recursos Hídricos. Rio Jaguary. Planejamento Ambiental. APA Fernão Dias. Biodiversidade. Planning Practice is an instrument used in various spheres of research and management, such as tourism, watersheds use and conservation areas, and involves a group of methodologies and procedures that aim to organize, plan, evaluate and propose alternatives to the use of territory, considering productive activities, the planning of human settlements and the development of society, respecting the natural aspects of the land, the sustainable use of natural resources, the protection of the environment and the quality of life. In the initial stages of the process of planning it is necessary to determine various aspects of the area to be planned considering socio-economic, cultural and environmental characteristics. Within this context, a socio and environmental diagnosis was developed, characterizing the current trends of land use and their main impacts and analyzing the environmental local reality through field work, photographic records, reports and data collection in order to identify the socio-economic, cultural and natural characteristics of Camanducaia, Extrema and Itapeva municipalities, that are part of the Fernão Dias Environmental Protected Area, where the main tributaries of the Jaguary River Watershed are located. It was observed that the main social problems in this area are related to the doubling of the Fernão Dias Highway and its role in the regional dynamics and the lack of proposals for participatory environmental planning that could stimulate sustainable development actions. Key words: Social and Environmental Diagnosis. Water Resources. Jaguary River. Environmental Planning. Fernão Dias APA. Bidiversity. CLIMEP – Climatologia e Estudos da Paisagem Rio Claro – Vol.3 – n.1 – janeiro/junho/2008 – RESUMO/ABSTRAC

Synthesis of Selenium-Quinone Hybrid Compounds with Potential Antitumor Activity via Rh-Catalyzed C-H Bond Activation and Click Reactions

In continuation of our quest for new redox-modulating catalytic antitumor molecules, selenium-containing quinone-based 1,2,3-triazoles were synthesized using rhodium-catalyzed C-H bond activation and click reactions. All compounds were evaluated against five types of cancer cell lines: HL-60 (human promyelocytic leukemia cells), HCT-116 (human colon carcinoma cells), SF295 (human glioblastoma cells), NCIH-460 (human lung cells) and PC3 (human prostate cancer cells). Some compounds showed good activity with IC50 values below 1 µM. The cytotoxic potential of the naphthoquinoidal derivatives was also evaluated in non-tumor cells, exemplified by L929 cells. Overall, these compounds represent promising new lead derivatives and stand for a new class of chalcogenium-containing derivatives with potential antitumor activity

Ehrlich ascites tumor-bearing mice treated with aqueous ethanol plant extract from Euphorbia tirucalli showed signs of systemic toxicity

Purpose: To evaluate the antitumor effect of a latex extract from Euphorbia tirucalli Linn. (Euphorbiaceae) and its toxicity.Methods: Aqueous ethanol and petroleum ether extracts were obtained through maceration. .Maximum tolerated dose was determined in healthy mice. Antitumor activity was measured in Ehrlich ascites tumor-bearing mice treated with the extract through intraperitoneal injection (62.5, 125 or 250 mg/kg) every 48 h (four doses). Efficacy was assessed by weight gain, abdominal circumference, volume of ascitic fluid and packed tumor cells, tumor cell viability and survival. Toxicity indicators were serum glucose, triglycerides, total proteins, activity of alanine and aspartate aminotransferases and mass of heart, spleen, kidney and liver. A hemolysis assay was also performed.Results: Doses of 62.5 and 125 mg/kg caused no antitumor activity, while 250 mg/kg dose reduced weight gain (3-fold), abdominal circumference and volume of ascitic fluid (> 50 %) and packed cells (50 %), but lowered tumor cell viability (40 %). However, mice treated with the extract survived for a shorter time than control mice. Furthermore, the 250 mg/kg dose caused cardiac atrophy, splenomegaly and fasting hyperglycemia. The extract caused hemolysis, and the half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) was 1.6 (0.9 – 2.7) mg/mL.Conclusion: Euphorbia tirucalli extract inhibits Ehrlich ascites tumor in mice, but the therapeutic dose is also harmful to non-tumor tissues.Keywords: Euphorbia tirucalli, Ehrlich ascites tumor-bearing mice, Antitumor, Toxicity, Cardiac atrophy, Splenomegal

Clinical features and outcomes of 134 Brazilians with acute promyelocytic leukemia who received ATRA and anthracyclines

We report an increased incidence of high relapse risk features in 157 APL Brazilian patients. Out of 134 patients treated with ATRA and anthracyclines, only 91 (67.9%) achieved remission because 43 (32%) died during induction. the death rate during consolidation was 10.5%. Bleeding complications were the most frequent cause of failure (21.6%).Med Sch Riberao Preto, Dept Internal Med, Ribeirao Preto, BrazilHosp Amaral Carvalho, Bone Marrow Transplantat Unit, Jau, BrazilUniv Fed Minas Gerais, Hematol Serv, Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilSanta Casa São Paulo, Hematol Serv, São Paulo, BrazilFundacao Pio XII Barretos, Barretos, BrazilClin Hematol Riberao Preto, Ribeirao Preto, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Hematol & Hemotherapy, São Paulo, BrazilUniv Estadual Campinas, Hemoctr, Campinas, BrazilSt Jude Childrens Hosp, Internal Outreach Program, Memphis, TN USAUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Hematol & Hemotherapy, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc