Diversity of Sinorhizobium (Ensifer) meliloti Bacteriophages in the Rhizosphere of Medicago marina: Myoviruses, Filamentous and N4-Like Podovirus

Using different Sinorhizobium meliloti strains as hosts, we isolated eight new virulent phages from the rhizosphere of the coastal legume Medicago marina. Half of the isolated phages showed a very narrow host range while the other half exhibited a wider host range within the strains tested. Electron microscopy studies showed that phages M_ort18, M_sf1.2, and M_sf3.33 belonged to the Myoviridae family with feature long, contractile tails and icosaedral head. Phages I_sf3.21 and I_sf3.10T appeared to have filamentous shape and produced turbid plaques, which is a characteristic of phages from the Inoviridae family. Phage P_ort11 is a member of the Podoviridae, with an icosahedral head and a short tail and was selected for further characterization and genome sequencing. P_ort11 contained linear, double-stranded DNA with a length of 75239 bp and 103 putative open reading frames. BLASTP analysis revealed strong similarities to Escherichia phage N4 and other N4-like phages. This is the first report of filamentous and N4-like phages that infect S. melilot

Algorithm Development for Hyperspectral Anomaly Detection

This dissertation proposes and evaluates a novel anomaly detection algorithm suite for ground-to-ground, or air-to-ground, applications requiring automatic target detection using hyperspectral (HS) data. Targets are manmade objects in natural background clutter under unknown illumination and atmospheric conditions. The use of statistical models herein is purely for motivation of particular formulas for calculating anomaly output surfaces. In particular, formulas from semiparametrics are utilized to obtain novel forms for output surfaces, and alternative scoring algorithms are proposed to calculate output surfaces that are comparable to those of semiparametrics. Evaluation uses both simulated data and real HS data from a joint data collection effort between the Army Research Laboratory and the Army Armament Research Development & Engineering Center. A data transformation method is presented for use by the two-sample data structure univariate semiparametric and nonparametric scoring algorithms, such that, the two-sample data are mapped from their original multivariate space to an univariate domain, where the statistical power of the univariate scoring algorithms is shown to be improved relative to existing multivariate scoring algorithms testing the same two-sample data. An exhaustive simulation experimental study is conducted to assess the performance of different HS anomaly detection techniques, where the null and alternative hypotheses are completely specified, including all parameters, using multivariate normal and mixtures of multivariate normal distributions. Finally, for ground-to-ground anomaly detection applications, where the unknown scales of targets add to the problem complexity, a novel global anomaly detection algorithm suite is introduced, featuring autonomous partial random sampling (PRS) of the data cube. The PRS method is proposed to automatically sample the unknown background clutter in the test HS imagery, and by repeating multiple times this process, one can achieve a desirably low cumulative probability of taking target samples by chance and using them as background samples. This probability is modeled by the binomial distribution family, where the only target related parameter--the proportion of target pixels potentially covering the imagery--is shown to be robust. PRS requires a suitable scoring algorithm to compare samples, although applying PRS with the new two-step univariate detectors is shown to outperform existing multivariate detectors

Collective effects on the performance and stability of quantum heat engines

Recent predictions for quantum-mechanical enhancements in the operation of small heat engines have raised renewed interest in their study from both a fundamental perspective and in view of applications. One essential question is whether collective effects may help to carry enhancements over larger scales, when increasing the number of systems composing the working substance of the engine. Such enhancements may consider not only power and efficiency, that is its performance, but, additionally, its constancy, i.e. the stability of the engine with respect to unavoidable environmental fluctuations. We explore this issue by introducing a many-body quantum heat engine model composed by spin pairs working in continuous operation. We study how power, efficiency and constancy scale with the number of spins composing the engine, and obtain analytical expressions in the macroscopic limit. Our results predict power enhancements, both in finite-size and macroscopic cases, for a broad range of system parameters and temperatures, without compromising the engine efficiency, as well as coherence-enhanced constancy for large but finite sizes. We also discuss these quantities in connection to Thermodynamic Uncertainty Relations (TUR).Comment: 19 pages, 10 figure

Quality Of Drinking Water Fluoridation Of Capão Bonito, S P, Brazil, Evaluated By Operational And External Controls

Purpose: To evaluate the quality of drinking water fluoridation of Capão Bonito, S P, Brazil, whose optimal fluoride concentration should be between 0.6 to 0.8 ppm F, considering the balance benefits/risks. Methods: Historical records (n=1,964) from 2005 to 2009 of the water treatment plant (operational control) were evaluated. Also, from July 2009 to June 2010, 120 samples of the network water were collected for analysis and the fluoride concentrations found (external control) were compared with records of operational control of the same period. Results: According to the historical records, 76.3% of the samples had acceptable fluoride concentration and this value was confirmed by the external control done during one year, which found that 80.8% of samples were within the optimal range. However, considering the samples out the optimal range, while the records of the operational control showed values below the minimum, the results of the external control found higher percentage of samples above the maximum. Conclusion: The data show the relevance to have a quality control of drinking water fluoridation because at same time the operational control analysis suggests that certain percentage of the population would not be receiving anticaries benefits, the external control indicates that it would be in increased risk of fluorosis. Copyright: © 2011 Olivati et al.;.264285290McDonagh, M.S., Whiting, P.F., Wilson, P.M., Sutton, A.J., Chestnutt, I., Cooper, J.X., Systematic review of water fluoridation (2000) BMJ, 321, pp. 855-859Galagan, D.J., Vermillion, J.R., Determining optimum fluoride concentrations (1957) Public Health Rep, 72, pp. 491-493Frazão, P., Peres, M.A., Cury, J.A., Drinking water quality and fluoride concentration (2011) Rev Saude Publica, 45, pp. 964-973Brasil. Lei Federal n°6.050, de 24/05/1974 (1974) Coleção Das Leis de 1974: Atos do Poder Legislativo: Leis de Abril a Junho, 3, p. 107. , Brasília, DF: Departamento de Imprensa NacionalCatani, D.B., Amaral, R.C., Oliveira, C., Souza, M.L.R., Cury, J.A., Ten years of external control of the fluoride level in public drinking water by Brazilian cities, Brazil, 1996-2006 (in Portuguese) (2008) RGO x, 56, pp. 145-149Panizzi, M., Peres, M.A., Ten years of external control over water fluoridation in Chapecó, Santa Catarina State, Brazil (in Portuguese) (2008) Cad Saúde Pública, 24, pp. 2021-2031Portaria 635 de 26 de Dezembro de 1975. Aprova Normas e Padrões Sobre a Fluoretação da Água de Sistemas Públicos de Abastecimento. Diario Oficial União, , http://189.28.128.100/dab/docs/legislacao/portaria635_26_12_75.pdf, 30 jan. 1976 cited 2006 Jan. 18(2006) National Guideline on Sampling Plan of the Environment Health Vigilance for Assessment of Quality of Water for Human use, , Brazil. Ministry of Health, Brasília, in PortugueseMartínez-Mier, E.A., Cury, J.A., Heilman, J.R., Katz, B.P., Levy, S.M., Li, Y., Maguire, A., Development of gold standard ion-selective electrode-based methods for fluoride analysis (2011) Caries Res, 45, pp. 3-12Moura, M.S., Silva, J.S., Simplício, A.H.M., Cury, J.A., Long-Term Assessment of Fuoride Level of Public Water Supply in Teresina-Piauí (in Portuguese) (2005) Rev Odonto Ciênc, 20, pp. 132-136Ramires, I., Maia, L.P., Rigolizzo, D.S., Lauris, J.L.P., Buzalaf, M.A.R., External control of water supply in Bauru, S P, Brazil (2006) Rev Saúde Pública, 40, pp. 883-889Amaral, R.C., Sousa, M.L.R., Eight months of external control of fluoride levels in the public water supply in Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil (2007) Revista de Odontologia da Universidade Cidade de São Paulo (in Portuguese), 19, pp. 131-136Cury, J.A., Tenuta, L.M., Enamel remineralization: Controlling the caries disease or treating early caries lesions? (2009) Braz Oral Res, 23 (1 SUPPL.), pp. 23-30Bardsen, A., "Risk periods" associated with the development of dental fluorosis in maxillary permanent central incisors: A meta-analysis (1999) Acta Odontol Scand, 57, pp. 247-256Catani, D.B., Hugo, F.N., Cypriano, S., Sousa Mda, L., Cury, J.A., Relationship between fluoride levels in the public water supply and dental fluorosis (2007) Rev Saude Publica, 41, pp. 732-739Catani, D.B., Tenuta, L.M., Andaló, F.A., Cury, J.A., Fluorosis in rats exposed to oscillating chronic fluoride doses (2010) Braz Dent J, 21, pp. 32-37Documento de Consenso Técnico, , http://www.cecol.fsp.usp.br/dcms/fck/file/SeminarioVigifluor2011/ CECOL-USP-ClassificacaoAguasSegundoTeorFluor-DocumentoConsensoTecnico-2011(2). pdf, Classificação de águas de abastecimento público, Acesso em Nov. 1

Caracterización de los genes AtbZIP53 de arabidopsis thaliana y HvbZIP53 de cebada y su participación en la regulación génica durante el desarrollo de la semilla

ABSTRACT In Plants, bZIP transcription factors regulate a wide range of plant processes. In general bZIP proteins bind DNA as dimers which occur in a specific manner. The expression of many seed storage protein genes in cereals relies on transcription factors of the bZIP class, belonging to the maize OPAQUE2 family (C-group in Arabidopsis). Barley BLZ1 and BLZ2, and Arabidopsis AtbZIP10 and AtbZIP25, are implicated in the regulation of gene expression during seed maturation. The aim of this work was the identification of other bZIP factors implicated in gene regulation during seed maturation by heterodimerization with the bZIP mentioned above. Based on the specific heterodimerization between proteins of the groups C and S1, AtbZIP53 (a member of the later) was identified as a possible candidate implicated in seed gene regulation. The transcriptome analysis of AtbZIP53-overexpressing seedlings showed the induction of seed specific genes. We determined that AtbZIP53 is expressed in the embryo during the maturation of Arabidopsis seeds. AtbZIP53 is able to form heterodimers with AtbZIP10 and AtbZIP25. The formation of these heterodimers is necessary for the activation of the promoters of Albumine 2S2 and Cruciferin genes in transient expression assays. In addition, it was determined that although these factors bind to DNA as homodimers, the affinity of the heterodimers is greater. The synergistic action of AtbZIP10, AtbZIP25 and ABI3 has been described in the regulation of the storage protein genes. ABI3 is also able to interact with the heterodimers AtbZIP53/AtbZIP10-25 and this interaction enhances the transactivation properties of such heterodimers. In order to identify new bZIP proteins implicated in the regulation of gene expression during seed development in barley, we searched for the AtbZIP53 ortholog. One EST with an ORF that encondes a protein that shares 58% sequence identity with AtbZIP53 was identified. HvbZIP53 is expressed during endosperm development, and it is mainly expressed in the ESR (Embrion Sorrounding Region) and in transfer cells. When transform into Arabidopsis, HvbZIP53 induces the expression of some of the genes upregulated in AtbZIP53-overexpressing plants, which indicates that there is at least partial functional equivalence between these genes. In addition, we have determined that HvbZIP53 forms heterodimers with BLZ1 and BLZ2. The AtbZIP53/BLZ1 heterodimer regulates the expression of the Asparragine Synthetase 1 gene (HvAS1). HvBLZ1 and HvAS1 are coexpressed with HvbZIP53 in the cells of transference and region ESR in endosperm development. In conclusion this thesis contributes to the understanding of the transcriptional regulation during the seed development and, in particular, the role of heterodimerization as an additional mechanism to modulate gene expression. RESUMEN Los factores transcripcionales bZIP son una familia de proteínas implicadas en la regulación de la expresión génica de una variada gama de procesos en las plantas. Su principal característica estructural es la presencia de un dominio básico capaz de unir DNA, realizándose esta unión a través de dímeros que se forman una manera específica. La expresión de muchos genes de proteínas de reserva, tanto en la semilla de cereales como de dicotiledóneas, depende de la expresión de los factores bZIP del tipo Opaco-2 de maíz (grupo C en Arabidopsis). En cebada los factores BLZ1 y BLZ2 y en Arabidopsis los factores AtbZIP10 y AtbZIP25 participan en la regulación génica durante la maduración de la semilla. En esta tesis se planteó la búsqueda de factores bZIP involucrados en la regulación génica durante la maduración de la semilla mediante la heterodimerización con las proteínas bZIP antes mencionados. Basados en la heterodimerización específica entre proteínas de los grupos C y S1, se identificó a AtbZIP53 (perteneciente a este último) como posible candidato implicado en regulación génica en semilla. El análisis del transcriptoma mediante hibridación de micromatrices de plantas que sobreexpresan AtbZIP53, permitió detectar la inducción de genes específicos de semilla. Además determinamos que AtbZIP53 se expresa en el embrión durante la maduración de la semilla de Arabidopsis. AtbZIP53 es capaz de formar heterodímeros con AtbZIP10 y con AtbZIP25. La formación de estos heterodímeros es necesaria para la activación de los promotores de los genes que codifican Albúmina 2S2 y Cruciferina en ensayos de expresión transitoria. Se determinó que si bien estos factores son capaces de unirse al DNA como homodímeros, la afinidad de los heterodímeros es mayor. Se ha descrito la acción sinérgica de AtbZIP10, AtbZIP25 y ABI3 en la regulación de los genes de proteínas reserva. ABI3 también es capaz de interaccionar con el heterodímero AtbZIP53/AtbZIP10-25 y esta interacción potencia la capacidad activadora de dicho heterodímero. Con objeto de comparar la regulación génica en semillas de dicotiledóneas (Arabidopsis thaliana) y monocotiledóneas (Hordeum vulagare L.), nos propusimos identificar el ortólogo de AtbZIP53 en cebada. Mediante una búsqueda en bases de datos, se identificó un EST que contenía un ORF que codifica una proteína posiblemente ortóloga, HvbZIP53, que presenta un 58% de identidad de sequencia con AtbZIP53. HvbZIP53 se expresa durante el desarrollo del endospermo, estando su expresión principalmente localizada en la región que rodea al embrión (ESR: Embryo Sorrounding Region) y en las células de transferencia. La expresión de HvbZIP53 en hojas de Arabidopsis induce la expresión de algunos de los genes para los que se observó un aumento de expresión en las plantas 35S:AtbZIP53, lo que indica que hay una equivalencia, al menos parcial, de funciones entres estos genes. Además, hemos determinado que HvbZIP53 forma heterodímeros con BLZ1 y con BLZ2 y que el heterodímero AtbZIP53/BLZ1 regula la expresión del gen que codifica Asparragina Sintetasa 1 (HvAS1). HvBLZ1, y HvAS1 se coexpresan con HvbZIP53 en las células de transferencia y en la región ESR en endospermo de cebada en desarrollo. En conclusión esta tesis contribuye a un mejor conocimiento de la regulación transcripcional durante el desarrollo de la semilla y en especial al papel de la heterodimerización de bZIPs como mecanismo adicional de modulación de la regulación transcripcional

The ethnocentrism influence in effect made in Brazil: instrument validation in three languages

O objetivo deste estudo é oferecer um instrumento validado para as línguas portuguesa, espanhola e inglesa que mensure a influência do etnocentrismo sobre o efeito made in e a percepção da marca de produtos brasileiros. Para alcançar esse objetivo, foi realizada pesquisa descritiva baseada no modelo de equações estruturais com auxílio do programa estatístico Smart Partial Least Square (SPLS). O estudo foi realizado junto ao público estrangeiro em uma amostra do tipo não probabilística e por conveniência, sobre a influência do efeito made in Brasil na percepção da marca com base no modelo de Cerviño e Rivera (2007) e Strehlau, Ponchio e Riegel (2010). Por meio deste estudo foi possível validar o instrumento (α = 0,86) e oferecer sugestões sobre a influência do etnocentrismo no efeito made in, e a relação de autoimpacto entre esse efeito e a percepção da marca. Com base na revisão da literatura foi possível apresentar indicadores que compõem as dimensões do modelo e contribuir para a análise e reflexão sobre novas estratégias de marketing internacional para um país. Palavra

A importância do letramento digital para o desenvolvimento cognitivo de pessoas com deficiência intelectual e múltipla

Este artigo foi elaborado com o objetivo de revelar se os alunos que participam do atendimento Letramento Digital têm avançado cognitivamente, realizando-se, para tal, pesquisa bibliográfica focada no letramento, informática educativa e deficiência intelectual de acordo com Soares (2002;2010), Tajra (2004), Valente (2002;2008) dentre outros autores. Posteriormente, foi realizada uma pesquisa de campo no Centro de Atendimento Educacional Especializado Prof. Lourenço Filho/Fundação Pestalozzi do Pará havendo análise de documentos institucionais como o Projeto Político Pedagógico, Plano de Desenvolvimento Individual do aluno e de registros dos professores envolvidos. Do total de 119 alunos do atendimento Letramento Digital foram analisados 66 casos em que foi observado que mais da metade deles obtiveram avanço em pelo menos uma das três áreas em estudo, quais sejam: Oralidade e Escrita, Raciocínio LógicoMatemático e Letramento Digital

Evolucao de pacientes com AIDS pos cART: evolucao clinica e laboratorial de pacientes com AIDS apos 48 semanas de tratamento antirretroviral

SUMMARY Combination Antiretroviral Therapy (cART) aims to inhibit viral replication, delay immunodeficiency progression and improve survival in AIDS patients. The objective of this study was to compare two different schemes of cART, based on plasma viral load (VL) and CD4+ T lymphocyte count, during 48 weeks of treatment. For this purpose, 472 medical charts of a Specialized Outpatient Service were reviewed from 1998 to 2005. Out of these, 58 AIDS patients who had received a triple drug scheme as the initial treatment were included in the study and two groups were formed: Group 1 (G1): 47 individuals treated with two nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) and one non-nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitor; Group 2 (G2): 11 patients treated with two NRTI and one protease inhibitor. In G1 and G2, 53.2% and 81.8% respectively were patients with an AIDS-defining disease. The T CD4+ lymphocyte count increased progressively up until the 24th week of treatment in all patients, while VL became undetectable in 68.1% of G1 and in 63.6% of G2. The study concluded that the evolutions of laboratory tests were similar in the two treatment groups and that both presented a favorable clinical evolution.RESUMO A terapia antirretroviral na aids visa inibir a replicação viral, retardar a progressão da imunodeficiência e melhorar a sobrevida do paciente. O objetivo do estudo foi comparar dois esquemas de tratamentos antirretrovirais, quanto à carga viral plasmática (CV) e contagem de linfócitos T CD4+, durante 48 semanas de tratamento, pela revisão de 472 prontuários no período de 1998 a 2005, em um Serviço de Ambulatórios Especializados. Foram incluídos para o estudo 58 pacientes que receberam esquema tríplice como terapêutica inicial, os quais formaram dois grupos: Grupo 1 (G1): 47 indivíduos em tratamento com dois inibidores de transcriptase reversa análogos de nucleosídeos (ITRN) e um inibidor de transcriptase reversa não análogo de nucleosídeo; Grupo 2 (G2): 11 pacientes em tratamento com dois ITRN e um inibidor de protease. Entre os pacientes de G1 e G2, 53.2% e 81.8%, respectivamente, foram classificados como portadores de aids com doença definidora. A contagem de linfócitos T CD4+ aumentou progressivamente até a 24ª semana de tratamento, em todos os doentes e, a CV tornou-se indetectável em 68,1% dos casos de G1 e em 63,6%, do G2. O estudo concluiu que, em ambos os grupos de tratamento, houve evolução laboratorial semelhante e essa observação foi compatível com evolução clínica favorável dos pacientes estudados

POSTOPERATIVE COMPLICATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH PELVIC EXENTERATION IN WOMEN WITH GYNECOLOGICAL CANCER: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Objective: to identify the main complications arising from the pelvic exenteration surgery in gynecological cancer and the in-hospital death outcome after the surgical procedure.Method: an integrative literature review considering 23 articles published from 2012 to 2020 in the LILACS and IBECS databases. The descriptors used were the following: genital cancer, gynecological cancer, pelvic exenteration, exenteration, postoperative complications, surgical complications and death, combined by means of the AND or OR Boolean connectors.Results: surgical applicability was verified for cervical, uterine, ovarian, vaginal and vulvar cancer; age was associated with comorbidities (diabetes and hypertension); total pelvic exenteration was predominant; and there were high mean surgical and hospitalization times due to infections.Contributions to the area: this research enables improvements in the health care provided in the PE pre-, peri- and post-operative periods, as it elucidates the main problems resulting from this surgery, their stratifications and management options