165 research outputs found

    Comportamento de pastoreio

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    O pastoreio é uma atividade de natureza biológica que envolve interações evolutivas entre planta, animal e ambiente. Está cercado por vários fatores, com diferentes níveis ou intensidades, capazes de originar diferentes graus de alterações e de complexidade

    Gene expression profiles in asbestos-exposed epithelial and mesothelial lung cell lines

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    BACKGROUND: Asbestos has been shown to cause chromosomal damage and DNA aberrations. Exposure to asbestos causes many lung diseases e.g. asbestosis, malignant mesothelioma, and lung cancer, but the disease-related processes are still largely unknown. We exposed the human cell lines A549, Beas-2B and Met5A to crocidolite asbestos and determined time-dependent gene expression profiles by using Affymetrix arrays. The hybridization data was analyzed by using an algorithm specifically designed for clustering of short time series expression data. A canonical correlation analysis was applied to identify correlations between the cell lines, and a Gene Ontology analysis method for the identification of enriched, differentially expressed biological processes. RESULTS: We recognized a large number of previously known as well as new potential asbestos-associated genes and biological processes, and identified chromosomal regions enriched with genes potentially contributing to common responses to asbestos in these cell lines. These include genes such as the thioredoxin domain containing gene (TXNDC) and the potential tumor suppressor, BCL2/adenovirus E1B 19kD-interacting protein gene (BNIP3L), GO-terms such as "positive regulation of I-kappaB kinase/NF-kappaB cascade" and "positive regulation of transcription, DNA-dependent", and chromosomal regions such as 2p22, 9p13, and 14q21. We present the complete data sets as Additional files. CONCLUSION: This study identifies several interesting targets for further investigation in relation to asbestos-associated diseases

    Input-Adaptive Proxy for Black Carbon as a Virtual Sensor

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    Missing data has been a challenge in air quality measurement. In this study, we develop an input-adaptive proxy, which selects input variables of other air quality variables based on their correlation coefficients with the output variable. The proxy uses ordinary least squares regression model with robust optimization and limits the input variables to a maximum of three to avoid overfitting. The adaptive proxy learns from the data set and generates the best model evaluated by adjusted coefficient of determination (adjR2). In case of missing data in the input variables, the proposed adaptive proxy then uses the second-best model until all the missing data gaps are filled up. We estimated black carbon (BC) concentration by using the input-adaptive proxy in two sites in Helsinki, which respectively represent street canyon and urban background scenario, as a case study. Accumulation mode, traffic counts, nitrogen dioxide and lung deposited surface area are found as input variables in models with the top rank. In contrast to traditional proxy, which gives 20–80% of data, the input-adaptive proxy manages to give full continuous BC estimation. The newly developed adaptive proxy also gives generally accurate BC (street canyon: adjR2 = 0.86–0.94; urban background: adjR2 = 0.74–0.91) depending on different seasons and day of the week. Due to its flexibility and reliability, the adaptive proxy can be further extend to estimate other air quality parameters. It can also act as an air quality virtual sensor in support with on-site measurements in the future

    Input-Adaptive Proxy for Black Carbon as a Virtual Sensor

    Get PDF
    Missing data has been a challenge in air quality measurement. In this study, we develop an input-adaptive proxy, which selects input variables of other air quality variables based on their correlation coefficients with the output variable. The proxy uses ordinary least squares regression model with robust optimization and limits the input variables to a maximum of three to avoid overfitting. The adaptive proxy learns from the data set and generates the best model evaluated by adjusted coefficient of determination (adjR2). In case of missing data in the input variables, the proposed adaptive proxy then uses the second-best model until all the missing data gaps are filled up. We estimated black carbon (BC) concentration by using the input-adaptive proxy in two sites in Helsinki, which respectively represent street canyon and urban background scenario, as a case study. Accumulation mode, traffic counts, nitrogen dioxide and lung deposited surface area are found as input variables in models with the top rank. In contrast to traditional proxy, which gives 20–80% of data, the input-adaptive proxy manages to give full continuous BC estimation. The newly developed adaptive proxy also gives generally accurate BC (street canyon: adjR2 = 0.86–0.94; urban background: adjR2 = 0.74–0.91) depending on different seasons and day of the week. Due to its flexibility and reliability, the adaptive proxy can be further extend to estimate other air quality parameters. It can also act as an air quality virtual sensor in support with on-site measurements in the future

    Criminalidade organizada nas prisões e os ataques do PCC

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    The advent of organized crime in Brazilian prisons, especially in the state of São Paulo, constitutes the object of this article. The waves of attack unleashed by the Capital's First Command (PCC - Primeiro Comando da Capital), in May 2006, which resulted in countless deaths, brought cities to a halt, and cornered authorities in charge preventing them from applying law and order are the starting as well as reference points taken. The advent of organized criminality is analyzed under the light of determined axes: the international scenario and the Brazilian context, the historical antecedents, the taking root of crime in society and the role of penitentiary public policies.A emergência da criminalidade organizada nas prisões brasileiras, em especial no Estado de São Paulo, constitui objeto deste artigo. Tomam-se como ponto de partida e referência para análise as ondas de ataques desencadeadas pelo Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC), de maio a agosto de 2006, que resultaram em inúmeros mortos, paralisaram cidades e acuaram as autoridades encarregadas de aplicar lei e ordem. A emergência da criminalidade organizada é analisada sob eixos determinados: cenário internacional e contexto brasileiro, antecedentes históricos, enraizamento do crime na sociedade e papel das políticas públicas penitenciárias

    Automated GMP production and long-term experience in radiosynthesis of CB(1)tracer [F-18]FMPEP-d(2)

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    Here, we describe the development of an in-house-built device for the fully automated multistep synthesis of the cannabinoid CB(1)receptor imaging tracer (3R,5R)-5-(3-([F-18]fluoromethoxy-d(2))phenyl)-3-(((R)-1-phenylethyl)amino)-1-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)pyrrolidin-2-one ([F-18]FMPEP-d(2)), following good manufacturing practices. The device is interfaced to a HPLC and a sterile filtration unit in a clean room hot cell. The synthesis involves the nucleophilic(18)F-fluorination of an alkylating agent and its GC purification, the subsequent(18)F-fluoroalkylation of a precursor molecule, the semipreparative HPLC purification of the(18)F-fluoroalkylated product, and its formulation for injection. We have optimized the duration and temperature of the(18)F-fluoroalkylation reaction and addressed the radiochemical stability of the formulated product. During the past 5 years (2013-2018), we have performed a total of 149 syntheses for clinical use with a 90% success rate. The activity yield of the formulated product has been 1.0 +/- 0.4 GBq starting from 11 +/- 2 GBq and the molar activity 600 +/- 300 GBq/mu mol at the end of synthesis

    Moringa oleifera na alimentação de bezerros lactentes da raça Pantaneira.

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    Objetivou-se avaliar o desempenho de bezerros da raça Pantaneira durante o período de amamentação. Para tanto, foram utilizados 10 bezerros do nascimento aos 84 dias de vida, com peso corpóreo médio de 23,3Kg, e divididos em dois tratamentos: C - animais que receberam concentrado (grupo controle); e CFM - animais que receberam o concentrado e feno de Moringa Oleifera (Moringa oleífera). O desempenho foi avaliado por meio do ganho de peso médio diário; do crescimento corpóreo, via medições do perímetro torácico e da altura de cernelha e de garupa; do consumo de matéria seca expresso em kg/dia, da porcentagem do peso corpóreo e em função do peso metabólico; dos consumos de proteína bruta e de fibra em detergente neutro; e da conversão alimentar. Adotou-se o delineamento experimental em blocos inteiramente casualizados, com dois tratamentos e cinco repetições, sendo cada unidade experimental representada por um animal. Foram realizadas análises de variância, e teste de Tukey para a comparação de médias, considerando-se um nível de significância de 5% de probabilidade. Os animais apresentaram um consumo de matéria seca, ganho de peso médio diário, porcentagem de peso corpóreo e de peso metabólico semelhantes; para ambos os tratamentos. Do mesmo modo ocorreu para a conversão alimentar e a proteína bruta, exceto para fibra em detergente neutro onde os animais alimentados com feno apresentaram um maior consumo. O desempenho dos bezerros lactentes Pantaneiros não foi influenciado com a inclusão do feno de moringa. Abstract: The present study aimed to evaluate the performance of calves of the Pantaneira breed during the breastfeeding period. For this, were used ten calves, from birth to 84 days of life, with a mean body weight of 23.3Kg, divided into two treatments: C - animals receiving concentrate, and CMH animals receiving concentrate and moringa hay (Moringa oleifera). The performance was evaluated by the average daily weight gain; body growth, via measurements of heart girth and height of the withers and the rump; the dry matter intake, expressed as kg/day, percentage of body weight and as function of metabolic weight; consumption of crude protein and neutral detergent fiber; and feed conversion. The experimental design was a randomized block with two treatments and five replications, each experimental unit represented by an animal. Were realized analyses of variance and Tukey test considering a significance level of 5 % probability. The animals presented a dry matter intake, average daily weight gain, percentage of body weight and similar metabolic weight; for both treatments. Likewise, it occurred for feed conversion and crude protein, except for neutral detergent fiber where hay fed animals showed higher intake. The performance of the suckling calves was not affected by the inclusion of moringa hay

    Efficacy of a dilemma-focused intervention for unipolar depression : study protocol for a multicenter randomized controlled trial

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    This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly citedDepression is one of the more severe and serious health problems because of its morbidity, disabling effects and for its societal and economic burden. Despite the variety of existing pharmacological and psychological treatments, most of the cases evolve with only partial remission, relapse and recurrence. Cognitive models have contributed significantly to the understanding of unipolar depression and its psychological treatment. However, success is only partial and many authors affirm the need to improve those models and also the treatment programs derived from them. One of the issues that requires further elaboration is the difficulty these patients experience in responding to treatment and in maintaining therapeutic gains across time without relapse or recurrence. Our research group has been working on the notion of cognitive conflict viewed as personal dilemmas according to personal construct theory. We use a novel method for identifying those conflicts using the repertory grid technique (RGT). Preliminary results with depressive patients show that about 90% of them have one or more of those conflicts. This fact might explain the blockage and the difficult progress of these patients, especially the more severe and/or chronic. These results justify the need for specific interventions focused on the resolution of these internal conflicts. This study aims to empirically test the hypothesis that an intervention focused on the dilemma(s) specifically detected for each patient will enhance the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for depressionPeer reviewe

    Design and Development of Defect Rich Titania Nanostructure for Efficient Electrocatalyst for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction in an Acidic Electrolyte

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    Cost-effective, efficient and stable electrocatalyst for water splitting in the acidic electrolyte medium has been developed. The acidic electrolyte could be a support for the high purity hydrogen production via water splitting. Accordingly, we have prepared the defect-rich titania nanostructure via electrochemical anodization and cathodization routes using the titanium plate, which showed highly effective and durable electrocatalyst of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in an acidic medium. This hybrid compound showed a low onset potential of −0.17 V for HER with a current density of −150 mA cm−2 in 1 M H2SO4. Moreover, the stability test has been performed with the defect-rich titania nanostructure as cathode for 6 h in the two electrodes system. © 2021 The Author(s).The authors extend their appreciation to the Deanship of Scientific Research, King Saud University for funding this work through Research Group no RG-1441-043 and funded by the Taif University Researchers Supporting Project number (TURSP-2020/04), Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia. One of the author Dr G. Murugadoss would like to thank Chancellor, President and Vice Chancellor, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai for providing lab facilities and encouragement
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