Experimental evaluation of prefiltering for 56 Gbaud DP-QPSK signal transmission in 75 GHz WDM grid

We investigate optical prefiltering for 56Gbaud (224Gbit/s) electrical time-division multiplexed (ETDM) dual polarization (DP) quaternary phase shift keying (QPSK) transmission. Different transmitter-side optical filter shapes are tested and their bandwidths are varied. Comparison of studied filter shapes shows an advantage of a pre-emphasis filter. Subsequently, we perform a fiber transmission of the 56Gbaud DP QPSK signal filtered with the 65GHz pre-emphasis filter to fit the 75GHz transmission grid. Bit error rate (BER) of the signal remains below forward error correction (FEC) limit after 300km of fiber propagation

Behavioral responses of Diaphorina citri to host plant volatiles in multiple-choice olfactometers are affected in interpretable ways by effects of background colors and airflows

[EN] In several phytophagous hemipterans, behavior appears to be mediated by both visual and chemical cues. For the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP)Diaphorina citri(Hemiptera: Liviidae), olfactometric assays are generally difficult to interpret owing to the low proportion of individuals responding to odors (similar to 30-40%), which compromises the efficiency and reliability of the results of behavioral tests. In the present study, the ACP behavioral response to emitted odors from sweet orange (Citrus sinensisL. Osbeck) flushes in a 4-arm olfactometer using different colors (four white-, two white- and two yellow- on opposite sides, or four yellow-colored fields), and the role of the airflow in the concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were assessed at two airflows [0.4 and 0.1 L/min (LPM)]. Exposure to 'Pera' sweet orange or clean air in treatments with four yellow-colored-fields increased the response rate of ACP females to the odor sources compared with exposure to 'Pera' sweet orange or clean air in treatments with four white-colored-fields, independently of the odor source and airflow tested. For the assays using two white- and two yellow-colored fields on opposite sides and 0.4 or 0.1 LPM airflow, the residence time of ACP females to odors ('Pera' sweet orange or clean air) was similar or higher in treatments using yellow- than those using white-colored fields. For both assays (VOCs and olfactometric behavioral parameters), the reduction in airflow from 0.4 to 0.1 LPM greatly changed the airborne concentration and ACP behavior. Quantitative chemical analyses revelead that the concentration of most compounds emitted by 'Pera' sweet orange flushes for the headspace using 0.1 LPM airflow were greater than the concentrations measured using 0.4 LPM airflow. Therefore, this treatment design provides an useful tool to assess the ACP behavioral response to the odors from citrus plants, and it can also help in the discrimination of dose-response screenings for VOCs or conspecific insects.Financial support was provided by Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) 2015/07011-3 and 2017/21460-0. The authors thank Dr. Aquidauana Miqueloto Zanardi for her help in measuring the color spaces of the white and yellow reflective papers used to change the device color.Volpe, H.; Zanardi, O.; Magnani, R.; Luvizotto, R.; Esperança, V.; De Freitas, R.; Delfino, J.... (2020). Behavioral responses of Diaphorina citri to host plant volatiles in multiple-choice olfactometers are affected in interpretable ways by effects of background colors and airflows. PLoS ONE. 15(7):1-17. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0235630S117157Grafton-Cardwell, E. E., Stelinski, L. L., & Stansly, P. A. (2013). 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(2015). Effect of UV-Blocking Plastic Films on Take-Off and Host Plant Finding Ability of Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae). Journal of Economic Entomology, 108(1), 245-251. doi:10.1093/jee/tou036Paris, T. M., Croxton, S. D., Stansly, P. A., & Allan, S. A. (2015). Temporal response and attraction ofDiaphorina citrito visual stimuli. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata, 155(2), 137-147. doi:10.1111/eea.12294Patt, J. M., & Sétamou, M. (2010). Responses of the Asian Citrus Psyllid to Volatiles Emitted by the Flushing Shoots of Its Rutaceous Host Plants. Environmental Entomology, 39(2), 618-624. doi:10.1603/en09216Amorós, M. E., Pereira das Neves, V., Rivas, F., Buenahora, J., Martini, X., Stelinski, L. L., & Rossini, C. (2018). Response of Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae) to volatiles characteristic of preferred citrus hosts. Arthropod-Plant Interactions, 13(3), 367-374. doi:10.1007/s11829-018-9651-8George, J., Shi, Q., Stelinski, L. L., Stover, E., & Lapointe, S. L. (2019). Host Selection, Oviposition and Feeding by a Phytopathogen Vector, Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae), Modulated by Plant Exposure to Formic Acid. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 7. doi:10.3389/fevo.2019.00078Pettersson, J. (1970). An Aphid Sex Attractant. Insect Systematics & Evolution, 1(1), 63-73. doi:10.1163/187631270x00357VET, L. E. M., LENTEREN, J. C. V., HEYMANS, M., & MEELIS, E. (1983). An airflow olfactometer for measuring olfactory responses of hymenopterous parasitoids and other small insects. Physiological Entomology, 8(1), 97-106. doi:10.1111/j.1365-3032.1983.tb00338.xWenninger, E. J., Stelinski, L. L., & Hall, D. G. (2009). Roles of Olfactory Cues, Visual Cues, and Mating Status in Orientation of Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) to Four Different Host Plants. Environmental Entomology, 38(1), 225-234. doi:10.1603/022.038.0128Onagbola, E. O., Rouseff, R. L., Smoot, J. M., & Stelinski, L. L. (2010). Guava leaf volatiles and dimethyl disulphide inhibit response of Diaphorina citri Kuwayama to host plant volatiles. Journal of Applied Entomology, 135(6), 404-414. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0418.2010.01565.xAlquézar, B., Volpe, H. X. L., Magnani, R. F., de Miranda, M. P., Santos, M. A., Wulff, N. A., … Peña, L. (2017). β-caryophyllene emitted from a transgenic Arabidopsis or chemical dispenser repels Diaphorina citri, vector of Candidatus Liberibacters. Scientific Reports, 7(1). doi:10.1038/s41598-017-06119-wTomaseto, A. F., Miranda, M. P., Moral, R. A., de Lara, I. A. R., Fereres, A., & Lopes, J. R. S. (2017). Environmental conditions for Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae) take-off. Journal of Applied Entomology, 142(1-2), 104-113. doi:10.1111/jen.12418Wenninger, E. J., & Hall, D. G. (2007). Daily Timing of Mating and Age at Reproductive Maturity in Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Psyllidae). 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ER stress activation in the intestinal mucosa but not in mesenteric adipose tissue is associated with inflammation in Crohn’s disease patients

Chronic/abnormal activation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is linked to the exacerbation of the inflammatory process and has been recently linked to Crohn’s disease (CD) pathophysiology. We investigated the intestinal mucosa and the mesenteric adipose tissue (MAT) collected from CD patients with active disease (CD group) and from non-IBD patients (CTR group) to study ER stress activation and to address tissue-specific modulation in CD. The intestinal mucosa of CD patients showed an upregulation in the expression of ER stress related genes, including ATF3, DNAJC3, STC2, DDIT3, CALR, HSPA5 and HSP90B1. Results showed that EIF2AK3 gene was upregulated, along with increased protein expression of p-eIF2α and p-eIF2α/eIF2α ratio. Additionally, ERN1 gene expression was upregulated, along with an increased spliced/activated form sXBP1 protein. Despite the upregulation of ATF6 gene expression in the intestinal mucosa of CD patients, no differences were found in ATF6 protein expression. Lastly, the analysis of MAT revealed unchanged levels of ER stress markers along with no differences in the activation of UPR. However, chaperone gene expression was modulated in the MAT of CD patients. To conclude, our results address tissue-specific differences in UPR activation in CD and point the ER stress as an important pro-inflammatory mechanism in CD, specifically in the intestinal mucosa149CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQCOORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPESFUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESP401270/2016-502-P-28707/20122016/01638-

The liquid-vapor interface of an ionic fluid

We investigate the liquid-vapor interface of the restricted primitive model (RPM) for an ionic fluid using a density-functional approximation based on correlation functions of the homogeneous fluid as obtained from the mean-spherical approximation (MSA). In the limit of a homogeneous fluid our approach yields the well-known MSA (energy) equation of state. The ionic interfacial density profiles, which for the RPM are identical for both species, have a shape similar to those of simple atomic fluids in that the decay towards the bulk values is more rapid on the vapor side than on the liquid side. This is the opposite asymmetry of the decay to that found in earlier calculations for the RPM based on a square-gradient theory. The width of the interface is, for a wide range of temperatures, approximately four times the second moment correlation length of the liquid phase. We discuss the magnitude and temperature dependence of the surface tension, and argue that for temperatures near the triple point the ratio of the dimensionless surface tension and critical temperature is much smaller for the RPM than for simple atomic fluids.Comment: 6 postscript figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.

Maximizing the potency of oxaliplatin coated nanoparticles with folic acid for modulating tumor progression in colorectal cancer

One of the challenges of nanotechnology is to improve the efficacy of treatments for diseases, in order to reduce morbidity and mortality rates. Following this line of study, we made a nanoparticle formulation with a small size, uniform surfaces, and a satisfactory encapsulation coefficient as a target for colorectal cancer cells. The results of binding and uptake prove that using the target system with folic acid works: Using this system, cytotoxicity and cell death are increased when compared to using free oxaliplatin. The data show that the system maximized the efficiency of oxaliplatin in modulating tumor progression, increasing apoptosis and decreasing resistance to the drug. Thus, for the first time, our findings suggest that PLGA-PEG-FA increases the antitumor effectiveness of oxaliplatin by functioning as a facilitator of drug delivery in colorectal cancer.Radiolog

Soil cover plants on water erosion control in the South of Minas Gerais

Water erosion is responsible for soil, water, carbon and nutrient losses, turning into the most important type of degradation of Brazilian soils. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of three cover plants under two tillage systems on water erosion control in an Argisol at south of Minas Gerais state, Brazil. The cover plants utilized in the study were pigeon pea, jack bean and millet, under contour seeding and downslope tillage. Experimental plots of 4 x 12 m, with 9% slope, under natural rainfall were used for the quantification of losses of soil, water, nutrients, and organic matter. One experimental plot was kept without plant cover (reference). Higher erosivity was observed in December and January, although a great quantity of erosive rainfall was detected during the whole raining period. Contour seeding provided a greater reduction of water erosion than downslope tillage, as expected. The jack bean under contour seeding revealed the lowest values of soil, water, nutrients and organic matter losses

Changes of Several Psychological Measures in the Patients with Craniomandibular Disorders, Bruxing Behavior and Sexual Abuse History

Aim: The understanding of psychological correlates of Craniomandibular disorders and Bruxing Behavior has seen significant progress in the last few years. However, studies evaluating association between more complex psychological measures in such disorders are extremely scarce. To investigate this, we evaluated frequency of sexual abuse history in the experimental and two control groups and scores in depression, somatization and dissociation in those with Craniomandibular Disorders and Bruxism with/without sexual abuse history.Methods: Clinical examination, self-report, chief complaint, criteria for craniomandibular disorders and bruxism, the Becker-Lausen Questionnaire for sexual abuse were used in the Craniomandibular Disorder+ Bruxing Behavior, and in two control subgroups to gather data about sexual abuse history. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), 32 questions from the Screening Somatoform Disorders (SOMS-2) instrument and the Dissociative Experience Scale (DES) were used in the Craniomandibular Disorder + Bruxism + Sexual Abuse (n=39), in the Craniomandibular Disorder + Bruxism with no sexual abuse subgroup (n=158) and in the no Craniomandibular Disorders no Sexual Abuse subgroup (n=50) so as to gather data about depression, somatization and dissociation, respectively.Results: We show that there was no a statistically significant difference when comparing frequency of sexual abuse history in the experimental and in the two control groups. Means in depression were about 14.7; 11.4; and 9.3 in the Craniomandibular Disorder + Bruxism and Sexual abuse, in the Craniomandibular Disorder + Bruxism with no sexual abuse history, and in the no Craniomandibular Disorders no Sexual abuse history subgroups, respectively (Kruskall-Wallis statistics with post test p<0.02). Means in somatization were 12.1, 10.3, and 8.0, respectively in those subgroups (p<0.006). Means in dissociation were about 22.3, 15.6, and 15.2, respectively (p<0.007).Conclusions: Means in depression, somatization and dissociation were higher and significantly different in the Craniomandibular + bruxing behavior + sexual abuse history subgroup. This study provides further data on frequency of sexual abuse in craniomandibular disorder and bruxer subjects, expands current knowledge about depression and somatization and provides non previously reported data on dissociation

Prevalence and predictors of coronary artery disease in patients with a calcium score of zero

The absence of coronary calcification is associated with an excellent prognosis. However, a calcium score of zero does not exclude the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD) or the possibility of future cardiovascular events. Our aim was to study the prevalence and predictors of coronary artery disease in patients with a calcium score of zero. Prospective registry consisted of 3,012 consecutive patients that underwent cardiac CT (dual source CT). Stable patients referred for evaluation of possible CAD that had a calcium score of zero (n = 864) were selected for this analysis. The variables that were statistically significant were included in a multivariable logistic regression model. From 864 patients with a calcium score of zero, 107 (12.4 %) had coronary plaques on the contrast CT (10.8 %, n = 93 with nonobstructive CAD and 1.6 %, n = 14 with obstructive CAD). By logistic regression analysis, the independent predictors of CAD in this population were age >55 years [odds ratio (OR) 1.63 (1.05-2.52)], hypertension [OR 1.64 (1.05-2.56)] and dyslipidemia [OR 1.54 (1.00-2.36)]. In the presence of these 3 variables, the probability of having coronary plaques was 21 %. The absence of coronary artery calcification does not exclude the presence of coron