Influence of alloying on the passive behaviour of steels in bicarbonate medium

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6TWS-45626G2-3/1/2e6023fd4790b792f8a205b584e0bd0

Electrochemical corrosion of magnetron sputtered WTiN-coated mild steels in a chloride medium

The electrochemical corrosion behaviour of WTiN coatings, of composition W 31, Ti 28 and N 40 at.% sputtered on carbon steel, chromium steel and high speed steel (HSS) has been investigated and the effect of the steel heat treatment on the steel/WTiN system performance explored. Open circuit potential measurements, polarisation curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used, together with X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy to characterise the corroded and uncorroded coating/substrate systems. It was found that the influence of the substrate on corrosion resistance follows the order Carbon Steel<HSS<Chromium Steel. The best performance of the chromium steel/WTiN system can be associated with the higher compactness of the protective coating, since there is strong evidence that it is inert so that electrolyte penetration through the coating defects and pores is responsible for the initiation of substrate corrosion. Heat treatment of the substrate has some influence on the corrosion of the HSS/coating system, suggesting that there may be one ideal steel treatment temperature for which the coating adhesion is higher.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6TVV-473F2MV-S/1/91525d9a77234a2d57d1825d9d68d1b

Global gene expression of Poncirus trifoliata, Citrus sunki and their hybrids under infection of Phytophthora parasitica

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Gummosis and root rot caused by <it>Phytophthora </it>are among the most economically important diseases in citrus. Four F₁resistant hybrids (Pool R), and four F₁susceptible hybrids (Pool S) to <it>P. parasitica</it>, were selected from a cross between susceptible <it>Citrus sunki </it>and resistant <it>Poncirus trifoliata </it>cv. Rubidoux. We investigated gene expression in pools of four resistant and four susceptible hybrids in comparison with their parents 48 hours after <it>P. parasitica </it>inoculation. We proposed that genes differentially expressed between resistant and susceptible parents and between their resistant and susceptible hybrids provide promising candidates for identifying transcripts involved in disease resistance. A microarray containing 62,876 UniGene transcripts selected from the CitEST database and prepared by NimbleGen Systems was used for analyzing global gene expression 48 hours after infection with <it>P. parasitica</it>.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Three pairs of data comparisons (<it>P. trifoliata</it>/<it>C. sunki</it>, Pool R/<it>C. sunki </it>and Pool R/Pool S) were performed. With a filter of false-discovery rate less than 0.05 and fold change greater than 3.0, 21 UniGene transcripts common to the three pairwise comparative were found to be up-regulated, and 3 UniGene transcripts were down-regulated. Among them, our results indicated that the selected transcripts were probably involved in the whole process of plant defense responses to pathogen attack, including transcriptional regulation, signaling, activation of defense genes participating in HR, single dominant genes (<it>R gene</it>) such as TIR-NBS-LRR and RPS4 and switch of defense-related metabolism pathway. Differentially expressed genes were validated by RT-qPCR in susceptible and resistant plants and between inoculated and uninoculated control plants</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Twenty four UniGene transcripts were identified as candidate genes for <it>Citrus </it>response to <it>P. parasitica</it>. UniGene transcripts were likely to be involved in disease resistance, such as genes potentially involved in secondary metabolite synthesis, intracellular osmotic adjustment, signal transduction pathways of cell death, oxidative burst and defense gene expression. Furthermore, our microarray data suggest another type of resistance in <it>Citrus</it>-<it>Phytophthora </it>interaction conferred by single dominant genes (<it>R gene</it>) since we encountered two previously reported <it>R genes </it>(TIR-NBS-LRR and RPS4) upregulated in the resistant genotypes relative to susceptible. We identified 7 transcripts with homology in other plants but yet unclear functional characterization which are an interesting pool for further analyses and 3 transcripts where no significant similarity was found. This is the first microarray study addressing an evaluation of transcriptional changes in response to <it>P. parasitica </it>in <it>Citrus</it>.</p

Trait interactions effects on tropical tree demography depend on the environmental context

Although functional traits are defined based on their impact on demographic parameters, trait-demography relationships are often reported as weak. These weak relationships might be due to disregarding trait interactions and environmental contexts, which should modulate species trait-demography relationships. We applied different models, including boosted regression tree (BRT) models, to investigate changes in the relationship between traits and demographic rates of tropical tree species in plots along an elevational gradient and among time intervals between censuses, analyzing the effect of a strong drought event. Based on a large dataset of 18,000 tree individuals from 133 common species, distributed among twelve 1-ha plots (habitats) in the Atlantic Forest (Brazil), we evaluated how trait interactions and the environmental context influence the demographic rates (growth, mortality, and recruitment). Functional traits, trait-trait, and trait-habitat interactions predicted demography with a good fit through either BRTs or linear mixed-models. Changes in growth rates were best related to size (diameter), and mortality rates to habitats, while changes in recruitment rates were best related to the specific leaf area. Moreover, the influence of traits differed among time intervals, and for demographic parameters, habitat affected growth and mortality by interacting with diameter. Here, we provide evidence that trait-demography relationships can be improved when considering the environmental context (space and time) and trait interactions to cope with the complexity of changes in the demography of tropical tree communities. Thus, to expand predictions of demography based on functional traits, we show that it is useful to fully incorporate the concept of multiple trait-fitness optima, resulting from trait interactions in different habitats and growth conditions.We thank the Brazilian National Research Council (CNPq) and the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) for the scholarships conceded to the first author (CNPq 141781/2016-5 and CAPES 88881.189491/2018-01) and for the productivity fellowship to FAMS (CNPq 310168/2018-0). This study was financed by research funding of the projects: “Functional Gradient” (Biota/FAPESP 03/12595-7), “PELD/BIOTA” and “ECOFOR” (Processes 2012/51509-8 and 2012/51872-5, within the BIOTA/FAPESP Program), “EcoSpace” (Edital Universal CNPq 459941/2014-3), “Sustainable Landscapes Brazil” project (US Forest Service, USAID, US Department of State and EMBRAPA), and “Sustainable Landscapes” (NASA-Goddard). This study was also supported by CNPq (PELD CNPq 403710/2012-0), British Natural Environment Research Council/NERC (NE/K016431/1) and FAPESP as part of a doctoral fellowship (FAPESP 11/11604-0). CPC was financed by the Estonian Research Council (PSG293)

Resting spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity and cardiac autonomic control in anabolic androgenic steroid users

OBJECTIVES: Misuse of anabolic androgenic steroids in athletes is a strategy used to enhance strength and skeletal muscle hypertrophy. However, its abuse leads to an imbalance in muscle sympathetic nerve activity, increased vascular resistance, and increased blood pressure. However, the mechanisms underlying these alterations are still unknown. Therefore, we tested whether anabolic androgenic steroids could impair resting baroreflex sensitivity and cardiac sympathovagal control. In addition, we evaluate pulse wave velocity to ascertain the arterial stiffness of large vessels. METHODS: Fourteen male anabolic androgenic steroid users and 12 nonusers were studied. Heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate were recorded. Baroreflex sensitivity was estimated by the sequence method, and cardiac autonomic control by analysis of the R-R interval. Pulse wave velocity was measured using a noninvasive automatic device. RESULTS: Mean spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity, baroreflex sensitivity to activation of the baroreceptors, and baroreflex sensitivity to deactivation of the baroreceptors were significantly lower in users than in nonusers. In the spectral analysis of heart rate variability, high frequency activity was lower, while low frequency activity was higher in users than in nonusers. Moreover, the sympathovagal balance was higher in users. Users showed higher pulse wave velocity than nonusers showing arterial stiffness of large vessels. Single linear regression analysis showed significant correlations between mean blood pressure and baroreflex sensitivity and pulse wave velocity. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide evidence for lower baroreflex sensitivity and sympathovagal imbalance in anabolic androgenic steroid users. Moreover, anabolic androgenic steroid users showed arterial stiffness. Together, these alterations might be the mechanisms triggering the increased blood pressure in this population

TRAUMA, REABILITAÇÃO E QUALIDADE DE VIDA

This article presents a review of the literature, based on articles published from July, 2002 until May, 2007. It aims to analyze questions related to different types of traumas and their relationships with the rehabilitation programs and quality of life. This review was realized through a search into the international databases Medline,Scielo and Lilacs.The selected articleswere divided in four categories, in two different axis of analysis, based in the International Classification of Functionality: 1. structures and functions of the body (medical-surgical and functional aspects, and validation of protocols) and 2. Activities and social participation (psychosocial aspects). Finally, ahead of the changes related with trauma and based in the results and discussion that the articles presented, we emphasize the importance of the multidisciplinary work of the rehabilitation team, in particular the contribution of the occupational therapy, and the necessity of quality of life promotion of these populations in the physical aspects, as well in emotional, social and familiar.Este trabalho apresenta uma revisão da literatura, baseada em artigos publicados no período de julho de 2002 a maio de 2007. Procuramos analisar questões referentes a diversos tipos de traumas e suas relações com os programas de reabilitação e qualidade de vida. A revisão foi realizada a partir da consulta às bases de dados internacionais Medline, Scielo e Lilacs e os artigos selecionados foram divididos em quatro categorias, dentro de dois eixos de análise, baseados na Classificação Internacional de Funcionalidade . 1. estruturas e funções do corpo, (aspectos clínico-cirúrgicos e funcionais e validação de protocolos) e 2. atividades e participação social (aspectos psicossociais). Por fim, diante das mudanças decorrentes do trauma e baseados nos resultados e discussões que os artigos apresentam, enfatizamos a importância do trabalho multidisciplinar da equipe de reabilitação, em particular a contribuição da Terapia Ocupacional, e a necessidade de promoção da qualidade de vida destas populações, tanto nos aspectos físicos, como emocionais e sócio-familiar

HIGH DOSE CARBOPLATIN, ETOPOSIDE, MELPHALAN and AUTOLOGOUS HEMATOPOIETIC STEM CELL RESCUE WITH for the TREATMENT of RELAPSED PEDIATRIC GERM CELL TUMORS

Inst Oncol Pediat, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

SOROPREVALÊNCIA DE ANTICORPOS “ANTI-ARBOVÍRUS” DE IMPORTÂNCIA EM SAÚDE PÚBLICA EM AVES SELVAGENS, BRASIL – 2007 E 2008

Objetivou-se determinar a prevalência de anticorpos inibidores da hemaglutinação para os arbovírus em aves selvagens em dois inquéritos sorológicos realizados entre abril e maio de 2007 e de 2008, em Salinópolis/PA. Foram capturadas 544 aves de 17 espécies diferentes, sendo nove residentes e oito migratórias, com uma taxa de coleta de sangue para isolamento de vírus de 64,3% (350/544) e para a realização do teste sorológico de inibição por hemaglutinação de 17,4% (95/544). Das aves que tiveram sangue colhido para isolamento não se conseguiu isolar nenhum vírus. Dos 95 soros nos quais foi realizado o teste de inibição de hemaglutinação, 14,7% foram reagentes para alfavírus, 9,5% para flavivírus e 7,4% para bunyavírus. Do total de reações positivas, 84,9% foram em aves migratórias e 15,1% em residentes. A proporção de aves positivas no teste, dentre as migratórias, foi de 31,5%, enquanto que nas residentes foi 18,2%, sem diferença estatisticamente significativa quando comparadas à proporção de aves positivas e o status da ave (p>0,05). Para os alfavírus, a espécie Pluvialis squatarola apresentou 28,6% de positividade, seguido da Arenaria interpres com 11,8%. Para os flavivírus, somente as espécies Sterna superciliares e a Calidris pusilla foram sorologicamente reagentes. Considerando os bunyavírus, a Arenaria interpres foi reagente em 5,9% para o vírus Oropouche. As aves migratórias demonstraram ser importantes amplificadores dos arbovírus pesquisados, embora os vírus não tenham sido isolados. Algumas espécies de aves têm maior capacidade de amplificação de alguns arbovírus do que outras. O isolamento do vírus a partir do sangue de aves selvagens é difícil, pois depende da colheita do sangue durante a fase de viremia. PALAVRAS CHAVES: arboviroses; aves migratórias; infecção