Optimizing Ground-based Observations of O2 in Earth Analogs

We present the result of calculations to optimize the search for molecular oxygen (O2) in Earth analogs transiting around nearby, low-mass stars using ground-based, high-resolution, Doppler shift techniques. We investigate a series of parameters, namely spectral resolution, wavelength coverage of the observations, and sky coordinates and systemic velocity of the exoplanetary systems, to find the values that optimize detectability of O2. We find that increasing the spectral resolution of observations to R = 300,000 - 400,000 from the typical R ~ 100,000, more than doubles the average depth of O2 lines in planets with atmospheres similar to Earth's. Resolutions higher than about 500,000 do not produce significant gains in the depths of the O2 lines. We confirm that observations in the O2 A-band are the most efficient except for M9V host stars, for which observations in the O2 NIR-band are more efficient. Combining observations in the O2 A, B, and NIR -bands can reduce the number of transits needed to produce a detection of O2 by about 1/3 in the case of white noise limited observations. However, that advantage disappears in the presence of typical levels of red noise. Therefore, combining observations in more than one band produces no significant gains versus observing only in the A-band, unless red-noise can be significantly reduced. Blending between the exoplanet's O2 lines and telluric O2 lines is a known problem. We find that problem can be alleviated by increasing the resolution of the observations, and by giving preference to targets near the ecliptic.Comment: 15 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in The Astronomical Journa

Alongamento dos títulos de renda fixa no Brasil

More than eleven years after the end of hyperinflation in Brazil, domestic bond markets have been unable to lengthen the average maturity of both public and private bonds. This paper shows that the lengthening is theoretically and practically (we analyzed the experiences of Israel, Mexico and Poland), a consequence of persistent stabilization programs that successfully reduced systemic risk. Therefore, it is pointless to try to achieve the lengthening as an objective in isolation. It is necessary to improve the economic fundamentals that maintain a high level of systemic risk. Only in this context, measures that aim at lengthening bonds’ maturity will indeed produce positive results.

Red blood cell derived vasodilators : determination and modulation

A luciferin-luciferase chemiluminescence method was used to quantify extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) released by red blood cells (RBCs) after stimulation with nitroglycerin, a potent vasodilatory drug. Attenuation in the amount of ATP released from RBCs was observed after treatment with increasing concentrations of nitroglycerin or nitrite. However, RBCs exposed to nitroglycerin or nitrite for < 5 min released increased amounts of ATP. A mechanism of blood flow regulation through an ATP-NO/NO 2 - pathway is proposed. Nitroglycerin-derived NO 2 - is converted within RBCs to NO, which might activate ATP release. In vivo, ATP will stimulate endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), increasing NO production and causing vasodilation. NO could diffuse into the blood stream where it is converted to NO 2 - and taken up by downstream RBCs, further increasing their ATP production. Thus, the original RBC-derived NO 2 - /NO signal could be amplified both by the action of ATP and NO. Nitroglycerin was also shown to act as a "suicide substrate" for RBC glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). GAPDH reduced nitroglycerin to glyceryl dinitrates and NO 2 - using its active-site cysteines as electrons donors. This inactivation inhibited the bioconversion of nitroglycerin to NO 2 and caused an attenuation of the drug's effect. The dehydrogenase activity of GAPDH was also suppressed, thereby limiting the production of ATP and propagation of the vasodilation signal. The extracellular profile of ATP-derived ADP, AMP and adenosine was additionally studied by LC-UV. Preliminary ESI mass spectrometric analysis of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids and prostacyclin, RBC vasodilators derived from arachidonic acid, was explored

Designing bioactive porous titanium interfaces to balance mechanical properties and in vitro cells behavior towards increased osseointegration

Titanium implant failures are mainly related to stress shielding phenomenon and the poor cell interaction with host bone tissue. The development of bioactive and biomimetic Ti scaffolds for bone regeneration remains a challenge which needs the design of Ti implants with enhanced osseointegration. In this context, 4 types of titanium samples were fabricated using conventional powder metallurgy, fully dense, dense etched, porous Ti, and porous etched Ti. Porous samples were manufactured by space holder technique, using ammonium bicarbonate particles as spacer in three different ranges of particle size (100–200 μm, 250–355 μm and 355–500 μm). Substrates were chemically etched by immersion in fluorhydric acid at different times (125 and 625 s) and subsequently, were characterized from a micro-structural, topographical and mechanical point of view. Etched surfaces showed an additional roughness preferentially located inside pores. In vitro tests showed that all substrates were biocompatible (80% of cell viability), confirming cell adhesion of premioblastic cells. Similarly, osteoblast showed similar cell proliferation rates at 4 days, however, higher cell metabolic activity was observed in fully dense and dense etched surfaces at 7 days. In contrast, a significant increase of alkaline phosphatase enzyme expression was observed in porous and porous etched samples compared to control surfaces (dense and dense etched), noticing the suitable surface modification parameters (porosity and roughness) to improve cell differentiation. Furthermore, the presence of pores and rough surfaces of porous Ti substrates remarkably decreased macrophage activation reducing the M1 phenotype polarization as well M1 cell marker expression. Thus, a successful surface modification of porous Ti scaffolds has been performed towards a reduction on stress shielding phenomenon and enhancement of bone osseointegration, achieving a biomechanical and biofunctional equilibrium.Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness of Spain grant MAT2015-71284-PJunta de Andalucía – FEDER (Spain) Project Ref. P12-TEP-140

Matricide : a brief review

Matricídio, o ato de matar a mãe cometido por um(a) filho(a) é talvez o mais impactante e destruidor de todos os crimes. Sua incidência, descrita em estudos de relato de caso e de séries de casos, fica ao redor de 1% de todos os homicídios, contudo sua ocorrência sempre é chocante e historicamente considerada um tabu. Os autores descrevem a epidemiologia, características e uma breve revisão da literatura, contendo as três abordagens explicativas mais relatadas (cognitivo-comportamental, sistemas familiares e psicanalítica), a fim de embasar o relato de um caso de tentativa de matricídio.Matricide, the act of killing one’s mother by her son or daughter, is perhaps the most shocking and destructive of all crimes. Its incidence, taken from case reports and series of cases, is around 1% of all homicides – yet its occurrence is always terrifying and historically considered a taboo. The authors describe its epidemiology and characteristics and present a brief literature review comprising the three most referred theoretical approaches (cognitive-behavioral, systemic therapy and psychoanalytical) in order to set the grounds to the report of a case of matricide attempt

Benefits of Incorporating the Strengthening Families Program Into Family Drug Treatment Court Services

The opioid epidemic has become a public health crisis; it is important to understand practices Extension educators can use to support affected families. We explored the benefits of a parenting program delivered by Extension educators, the Strengthening Families Program (SFP), for families involved in family treatment court services. Data came from 41 parents who participated in SFP from 2014 to 2018. Findings from retrospective questionnaires showed increases in parental warmth, positive discipline, stress management, and family organization, as well as decreases in family conflict. Findings show the potential for SFP to support families as they work through challenges amid the opioid epidemic

Ação complementar à escola: uma estratégia do instituto Guga Kuerten no desenvolvimento integral de crianças e adolescentes

TCC (graduação) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro Sócio Econômico, Curso de Serviço Social.A educação complementar à escola compreende função pretendida pelos espaços educacionais formais, visto que é determinante ao desenvolvimento integral de crianças e adolescentes. Outro aspecto que vem contribuindo na educação integral é a utilização do esporte em programas e projetos sociais complementares à escola. O trabalho de conclusão de curso que se apresenta visa descrever, analisar e publicizar as ações socioeducativas do PROJETO APRENDENDO NO ESPORTE, desenvolvido pelo INSTITUTO GUGA KUERTEN em Florianópolis. Este Projeto constitui-se em urna ação social, educacional e esportiva que vem a complementar a educação familiar e escolar utilizando o esporte como estratégia de inclusão social e desenvolvimento das potencialidades infanto-juvenis. Para apresentar o PROJETO APRENDENDO NO ESPORTE, primeiramente caracteriza-se o INSTITUTO GUGA KUERTEN, sendo este urna organização do Terceiro Setor e descreve-se o trabalho que realiza reiterando sua relevância social no Estado de Santa Catarina. Também são demonstradas as ações direcionadas às famílias dos educandos, uma vez que se entende que compreendê-las e atendê-las fortalece o comprometimento com o desenvolvimento integral de crianças e adolescentes. As ações socioeducativas desenvolvidas pelo Projeto em questão mostram-se inovadoras, pois se trabalha com a interdisciplinaridade, o planejamento e a avaliação a partir da percepção dos quatro pilares da educação preconizados pela UNESCO aplicados por meio do esporte. Conclui-se o trabalho reiterando a importância do assistente social manter-se atento às demandas recentes de trabalho # Terceiro Setor, educação complementar de crianças e adolescentes, trabalho interdisciplinar, planejamento e avaliação em projetos sociais, além de ressaltar a importância de uma educação integral e coerente na formação de crianças e adolescentes autônomos e efetivamente conscientes de sua cidadania e função socia

Confiabilidade da codificação da causa básica de morte nas declarações de óbito dos estados do Amazonas e Rio de Janeiro

Observa a codificação das causas de morte é uma das etapas do processamento da declaração de óbito, para que os dados contidos na declaração cheguem ao Sistema de Informação sobre Mortalidade. É parte essencial, porém complexa devido às regras e possíveis interpretações, sendo necessário o conhecimento da confiabilidade destas codificações. São analisadas a codificação de causa básica, das declarações de óbito (DO) nos estados do Amazonas e Rio de Janeiro, no ano de 2014. As declarações de óbito disponibilizadas pelos estados do Amazonas e Rio de Janeiro foram recodificadas por codificadora considerada experiente, sem que soubesse da codificação original e em seguida comparadas. Foram definidos os estratos “fetal e neonatal” e “pósneonatal e maior ou igual 1 ano” e realizado análises segundo os níveis da CID10. Os códigos (original e recodificado) foram registrados pelo programa Cspro 5 e os cálculos de coeficiente kappa e proporção de concordância pelo programa Stata 12. A avaliação dos resultados encontrados, para o coeficiente kappa,foi segundo os pontos de corte de Landis e Koch (1977). Os resultados demonstram que segundo os níveis da CID10, no RJ, o coeficiente kappa geral (k) foram quase perfeitos, diferente do AM que variou de quase perfeito à substancial. E a proporção de concordância das declarações segundo os estratos, foi inversamente proporcional ao nível de especificação da CID10, em ambos os estados. As considerações finais apontam que a codificação nos dois estados têm se mostrado boas, contudo é apropriado buscar sempre a melhor qualificação dos dados, em especial para óbitos fetais e neonatais