Emergence of Hierarchy on a Network of Complementary Agents

Complementarity is one of the main features underlying the interactions in biological and biochemical systems. Inspired by those systems we propose a model for the dynamical evolution of a system composed by agents that interact due to their complementary attributes rather than their similarities. Each agent is represented by a bit-string and has an activity associated to it; the coupling among complementary peers depends on their activity. The connectivity of the system changes in time respecting the constraint of complementarity. We observe the formation of a network of active agents whose stability depends on the rate at which activity diffuses in the system. The model exhibits a non-equilibrium phase transition between the ordered phase, where a stable network is generated, and a disordered phase characterized by the absence of correlation among the agents. The ordered phase exhibits multi-modal distributions of connectivity and activity, indicating a hierarchy of interaction among different populations characterized by different degrees of activity. This model may be used to study the hierarchy observed in social organizations as well as in business and other networks.Comment: 13 pages, 4 figures, submitte

Immunization and Aging: a Learning Process in the Immune Network

The immune system can be thought as a complex network of different interacting elements. A cellular automaton, defined in shape-space, was recently shown to exhibit self-regulation and complex behavior and is, therefore, a good candidate to model the immune system. Using this model to simulate a real immune system we find good agreement with recent experiments on mice. The model exhibits the experimentally observed refractory behavior of the immune system under multiple antigen presentations as well as loss of its plasticity caused by aging.Comment: 4 latex pages, 3 postscript figures attached. To be published in Physical Review Letters (Tentatively scheduled for 5th Oct. issue

e-l@r Embrapa: ambiente colaborativo para redes de PD&I da agropecuária - gestão do conhecimento e das aprendizagens.

Esta proposta visa construir um ambiente virtual interativo na Embrapa, baseado na Web 2.0, para gerir os conhecimentos e as aprendizagens nos projetos/processos de PD&I. É uma proposta que se alinha às diretrizes da empresa sendo inovadora e criativa na medida em que o ambiente, intitulado 'e-l@r Embrapa', integrará conhecimentos, experiências, saberes e saberes-fazer dos pesquisadores durante o próprio processo de construção de solução dos problemas, ou seja, na execução dos projetos e nos seus processos de suporte

Avaliação de classificadores automáticos no mapeamento de áreas cafeeiras da Região de Guaxupé, Minas Gerais.

O mapeamento da ocupação da terra constitui uma das mais importantes atividades de geração de dados para gerenciamento e monitoramento de ambientes agrícolas. Pretendeu-se neste trabalho avaliar a exatidão da interpretação visual de uma imagem SPOT 5 no mapeamento do café na região de Guaxupé, tendo como referência dados obtidos em campo, bem como comparar o desempenho de técnicas de mapeamento automático da mesma área em comparação com a interpretação visual,visando a avaliação da viabilidade de aplicação destas técnicas para agilizar o mapeamento do parque cafeeiro na região.Foram trabalhadas imagens SPOT 5 com resolução espacial de 10 metros e de 2,5 metros. A cena foi submetida ao processamento por diferentes métodos de classificação automática para a imagem com resolução de 10 metros e por interpretação visual para a imagem com resolução de 2,5 metros. Dados obtidos em campo foram tomados como referência para obtenção de índices de exatidão do mapeamento. Foram estratificadas as classes café, mata e outros usos, sendo esta última oriunda do agrupamento dos demais tipos de vegetação como culturas anuais, pastagens, solo exposto, áreas urbanas, etc. Os índices utilizados foram calculados de maneira a permitir a avaliação da exatidão global da classificação e também individualmente para a classe café

Épocas de aplicação e fontes nitrogenadas no desenvolvimento do feijoeiro.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da época de aplicação e de fontes nitrogenadas em cobertura no crescimento do feijoeiro cultivado em sistema plantio direto.CONAFE

Anatomical characterisation of the kidneys of Didelphis aurita (Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae)

Background: Didelphis aurita is a marsupial with wide distribution in the South American continent and highly adapted to urban centres. The objective of this study was to describe the measurements and skeletopy of the kidneys and renal vascularisation of this species.Materials and methods: With this aim, 29 cadavers (14 males and 15 females) of D. aurita collected on highways were analysed. The rostrum-sacral length of specimens, kidney measurements (length, width and thickness) and the length of the renal vessels were measured and the renal skeletopy registered.Results: In the right kidney, average length, width, thickness and ellipsoid volume were 28.6 ± 5.0 mm, 15.6 ± 2.9 mm, 12.8 ± 3.0 mm and 3.3 ± 2.4 cm3, respectively; in the left kidney, 31.0 ± 3.8 mm, 14.5 ± 3.6 mm, 12.6 ± 2.6 mm and 3.2 ± 2.2 cm3, respectively. There was no significant difference in the comparison of averages of renal dimensions between sexes and between antimeres. The right renal artery (13.2 ± 2.6 mm) was significantly longer (p < 0.01) than the left renal artery (10.7 ± 2.3 mm). In contrast, the left renal vein (13.9 ± 3.5 mm) was longer (p < 0.01) than the right renal vein (7.0 ± 2.3 mm). The skeletopy of the right kidney predominated between T13–L1 in 58.6% of the cases and the skeletopy of the left kidney between L1–L3 in 41.4%. The average length of the kidneys corresponded to 6% to 8% of the rostrum-sacral length of the specimens.Conclusions: The data of the present study characterised the measurements and topography of kidneys and renal vessels in D. aurita and can support the interpretation of clinical, experimental and pathological findings in this species

Psicologia da Saúde: Extensão de serviços à comunidade, ensino e pesquisa.

Les psychologues ont un rôle croissant dans le secteur médical. Ce rapport a pour objectif de décrire le développement et le stade actuel du Service de Psychologie de l’Hôpital de Base de la FAMERP, commencé en 1981 par l’embauche d’une psychologue pour travailler à l’infirmerie de pédiatrie. Aujourd’hui, l’hôpital compte 40 psychologues (professeurs, superviseurs et résidents) qui développent des activités d’extension de services à la communauté, d’enseignement et de recherche en Psychologie Médicale. Ces activités comprennent les niveaux primaires, secondaire et tertiaire de soins en urgence, à l’hôpital, au centre Hospitalier Universitaire, principalement en équipes interdisciplinaires. L’enseignement comprend des cours de 3ème cycle en médecine et infirmerie, des stages pour des étudiants en psychologie, un programme de Perfectionnement en Psychologie de la Santé, Cours de Spécialisation, de Spécialisation professoral, de recherches du programme de post-graduation en Sciences de la santé (maîtrise et doctorat) à la FAMERP. Les recherches visent principalement l’étude des relations entre comportement et santé, en abordant des thèmes comme la promotion de la santé, de la prévention et l’aide au traitement et lê manège des maladies. Bien que ce secteur soit en expansion, il faut penser que l’entretien de la crédibilité et de l’espace conquis dépendent d’une solide formation professionnelle, d’éthique et de développement des recherches dans ce secteur.O trabalho de psicólogos na área da saúde vem se desenvolvendo de form a crescente. O objetivo deste relato é descrever o desenvolvimento e estágio atual do Serviço de Psicologia do Hospital de Base da FAMERP, iniciado em 1981 com a contratação de uma psicóloga para atuar na enfermaria de Pediatria. Atualmente, o hospital conta com 40 psicólogos (docentes, contratados e aprimorandos) desenvolvendo atividades de extensão de serviços à comunidade, ensino e pesquisa em Psicologia da Saúde. A atuação abrange os níveis primário, secundário e terciário de atendimento e é realizada no ambulatório, no hospital, em Centro de Saúde Escola e na comunidade, principalmente em equipes interdisciplinares. O ensino envolve aulas para os cursos de graduação em medicina e enfermagem, estágio para alunos de psicologia, um Programa de Aprimoramento em Psicologia da Saúde, Cursos de Extensão, de Especialização e docência e orientação no Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde (mestrado e doutorado) da FAMERP. As pesquisas visam principalmente o estudo das relações entre comportamento e saúde, abordando temas como promoção da saúde, prevenção e auxílio no tratamento e manejo de doenças. Embora a área esteja em expansão, é preciso pensar que a manutenção da credibilidade e do espaço conquistado dependem de uma sólida formação profissional, de um desempenho ético e do desenvolvimento de pesquisas na área.Psychologists have had an increasing role in the medical area. The objective of this study is to report the development and current status of the Psychology Service at Hospital de Base, São José do Rio Preto Medical School (FAMERP), which started in 1981, when a psychologist was hired to work at the Pediatrics Outpatient Ward. Currently, the hospital has a staff of 40 psychologists (professors, supervisors, and residents), developing community services, education and research activities in Health Psychology. Such activities are carried out at a primary, secondary and tertiary level at the outpatient ward of the hospital and at a Medical School Health Community Center, especially with interdisciplinary teams. Teaching involves classes in post-graduation courses in medicine and nursing; internships for psychology students; a Residency Program in Health Psychology; Extension, Specialization, and Teaching Courses; and assistance to graduate students from the Post-Graduation Program in Health Sciences (masters degree and PhD) at FAMERP. Research is aimed at assessing the relationship between behavior and health, approaching issues such as providing health, prevention and assistance in the treatment and management of diseases. Even though this is an expanding area, the maintenance of credibility and the progress achieved depend on a solid professional training, ethics and the development of research in the area

Differential brain and spinal cord cytokine and BDNF levels in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis are modulated by prior and regular exercise

The interactions between a prior program of regular exercise and the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE)-mediated responses were evaluated. in the exercised EAE mice, although there was no effect on infiltrated cells, the cytokine and derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels were altered, and the clinical score was attenuated. Although, the cytokine levels were decreased in the brain and increased in the spinal cord, BDNF was elevated in both compartments with a tendency of lesser demyelization volume in the spinal cord of the exercised EAE group compared with the unexercised. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)NIHUniv Fed Minas Gerais, Inst Ciencias Biol, Dept Fisiol & Biofis, Nucleo Neurociencias, BR-31270901 Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilMinist Educ Brazil, CAPES Fdn, Programa Pos Grad Ciencias Biol Fisiol Farmacol, BR-70040020 Brasilia, DF, BrazilUniv Fed Minas Gerais, Inst Ciencias Biol, Dept Patol, BR-31270901 Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Biofis, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Minas Gerais, Inst Ciencias Biol, Dept Bioquim & Imunol, Lab Venenos & Toxinas Anim, BR-31270901 Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilUniv Miami, Miller Sch Med, Miami Project Cure Paralysis, Miami, FL 33136 USALa Trobe Univ, Dept Biochem, Bundoora, Vic 3086, AustraliaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Biofis, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilCAPES: BEX 0020/12-5NIH: NS051709NIH: NS065479FAPEMIG: CBB-APQ-01459-10FAPEMIG: PPM-00200-12Web of Scienc

The germline mutational landscape of BRCA1 and BRCA2 in Brazil

The detection of germline mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 is essential to the formulation of clinical management strategies, and in Brazil, there is limited access to these services, mainly due to the costs/availability of genetic testing. Aiming at the identification of recurrent mutations that could be included in a low-cost mutation panel, used as a first screening approach, we compiled the testing reports of 649 probands with pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants referred to 28 public and private health care centers distributed across 11 Brazilian States. Overall, 126 and 103 distinct mutations were identified in BRCA1 and BRCA2, respectively. Twenty-six novel variants were reported from both genes, and BRCA2 showed higher mutational heterogeneity. Some recurrent mutations were reported exclusively in certain geographic regions, suggesting a founder effect. Our findings confirm that there is significant molecular heterogeneity in these genes among Brazilian carriers, while also suggesting that this heterogeneity precludes the use of screening protocols that include recurrent mutation testing only. This is the first study to show that profiles of recurrent mutations may be unique to different Brazilian regions. These data should be explored in larger regional cohorts to determine if screening with a panel of recurrent mutations would be effective.This work was supported in part by grants from Barretos Cancer Hospital (FINEP - CT-INFRA, 02/2010), Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP, 2013/24633-2 and 2103/23277-8), Fundação de Apoio à Pesquisa do Rio Grande do Norte (FAPERN), Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ), Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (FAPERGS), Ministério da Saúde, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (Avon grant #02-2013-044) and National Institute of Health/National Cancer Institute (grant #RC4 CA153828-01) for the Clinical Cancer Genomics Community Research Network. Support in part was provided by grants from Fundo de Incentivo a Pesquisa e Eventos (FIPE) from Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, by Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES, BioComputacional 3381/2013, Rede de Pesquisa em Genômica Populacional Humana), Secretaria da Saúde do Estado da Bahia (SESAB), Laboratório de Imunologia e Biologia Molecular (UFBA), INCT pra Controle do Câncer and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq). RMR and PAP are recipients of CNPq Productivity Grants, and Bárbara Alemar received a grant from the same agencyinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio