Context. Observations in the cosmological domain are heavily dependent on the validity of the cosmic distance-duality (DD) relation, eta = D(L)(z)(1+ z)(2)/D(A)(z) = 1, an exact result required by the Etherington reciprocity theorem where D(L)(z) and D(A)(z) are, respectively, the luminosity and angular diameter distances. In the limit of very small redshifts D(A)(z) = D(L)(z) and this ratio is trivially satisfied. Measurements of Sunyaev-Zeldovich effect (SZE) and X-rays combined with the DD relation have been used to determine D(A)(z) from galaxy clusters. This combination offers the possibility of testing the validity of the DD relation, as well as determining which physical processes occur in galaxy clusters via their shapes. Aims. We use WMAP (7 years) results by fixing the conventional Lambda CDM model to verify the consistence between the validity of DD relation and different assumptions about galaxy cluster geometries usually adopted in the literature. Methods. We assume that. is a function of the redshift parametrized by two different relations: eta(z) = 1+eta(0)z, and eta(z) = 1+eta(0)z/(1+z), where eta(0) is a constant parameter quantifying the possible departure from the strict validity of the DD relation. In order to determine the probability density function (PDF) of eta(0)...

A falência de ultrafiltração (UFF) é uma causa importante de interrupção da diálise peritoneal (DP) enquanto terapia renal substitutiva. Além da inflamação crônica e aguda causadas à membrana peritoneal (MP) pelos produtos de degradação da glicose, produtos avançados da glicosilação, pH ácido das soluções e infecções, -bloqueadores (BB) também foram implicados na gênese da UFF. A vasoconstrição arteriolar esplâncnica é considerada a causa provável da UFF por BB. O nebivolol (NV), um bloqueador 1-adrenérgico altamente seletivo que, diferente de outros BB, possui efeito vasodilatador por aumento de óxido nítrico (NO) por ativar a via L-arginina-NO, foi testado em pacientes idosos com ICC e levou à redução na mortalidade. O objetivo desse estudo é analisar os efeitos do NV sobre a ultrafiltração (UF), MP e características do efluente em um modelo animal de DP, através do estudo de fenômenos envolvidos na degeneração da MP e UFF, como transição epitélio mesenquimal (EMT) e fibrose, além de parâmetros humorais e celulares de inflamação. 21 camundongos C57BL/6 fêmeas, não urêmicos, com 12 a 14 semanas, foram submetidos à colocação de cateter peritoneal. Após uma semana, foram divididos em 3 grupos de 7 animais: grupo controle (observação 30 dias)...

Tese de doutoramento Ciências (área de especialização em matemática); In this PhD thesis, we apply several mathematical concepts to sciences, like, Finances, Hydrology, Energy and Psychology. We analyze real data of different areas and develop techniques of Dynamical Systems, Statistics and Game Theory to study the data. We, also, build mathematical theoretical models suitable to investigate the decisions/behavior of an individual by establishing an analogy to a psychological theory. In chapter 1, we do an introduction mentioning the main scientific contributions presented in this thesis. In chapter 2, we exploit ideas of nonlinear dynamics and statistical physics in a complex non-deterministic dynamical setting using the Ruelle-Takens embedding. We present some new insights on the quality of the prediction in the laminar regime and we exhibit the data collapse of the predicted relative first difference fluctuations to the universal BHP distribution. We observe that the nearest neighbor method of prediction acts as a filter that does not eliminate the randomness, but exhibits its universal character. In chapter 3, we consider the re-scaled Ip index positive returns r(t)α and negative returns (−r(t))α that we call, after normalization...

Este trabalho teve como objectivo, numa primeira fase fazer um estudo das tecnologias Grid existentes, essencialmente para a plataforma Windows. Esse estudo teve como propósito, a escolha de uma framework para sistemas Grid, a qual foi feita tendo em consideração as características, documentação disponível e desempenho das Frameworks analisadas. Esta fase do projecto está exposta na primeira parte da dissertação. Onde se explica pormenorizadamente o conceito de Grid, e algumas das tecnologias que o implementam. Numa segunda fase, e a partir da framework para Grid escolhida, desenvolveu-se um software com o objectivo de converter as páginas de um documento PDF em imagens do tipo PNG. Esta conversão é feita no âmbito da biblioteca digital SInBAD, onde as páginas dos documentos são apresentadas sob a forma de imagens. A conversão em causa é demorada e requer grandes quantidades de processamento, ao usar a tecnologia GRID para esta conversão, pretendeu-se tornar este processo muito mais rápido. ABSTRACT: The objective of this work was, in a first stage, to study some of the existent GRID technologies, mainly the ones developed for windows platforms. The purpose of this study was to select a Grid framework, the choice was made based on the framework characteristics...

Bacterial protein synthesis starts with a formylated methionine residue, and this residue is sequentially cleaved away by a unique peptide deformylase (PDF) and a methionine aminopeptidase to generate mature proteins. The formylation-deformylation of proteins is a unique hallmark of bacterial metabolism and has recently become an attractive target for the development of antimicrobial agents. The innate immune system uses the formylation of bacterial proteins as a target, and professional phagocytes, e.g., neutrophils, express specific receptors for bacterium-derived formylated peptides. Activation of formyl peptide receptors (FPR) mediates neutrophil migration and the release of oxygen radicals and other antimicrobial substances from these cells. We hypothesize that the use of a PDF inhibitor would increase the production of proinflammatory peptides from the bacteria and thus trigger a more pronounced innate immune response. We tested this hypothesis by exposing Escherichia coli to subinhibitory doses of the PDF inhibitor actinonin and show that actinonin indeed increases the production and secretion of neutrophil-activating peptides that activate human neutrophils through FPR. These findings could be potentially used as a new approach to antibacterial chemotherapy.

Robust self-sustained oscillations are a ubiquitous characteristic of circadian rhythms. These include Drosophila locomotor activity rhythms, which persist for weeks in constant darkness (DD). Yet the molecular oscillations that underlie circadian rhythms damp rapidly in many Drosophila tissues. Although much progress has been made in understanding the biochemical and cellular basis of circadian rhythms, the mechanisms that underlie the differences between damped and self-sustaining oscillations remain largely unknown. A small cluster of neurons in adult Drosophila brain, the ventral lateral neurons (LNvs), is essential for self-sustained behavioral rhythms and has been proposed to be the primary pacemaker for locomotor activity rhythms. With an LNv-specific driver, we restricted functional clocks to these neurons and showed that they are not sufficient to drive circadian locomotor activity rhythms. Also contrary to expectation, we found that all brain clock neurons manifest robust circadian oscillations of timeless and cryptochrome RNA for many days in DD. This persistent molecular rhythm requires pigment-dispersing factor (PDF), an LNv-specific neuropeptide, because the molecular oscillations are gradually lost when Pdf01 mutant flies are exposed to free-running conditions. This observation precisely parallels the previously reported effect on behavioral rhythms of the Pdf01 mutant. PDF is likely to affect some clock neurons directly...

Peptide deformylase (PDF), a metallohydrolase essential for bacterial growth, is an attractive target for use in the discovery of novel antibiotics. Focused chelator-based chemical libraries were constructed and screened for inhibition of enzymatic activity, inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus growth, and cytotoxicity. Positive compounds were selected based on the results of all three assays. VRC3375 [N-hydroxy-3-R-butyl-3-(2-S-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-pyrrolidin-1-ylcarbonyl)propionamide] was identified as having the most favorable properties through an integrated combinatorial and medicinal chemistry effort. This compound is a potent PDF inhibitor with a Ki of 0.24 nM against the Escherichia coli Ni2+ enzyme, possesses activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial pathogens, and has a low cytotoxicity. Mechanistic experiments demonstrate that the compound inhibits bacterial growth through PDF inhibition. Pharmacokinetic studies of this drug in mice indicate that VRC3375 is orally bioavailable and rapidly distributed among various tissues. VRC3375 has in vivo activity against S. aureus in a murine septicemia model, with 50% effective doses of 32, 17, and 21 mg/kg of body weight after dosing by intravenous (i.v.), subcutaneous (s.c.)...

Assuming random mating and discrete nonoverlapping generations, the inbreeding effective population number, (see PDF), is calculated for an X-linked locus. For large populations, the result agrees with the variance effective population number. As an application, the maintenance of genetic variability by the joint action of mutation and random drift is investigated. It is shown that, if every allele mutates at rate u to new types, then the probabilities of identity in state (and hence the expected homozygosity of females) converge to the approximate value (see PDF) at the approximate asymptotic rate (see PDF).

Reptation theory is a highly successful approach for describing polymer dynamics in entangled systems. In turn, this molecular process is the basis of viscoelasticity. We apply a modified version of reptation dynamics to develop an actual physical model of ion channel gating. We show that at times longer than microseconds these dynamics predict an alpha-helix-screw motion for the amphipathic protein segment that partially lines the channel pore. Such motion has been implicated in several molecular mechanics studies of both voltage-gated and transmitter-gated channels. The experimental probability density function (pdf) for this process follows t-3/2 which has been observed in several experimental systems. Reptation theory predicts that channel gating will occur on the millisecond time scale and this is consistent with experimental results from single-channel recording. We examine the consequences of reptation over random barriers and we show that, to first order, the pdf remains unchanged. In the case of a charged helix undergoing reptation in the presence of a transmembrane potential we show that the tail of the pdf will be exponential. We provide a list of practical experimental predictions to test the validity of this physical theory.

A.L. Blatz and K.L. Magleby (1986a. J. Physiol. [Lond.]. 378:141-174) have demonstrated the usefulness of plotting histograms with a logarithmic time axis to display the distributions of dwell times from recordings of single ionic channels. We derive here the probability density function (pdf) corresponding to logarithmically binned histograms. Plotted on a logarithmic time scale the pdf is a peaked function with an invariant width; this and other properties of the pdf, coupled with a variance-stabilizing (square root) transformation for the ordinate, greatly simplify the interpretation and manual fitting of distributions containing multiple exponential components. We have also examined the statistical errors in estimation, by the maximum-likelihood method, of kinetic parameters from logarithmically binned data. Using binned data greatly accelerates the fitting procedure and introduces significant errors only for bins spaced more widely than 8-16 per decade.

The streptococcal C5a peptidase (ScpB) of group B streptococci (GBS) is found in virtually all clinical GBS isolates and is required for mucosal colonization in a neonatal mouse model. ScpB inhibits neutrophil chemotaxis by enzymatically cleaving the complement component C5a. We previously identified a second function of ScpB as a fibronectin (Fn) adhesin using phage display. However, phage display can identify low-affinity interactions. We therefore measured the affinity of both full-length recombinant ScpB (FL-ScpB) and the 110-amino-acid phage display fragment (Scp-PDF) for immobilized Fn using surface plasmon resonance. The affinity for Fn was very high for both FL-ScpB (equilibrium dissociation constant [KD] = 4.0 nM) and Scp-PDF (KD = 4.4 nM) and is consistent with a biologically significant role for the adhesin activity of ScpB. We also studied the Fn adhesin activity of a common natural variant of ScpB (ScpBΔ) that contains a 4-amino-acid deletion that eliminates peptidase activity. The integrity of scpB is otherwise maintained, suggesting that the Fn adhesin activity of ScpB may be responsible for its conservation in these strains. The affinities of both FL-ScpBΔ (KD = 2.4 nM) and ScpBΔ-PDF (KD = 1.4 nM) for Fn are unaffected by the deletion. Complementation in trans by both scpB and scpBΔ corrected the Fn-binding defect of an scpB deletion mutant GBS strain to an identical degree. The high affinity of ScpB for Fn and the maintenance of this affinity in ScpBΔ support our hypothesis that the Fn adhesin activity of scpB plays a role in virulence.

Substantial progress has been made in elucidating the molecular processes that impart a temporal control to physiology and behavior in most eukaryotes. In Drosophila, dorsal and ventral neuronal networks act in concert to convey rhythmicity. Recently, the hierarchical organization among the different circadian clusters has been addressed, but how molecular oscillations translate into rhythmic behavior remains unclear. The small ventral lateral neurons can synchronize certain dorsal oscillators likely through the release of pigment dispersing factor (PDF), a neuropeptide central to the control of rhythmic rest-activity cycles. In the present study, we have taken advantage of flies exhibiting a distinctive arrhythmic phenotype due to mutation of the potassium channel slowpoke (slo) to examine the relevance of specific neuronal populations involved in the circadian control of behavior. We show that altered neuronal function associated with the null mutation specifically impaired PDF accumulation in the dorsal protocerebrum and, in turn, desynchronized molecular oscillations in the dorsal clusters. However, molecular oscillations in the small ventral lateral neurons are properly running in the null mutant, indicating that slo is acting downstream of these core pacemaker cells...

An index of filling efficiency incorporating stiffness and relaxation (S&R) parameters has not been derived or validated although numerous studies have focused on the effects of altered relaxation or stiffness on early rapid filling and diastolic function. Previous studies show that S&R parameters can be obtained from early rapid filling (Doppler E-wave) via kinematic modeling. E-wave contours are governed by harmonic oscillatory motion, modeled via the parameterized diastolic filling (PDF) formalism. The previously validated model determines three (unique) oscillator parameters from each E-wave having established physiologic analogues: xo (load), c (relaxation/viscoelasticity), and k (chamber stiffness). We define the dimensionless, filling-volume based kinematic filling efficiency index (KFEI) as the ratio of the velocity-time integral (VTI) of the actual clinical E-wave contour fit via PDF to the VTI of the PDF model-predicted ideal E-wave contour having the same xo and k, but with no resistance to filling (c=0). To validate the new index, Doppler E-waves from 36 subjects with normal ventricular function, 17 diabetic and 19 well-matched non-diabetic controls, were analyzed. E-wave parameters xo, c, and k and KFEI were computed for each subject and compared. In concordance with prior human and animal studies in which c differentiated between normal and diabetic hearts...

Gravimetric determinations were recorded for the total and several individual proteins (in the sodium oxalate plasma) fractioned with ammonium sulphate and sodium chloride. At precipitation, the plasma salt mixture had been diluted to a final volume of ten times the amount of plasma employed. Coagulations were on aliquot portions of filtrates, and the individual protein constituents (except serumalbumin) were calculated by difference. The eleven horses had been subjected to simultaneous immunization against diphtheria and tetanus toxins, each horse being subsequently continued on the toxin to which it responded best. Test bleedings of about 500 cubic centimeters only were made until maximum antitoxic potency (with almost coincident greatest variation See PDF for Structure in the contents of the several proteins) had been attained; routine bleedings of four to ten liters for antitoxin production were then instituted. The two refractory, one medium and the eight horses yielding a highly potent antitoxic plasma, all showed an increase of from 40 to 114 per cent. in the total serumglobulin. For the refractory animals, this increase was 59.3 and 87.9 per cents. In one refractory and in one high horse, the serumglobulin maximum preceded the highest concentration in antitoxin. In seven of the horses...

For convenience the results are summarized in tabular form. Table I shows a comparison of the primary reaction in the groups of female and male rabbits inoculated intradermally. In Table II the incidence of metastatic lesions is shown in the various groups of animals. In Table III are shown the character and date of appearance of the generalized lesions (exclusive of orchitis) in the various groups of animals. The results presented in Tables I, II, and III, together with a study of the individual protocols, permit the following general statements to be made relative to the effect of the factors studied upon the course of experimental syphilis in the rabbit. Sex.—In the group of females inoculated intradermally the lesions at the site of inoculation were in general less marked than in the group of males similarly inoculated. Moreover, they attained their maximum size earlier and began to recede earlier than was the case in the males. In none of the females was there clinical evidence of the production of generalized lesions, while in the corresponding group of males metastatic lesions of skin or bones detectible by clinical examination occurred in one instance, or 14.3 per cent. In both groups there was wide variation in the character of the initial reaction in individual rabbits and in the time required for it to reach its maximum size. See PDF for Structure Age.—In the five young males inoculated intratesticularly the disease was not greatly different from that observed in the older males similarly inoculated. The initial reactions were slightly slower in making their appearance...

AbstractThis study aimed to evaluate the effect of site and age on the height distribution in native stands of “bracatinga” (Mimosa scabrella Benth) on the Metropolitan Region of Curitiba, PR, Brazil, as well as to select a Probability Density Function (pdf), between six, that represents the histogram of the variable height of these stands. It was used height data from 88 plots with variable area from 100 to 400 m², classified into three site classes. The ages 5, 8, 9 and 13 years were selected for fitting probability density functions by each site. The adjustment of the models was performed using the Solver application of Microsoft Excel 2007, by the least squares method. The pdfs tested were Beta, Gamma, Log Normal, Normal, Weibull and Sb Johnson, being selected the best by Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Schlaegel Index and Percentage Standard Error of Estimate. The site and age affect the amplitude, shape and dynamics of the height distribution, with the site related to the kutosis and age to skewness of the distribution. The pdf that best described height distribution of the native stands of “bracatinga” was Beta function, followed by Sb Johnson and Normal.Keywords: Bracatinga; hypsometric distribution; least squares.;  Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito do sítio e da idade na distribuição de alturas de bracatingais nativos da Região Metropolitana de Curitiba...

A convergência e o hiperlocal podem ser analisados como elementos que impulsionam o desenvolvimento jornalístico nos ambientes digitais possibilitando a valorização do local e o reforço de identidades, que passam a configurar como fonte básica de significado social em contraste ao processo habitual dos mass media. A efetivação desse cenário emergente será observada como possível novo espaço para o reforço da representação feminina e a ampliação de espaços para os processos de empoderamento e compartilhamento de identidades. Para tanto, serão revistas as literaturas sobre os temas apresentados e uma análise do caso observado nos media online de Bauru, cidade do interior paulista. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Jornalismo Hiperlocal. Economia Política da Comunicação. Cultura Digital. Identidade. Feminismo.    ABSTRACT Convergence and hyperlocal can be analyzed as elements that drive the journalistic development in the digital environment enabling the development of local and strengthening of identities, bringing the set as a basic source of social meaning in contrast to the usual process of the media. The effectiveness of this emerging scenario is seen as a possible new area for strengthening women's representation and expansion of spaces for empowerment processes and identity sharing. For this...

Parte-se do estado da arte feito por Muniz Sodré (2012a) sobre a abordagem acadêmica do campo comunicacional e a dificuldade para defini-lo em seu aspecto "científico". No intuito de prospectar além dos paradigmas identificados por Sodré (o sociológico, dos efeitos; e o semiótico, dos códigos), propõe-se o paradigma pulsional que orienta a Transformática, teoria psicanalítica da comunicação. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Teorias da comunicação; Conhecimento; Psicanálise.   ABSTRACT According to the state of the art - made by Muniz Sodré (2012a) - of  the academic approach of the communication field, there is a great difficulty in defining this field as "scientific". In order to examine beyond the two paradigms depicted by Sodré (sociological and semiotic) this paper exposes the "drive (Freud: Trieb) paradigm" which is the basis of Transformatics, the psychoanalytical theory of communication. KEYWORDS: Communication theories; Knowledge; Psychoanalysis.   RESUMEN Se inicia con el estado de la técnica hecha por Muniz Sodré (2012a) en el enfoque académico del campo de la comunicación y la dificultad de definirla en su aspecto "científico". Con el fin de perspectiva más allá de los paradigmas identificados por Sodre (la sociológicos...

O Estado, concebido na antiguidade para melhor organização das relações sociais passou por um longo processo de amadurecimento à luz dos contextos contemporâneos de cada democracia. O presente trabalho abordará as temáticas democracia, corrupção e ciência política, buscando arcabouço teórico para o desenvolvimento desses temas. Para isso, foi utilizado método pautado em ampla exploração bibliográfica, pois esta fornece os meios necessários para demonstrar as definições dos conceitos e ainda possibilitar melhor compreensão sistemática a respeito doa temas central e correlatos. Neste interim, o termo "política" está associado aos direitos e deveres inerentes aos agentes que compõem o regime democrático adotado e desenvolvido nos Estados contemporâneos, tais aspectos levam a percepção e estudos sobre o perfil dos líderes políticos quanto a população que vive sobre esse tipo de sistema. Com o desenvolvimento teórico desse trabalho torna-se evidente a necessidade de prudência como característica base para a formação do líder, compondo-se ponderação na tomadas de decisões e levando o governante a estar mais apto para assumir o poder do governo. O trabalho considera ainda que o papel da sociedade é primordial para uma boa gestão administrativa pública...

El gen defensina de Arabidopsis thaliana es un péptido antimicrobiano que proporciona protección a una amplia gama de agentes patógenos. Las líneas transgénicas del frijol común (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cv. Flor de Mayo Anita expresan constitutivamente el gen defensina pdf 1.2 siendo generados por la transformación de hipocotilos mediada por Agrobacterium sp. vía organogénesis directa. El gen pdf 1.2 es expresado bajo el control del promotor CaMV-35S en las plantas de frijol transformando a estas en resistentes al hongo fitopatógeno Colletotrichum lindemuthianum. La respuesta fue una reducción significativa en la formación de lesiones y la proliferación en masa de esporas en las líneas T0, T1 y T3 en comparación con las plantas no transformadas. Veinte plantas transgénicas T3 de frijol común fueron generadas a partir de 5 líneas independientes que expresaron el gen pdf1. 2, mostrando resistencia a razas 448 y 1472 de C. lindemuthianum en comparación con las plantas no transformadas. Un análisis del nivel de la expresión génica del gen pdf 1.2 por Q-PCR mostro que todas las plantas que fueron consideradas resistentes o tolerantes, tuvieron niveles similares de expresión transcripcional en oposición a las plantas susceptibles...