Study of direct CP violation in B±→J/ ψK±(π±) decays

We present a search for direct CP violation in B±→J/ ψK±(π±) decays. The event sample is selected from 2.8fb-1 of pp̄ collisions recorded by D0 experiment in run II of the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. The charge asymmetry ACP(B+→J/ψK+)=+0.0075±0. 0061(stat)±0.0030(syst) is obtained using a sample of approximately 40000 B±→J/ψK± decays. The achieved precision is of the same level as the expected deviation predicted by some extensions of the standard model. We also measured the charge asymmetry ACP(B+→J/ψπ+)=-0. 09±0.08(stat)±0.03(syst). © 2008 The American Physical Society.

Composição química e digestibilidade da vagem de algarobeira (prosopis juliflora, (sw) dc) submetida a diferentes tratamentos térmicos

The ground pods of mesquite (GPM) was submitted to different thermal treatments for two hours after wanted temperature stabilization, for making of the treatments: A = ground pods of mesquite without heat treatment (approximately 30 degrees C); B = The ground pods of mesquite treated at 60 degrees C; C = The ground pods of mesquite treated at 80 degrees C; D = The ground pods of mesquite treated at 100 degrees C and E = The ground pods of mesquite treated at 120 degrees C. Soon after, samples were collected for accomplishment for chemical analyses and in vitro digestibility. A completely randomized design with three replications was utilized. The DM, CP, NFE, CF, ADF, celluloses, lignin, ash and CE values, did not were affected (P>0.05) by temperature. It was observed a quadratic effect (P<0.01) on the contents of EE, decreasing linear effect (P<0.01) on the CC and increasing linear effect on the NDF (P<0.01) and Hemicellulose (P<0.05) contents. The in vitro dry matter digestibility and the in vitro organic matter digestibility were not affected (P>0.05) by temperature. on the other hand the in vitro protein digestibility level, showed a quadratic effect (P<0.05), decreasing after 54 degrees C.

Female reproductive system of the sugarcane spittlebug Mahanarva fimbriolata (Auchenorrhyncha): Vitellogenesis dynamics and protein quantification

The present study aimed describing the ovaries of the sugarcane spittlebug Mahanarva fimbriolata which are meroistic telotrophic with nurse cells and oocytes located in the tropharium. SEM revealed paired ovaries located dorsolaterally around the intestine, and oocytes exhibiting shapes ranging from round (less developed) to elliptic (more developed), suggesting a simultaneous, although, asynchronous development. Based on histological data we classified the oocytes in stages from I to V. Stage I oocytes exhibit follicular epithelium with cubic and/or prismatic cells, fine cytoplasmic granules. Stage II oocytes present intercellular spaces in the follicular epithelium due to the incorporation of yolk elements from the hemolymph. Small granules are present in the periphery of oocytes while larger granules are observed in the center. Stage III oocytes are larger and intercellular spaces in the follicular epithelium are evident, as well as the interface between follicular epithelium and oocyte. Yolk granules of different sizes are present in the cytoplasm. During this stage, chorion deposition initiates. Stage IV oocytes exhibit squamous follicular cells and larger intercellular spaces when compared to those observed in the previous stage. The oocyte cytoplasm present granular and viscous yolk, the latter is the result of the breakdown of granules. Stage V oocytes exhibit a follicular epithelium almost completely degenerated, smaller quantities of granular yolk and large amounts of viscous yolk. Based on our findings we established the sequence of yolk deposition in M. fimbriolata oocyte as follows: proteins and lipids, which are first produced by endogenous processes in stages I and II oocytes. Exogenous incorporation begins in stage III. In stages I and II oocytes, lipids are also produced by follicular epithelial cells. The third element to be deposited is polysaccharides, mainly found as complexes. Therefore, the yolk present in the oocytes of this species consists of glycolipoproteins. Molecular weights of proteins present in M. fimbriolata oocytes ranged from 10 to 92 KDa, differently from vitellogenin, the most common protein present in insect oocytes, weighing approximately 180 KDa. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of a class P-III metalloproteinase (BmMP-III) from the venom of Bothrops moojeni

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Circular, elliptic and oval billiards in a gravitational field

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Contribution of matrix vesicles and alkaline phosphatase to ectopic bone formation

Endochondral calcification involves the participation of matrix vesicles (MVs), but it remains unclear whether calcification ectopically induced by implants of demineralized bone matrix also proceeds via MVs. Ectopic bone formation was induced by implanting rat demineralized diaphyseal bone matrix into the dorsal subcutaneous tissue of Wistar rats and was examined histologically and biochemically. Budding of MVs from chondrocytes was observed to serve as nucleation sites for mineralization during induced ectopic osteogenesis, presenting a diameter with Gaussian distribution with a median of 306 ± 103 nm. While the role of tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP) during mineralization involves hydrolysis of inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi), it is unclear how the microenvironment of MV may affect the ability of TNAP to hydrolyze the variety of substrates present at sites of mineralization. We show that the implants contain high levels of TNAP capable of hydrolyzing p-nitrophenylphosphate (pNPP), ATP and PPi. The catalytic properties of glycosyl phosphatidylinositol-anchored, polidocanol-solubilized and phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C-released TNAP were compared using pNPP, ATP and PPi as substrates. While the enzymatic efficiency (k cat/Km) remained comparable between polidocanol-solubilized and membrane-bound TNAP for all three substrates, the k cat/Km for the phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C-solubilized enzyme increased approximately 108-, 56-, and 556-fold for pNPP, ATP and PPi, respectively, compared to the membrane-bound enzyme. Our data are consistent with the involvement of MVs during ectopic calcification and also suggest that the location of TNAP on the membrane of MVs may play a role in determining substrate selectivity in this micro-compartment.

A Comparison of Deep Drawing and Ironing of Metal Alloy Strip Produced conventionally and Non-conventionally via Semi Solid Material Processing

A semi solid thin strip continuous casting process was used to obtain 50%wt Pb/50%wtSn strip by single and twin roll processing at speed of 15 m/min. A 50%wt Pb/50%wtSn plate ingot was also cast for rolling conventionally into strips of 1.4 mm thickness and 45 mm width for comparison with those achieved non-conventionally. This hypoeutectic alloy has a solidification interval and fusion temperature of approximately 31 degrees C and 215 degrees C respectively. The casting alloy temperature was around 280 degrees C as measured by a type K immersion thermocouple prior to pouring into a tundish designed to maintain a constant melt flow on the cooling slope during semi solid material production. A nozzle with a weir ensures that the semi solid material is dragged smoothly by the lower roll, producing strip with minimum contamination of slag/oxide. The temperatures of the cooling slope and the lower roll were also monitored using K type thermocouples. The coiled semi solid strip, which has a thickness of 1.5 mm and 45 mm width, was rolled conventionally in order to obtain 1.2 mm thick strip. The coiled thixorolled strip had a thickness of 1.2 mm and achieved practically the same width as the conventional strips. Blanks of 40 mm diameter were cut from the strips in a mechanical press, ready for deep drawing and ironing for mechanical characterization. All the strips achieved from non-conventional processing had the same mechanical performance as those achieved conventionally. The limiting drawing ratio (LDR) achieved was approximately 2.0 for all strips. Microscopy examination was made in order to observe phase segregation during processing.

PREPARATION and CHARACTERIZATION of CELLULOSE/HYDROUS NIOBIUM PHOSPHATE HYBRID

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Changes of density, thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, and specific heat of plums during drying

The thermal properties of plums (Prunus domestica) and prunes were investigated in the moisture content of 14.2-80.4% (wet basis) near room temperature (approximately 28 degrees C). The apparent density of the fruits increased from 1042.9 to 1460.0 kg/m(3), and the bulk density increased from 706.6 to 897.5 kg/m(3) as the plums were dried, following classical empirical models as a function of moisture content. It was found that specific heat, effective thermal diffusivity, and effective thermal conductivity of the prunes increased with the moisture content of the samples, which can be represented by using different empirical models.

Dinâmica populacional de minicírculos de cinetoplastos em Leishmania infantum chagasi

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Superação da dormência de sementes de Tucum (Astrocaryum huaimi Mart.)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of immersion for varying periods in different concentrations of gibberellic acid and separate methods of scarification on the germination of seeds tucum. In the first trial, testing different soaking periods (24 and 48 hours), different forms of soaking (fast and slow) and different concentrations of gibberellic acid (0, 100 and 200 mg L-(1)) compared to the control (water) under completely randomized design in a factorial 2x2x3. The second experiment evaluated the different scarification treatments being: physical (seed coat removal in the hilar region with the aid of a scalpel), chemical (sulfuric acid 98 PA for 2:04 minutes) and thermal (hot water at approximately 98 degrees C and cold water at about 2 degrees C for 4 minutes). In the first trial were evaluated % of contaminated seeds (seeds infected by microorganisms) and hard seeds (who did not start the germination process, but not soiled), and in the second we assessed germination percentage (%) every two days for three months; germination Speed Index (GSI), time to occurrence of 50 % germination (T50) and Emergency Speed Index (ESI). The use of gibberellic acid was ineffective in promoting germination of Tucum (Astrocaryum Huaimi Mart.). Scarification treatments were effective in promoting germination and emergence of seedlings in the nursery and the most efficient physical removal scarification of the seed coat in the hilar region with the highest percentage of germination.

Comportamento da temperatura da massa de resíduos aterrados em um aterro sanitário

In this paper we investigate the temperature variation of the mass of waste along the depth in a household waste landfill of Rio Claro - SP, São Paulo, having a climate characterized as Tropical Altitude. In this research, there were two holes in two distinct points of the landfill, with different depths and characteristics in order to fix several thermal sensors - RTDs - to record the temperature at predetermined depths. Overall, the results show the influence of temperature at depths of up to 3.0 meters (from the surface) and that it varies in a manner to stabilize at depths above 5.0 meters. The highest temperature obtained was approximately 37.5 ° C for a time of waste disposal of 7 to 10 years. The results showed the presence of organic matter (substrate) which resulted in elevated temperature resulting from biological activity

A comparison of mucosal surface area and villous histology in small intestines of the brazilian free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis) and the mouse (Mus musculus)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Infecção experimental por Salmonella enterica subsp enterica sorovar Kottbus em pintos de corte de um dia e em ovos férteis SPF

Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária - FCAV