Testing transposable elements as genetic drive mechanisms using Drosophila P element constructs as a model system

The use of transposable elements (TEs) as genetic drive mechanisms was explored using Drosophila melanogaster as a model system. Alternative strategies, employing autonomous and nonautonomous P element constructs were compared for their efficiency in driving the ry(+) allele into populations homozygous for a ry(-) allele at the genomic rosy locus. Transformed flies were introduced at 1%, 5%, and 10% starting frequencies to establish a series of populations that were monitored over the course of 40 generations, using both phenotypic and molecular assays. The transposon-borne ry(+) marker allele spread rapidly in almost all populations when introduced at 5% and 10% seed frequencies, but 1% introductions frequently failed to become established. A similar initial rapid increase in frequency of the ry(+) transposon occurred in several control populations lacking a source of transposase. Constructs carrying ry(+) markers also increased to moderate frequencies in the absence of selection on the marker. The results of Southern and in situ hybridization studies indicated a strong inverse relationship between the degree of conservation of construct integrity and transposition frequency. These finding have relevance to possible future applications of transposons as genetic drive mechanisms.

Bull semen varibles after experimental exposure with Bovine Herpesvirus type 5

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

IEEE 1451-based multi-interface module (I2M) for industrial processes automation

This paper describes the implementation of a multi-interface module (I2M) for automation of industrial processes, based on the IEEE1451 standard. Process automation with I2M can communicate through either wires or using wireless communication, without any hardware or software changes. We used FPGA resources to implement the I2M functions FPGA, with a NIOS II processor and ZigBee communication system (IEEE802.15), as well as RS232 serial standard. Part of the project was done in the SOPC Builder environment, which gave the designer flexibility and speed to implement the NIOS II-based microprocessor system. To test the I2M implementation, a didactic Industrial Hydraulic Module (MHI-01) was used to simulate two industrial processes to be controlled by the system proposed.

O intuitivo e o lógico no conhecimento matemático: análise de uma proposta pedagógica em relação a abordagens filosóficas atuais e ao contexto educacional da matemática

In this paper, we consider Meneghetti & Bicudo's proposal (2003) regarding the constitution of mathematical knowledge and analyze it with respect to the following two focuses: in relation to conceptions of mathematical knowledge following the fundamentalist crisis in mathematics; and in the educational context of mathematics. The investigation of the first focus is done analyzing new claims in mathematical philosophy. The investigation of the second focus is done firstly via a theoretical reflection followed by an examination of the implementation of the proposal in the process of development of didactic materials for teaching and learning Mathematics. Finally, we present the main results of the application of one of those materials.

TWO DECOMPOSITION APPROACHES APPLIED TO THE MULTI-AREA OPTIMAL REACTIVE POWER FLOW PROBLEM

This paper applies two methods of mathematical decomposition to carry out an optimal reactive power flow (ORPF) in a coordinated decentralized way in the context of an interconnected multi-area power system. The first method is based on an augmented Lagrangian approach using the auxiliary problem principle (APP). The second method uses a decomposition technique based on the Karush-Kuhn-Tucker (KKT) first-order optimality conditions. The viability of each method to be used in the decomposition of multi-area ORPF is studied and the corresponding mathematical models are presented. The IEEE RTS-96, the IEEE 118-bus test systems and a 9-bus didactic system are used in order to show the operation and effectiveness of the decomposition methods.

The copia retrotransposon and horizontal transfer in Drosophila willistoni

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Canonical P elements are transcriptionally active in the saltans group of Drosophila

Up to now, investigations of expression and regulation of P transposable element have been almost exclusively carried out with the Drosophila melanogaster canonical P element. Analyzing eight species of the saltans group, we detected transposase mRNA in germline tissues of D. saltans and D. prosaltans and repressor mRNA in somatic tissues of D. saltans and D. sturtevanti. Sequencing analysis suggested that these transcripts might belong to the canonical subfamily and that they can be transpositionally active only in D. saltans. dN and dS values of Adh and the P element suggested that the sequences found in D. saltans and D. prosaltans might have been present in the ancestor of the saltans subgroup and that the sequence found in D. sturtevanti might have been horizontally transferred from D. saltans.

Microbiota fúngica de um prédio com laboratórios da região de Araraquara-SP

From September 2000 to January 2001, airborne fungi were isolated from the building of the Clinical Analyses laboratories, including its didactic and research rooms, in Araraquara São Paulo State, Brazil, by using Andersen, MAS-100® (MERCK) machine, with Sabouraud chloramphenicol medium. After 5 days of incubation at 25°C, the colonies of the fungi were counted, resulting in the identification of 21 taxa. Cladophialophora spp. was the most isolated in internal and external environments as well, followed by Penicillium spp. and Mycelia spp. In accordance with the resolution n° 9, January 2003 (ANVISA), fungi considered unacceptable were found in nine internal environments and one of these presented the amount of fungi above of the acceptable limit. Among the obtained fungi, at least 16 taxa were reported as opportunistic, nine were related to plant diseases and seven were associated to allergy problems.

Dimensión vertical de la región anterior de la mandíbula

We made some measurements from the region of the symphysis menti in 308 dried mandibles; 247 belong to the collection of the cranial museum of the discipline of Anatomy of the UNIFESP- Escola Paulista de Medicina- EPM and 61 belong to the didactic laboratory of the discipline of Anatomy from the Faculdade de Odontologia de Araraquara- UNESP, Brasil. On the dentate mandibles, the highest value founded was of 43,46 mm and the lowest of 22,67 mm. On the edentate mandibles, the highest value founded was of 37,24 mm and the lowest of 6,22mm. We hope that with the following discoveries we could contribute to a better knowledge of the symphysis menti region, not only to the professionals in Surgery and Implantology areas, but the industrials of related areas, to the confection of instruments used in these practices. © 2007 Sociedad Chilena de Anatom•br>.

Transposon display supports transpositional activity of P elements in species of the saltans group of Drosophila

Mobilization of two P element subfamilies (canonical and O-type) from Drosophila sturtevanti and D. saltans was evaluated for copy number and transposition activity using the transposon display (TD) technique. Pairwise distances between strains regarding the insertion polymorphism profile were estimated. Amplification of the P element based on copy number estimates was highly variable among the strains (D. sturtevanti, canonical 20.11, O-type 9.00; D. saltans, canonical 16.4, O-type 12.60 insertions, on average). The larger values obtained by TD compared to our previous data by Southern blotting support the higher sensitivity of TD over Southern analysis for estimating transposable element copy numbers. The higher numbers of the canonical P element and the greater divergence in its distribution within the genome of D. sturtevanti (24.8%) compared to the O-type (16.7%), as well as the greater divergence in the distribution of the canonical P element, between the D. sturtevanti (24.8%) and the D. saltans (18.3%) strains, suggest that the canonical element occupies more sites within the D. sturtevanti genome, most probably due to recent transposition activity. These data corroborate the hypothesis that the O-type is the oldest subfamily of P elements in the saltans group and suggest that the canonical P element is or has been transpositionally active until more recently in D. sturtevanti. © Indian Academy of Sciences.

Espécies invasoras: Conceitos, modelose atributos

The distribution of species in ecosystems is influenced by several biotic and abiotic factors, and physical barriers operate as filters to dispersion. The ancient processes of human migration and settlement, and the recent globalization trends are the main responsible factors for the transposition of geographic barriers by organisms and species introduction in regions outside their original distribution range. In order to designate introduced species, the adopted terminology may eventually lead to a lack of operational definitions, misleading the interpretation of paradigms concerning the invasion process. According to the literature, the criteria i) biogeographic, ii) population growth, and iii) spreading in the invaded region, should be taken into account as a manner to avoid subjective interpretations. Most of the presented models are inserted in the same paradigms to explain the status of the invasion process (arrival, establishment and invasion), although each model has its own concepts. Many authors consider both characteristics of the invader species and of the invaded environments to explain species success and establishment. The use of clear concepts, well established and non subjective concepts of introduced and invading species as well as its derivatives is crucial to unify the paradigms of the invasion process.

O uso do pneumoperitônio progressivo no pré-operatório das hérnias volumosas da parede abdominal

Context - Correction of voluminous hernias and large abdominal wall defects is a big challenge in surgical practice due to technical difficulties and the high incidence of respiratory and cardiovascular complications. Objectives - To present the authors experience with inducing progressive pneumoperitoneum preoperative to surgical treatment of voluminous hernias of the abdominal wall. Methods - Retrospective study of six patients who presented voluminous hernias of the abdominal wall and were operated after installation of a pneumoperitoneum. The procedure was performed by placing a catheter in the abdominal cavity at the level of the left hypochondrium with ambient air insufflation for 10 to 15 days. Results - Four of the six patients were female and two male. Ages ranged from 42 to 62 years. Hernia duration varied from 5 to 40 years. Four patients had incisional, one umbilical, and one inguinal hernias. Mean pneumoperitoneum time was 11.6 days. There were no complications related to pneumoperitoneum installation and maintenance. All hernias were corrected without technical difficulties. The Lichtenstein technique was used to correct the inguinal hernia, peritoneal aponeurotic transposition for one of the incisional hernias, with the rest corrected using polypropylene mesh. One death and one wall infection were observed post operatively. No recurrences were reported until now, in 4 to 36 months of follow-up. Conclusion - Preoperative progressive pneumoperitoneum is a safe and easy executed procedure, which simplifies surgery and reduces post-operative respiratory and cardiovascular complications. It is indicated for patients with hernias that have lost the right of domain in the abdominal cavity.

A ótica do usuário na avaliação da qualidade do programa de atenção odontológica à gestante

Objective: To evaluate the pregnant women's perception of the FOA-UNESP's Pregnant Women Dental Care Program (Araraquara, SP, Brazil). Method: The sample included 75 pregnant women and used a questionnaire with 16 closed questions, containing variables grouped in the following categories: the didactic-psychological meetings, clinical treatment, professional's profile, clinical facility, fear/confidence in the treatment, and learning. Except for the variables fear/confidence in the treatment and learning, to which 'yes' or 'no' answers were attributed, the remaining variables were attributed answers varying from weak to excellent. The questionnaire pretested in a pilot-study and applied after informed consent was obtained from all pregnant women treated between 2005 and 2006. Results: Most women rated as excellent the information addressed during the didactic-psychological meetings (81.1%), the clinical treatment (90.6%), the professional as to personal appearance, kindness and attention (88.7%, 96.2% and 90.6%, respectively), and the clinical facility as to cleanness, ventilation and comfort (92.5%, 86.8% and 90.6%, respectively). Most of them stated to feel confident (96.2%) and have no fear (86.8%) during the treatment and also affirmed having learned new information in the didactic-psychological meetings of the program (92.5%). Conclusion: The services and actions developed in the program have reached successful outcomes, providing health to the pregnant women and their forthcoming babies.

Flujo de potencia AC descentralizado para sistemas de potencia multi-área usando un método de descomposición basado en relajación Lagrangiana

A decentralized solution method to the AC power flow problem in power systems with interconnected areas is presented. The proposed methodology allows finding the operation point of a particular area without explicit knowledge of network data of adjacent areas, being only necessary to exchange border information related to the interconnection lines between areas. The methodology is based on the decomposition of the first-order optimality conditions of the AC power flow, which is formulated as a nonlinear programming problem. A 9-bus didactic system, the IEEE Three Area RTS-96 and the IEEE 118 bus test systems are used in order to show the operation and effectiveness of the distributed AC power flow.

Uma proposta didático-pedagógica para o estudo da concepção clássica de probabilidade

We present in this paper a pedagogical-didactic proposal for the teaching of Laplace Probability. The starting point for building the concept of probability is a game situation associated with the methodology of problem-solving. The theoretical reference for the concept of game is constructivist teaching of mathematics. Mathematical knowledge is constructed based on problems that generate new concepts and / or new content. The proposed game is original. Our proposal can be used both in the last cycle of basic education but also in high school, and may inform the practice of teachers who teach basic concepts of probability.