Análise teórica de novos circuladores de 3-portas em cristais fotônicos bidimensionais

Este trabalho apresenta um estudo teórico sobre novos circuladores compactos com 3-portas tipos W e Y, baseados em cristais fotônicos bidimensionais. No circulador tipo Y, os guias de onda que o compõem formam ângulos de 120° entre si (com formato assemelhado ao da letra Y). O circulador tipo W é uma modificação do tipo Y, obtido a partir do reposicionamento de uma das portas entre as outras duas com um ângulo de 60° entre os guias de onda (com formato assemelhado ao da letra W). Os parâmetros geométricos dos cristais foram obtidos dos diagramas de bandas proibidas. O circulador de três portas tipo Y, projetado para operar em frequências de micro-ondas, foi investigado com o objetivo de gerar um protótipo inédito, enquanto que o tipo W, para frequências ópticas, foi investigado para demonstrar a possibilidade de desenvolver um circulador mais compacto em comparação com o tipo Y conhecido. O tipo W pode ser também uma alternativa geométrica mais adequada no design de circuitos integrados. Os modelos são bons no sentido em que possuem elevada isolação (maior que -20 dB em ambos os circuladores) e baixa perda de inserção (maior que -0,5 dB no caso do circulador tipo Y). O circulador tipo W apresenta uma largura de banda de operação em torno de 100 GHz para um nível de -20 dB de isolação, centrado no comprimento de onda de 1,5um. As simulações foram feitas utilizando-se o software comercial COMSOL Multiphysics, o qual se baseia no método dos elementos finitos.

Genetic relationships among native americans based on beta-globin gene cluster haplotype frequencies

The distribution of b-globin gene haplotypes was studied in 209 Amerindians from eight tribes of the Brazilian Amazon: Asurini from Xingú, Awá-Guajá, Parakanã, Urubú-Kaapór, Zoé, Kayapó (Xikrin from the Bacajá village), Katuena, and Tiriyó. Nine different haplotypes were found, two of which (n. 11 and 13) had not been previously identified in Brazilian indigenous populations. Haplotype 2 (+ - - - -) was the most common in all groups studied, with frequencies varying from 70% to 100%, followed by haplotype 6 (- + + - +), with frequencies between 7% and 18%. The frequency distribution of the b-globin gene haplotypes in the eighteen Brazilian Amerindian populations studied to date is characterized by a reduced number of haplotypes (average of 3.5) and low levels of heterozygosity and intrapopulational differentiation, with a single clearly predominant haplotype in most tribes (haplotype 2). The Parakanã, Urubú-Kaapór, Tiriyó and Xavante tribes constitute exceptions, presenting at least four haplotypes with relatively high frequencies. The closest genetic relationships were observed between the Brazilian and the Colombian Amerindians (Wayuu, Kamsa and Inga), and, to a lesser extent, with the Huichol of Mexico. North-American Amerindians are more differentiated and clearly separated from all other tribes, except the Xavante, from Brazil, and the Mapuche, from Argentina. A restricted pool of ancestral haplotypes may explain the low diversity observed among most present-day Brazilian and Colombian Amerindian groups, while interethnic admixture could be the most important factor to explain the high number of haplotypes and high levels of diversity observed in some South-American and most North-American tribes.

Frequencies of CCR5-D32, CCR2-64I and SDF1-3'A mutations in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) seropositive subjects and seronegative individuals from the state of Pará in Brazilian Amazonia

ABSTRACT: The distribution of genetic polymorphisms of chemokine receptors CCR5-D32, CCR2-64I and chemokine (SDF1-3 A) mutations were studied in 110 Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) seropositive individuals (seropositive group) and 139 seronegative individuals (seronegative group) from the population of the northern Brazilian city of Belém which is the capital of the state of Pará in the Brazilian Amazon. The CCR5-D32 mutation was found in the two groups at similar frequencies, i.e. 2.2% for the seronegative group and 2.7% for the seropositive group. The frequencies of the SDF1-3 A mutation were 21.0% for the seronegative group and 15.4% for the seropositive group, and the CCR2-64I allele was found at frequencies of 12.5% for the seronegative group and 5.4% for the seropositive group. Genotype distributions were consistent with Hardy-Weinberg expectations in both groups, suggesting that none of the three mutations has a detectable selective effect. Difference in the allelic and genotypic frequencies was statistically significant for the CCR2 locus, the frequency in the seronegative group being twice that found in the seropositive group. This finding may indicate a protective effect of the CCR2-64I mutation in relation to HIV transmission. However, considering that the CCR2-64I mutation has been more strongly associated with a decreased risk for progression for AIDS than to the resistance to the HIV infection, this could reflect an aspect of population structure or a Type I error.

Microwave switchable frequency selective surface with high quality factor resonance and low polarization sensitivity

We present a microwave switchable frequency selective surface with high quality factor transmission resonance. The high quality resonance is achieved by excitation of the trapped-mode in array with two concentric metal rings in a cell on a silicon substrate. Optical activation of the silicon substrate permits to switch off the transmission band.

Projeto de antenas multibandas integradas para terminais 4G

O presente trabalho apresenta um projeto e análise de uma antena monopolo planar multibanda operante nas frequências de 2000 MHz, 2500 MHz e 3500 MHz para aplicação em dispositivos móveis 3G e 4G. Dentre essas faixas estão contidos os espectros 3G (1895- 2165 MHz), 4G (2500-2690 MHz) e 4G (3400-3600 MHz) utilizadas pelo LTE e WIMAX 3,5. Para o desenvolvimento desse estudo foi tomado como referência uma antena dual-band de Hua- Ming Chen projetada para operar em sistemas ISM 1800 MHz, redes Wireless e Bluetooth 2400 MHz. O projeto proposto neste trabalho é uma modificação na estrutura da antena dual-band adaptada para tripla ressonância simultânea em frequências utilizadas em redes móveis 4G. Para alcançar o objetivo proposto utilizou-se para simulação o software CST® MICROWAVE STUDIO baseado no método Integração Finita no Domínio, as simulações foram feitas no domínio do tempo. Após obtenção satisfatória dos resultados simulados, um protótipo da antena foi confeccionado para medição e teste, os resultados apresentados são coerentes aos obtidos na simulação, o que valida o método proposto.

Profile of micronucleus frequencies and nuclear abnormalities in different species of electric fishes (Gymnotiformes) from the Eastern Amazon

The frequency of spontaneous micronucleus (MN) formation in fish species needs to be determined to evaluate their usefulness for genotoxic biomonitoring. The definition of a good bioindicator takes into account the current knowledge of its metabolic traits as well as other factors including its feeding behavior and relationship to the environment. In this study, we compared the basal frequencies of micronucleated erythrocytes and nuclear abnormalities (NA) among different species of the fish Order Gymnotiformes (Rhamphichthys marmoratus, Steatogenys elegans, Sternopygus macrurus, Parapteronotus hasemani, Gymnotus mamiraua, Gymnotus arapaima, Brachyhypopomus beebei, Brachyhypopomus n. sp. BENN) sampled in several localities of the Eastern Amazon. A baseline of MN and NA frequency in these fish was determined, enabling the identification of potentially useful species as models for genotoxicity studies. Only one impacted sample collected at a site in the River Caripetuba showed a significant number of NAs, which may be due to the release of wastewater by neighbouring mining industries and by the burnt fuel released by the small boats used by a local community. Our results may provide support for further studies in areas of the Eastern Amazon affected by mining, deforestation and other anthropogenic activities.

Allelic frequencies and statistical data obtained from 12 codis STR loci in an admixed population of the Brazilian Amazon

The allelic frequencies of 12 short tandem repeat loci were obtained from a sample of 307 unrelated individuals living in Macapá, a city in the northern Amazon region, Brazil. These loci are the most commonly used in forensics and paternity testing. Based on the allele frequency obtained for the population of Macapá, we estimated an interethnic admixture for the three parental groups (European, Native American and African) of, respectively, 46%, 35% and 19%. Comparing these allele frequencies with those of other Brazilian populations and of the Iberian Peninsula population, no significant distances were observed. The interpopulation genetic distances (F_ST coefficients) to the present database ranged from F_ST = 0.0016 between Macapá and Belém to F_ST = 0.0036 between Macapá and the Iberian Peninsula.