Comparação entre protocolos de determinação do limiar anaerobio e suas correlações com o desempenho aerobio em nadadores adolescentes

Universidade Estadual de Campinas . Faculdade de Educação Física

A search for thermally emitting isolated neutron stars in the 2XMMp catalogue

The relatively large number of nearby radio-quiet and thermally emitting isolated neutron stars (INSs) discovered in the ROSAT All-Sky Survey, dubbed the ""Magnificent Seven"", suggests that they belong to a formerly neglected major component of the overall INS population. So far, attempts to discover similar INSs beyond the solar vicinity failed to confirm any reliable candidate. The good positional accuracy and soft X-ray sensitivity of the EPIC cameras onboard the XMM-Newton satellite allow us to efficiently search for new thermally emitting INSs. We used the 2XMMp catalogue to select sources with no catalogued candidate counterparts and with X-ray spectra similar to those of the Magnificent Seven, but seen at greater distances and thus undergoing higher interstellar absorptions. Identifications in more than 170 astronomical catalogues and visual screening allowed us to select fewer than 30 good INS candidates. In order to rule out alternative identifications, we obtained deep ESO-VLT and SOAR optical imaging for the X-ray brightest candidates. We report here on the optical follow-up results of our search and discuss the possible nature of 8 of our candidates. A high X-ray-to-optical flux ratio together with a stable flux and soft X-ray spectrum make the brightest source of our sample, 2XMM J104608.7-594306, a newly discovered thermally emitting INS. The X-ray source 2XMM J010642.3+005032 has no evident optical counterpart and should be further investigated. The remaining X-ray sources are most probably identified with cataclysmic variables and active galactic nuclei, as inferred from the colours and flux ratios of their likely optical counterparts. Beyond the finding of new thermally emitting INSs, our study aims at constraining the space density of this Galactic population at great distances and at determining whether their apparently high density is a local anomaly or not.

Ideal soliton environment using parametric band gaps

Simultaneous solitary wave solutions for laser propagation in nonlinear parametric media with up to (3 + 1) dimensions are proved to exist. The combination of the large dispersion of a Bragg grating and the strong nonlinearity of chi((2)) optical material results in stable behavior with short interaction distances and low power requirements. The solutions are obtained by using the effective mass approximation to reduce the coupled propagation equations to those describing a dispersive parametric nonlinear waveguide, and are verified by solving the complete set of coupled band-gap equations numerically.

Three-dimensional structure of RTD-1, a cyclic antimicrobial defensin from rhesus macaque leukocytes

Most mammalian defensins are cationic peptides of 29-42 amino acids long, stabilized by three disulfide bonds. However, recently Tang et al. (1999, Science 286, 498-502) reported the isolation of a new defensin type found in the leukocytes of rhesus macaques. In contrast to all the other defensins found so far, rhesus theta defensin-1 (RTD-1) is composed of just 18 amino acids with the backbone cyclized through peptide bonds. Antibacterial activities of both the native cyclic peptide and a linear form were examined, showing that the cyclic form was 3-fold more active than the open chain analogue [Tang et al. (1999) Science 286, 498-502]. To elucidate the three-dimensional structure of RTD-1 and its open chain analogue, both peptides were synthesized using solid-phase peptide synthesis and tert-butyloxycarbonyl chemistry. The structures of both peptides in aqueous solution were determined from two-dimensional H-1 NMR data recorded at 500 and 750 MHz. Structural constraints consisting of interproton distances and dihedral angles were used as input for simulated-annealing calculations and water refinement with the program CNS. RTD-1 and its open chain analogue oRTD-1 adopt very similar structures in water. Both comprise an extended beta -hairpin structure with turns at one or both ends. The turns are well defined within themselves and seem to be flexible with respect to the extended regions of the molecules. Although the two strands of the beta -sheet are connected by three disulfide bonds, this region displays a degree of flexibility. The structural similarity of RTD-1 and its open chain analogue oRTD-1, as well as their comparable degree of flexibility, support the theory that the additional charges at the termini of the open chain analogue rather than overall differences in structure or flexibility are the cause for oRTD-1's lower antimicrobial activity. In contrast to numerous other antimicrobial peptides, RTD-1 does not display any amphiphilic character, even though surface models of RTD-1 exhibit a certain clustering of positive charges. Some amide protons of RTD-1 that should be solvent-exposed in monomeric beta -sheet structures show low-temperature coefficients, suggesting the possible presence of weak intermolecular hydrogen bonds.

Building a bicycle suitability map for Coimbra

The adoption of faster modes of transportation (mainly the private car) has changed profoundly the spatial organisation of cities. The increase in distance covered due to increased speed of travel and to urban sprawl leads to an increase in energy consumption, being the transportation sector a huge consumer responsible for 61.5% of total world oil consumption and a global final energy consumption of 31.6% in EU-27 (2007). Due to unsustainable transportation conditions, many cities suffer from congestion and various other traffic problems. Such situations get worse with solutions mostly seen in the development of new infrastructure for motorized modes of transportation, and construction of car parking structures. The bicycle, considered the most efficient among all modes of transportation including walking, is a travel mode that can be adopted in most cities contributing for urban sustainability given the associated environmental, economic and social advantages. In many nations a large number of policy initiatives have focused on discouraging the use of private cars, encouraging the use of sustainable modes of transportation, like public transportation and other forms such as bicycling. Given the importance of developing initiatives that favour the use of bicycle as an urban transportation mode, an analysis of city suitability, including distances and slopes of street network, is crucial in order to help decision-makers to plan the city for bicycle. In this research Geographical Information Systems (GIS) technology was used for this purpose and some results are presented concerning the city of Coimbra.

Fractional Order Generalized Information

This paper formulates a novel expression for entropy inspired in the properties of Fractional Calculus. The characteristics of the generalized fractional entropy are tested both in standard probability distributions and real world data series. The results reveal that tuning the fractional order allow an high sensitivity to the signal evolution, which is useful in describing the dynamics of complex systems. The concepts are also extended to relative distances and tested with several sets of data, confirming the goodness of the generalization.

Fractional Order Generalized Information

This paper formulates a novel expression for entropy inspired in the properties of Fractional Calculus. The characteristics of the generalized fractional entropy are tested both in standard probability distributions and real world data series. The results reveal that tuning the fractional order allow an high sensitivity to the signal evolution, which is useful in describing the dynamics of complex systems. The concepts are also extended to relative distances and tested with several sets of data, confirming the goodness of the generalization.

Stochastic model of transcription initiation of closely spaced promoters in escherichia coli

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Engenharia Biomédica

Evaluation of three different DNA extraction methods from blood samples collected in dried filter paper in Plasmodium subpatent infections from the Amazon region in Brazil

Asymptomatic Plasmodium infection is a new challenge for public health in the American region. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is the best method for diagnosing subpatent parasitemias. In endemic areas, blood collection is hampered by geographical distances and deficient transport and storage conditions of the samples. Because DNA extraction from blood collected on filter paper is an efficient method for molecular studies in high parasitemic individuals, we investigated whether the technique could be an alternative for Plasmodium diagnosis among asymptomatic and pauciparasitemic subjects. In this report we compared three different methods (Chelex®-saponin, methanol and TRIS-EDTA) of DNA extraction from blood collected on filter paper from asymptomatic Plasmodium-infected individuals. Polymerase chain reaction assays for detection of Plasmodium species showed the best results when the Chelex®-saponin method was used. Even though the sensitivity of detection was approximately 66% and 31% for P. falciparum and P. vivax, respectively, this method did not show the effectiveness in DNA extraction required for molecular diagnosis of Plasmodium. The development of better methods for extracting DNA from blood collected on filter paper is important for the diagnosis of subpatent malarial infections in remote areas and would contribute to establishing the epidemiology of this form of infection.

From the portolan chart of the mediterranean to the latitude chart of the atlantic

Thesis submitted to the Instituto Superior de Estatística e Gestão de Informação da Universidade Nova de Lisboa in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Information Management – Geographic Information Systems

The enchained potential of the local food market

There is a rising demand for local food which traveled only short distances and is marketed directly by the producer. With growing importance of local food also the amount of literature in this field increased. Yet, literature is lacking to examine the challenges and burdens consumers face while trying to purchase local food. Evidence is shown that a gap exists between the intention of consumers who would like to purchase local food and their actual behavior. However, reasons for this gap are only discovered as byproducts of other research objectives. Consequently, this study investigates the specific reasons for the intention-behavior gap of consumers in the local food market. The study makes use of semi-structured face-to-face interviews with rural and urban respondents. The interviews are analyzed by qualitative content analysis based on Elo and Kyngäs (2008). Revealed key drivers for the intention-behavior gap are (1) the lack of awareness where to purchase local food products, (2) the limited reachability of local food producers, (3) the assortment of the local producer in regard to size and composition and (4) the lack in transparency of the prices of local food. Consequently, it is the producers turn to eliminate the revealed barriers by proactively bringing their products closer to the consumer.

Valorização patrimonial e urbana de Braga através da criação de circuitos turísticos

Projeto de mestrado em Património e Turismo Cultural

Aplicação de princípios e ferramentas lean numa unidade de cirurgia de ambulatório de um hospital

Dissertação de mestrado integrado em Engenharia Industrial

As relações bilaterais entre Portugal e a China: enquadramento histórico-económico e distância cultural

Relatório de estágio de mestrado em Estudos Interculturais Português/Chinês: Tradução, Formação e Comunicação Empresarial

(Optimal) Spatial Aggregation in the Determinants of Industrial Location

Empirical studies on the determinants of industrial location typically use variables measured at the available administrative level (municipalities, counties, etc.). However, this amounts to assuming that the effects these determinants may have on the location process do not extent beyond the geographical limits of the selected site. We address the validity of this assumption by comparing results from standard count data models with those obtained by calculating the geographical scope of the spatially varying explanatory variables using a wide range of distances and alternative spatial autocorrelation measures. Our results reject the usual practice of using administrative records as covariates without making some kind of spatial correction. Keywords: industrial location, count data models, spatial statistics JEL classification: C25, C52, R11, R30