Two decades of adjustment and agricultural development in Latin America and the Caribbean

Includes bibliography

Structural change and productivity growth 20 years later: old problems, new opportunities. Summary

Includes bibliography

Efeito da adição de níquel nas propriedades elétricas de nanopós de niobato de potássio e estrôncio de estrutura tungstênio bronze

Pós-graduação em Química - IBILCE

The influence of self-weight of elastic 2D structures in topology optimization via numerical technique Smooth Evolutionary Structural Optimization (SESO)

This paper deals with topology optimization in plane elastic-linear problems considering the influence of the self weight in efforts in structural elements. For this purpose it is used a numerical technique called SESO (Smooth ESO), which is based on the procedure for progressive decrease of the inefficient stiffness element contribution at lower stresses until he has no more influence. The SESO is applied with the finite element method and is utilized a triangular finite element and high order. This paper extends the technique SESO for application its self weight where the program, in computing the volume and specific weight, automatically generates a concentrated equivalent force to each node of the element. The evaluation is finalized with the definition of a model of strut-and-tie resulting in regions of stress concentration. Examples are presented with optimum topology structures obtaining optimal settings. (C) 2012 CIMNE (Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya). Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Function inferences from a molecular structural model of bacterial ParE toxin

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

A theoretical investigation of the structural and eletronic properties of orthorhombic CaZrO3

A CaZrO3 (CZO) powder was prepared by the soft chemical, polymeric precursor method (PPM). The CZO crystalline structure was investigated by powder X-ray diffraction (XDR), Retvield Refinament data, Raman spectra and ultraviolet–visible absorption spectroscopy. A theoretical study was performed using a periodic quantum mechanical calculation (CRYSTAL09 program). The periodic model built for the crystalline CZO structure was consistent with the experimental data obtained from structural and electronic properties. These results show that the material has an orthorhombic structure with experimental and theoretical gap values of 5.7 eV and 6.2 eV, respectively. In this article, we discuss the hybridization process of the oxygen p-orbitals and of the zirconium d-orbitals and analyze their band structures and density of states (partial and total).

Preparação pelo método poliol modificado, caracterização estrutural e espectroscópia de nanopós de niobato de potássio e neodímio e de suas condições sólidas dopadas em európio

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Influence of structural nonlinearities in stall-induced aeroelastic response of pitching airfoils

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

Trade Adjustment Assistance for Farmers Available 2010

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 has re-authorized and modified the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Farmers program. The statute authorizes an appropriation of not more than $90 million per year for the next three fiscal years. The TAA for Farmers program helps producers of raw agricultural commodities (farmers, ranchers or fishermen) who have experienced significant declines in price or production, adjust to the changing economic environment brought on by import competition. The program provides benefits to eligible producers in the form of educational assistance, as well as up to $12,000 per producer in cash benefits to help create and implement business adjustment plans.

Overexpression of inducible 70-kDa heat shock protein in mouse improves structural and functional recovery of skeletal muscles from atrophy

Heat shock proteins play a key regulatory role in cellular defense. To investigate the role of the inducible 70-kDa heat shock protein (HSP70) in skeletal muscle atrophy and subsequent recovery, soleus (SOL) and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles from overexpressing HSP70 transgenic mice were immobilized for 7 days and subsequently released from immobilization and evaluated after 7 days. Histological analysis showed that there was a decrease in cross-sectional area of type II myofiber from EDL and types I and II myofiber from SOL muscles at 7-day immobilization in both wild-type and HSP70 mice. At 7-day recovery, EDL and SOL myofibers from HSP70 mice, but not from wild-type mice, recovered their size. Muscle tetanic contraction decreased only in SOL muscles from wild-type mice at both 7-day immobilization and 7-day recovery; however, it was unaltered in the respective groups from HSP70 mice. Although no effect in a fatigue protocol was observed among groups, we noticed a better contractile performance of EDL muscles from overexpressing HSP70 groups as compared to their matched wild-type groups. The number of NCAM positive-satellite cells reduced after immobilization and recovery in both EDL and SOL muscles from wild-type mice, but it was unchanged in the muscles from HSP70 mice. These results suggest that HSP70 improves structural and functional recovery of skeletal muscle after disuse atrophy, and this effect might be associated with preservation of satellite cell amount.

Subgroup-specific structural variation across 1,000 medulloblastoma genomes

Medulloblastoma, the most common malignant paediatric brain tumour, is currently treated with nonspecific cytotoxic therapies including surgery, whole-brain radiation, and aggressive chemotherapy. As medulloblastoma exhibits marked intertumoural heterogeneity, with at least four distinct molecular variants, previous attempts to identify targets for therapy have been underpowered because of small samples sizes. Here we report somatic copy number aberrations (SCNAs) in 1,087 unique medulloblastomas. SCNAs are common in medulloblastoma, and are predominantly subgroup-enriched. The most common region of focal copy number gain is a tandem duplication of SNCAIP, a gene associated with Parkinson's disease, which is exquisitely restricted to Group 4 alpha. Recurrent translocations of PVT1, including PVT1-MYC and PVT1-NDRG1, that arise through chromothripsis are restricted to Group 3. Numerous targetable SCNAs, including recurrent events targeting TGF-beta signalling in Group 3, and NF-kappa B signalling in Group 4, suggest future avenues for rational, targeted therapy.

A comparison for a multiscale study of structural lineaments in southern Brazil: LANDSAT-7 ETM+ and shaded relief images from SRTM3-DEM

This paper presents a comparison of descriptive statistics obtained for brittle structural lineaments extracted manually from LANDSAT images and shaded relief images from SRTM 3 DEM at 1:100, 000 and 1:500, 000 scales. The selected area is located in the southern of Brazil and comprises Precambrian rocks and stratigraphic units of the Paraná Basin. The application of this methodology shows that the visual interpretation depends on the kind of remote sensing image. The resulting descriptive statistics obtained for lineaments extracted from the images do not follow the same pattern according to the scale adopted. The main direction obtained for Proterozoic rocks using both image types at a 1:500, 000 scale are close to NS±10, whereas at a 1:100, 000 scale N45E was obtained for shaded relief images from SRTM 3 DEM and N10W for LANDSAT images. The Paleozoic sediments yielded the best results for the different images and scales (N50W). On the other hand, the Mesozoic igneous rocks showed greatest differences, the shaded relief images from SRTM 3 DEM images highlighting NE structures and the LANDSAT images highlighting NW structures. The accumulated frequency demonstrated high similarity between products for each image type no matter the scale, indicating that they can be used in multiscale studies. Conversely, major differences were found when comparing data obtained using shaded relief images from SRTM 3 DEM and Landsat images at a 1:100, 000 scale.

ALMASat-1, ALMASat-EO and beyond: evolution of structural concepts and technologies towards multifunctional structures for microsatellites

Multifunctional Structures (MFS) represent one of the most promising disruptive technologies in the space industry. The possibility to merge spacecraft primary and secondary structures as well as attitude control, power management and onboard computing functions is expected to allow for mass, volume and integration effort savings. Additionally, this will bring the modular construction of spacecraft to a whole new level, by making the development and integration of spacecraft modules, or building blocks, leaner, reducing lead times from commissioning to launch from the current 3-6 years down to the order of 10 months, as foreseen by the latest Operationally Responsive Space (ORS) initiatives. Several basic functionalities have been integrated and tested in specimens of various natures over the last two decades. However, a more integrated, system-level approach was yet to be developed. The activity reported in this thesis was focused on the system-level approach to multifunctional structures for spacecraft, namely in the context of nano- and micro-satellites. This thesis documents the work undertaken in the context of the MFS program promoted by the European Space Agency under the Technology Readiness Program (TRP): a feasibility study, including specimens manufacturing and testing. The work sequence covered a state of the art review, with particular attention to traditional modular architectures implemented in ALMASat-1 and ALMASat-EO satellites, and requirements definition, followed by the development of a modular multi-purpose nano-spacecraft concept, and finally by the design, integration and testing of integrated MFS specimens. The approach for the integration of several critical functionalities into nano-spacecraft modules was validated and the overall performance of the system was verified through relevant functional and environmental testing at University of Bologna and University of Southampton laboratories.

Natural Language Checking with Program Checking Tools

Written text is an important component in the process of knowledge acquisition and communication. Poorly written text fails to deliver clear ideas to the reader no matter how revolutionary and ground-breaking these ideas are. Providing text with good writing style is essential to transfer ideas smoothly. While we have sophisticated tools to check for stylistic problems in program code, we do not apply the same techniques for written text. In this paper we present TextLint, a rule-based tool to check for common style errors in natural language. TextLint provides a structural model of written text and an extensible rule-based checking mechanism.

Immunologic response to antiretroviral therapy in hepatitis C virus-coinfected adults in a population-based HIV/AIDS treatment program

BACKGROUND: We sought to characterize the impact that hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has on CD4 cells during the first 48 weeks of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in previously ART-naive human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. METHODS: The HIV/AIDS Drug Treatment Programme at the British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS distributes all ART in this Canadian province. Eligible individuals were those whose first-ever ART included 2 nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and either a protease inhibitor or a nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor and who had a documented positive result for HCV antibody testing. Outcomes were binary events (time to an increase of > or = 75 CD4 cells/mm3 or an increase of > or = 10% in the percentage of CD4 cells in the total T cell population [CD4 cell fraction]) and continuous repeated measures. Statistical analyses used parametric and nonparametric methods, including multivariate mixed-effects linear regression analysis and Cox proportional hazards analysis. RESULTS: Of 1186 eligible patients, 606 (51%) were positive and 580 (49%) were negative for HCV antibodies. HCV antibody-positive patients were slower to have an absolute (P<.001) and a fraction (P = .02) CD4 cell event. In adjusted Cox proportional hazards analysis (controlling for age, sex, baseline absolute CD4 cell count, baseline pVL, type of ART initiated, AIDS diagnosis at baseline, adherence to ART regimen, and number of CD4 cell measurements), HCV antibody-positive patients were less likely to have an absolute CD4 cell event (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR], 0.84 [95% confidence interval [CI], 0.72-0.98]) and somewhat less likely to have a CD4 cell fraction event (AHR, 0.89 [95% CI, 0.70-1.14]) than HCV antibody-negative patients. In multivariate mixed-effects linear regression analysis, HCV antibody-negative patients had increases of an average of 75 cells in the absolute CD4 cell count and 4.4% in the CD4 cell fraction, compared with 20 cells and 1.1% in HCV antibody-positive patients, during the first 48 weeks of ART, after adjustment for time-updated pVL, number of CD4 cell measurements, and other factors. CONCLUSION: HCV antibody-positive HIV-infected patients may have an altered immunologic response to ART.