Understanding the Function of Conserved Variations in the Catalytic Loops of Fungal Glycoside Hydrolase Family 12

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

New Records of Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus in Sciuridae

New records of Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus in Sciuridae, from specimens collected in central Ohio, including those from the fox squirrel (Sciurus niger rufiventer) and the chipmunk (Tamias striatus).

Comparison between the C5 or C6-Cz electrode assembly and C3 or C4-Cz assembly for transcranial electric motor activation of muscular response of the contralateral facial nerve

We used an assembly of electrodes C3 and C4-Cz in order to activate the motor cortical area of the corticobulbar tract to elucidate the motor-evoked potential of the contralateral mentalis muscle. We compared this setup to that of an assembly with electrodes C5 or C6-Cz using a train of electrical pulses and a single electrical pulse. This analysis was made in 23 consecutive patients who underwent several varied surgeries and were prospectively operated on at Santa Paula Hospital between January and June 2011. The results showed that the assembly with C5 or C6-Cz produced a multisynaptic motor-evoked potential in the contralateral mentalis muscle in 86.9 % of the patients, whereas 82.6 % of patients stimulated at points C3 or C4-Cz presented the same response. However, both assemblies showed similar behavior with the use of a single electrical pulse for peripheral contralateral nerve stimulation. We concluded that the C5 or C6-Cz assembly was similar to C3 or C4-Cz in obtaining a multisynaptic response in the contralateral mentalis muscle, although it required less intensive stimulation than the C3 or C4- Cz assembly.

Comparison of the n-Alkanes and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Concentrations in the Atmosphere during the Preparation of Warm and Hot Mixtures Asphalt for Pavements

Asphalt binder is used in the production of hot mixes asphalt (HMA) for paving and, due to the high temperatures used, generates fumes thatcontainn-alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). Asphalt mixes prepared at lower temperatures, such as warm mixes asphalt (WMA), may contribute to reduce the emissions of those compounds and save energy. This paper investigatesn-alkanes and PAH in the total suspended particles during the preparation of WMA, in comparison with HMA, in laboratory. The results showed that the n-alkanes of the WMA and HMA presented C-max at n-C-26 and n-C-28, respectively; also, the total content of n-alkanes was higher for the HMA than forthe WMA. Besides, benzo[b]fluoranthene and benzo[a]anthracene were the major PAH in the WMA, while the higher temperatures of the HMA were observed to volatilize all larger PAH, demonstrating higher potential of inhalation exposure.

Comparison of the n-alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons concentrations in the atmosphere during the preparation of warm and hot mixtures asphalt for pavements

O asfalto é utilizado na produção de misturas asfálticas a quente (HMA) para a pavimentação e, devido às altas temperaturas empregadas, gera fumos que contêm n-alcanos e hidrocarbonetos policíclicos aromáticos (HPAs). As misturas asfálticas preparadas em temperaturas mais baixas, como as misturas asfálticas mornas (WMA), podem contribuir na redução das emissões daqueles compostos e economizar energia. Este trabalho investiga os n-alcanos e os HPAs nas partículas totais em suspensão durante a preparação de uma WMA, em comparação com uma HMA, em laboratório. Os resultados mostraram que os n-alcanos da WMA e da HMA apresentaram Cmáx no n-C26 e n-C28, respectivamente, e o teor de n-alcanos total foi maior na HMA do que na WMA. Ademais, verificou-se que o benzo[b]fluoranteno e benzo[a]antraceno constituíam os maiores HPAs na WMA, enquanto as temperaturas mais altas da HMA volatilizaram todos seus grandes HPAs, demonstrando maior potencial de exposição por inalação.

Knowledge Flows and Networks: the Interplay between Local and Global Linkages within Bangalore IT Cluster

This doctoral work gains deeper insight into the dynamics of knowledge flows within and across clusters, unfolding their features, directions and strategic implications. Alliances, networks and personnel mobility are acknowledged as the three main channels of inter-firm knowledge flows, thus offering three heterogeneous measures to analyze the phenomenon. The interplay between the three channels and the richness of available research methods, has allowed for the elaboration of three different papers and perspectives. The common empirical setting is the IT cluster in Bangalore, for its distinguished features as a high-tech cluster and for its steady yearly two-digit growth around the service-based business model. The first paper deploys both a firm-level and a tie-level analysis, exploring the cases of 4 domestic companies and of 2 MNCs active the cluster, according to a cluster-based perspective. The distinction between business-domain knowledge and technical knowledge emerges from the qualitative evidence, further confirmed by quantitative analyses at tie-level. At firm-level, the specialization degree seems to be influencing the kind of knowledge shared, while at tie-level both the frequency of interaction and the governance mode prove to determine differences in the distribution of knowledge flows. The second paper zooms out and considers the inter-firm networks; particularly focusing on the role of cluster boundary, internal and external networks are analyzed, in their size, long-term orientation and exploration degree. The research method is purely qualitative and allows for the observation of the evolving strategic role of internal network: from exploitation-based to exploration-based. Moreover, a causal pattern is emphasized, linking the evolution and features of the external network to the evolution and features of internal network. The final paper addresses the softer and more micro-level side of knowledge flows: personnel mobility. A social capital perspective is here developed, which considers both employees’ acquisition and employees’ loss as building inter-firm ties, thus enhancing company’s overall social capital. Negative binomial regression analyses at dyad-level test the significant impact of cluster affiliation (cluster firms vs non-cluster firms), industry affiliation (IT firms vs non-IT fims) and foreign affiliation (MNCs vs domestic firms) in shaping the uneven distribution of personnel mobility, and thus of knowledge flows, among companies.

Atmospheric radiative transfer in multiple scattering conditions. Application to NWP models.

High spectral resolution radiative transfer (RT) codes are essential tools in the study of the radiative energy transfer in the Earth atmosphere and a support for the development of parameterizations for fast RT codes used in climate and weather prediction models. Cirrus clouds cover permanently 30% of the Earth's surface, representing an important contribution to the Earth-atmosphere radiation balance. The work has been focussed on the development of the RT model LBLMS. The model, widely tested in the infra-red spectral range, has been extended to the short wave spectrum and it has been used in comparison with airborne and satellite measurements to study the optical properties of cirrus clouds. A new database of single scattering properties has been developed for mid latitude cirrus clouds. Ice clouds are treated as a mixture of ice crystals with various habits. The optical properties of the mixture are tested in comparison to radiometric measurements in selected case studies. Finally, a parameterization of the mixture for application to weather prediction and global circulation models has been developed. The bulk optical properties of ice crystals are parameterized as functions of the effective dimension of measured particle size distributions that are representative of mid latitude cirrus clouds. Tests with the Limited Area Weather Prediction model COSMO have shown the impact of the new parameterization with respect to cirrus cloud optical properties based on ice spheres.

Duktile Gesteinsdeformation durch zeitabhängige Kataklase

In Gesteinen, die bei schwach- bis mittelgradiger Metamorphose deformiert wurden, sind Mikrostrukturen, wie z.B. undulöse Auslöschung, Subkörner und kristallographische Regelungen, typisch. Sie werden i.a. als das Resultat eines kristallplastischen Deformationsprozesses interpretiert. Das häufige Auftreten dieser Strukturen führte zu der Annahme, daß kristallplastische Deformationsprozesse zu den dominierenden duktilen Deformationsmechanismen während der Erdkrustendeformation gehören.Die vorliegende Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit Experimenten, bei denen die zeitabhängige kata-klastische Deformation polykristalliner, kompaktierter Aggregatproben des sehr gut löslichen, elastisch/spröden Salzes Natriumchlorat (NaClO3) untersucht wurde. Dieses Salz wurde als Analogmaterial gesteinsbildender Minerale wie Quarz und Feldspat ausgewählt. Es wurde nun untersucht, ob und in welcher Weise spröde Deformationsmechanismen in Anwesenheit von Wasser scheinbar kristall-plastische Mikrostrukturen hervorrufen können.Aus den Versuchen ergibt sich nun die Folgerung, daß scheinbar kristallplastisch erzeugte Mikrostrukturen wie Subkörner auch durch spröde zeitunabhängige Risse und subkritische (langsame) Kataklase entstehen können. Diese Erkenntnisse sind wichtig für das rheologische Verhalten der Erdkruste und somit auch für Modellierungen der Erdkrustendeformation. Ihre Betrachtung und Übertragung auf die Deformationsstrukturen der natürlich deformierten kontinentalen, oberkrustalen Gesteine der Erde würde die Interpretation der Mikrostrukturen in diesen Bereichen stark ändern. Dies hätte eine wesentliche Änderung auf den Verlauf der Gesteinsfestigkeitskurven in den Spannungsprofilen der Erdoberkruste zur Folge.

Outcome of computer-assisted surgery in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis

To compare the complication rates and outcome of computer-assisted versus non-computer-assisted functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

Inhibition of cytochrome P450 enzymes involved in ketamine metabolism by use of liver microsomes and specific cytochrome P450 enzymes from horses, dogs, and humans

To identify and characterize cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) responsible for the metabolism of racemic ketamine in 3 mammalian species in vitro by use of chemical inhibitors and antibodies.

Delays in childhood immunization in a conflict area: a study from Sierra Leone during civil war

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Sierra Leone has undergone a decade of civil war from 1991 to 2001. From this period few data on immunization coverage are available, and conflict-related delays in immunization according to the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) schedule have not been investigated. We aimed to study delays in childhood immunization in the context of civil war in a Sierra Leonean community. METHODS: We conducted an immunization survey in Kissy Mess-Mess in the Greater Freetown area in 1998/99 using a two-stage sampling method. Based on immunization cards and verbal history we collected data on immunization for tuberculosis, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, and measles by age group (0-8/9-11/12-23/24-35 months). We studied differences between age groups and explored temporal associations with war-related hostilities taking place in the community. RESULTS: We included 286 children who received 1690 vaccine doses; card retention was 87%. In 243 children (85%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 80-89%) immunization was up-to-date. In 161 of these children (56%, 95%CI: 50-62%) full age-appropriate immunization was achieved; in 82 (29%, 95%CI: 24-34%) immunization was not appropriate for age. In the remaining 43 children immunization was partial in 37 (13%, 95%CI: 9-17) and absent in 6 (2%, 95%CI: 1-5). Immunization status varied across age groups. In children aged 9-11 months the proportion with age-inappropriate (delayed) immunization was higher than in other age groups suggesting an association with war-related hostilities in the community. CONCLUSION: Only about half of children under three years received full age-appropriate immunization. In children born during a period of increased hostilities, immunization was mostly inappropriate for age, but recommended immunizations were not completely abandoned. Missing or delayed immunization represents an additional threat to the health of children living in conflict areas.

Human and embodied energy analysis applied to water source protection and household water treatment interventions used in Mali, West Africa

As water quality interventions are scaled up to meet the Millennium Development Goal of halving the proportion of the population without access to safe drinking water by 2015 there has been much discussion on the merits of household- and source-level interventions. This study furthers the discussion by examining specific interventions through the use of embodied human and material energy. Embodied energy quantifies the total energy required to produce and use an intervention, including all upstream energy transactions. This model uses material quantities and prices to calculate embodied energy using national economic input/output-based models from China, the United States and Mali. Embodied energy is a measure of aggregate environmental impacts of the interventions. Human energy quantifies the caloric expenditure associated with the installation and operation of an intervention is calculated using the physical activity ratios (PARs) and basal metabolic rates (BMRs). Human energy is a measure of aggregate social impacts of an intervention. A total of four household treatment interventions – biosand filtration, chlorination, ceramic filtration and boiling – and four water source-level interventions – an improved well, a rope pump, a hand pump and a solar pump – are evaluated in the context of Mali, West Africa. Source-level interventions slightly out-perform household-level interventions in terms of having less total embodied energy. Human energy, typically assumed to be a negligible portion of total embodied energy, is shown to be significant to all eight interventions, and contributing over half of total embodied energy in four of the interventions. Traditional gender roles in Mali dictate the types of work performed by men and women. When the human energy is disaggregated by gender, it is seen that women perform over 99% of the work associated with seven of the eight interventions. This has profound implications for gender equality in the context of water quality interventions, and may justify investment in interventions that reduce human energy burdens.