Mossbauer study of La1-xCaxMn1-y (57)FeyO(3) with x = 0, 0.25; y=0.01

Temperature dependent Mossbauer measurements are done on the samples of La1- xCaxMn1-y (FeyO3)-Fe-57 with x=0 and 0.25, and y=0.01. With decreasing temperature, the specimen with x=0.25 shows a paramagnetic to ferromagnetic transition around 175 K. In the specimen x=0.0, the temperature dependence of both the center shift (delta) and the recoilless fraction (f) can be fitted very well with the Debye theory with a theta(D)=320+/-50 K. But for the specimens with x=0.25, f and delta show distinct deviations from the Debye behavior in the temperature range in which the resistivity shows a sharp decrease. Dips observed in both the f and delta around the transition temperature suggest that the Jahn-Teller distortion observed in these systems is dynamic in nature.

Fast dynamic wavelength and path scheduling in a monolithic 8×8 switch

The control plane is implemented for the first time to allow scheduling and power leveling in a monolithic 8×8 space and wavelength selective cross-connect. 16 dynamic data connections are established within 16μs. © 2013 Optical Society of America.

Identification and characterization of a myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) cDNA from Zhikong scallop Chlamys farreri

Myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) is a universal and essential adapter for the TLR/IL-1R family. In this report, the first mollusk Myd88 ortholog (named as CfMyd88) was cloned from Zhikong scallop (Chlamys farreri). The full-length cDNA of CfMyd88 was of 1554 bp, including a 5 '-terminal untranslated region (UTR) of 427 bp, a polyA tail, and an open reading frame (ORF) of 1104 bp encoding a polypeptide of 367 amino acids containing the typical TLR and IL-1R-related (TIR) domain and death domain (DD). Homology analysis revealed that the predicted amino acid sequence of CfMyd88 was homologous to a variety of previously identified Myd88s with more than 30% identity. The temporal expressions of CfMyd88 mRNA in the mixed primary cultured haemocytes stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and peptidoglycans (PGN) were measured by real-time RT-PCR system. The mRNA expression of CfMyd88 decreased after stimulation with both LPS and PGN, and the lowest level was about 1/3 times (at 6 h) and 1/10 times (at 9 h) to that in the control group, respectively. The expression then recovered and was upregulated to two-fold at 9 h after LPS stimulation or to the original level at 12 It after PGN stimulation. The results suggest that the MyD88-dependent signaling pathway exists in scallop and was involved in the defense system. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Genome-wide Association Study Implicates HLA-C*01:02 as a Risk Factor at the Major Histocompatibility Complex Locus in Schizophrenia

BACKGROUND: We performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify common risk variants for schizophrenia. METHODS: The discovery scan included 1606 patients and 1794 controls from Ireland, using 6,212,339 directly genotyped or imputed single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). A subset of this sample (270 cases and 860 controls) was subsequently included in the Psychiatric GWAS Consortium-schizophrenia GWAS meta-analysis. RESULTS: One hundred eight SNPs were taken forward for replication in an independent sample of 13,195 cases and 31,021 control subjects. The most significant associations in discovery, corrected for genomic inflation, were (rs204999, p combined = 1.34 × 10(-9) and in combined samples (rs2523722 p combined = 2.88 × 10(-16)) mapped to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) region. We imputed classical human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles at the locus; the most significant finding was with HLA-C*01:02. This association was distinct from the top SNP signal. The HLA alleles DRB1*03:01 and B*08:01 were protective, replicating a previous study. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides further support for involvement of MHC class I molecules in schizophrenia. We found evidence of association with previously reported risk alleles at the TCF4, VRK2, and ZNF804A loci.

Diagnóstico de criptosporidiose em amostras fecais de bezerros por imunofluorescência direta e microscopia de contraste de fase

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

Influence of seed particle frequency on the phase formation and on the microstructure of 0.88 PZN-0.07 BT-0.05 PT ceramic

The Pechini method as well as the simultaneous addition of seeds particles and dopant solutions of BaTiO3 (BT) and PbTiO3 (PT) were used to prepare the perovskite phase 0.88 PZN-0.07 BT-0.05 PT. To study the influence of seed particle frequency on the synthesis of the PZN ceramic, two ranges of seed particle size were used: the range from 30 to 100 nm, termed small seed particles (frequency of 10(15) particles/cm(3)); and the range from 100 to 900 nm, termed large seed particles (frequency of 10(13) particles/cm(3)). The crystalline nuclei size influenced the calcining process, the sintering process and the microstructure. Samples prepared with lower seed frequency displayed more amount of pyroclore phase, need higher temperatures for sintering and showed a more heterogeneous microstructure with poor dielectric properties. (C) 2000 Elsevier B.V. Ltd and Techna S.r.l. All rights reserved.

PCM thermal insulation in buildings

This paper presents the results of a numerical and experimental study of phase change material (PCM) filled walls and roofs under real operational conditions to achieve passive thermal comfort. The numerical part of the study was based on a one-dimensional model for the phase change problem controlled by pure conduction. Real radiation data was used to determine the external face temperature. The numerical treatment was based upon using finite difference approximations and the ADI scheme. The results obtained were compared with field measurements. The experimental set-up consisted of a small room with movable roof and side wall. The roof was constructed in the traditional way but with the phase change material enclosed. Thermocouples were distributed across the cross section of the roof. Another roof, identical but without the PCM, was also used during comparative tests. The movable wall was also constructed as is done traditionally but with the PCM enclosed. Again, thermocouples were distributed across the wall thickness to enable measurement of the local temperatures. Another wall, identical but without the PCM, was also used during comparative tests. The PCM used in the numerical and experimental tests was composed of a mixture of two commercial grades of glycol in order to obtain the required fusion temperature range. Comparison between the simulation results and the experiments indicated good agreement. Field tests also indicated that the PCM used was adequate and that the concept was effective in maintaining the indoor temperature very close to the established comfort limits. Further economical analysis indicated that the concept could effectively help in reducing the electric energy consumption and improving the energy demand pattern. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Estudio experimental sobre los determinantes próximos de la mortalidad infantil: Santo Domingo 1988 (DMI-88)

Incluye Bibliografía

Anticorpos naturais e infecção: anticorpos naturais na doença de Chagas e na paracoccidioidomicose

Using ELISA technique, natural antibodies against self and non self antigens were determined in 80 patients chronically intected by T. cruzi and 40 individuals suffering from a deep mycosis frequentely found in Latin Amarica (Paracoccidioidomycosis - PCM). Two forms of PCM were investigated: adult forms and juvenil type of disease. Eighty percent (80%) of the former group had significantly elevated anti-laminin antibody levels (M=4.7,SD±1.8) compared with healthy controls and different specificities of antibody were associated with anti-laminin in pathological sera. A notable binding to cytoskeletal proteins was observed, specially with band 3 and their peptides derivates, such as 62 kDa peptide. By means of Protein A chromatography we were able to show that natural anti-Gal antibodies may be bound by their Fab region to other immunoglobulins and/or to Protein A by alternative sites of binding. The finding of lgG anti-Gal antibodies in circulating immune complexes isolated from chagasic sera supported the first alternative. However, it is possible that some of lgG anti-Gal antibodies, belong to VH111 subgroup of immunoglobulins, that bind directly to Protein A. Among the 40 sera from PCM examined, the majority was considered as not exhibiting a signilicantly higher binding than normal sera to antigens tested. However thirty percent (30%) of the chronic patients had an increased levels of natural antibodies at least for one specificity such as actyn, myosin and Gala1,3Gal epitopes. ln juvenil type of PCM the mean value found for actyn was also increased 2,42 (range 1,0 to 5,3). Utilizing the polyethylene glicol precipitation the presence of circulating immune complexes was investigated in PCM sera. Specific antibodies for soluble antigens from P. brasiliensis and natural antibodies against myoglobin, myosin and Gala1,3 Gal epitopes were characterized

Relevance of the Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88 (MyD88) on RANKL, OPG, and Nod Expressions Induced by TLR and IL-1R Signaling in Bone Marrow Stromal Cells

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)