Blueberry-induced changes in spatial working memory correlate with changes in hippocampal CREB phosphorylation and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels

Phytochemical-rich foods have been shown to be effective at reversing age-related deficits in memory in both animals and humans. We show that a supplementation with a blueberry diet (2% w/w) for 12 weeks improves the performance of aged animals in spatial working memory tasks. This improvement emerged within 3 weeks and persisted for the remainder of the testing period. Memory performance correlated well with the activation of cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB) and increases in both pro- and mature levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus. Changes in CREB and BDNF in aged and blueberry-supplemented animals were accompanied by increases in the phosphorylation state of extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK1/2), rather than that of calcium calmodulin kinase (CaMKII and CaMKIV) or protein kinase A. Furthermore, age and blueberry supplementation were linked to changes in the activation state of Akt, mTOR, and the levels of Arc/Arg3.1 in the hippocampus, suggesting that pathways involved in de novo protein synthesis may be involved. Although causal relationships cannot be made among supplementation, behavior, and biochemical parameters, the measurement of anthocyanins and flavanols in the brain following blueberry supplementation may indicate that changes in spatial working memory in aged animals are linked to the effects of flavonoids on the ERK-CREB-BDNF pathway. (c) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All Fights reserved.

Managerial leadership for research use in nursing and allied health care professions : a narrative synthesis protocol

BACKGROUND: Nurses and allied health care professionals (physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists, dietitians) form more than half of the clinical health care workforce and play a central role in health service delivery. There is a potential to improve the quality of health care if these professionals routinely use research evidence to guide their clinical practice. However, the use of research evidence remains unpredictable and inconsistent. Leadership is consistently described in implementation research as critical to enhancing research use by health care professionals. However, this important literature has not yet been synthesized and there is a lack of clarity on what constitutes effective leadership for research use, or what kinds of intervention effectively develop leadership for the purpose of enabling and enhancing research use in clinical practice. We propose to synthesize the evidence on leadership behaviours amongst front line and senior managers that are associated with research evidence by nurses and allied health care professionals, and then determine the effectiveness of interventions that promote these behaviours.Methods/design: Using an integrated knowledge translation approach that supports a partnership between researchers and knowledge users throughout the research process, we will follow principles of knowledge synthesis using a systematic method to synthesize different types of evidence involving: searching the literature, study selection, data extraction and quality assessment, and analysis. A narrative synthesis will be conducted to explore relationships within and across studies and meta-analysis will be performed if sufficient homogeneity exists across studies employing experimental randomized control trial designs. DISCUSSION: With the engagement of knowledge users in leadership and practice, we will synthesize the research from a broad range of disciplines to understand the key elements of leadership that supports and enables research use by health care practitioners, and how to develop leadership for the purpose of enhancing research use in clinical practice.

Robust control applied to metal spraying for rapid tooling

The spray forming process is a novel method of rapidly manufacturing tools and dies for stamping and injection operations. The process sprays molten tool steel from a set of arc spray guns onto a ceramic former to build up a thick steel shell. The volumetric contraction that occurs as the steel cools is offset by a volumetric expansion taking place within the sprayed steel, which allows the dimensional accurate tools to be produced. To ensure that the required phase transformation takes place, the temperature of the steel is regulated during spraying. The sprayed metal acts both as a source of mass and a source of heat and by adjusting the rate at which metal is sprayed; the surface temperature profile over the surface of the steel can be controlled. The temperature profile is measured using a thermal imaging camera and regulated by adjusting the rate at which the guns spray the steel. Because the temperature is regulated by adjusting the feed rate to an actuator that is moving over the surface, this is an example of mobile control, which is a class of distributed parameter control. The dynamic system has been controlled using a PI controller before. The paper describes the application of H∞ tracking type controller as the desire was for the average temperature to follow a desired profile. A study on the controllability of the underlying system was aimed at.

Exposure to fumes and gases during welding operations

The exposure to fumes and gases is one of the hazards associated with welding operations. Apart from research conducted on the mechanism of fume and gas formation and the relationship between fume formation rates and common welding parameters, little is known about the exposure process during welding. This research project aimed to identify the factors that influence exposure, develop an understanding of their role in the exposure process and through this understanding formulate strategies for the effective control of exposure during welding. To address these aims a literature review and an experimental program was conducted The literature review surveyed epidemiological, toxicological and exposure data. The experimental program involved three approaches, the first, an evaluation of the factors that influence exposure by assessing a metal inert gas/mild steel welding process in a workshop setting. The second approach involved the study of exposure in a controlled environment provided by a wind tunnel and simulated welding process. The final approach was to investigate workplace conditions through an assessment of exposure and control strategies in industry. The exposure to fumes and gases during welding is highly variable and frequently in excess of the health based exposure standards. Exposure is influenced by a number of a factors including the welding process, base material, arc time, electrode, arc current, arc voltage, arc length, electrode polarity, shield gas, wire-to-metal-work distance (metal inert gas), metal transfer mode, intensity of the UV radiation (ozone), the frequency of arc ignitions (ozone), thermal buoyancy generated by the arc process, ventilation (natural and mechanical), the welding environment, the position of the welder, the welders stance, helmet type, and helmet position. Exposure occurs as a result of three processes: the formation of contaminants at or around the arc region; their transport from the arc region, as influenced by the entry and thermal expansion of shield gases, the vigorous production of contaminants, thermal air currents produced by the heat of the arc process, and ventilation; and finally the entry of contaminants into the breathing zone of the welder, as influenced by the position of the welder, the welders stance, helmet type, and the helmet position. The control of exposure during welding can be achieved by several means: through the selection of welding parameters that generate low contaminant formation rates; through the limitation of arc time; and by isolating the breathing zone of the welder from the contaminant plume through the use of ventilation, welder position or the welding helmet as a physical barrier. Effective control is achieved by careful examination of the workplace, the selection of the most appropriate control option, and motivation of the workforce.

Multiverse

This performance showing demonstrated the integration of 3D stereographic scenography and game engine technology within a dance work by major Australian choreographer (Garry Stewart) and company (Australian Dance Theatre). The audience included major Australian arts festival and venue presenters. The work is an outcome of ARC Discovery DP120101695 Building innovative capacity in Australian dance through new visualization technologies, Vincs sole CI, and the collaboration with Garry Stewart, one of Australia's most successful and well known contemporary dance choreographers, and Australian Dance Theatre, one of Australia's major contemporary dance companies, demonstrates the industry impact and engagement of the research.

Efeito de temperaturas de armazenamento e de genótipos de feijoeiro sobre a resistência a Acanthoscelides obtectus (Say) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)

Visando avaliar os efeitos de diferentes temperaturas de armazenamento e de genótipos de feijoeiro, Phaseolus vulgaris L., sobre a expressão da resistência ao caruncho, Acanthoscelides obtectus (Say), realizaram-se ensaios com os genótipos Arc.1S, Arc.1, Arc.2, Arc.4 e Carioca Pitoco. Os grãos de Arc.1S e Arc.2 expressaram resistência a A. obtectus nas temperaturas de 20ºC, 25ºC e 30°C; a resistência do genótipo Arc.1 diminuiu à medida que a temperatura de armazenamento foi elevada de 25ºC para 30ºC. A interação genótipos x temperaturas foi significativa, indicando que a elevação da temperatura afeta a expressão da resistência. A temperatura de 20ºC foi a mais adequada para discriminar os genótipos de feijoeiro, quanto a resistência.

Influência da corrente de pulso, do tempo de pulso e diâmetro de gota sobre a estabilidade da transferência metálica no processo MIG-P

To obtain a process stability and a quality weld bead it is necessary an adequate parameters set: base current and time, pulse current and pulse time, because these influence the mode of metal transfer and the weld quality in the MIG-P, sometimes requiring special sources with synergistic modes with external control for this stability. This work aims to analyze and compare the effects of pulse parameters and droplet size in arc stability in MIG-P, four packets of pulse parameters were analysed: Ip = 160 A, tp = 5.7 ms; Ip = 300 A and tp = 2 ms, Ip = 350 A, tp = 1.2 ms and Ip = 350 A, tp = 0.8 ms. Each was analyzed with three different drop diameters: drop with the same diameter of the wire electrode; droplet diameter larger drop smaller than the diameter of the wire electrode. For purposes of comparison the same was determined relation between the average current and welding speed was determined generating a constant (Im / Vs = K) for all parameters. Welding in flat plate by simple deposition for the MIG-P with a distance beak contact number (DBCP) constant was perfomed subsequently making up welding in flat plate by simple deposition with an inclination of 10 degrees to vary the DBCP, where by assessment on how the MIG-P behaved in such a situation was possible, in addition to evaluating the MIG-P with adaptive control, in order to maintain a constant arc stability. Also high speed recording synchronized with acquiring current x voltage (oscillogram) was executed for better interpretation of the transfer mechanism and better evaluation in regard to the study of the stability of the process. It is concluded that parameters 3 and 4 exhibited greater versatility; diameters drop equal to or slightly less than the diameter of the wire exhibited better stability due to their higher frequency of detachment, and the detachment of the drop base does not harm the maintenance the height of the arc

A Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) como preditora da fragilidade em idosos residentes na comunidade

Introduction: The SPPB provides information about physical function and is a predictor of adverse events in the elderly. Frailty is a multidimensional syndrome that increases susceptibility to diseases and disability. However it may be possible to prevent or postpone frailty if is identified early. Our objective is to analyze SPPB s ability in screening for frailty a community-dwelling young elderly from cities with distinct socioeconomic conditions. Methods: Data were originated from community dwelling adults (65-74 years old) in Canada (Saint Bruno; n = 60) and Brazil (Santa Cruz; n = 64). SPPB was used to assess physical performance. Frailty was defined as the presence of ≥ 3 of these criteria: weight loss, exhaustion, weakness, mobility limitation and low physical activity. One point was given for each criterion met, totalizing a frailty score ranged from 0 to 5. The Linear Regression and Receiver Operating Characteristics analyses were performed to evaluate the SPPB s screening ability. Results: Mean age was 69.48, 10.0% of the Saint Bruno s sample and 28.1% of Santa Cruz s were frail (p = 0.001), the SPPB score means were 9.6 and 8.5 respectively (p = 0.01). SPPB correlated with the frailty score (R2 = 0.33), with better results for Saint Bruno. A cutoff of 9 in SPPB had good sensitivity and specificity in discriminating frail from non frail in Saint Bruno (AUC = 0.81) but showed fair results in Santa Cruz (AUC = 0.61). Conclusion: The SPPB has moderate ability in predicting frailty among older adult s population, and is an useful test to identify people with good functionality and low frailty when SPPB scores are ≥9

Clarissimo speculo bonitatis Dei : o mundo de Tomás de Celano e a sua leitura de mundus

The aim of this study is to understand the version of St. Francis of Assisi created by Friar Thomas of Celano in his hagiographic works. That study also it examines how the Order of Friars Minor and the Papacy have understood the relationship between Christians and the world and turned thisunderstanding in a version of the Saint. Factors such as the replacement of Neoplatonism byAristotelianism as philosophical paradigm and economic and social changes have contributed to change the interpretation of the biblical mandate to not love the world , no longer interpreted as materiality, but as an order for Christians to flee sin. The rejection of the world was replaced by a greater appreciation of nature and society. Moreover, increasingly, the body went from enemy to friend, becoming the brotherbody. Such analysis is important to review the idea, so common in the historiography of what MaxWeber called Worldly Asceticism, the Christian life lived in society, only emerged in Protestantism in opposition to monasticism. The mendicant orders, especially the minority tried during the thirteenth century, the period of analysis of this work, experience the loving nature of Christianity and acting,through preaching and charity in the cities.To make this work, were analyzed the hagiographic discourse (on San Francisco) made by Thomas of Celano, Vita beati Francisci (called Vita Prima) and Memorial in desideiro anime (named Vita Secunda) and, from this, understand the Celano´s interpretation on how it should be the Christian's relationship with the world. The world ceased to be adistorted reflection of a perfect reality, becoming the perfect reflection of God's goodness.

Análise do uso de SIG no roteamento dos veículos de coleta de resíduos sólidos domiciliares

Relata-se neste trabalho, a análise do uso de um Sistema de Informação Geográfica - SIG como ferramenta para roteirização de veículos de coleta de resíduos sólidos domiciliares. O software utilizado foi o TransCAD, versão 3.2, que permite desenvolver rotas utilizando algoritmos que incluem o procedimento de roteirização em arco. O objetivo é minimizar a extensão total a ser percorrida pelos veículos coletores. O estudo de caso foi realizado na cidade de Ilha Solteira - SP. Os dados coletados e os resultados obtidos pelo TransCAD foram processados no software Microsoft Excel. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram reduções percentuais de até 41% na distância total percorrida e de 68% no tempo total de percurso em relação ao serviço atual.

Influência do sistema de fornecimento de oxigênio na qualidade de vida de pacientes com hipoxemia crônica

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde de pacientes com doença obstrutiva crônica das vias aéreas recebendo oxigenoterapia domiciliar prolongada (ODP) por meio de cilindros de oxigênio e comparar estes resultados com os obtidos após seis meses de modificação do sistema de fornecimento para concentradores de oxigênio. MÉTODOS: Um total de 45 pacientes, 24 com hipoxemia crônica e 21 sem evidências de hipoxemia, foram avaliados. Os pacientes com hipoxemia crônica estavam recebendo ODP regularmente durante pelo menos os últimos seis meses e foram avaliados no momento basal, em uso de cilindro, e após seis meses de transição para concentradores. Os pacientes não hipoxêmicos foram avaliados no mesmo intervalo de tempo que os pacientes hipoxêmicos. Para avaliar a qualidade de vida foi utilizada a versão validada para língua portuguesa (Brasil) do Questionário Respiratório Saint George (Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire - SGRQ). RESULTADOS: No momento inicial, os pacientes hipoxêmicos apresentaram maior comprometimento da qualidade de vida, avaliada pelo escore total e pelos escores dos domínios sintomas e impacto do SGRQ, que os pacientes não hipoxêmicos. Após seis meses, houve melhora significativa da qualidade de vida dos pacientes hipoxêmicos e, neste momento, não foi encontrada diferença entre os pacientes com e sem hipoxemia. CONCLUSÃO: Nossos achados mostraram que os pacientes com doença obstrutiva crônica das vias aéreas e hipoxemia crônica apresentam prejuízo da qualidade de vida, que essa qualidade de vida pode ser melhorada com o uso regular de ODP e que o sistema de fornecimento de oxigênio tem influência nessa melhora.

Evolução geodinâmica e condicionamento estrutural dos terrenos Piancó-Alto Brígida e Alto Pajeú, domínio da zona transversal, NE do Brasil

This thesis aims to advance in the geological knowledge of the region comprising the Piancó-Alto Brígida (TPAB) and Alto pajeú (TAP) terranes, in the Transversal Zone Domain (Borborema Province, NE Brazil), with the main objective of understanding the geodynamic evolution and the structural framework of these units. To reach this objective, and besides field work and interpretation of traditional aerial photographs, other tools were employed like of remote sensing products (Landsat 7 ETM+, aeroradiometrics, aeromagnetics and topographical images), lithogeochemical (whole rock) analyses and geochronological dating (U-Pb in zircon), besides integration with literature data. In the area, several precambrian geological units outcrop, represented in the TAP by the paleoproterozoic Serra Talhada and Afogados da Ingazeira complexes, Riacho Gravatá Complex (metavolcano-sedimentary sequence of Stenian-Tonian age) and Cariris Velhos orthogneisses (of Tonian age). The TPAB comprises the Santana do Garrote (lower unit) and Serra do Olho d'Água (upper unit) formations of the Cachoeirinha Group (Neoproterozoic III), besides the Piancó orthogneisses and Bom Jesus paragneisses; the latter correspond to an older (basement ?) block and a possible high grade equivalent of the Cachoeirinha Group (or Seridó Group ?), respectively. Several Brasiliano-age plutons occur in both terranes.The aeromagnetic data show the continuity, at depth, of the main shear zones mapped in the region. The Patos, Pernambuco, Boqueirão dos Cochos, Serra do Caboclo, Afogados da Ingazeira/Jabitacá and Congo-Cruzeiro do Nordeste shear zones reach depths greater than to 6-16 km. The aeromagnetic signature of other shear zones, like the Juru one, suggests that these structures correspond to shallower crustal features. The satellite images (Landsat 7 ETM+) and aerogamaspectrometric images discriminate different geological units, contributing to the mapping of the structural framework of the region. The Serra do Caboclo Shear Zone was characterized as the boundary/suture between the TPAB and TAP. This structure is an outstanding, pervasive feature that separates contrasting geological units, such as the Neoproterozoic III Cachoeirinha Group in the TPAB and the Riacho Gravatá Complex and the Cariris Velhos metaplutonics, of Stenian-Tonian age, in the TAP. Occupying different blocks, these units are not found in authoctonous relations, like unconformities and intrusive contacts. Concerning the Cariris Velhos (ca. 1,0 Ga old) event is recorded by radiometric ages of the Riacho Gravatá Complex metavolcanics and intrusive augen and orthogneisses, all of them displaying geochemical affinities of arc or collisional settings. A structural signature of this event was not recorded in the region, possibly due to its low grade/low strain style, obliterated by the overprinting of younger, higher grade/high strain Brasiliano-age fabrics.The first tectonic event (D1) observed in the Cariris Velhos lithotypes presents contractional kinematics with transport to the NW. Neoproterozoic III geochronologic dates, obtained in late-D1 granitoids, imply a Brasiliano age (ca. 610-600 Ma) for this deformation event. The second tectonic event (D2) characterized in the region corresponds to the Brasiliano transcurrent kinematics of the outstanding shear zones and associated granitoid plutons. The geochronological (U-Pb in zircon) data obtained during this thesis also confirms the occurrence of the Cariris Velhos magmatic suite in the TAP, as well as the Neoproterozoic III age to the Cachoeirinha Group in the TPAB. The TAP (Riacho Gravatá Complex, augen and orthogneisses) is interpreted as a continental arc possibly accreted to a microcontinent during the Cariris Velhos (Stenian-Tonian) event. Later on, this terrane collided with the TPAB at the beginning of the Brasiliano orogeny (D1 contractional deformation), and both domins were reworked by the transcurrent shear deformation of the D2 event

Condução de melão rendilhado sob cultivo protegido

Estudou-se o comportamento de dois híbridos de melão rendilhado (Bônus nº 2 - polpa verde e D. Carlos - polpa salmão), conduzidos com uma ou duas hastes, em três diferentes posições de fixação dos frutos (5º ao 8º, 9º ao 11º e 12º ao 15º nó). Adotou-se delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com três repetições, no esquema fatorial 2 X 2 X 3. O experimento foi conduzido no segundo semestre de 1998, em região de clima Cwa. Realizou-se plantio em fileira única, com espaçamento de 1,25 m entre linhas e 0,25 m entre plantas, com irrigação por gotejamento, em casa de vegetação tipo arco, com laterais abertas, sendo as plantas conduzidas alternadamente uma para cada lado, em forma de V; adotou-se o limite de dois frutos por planta. Ocorreram interações entre híbridos e posições de fixação do fruto para altura de fixação do fruto, entre híbrido e sistema de condução para conteúdo de sólidos solúveis, entre sistema de condução e posição de fixação do fruto para número médio de frutos por planta e produção total de frutos por planta. Plantas conduzidas com duas hastes apresentaram maior distância entre o solo e o nó de fixação do fruto (55,17 cm), em relação às com uma haste (39,50 cm) para os dois híbridos. O híbrido Bônus nº 2 apresentou maior quantidade de matéria seca por planta, na floração (22,61 g) e na colheita (74,34 g), maior área foliar por planta, na floração (0,3613 m²) e colheita (0,7701 m²), maior número de frutos por planta (1,15), maior produção total de frutos por planta (1,18 kg), e maior conteúdo de sólidos solúveis (15,0%) em relação a 'D. Carlos' (16,39 g, 52,48 g, 0,2550 m², 0,6094 m², 0,78 frutos, 0,848 kg/fruto, e 11,3%, respectivamente). O híbrido D. Carlos, conduzido com duas hastes, apresentou maior conteúdo de sólidos solúveis (12,0%) em relação a uma haste (10,5%), o que não foi observado para 'Bônus nº 2'. A posição de fixação do fruto não influenciou no conteúdo de sólidos solúveis (12,9 a 13,3%), na massa média do fruto (1,050 a 1,090 kg) e no número médio de frutos por planta (1,05 a 1,30). Entretanto, para a produção total por planta, no sistema de condução com uma ou duas hastes, as posições acima do 9º nó até o 15º nó apresentaram maior produção (1,123 a 1,352 kg/planta). 'D. Carlos' mostrou-se mais precoce (81 dias em média) em relação a 'Bônus nº 2' (98 dias em média).

Avaliação da resistência à corrosão do aço AISI 420 depositado por processos variados de aspersão térmica

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor expression from transduced vascular smooth muscle cells provides sustained neutrophil increases in rats

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) regulates granulocyte precursor cell proliferation, neutrophil survival, and activation. Cyclic hematopoiesis, a disease that occurs both in humans and grey collie dogs is characterized by cyclical variations in blood neutrophils. Although the underlying molecular defect is not known, long-term daily administration of recombinant G-CSF eliminates the severe recurrent neutropenia, indicating that expression of G-CSF by gene therapy would be beneficial. As a prelude to preclinical studies in affected collie dogs, we monitored hematopoiesis in rats receiving vascular smooth muscle cells transduced to express G-CSF. Cells transduced with LrGSN, a retrovirus expressing rat G-CSF, were implanted in the carotid artery and control animals received cells transduced with LASN, a retrovirus expressing human adenosine deaminase (ADA). Test animals showed significant increases in neutrophil counts for at least 7 weeks, with mean values of 3,670 +/- 740 cells/mu l in comparison to 1,870 +/- 460 cells/mu l in controls (p < 0.001). Thus, in rats G-CSF gene transfer targeted at vascular smooth muscle cells initiated sustained production of 1,800 neutrophils/mu l, a cell number that would provide clinical benefit to patients. Lymphocytes, red cells and platelets were not different between control and test animals (p > 0.05). These studies indicate that retrovirally transduced vascular smooth muscle cells can provide sustained clinically useful levels of neutrophils in vivo.