(Table 2) Collection sites and number of specimens of Usnea subgenus Neuropogon species

Usnea species of the Neuropogon group are amongst the most widespread and abundant macrolichens in Antarctic regions. Four principal species, U. antarctica, U. aurantiaco-atra, U. sphacelata and U. subantarctica, have been described on morphological grounds. However, identification to species level is often difficult and atypical morphologies frequently arise. Over 400 specimens were collected on the Antarctic Peninsula and Falkland Islands. Both morphological and molecular characters (ITS and RPB1) were used to compare samples to clarify taxonomic relationships. Morphological characteristics used included presence of apothecia, apothecial rays, soredia, papillae, fibrils, pigmentation and the diameter of the central axis as a proportion of branch diameter. Results revealed a very close relationship between U. antarctica and U. aurantiaco-atra, suggesting that they might constitute a species pair or be conspecific. Usnea sphacelata was comprised of at least two genetically distinct groups with no clear differences in morphology. One group included the first reported fertile specimen of this species. Usnea subantarctica was phylogenetically distinct from the other main Antarctic Usnea species, but clustered with U. trachycarpa. Genetic variation was evident within all species although there was no clear correlation between geographic origin and genetic relatedness. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that species circumscription in the Neuropogon group needs revision, with the principal species being non-monophyletic. None of the morphological characters, or groups of characters, used in this study proved to be completely unambiguous markers for a single species. However, axis thickness was supported as being informative for the identification of monophyletic lineages within the group.

Lesões orais com potencial de malignização: análise clínica e morfológica de 205 casos

Silveira , E. J. D. et al. Lesões orais com potencial de malignização: análise clínica e morfológica de 205 casos. J. Bras. Patol. Med. Lab., v. 45, n. 3, p. 233-238, jun 2009. ISBN 1676-2444.

Lesões orais com potencial de malignização: análise clínica e morfológica de 205 casos

Silveira , E. J. D. et al. Lesões orais com potencial de malignização: análise clínica e morfológica de 205 casos. J. Bras. Patol. Med. Lab., v. 45, n. 3, p. 233-238, jun 2009. ISBN 1676-2444.

Automatic dynamic mask extraction for PIV images containing an unsteady interface, bubbles, and a moving structure

When performing Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) measurements in complex fluid flows with moving interfaces and a two-phase flow, it is necessary to develop a mask to remove non-physical measurements. This is the case when studying, for example, the complex bubble sweep-down phenomenon observed in oceanographic research vessels. Indeed, in such a configuration, the presence of an unsteady free surface, of a solid–liquid interface and of bubbles in the PIV frame, leads to generate numerous laser reflections and therefore spurious velocity vectors. In this note, an image masking process is developed to successively identify the boundaries of the ship and the free surface interface. As the presence of the solid hull surface induces laser reflections, the hull edge contours are simply detected in the first PIV frame and dynamically estimated for consecutive ones. As for the unsteady surface determination, a specific process is implemented like the following: i) the edge detection of the gradient magnitude in the PIV frame, ii) the extraction of the particles by filtering high-intensity large areas related to the bubbles and/or hull reflections, iii) the extraction of the rough region containing these particles and their reflections, iv) the removal of these reflections. The unsteady surface is finally obtained with a fifth-order polynomial interpolation. The resulted free surface is successfully validated from the Fourier analysis and by visualizing selected PIV images containing numerous spurious high intensity areas. This paper demonstrates how this data analysis process leads to PIV images database without reflections and an automatic detection of both the free surface and the rigid body. An application of this new mask is finally detailed, allowing a preliminary analysis of the hydrodynamic flow.

Análise das mudanças espaciais e temporais nos padrões de paisagem na região do oeste da Bahia sobre a formação do grupo urucuia (1988-2011) e suas implicações para a conservação do Cerrado

Tese (doutorado)—Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Ciências Humanas, Departamento de Geografia, Programa de Pós Graduação em Geografia, 2015.

Desenvolvimento de solenóides para eletroválvulas hidráulicas

Os solenóides para eletroválvulas, em conjunto com outros produtos e equipamentos, permitem a automação dos sistemas de distribuição de águas não potáveis, como, por exemplo, em sistemas de rega. Deste modo é possível controlar diversos parâmetros, como o caudal e a pressão da água que passa na válvula, podendo estes ser fiscalizados à distância. Neste trabalho, foram desenvolvidos solenóides para acoplar a válvulas que se destinam à rega agrícola, comercializadas pela empresa JPrior, Fábrica de Plásticos, Lda. Para o efeito, foram definidos vários processos necessários para a criação de uma linha piloto de pré industrialização destes dispositivos. Etapas como a conceção do dispositivo, prototipagem, testes de temperatura, consumo de corrente, estabilidade eletromecânica e testes de desempenho associados a diferentes valores de pressão e de caudal de funcionamento, foram essenciais para este desenvolvimento, assim como, análises estruturais e morfológicas do material que constitui o núcleo dos solenóides. Além disso, procurou-se responder às necessidades do mercado numa perspetiva mais completa do que a existente. Para isso, foram produzidos dois tipos de solenóides de 24 V AC, com pressões máximas de funcionamento de 4 bar e de 12 bar.

Roślinność wodna, błotna i bagienna północnej części Dolnych Łużyc

Wydział Biologii

Improvement of the oral praziquantel anthelmintic effect by cyclodextrin complexation

Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease which kills a half million people per year, a I I over the world. Praziquantel (PZQ) is the drug-of-choice for schistosomiasis because of its effectiveness, ease of administration, and low cost. However, poor solubility restricts its delivery, especially via the oral route. In this study, we describe beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) complexation as an alternative to improve the PZQ bioavailability. Physicochemical analysis were performed to characterize the inclusion complex formed between PZQ and beta-CD. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) thermograms and morphological analysis using scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) gave evidences of the complex formation. Diffusion NMR experiments allowed determination of the fraction of PZQ bound to beta-CD (37%) and the association constant (941 +/- 47 M(-1)). The in vivo evaluation of the complexation on the effect of PZQ was performed on mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni (BH strain); after 15 days of treatment with the PZQ:beta-CD complex the efficacy, evaluated by the number of remaining alive worms, was 99%, against 59% elicited by plain PZQ.

Contributions to gait recognition using multiple views

Esta tesis se centra en la identificación de personas a través de la forma de caminar. El problema del reconocimiento del paso ha sido tratado mediante diferentes enfoques, en los dominios 2D y 3D, y usando una o varias vistas. Sin embargo, la dependencia con respecto al punto de vista, y por tanto de la trayectoria del sujeto al caminar sigue siendo aún un problema abierto. Se propone hacer frente al problema de la dependencia con respecto a la trayectoria por medio de reconstrucciones 3D de sujetos caminando. El uso de reconstrucciones varias ventajas que cabe destacar. En primer lugar, permite explotar una mayor cantidad de información en contraste con los métodos que extraen los descriptores de la marcha a partir de imágenes, en el dominio 2D. En segundo lugar, las reconstrucciones 3D pueden ser alineadas a lo largo de la marcha como si el sujeto hubiera caminado en una cinta andadora, proporcionando así una forma de analizar el paso independientemente de la trayectoria seguida. Este trabajo propone tres enfoques para resolver el problema de la dependencia a la vista: 1. Mediante la utilización de reconstrucciones volumétricas alineadas. 2. Mediante el uso de reconstrucciones volumétricas no alineadas. 3. Sin usar reconstrucciones. Se proponen además tres tipos de descriptores. El primero se centra en describir el paso mediante análisis morfológico de los volúmenes 3D alineados. El segundo hace uso del concepto de entropa de la información para describir la dinámica del paso humano. El tercero persigue capturar la dinámica de una forma invariante a rotación, lo cual lo hace especialmente interesante para ser aplicado tanto en trayectorias curvas como rectas, incluyendo cambios de dirección. Estos enfoques han sido probados sobre dos bases de datos públicas. Ambas están especialmente diseñadas para tratar el problema de la dependencia con respecto al punto de vista, y por tanto de la dependencia con respecto a la trayectoria. Los resultados experimentales muestran que para el enfoque basado en reconstrucciones volumétricas alineadas, el descriptor del paso basado en entropa consigue los mejores resultados, en comparación con métodos estrechamente relacionados del Estado del Arte actual. No obstante, el descriptor invariante a rotación consigue una tasa de reconocimiento que supera a los métodos actuales sin requerir la etapa previa de alineamiento de las reconstrucciones 3D.

Development of docetaxel and alendronate-loaded chitosan-conjugated polylactide-co-glycolide nanoparticles: In vitro characterization in osteosarcoma cells

Purpose: To develop docetaxel (DTX)- and alendronate (ALN)-loaded, chitosan (CS)-conjugated polylactide- co-glycolide (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) to increase therapeutic efficacy in osteosarcoma cells. Methods: Drug-loaded PLGA NPs were prepared by nanoprecipitation and chemically conjugated by the carboxylic group of PLGA to the amine-bearing CS polymer. The nanocarrier was characterized by dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry as well as by in vitro drug release and cell culture studies. Results: NP size was within the tumour targeting range (~200 nm) with an effective positive charge (20 mV), thus increasing cellular uptake efficiency. Morphological analysis revealed clear spherical particles with uniform dispersion. The NPs exhibited identical sustained release kinetics for both DTX and ALN. CS-conjugated PLGA with dual-drug-loaded (DTX and AL) NPs showed typical time-dependent cellular uptake and also displayed superior cytotoxicity in MG-63 cells compared with blank NPs, which were safe and biocompatible. Conclusion: Combined loading of DTX and ALN in NPs increased the therapeutic efficacy of the formulation for osteosarcoma treatment, thus indicating the potential benefit of a combinatorial drug regimen using nanocarriers for effective treatment of osteosarcoma.

Avalovara nascido e nascido : o voo do pássaro

Dissertação (mestrado)—Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Letras, Departamento de Línguas Estrangeiras e Tradução, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Estudos da Tradução, 2016.

Rubiaceae em um remanescente de floresta atlântica no Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil

Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária do Rio Grande do Norte

BUILDING A DISCOURSE: BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN NEW MEDIA'S CONVERGENCE AND RHETORIC AND COMPOSITION'S MULTIMODALITY

My dissertation emphasizes the use of narrative structuralism and narrative theories about storytelling in order to build a discourse between the fields of New Media and Rhetoric and Composition. Propp's morphological analysis and the breaking down of stories into component pieces aides in the discussion of storytelling as it appears in and is mediated by digital and computer technologies. New Media and Rhetoric and Composition are aided by shared concerns for textual production and consumption. In using the notion of "kairotic reading" (KR), I show the interconnectedness and interdisciplinarity required in the development of pedagogy utilized to teach students to develop into reflective practitioners that are aware of their rhetorical surroundings and can made sound judgments concerning their own message generation and consumption in the workplace. KR is a transferable skill that is beneficial to students and teachers alike. The dissertation research utilizes theories of New Media and New Media-influenced practitioners, including Jenkins' theory of convergence, Bourdieu's notion of taste, Gee's term "semiotic domains," and Manovich's "modification." These theoretical pieces are combined in order to show how KR can be extended by convergent narrative practices. In order to build connections with New Media, the consideration and inclusion of Kress and van Leeuwen's multimodality, Selber's "reflective practitioners," and Selfe's definition of multimodal composing allow for a greater establishment of conversation order to create a richer conversation around the implications of metacognitive development and practitioner reflexivity with scholars in New Media. My research also includes analysis of two popular media franchises Deborah Harkness' A Discovery of Witches and Fox's Bones television series to show similarities and differences among convergence-linked and multimodal narratives. Lastly, I also provide example assignments that can be taken, further developed, and utilized in classrooms engaging in multimodal composing practices. This dissertation pushes consideration of New Media into the work already being performed by those in Rhetoric and Composition.

Análisis del proceso de expansión del oriente de Cali: el caso de Ciudadela Desepaz

Los resultados morfológicos del Programa de Vivienda de Interés Social Ciudadela Desepaz se caracterizan por la desarticulación y baja funcionalidad del espacio urbano. Esta condición urbanística no deriva de una falta de planificación integral, ya que el Municipio de Santiago de Cali evidenció la intención de desarrollar una porción de ciudad bien articulada, sino más bien de un conjunto de factores de los procesos de gestión urbana y urbanística llevados a cabo en este Programa. A partir de una investigación juiciosa de estos procesos, y del análisis morfológico de cada de uno de los proyectos que conformaron la Ciudadela, se definieron 6 factores principales de la gestión que incidieron en que la intención inicial del Municipio no se pudiera materializar.

Isolation and characterization of mesenchymal stem cells derived from bovine Wharton's jelly and their potential for use in cloning by nuclear transfer.

RESUMO: A geleia de Wharton é uma fonte de células tronco mesenquimais (CTMs) que ainda não havia sido testada para a produção de embriões bovinos por transferência nuclear (TN). O objetivo deste estudo foi isolar, caracterizar e testar as CTMs derivadas da geleia de Wharton para produção de embriões e gestações por transferência nuclear em bovinos. O cordão umbilical foi coletado durante o nascimento e as células derivadas da geleia de Wharton (CGWs) foram isoladas por explante e cultivadas em Dulbecco?s Modified Eagle Medium. Fibroblastos (FB) da pele foram isolados após 6 meses de vida. As análises morfológicas foram realizadas pelas microscopias de campo claro e eletrônica de varredura durante o cultivo celular. Caracterização fenotípica e genotípica por citometria de fluxo, imunocitoquímica, RT-PCR e indução da diferenciação em linhagens celulares foi realizada com as CGWs. No procedimento de TN, ovócitos no estágio de metáfase II foram enucleados usando micromanipuladores, fusionados com CGWs ou FB e então ativados artificialmente. Micrografias de microscopia de varredura revelaram que CGWs tiveram forma variada sob cultivo. Os marcadores mesenquimais de CTMs (CD29+, CD73+, CD90+ and CD105+) foram expressos em cultura de CGWs bovina, como evidenciado por citometria de fluxo, imunocitoquímica e RT-PCR. Quando induzidas, estas células diferenciaram-se em osteócitos, condrócitos e adipócitos. Após classificação, as CGWs foram utilizadas na TN. A taxa de formação de blastocistos por TN com CGWs no sétimo dia de cultivo foi de 25,80±0,03%, similar a produção de blastócitos por TN com fibroblastos de pele (19,00±0,07). Gestações foram obtidas e mostraram que CGWs constituem um novo tipo celular para ser usado na clonagem animal. ABSTRACT: Wharton?s jelly is a source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that had not yet been tested for bovine embryo production by nuclear transfer (NT). Thus, the objective of this study was to isolate, characterize and test MSCs derived from Wharton?s jelly for embryo and pregnancy production by NT in cattle. The umbilical cord was collected during calving and cells derived from Wharton?s jelly (WJCs) were isolated by explant and cultured in Dulbecco?s Modified Eagle Medium. Skin Fibroblasts (FB) were isolated after 6 months of life. Morphological analysis was performed by bright field and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) during cell culture. Phenotypic and genotypic characterization by flow cytometry, immunocytochemistry, RT-PCR and differentiation induction in cell lineages were performed for WJC. In the NT procedure, oocytes at the arrested metaphase II stage were enucleated using micromanipulators, fused with WJCs or FB and later activated artificially. SEM micrographs revealed that WJCs have variable shape under culture. Mesenchymal markers of MSCs (CD29+, CD73+, CD90+ and CD105+) were expressed in bovine-derived WJC cultures, as evidenced by flow cytometry, immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR. When induced, these cells differentiated into osteocytes, chondrocytes and adipocytes. After classification, the WJCs were used in NT. Blastocyst formation rate by NT with WJCs at day 7 was 25.80±0.03%, similar to blatocyst rate with NT using skin fibroblasts (19.00±0.07%). Pregnancies were obtained and showed that WJCs constitute a new cell type for use in animal cloning.