Solution Structures of the cis- and trans-Pro30 Isomers of a Novel 38-Residue Toxin from the Venom of Hadronyche Infensa sp. that Contains a Cystine-Knot Motif within Its Four Disulfide Bonds

The primary sequence and three-dimensional structure of a novel peptide toxin isolated from the Australian funnel-web spider Hadronyche infensa sp. is reported. ACTX-HI:OB4219 contains 38 amino acids, including eight-cysteine residues that form four disulfide bonds. The connectivities of these disulfide bonds were previously unknown but have been unambiguously determined in this study. Three of these disulfide bonds are arranged in an inhibitor cystine-knot (ICK) motif, which is observed in a range of other disulfide-rich peptide toxins. The motif incorporates an embedded ring in the structure formed by two of the disulfides and their connecting backbone segments penetrated by a third disulfide bond. Using NMR spectroscopy, we determined that despite the isolation of a single native homologous product by RP-HPLC, ACTX-HI:OB4219 possesses two equally populated conformers in solution. These two conformers were determined to arise from cis/trans isomerization of the bond preceding Pro30. Full assignment of the NMR spectra for both conformers allowed for the calculation of their structures, revealing, the presence of a triple-stranded antiparallel sheet consistent with the inhibitor cystine-knot (ICK) motif.

The Three-dimensional Solution Structure of NaD1, a New Floral Defensin from Nicotiana alata and its Application to a Homology Model of the Crop Defense Protein alfAFP

NMR spectroscopy and simulated annealing calculations have been used to determine the three-dimensional structure of NaD1, a novel antifungal and insecticidal protein isolated from the flowers of Nicotiana alata. NaD1 is a basic, cysteine-rich protein of 47 residues and is the first example of a plant defensin from flowers to be characterized structurally. Its three-dimensional structure consists of an a-helix and a triple-stranded anti-parallel beta-sheet that are stabilized by four intramolecular disulfide bonds. NaD1 features all the characteristics of the cysteine-stabilized up motif that has been described for a variety of proteins of differing functions ranging from antibacterial insect defensins and ion channel-perturbing scorpion toxins to an elicitor of the sweet taste response. The protein is biologically active against insect pests, which makes it a potential candidate for use in crop protection. NaD1 shares 31% sequence identity with alfAFP, an antifungal protein from alfalfa that confers resistance to a fungal pathogen in transgenic potatoes. The structure of NaD1 was used to obtain a homology model of alfAFP, since NaD1 has the highest level of sequence identity with alfAFP of any structurally characterized antifungal defensin. The structures of NaD1 and alfAFP were used in conjunction with structure - activity data for the radish defensin Rs-AFP2 to provide an insight into structure-function relationships. In particular, a putative effector site was identified in the structure of NaD1 and in the corresponding homology model of alfAFP. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

The spectrum of minimal defining sets of some Steiner systems

For a design D, define spec(D) = {\M\ \ M is a minimal defining set of D} to be the spectrum of minimal defining sets of D. In this note we give bounds on the size of an element in spec(D) when D is a Steiner system. We also show that the spectrum of minimal defining sets of the Steiner triple system given by the points and lines of PG(3,2) equals {16,17,18,19,20,21,22}, and point out some open questions concerning the Steiner triple systems associated with PG(n, 2) in general. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Solution structure of CnErg1 (Ergtoxin), a HERG specific scorpion toxin

The three-dimensional structure of chemically synthesized CnErg1 (Ergtoxin), which specifically blocks HERG (human ether-a-go-go-related gene) K+ channels, was determined by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. CnErg1 consists of a triple-stranded beta-sheet and an a-helix, as is typical of K+ channel scorpion toxins. The peptide structure differs from the canonical structures in that the first beta-strand is shorter and is nearer to the second beta-strand rather than to the third beta-strand on the C-terminus. There is also a large hydrophobic patch on the surface of the toxin, surrounding a central lysine residue, Lys13. We postulate that this hydrophobic patch is likely to form part of the binding surface of the toxin. (C) 2003 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. on behalf of the Federation of European Biochemical Societies.

Identification of cholinoceptive glycinergic neurons in the mammalian retina

The light-evoked release of acetylcholine (ACh) affects the responses of many retinal ganglion cells, in part via nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). nAChRs that contain beta2alpha3 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors have been identified and localized in the rabbit retina; these nAChRs are recognized by the monoclonal antibody mAb210. We have examined the expression of beta2alpha3 nAChRs by glycinergic amacrine cells in the rabbit retina and have identified different subpopulations of nicotinic cholinoceptive glycinergic cells using double and triple immunohistochemistry with quantitative analysis. Here we demonstrate that about 70% of the cholinoceptive amacrine cells in rabbit retina are glycinergic cells. At least three nonoverlapping subpopulations of mAb210 glycine-immunoreactive cells can be distinguished with antibodies against calretinin, calbindin, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)(A) receptors. The cholinergic cells in rabbit retina are thought to synapse only on other cholinergic cells and ganglion cells. Thus, the expression of beta2alpha3 nAChRs on diverse populations of glycinergic cells is puzzling. To explore this finding, the subcellular localization of beta2alpha3 was studied at the electron microscopic level. mAb210 immunoreactivity was localized on the dendrites of amacrines and ganglion cells throughout the inner plexiform layer, and much of the labeling was not associated with recognizable synapses. Thus, our findings indicate that ACh in the mammalian retina may modulate glycinergic circuits via extrasynaptic beta2alpha3 nAChRs. (C) 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Cartografando movimentos curriculares produzidos nas redes de conversações nos encontrosformações do PROEJA/IFES/ES

Problematiza a constituição do currículo (e da “formação docente” no campo curricular), no cotidiano escolar, na dimensão das conversações. Objetiva acompanhar os movimentos curriculares concernentes ao Proeja entre formas e forças complexas no cotidiano do Ifes – campus Venda Nova do Imigrante (VNI). Compõe com as linhas de pensamentos principalmente de Alves (2008, 2010, 2012); Carvalho (2004, 2008a, 2008b, 2009, 2012); Deleuze (1988, 2002, 2010); Deleuze e Guattari (1995); Ferraço (2007, 2008a, 2008b); Garcia (2011); Guattari (1987, 2004, 2012); Kastrup (2009, 2013); Lopes e Macedo (2011); Lopes (2010, 2011); Oliveira (2005, 2009, 2012); Paiva (2004, 2009); Rolnik (1989); e Spinoza (2013), entremeando os conceitos de movimentos e afetos no campo do currículo em redes na relação híbrida com os encontros-formações docente do/no Proeja. Adota a (não) metodologia cartográfica ao acompanhar movimentos curriculares (des)(re)territorializantes nas redes de conversações, especialmente nos encontrosformações: “Rodas de conversas com professores e demais servidores do Proeja”. Utiliza como principais instrumentos metodológicos a observação participante, a gravação das vozes e o registro em diário de campo. Contribui para outros movimentos de pesquisa ao capturar produzir e analisar dados em que se percebe que: ainda que tenha ocorrido um planejamento coletivo, outras temáticas surgiram nos encontros formações (que não se pretendiam engessados e não objetivavam a paralisação dos fluxos que pedem passagem), e tais assuntos puderam ser usados como disparadores para criação de outros movimentos curriculares; as concepções dos professores sobre a “dificuldade/facilidade” em ministrar aulas para o Proeja e os lugares estabelecidos entre estudantes e docentes no processo ensino-aprendizagem não estão relacionados diretamente, em relação de causa e efeito, à disciplina/área de conhecimento específica que ministram, mas aos agenciamentos, aos ligamentos e às rupturas produzidas nas relações com essas redes de saberes fazeres poderes que envolvem múltiplos agentes: docentes, outros servidores, alunos, experiências e encontros múltiplos dentro fora no espaço tempo do Ifes; uma tríade-refrão coopera para a criação de uma fôrma triangular que enfatiza a noção de um padrão em um processo molar enraizado nas árvores do conhecimento: perfil, seleção e nivelamento, contudo, algumas linhas de fuga dissonantes são criadas por entre as fissuras dos pretensos tons harmônicos; as frases “os professores do IF não estão preparados para ministrar aulas para o Proeja” ou “não há formação/qualificação para os docentes se relacionarem com o Proeja” são utilizadas, em alguns discursos, como escudos-argumentos para a opção-política de não oferta de vagas para a modalidade EJA em composição com fios que afirmam tal especificidade da educação básica, dentro da rede federal, como um “favor social”; processos que envolvem a (des)organização da matriz curricular são considerados por alguns participantes como início, “produto” e objetivo das conversas curriculares e provocam tensões que (i)mobilizam, (não) movimentam entre os afetos dos corpos, podendo levar à (não) ação coletiva; a noção de “mercado de trabalho” ainda impera nos discursos, ciclicamente, enquanto início fim das problematizações do currículo do Ensino Médio e da EJA; a expressão “integração curricular” é constantemente usada nos discursos que circulam o campus, no entanto, os sentidos produzidos, as concepções e as teorias curriculares que embasam a noção de “integração” no currículo são bem diversos; não há totalidades nos discursos, não há homogeneização, não foi efetivada nenhuma coesão/única voz representante (e esse também não era o objetivo desta pesquisa); ainda que o tema da roda se propusesse às conversas curriculares do/no Proeja, nesses encontros, os participantes manifestaram a necessidade de intensificar os movimentos produzidos nas rodas visando à discussão dos currículos textos de todos os cursos e modalidades ofertados pelos campus VNI e na intensificação de espaços para trocas de experiências curriculares cotidianas; na potencialização das diferenças como possibilidades de inventividade nos encontros-formações docente e nas danças curriculares que envolvem diversas relações de aprendizagem no Ifes, algumas experimentações foram produzidas, entre afetos, criando composições(des)(re)territorializantes e ressonando com movimentos que não se restringiram às rodas de conversas, contudo, enredaram-se em fios de outros espaços tempos do campus em tentativas de propagações de currículos multidão.

Animação Viral, Vanguarda Trash e o Capital Simbólico dos nossos Piores Defeitos: a Ideologia de Bruno Aleixo

"Bruno Aleixo" is a viral animation character, created by the Portuguese collective GANA, that surfaced online in 2008. Their animation works have meanwhile crossed onto the most diverse media, and have been branching out in multiple webs of narratives, constantly referring to each other, as well as constantly quoting disparate references such as film classics, chatrooms and TV ads for detergents. This paper attempts a triple analysis of this object of study: the ways in which technology has been fostering non-linear narratives while widening the available aesthetic spectrum, the ways in which processes of cultural consumerism are being reinvented in light of the web 2.0, and the use of "pseudo-nonsense" as a process of oblique cultural psychoanalysis. We will further attempt to demonstrate how new media and web networks have been contributing to a fragmentation of audiences, as well as a blurring between dominant cultures and sub-cultural phenomena; and we will end by positing that the structural principles behind the "Bruno Aleixo" series can be applied in social and cultural contexts situated at the opposite end of the spectrum of traditional expectations regarding Animation.

PACOTE ANTI-CORRUPÇÃO DE DILMA?

Olhemos para uma folha de São Paulo no meio do trânsito caótico e dos milhares de arranha-céus, enquanto passam centenas de buzinantes motoqueiros suicidas a uma velocidade estonteante… Depois de milhões de pessoas se terem manifestado no Brasil por causa de megas-processos de corrupção que têm sido descobertos, entre os quais o Petrolão, no qual as investigações apontam que a propina (suborno) foi o triplo do caso Mensalão, eis que a Presidenta Dilma avança para um pacote anti-corrupção. A operação Lava Jato já fala em milhares de milhões de reais. Mas, importante, é que apenas uma medida tem efeitos de aplicação imediata! São 7 as medidas. § Let us look for a Folha de Sao Paulo in the middle of chaotic traffic and thousands of skyscrapers, as they pass hundreds of suicide motorcycle at breakneck speed ... After millions of people have expressed in Brazil because of corruption mega-processes that have been discovered, including the Petrolão in which investigations indicate that the bribe (bribery) was triple the Mensalão case, behold, the President Dilma advances to an anti-corruption package. Operation Lava Jet is already talking about billions of reais. But, importantly, it is that only a measure takes effect immediately applicable! There are 7 steps.

Growth and nutrient accumulation in mycorrhized papaya seedlings cultivated in a phosphorus-fertilized substrate

ABSTRACT The indiscriminate use of mineral fertilizers in papaya orchards has increased production costs, and the use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi is a promising alternative to reduce such expenses. Therefore, the present research aimed at studying the efficiency of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on dry matter and nutrient accumulation in Sunrise Solo papaya seedlings, by applying doses of P2O5 (triple superphosphate) that are harmful to the symbiosis. The experiment was carried out in a protected environment and was set up in a randomized block design with four replications, and consisted of four P2O5 doses (0, 672, 1386 and 2100 mg dm-3), three mycorrhizal fungi species (Gigaspora margarita, Entrophospora colombiana and Scutellospora heterogama) and the control treatment (mycorrhiza-free). Shoot and root dry matter as well as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents in leaf and root tissues were assessed. Mycorrhizal inoculation promoted a 30% increase in shoot dry matter in relation to the control treatment. Mycorrhizal fungi promoted increases in leaf and root nitrogen content up to 672 mg dm-3 P2O5. Inoculation of E. colombiana favored the highest gains in root and shoot dry matter. P2O5 fertilization increased foliar and root phosphorus content.

Integration of management systems: towards a sustained success and development of organizations

Effective environmental management within companies, integrated with other management areas like quality and occupational health and safety, is nowadays assumed to be a strategic way to implement and improve lean and cleaner production. Also, sustainable development (SD) and business sustainability can be achieved through a better coordinated management of processes versus associated resources. This paper presents an in depth discussion regarding the promotion of integrated management systems, their benefits and major contribution towards the sustainable development of cleaner production related features. It addresses issues regarding the contributions resulting from the integration of standardized Management System (MS) from both internal and external perspectives. Complementing the overall review of aspects to the development of integrated management systems a survey was conducted in order to better understand the relevance of the identified success factors. The main findings in this paper are as follows: a contextualization model of sustainable development and integrated management systems considering the Triple Bottom Line: economic, social and environmental; and, a method and associated model to support the development of integrated management systems as well as general guidelines to support integration. It can be concluded that a proactive approach and commitment to cleaner production, supported by an integrated management system, brings relevant savings for organizations as well as providing value to the relevant interested parties.

Gradual correction of phosphorus availability in the no-tillage system

ABSTRACT In areas cultivated under no-tillage system, the availability of phosphorus (P) can be raised by means of the gradual corrective fertilization, applying phosphorus into sowing furrows at doses higher than those required by the crops. The objective of this work was to establish the amount of P to be applied in soybean crop to increase content of P to pre-established values at the depth of 0.0 to 0.10 m. An experiment was carried out on a clayey Haplorthox soil with a randomized block experimental design distributed in split-split plot, with four replications. Two soybean crop systems (single or intercropped with Panicum maximum Jaca cv. Aruana) were evaluated in the plots. In addition, it was evaluated four P levels (0, 60, 120 and 180 kg ha-1 P2O5) applied in the first year in the split plots; and four P levels (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg ha-1 P2O5) applied in the two subsequent crops in the split-split plot. Contents of P were extracted by Mehlich-1 and Anion Exchange Resin methods from soil samples collected in the split-split plot. It was found that it is necessary to apply 19.4 or 11.1 kg ha-1 of P2O5, via triple superphosphate as source, to increase 1 mg dm-3 of P extracted by Mehlich-1 or Resin, respectively, in the 0.0 to 0.10 m layer of depth. The soil drain P character decreases as the amount of this nutrient supplied in the previous crops is increased.

Gestão compartilhada de P&D: o caso da Petrobras e a UFRN

O artigo analisa o modelo de Gestão Compartilhada de P&D entre a Petrobras e a Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN) à luz das teorias da Dependência de Recursos e de Redes Interorganizacionais. Este sistema é uma parceria tecnológica alinhada ao modelo da hélice tripla, onde o conhecimento está sendo construído através da interação empresa & universidade & governo. A parceria, incentivada pela Lei do Petróleo, é coordenada pelo Centro de Pesquisas da Petrobras e serviu de modelo para a criação de redes temáticas da Petrobras. As redes desenvolvem as pesquisas que, por alguma razão, não podem ser realizadas pela estrutura própria da companhia e atuam de forma complementar a seus processos internos de P&D. Apresenta-se o histórico do relacionamento entre a organização empresarial de base tecnológica e a organização acadêmica. Fazem-se considerações teóricas sobre o modelo ao mesmo tempo que são propostos alguns pontos para melhoria.

Palaeomagnetic study of a subaerial volcanic ridge (Sao Jorge Island, Azores) for the past 1.3 Myr: evidence for the Cobb Mountain Subchron, volcano flank instability and tectonomagmatic implications

We present a palaeomagnetic study on 38 lava flows and 20 dykes encompassing the past 1.3 Myr on S. Jorge Island (Azores ArchipelagoNorth Atlantic Ocean). The sections sampled in the southeastern and central/western parts of the island record reversed and normal polarities, respectively. They indicate a mean palaeomagnetic pole (81.3 degrees N, 160.7 degrees E, K= 33 and A95= 3.4 degrees) with a latitude shallower than that expected from Geocentric Axial Dipole assumption, suggesting an effect of non-dipolar components of the Earth magnetic field. Virtual Geomagnetic Poles of eight flows and two dykes closely follow the contemporaneous records of the Cobb Mountain Subchron (ODP/DSDP programs) and constrain the age transition from reversed to normal polarity at ca. 1.207 +/- 0.017 Ma. Volcano flank instabilities, probably related to dyke emplacement along an NNWSSE direction, led to southwestward tilting of the lava pile towards the sea. Two spatially and temporally distinct dyke systems have been recognized on the island. The eastern is dominated by NNWSSE trending dykes emplaced before the end of the Matuyama Chron, whereas in the central/western parts the eruptive fissures oriented WNWESE controlled the westward growth of the S. Jorge Island during the Brunhes Chron. Both directions are consistent with the present-day regional stress conditions deduced from plate kinematics and tectonomorphology and suggest the emplacement of dykes along pre-existing fractures. The distinct timing and location of each dyke system likely results from a slight shift of the magmatic source.

Distribuição de sinais rádio e vídeo sobre fibra

As comunicações ópticas e as comunicações sem fios têm sofrido uma grande evolução ao longo das últimas décadas. Com o objectivo de juntar as vantagens de cada um dos sistemas surgiu o que se designa por rádio sobre fibra. Este sistema permite centralizar todo o processamento necessário num só local, na estação central, simplificando assim a estação base. Esta simplificação permite reduzir os custos de implementação e torna o sistema menos complexo. Esta dissertação de mestrado tem como objectivo principal estudar e simular um sistema que permite o envio de sinais vídeo e rádio pela fibra óptica para posterior difusão, utilizando o conceito de rádio sobre fibra. Os sinais enviados foram o LTE (Long Term Evolution), o UWB (Ultra WideBand) e o WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access). O primeiro disponibiliza o serviço de voz, o segundo disponibiliza o serviço de televisão e o último dá suporte à internet. Estes sinais foram modulados em OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex), porque, posteriormente, estes sinais vão ser difundidos num ambiente sem fios e este tipo de modulação minimiza o efeito de multipercurso e da interferência intersimbólica. Com este estudo pretende-se verificar qual a viabilidade de um sistema que permite o envio de três sinais distintos simultaneamente (serviço Triple Play). Ao analisar os resultados deste sistema concluiu-se que a sua aplicabilidade pode apresentar algumas limitações, dependendo do tipo de modulação e do tipo de modulador que se utilize. Os moduladores ópticos utilizados foram o MZ (Mach-Zehnder) e o EA (Electro-Absorption). A qualidade do sinal recebido foi analisada com base no valor de EVM (Error Vector Magnitude). O primeiro modulador foi aquele que apresentou mais limitações, pois o desempenho do sistema é comprometido para distâncias superiores a 40 km e para potências de entrada inferiores a 0 dBm. Este tipo de sistema apresenta um EVM mais baixo quando a potência de entrada utilizada está entre 0 e 6 dBm. Se o modulador utilizado for o EA, o sistema apresenta um EVM mais baixo quando se utiliza um índice de modulação entre 20% e 30%, para uma potência de entrada entre 0 e 2 dBm.

Efeito da combinação de antibióticos e sinvastatina sobre microrganismos de interesse endodôntico e na expressão de marcadores odontoblásticos

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