Nuclear alterations associated to programmed cell death in larval salivary glands of Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera : Apidae)

The silk glands of bees are a good model for the study of cell death in insects. With the objective to detect the nuclear features during glandular regression stage, larvae at the last instar and pre-pupae were collected and their silk glands were dissected and processed for ultrastructural analysis and histologically for cytochemical and imunocytochemical analysis. The results showed that the cellular nuclei exhibited characteristics of death by atypical apoptosis as well as autophagic cell death. Among the apoptosis characteristic were: nuclear strangulation with bleb formation in some nuclei, DNA fragmentation in most of the nuclei and nucleolar fragmentation. Centripetal chromatin compaction was observed in many nuclei, forming a perichromatin halo differing from typical apoptotic nuclei. With regards to the characteristics of autophagic-programmed cell death, most relevant was the delay in the collapse of many nuclei. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cosmic microwave background and large-scale structure constraints on a simple quintessential inflation model

We derive constraints on a simple quintessential inflation model, based on a spontaneously broken Phi(4) theory, imposed by the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe three-year data (WMAP3) and by galaxy clustering results from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). We find that the scale of symmetry breaking must be larger than about 3 Planck masses in order for inflation to generate acceptable values of the scalar spectral index and of the tensor-to-scalar ratio. We also show that the resulting quintessence equation of state can evolve rapidly at recent times and hence can potentially be distinguished from a simple cosmological constant in this parameter regime.

Structure formation in the presence of dark energy perturbations

We study non-linear structure formation in the presence of dark energy. The influence of dark energy on the growth of large-scale cosmological structures is exerted both through its background effect on the expansion rate, and through its perturbations. In order to compute the rate of formation of massive objects we employ the spherical collapse formalism, which we generalize to include fluids with pressure. We show that the resulting non-linear evolution equations are identical to the ones obtained in the pseudo-Newtonian approach to cosmological perturbations, in the regime where an equation of state serves to describe both the background pressure relative to density, and the pressure perturbations relative to the density perturbations. We then consider a wide range of constant and time-dependent equations of state (including phantom models) parametrized in a standard way, and study their impact on the non-linear growth of structure. The main effect is the formation of dark energy structure associated with the dark matter halo: non-phantom equations of state induce the formation of a dark energy halo, damping the growth of structures; phantom models, on the other hand, generate dark energy voids, enhancing structure growth. Finally, we employ the Press-Schechter formalism to compute how dark energy affects the number of massive objects as a function of redshift (number counts).

Structure of large two-neutron halos in light exotic nuclei

The structure of three-body halo nuclei formed by two neutrons and a core (nnc) is studied using zero-range interactions. The halo wave function can be completely parameterized only by the s-wave scattering lengths and two-neutron separation energy. The sizes and the neutron-neutron correlation function of Li-11 and Be-14 are calculated and compared to experimental data. A general classification scheme for three-body halos with two identical particles is discussed as well as the critical conditions to allow excited Efimov states.

Structure of exotic three-body systems

The classification of large halos formed by two identical particles and a core is systematically addressed according to interparticle distances. The root-mean-square distances between the constituents are described by universal scaling functions obtained from a renormalized zero-range model. Applications for halo nuclei, Li-11 and Be-14, and for atomicn He-4(3) are briefly discussed. The generalization to four-body systems is proposed.

Constraints on two-neutron separation energy in the Borromean C-22 nucleus

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

Trajectory of virtual, bound and resonant Efimov states

The pole trajectory of Efimov states for a three-body alpha alpha beta system with alpha alpha unbound and alpha beta bound is calculated using a zero-range Dirac-delta potential. It is shown that a three-body bound state turns into a virtual one by increasing the alpha beta binding energy. This result is consistent with previous results for three equal mass particles. The present approach considers the n-n-(18)C halo nucleus. However, the results have good perspective to be tested and applied in ultracold atomic systems, where one can realize such three-body configuration with tunable two-body interaction.

Searching for planar signatures in WMAP

We search for planar deviations of statistical isotropy in the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) data by applying a recently introduced angular-planar statistics both to full-sky and to masked temperature maps, including in our analysis the effect of the residual foreground contamination and systematics in the foreground removing process as sources of error. We confirm earlier findings that full-sky maps exhibit anomalies at the planar (l) and angular (l) scales (l; l) = (2; 5); (4; 7); and (6; 8), which seem to be due to unremoved foregrounds since this features are present in the full-sky map but not in the masked maps. on the other hand, our test detects slightly anomalous results at the scales (l; l) = (10; 8) and (2; 9) in the masked maps but not in the full-sky one, indicating that the foreground cleaning procedure (used to generate the full-sky map) could not only be creating false anomalies but also hiding existing ones. We also find a significant trace of an anomaly in the full-sky map at the scale (l; l) = (10; 5), which is still present when we consider galactic cuts of 18.3% and 28.4%. As regards the quadrupole (l = 2), we find a coherent over-modulation over the whole celestial sphere, for all full-sky and cut-sky maps. Overall, our results seem to indicate that current CMB maps derived from WMAP data do not show significant signs of anisotropies, as measured by our angular-planar estimator. However, we have detected a curious coherence of planar modulations at angular scales of the order of the galaxy's plane, which may be an indication of residual contaminations in the full-and cut-sky maps.

LARGE ATOMIC and NUCLEAR THREE-BODY SYSTEMS: SCATTERING and BINDING

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

Physical approximations for the nonlinear evolution of perturbations in inhomogeneous dark energy scenarios

The abundance and distribution of collapsed objects such as galaxy clusters will become an important tool to investigate the nature of dark energy and dark matter. Number counts of very massive objects are sensitive not only to the equation of state of dark energy, which parametrizes the smooth component of its pressure, but also to the sound speed of dark energy, which determines the amount of pressure in inhomogeneous and collapsed structures. Since the evolution of these structures must be followed well into the nonlinear regime, and a fully relativistic framework for this regime does not exist yet, we compare two approximate schemes: the widely used spherical collapse model and the pseudo-Newtonian approach. We show that both approximation schemes convey identical equations for the density contrast, when the pressure perturbation of dark energy is parametrized in terms of an effective sound speed. We also make a comparison of these approximate approaches to general relativity in the linearized regime, which lends some support to the approximations.

Cosmological forecasts from photometric measurements of the angular correlation function

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Dynamics of a spacecraft and normalization around Lagrangian points in the Neptune-Triton system

The problem of a spacecraft orbiting the Neptune-Triton system is presented. The new ingredients in this restricted three body problem are the Neptune oblateness and the high inclined and retrograde motion of Triton. First we present some interesting simulations showing the role played by the oblateness on a Neptune's satellite, disturbed by Triton. We also give an extensive numerical exploration in the case when the spacecraft orbits Triton, considering Sun, Neptune and its planetary oblateness as disturbers. In the plane a x I (a = semi-major axis, I = inclination), we give a plot of the stable regions where the massless body can survive for thousand of years. Retrograde and direct orbits were considered and as usual, the region of stability is much more significant for the case of direct orbit of the spacecraft (Triton's orbit is retrograde). Next we explore the dynamics in a vicinity of the Lagrangian points. The Birkhoff normalization is constructed around L-2, followed by its reduction to the center manifold. In this reduced dynamics, a convenient Poincare section shows the interplay of the Lyapunov and halo periodic orbits, Lissajous and quasi-halo tori as well as the stable and unstable manifolds of the planar Lyapunov orbit. To show the effect of the oblateness, the planar Lyapunov family emanating from the Lagrangian points and three-dimensional halo orbits are obtained by the numerical continuation method. Published by Elsevier Ltd. on behalf of COSPAR.

Atividade antibacteriana de óleos essenciais e extratos vegetais sobre o desenvolvimento de Ralstonia Solanacearum em mudas de bananeira

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo determinar a atividade de diferentes concentrações de óleos essenciais e extratos vegetais sobre o crescimento de Ralstonia solanacearum e a incidência do moko em mudas de bananeira. Foram avaliadas diferentes concentrações de óleos essenciais de citronela, eucalipto citriodora, cravo-da-índia e gengibre: 1,25%; 3,5%; 3,75% e 5% e de extratos de cravo-da-índia, gengibre, canela e melão-de-são-caetano: 5%, 10%, 15% e 20%, medindo-se o halo de inibição da bactéria, após 48 horas. O óleo de eucalipto e os extratos de melão-de-são-caetano, cravo-da-índia e canela não apresentaram efeito sobre a bactéria. O extrato de gengibre, os óleos de citronela, de cravo e de gengibre inibiram o crescimento de R. solanacearumem todas as concentrações testadas, destacando-se o óleo de cravo como o melhor tratamento, seguido por extrato de gengibre. Mudas de bananeira foram pulverizadas com os óleos de citronela, gengibre e cravo (3,75%) e extrato de gengibre (20%), aplicando-se 10 ml da solução por planta. Oito dias após, as mudas foram inoculadas com o patógeno (10(8) cel/mL). O óleo de citronela proporcionou o melhor resultado, com 100% de controle da doença, porém as folhas das plantas, com esse tratamento, apresentaram sintomas de fitotoxidez. O óleo e o extrato de gengibre foram semelhantes na eficiência de controle do moko (50%), e o óleo de cravo apresentou menor eficiência (25%).

Agressividade de linhagens de Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. aurantifolii Tipo C em lima ácida 'Galego'

O presente trabalho objetivou gerar informações referentes à agressividade de linhagens de Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. aurantifolii Tipo C(Xaa-C), produtoras (PP) e não produtoras de pigmento (NP) escuro em meio de cultura, comparativamente a X. axonopodis pv. citri Tipo A (Xac) . Os tratamentos foram formados por 14 linhagens, sendo sete de Xaa-C PP, cinco Xaa-C NP, e duas linhagens de Xac. As linhagens foram inoculadas através de ferimentos, em folhas de lima ácida 'Galego' (Citrus aurantifolia Swingle), com agulha previamente mergulhada em uma suspensão de células bacterianas (10(7) UFC/mL). Foram realizadas dez repetições para cada tratamento, representadas por uma planta cada. As plantas foram mantidas em casa de vegetação durante todo o experimento. As linhagens diferiram entre si quanto ao período de incubação, diâmetro e populações bacterianas das lesões e, comparativamente, Xaa-C NP mostraram-se mais agressivas do que Xaa-C PP. Algumas linhagens induziram sintomas que diferiram quanto à presença e extensão de anasarca, halo amarelo e saliência do tecido necrosado.

Imunoglobulinas e C3 no granuloma paracoccidióidico

Utilizou-se o modelo experimental de paracoccidioidomicose, em camundongos, induzida pela inoculação endovenosa de suspensão de formas cerebriformes do P. brasiliensis (cepa Bt2; 1x10(6) formas viáveis/animal), para avaliar, após 2, 4, 8, 16 e 20 semanas: 1. A presença de imunoglobulinas e C3 nos granulomas pulmonares, por imunofluorescência direta; 2. A resposta imune humoral (imunodifusão) e celular (teste do coxim plantar), e 3. A histopatologia das lesões. Os camundongos apresentaram resposta imunocelular positiva desde a 2a. semana, com depressão transitória na 16a. semana, e anticorpos desde a 4a. semana, com pico na 16a. semana. Os granulomas pulmonares foram epitelióides, com numerosos fungos e microabscesses; a extensão das lesões foi progressiva até a 16a. semana, com regressão discreta na 20a. semana. Desde a 2a. semana, houve deposição de IgG e C3 na parede dos fungos no interior dos granulomas e a presença de células IgG positivas no halo linfomononuclear periférico; estes achados foram máximos entre a 4a. e 16a. semanas. Não se detectou depósito de IgG e C3 no interstício dos granulomas. IgG e C3 parecem exercer papel precoce e importante na defesa do hospedeiro contra o P. brasiliensis, contribuindo possivelmente para a destruição dos fungos e bloqueando a difusão de antígenos para fora dos granulomas.