Otimização da análise da atividade da redutase do nitrato e sua caracterização em folhas de cana-de-açúcar

O objetivo deste trabalho foi padronizar e caracterizar as condições para determinação da atividade da redutase do nitrato em tecido foliar de cana-de-açúcar, com uso do método in vivo. Amostras foliares foram coletadas de uma lavoura de primeira soqueira da cultivar IACSP 933046, com idade de seis meses. Foram estudadas diferentes condições de preparo das amostras foliares e do meio de incubação. O material que possibilitou a maior atividade da redutase do nitrato foi obtido pela amostragem de 25 discos de 1 cm de diâmetro, coletados às 13h, do centro da folha do tipo +1 sem nervura. O meio de incubação otimizado para a determinação da atividade dessa enzima em folhas de cana-de-açúcar deve ser composto por: 2,5 mL de KNO3 300 mmol L-1; 2,5 mL de tampão fosfato 285 mmol L-1 pH 7,3; 1,0 mL de Tween 20 a 0,6% (v/v); e 4,0 mL de água deionizada. A maior atividade da redutase do nitrato é obtida pela incubação das amostras por 90 min, a 32ºC, no escuro; é observada em plantas jovens formadas pela brotação da soqueira; e alcança o valor mínimo na fase de maturação das plantas.

Computer-assisted two-dimensional preoperative planning for total hip arthroplasty: clinical evaluation.

The purpose of this study is to clinically validate a new two-dimensional preoperative planning software for cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA). Manual and two-dimensional computer-assisted planning were compared by an independent observer for each of the 30 patients with osteoarthritis who underwent THA. This study showed that there were no statistical differences between the results of both preoperative plans in terms of stem size and neck length (<1 size) and hip rotation center position (<5 mm). Two-dimensional computer-assisted preoperative planning provided successful results comparable to those using the manual procedure, thereby allowing the surgeon to simulate various stem designs easily.

Estratificação ambiental e otimização de rede de ensaios de genótipos de soja no Cerrado

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estabelecer uma estratificação ambiental consistente, para a recomendação e a avaliação de linhagens experimentais e cultivares de soja na região do Cerrado, a partir de análises da interação entre genótipos e ambientes (GxA) quanto à produtividade de grãos, além de avaliar a atual rede de ensaios de valor de cultivo e uso (VCU) para sua otimização. Os dados provieram de 559 ensaios de competição de linhagens de soja, realizados em 57 localidades, durante sete safras agrícolas (2002/2003 a 2008/2009). Realizaram-se análises conjuntas de variância, pelo modelo AMMI ("additive main effects and multiplicative interaction"), e de estratificação ambiental, pela abordagem correlata de "genótipos vencedores". A interação GxA foi sempre significativa, como resultado da resposta diferencial dos genótipos à variação ambiental. Os locais de teste se agruparam de modo diferente de acordo com os grupos de maturação. Observou-se redundância em 20% dos locais, o que indica a possibilidade de otimização da rede de ensaios, via eliminação ou substituição dessas localidades. A região-alvo deve receber estratificações distintas, congêneres a cada grupo de maturação, e pode ser dividida em 22 (ciclo precoce), 23 (ciclo médio) e 21 (ciclo tardio) estratos ambientais.

Methods for the analysis of two dimensional measurement data of paper web

This work is devoted to the problem of reconstructing the basis weight structure at paper web with black{box techniques. The data that is analyzed comes from a real paper machine and is collected by an o®-line scanner. The principal mathematical tool used in this work is Autoregressive Moving Average (ARMA) modelling. When coupled with the Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT), it gives a very flexible and interesting tool for analyzing properties of the paper web. Both ARMA and DFT are independently used to represent the given signal in a simplified version of our algorithm, but the final goal is to combine the two together. Ljung-Box Q-statistic lack-of-fit test combined with the Root Mean Squared Error coefficient gives a tool to separate significant signals from noise.

Three-dimensional model of bubbling fluidized bed combustion

 Diplomityön tarkoituksena on kehittää kolmiulotteinen malli kerrosleijupoltolle. Työn kirjallisuusosa sisältää seuraavat perusteet kerrosleijupolton tekniikasta: yleistiedot, leijutus- ja palamisilmiöt, kiinteän aineen ja kaasun sekoittuminen, päästöt ja lämmönsiirto. Lisäksi palamissysteemin mallinnuksen perusteet ja ratkaisumenetelmät ovat esitelty. Työn mallinnusosassa kehitetty koodi on ohjelmoitu Fortran-ohjelmointikielellä. Kehitetty malli perustuu olemassa olevaan malliin kiertoleijupoltosta. Yhtälö kiintoainekonsentraatioprofiilille on vaihdettu ja kiertovirta on poistettu koodista. Mallilla on tehty herkkyystarkasteluja polttoaineen ja kaasun sekoittumisen sekä reaktiokertoimen vaikutukselle. Visualisointi on tehty ohjelmassa Tecplot 360 ja mallinnustuloksia on vertailtu mitattuihin tuloksiin. Mallin laskemattulokset vastaavat hyvin mittaustuloksia ja kokemusperäisiä tietoja; monissa tapauksissa malli pystyy kvantitatiivisesti kuvaamaan parametrien variointia ja kaikissa tapauksissa malli antaa ainakin kvalitatiivisesti oikeita tuloksia. Työhön liittyvän kehityksen ja mallinnuskokemuksen perusteella on tehty ehdotukset mallin tulevaa kehitystä ja mittauksia varten.

Three-Dimensional (3D) Microarchitecture Correlations with 2D Projection Image Gray-Level Variations Assessed by Trabecular Bone Score Using High-Resolution Computed Tomographic Acquisitions: Effects of Resolution and Noise.

The aim of the present study is to determine the level of correlation between the 3-dimensional (3D) characteristics of trabecular bone microarchitecture, as evaluated using microcomputed tomography (μCT) reconstruction, and trabecular bone score (TBS), as evaluated using 2D projection images directly derived from 3D μCT reconstruction (TBSμCT). Moreover, we have evaluated the effects of image degradation (resolution and noise) and X-ray energy of projection on these correlations. Thirty human cadaveric vertebrae were acquired on a microscanner at an isotropic resolution of 93μm. The 3D microarchitecture parameters were obtained using MicroView (GE Healthcare, Wauwatosa, MI). The 2D projections of these 3D models were generated using the Beer-Lambert law at different X-ray energies. Degradation of image resolution was simulated (from 93 to 1488μm). Relationships between 3D microarchitecture parameters and TBSμCT at different resolutions were evaluated using linear regression analysis. Significant correlations were observed between TBSμCT and 3D microarchitecture parameters, regardless of the resolution. Correlations were detected that were strongly to intermediately positive for connectivity density (0.711≤r(2)≤0.752) and trabecular number (0.584≤r(2)≤0.648) and negative for trabecular space (-0.407 ≤r(2)≤-0.491), up to a pixel size of 1023μm. In addition, TBSμCT values were strongly correlated between each other (0.77≤r(2)≤0.96). Study results show that the correlations between TBSμCT at 93μm and 3D microarchitecture parameters are weakly impacted by the degradation of image resolution and the presence of noise.

Multi-slice three-dimensional myocardial strain tensor quantification using zHARP.

In this article we propose a novel method for calculating cardiac 3-D strain. The method requires the acquisition of myocardial short-axis (SA) slices only and produces the 3-D strain tensor at every point within every pair of slices. Three-dimensional displacement is calculated from SA slices using zHARP which is then used for calculating the local displacement gradient and thus the local strain tensor. There are three main advantages of this method. First, the 3-D strain tensor is calculated for every pixel without interpolation; this is unprecedented in cardiac MR imaging. Second, this method is fast, in part because there is no need to acquire long-axis (LA) slices. Third, the method is accurate because the 3-D displacement components are acquired simultaneously and therefore reduces motion artifacts without the need for registration. This article presents the theory of computing 3-D strain from two slices using zHARP, the imaging protocol, and both phantom and in-vivo validation.

Ochratoxin A at nanomolar concentration perturbs the homeostasis of neural stem cells in highly differentiated but not in immature three-dimensional brain cell cultures.

Ochratoxin A (OTA), a fungal contaminant of basic food commodities, is known to be highly cytotoxic, but the pathways underlying adverse effects at subcytotoxic concentrations remain to be elucidated. Recent reports indicate that OTA affects cell cycle regulation. Therefore, 3D brain cell cultures were used to study OTA effects on mitotically active neural stem/progenitor cells, comparing highly differentiated cultures with their immature counterparts. Changes in the rate of DNA synthesis were related to early changes in the mRNA expression of neural stem/progenitor cell markers. OTA at 10nM, a concentration below the cytotoxic level, was ineffective in immature cultures, whereas in mature cultures it significantly decreased the rate of DNA synthesis together with the mRNA expression of key transcriptional regulators such as Sox2, Mash1, Hes5, and Gli1; the cell cycle activator cyclin D2; the phenotypic markers nestin, doublecortin, and PDGFRα. These effects were largely prevented by Sonic hedgehog (Shh) peptide (500ngml(-1)) administration, indicating that OTA impaired the Shh pathway and the Sox2 regulatory transcription factor critical for stem cell self-renewal. Similar adverse effects of OTA in vivo might perturb the regulation of stem cell proliferation in the adult brain and in other organs exhibiting homeostatic and/or regenerative cell proliferation.

Cryo-negative staining: advantages and applications for three-dimensional electron microscopy of biological macromolecules

Les échantillons biologiques ne s?arrangent pas toujours en objets ordonnés (cristaux 2D ou hélices) nécessaires pour la microscopie électronique ni en cristaux 3D parfaitement ordonnés pour la cristallographie rayons X alors que de nombreux spécimens sont tout simplement trop << gros D pour la spectroscopie NMR. C?est pour ces raisons que l?analyse de particules isolées par la cryo-microscopie électronique est devenue une technique de plus en plus importante pour déterminer la structure de macromolécules. Néanmoins, le faible rapport signal-sur-bruit ainsi que la forte sensibilité des échantillons biologiques natifs face au faisceau électronique restent deux parmi les facteurs limitant la résolution. La cryo-coloration négative est une technique récemment développée permettant l?observation des échantillons biologiques avec le microscope électronique. Ils sont observés à l?état vitrifié et à basse température, en présence d?un colorant (molybdate d?ammonium). Les avantages de la cryo-coloration négative sont étudiés dans ce travail. Les résultats obtenus révèlent que les problèmes majeurs peuvent êtres évités par l?utilisation de cette nouvelle technique. Les échantillons sont représentés fidèlement avec un SNR 10 fois plus important que dans le cas des échantillons dans l?eau. De plus, la comparaison de données obtenues après de multiples expositions montre que les dégâts liés au faisceau électronique sont réduits considérablement. D?autre part, les résultats exposés mettent en évidence que la technique est idéale pour l?analyse à haute résolution de macromolécules biologiques. La solution vitrifiée de molybdate d?ammonium entourant l?échantillon n?empêche pas l?accès à la structure interne de la protéine. Finalement, plusieurs exemples d?application démontrent les avantages de cette technique nouvellement développée.<br/><br/>Many biological specimens do not arrange themselves in ordered assemblies (tubular or flat 2D crystals) suitable for electron crystallography, nor in perfectly ordered 3D crystals for X-ray diffraction; many other are simply too large to be approached by NMR spectroscopy. Therefore, single-particles analysis has become a progressively more important technique for structural determination of large isolated macromolecules by cryo-electron microscopy. Nevertheless, the low signal-to-noise ratio and the high electron-beam sensitivity of biological samples remain two main resolution-limiting factors, when the specimens are observed in their native state. Cryo-negative staining is a recently developed technique that allows the study of biological samples with the electron microscope. The samples are observed at low temperature, in the vitrified state, but in presence of a stain (ammonium molybdate). In the present work, the advantages of this novel technique are investigated: it is shown that cryo-negative staining can generally overcome most of the problems encountered with cryo-electron microscopy of vitrified native suspension of biological particles. The specimens are faithfully represented with a 10-times higher SNR than in the case of unstained samples. Beam-damage is found to be considerably reduced by comparison of multiple-exposure series of both stained and unstained samples. The present report also demonstrates that cryo-negative staining is capable of high- resolution analysis of biological macromolecules. The vitrified stain solution surrounding the sample does not forbid the access to the interna1 features (ie. the secondary structure) of a protein. This finding is of direct interest for the structural biologist trying to combine electron microscopy and X-ray data. developed electron microscopy technique. Finally, several application examples demonstrate the advantages of this newly

Otimização de protocolos para regeneração de plantas in vitro de tangerina 'Cleópatra' (Citrus reshni Hort. ex Tan.)

O sucesso de técnicas biotecnológicas no melhoramento in vitro de citros está condicionado à existência prévia de uma metodologia eficiente de regeneração de plantas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estabelecer um sistema para regeneração de plantas in vitro, via organogênese de tangerina Cleópatra (Citrus reshni Hort. Ex Tan.). Experimentos avaliando concentrações de BAP (benzilaminopurina) e condições de cultivo, posição e polaridade do segmento de epicótilo, no meio de cultura, foram desenvolvidos para maximizar a regeneração. Para a indução das brotações, segmentos de epicótilo (1,0 cm de comprimento) foram cultivados em meio de cultura MT (Murashige & Tucker, 1969). Após 45 dias, foram avaliados: percentual de explantes responsivos e nº. de gemas/ explante responsivo. Para enraizamento, foram utilizados os meios MT e MT/2, com ou sem ANA (ácido naftalenoacético) na concentração 1,0 mg L-1. Após 60 dias, avaliou-se o percentual de brotos que emitiram raízes. A máxima proliferação de gemas foi obtida em condições de escuro, por 30 dias, utilizando-se da concentração 2,0 mg L-1 de BAP. Não houve efeito significativo da posição do explante na resposta organogenética. Os segmentos apicais e mediais mostraram-se mais eficientes que os basais. A concentração de 1,0 mg L-1 de BAP com o cultivo em condições de escuro, por 30 dias, na fase de indução de brotações combinada com ausência de auxina no meio MT/2, na fase de indução de raízes, assegurou melhor índice de enraizamento dos brotos regenerados.

Nonenhanced arterial spin labeled carotid MR angiography using three-dimensional radial balanced steady-state free precession imaging.

PURPOSE: To optimize and preliminarily evaluate a three-dimensional (3D) radial balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) arterial spin labeled (ASL) sequence for nonenhanced MR angiography (MRA) of the extracranial carotid arteries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The carotid arteries of 13 healthy subjects and 2 patients were imaged on a 1.5 Tesla MRI system using an undersampled 3D radial bSSFP sequence providing a scan time of ∼4 min and 1 mm(3) isotropic resolution. A hybridized scheme that combined pseudocontinuous and pulsed ASL was used to maximize arterial coverage. The impact of a post label delay period, the sequence repetition time, and radiofrequency (RF) energy configuration of pseudocontinuous labeling on the display of the carotid arteries was assessed with contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) measurements. Faster, higher undersampled 2 and 1 min scans were tested. RESULTS: Using hybridized ASL MRA and a 3D radial bSSFP trajectory, arterial CNR was maximized with a post label delay of 0.2 s, repetition times ≥ 2.5 s (P < 0.05), and by eliminating RF energy during the pseudocontinuous control phase (P < 0.001). With higher levels of undersampling, the carotid arteries were displayed in ≤ 2 min. CONCLUSION: Nonenhanced MRA using hybridized ASL with a 3D radial bSSFP trajectory can display long lengths of the carotid arteries with 1 mm(3) isotropic resolution. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;41:1150-1156. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Self-navigated isotropic three-dimensional cardiac T2 mapping.

PURPOSE: To implement and characterize an isotropic three-dimensional cardiac T2 mapping technique. METHODS: A self-navigated three-dimensional radial segmented balanced steady-state free precession pulse sequence with an isotropic 1.7-mm spatial resolution was implemented at 3T with a variable T2 preparation module. Bloch equation and Monte Carlo simulations were performed to determine the influence of the heart rate, B1 inhomogeneity and noise on the T2 fitting accuracy. In a phantom study, the accuracy of the pulse sequence was studied through comparison with a gold-standard spin-echo T2 mapping method. The robustness and homogeneity of the technique were ascertained in a study of 10 healthy adult human volunteers, while first results obtained in patients are reported. RESULTS: The numerical simulations demonstrated that the heart rate and B1 inhomogeneity cause only minor deviations in the T2 fitting, whereas the phantom study showed good agreement of the technique with the gold standard. The volunteer study demonstrated an average myocardial T2 of 40.5 ± 3.3 ms and a <15% T2 gradient in the base-apex and anterior-inferior direction. In three patients, elevated T2 values were measured in regions with expected edema. CONCLUSION: This respiratory self-navigated isotropic three-dimensional technique allows for accurate and robust in vitro and in vivo T2 quantification. Magn Reson Med 73:1549-1554, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Cosmic censorship in two-dimensional gravity

A weak version of the cosmic censorship hypothesis is implemented as a set of boundary conditions on exact semiclassical solutions of two-dimensional dilaton gravity. These boundary conditions reflect low-energy matter from the strong coupling region and they also serve to stabilize the vacuum of the theory against decay into negative energy states. Information about low-energy incoming matter can be recovered in the final state but at high energy black holes are formed and inevitably lead to information loss at the semiclassical level.

Supergravity models of (3+1)-dimensional QCD

The most general black M5-brane solution of eleven-dimensional supergravity (with a flat R4 spacetime in the brane and a regular horizon) is characterized by charge, mass and two angular momenta. We use this metric to construct general dual models of large-N QCD (at strong coupling) that depend on two free parameters. The mass spectrum of scalar particles is determined analytically (in the WKB approximation) and numerically in the whole two-dimensional parameter space. We compare the mass spectrum with analogous results from lattice calculations, and find that the supergravity predictions are close to the lattice results everywhere on the two dimensional parameter space except along a special line. We also examine the mass spectrum of the supergravity Kaluza-Klein (KK) modes and find that the KK modes along the compact D-brane coordinate decouple from the spectrum for large angular momenta. There are however KK modes charged under a U(1)×U(1) global symmetry which do not decouple anywhere on the parameter space. General formulas for the string tension and action are also given.

Soluble models in two-dimensional dilaton gravity

A one-parameter class of simple models of two-dimensional dilaton gravity, which can be exactly solved including back-reaction effects, is investigated at both classical and quantum levels. This family contains the RST model as a special case, and it continuously interpolates between models having a flat (Rindler) geometry and a constant curvature metric with a nontrivial dilaton field. The processes of formation of black hole singularities from collapsing matter and Hawking evaporation are considered in detail. Various physical aspects of these geometries are discussed, including the cosmological interpretation.