NGC 7419 as a template for red supergiant clusters

Context. The open cluster NGC 7419 is known to contain five red supergiants and a very high number of Be stars. However, there are conflicting reports about its age and distance that prevent a useful comparison with other clusters. Aims. We intend to obtain more accurate parameters for NGC 7419, using techniques different from those of previous authors, so that it may be used as a calibrator for more obscured clusters. Methods. We obtained Str��mgren photometry of the open cluster NGC 7419, as well as classification spectroscopy of ~20 stars in the area. We then applied standard analysis and classification techniques. Results. We find a distance of 4 �� 0.4 kpc and an age of 14 �� 2 Myr for NGC 7419. The main-sequence turn-off is found at spectral type B1, in excellent agreement. We identify 179 B-type members, implying that there are more than 1200 M��� in B stars at present. Extrapolating this to lower masses indicates an initial cluster mass of between 7000 and 10���000 M���, depending on the shape of the initial mass function. We find a very high fraction (���40%) of Be stars around the turn-off, but very few Be stars at lower masses. We also report for the first time a strong variability in the emission characteristics of Be stars. We verified that the parameters of the red supergiant members can be used to obtain accurate cluster parameters. Conclusions. NGC 7419 is sufficiently massive to serve as a testbed for theoretical predictions and as a template to compare more obscured clusters. The distribution of stars above the main-sequence turn-off is difficult to accommodate with current evolutionary tracks. Though the presence of five red supergiants is marginally consistent with theoretical expectations, the high number of Be stars and very low number of luminous evolved B stars hint at some unknown physical factor that is not considered in current synthesis models.

Cycloadditions of isobenzofuran to a constrained template bearing neighboring dienophiles

A high yielding synthesis of the pentacyclic diene-dione 1 has enabled investigation of its reactivity as a double dienophile in Diels-Alder [4+2] cycloadditions with isobenzofuran, leading to novel and highly symmetrical three-sided cavitands 3 and 4.

Magnetosomal matrix: ultrafine structure may template biomineralization of magnetosomes

The organic matrix surrounding bullet-shaped, cubo-octahedral, D-shaped, irregular arrowhead-shaped, and truncated hexa-octahedral magnetosomes was analysed in a variety of uncultured magnetotactic bacteria. The matrix was examined using low- (80 kV) and intermediate- (400 kV) voltage TEM. It encapsulated magnetosomes in dehydrated cells, ultraviolet-B-irradiated dehydrated cells and stained resin-embedded fixed cells, so the apparent structure of the matrix does not appear to be an artefact of specimen preparation. High-resolution images revealed lattice fringes in the matrix surrounding magnetite and greigite magnetosomes that were aligned with lattice fringes in the encapsulated magnetosomes. In all except one case, the lattice fringes had widths equal to or twice the width of the corresponding lattice fringes in the magnetosomes. The lattice fringes in the matrix were aligned with the {311}, {220}, {331}, {111} and {391} related lattice planes of magnetite and the {222} lattice plane of greigite. An unidentified material, possibly an iron hydroxide, was detected in two immature magnetosomes containing magnetite. The unidentified phase had a structure similar to that of the matrix as it contained {311}, {220} and {111} lattice fringes, which indicates that the matrix acts as a template for the spatially controlled biomineralization of the unidentified phase, which itself transforms into magnetite. The unidentified phase was thus called pre-magnetite. The presence of the magnetosomal matrix explains all of the five properties of the biosignature of the magnetosomal chain proposed previously by Friedmann et al. and supports their claim that some of the magnetite particles in the carbonate globules in the Martian meteorite ALH84001 are biogenic. Two new morphologies of magnetite magnetosomes are also reported here (i.e. tooth-shaped and hexa-octahedral magnetosomes). Tooth-shaped magnetite magnetosomes elongated in the [110] direction are reported, and are distinct from arrowhead-shaped and bullet-shaped magnetosomes. Elongation of magnetite magnetosomes in the [110] direction has not been reported previously. A Martian hexa-octahedral magnetite particle was previously characterized by Thomas-Keptra et al. and compared with truncated hexa-octahedral magnetite magnetosomes. Hexa-octahedral magnetite magnetosomes with the same morphology and similar sizes and axial ratios as those reported by Thomas-Keptra et al. are characterized here. These observations support their claim that ALH84001 contains evidence for a past Martian biota.

The Mental Health Policy Template: Domains and elements for mental health policy formulation

Mental disorders are a major and rising cause of disease burden in all countries. Even when resources are available, many countries do not have the policy and planning frameworks in place to identify and deliver effective interventions. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank have emphasized the need for ready access to the basic tools for mental health policy formulation, implementation and sustained development. The Analytical Studies on Mental Health Policy and Service Project, undertaken in 1999-2001 by the International Consortium for Mental Health Services and funded by the Global Forum for Health Research aims to address this need through the development of a template for mental health policy formulation. A mental health policy template has been developed based on an inventory of the key elements of a successful mental health policy. These elements have been validated against a review of international literature, a study of existing mental health policies and the results of extensive consultations with experts in the six WHO regions of the world. The Mental Health Policy Template has been revised and its applicability will be tested in a number of developing countries during 2001-2002. The Mental Health Policy Template and the work of the Consortium for Mental Health Services will be presented and the future role of the template in mental health policy development and reform in developing countries will be discussed.

The cyclotide family of circular miniproteins: Nature's combinatorial peptide template

The cyclotides are a recently discovered family of miniproteins that contain a head-to-tail cyclized backbone and a knotted arrangement of disulfide bonds. They are approximately 30 amino acids in size and are present in high abundance in plants from the Violaceae, Rubiaceae, and Cucurbitaceae families, with individual plants containing a suite of up to 100 cyclotides. They have a diverse range of biological activities, including uterotonic, anti-HIV, antitumor, and antimicrobial activities, although their natural function is likely that of defending their host plants from pathogens and pests. This review focuses on the structural aspects of cyclotides, which may be thought of as a natural combinatorial peptide template in which a wide range of amino acids is displayed on a compact molecular core made up of the cyclic cystine knot structural motif. Cyclotides are exceptionally stable and are resistant to denaturation via thermal, chemical, or enzymatic treatments. The struclural features that contribute to their remarkable stability are described ill this review. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Uma Introdu����o �� Sintaxe do C++: C++03 e C++11

A interac����o dos humanos com os computadores envolve uma combina����o das tarefas de programa����o e de utiliza����o. Nem sempre �� expl��cita a diferen��a entre as duas tarefas. Introduzir comandos num programa de desenho assistido por computador �� utiliza����o ou programa����o numa linguagem interpretada? Modificar uma folha de c��lculo com macros �� utiliza����o ou programa����o? Usar um ���Integrated Development Environment��� ou IDE para inserir dados num ficheiro �� utiliza����o (do IDE) ou programa����o? A escrita de um texto usando LaTeX ou HTML �� utiliza����o ou programa����o numa ���markup language���? Recorrer a um programa de computa����o simb��lica �� utiliza����o ou programa����o? Utilizar um processador de texto �� utiliza����o ou programa����o visual? Ao utilizador n��o se exige um conhecimento completo de todos os comandos, todos os menus, todos os s��mbolos do software que utiliza. Nem a memoriza����o da sintaxe e de todos os pormenores de funcionamento de um programa �� um atributo necess��rio ou sequer ��til ao utilizador; a concretiza����o desse conhecimento n��o assegura maior efici��ncia na utiliza����o. Quando se come��a, apenas algumas instru����es elementares s��o recebidas, por vezes de um colega, de um Professor, ou obtidas recorrendo �� pesquisa na Internet. Com a familiariza����o, o utilizador exige mais do Software que usa e de si pr��prio: um manual passa a ser um recurso de grande utilidade. A confian��a conquistada gera, periodicamente, a necessidade de auto-exame e de aumento do ��mbito do conhecimento. Desta forma, quem utiliza computadores acaba por ser confrontado com uma tarefa que, efectivamente, pode ser considerada ou requer programa����o. P��e-se uma quest��o no imediato (se ningu��m decidiu por si) que �� a da selec����o da linguagem de programa����o. A abordagem multiparadigma e longa experi��ncia de utiliza����o do C++ tornam-no atractivo para aplica����es onde a efici��ncia se combina com a disponibilidade de estruturas de dados e algoritmos adoptados pela ind��stria (o que coloquialmente se denomina STL, Standard Template Library, cf. [#breymann, #josuttis], mais geralmente biblioteca Standard). Adicionalmente, linguagens populares como o Java, C# e PHP possuem sintaxes inspiradas e em muitas partes coincidentes com as do C e C++. Por exemplo, um ciclo ���for��� em Java �� parcialmente coincidente com o do C99, que �� um sub-conjunto do ���for��� do C++. S��o os pormenores, a efici��ncia e as capacidades do C++ que permitem a cria����o de software Profissional. Todos os sistemas operativos cl��ssicos (Unix, Microsoft Windows, Linux) disp��em de compiladores, IDE, bibliotecas e s��o em grande parte constru��dos recorrendo a C e C++. Relativamente a outras linguagens, a quantidade de ferramentas dispon��vel e o conhecimento adquirido durante d��cadas �� dif��cil de ignorar. Esse conhecimento faz com que a sintaxe do C++ pare��a muito maior do que o estritamente necess��rio e afaste potenciais interessados. A longa evolu����o do C++ introduziu tamb��m uma diferen��a no estilo muito marcada. C��digo dos anos 80 e 90 do s��culo XX �� frequentemente menos leg��vel do que o que correntemente se produz. Muitos tutoriais dispon��veis online fazem parecer a linguagem menos rigorosa (e mais complexa) do que na realidade ��, j�� que raramente �� apresentado o caso geral da sintaxe. Constata-se que muitos autores ainda usam os cabe��alhos do C, quando j�� n��o s��o necess��rios. Scott Meyers afirma que o C++ �� uma federa����o de linguagens [#scottmeyers] e por esse facto requer perspectivas de abordagem distintas de outras linguagens. Sem alguma sistematiza����o �� dif��cil apreciar a sua compacidade e coer��ncia. Por��m, a forma harmoniosa como as componentes sint��cticas se encaixam �� uma grande mais-valia do C++ s�� constatada com experimenta����o e leitura atenta. A presente monografia dirige-se a quem pretenda utilizar o C++ como ferramenta profissional de Software. Em termos de pr��-requisitos Acad��micos, dir-se-�� que um curso (1�� Ciclo) de Ci��ncia ou de Engenharia aumentar�� o interesse por certos aspectos mais t��cnicos da linguagem mas qualquer indiv��duo com gosto pela experimenta����o tirar�� proveito do conte��do. Este texto n��o busca a exaustividade enciclop��dica na cobertura do tema. Neste texto forne��o, de forma directa, uma introdu����o ao C++ a qual permite come��ar a produzir c��digo sem os custos da dispers��o de fontes e nota����es na recolha de informa����o. Antecipo assim a sua utiliza����o nos Pa��ses de L��ngua Portuguesa, uma vez que os textos que encontrei s��o ora mais exigentes ora menos completos, frequentemente ambos.

Studio di tecniche di estrazione del segnale per barioni ��c+ ricostruiti nell���esperimento ALICE

Le recenti analisi dei dati raccolti ad ALICE dimostrano che la nostra comprensione dei fenomeni di adronizzazione dei sapori pesanti �� ancora incompleta, perch�� le misure effettuate su collisioni pp, p-Pb e Pb-Pb non sono riproducibili da modelli teorici basati su altre tipologie di collisione come e+e���. In particolare, i risultati sembrano indicare che il principio di universalit��, che assume che le funzioni di frammentazione di quark e gluoni siano indipendenti dal tipo di sistema interagente, non sia valido. Per questo motivo sono stati sviluppati nuovi modelli teorici e fenomenologici, capaci di riprodurre in modo pi�� o meno accurato i dati sperimentali. Questi modelli differiscono tra di loro soprattutto a bassi valori di impulso trasverso pT . L���analisi dati a basso pT si rivela dunque di fondamentale importanza, in quanto permette di discriminare, tra i vari modelli, quelli che sono realmente in grado di riprodurre i dati sperimentali e quelli che non lo sono. Inoltre pu�� fornire una conferma sperimentale dei fenomeni fisici su cui tale modello si basa. In questa tesi �� stato estratto il numero di barioni ��+c (yield ) prodotto in collisioni pp a ���s = 13 TeV , nel range di impulso trasverso 0 < pT (��+c ) < 1 GeV/c. �� stato fatto uso di una tecnica di machine learning che sfrutta un algoritmo di tipo Boosted Decision Trees (BDT) implementato dal pacchetto TMVA, al fine di identificare ed eliminare una grossa parte del fondo statistico e semplificare notevolmente l���analisi vera e propria. Il grado di attendibilit�� della misura �� stata verificata eseguendo l���estrazione dello yield con due approcci diversi: il primo, modellando il fondo combinatoriale con una funzione analitica; successivamente con la creazione di un template statistico creato ad hoc con la tecnica delle track rotations.

Frequency Of The Allelic Variant C.1150t > C In Exon 10 Of The Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 3 (fgfr3) Gene Is Not Increased In Patients With Pathogenic Mutations And Related Chondrodysplasia Phenotypes.

Mutations in the FGFR3 gene cause the phenotypic spectrum of FGFR3 chondrodysplasias ranging from lethal forms to the milder phenotype seen in hypochondroplasia (Hch). The p.N540K mutation in the FGFR3 gene occurs in ���70% of individuals with Hch, and nearly 30% of individuals with the Hch phenotype have no mutations in the FGFR3, which suggests genetic heterogeneity. The identification of a severe case of Hch associated with the typical mutation c.1620C > A and the occurrence of a c.1150T > C change that resulted in a p.F384L in exon 10, together with the suspicion that this second change could be a modulator of the phenotype, prompted us to investigate this hypothesis in a cohort of patients. An analysis of 48 patients with FGFR3 chondrodysplasia phenotypes and 330 healthy (control) individuals revealed no significant difference in the frequency of the C allele at the c.1150 position (p = 0.34). One patient carrying the combination `pathogenic mutation plus the allelic variant c.1150T > C' had a typical achondroplasia (Ach) phenotype. In addition, three other patients with atypical phenotypes showed no association with the allelic variant. Together, these results do not support the hypothesis of a modulatory role for the c.1150T > C change in the FGFR3 gene.

The C-terminal Region Of The Human P23 Chaperone Modulates Its Structure And Function.

The p23 protein is a chaperone widely involved in protein homeostasis, well known as an Hsp90 co-chaperone since it also controls the Hsp90 chaperone cycle. Human p23 includes a ��-sheet domain, responsible for interacting with Hsp90; and a charged C-terminal region whose function is not clear, but seems to be natively unfolded. p23 can undergo caspase-dependent proteolytic cleavage to form p19 (p231-142), which is involved in apoptosis, while p23 has anti-apoptotic activity. To better elucidate the function of the human p23 C-terminal region, we studied comparatively the full-length human p23 and three C-terminal truncation mutants: p23���������������; p23��������������� and p23���������������. Our data indicate that p23 and p19 have distinct characteristics, whereas the other two truncations behave similarly, with some differences to p23 and p19. We found that part of the C-terminal region can fold in an ��-helix conformation and slightly contributes to p23 thermal-stability, suggesting that the C-terminal interacts with the ��-sheet domain. As a whole, our results suggest that the C-terminal region of p23 is critical for its structure-function relationship. A mechanism where the human p23 C-terminal region behaves as an activation/inhibition module for different p23 activities is proposed.

Avalia����o do teor e da estabilidade de vitaminas do complexo B e vitamina C em bebidas isot��nicas e energ��ticas

Vitamin C stability and concentration was evaluated in isotonic beverages and B group vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5 and B6) in power beverages. The amount of vitamins was found to be above of that declared on the labels, even after the shelf life had been exceeded. A small decrease in the amount of B group vitamins was observed during the shelf life of the products. In the case of vitamin C this decrease was slightly higher. The present research shows the need of increased quality control and inspection.

Caracteriza����o f��sico-qu��mica de filmes comest��veis de amido adicionado de acerola (Malphigia emarginata D.C.)

Edibles films are an alternative to synthetic materials used for packing food products. Barbados cherry is rich in vitamin C and carotenoids. The aim of this study was to characterize and develop films by casting from cassava starch, lyophilized Barbados cherry pulp and glycerol. The films were characterized with respect to thickness, water vapor permeability (WVP), water solubility, vitamin C, carotene and mechanical properties. The interaction of pulp and glycerol reduced film thickness. An increase in pulp concentration up to 60% increased WVP but beyond this concentration reduced both WVP and solubility leading to an increased level of vitamin C and &#946; carotene in the films.

O uso da mitomicina C em cirurgia combinada

Purpose: To analyze the efficacy and safety of intraope-rative mitomycin C (MMC) in combined procedures (extra-capsular cataract extraction + trabeculectomy). Methods: Twenty-four patients were randomized to either MMC (0.5 mg/ml) (n = 14) or saline solution (n = 10) for 3 minutes during the combined procedure. Results: Twelve months after surgery, mean IOP in the MMC group (13.2 �� 2.9 mmHg) was significantly lower than in the control group (16.3 �� 3.9 mmHg) (p = 0.02). The mean number of medications used during the 12-month follow-up in the control group (1.33 �� 0.5) was significantly higher than in the MMC-treated group (0.5 �� 0.5) (p = 0.005). Life table analysis showed a significantly higher probability of IOP control in the MMC group than in the control group (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Intraoperative MMC is safe and effective in pro-moting a better IOP control and reducing the need for postoperative antiglaucoma medications. We suggest intraope-rative MMC to be routinely employed in combined procedures.

Central retinal vein thrombosis as an initial manifestation of heterozygous protein C deficiency: case report

The purpose of this paper is to report a case of central retinal vein thrombosis associated with isolated heterozygous protein C deficiency. Acute occlusion of the central retinal vein presents as one of the most dramatic pictures in ophthalmology. It is often a result of both local and systemic causes. A rare systemic cause is heterozygous protein C deficiency, and it usually occurs in combination with other thrombophilic conditions. This case highlights that isolated heterozygous protein C deficiency may be the cause of central retinal vein thrombosis and underscores the importance of its screening in young patients with this ophthalmologic disease.

O papel do trabalho na transforma����o do homem em macaco : estudo sobre a disciplina no trabalho do jogador profissional do Sert��ozinho F. C

Universidade Estadual de Campinas. Faculdade de Educa����o F��sica