Potential implications of ketamine anesthesia on zebrafish behavior

Dissertação de mestrado integrado em Psicologia

Study of the potential employment of Malvaceae Species in composites materials

The employ of vegetal fibers for textiles and composites represents a great potential in economic and social sustainable development. Some Malvaceae species are considered tropical cosmopolitans, such as from Sida genus. Several species of this genus provide excellent textile bast fibers, which are very similar in qualities to the jute textile fiber. The objective of the present study is present the physicochemical characterization of six Brazilian vegetal fibers: Sida rhombifolia L.; Sida carpinifolia L. f.; Sidastrum paniculatum (L.) Fryxell; Sida cordifolia L.; Malvastrum coromandelianum (L.) Gurck; Wissadula subpeltata (Kuntze) R.E.Fries. Respectively the two first species are from Brazilian Atlantic Forest biome and the four remaining from Brazilian Cerrado biome, despite of present in other regions of the planet. The stems of these species were retted in water at 37oC for 20 days. The fibers were tested in order to determine tensile rupture strength, tenacity, elongation, Young’s modulus, cross microscopic structure, Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM), regain, combustion, acid, alkali, organic solvent and cellulase effects, pH of the aqueous extract, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). The obtained values were compared with those from fibers of recognized applicability in the textile industry including hemp. The results are promising in terms of their employment in thermoset and thermoplastic medium resistance composites.

A new species of Cerqueirellum Py-Daniel, 1983 (Diptera: Simuliidae) and proven new vector of mansonelliasis from the Ituxi River, Amazon basin, Brazil

A new species of the genus Cerqueirellum Py-Daniel, 1983 (Diptera: Simuliidae) is described. The adults are similar to the species C. oyapockense (Floch & Abonnenc, 1946) and C. roraimense (Nunes de Mello, 1974), of which the females are similar, and the males present discrete differences. The main differences of this new species to others of the genus Cerqueirellum are the integument of the larva recovered from stout spines and long cephalic trichomes in the pupa. Some females were infected with Mansonella ozzardii (Manson, 1897) (Nematoda, Onchocercidae) and probably transmit mansonelliasis in the Ituxi river, state of Amazonas, Brazil.

Search for vector-like B quarks in events with one isolated lepton, missing transverse momentum and jets at s√= 8 TeV with the ATLAS detector

A search has been performed for pair production of heavy vector-like down-type (B) quarks. The analysis explores the lepton-plus-jets final state, characterized by events with one isolated charged lepton (electron or muon), significant missing transverse momentum and multiple jets. One or more jets are required to be tagged as arising from b-quarks, and at least one pair of jets must be tagged as arising from the hadronic decay of an electroweak boson. The analysis uses the full data sample of pp collisions recorded in 2012 by the ATLAS detector at the LHC, operating at a center-of-mass energy of 8 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 20.3 fb−1. No significant excess of events is observed above the expected background. Limits are set on vector-like B production, as a function of the B branching ratios, assuming the allowable decay modes are B→Wt/Zb/Hb. In the chiral limit with a branching ratio of 100% for the decay B→Wt, the observed (expected) 95% CL lower limit on the vector-like B mass is 810 GeV (760 GeV). In the case where the vector-like B quark has branching ratio values corresponding to those of an SU(2) singlet state, the observed (expected) 95% CL lower limit on the vector-like B mass is 640 GeV (505 GeV). The same analysis, when used to investigate pair production of a colored, charge 5/3 exotic fermion T5/3, with subsequent decay T5/3→Wt, sets an observed (expected) 95% CL lower limit on the T5/3 mass of 840 GeV (780 GeV).

Search for a Charged Higgs Boson Produced in the Vector-boson Fusion Mode with Decay H±→W±Z using pp Collisions at s√=8 TeV with the ATLAS Experiment

A search for a charged Higgs boson, H±, decaying to a W± boson and a Z boson is presented. The search is based on 20.3 fb−1 of proton-proton collision data at a center-of-mass energy of 8 TeV recorded with the ATLAS detector at the LHC. The H± boson is assumed to be produced via vector-boson fusion and the decays W±→qq′¯ and Z→e+e−/μ+μ− are considered. The search is performed in a range of charged Higgs boson masses from 200 to 1000 GeV. No evidence for the production of an H± boson is observed. Upper limits of 31--1020 fb at 95% CL are placed on the cross section for vector-boson fusion production of an H± boson times its branching fraction to W±Z. The limits are compared with predictions from the Georgi-Machacek Higgs Triplet Model.

Search for production of vector-like quark pairs and of four top quarks in the lepton-plus-jets final state in pp collisions at root 8=8 TeV with the ATLAS detector

A search for pair production of vector-like quarks, both up-type (T) and down-type (B), as well as for four-top-quark production, is presented. The search is based on pp collisions at s√=8 TeV recorded in 2012 with the ATLAS detector at the CERN Large Hadron Collider and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 20.3 fb−1. Data are analysed in the lepton-plus-jets final state, characterised by an isolated electron or muon with high transverse momentum, large missing transverse momentum and multiple jets. Dedicated analyses are performed targeting three cases: a T quark with significant branching ratio to a W boson and a b-quark (TT¯→Wb+X), and both a T quark and a B quark with significant branching ratio to a Higgs boson and a third-generation quark (TT¯→Ht+X and BB¯→Hb+X respectively). No significant excess of events above the Standard Model expectation is observed, and 95% CL lower limits are derived on the masses of the vector-like T and B quarks under several branching ratio hypotheses assuming contributions from T→Wb, Zt, Ht and B→Wt, Zb, Hb decays. The 95% CL observed lower limits on the T quark mass range between 715 GeV and 950 GeV for all possible values of the branching ratios into the three decay modes, and are the most stringent constraints to date. Additionally, the most restrictive upper bounds on four-top-quark production are set in a number of new physics scenarios.

Antioxidant potential of two Apiaceae plant extracts: a comparative study focused on the phenolic composition

The present study aimed to characterize the extracts prepared from Pimpinella anisum L. (anise) and Coriandrum sativum L. (coriander) (Apiaceae plants) seeds in terms of phenolic composition, and to correlate the obtained profiles with the antioxidant activity. Anise gave the highest abundance in phenolic compounds (42.09± 0.11 mg/g extract), mainly flavonoids (28.08±0.17 mg/g extract) and phenolic acids (14.01±0.06 mg/g extract), and also the highest antioxidant potential, accessed for the ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation and -carotene bleaching, reducing power and free radical scavenger activity. Apigenin and luteolin derivatives, as also caffeoylquinic acid derivatives appear to be directly related with the higher in vitro antioxidant potential of the anise extract.. In contrast, the weak antioxidant potential of coriander seems to be due to their lower abundance in phenolic compounds (2.24±0.01 mg/g extract). Further studies are necessary to evaluate the in vivo antioxidant potential of the tested extracts, but the performed in vitro experiments highlight them as potential health promoters.

The synthesis of new 6-hydrazinopurines as potential anticancer agents

[Excerpt] Purines, such as adenine, are one of the most important naturally occurring nitrogen heterocycles and they are frequently used as bioactive agents.[1,2] The increasing number of synthetic purines reveals the great potential of these compounds as enzyme inhibitors. Protein Kinases have an important regulatory role in cell proliferation, differentiation and signalling processes. Abnormal signal transduction is responsible for devastating diseases such as cancer. All of the protein kinases identified have in common the cofactor ATP indicating that the adenine nucleus is a very important scaffold for discovery of new anti-cancer agents.[3,4] Previous work identified a modest anticancer activity in a family of 6-arylaminopurines. In the view of these results, it seemed reasonable to assume that some interesting anticancer agents might result by replacement of the phenyl group by a secondary amino group linked to the N-6 atom of the adenine moiety. (...)

Cost-efficient one-part alkali-activated mortars with low global warming potential for floor heating systems applications

Increasing building energy efficiency is one the most cost-effective ways to reduce emissions. The use of thermal insulation materials mitigates heat loss in buildings, therefore minimising heat energy needs. In recent years, several papers were published on the subject of foam alkali-activated cements with enhanced thermal conductivity. However, on those papers cost analysis was strangely avoided. This paper presents experimental results on one-part alkali-activated cements. It also includes global warming potential assessment and cost analysis. Foam one-part alkali-activated cements cost simulations considering two carbon dioxide social costs scenarios are also included. The results show that one-part alkali-activated cements mixtures based on 26%OPC + 58.3%FA + 8%CS + 7.7%CH and 3.5% hydrogen peroxide constitute a promising cost-efficient (67 euro/m3), thermal insulation solution for floor heating systems. This mixture presents a low global warming potential of 443 KgCO2eq/m3. The results confirm that in both carbon dioxide social cost scenarios the mixture 26 OPC + 58.3 FA + 8 CS + 7.7 CH with 3.5% hydrogen peroxide foaming agent is still the most cost efficient.

MOEA/VAN: Multiobjective Evolutionary Algorithm based on Vector Angle Neighborhood

Natural selection favors the survival and reproduction of organisms that are best adapted to their environment. Selection mechanism in evolutionary algorithms mimics this process, aiming to create environmental conditions in which artificial organisms could evolve solving the problem at hand. This paper proposes a new selection scheme for evolutionary multiobjective optimization. The similarity measure that defines the concept of the neighborhood is a key feature of the proposed selection. Contrary to commonly used approaches, usually defined on the basis of distances between either individuals or weight vectors, it is suggested to consider the similarity and neighborhood based on the angle between individuals in the objective space. The smaller the angle, the more similar individuals. This notion is exploited during the mating and environmental selections. The convergence is ensured by minimizing distances from individuals to a reference point, whereas the diversity is preserved by maximizing angles between neighboring individuals. Experimental results reveal a highly competitive performance and useful characteristics of the proposed selection. Its strong diversity preserving ability allows to produce a significantly better performance on some problems when compared with stat-of-the-art algorithms.

Expressão e caracterização de uma lectina recombinante de interesse biomédico

Dissertação de mestrado integrado em Engenharia Biomédica (área de especialização em Engenharia Clínica)

Evolving hallmarks in urothelial bladder cancer: unveiling potential biomarkers

Urothelial bladder carcinoma (UBC), the most frequent type (90%) of bladder cancer and the second most common malignancy of the urogenital region, is a relatively well understood type of cancer, with numerous studies concerning pathogenetic pathways, natural history and bladder tumor biology being reported. Despite this, it continues to remain a challenge in the oncology field, mostly due to its relapsing and progressive nature, and to the heterogeneity in the response to cisplatin-containing regimens. Although the formulae based on clinical staging and histopathological parameters are classically used as diagnostic and prognostic tools, they have proven insufficient to characterize the individual biological features and clinical behaviour of the tumours. Understanding the pathobiology of the disease can add important information to these classical criteria, and contribute to accurately predict outcome and individualize therapy for UBC patients. In this line of investigation, we found that tumour angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, the process of invasion and metastasis and the energy metabolism reprogramming/tumour microenvironment encompass several potential biomarkers that seem to infl bladder cancer aggressiveness and chemoresistance. We particularly highlight the roles of lymphovascular invasion, and of RKIP, CD147 and MCT1 immunoexpressions, as relevant prognostic and/or predictive biomarkers, and as promising areas of therapeutic intervention, eliciting for the development of additional studies that can validate and further explore these biomarkers.

Copper toxicity for Scinax ruber and Rhinella granulosa (Amphibia: Anura) of the Amazon: Potential of Biotic Ligand Model to predict toxicity in urban streams

In the last years many populations of anurans have declined and extinctions have been recorded. They were related to environmental pollution, changes of land use and emerging diseases. The main objective of this study was to determine copper sensitivity of the anuran of the Amazon Rhinella granulosa and Scinax ruber tadpoles at stage 25 and Scinax ruber eggs exposed for 96 h to copper concentrations ranging from 15 µg Cu L-1 to 94 µg Cu L-1. LC50 at 96 h of Rhinella granulosa Gosner 25, Scinax ruber Gosner 25 and Scinax ruber eggs in black water of the Amazon were 23.48, 36.37 and 50.02 µg Cu L-1, respectively. The Biotic Ligand Model was used to predict the LC50 values for these species and it can be considered a promising tool for these tropical species and water conditions. Copper toxicity depends on water physical-chemical composition and on the larval stage of the tadpoles. The Gosner stage 19-21 (related to the appearance of external gills) is the most vulnerable and the egg stage is the most resistant. In case of contamination by copper, the natural streams must have special attention, since copper is more bioavailable.

Reconstructing historical forest cover change in the Lower Amazon floodplains using the LandTrendr algorithm

ABSTRACTThe Amazon várzeas are an important component of the Amazon biome, but anthropic and climatic impacts have been leading to forest loss and interruption of essential ecosystem functions and services. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the capability of the Landsat-based Detection of Trends in Disturbance and Recovery (LandTrendr) algorithm to characterize changes in várzeaforest cover in the Lower Amazon, and to analyze the potential of spectral and temporal attributes to classify forest loss as either natural or anthropogenic. We used a time series of 37 Landsat TM and ETM+ images acquired between 1984 and 2009. We used the LandTrendr algorithm to detect forest cover change and the attributes of "start year", "magnitude", and "duration" of the changes, as well as "NDVI at the end of series". Detection was restricted to areas identified as having forest cover at the start and/or end of the time series. We used the Support Vector Machine (SVM) algorithm to classify the extracted attributes, differentiating between anthropogenic and natural forest loss. Detection reliability was consistently high for change events along the Amazon River channel, but variable for changes within the floodplain. Spectral-temporal trajectories faithfully represented the nature of changes in floodplain forest cover, corroborating field observations. We estimated anthropogenic forest losses to be larger (1.071 ha) than natural losses (884 ha), with a global classification accuracy of 94%. We conclude that the LandTrendr algorithm is a reliable tool for studies of forest dynamics throughout the floodplain.

Evaluation of natural fibers from brazilian malvaceae family and its potential as reinforced composites

This study compares the physicochemical characteristics of six species from Brazilian Malvaceae family with natural fibers of recognized applicability in the industry. The objective of the present study is present the physicochemical characterization of six Brazilian vegetal fibers: Sida rhombifolia L.; Sida carpinifolia L. f.; Sidastrum paniculatum (L.) Fryxell; Sida cordifolia L.; Malvastrum coromandelianum (L.) Gurck; Wissadula subpeltata (Kuntze) R.E.Fries. Respectively the two first species are from Brazilian Atlantic Forest biome and the four remaining from Brazilian Cerrado biome, despite of present in other regions of the plane