(Table 1) Nd isotope ratios of ODP Leg 208 samples

We present new Nd isotope records from Walvis Ridge Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) sites 1262-1264 (southeastern Atlantic) spanning the past 24 Ma to investigate the Neogene evolution of Atlantic thermohaline circulation. The new data indicate that deepwater epsilon-Nd(t) values from ODP Site 1262 decrease from -11.0 at 10.6 Ma to -12.5 by 7.3 Ma. This decrease parallels the Nd isotope trends contained in Fe-Mn crust records from the northwestern Atlantic; however, the shift at ODP Site 1262 (4755 m water depth) occurred up to ~6 Ma earlier than the corresponding changes in crust records from the Atlantic and earlier than any Atlantic site shallower than 2700 m paleowater depth. Recent interpretations of the rapid decrease in Fe-Mn crust Nd epsilon-Nd(t)ss values invoke changes in weathering inputs to the Labrador Sea region rather than a fundamental change in deepwater convection in the Labrador Sea. However, the new evidence for significant depth stratification of the Nd isotope signal in the southeastern Atlantic between 10.6 and 7.3 Ma suggests that the onset of deepwater convection in the Labrador Sea may have played a role in the deepwater decrease in Nd isotopic composition. Climatic conditions during the middle to late Miocene likely favored an increase in the importance of glacially induced mechanical weathering, while at the same time promoting deep convection in the Labrador Sea.

Applications of perceptron techniques to the submarine classification problem. Policy agreement project no. 208-LR-40. Combined progress and final report. Period: 1 June 1961 to 1 June 1962.

Cover title.

Transmission Of Intra-cellular Genetic Information: A System Proposal.

One of the great challenges of the scientific community on theories of genetic information, genetic communication and genetic coding is to determine a mathematical structure related to DNA sequences. In this paper we propose a model of an intra-cellular transmission system of genetic information similar to a model of a power and bandwidth efficient digital communication system in order to identify a mathematical structure in DNA sequences where such sequences are biologically relevant. The model of a transmission system of genetic information is concerned with the identification, reproduction and mathematical classification of the nucleotide sequence of single stranded DNA by the genetic encoder. Hence, a genetic encoder is devised where labelings and cyclic codes are established. The establishment of the algebraic structure of the corresponding codes alphabets, mappings, labelings, primitive polynomials (p(x)) and code generator polynomials (g(x)) are quite important in characterizing error-correcting codes subclasses of G-linear codes. These latter codes are useful for the identification, reproduction and mathematical classification of DNA sequences. The characterization of this model may contribute to the development of a methodology that can be applied in mutational analysis and polymorphisms, production of new drugs and genetic improvement, among other things, resulting in the reduction of time and laboratory costs.

The Prevalence Of The Metabolically Healthy Obese Phenotype In An Aging Population And Its Association With Subclinical Cardiovascular Disease: The Brazilian Study On Healthy Aging.

Current literature has elucidated a new phenotype, metabolically healthy obese (MHO), with risks of cardiovascular disease similar to that of normal weight individuals. Few studies have examined the MHO phenotype in an aging population, especially in association with subclinical CVD. This cross sectional study population consisted of 208 octogenarians and older. Anthropometrics, biochemical, and radiological parameters were measured to assess obesity, metabolic health (assessed by the National Cholesterol Education Program -Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP-ATP III) criteria), and subclinical measures of CVD. The prevalence of MHO was 13.5% (N = 28). No significant association with MHO was noted for age, coronary artery calcium score, cIMT, or hs-CRP > 3 mg/dl (p = NS). Our results suggest that the MHO phenotype exists in the elderly; however, subclinical CVD measures were not different in sub-group analysis suggesting traditional metabolic risk factor algorithms may not be accurate in the very elderly.

Low Hdl Cholesterol But Not High Ldl Cholesterol Is Independently Associated With Subclinical Coronary Atherosclerosis In Healthy Octogenarians.

Although low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) has been consistently demonstrated a predictor of atherosclerotic disease in a large spectrum of clinical settings, among individuals aged of 80 years or older this concept is uncertain. This study was evaluated in a carefully selected population if the association between LDL-C and coronary atherosclerotic burden remains significant in the very elderly. Individuals aged of 80 years or older (n = 208) who spontaneously sought primary prevention care and have never manifested cardiovascular disease, malnutrition, neoplastic or consumptive disease were enrolled for a cross-sectional analysis. Medical evaluation, anthropometric measurements, blood tests and cardiac computed tomography were obtained. In analyses adjusted for age, gender, diabetes, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, smoking and statin therapy, no association was found between coronary calcium score (CCS) and LDL-C [1.79 (0.75-4.29)]. There was no association between triglycerides and CCS. The association between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and CCS was significant and robust in unadjusted [0.32 (0.15-0.67)] as well as in the fully adjusted analysis [0.34 (0.15-0.75)]. The present study confirms in a healthy cohort of individuals aged of 80 years or more that while the association between LDL-C and coronary atherosclerosis weakens with aging, the opposite occurs with the levels of HDL-C.

Azul de metileno imobilizado na celulose/TiO2 e SiO2/TiO2: propriedades eletroquímicas e planejamento fatorial

The electrochemical properties of methylene blue immobilized on cellulose/TiO2 and mixed oxide SiO2/TiO2 matrices were investigated by means of cyclic voltammetry. The electron mediator property of the methylene blue was optimized using a factorial design, consisting of four factors in two levels. The experimental observations and data analyses on the system indicate that the lowest peak separation occurs for Sil/TiOAM, 1.0 mol L-1 KCl solution and 20 mV s-1 scan rate, while values of current ratio closest to unity were found for Cel/TiOAM independent of electrolyte concentration, 0.2 or 1.0 mol L-1, and scan rate, 20 mV s-1 or 60 mV s-1.

Avaliação do desempenho anaeróbio de atletas de rugby em cadeira de rodas = : Anaerobic performance evaluation of wheelchair rugby athletes

Universidade Estadual de Campinas . Faculdade de Educação Física

Estimativa da probabilidade do evento extremo de precipitação de janeiro de 2000 no Vale do Paraíba, baseada na distribuição generalizada de pareto

Um evento extremo de precipitação ocorreu na primeira semana do ano 2000, de 1º a 5 de janeiro, no Vale do Paraíba, parte leste do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil, causando enorme impacto socioeconômico, com mortes e destruição. Este trabalho estudou este evento em 10 estações meteorológicas selecionadas que foram consideradas como aquelas tendo dados mais homogêneos do Que outras estações na região. O modelo de distribuição generalizada de Pareto (DGP) para valores extremos de precipitação de 5 dias foi desenvolvido, individualmente para cada uma dessas estações. Na modelagem da DGP, foi adotada abordagem não-estacionaria considerando o ciclo anual e tendência de longo prazo como co-variaveis. Uma conclusão desta investigação é que as quantidades de precipitação acumulada durante os 5 dias do evento estudado podem ser classificadas como extremamente raras para a região, com probabilidade de ocorrência menor do que 1% para maioria das estações, e menor do que 0,1% em três estações.

Reuniões de pais na educação infantil: modos de gestão

O artigo discute a relação entre escolas e famílias no contexto da educação infantil por meio da análise de reuniões de pais. Fundamenta-se em um estudo de caso qualitativo sobre 11 reuniões, realizadas em duas escolas municipais de educação infantil paulistanas. Foram analisados os diferentes modos de gestão pelo professor, segundo três aspectos: forma (pauta), conteúdo (temas), dinâmica (relações entre professor e pais). Os resultados indicaram modos de gestão que dificultam a participação dos pais e descaracterizam os objetivos das reuniões: forma desorganizada e rígida; conteúdo burocrático e comportamental; dinâmica fragmentada e centralizada. Ao mesmo tempo, identificaram-se indicadores que favorecem a construção de uma relação mais cooperativa durante as reuniões, correspondentes aos modos de gestão: forma compartilhada, conteúdo educacional e dinâmica coletiva. Os autores destacam a necessidade de registro e de avaliação coletiva das reuniões de pais, visando à articulação com o projeto pedagógico, o currículo e a dimensão didática

Learning processes and the neural analysis of conditioning

Classical and operant conditioning principles, such as the behavioral discrepancy-derived assumption that reinforcement always selects antecedent stimulus and response relations, have been studied at the neural level, mainly by observing the strengthening of neuronal responses or synaptic connections. A review of the literature on the neural basis of behavior provided extensive scientific data that indicate a synthesis between the two conditioning processes based mainly on stimulus control in learning tasks. The resulting analysis revealed the following aspects. Dopamine acts as a behavioral discrepancy signal in the midbrain pathway of positive reinforcement, leading toward the nucleus accumbens. Dopamine modulates both types of conditioning in the Aplysia mollusk and in mammals. In vivo and in vitro mollusk preparations show convergence of both types of conditioning in the same motor neuron. Frontal cortical neurons are involved in behavioral discrimination in reversal and extinction procedures, and these neurons preferentially deliver glutamate through conditioned stimulus or discriminative stimulus pathways. Discriminative neural responses can reliably precede operant movements and can also be common to stimuli that share complex symbolic relations. The present article discusses convergent and divergent points between conditioning paradigms at the neural level of analysis to advance our knowledge on reinforcement.

Respostas cardiovasculares ao teste ergométrico em indivíduos com claudicação intermitente

Estudos sugerem que pacientes com claudicação intermitente (CI) apresentam respostas hemodinâmicas alteradas durante o teste ergométrico. Contudo, o impacto da severidade da doença nessas respostas ainda não está claro. Em vista disso, o presente estudo analisou o impacto da severidade dos sintomas de CI nas respostas cardiovasculares ao teste de esforço, em indivíduos com doença arterial obstrutiva periférica. Participaram do estudo 47 sujeitos com CI. Foi realizado teste ergométrico em esteira, utilizando protocolo específico para essa população. A amostra foi dividida em três grupos de acordo com a distância obtida no teste de esforço em: 1º tercil, caminhavam entre 210 e 420 metros; 2º tercil, caminhavam entre 450 e 700 metros; e 3º tercil, caminhavam entre 740 e 1060 metros. A pressão arterial sistólica (PAS) e diastólica (PAD), a frequência cardíaca (FC) e o duplo produto (DP) foram obtidos em repouso, no primeiro estágio e no pico de esforço. Nos três tercis, a PAS e a PAD aumentaram significantemente ao longo do teste ergométrico. Nos três tercis, a FC e o DP aumentaram significantemente ao longo do teste e as respostas no 1º tercil foram mais acentuadas que nos demais tercis. Todavia, no pico de esforço, a FC e o DP não houve diferença entre os tercis. Concluíu-se que a severidade da CI não influenciou as respostas da pressão arterial durante o teste ergométrico progressivo, ao passo que maiores valores de FC e DP foram observados em indivíduos com CI mais severa em uma carga submáxima.

Haptic Stabilization of Posture in Adults With Intellectual Disabilities Using a Nonrigid Tool

This study assessed the effects of haptic information on the postural control systems of individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID), through the use of a nonrigid tool that we call the ""anchor system"" (e.g., ropes attached to graduated weights that rest on the floor). Eleven participants with ID were asked to stand, blindfolded, on a balance beam placed at two heights (10 and 20 cm), for 30 s, while using the anchor system at two weights. The lighter anchor weight appeared to improve the individuals' balance in contrast to a control task condition; therefore, we concluded that haptic sensitivity was more significant in helping to orient the body than was the anchor's mechanical support alone.

Prevalence of Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus (HTLV-1/2) in Individuals from Public Health Centers in Mozambique

The prevalence of human T-cell lymphotropic viruses types 1 and 2 (HTLV-1/2) in Mozambique is not known. The present study examined blood samples from 208, 226, and 318 individuals from Northern, Central, and Southern Mozambique, respectively, of all socioeconomic and demographic strata attending public health centers in Mozambique for HTLV-1/2-specific antibodies. Serum samples were assessed for HIV- and HTLV-1/2-specific antibodies by using enzyme immunoassays, and infections with HTLV-1 and -2 were confirmed by using Western blot. An overall HTLV-1/2 prevalence of 2.3% (2.9% in female and 1.1% in male subjects) was observed, and the prevalence of infection increased with age. Regional variation in the prevalence of HIV and HTLV-1/2 was observed; 32.2%, 65.5%, and 44% of individuals tested HIV positive in Northern, Central, and Southern Mozambique, respectively, and 2.4%, 3.9%, and 0.9% tested HTLV-1/2 positive in the same regions. HTLV-1 infection was confirmed in these individuals. No association between HTLV-1 infection and socio-demographic variables or HIV status was detected, although the low number of HTLV-1-positive cases did not allow robust statistical analyses. The results obtained suggest different risk factors and epidemiologic correlates of HIV and HTLV-1 transmission in Mozambique. Furthermore, our results suggested that North and Central Mozambique should be considered endemic regions for HTLV-1 infection. As no cases of HTLV-2 were detected, HTLV-2 appears to have not been introduced into Mozambique.

Cultivo da microalga marinha Chaetoceros calcitrans (BACILLARIOPHYCEAE) utilizando diferentes tipos de água marinha artificial

The use of microalgae as live food to a wide variety of organisms is one of the most important aspects in aquaculture. Several commercial formulations have been available in the marine aquarium market in order to prepare artificial sea water (ASW). The present study accounted microalgae Chaetoceros calcitrans performance cultured using different ASW in comparison to natural seawater(NSW). it was carried out using red Sea, Coralife and oceanic, three different ASW brands and NSW as control. nonaerated cultures were grew in 400 mL with Conwy culture medium with five replicates each under defined conditions. All cultures began with an algal inoculum of 208.000 cells/mL. a 5-mL aliquot was removed daily from each culture for cells counts. data obtained using polynomial regression test demonstrated that all ASW brands reached higher algal density rates than the one with NSW, though the three ASW brands were significantly heterogeneous. C. calcitrans raised with oceanic and red Sea brands showed similar growth rates and both were higher than Coralife brand. the results suggest that all three ASW brands studied can be used in the culture of this microalgae specie.