Fundamental Limits on Wavelength, Efficiency and Yield of the Charge Separation Triad

In an attempt to optimize a high yield, high efficiency artificial photosynthetic protein we have discovered unique energy and spatial architecture limits which apply to all light-activated photosynthetic systems. We have generated an analytical solution for the time behavior of the core three cofactor charge separation element in photosynthesis, the photosynthetic cofactor triad, and explored the functional consequences of its makeup including its architecture, the reduction potentials of its components, and the absorption energy of the light absorbing primary-donor cofactor. Our primary findings are two: First, that a high efficiency, high yield triad will have an absorption frequency more than twice the reorganization energy of the first electron transfer, and second, that the relative distance of the acceptor and the donor from the primary-donor plays an important role in determining the yields, with the highest efficiency, highest yield architecture having the light absorbing cofactor closest to the acceptor. Surprisingly, despite the increased complexity found in natural solar energy conversion proteins, we find that the construction of this central triad in natural systems matches these predictions. Our analysis thus not only suggests explanations for some aspects of the makeup of natural photosynthetic systems, it also provides specific design criteria necessary to create high efficiency, high yield artificial protein-based triads.

From cytoplasm to environment: The inorganic ingredients for the origin of life

Early in its history, Earth's surface developed from an uninhabitable magma ocean to a place where life could emerge. The first organisms, lacking ion transporters, fixed the composition of their cradle environment in their intracellular fluid. Later, though life adapted and spread, it preserved some qualities of its initial environment within. Modern prokaryotes could thus provide insights into the conditions of early Earth and the requirements for the emergence of life. In this work, we constrain Earth's life-forming environment through detailed analysis of prokaryotic intracellular fluid. Rigorous assessment of the constraints placed on the early Earth environment by intracellular liquid will provide insight into the conditions of abiogenesis, with implications not only for our understanding of early Earth but also the formation of life elsewhere in the Universe. Copyright �� 2013, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. 2013.

Carcteriza����o da influ��ncia da velocidade de corte, press��o e granulometria de lixa no lixamento plano do Pinus elliottii

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cient��fico e Tecnol��gico (CNPq)

Ecologia e comportamento do Cuxi��-Preto (Chiropotes Satanas) na paisagem fragmentada da Amaz��nia Oriental

Cuxi��s s��o primatas frug��voros especializados na preda����o de sementes. O cuxi��-preto (Chiropotes satanas), atualmente amea��ado de extin����o, �� end��mico de uma ��rea da Amaz��nia oriental brasileira bastante povoada e desmatada. O principal objetivo deste estudo foi pesquisar o comportamento e a ecologia de dois grupos de cuxi��s-pretos vivendo sob diferentes graus de fragmenta����o de h��bitat, de maneira a entender como par��metros ecol��gicos nestes diferentes contextos influenciam estrat��gias comportamentais. Al��m disso, o estudo procurou identificar fatores que limitam a viabilidade a longo prazo do cuxi��-preto e coletar informa����es que possam contribuir com planos de manejo e conserva����o. O estudo foi realizado na margem direita do rio Tocantins, no reservat��rio de Tucuru��, Estado do Par��, Brasil (415'S, 4931'W). Dois grupos de cuxi��s-pretos foram estudados: um (denominado T4) em um grande fragmento de floresta situado na margem do reservat��rio (1.300 ha, 39 indiv��duos) e outro numa pequena ilha (19,4 ha, oito indiv��duos) coberta por floresta. O comportamento dos dois grupos foi monitorado durante 12 meses (1.153 horas de observa����o) utilizando metodologias de amostragem por varredura e de todas as ocorr��ncias por 4 a 5 dias consecutivos por m��s por grupo. Al��m de coletar dados sobre seus or��amentos de atividades, todos os recursos alimentares utilizados foram documentados, os percursos di��rios anotados e as intera����es sociais intra e interesp��cies registradas. Transec����es bot��nicas (10 x 100 ha) cobrindo um hectare no s��tio T4 e 0,5 ha no s��tio Ilha foram estabelecidas e uma subamostra de ��rvores (DAP ��� 10 cm) e cip��s (DAP ��� 5 cm) foi marcada e medida para um invent��rio flor��stico e para a coleta de dados fenol��gicos que ocorreu em intervalos de 30 dias durante 14 meses. Os dois grupos diferiram em todos os aspectos de seu comportamento e ecologia. O tempo empregado em diferentes atividades variou significativamente entre eles. O deslocamento (35,4%) foi respons��vel pela maior propor����o do or��amento de atividades anual do grupo T4, enquanto o grupo Ilha dedicou mais tempo para a alimenta����o (30,0%). Intera����es sociais foram respons��veis por uma propor����o relativamente grande do or��amento de atividades dos dois grupos (T4 8,5%; Ilha 15,2%). Ao longo do periodo do estudo ambos os grupos consumiram um grande n��mero de diferentes esp��cies vegetais (173 grupo T4; 132 grupo Ilha; 240 ambos) e suas dietas variaram significantemente tanto em termos de itens consumidos quanto em composi����o taxon��mica, sendo que a dieta do grupo T4 foi mais diversa. Ambos os grupos despenderam a maior parte de seu tempo consumindo sementes (T4 54,0%; Ilha 59,9%), apesar de sua dieta tamb��m incluir outros itens tais como polpa de frutos (T4 25,0%; Ilha 13,7%), flores (T4 12,3%; Ilha 17,4%) e, em menor grau, medula de galhos e artr��podes. O grupo T4 utilizou uma ��rea de 98,6 ha, enquanto os membros do grupo Ilha utilizaram 17,2 ha. O uso do espa��o e o tamanho do percurso di��rio (T4 4025 m 994 m; Island 2807 m 289 m) variaram entre os grupos e estiveram ligados, no grupo T4, �� varia����o no tamanho do grupo ao longo do ano resultante de seu sistema de organiza����o social de fiss��o-fus��o. Ao contr��rio, o grupo Ilha foi mais coeso. As diferen��as na ecologia e comportamento dos dois grupos estiveram ligadas ��s diferen��as em seus respectivos h��bitats. O tamanho dos s��tios foi importante mas tamb��m o foi a varia����o na disponibilidade de alimentos determinada pela composi����o taxon��mica da vegeta����o dos mesmos. Resultados do invent��rio flor��stico revelaram uma maior diversidade de esp��cies no s��tio T4. No entanto importantes esp��cies alimentares estavam ausentes ou dispon��veis em quantidades vari��veis em ambos os s��tios. Al��m do valor intr��nseco do conhecimento sobre as caracter��sticas ecol��gicas do cuxi��-preto, o conhecimento detalhado acumulado neste estudo pode contribuir para a formula����o de a����es de conserva����o e planos de manejo, assim como para a identifica����o de fatores que limitam a viabilidade a longo prazo das popula����es remanescentes nas paisagens fragmentadas da Amaz��nia oriental.

Comportamento e dieta de Chiropotes albinasus (I. Geoffroy & Deville, 1848) - cuxi��-de-nariz-vermelho

Os cuxi��s-de-nariz-vermelho s��o primatas neotropicais pouco conhecidos e encontramse na Lista de Esp��cies Amea��adas da IUCN na categoria ���Amea��ada de Extin����o���. Este estudo foi desenvolvido com um grupo desta esp��cie de primatas na RPPN Cristalino, MT. Foi estudado o or��amento de atividades, uso de espa��o e a ecologia alimentar do grupo, atrav��s do m��todo de ���Varredura Instant��nea���. O grupo foi acompanhado durante 6 meses, incluindo 2 meses na esta����o chuvosa e 4 meses na esta����o seca. As categorias comportamentais Deslocamento, Alimenta����o e Parado foram respons��veis por 81,17% dos registros gerais de atividades. Os animais utilizaram com maior intensidade o estrato intermedi��rio da floresta (entre 16 e 20 metros). A dieta do grupo foi preferencialmente frug��vora (82,52%), mas tamb��m se alimentaram de invertebrados. Cerca de 18 fam��lias bot��nicas foram consumidas. Sendo os taxons Arrabidaea sp. e Brosimum latescens os mais comuns. Nos meses de seca houve um maior acr��scimo de outros itens alimentares, como flores e invertebrados na dieta dos cuxi��s. O tamanho do grupo variou entre 1 e 19 indiv��duos ao longo do estudo, assim como a estrutura sexual que tamb��m variou bastante. Foi observado o cuidado parental por parte dos machos, al��m de intera����es agon��sticas interespec��ficas entre Ateles marginatus e Sapajus apella.

Um olhar s��cio-hist��rico sobre a beleza: das amarras �� alteridade

Coordena����o de Aperfei��oamento de Pessoal de N��vel Superior (CAPES)

Health related quality of life measure in systemic pediatric rheumatic diseases and its translation to different languages: an international collaboration

Background: Rheumatic diseases in children are associated with significant morbidity and poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL). There is no health-related quality of life (HRQOL) scale available specifically for children with less common rheumatic diseases. These diseases share several features with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) such as their chronic episodic nature, multi-systemic involvement, and the need for immunosuppressive medications. HRQOL scale developed for pediatric SLE will likely be applicable to children with systemic inflammatory diseases.Findings: We adapted Simple Measure of Impact of Lupus Erythematosus in Youngsters (SMILEY (c)) to Simple Measure of Impact of Illness in Youngsters (SMILY (c)-Illness) and had it reviewed by pediatric rheumatologists for its appropriateness and cultural suitability. We tested SMILY (c)-Illness in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases and then translated it into 28 languages. Nineteen children (79% female, n= 15) and 17 parents participated. The mean age was 12 +/- 4 years, with median disease duration of 21 months (1-172 months). We translated SMILY (c)-Illness into the following 28 languages: Danish, Dutch, French (France), English (UK), German (Germany), German (Austria), German (Switzerland), Hebrew, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Slovene, Spanish (USA and Puerto Rico), Spanish (Spain), Spanish (Argentina), Spanish (Mexico), Spanish (Venezuela), Turkish, Afrikaans, Arabic (Saudi Arabia), Arabic (Egypt), Czech, Greek, Hindi, Hungarian, Japanese, Romanian, Serbian and Xhosa.Conclusion: SMILY (c)-Illness is a brief, easy to administer and score HRQOL scale for children with systemic rheumatic diseases. It is suitable for use across different age groups and literacy levels. SMILY (c)-Illness with its available translations may be used as useful adjuncts to clinical practice and research.

Paleometry: a brand new area in brazilian science

Funda����o de Amparo �� Pesquisa do Estado de S��o Paulo (FAPESP)

Evolution of Precambrian life in the Brazilian geological record

Precambrian rocks comprise nearly one-quarter of the surface of Brazil and range from Paleoarchean (ca. 3.6 Ga) to the latest Ediacaran (0.542 Ga) in age. Except for controversial phosphatized 'embryo-like' microfossils like those from the lower Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation, China and complex rangeomorphs, Brazilian research has revealed all major categories of Precambrian life forms described elsewhere - microbialites, biomarkers, silicified microfossils, palynomorphs, vase-shaped microfossils, macroalgae, metazoans, vendobionts and ichnofossils - but the paleobiological significance of this record has been little explored. At least four occurrences of these fossils offer promise for increased understanding of the following aspects of Precambrian biospheric evolution: (i) the relationship of microbialites in 2.1-2.4 Ga old carbonates of the Minas Supergroup in the Quadrilatero Ferrifero, Minas Gerais (the oldest Brazilian fossils) to the development of the early oxygenic atmosphere and penecontemporaneous global tectonic and climatic events; (ii) the evolutionary and biostratigraphic significance of Mesoproterozoic to Ediacaran organic-walled microfossils in central-western Brazil; (iii) diversity and paleoecological significance of vase-shaped heterotrophic protistan microfossils in the Urucum Formation (Jacadigo Group) and possibly the Bocaina Formation (Corumba Group), of Mato Grosso do Sul; and (iv) insights into the record of skeletogenesis and paleoecology of latest Ediacaran metazoans as represented by the abundant organic carapaces of Corumbella and calcareous shells of the index fossil Cloudina, of the Corumba Group, Mato Grosso do Sul. Analysis of the Brazilian Precambrian fossil record thus holds great potential for augmenting paleobiological knowledge of this crucial period on Earth and for developing more robust hypotheses regarding possible origins and evolutionary pathways of biospheres on other planets. Received 26 February 2012, accepted 17 May 2012, first published online 18 June 2012

Monitoramento por imagem de resson��ncia magn��tica do crescimento tumoral no modelo C6 de glioblastoma com perspectivas de avalia����o da terapia de magnetohipertemia

Objetivo: Estabelecer um padr��o de crescimento tumoral (volume) em ratos Wistar submetidos ao modelo C6 de glioblastoma multiforme por meio de imagens de resson��ncia magn��tica para posterior verifica����o de redu����o de volume tumoral com a terapia de magnetohipertermia. M��todos: Para o modelo C6, utilizamos ratos Wistar, machos, jovens, pesando entre 250 e 300 g. Ap��s anestesiados (cetamina 55 mg/kg e xilazina 11 mg/kg) foram injetadas estereotaxicamente c��lulas tumorig��nicas linhagem C6 suspensas em meio de cultura (105 c��lulas em 10 ��L) no c��rtex frontal direito (coordenadas a partir do bregma: anteroposterior = 2,0 mm; l��tero-lateral = 3,0 mm; profundidade = 2,5 mm) com uma seringa Hamilton. No Grupo Controle, houve a inje����o do meio de cultura sem as c��lulas. Posteriormente, foram feitas imagens mediante a t��cnica de imagem por resson��ncia magn��tica em 14, 21 e 28 dias ap��s a inje����o em um esc��ner de imagem por resson��ncia magn��tica 2.0 T (Bruker BioSpec, Germany). Para o exame, os animais foram anestesiados com cetamina 55 mg/kg e xilazina 11 mg/kg. Multifatias coronais foram adquiridas utilizando uma sequ��ncia spin-echo padr��o com os seguintes par��metros: TR/TE = 4,000 ms/67,1 ms, FOV = 3,50, Matrix 192, slice thickness = 0,4 mm e slice separation = 0 mm. Resultados: A an��lise das imagens de resson��ncia magn��tica do tumor possibilitou a clara visualiza����o da massa tumoral, sendo poss��vel ainda estabelecer par��metros de volume tumoral nos diferentes dias analisados. O volume de 14 dias ap��s a indu����o do foi de 13,7 �� 2,5 mm3 . Aos 21 dias, o volume alcan��ado foi de 31,7 �� 6,5 mm3 e, aos 28 dias, a massa tumoral atingiu 122,1 �� 11,8 mm3 . Conclus��o: Estes resultados mostraram a possiblidade de avalia����o do volume tumoral no modelo C6 em ratos, o que possibilitar��, no futuro, a aplica����o da terapia de magnetohipertermia bem como verifica����o de seus resultados.

Diencephalic asymmetries: morphological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural analysis of habenular nuclei in elasmobranchs and teleosts

The habenular nuclei are diencephalic structures present in Vertebrates and they form, with the associated fiber systems, a part of the system that connects the telencephalon to the ventral mesencephalon (Concha M. L. and Wilson S. W., 2001). In representative species of almost all classes of Vertebrates the habenular nuclei are asymmetric, both in terms of size and of neuronal and neurochemical organization, although different types of asymmetry follow different evolutionary courses. Previous studies have analyzed the spread and diversity of the asymmetry in species for which data are not clear (Kemali M. et al., 1980). Notwithstanding that, it���s still not totally understood the evolution of the phenomenon, and the ontogenetic mechanisms that have led to the habenular asymmetry development are not clear (Smeets W.J. et al., 1983). For the present study 14 species of Elasmobranchs and 15 species of Teleostean have been used. Brains removed from the animals have been fixed using 4% paraformaldehyde in phosphate buffer; brains have been analyzed with different tecniques, and I used histological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural analysis to describe this asymmetry. My results confirm data previously obtained studying other Elasmobranchs species, in which the left habenula is larger than the right one; the Teleostean show some slightly differences regarding the size of the habenular ganglia, in some species, in which the left habenular nucleus is larger than the right. In the course of studies, a correlation between the habits of life and the diencephalic asymmetry seems to emerge: among the Teleostean analyzed, the species with benthic life (like Lepidorhombus boscii, Platichthys flesus, Solea vulgaris) seem to possess a slight asymmetry, analogous to the one of the Elasmobranchs, while in the other species (like Liza aurata, Anguilla anguilla, Trisopterus minutus) the habenulae are symmetrical. However, various aspects of the neuroanatomical asymmetries of the epithalamus have not been deepened in order to obtain a complete picture of the evolution of this phenomenon, and new searches are needed to examine the species without clear asymmetry, in order to understand the spread and the diversity of the asymmetry among the habenulae between the Vertebrates.

Examining the Role of Vocational Rehabilitation on Access to Care and Public Health Outcomes for People Living with HIV/AIDS

The purpose of this study is to examine the role of vocational rehabilitation services in contributing to the goals of the National HIV/AIDS strategy. Three key research questions are addressed: (a) What is the relationship among factors associated with the use of vocational rehabilitation services for people living with HIV/AIDS? (b) Are the factors associated with use of vocational rehabilitation also associated with access to health care, supplemental employment services and reduced risk of HIV transmission? And (c) What unique role does use of vocational rehabilitation services play in access to health care and HIV prevention? Survey research methods were used to collect data from a broad sample of volunteer respondents who represented diverse racial (37% Black, 37% White, 18% Latino, 7% other), gender (65% male, 34% female, 1% transgender) and sexual orientation (48% heterosexual, 44% gay, 8% bisexual) backgrounds. The fit of the final structural equation model was good (root mean square error of approximation = .055, Comparative Fit Index=.953, Tucker Lewis Index=.945). Standardized effects with bootstrap confidence intervals are reported. Overall, the findings support the hypothesis that vocational rehabilitation services can play an important role in health and prevention strategies outlined in the National HIV/AIDS strategy.

Validation and diagnostic efficacy of a TaqMan real-time PCR for the detection of Mycoplasma conjunctivae in the eyes of infected Caprinae

Infectious keratoconjunctivitis (IKC), caused by Mycoplasma conjunctivae, is a highly contagious ocular disease in Caprinae. To detect rapidly and sensitively M. conjunctivae from individual conjunctival swabs of infected domestic and wild animals, a specific real-time PCR was developed using an lppS-directed hydrolysis probe in a TaqMan platform.

A Time-Motion Study of Registered Nurses��� Workflow in Intensive Care Unit Remote Monitoring

Utilizing advanced information technology, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) remote monitoring allows highly trained specialists to oversee a large number of patients at multiple sites on a continuous basis. In the current research, we conducted a time-motion study of registered nurses��� work in an ICU remote monitoring facility. Data were collected on seven nurses through 40 hours of observation. The results showed that nurses��� essential tasks were centered on three themes: monitoring patients, maintaining patients��� health records, and managing technology use. In monitoring patients, nurses spent 52% of the time assimilating information embedded in a clinical information system and 15% on monitoring live vitals. System-generated alerts frequently interrupted nurses in their task performance and redirected them to manage suddenly appearing events. These findings provide insight into nurses��� workflow in a new, technology-driven critical care setting and have important implications for system design, work engineering, and personnel selection and training.