The azomethine-H modified colorimetric method of boron determination at fertilizers.

The present work studied the azomethine-H colorimetric method for boron determination to fertilizers analysis applications. The reagent azomethine-H needs lights conditions of reaction that, jointed to the big sensibility and specificity, diffused its use in boron's dosage in many materials. The most suitable experimental parameters were established for such colorimetry, and analysis conditions: standard curve between 0,200 e 2,25 mg. L(-1) boron, in maximum absorption at 415nm, I cm cell and reading between 30 and 90 minutes standing after the final homogenization of the boron's solution in analyse and with dye reactive (azomethine If 0,90 % m/v solution at buffer ammonium acetate 1,82 mol . L(-1) - potassium acetate 0,10 mol . L(-1) - acetic acid 1,67 mol . L(-1)-EDTA 2,7 . 10(-2) mol . L(-1)-NTA 2,1.10(-2) mol . L(-1) pH 5,5). Statistics analysis of the results didn't present big differences when the same results were got by the colorimetric method offered and by the potentiometric, from AOAG, whatever in manufactured fertilizers or in lab sintetized fertilizers.

Cytogenetic and random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis of Leptodactylus species from rural and urban environments (Anura, Amphibia)

Cytogenetic and random amplified polymorphic DNA analyses carried out in the species Leptodactylus podicipinus, L. ocellatus, L. labyrinthicus, and L. fuscus from rural and urban habitats of the northwest region of São Paulo State, Brazil, showed that the karyotypes (2n = 22), constitutive heterochromatin distribution and nucleolus organizer region (NOR) location did not differ between the populations from the two environments. The in situ hybridization with an rDNA probe confirmed the location of the NORs on chromosome 8 revealing an in tandem duplication of that region in one of the chromosomes of L. fuscus. DAPI showed that part of the C-band-positive heterochromatin is rich in AT, including that in the proximity the NORs in L. podicipinus and L. ocellatus. The molecular analyses showed that the two populations (urban and rural) of L. podicipinus and L. fuscus are similar from a genetic point of view. The urban and rural populations of species L. ocellatus and L. labyrinthicus showed differences in genetic structures, probably due to urbanization which interferes with the dispersion of those frogs. The marked differences observed between the two populations of L. ocellatus can be representing the cryptic condition of the species. Unweighted pair-group method of analysis and genetic distance analysis detected the genetic proximity between L. ocellatus and L. fuscus. The results indicate that there was no reduction in the genetic diversity in the populations from the urban environment; however, the survival of these frogs would not be guaranteed in the case of an increase in human impact especially for populations of L. labyrinthicus and L. ocellatus. ©FUNPEC-RP.

Cone-beam computed tomography analysis of the apical third of curved roots after mechanical preparation with different automated systems

The present study evaluated by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) the apical canal transportation and centralizing ability of different automated systems after root canal preparation. The mesiobuccal canals of maxillary first molars (n=10 per group) were prepared with: GI - reciprocating system with K-Flexofile; GII - reciprocating system with NiTiFlex files; GIII - rotary system with K3 instruments; GIV - rotary system with RaCe instruments. CBCT scans were taken before and after biomechanical preparation up to a #40.02 diameter. Canal transportation was determined by measuring the smallest distance between the inner canal walls and the mesial and distal sides of the root. The centralization ability corresponded to the difference between the measurements from transportation evaluation, using the linear voxel to voxel method of analysis. The mean transportation was 0.06 ± 0.14 mm, with a tendency to deviate to the mesial side of the root (n=22), with no statistically significant difference among the groups (p=0.4153). The mean centralization index was 0.15 ± 0.65 also without statistically significant difference among the groups (p=0.0881). It may be concluded that apical canal transportation and centralization ability were not influenced by the type of mechanical movement and instruments used.

Analysis of polymerization time on abrasive wear of dental resins

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Influence of concentration, time and method of application of citric acid and sodium citrate in root conditioning.

The aim of this study was to establish the parameters of concentration, time and mode of application of citric acid and sodium citrate in relation to root conditioning. A total of 495 samples were obtained and equally distributed among 11 groups (5 for testing different concentrations of citric acid, 5 for testing different concentrations of sodium citrate and 1 control group). After laboratorial processing, the samples were analyzed under scanning electron microscopy. A previously calibrated and blind examiner evaluated micrographs of the samples. Non-parametric statistical analysis was performed to analyze the data obtained. Brushing 25% citric acid for 3 min, promoted greater exposure of collagen fibers in comparison with the brushing of 1% citric acid for 1 minute and its topical application at 1% for 3 min. Sodium citrate exposed collagen fibers in a few number of samples. Despite the lack of statistical significance, better results for collagen exposure were obtained with brushing application of 25% citric acid for 3 min than with other application parameter. Sodium citrate produced a few number of samples with collagen exposure, so it is not indicated for root conditioning.

Methods of Analysis for Peritubular Capillaritis and Glomerulitis in Acute Renal Rejection: Capillaritis in Management of Routine Diagnosis

Glomerulitis and peritubular capillaritis have been recognized as important lesions in acute renal rejection (AR). We studied glomerulitis and peritubular capillaritis in AR by 2 methods and investigated associations with C4d, type/grade of AR, and allograft survival time. Glomerulitis was measured according to Banff scores (glomerulitis by Banff Method [gBM]) and by counting the number of intraglomerular inflammatory cells (glomerulitis by Quantitative Method [gQM]). Capillaritis was classified by the Banff scoring system (peritubular capillaritis by Banff Method [ptcBM]) and by counting the number of cells in peritubular capillaries in 10 high-power fields (hpf; peritubular capillaritis by Quantitative Method [ptcQM]). These quantitative analyses were performed in an attempt to improve our understanding of the role played by glomerulitis and capillaritis in AR. The g0 + g1 group (gBM) associated with negative C4d (P = .02). In peritubular capillaritis, a larger number of cells per 10 hpf in peritubular capillaries (ptcQM) were observed in positive C4d cases (P = .03). The group g2 + g3 (gBM) correlated with graft loss (P = .01). Peritubular capillaritis was not significantly related to graft survival time. Our study showed that the Banff scoring system is the best method to study glomerulitis and observed that the evaluation of capillaritis in routine biopsies is difficult and additional studies are required for a better understanding of its meaning in AR biopsy specimens of renal allografts.

An easy method of preparing ozone gas sensors based on ZnO nanorods

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

A new portal for the analysis of human splicing variants

Understanding alternative splicing is crucial to elucidate the mechanisms behind several biological phenomena, including diseases. The huge amount of expressed sequences available nowadays represents an opportunity and a challenge to catalog and display alternative splicing events (ASEs). Although several groups have faced this challenge with relative success, we still lack a computational tool that uses a simple and straightforward method to retrieve, name and present ASEs. Here we present SPLOOCE, a portal for the analysis of human splicing variants. SPLOOCE uses a method based on regular expressions for retrieval of ASEs. We propose a simple syntax that is able to capture the complexity of ASEs.

Fast and accurate numerical solutions in some problems of particle and radiation transport: synthetic acceleration for the method of short characteristics, Doppler-broadened scattering kernel, remote sensing of the cryosphere

The aim of this work is to present various aspects of numerical simulation of particle and radiation transport for industrial and environmental protection applications, to enable the analysis of complex physical processes in a fast, reliable, and efficient way. In the first part we deal with speed-up of numerical simulation of neutron transport for nuclear reactor core analysis. The convergence properties of the source iteration scheme of the Method of Characteristics applied to be heterogeneous structured geometries has been enhanced by means of Boundary Projection Acceleration, enabling the study of 2D and 3D geometries with transport theory without spatial homogenization. The computational performances have been verified with the C5G7 2D and 3D benchmarks, showing a sensible reduction of iterations and CPU time. The second part is devoted to the study of temperature-dependent elastic scattering of neutrons for heavy isotopes near to the thermal zone. A numerical computation of the Doppler convolution of the elastic scattering kernel based on the gas model is presented, for a general energy dependent cross section and scattering law in the center of mass system. The range of integration has been optimized employing a numerical cutoff, allowing a faster numerical evaluation of the convolution integral. Legendre moments of the transfer kernel are subsequently obtained by direct quadrature and a numerical analysis of the convergence is presented. In the third part we focus our attention to remote sensing applications of radiative transfer employed to investigate the Earth's cryosphere. The photon transport equation is applied to simulate reflectivity of glaciers varying the age of the layer of snow or ice, its thickness, the presence or not other underlying layers, the degree of dust included in the snow, creating a framework able to decipher spectral signals collected by orbiting detectors.

Analysis of retrieved shoulder prostheses

In the last years the number of shoulder arthroplasties has been increasing. Simultaneously the study of their shape, size and strength and the reasons that bring to a possible early explantation have not yet been examined in detail. The research carried out directly on explants is practically nonexistent, this means a poor understanding of the mechanisms leading the patient and so the surgeon, to their removal. The analysis of the mechanisms which are the cause of instability, dislocation, broken, fracture, etc, may lead to a change in the structure or design of the shoulder prostheses and lengthen the life of the implant in situ. The idea was to analyze 22 explants through three methods in order to find roughness, corrosion and surface wear. In the first method, the humeral heads and/or the glenospheres were examined with the interferometer, a machine that through electromagnetic waves gives information about the roughness of the surfaces under examination. The output of the device was a total profile containing both roughness and information on the waves (representing the spatial waves most characteristic on the surface). The most important value is called "roughness average" and brings the average value of the peaks found in the local defects of the surfaces. It was found that 42% of the prostheses had considerable peak values in the area where the damage was caused by the implant and not only by external events, such as possibly the surgeon's hand. One of the problems of interest in the use of metallic biomaterials is their resistance to corrosion. The clinical significance of the degradation of metal implants has been the purpose of the second method; the interaction between human body and metal components is critical to understand how and why they arrive to corrosion. The percentage of damage in the joints of the prosthetic components has been calculated via high resolution photos and the software ImageJ. The 40% and 50% of the area appeared to have scratches or multiple lines due to mechanical artifacts. The third method of analysis has been made through the use of electron microscopy to quantify the wear surface in polyethylene components. Different joint movements correspond to different mechanisms of damage, which were imprinted in the parts of polyethylene examined. The most affected area was located mainly in the side edges. The results could help the manufacturers to modify the design of the prostheses and thus reduce the number of explants. It could also help surgeons in choosing the model of the prosthesis to be implanted in the patient.

A novel isolation method of Brucella species and molecular tracking of Brucella suis biovar 2 in domestic and wild animals

Brucella suis biovar 2 is the most common aetiological agent of porcine brucellosis in Europe. B. suis biovar 2 is considered to have low zoonotic potential, but is a causative agent of reproductive losses in pigs, and it is thus economically important. The multilocus variable-number of tandem repeats genotyping analysis of 16 loci (MLVA-16) has proven to be highly discriminatory and is the most suitable assay for simultaneously identifying B. suis and tracking infections. The aim of this study was to investigate the relatedness between isolates of B. suis biovar 2 obtained during a brucellosis outbreak in domestic pigs and isolates from wild boars and hares collected from proximal or remote geographical areas by MLVA-16. A cluster analysis of the MLVA-16 data revealed that most of the isolates obtained from Switzerland clustered together, with the exception of one isolate. The outbreak isolates constituted a unique subcluster (with a genetic similarity >93.8%) distinct from that of the isolates obtained from wild animals, suggesting that direct transmission of the bacterium from wild boars to domestic pigs did not occur in this outbreak. To obtain a representative number of isolates for MLVA-16, alternative methods of Brucella spp. isolation from tissue samples were compared with conventional direct cultivation on a Brucella-selective agar. We observed an enhanced sensitivity when mechanical homogenisation was followed by host cell lysis prior to cultivation on the Brucella-selective agar. This work demonstrates that MLVA-16 is an excellent tool for both monitoring brucellosis and investigating outbreaks. Additionally, we present efficient alternatives for the isolation of Brucella spp.

Impact of del32-71-GH (exon 3 skipped GH) on intracellular GH distribution, secretion and cell viability: a quantitative confocal microscopy analysis

BACKGROUND: Familial isolated growth hormone deficiency (IGHD) is a disorder with about 5-30% of patients having affected relatives. Among those familial types, IGHD type II is an autosomal dominant form of short stature, associated in some families with mutations that result in missplicing to produce del32-71-GH, a GH peptide which cannot fold properly. The mechanism by which this mutant GH may alter the controlled secretory pathway and therefore suppress the secretion of the normal 22-kDa GH product of the normal allele is not known in detail. Previous studies have shown variance depending on cell type, transfection technique used, as well as on the method of analysis performed. AIM: The aim of our study was to analyse and compare the subcellular distribution/localization of del32-71-GH or wild-type (wt)-GH (22-kDa GH), each stably transfected into AtT-20, a mouse pituitary cell line endogenously producing ACTH, employed as the internal control for secretion assessment. METHODS: Colocalization of wt- and del32-71 mutant GH form was studied by quantitative confocal microscopy analysis. Using the immunofluorescent technique, cells were double stained for GH plus one of the following organelles: endoplasmic reticulum (ER anti-Grp94), Golgi (anti-betaCOP) or secretory granules (anti-Rab3a). In addition, GH secretion and cell viability were analysed in detail. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that in AtT-20 neuroendocrine cells, in comparison to the wt-GH, the del32-71-GH has a major impact on the secretory pathway not only affecting GH but also other peptides such as ACTH. The del32-71-GH is still present at the secretory vesicles' level, albeit in reduced quantity when compared to wt-GH but, importantly, was secretion-deficient. Furthermore, while focusing on cell viability an additional finding presented that the various splice site mutations, even though leading eventually to the same end product, namely del32-71-GH, have different and specific consequences on cell viability and proliferation rate.

A nonparametric method of comparing the partial areas under two correlated receiver operating characteristic curves

A non-parametric method was developed and tested to compare the partial areas under two correlated Receiver Operating Characteristic curves. Based on the theory of generalized U-statistics the mathematical formulas have been derived for computing ROC area, and the variance and covariance between the portions of two ROC curves. A practical SAS application also has been developed to facilitate the calculations. The accuracy of the non-parametric method was evaluated by comparing it to other methods. By applying our method to the data from a published ROC analysis of CT image, our results are very close to theirs. A hypothetical example was used to demonstrate the effects of two crossed ROC curves. The two ROC areas are the same. However each portion of the area between two ROC curves were found to be significantly different by the partial ROC curve analysis. For computation of ROC curves with large scales, such as a logistic regression model, we applied our method to the breast cancer study with Medicare claims data. It yielded the same ROC area computation as the SAS Logistic procedure. Our method also provides an alternative to the global summary of ROC area comparison by directly comparing the true-positive rates for two regression models and by determining the range of false-positive values where the models differ. ^

Impedance of foundations using the Boundary Integral Equation Method

Dynamic soil-structure interaction has been for a long time one of the most fascinating areas for the engineering profession. The building of large alternating machines and their effects on surrounding structures as well as on their own functional behavior, provided the initial impetus; a large amount of experimental research was done,and the results of the Russian and German groups were especially worthwhile. Analytical results by Reissner and Sehkter were reexamined by Quinlan, Sung, et. al., and finally Veletsos presented the first set of reliable results. Since then, the modeling of the homogeneous, elastic halfspace as a equivalent set of springs and dashpots has become an everyday tool in soil engineering practice, especially after the appearance of the fast Fourier transportation algorithm, which makes possible the treatment of the frequency-dependent characteristics of the equivalent elements in a unified fashion with the general method of analysis of the structure. Extensions to the viscoelastic case, as well as to embedded foundations and complicated geometries, have been presented by various authors. In general, they used the finite element method with the well known problems of geometric truncations and the subsequent use of absorbing boundaries. The properties of boundary integral equation methods are, in our opinion, specially well suited to this problem, and several of the previous results have confirmed our opinion. In what follows we present the general features related to steady-state elastodynamics and a series of results showing the splendid results that the BIEM provided. Especially interesting are the outputs obtained through the use of the so-called singular elements, whose description is incorporated at the end of the paper. The reduction in time spent by the computer and the small number of elements needed to simulate realistically the global properties of the halfspace make this procedure one of the most interesting applications of the BIEM.

Teaching based on the case method of building collective protection

One of the fundamental aspects in the adaptation of the teaching to the European higher education is changing based models of teacher education to models based on student learning. In this work we present an educational experience developed with the teaching method based on the case method, with a clearly multidisciplinary. The experience has been developed in the teaching of analysis and verification of safety rails. This is a multidisciplinary field that presents great difficulties during their teaching. The use of the case method has given good results in the competences achieved by students