Seleção de features guiada por atenção visual em imagens com fóvea

Visual attention is a very important task in autonomous robotics, but, because of its complexity, the processing time required is significant. We propose an architecture for feature selection using foveated images that is guided by visual attention tasks and that reduces the processing time required to perform these tasks. Our system can be applied in bottom-up or top-down visual attention. The foveated model determines which scales are to be used on the feature extraction algorithm. The system is able to discard features that are not extremely necessary for the tasks, thus, reducing the processing time. If the fovea is correctly placed, then it is possible to reduce the processing time without compromising the quality of the tasks outputs. The distance of the fovea from the object is also analyzed. If the visual system loses the tracking in top-down attention, basic strategies of fovea placement can be applied. Experiments have shown that it is possible to reduce up to 60% the processing time with this approach. To validate the method, we tested it with the feature algorithm known as Speeded Up Robust Features (SURF), one of the most efficient approaches for feature extraction. With the proposed architecture, we can accomplish real time requirements of robotics vision, mainly to be applied in autonomous robotics

A interpretação dos sintagmas nominais com adjetivos atributivos por alunos de inglês instrumental

This present work has as objective to analyze the interpretation of the syntactic and semantic meaning performed by third graders in the nominal groups (NGs) with attributive adjectives in the English language in a text of the final exam in the ESP (English for Specific Purposes) discipline. The corpus is made up of 30 exams of two classes from a third grade institution of the biomedical area, corresponding to the basic and advanced levels of the second term in 2006. The text has 24 NGs of different lexical content, a total of 27 NGs in the whole text summing up to 810 analyzed occurrences. The analysis is carried out at the morphologic, syntactic and semantic levels using as theoretical background the traditional and functional grammars (QUIRK et al, 1985; CELSE-MURCIA et al, 1998; TUCKER, 1998), in their semantic aspects, the Semantics (FRAWLEY, 1992) and the Cognitive Linguistics (TAYLOR, 2002). We concluded that the main difficulties were due to the lack of vocabulary and to the use of mother tongue strategies instead of using the top-down strategies for reading a text in English to compensate this gap. We also observed that even when the vocabulary was known, there were difficulties in establishing the semantic and syntactic relations between modifier and noun head. We suggested improvements for the teaching of reading English texts at the third grade grounded in the obtained results such as a more comprehensive study of the several different morphologic and syntactic structures of the NGs with premodifiers and their semantic consequences, an approach of the morphologic, syntactic and semantic aspects of the NGs and the use of both top-down and bottom-up strategies when reading a NG in the English language

Eficiência de argila silicatada no controle de Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. passiflorae, in vitro e em mudas de maracujazeiro-amarelo

A mancha bacteriana do maracujá, causada pela bactéria Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. passiflorae, ocorre em todas as regiões produtoras do País, sendo responsável por grandes perdas econômicas na cultura do maracujazeiro-amarelo. O presente trabalho teve como objetivos testar a eficiência de argila silicatada na inibição da bactéria X. axonopodis pv. passiflorae in vitro e no controle preventivo e curativo da mancha bacteriana em mudas de maracujazeiro-amarelo. A argila silicatada foi adicionada ao meio de cultura batata-dextrose-ágar fundente, nas concentrações de 0,0; 0,5; 1,0; 1,5 e 2,0%; vertido em placas de Petri. Após resfriamento do meio, repicou-se a suspensão bacteriana (10(7) UFC.mL-1) com uma alça, incubando-se as placas a 28 °C por três dias, quando se avaliou o crescimento bacteriano. Posteriormente, o produto, nas mesmas concentrações citadas, foi pulverizado em mudas de maracujá 'Afruvec' de forma preventiva ou curativa. A inoculação da bactéria foi realizada através de pulverização foliar da suspensão bacteriana (10(7) UFC.mL-1), 24 h antes ou após os tratamentos curativo e preventivo, respectivamente. A severidade da doença foi avaliada com auxílio de uma escala diagramática nas quatro primeiras folhas verdadeiras contadas de baixo para cima. Nas concentrações avaliadas, a argila silicatada inibiu a bactéria in vitro e os sintomas da mancha bacteriana no tratamento curativo, enquanto no tratamento preventivo, controle significativo foi obtido a partir de 1,0% de argila silicatada. Com base nestes resultados, a argila silicada pode ser recomendada, na concentração de 1,0-2,0%, para o controle da mancha bacteriana do maracujazeiro em pulverizações foliares.

Analysis of the efficiency of silicate clay on the control of Xanthomonas axonopodis PV. passiflorae in vitro and in seedlings of yellow passion fruit contaminated

The bacterial spot in yellow passion fruit plants, caused by the bacteria Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. passiflorae, occurs in all producing areas of the country, and is responsible for great economic losses in the culture of passion fruit. This study aimed to test the efficiency of the silicate clay in the inhibition of the bacteria Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. passiflorae in vitro, and in both preventive and curative control of the bacterial spot in seedlings of yellow passion fruit plants. The silicate clay was added to the growth medium at concentrations of. 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0%, placed in Petri dishes. After the culture medium was cooler, the bacterial suspension was inoculates (10(7) UFC.mL(-1)) with a handle, and left incubating at 28 degrees C for three days, and then the bacterial growth was evaluated. Subsequently, the product at the same concentrations above was sprayed on seedlings of 'Afruvec' passion fruit, as preventive or curative. The inoculation of the bacteria was made by foliar spraying of bacterial suspension (10(7) ufc.mL(-1)), 24 hours before or after the curative and preventive treatments, respectively. The severity of the disease was measured comparing each four true leaves from bottom up, with a diagrammatic scale. In the concentrations evaluated, the silicate clay inhibited both bacteria in vitro and symptoms of bacterial spot in the curative treatment. In preventive treatment, significant results were obtained using more than 1.0% of clay silicates. Based on these results, the clay silicate can be recommended, the concentration of 1.0-2.0% for the control of bacterial spot of passion fruit plants, in foliar sprays.

Structural and optical properties of CaTiO3 perovskite-based materials obtained by microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis: An experimental and theoretical insight

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Garantia literária: elementos para uma revisão crítica após um século

This study contributes to a critical synthesis of the principle of literary warrant, initially formulated by Hulme in 1911. Hulme proposed that the terms of a classification system should be derived from the literature to be classified, rather than based on purely theoretical considerations. Founding literary warrant on literature which is actually documented rather than on scientific or philosophical classifications or on the supposed authority of the first classificationists implied a clear departure from the conceptions of Harris and Dewey, who had used the classifications of Bacon and Leibniz as models. The validity of this principle over the past century is studied by means of diverse documental data (entries in dictionaries, retrieval by Google, etc.), as it is recognized as a main methodological element for classification standards and systems. This study also discusses the situation with respect to the top-down or bottom-up methodologies of system design. Three traditional applications of literary warrant are described as well as three new applications are suggested, in light of its methodological potential. It is possible to conclude that this principle will find increasing applications in other contexts, within and beyond Information Science.

Effect of Helicobacter pylori infection on IL-8, IL-1 and COX-2 expression in patients with chronic gastritis and gastric cancer

Objective. Helicobacter pylori infection is related to gastric cancer development, and chronic inflammation is presumed to be the main cause. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of H. pylori cagA, vacA, iceA, and babA genotypes on COX-2, IL-1, and IL-8 expression. Material and methods. of the 217 patients included in the study, 26 were uninfected, 127 had chronic gastritis and were H. pylori-positive, and 64 had gastric cancer. Bacterial genotypes were evaluated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the expression values were determined by quantitative real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. Results. An association was found between the infection with cagA, vacA s1m1 strains and gastric cancer development. Regarding the 3' region of the cagA gene, we also found an association between the infection with cagA EPIYA-ABCCC strains and clinical outcome. Higher levels of IL-8, IL-1, and COX-2 were detected in gastric mucosa from infected patients with chronic gastritis, and they were also associated with the infection by cagA, vacA s1m1 strains. The IL-8 and IL-1 levels decrease significantly from chronic gastritis to gastric cancer, while the relative expression remained unaltered when COX-2 expression was analyzed among patients with gastritis and cancer. Conclusions. Since inflammatory response to H. pylori infection plays an important role in cellular proliferation and gastric mucosal damage, the up-regulation of IL-1, IL-8, and COX-2 in patients with chronic gastritis has an important clinical implication in gastric carcinogenesis.

Effects of Helicobacter pylori Infection on the Expressions of Bax and Bcl-2 in Patients with Chronic Gastritis and Gastric Cancer

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

MicroRNA-100 Acts as a Tumor Suppressor in Human Bladder Carcinoma 5637 Cells

Bladder carcinoma is one of the most common tumors in the world and, despite the therapy currently available, most of the patients relapse. Better understanding of the factors involved in disease pathogenesis would provide insights for the development of more effective strategies in treatment. Recently, differential miRNA expression profiles in bladder urothelial carcinomas identified miR-100 down-regulation and miR-708 up-regulation among the most common alterations, although the possible influence of these miRNAs in the control of basic mechanisms in bladder tumors has not been addressed. In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the in vitro effects of miR-100 forced expression and miR-708 inhibition in the bladder carcinoma cell line 5637. Our results showed that overexpression of miR-100 significantly inhibited growth when compared to controls at both times tested (72 and 96 hours, p<0.01) with a maximum effect at 72 hours reducing proliferation in 29.6 %. Conversely, no effects on cell growth were observed after inhibition of miR-708. MiR-100 also reduced colony formation capacity of 5637 cells by 24.4%. No alterations in cell cycle progression or apoptosis induction were observed. The effects of miR-100 on growth and clonogenicity capacity in 5637 cells evince a possible role of this miRNA in bladder carcinoma pathogenesis. Further studies are necessary to corroborate our findings and examine the potential use of this microRNA in future therapeutic interventions.

Sequencing and expression analysis of hepcidin mRNA in donkey (Equus asinus) liver

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

Cloning, sequencing and expression analysis of the equine hepcidin gene by real-time PCR

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

Influence of experimental inflammatory response on hepatic hepcidin gene expression and plasma iron concentration in sheep

Hepcidin is a highly conserved disulfide-bonded peptide that plays a central role in iron homeostasis. During systemic inflammation, hepcidin up-regulation is responsible for hypoferremia. This study aimed to analyze the influence of the inflammatory process induced by complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the liver expression of hepcidin mRNA transcripts and plasma iron concentration of sheep. The expression levels of hepcidin transcripts were up-regulated after CFA or LPS. Hypoferremic response was observed at 12 h (15.46 +/- 6.05 mu mol/L) or 6 h (14.59 +/- 4.38 mu mol/L) and iron reached its lowest level at 96 h (3.08 +/- 1.18 mu mol/L) or 16 h (4.06 +/- 1.58 mu mol/L) after CFA administration or LPS infusion, respectively. This study demonstrated that the iron regulatory hormone hepcidin was up-regulated in sheep liver in response to systemic inflammation. These findings extend our knowledge on the relationship between the systemic inflammatory response, hepcidin and iron, and provide a starting point for additional studies on iron metabolism and the inflammatory process in sheep. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Platelet-rich plasma stimulates cytokine expression and alkaline phosphatase activity in osteoblast-derived osteosarcoma cells

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

Bacteria-derived hydrogen sulfide promotes IL-8 production from epithelial cells

Hydrogen Sulfide (H(2)S) a volatile Sulfur compound, is implicated as a cause of inflammation. especially when it is produced by bacteria colonizing gastrointestinal organs However, It IS Unclear if H(2)S produced by periodontal pathogens affects the inflammatory responses mediated by oral/gingival epithelial cells Therefore. the aims of this Study were (1) to compare the in vitro production of H(2)S among. 14 strains of Oral bacteria and (2) to evaluate the effects of H(2)S on inflammatory response induced in host oral/gingival epithelial cells Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) produced the most H(2)S in Culture, Which, in turn resulted in the promotion of proinflammatory cytokine IL-8 from both gingival and Oral epithelial cells The up-regulation of IL-8 expression was reproduced by the exogenously applied H(2)S Furthermore. the Mutant Strains of Pg that do not produce major Soluble Virulent factors. ie gingival, still showed the Production of H(2)S. as well as the promotion of epithelial IL-8 production. which was abrogated by H(2)S scavenging reagents These results demonstrated that Pg produces a concentration of H(2)S capable of Up-regulating-IL-8 expression induced in gingival and oral epithelial cells, revealing a possible mechanism that may promote the inflammation in periodontal disease (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Switching control of sympathetic activity from forebrain to hindbrain in chronic dehydration

We investigated the mechanisms responsible for increased blood pressure and sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) caused by 2-3 days dehydration (DH) both in vivo and in situ preparations. In euhydrated (EH) rats, systemic application of the AT(1) receptor antagonist Losartan and subsequent pre-collicular transection (to remove the hypothalamus) significantly reduced thoracic (t) SNA. In contrast, in DH rats, Losartan, followed by pre-collicular and pontine transections, failed to reduce tSNA, whereas transection at the medulla-spinal cord junction massively reduced tSNA. In DH but not EH rats, selective inhibition of the commissural nucleus tractus solitarii (cNTS) significantly reduced tSNA. Comparable data were obtained in both in situ and in vivo (anaesthetized/conscious) rats and suggest that following chronic dehydration, the control of tSNA transfers from supra-brainstem structures (e. g. hypothalamus) to the medulla oblongata, particularly the cNTS. As microarray analysis revealed up-regulation of AP1 transcription factor JunD in the dehydrated cNTS, we tested the hypothesis that AP1 transcription factor activity is responsible for dehydration-induced functional plasticity. When AP1 activity was blocked in the cNTS using a viral vector expressing a dominant negative FosB, cNTS inactivation was ineffective. However, tSNA was decreased after pre-collicular transection, a response similar to that seen in EHrats. Thus, the dehydration-induced switch in control of tSNA from hypothalamus to cNTS seems to be mediated via activation of AP1 transcription factors in the cNTS. If AP1 activity is blocked in the cNTS during dehydration, sympathetic activity control reverts back to forebrain regions. This unique reciprocating neural structure-switching plasticity between brain centres emphasizes the multiple mechanisms available for the adaptive response to dehydration.