VEGF gene silencing by cytomegalovirus promoter driven ShRNA expression vector results in vascular development defects in zebrafish

Zebrafish has been generally considered as an excellent model in case of drug screening, disease model establishment, and vertebrate embryonic development study. In this work, the ability of human cytomegalovirus immediate early promoter (CMV promoter)-driven short hairpin RNA (shRNA) expression vector to induce shRNA against VEGF gene in zebrafish was tested, and its effect on vascular development was assed, too. Using RT-qPCR, blood vessel staining, and in situ hybridization, we confirmed certain transcriptional activity and down regulation of gene expression by the vector. In situ hybridization analysis indicated selective inhibition of NRP1 expression in the VEGF gene loss of function model, which might imply in turn that VEGF could not only activate endothelial cells directly but also could contribute to stimulating angiogenesis in vivo by a mechanism that involved up-regulation of its cognate receptor expression in zebrafish. This contributed to a better understanding of molecular mechanisms of cardiovascular development. The system improved the success rate in making inducible knockdown and widened the possibilities for better therapeutic targets in zebrafish.

An extended variable-grid global ocean circulation model and its preliminary results of the equatorial Pacific circulation

To investigate the interaction between the tropical Pacific and China seas a variable-grid global ocean circulation model with fine grid[(1/6)degrees] covering the area from 20degreesS to 50degreesN and from 99degrees to 150degreesE is developed. Numerical computation of the annually cyclic circulation fields is performed. The results of the annual mean zonal currents and deep to abyssal western boundary currents in the equatorial Pacific Ocean are reported. The North Equatorial Current,the North Equatorial Countercurrent, the South Equatorial Current and the Equatorial Undercurrent are fairly well simulated. The model well reproduces the northward flowing abyssal western boundary current. From the model results a lower deep western boundary current east of the Bismarck-Solomon-New Hebrides Island chain at depths around 2 000 in has been found. The model results also show that the currents in the equatorial Pacific Ocean have multi-layer structures both in zonal currents and western boundary currents, indicating that the global ocean overturning thermohaline circulation appears of multi-layer pattern.

Convergence Results for the EM Approach to Mixtures of Experts Architectures

The Expectation-Maximization (EM) algorithm is an iterative approach to maximum likelihood parameter estimation. Jordan and Jacobs (1993) recently proposed an EM algorithm for the mixture of experts architecture of Jacobs, Jordan, Nowlan and Hinton (1991) and the hierarchical mixture of experts architecture of Jordan and Jacobs (1992). They showed empirically that the EM algorithm for these architectures yields significantly faster convergence than gradient ascent. In the current paper we provide a theoretical analysis of this algorithm. We show that the algorithm can be regarded as a variable metric algorithm with its searching direction having a positive projection on the gradient of the log likelihood. We also analyze the convergence of the algorithm and provide an explicit expression for the convergence rate. In addition, we describe an acceleration technique that yields a significant speedup in simulation experiments.

The Essential Dynamics Algorithm: Essential Results

This paper presents a novel algorithm for learning in a class of stochastic Markov decision processes (MDPs) with continuous state and action spaces that trades speed for accuracy. A transform of the stochastic MDP into a deterministic one is presented which captures the essence of the original dynamics, in a sense made precise. In this transformed MDP, the calculation of values is greatly simplified. The online algorithm estimates the model of the transformed MDP and simultaneously does policy search against it. Bounds on the error of this approximation are proven, and experimental results in a bicycle riding domain are presented. The algorithm learns near optimal policies in orders of magnitude fewer interactions with the stochastic MDP, using less domain knowledge. All code used in the experiments is available on the project's web site.

Program Improvement by Automatic Redistribution of Intermediate Results

Introducing function sharing into designs allows eliminating costly structure by adapting existing structure to perform its function. This can eliminate many inefficiencies of reusing general componentssin specific contexts. "Redistribution of intermediate results'' focuses on instances where adaptation requires only addition/deletion of data flow and unused code removal. I show that this approach unifies and extends several well-known optimization classes. The system performs search and screening by deriving, using a novel explanation-based generalization technique, operational filtering predicates from input teleological information. The key advantage is to focus the system's effort on optimizations that are easier to prove safe.

Criatividade no ambiente organizacional - abordagem sob a ótica da relação entre o Indivíduo e seu trabalho.

2005

Desenvolvimento organizacional rural III: metodologia de intervencao de grupo em associacoes de agricultores de base familiar.

Uma metodologia de intervenção de grupo foi testada de grupo foi testada em 11 organizacoes rurais de base familiar, formada por nove associacoes de agricultores tradicionais, uma associacao de assentamento de reforma agraria e uma central de associacoes, sendo todas situadas em tres municipios do Estado de Goias. A metodologia constitui-se das seguintes etapas de intervencoes: apresentacao da proposta de trabalho, motivacao em nucleacao do grupo; diagnostico da organizacao; planejamento estrategico participativo (PEP), bem como a execução das propostas e acoes estrategicas; desenvolvimento e capacitacao dos agricultores e avaliação final da gestao das organizacoes. Este trabalho discutiu cada uma dessa etapas, e suas principais caracteristicas são: a construcao de objetivos compartilhados e a possibilidade de os membros da organização se desenvolverem como equipe trabalho e de participarem do desenvolvimento local. Dentre os resultados parciais obtidos ate o momento, destacaram-se: a producao e a comercializacao de doces e temperos caseiros; criacao e comercializacsao de frango caipira; implantacao de viveiro de mudas de plantas nativas; desenvolvimento de grupo de jovens rurais; implementacao de lavoura comunitaria, compra coletiva de produtos domesticos e insumos agricolas. Conclui-se que a referida metodologia favorece a dinamica do funcionamento das organizacoes rurais, mas não assegura a manutencao da coesao grupal, em caso de afastamento da equipe do projeto, no inicio de execução das propostas estrategicas, em face das dificuldades advindas do meio ambiente.

Desenvolvimento organizacional rural II: planejamento estrategico participativo em associacoes de agricultores de base familiar.

Este trabalho foi parte de uma das etapas do projeto que teve como objetivo adaptar instrumentais de apoio a gestao de organizacoes rurais de base familiar. Tecnicas de planejamento estrategico participativo (PEP) foram adaptadas e testadas em onze organizacoes rurais de base familiar, sendo nove associacoes de agricultores tradicionais, uma de assentamento de reforma agraria e uma central de associacoes, situadas em tres municipios do Estado de Goias. O PEP englobou o conhecimento de: historico da organização, mandadto, interessados x interesses, missao, analise ambiental (interna e externa), definicao das questoes e propostas estrategicas, bem como planejamento das propostas priorizadas. Foram relatados e discutidos os resultados do PEP de uma das associacoes estudadas, para servir como referencia para a elaboracao de outros planejamentos. Verifica-se que os produtores sentem-se bastante motivados durante o processo de intervenção das propostas estrategicas depende muito do apoio da equipe durante a fase inicial de execucao do PEP, fenomeno contatado durante a execucao das tres primeiras propostas.

Consórcio organizacional para promoção e apoio a atividades de P&D e transferência de tecnologia agropecuária.

Conceitos, objetivos e beneficiários do consórcio organizacional; Requisitos básicos; Formação do consórcio.

Girolando breed genetic improvement program - Sire summary - Progeny test results - July/2015.

The Girolando breed progeny test was established in 1997, as a result of the partnership between Girolando and Embrapa Dairy Cattle. In 2007, the Programa de Melhoramento Genético da Raça Girolando? PMGG (Genetic Improvement Program of the Girolando Breed) was implemented. Besides interacting with previously existing initiatives of the Girolando Breeders Association, such as the genealogical register service, the progeny test and the dairy control service, the PMGG launched the Linear Evaluation System (SLAG). The main objectives of the PMGG comprises identification of genetically superior individuals, the technically-oriented multiplication of genetics, the evaluation of economic traits and the promotion of sustainable dairy activities. The program have yielded impressive results. The Girolando breed semen sales increases faster than any other breed in Brazil.