Ridge-based fingerprint matching using hough transform

Despite the efficacy of minutia-based fingerprint matching techniques for good-quality images captured by optical sensors, minutia-based techniques do not often perform so well on poor-quality images or fingerprint images captured by small solid-state sensors. Solid-state fingerprint sensors are being increasingly deployed in a wide range of applications for user authentication purposes. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new fingerprint-matching techniques that utilize other features to deal with fingerprint images captured by solid-state sensors. This paper presents a new fingerprint matching technique based on fingerprint ridge features. This technique was assessed on the MSU-VERIDICOM database, which consists of fingerprint impressions obtained from 160 users (4 impressions per finger) using a solid-state sensor. The combination of ridge-based matching scores computed by the proposed ridge-based technique with minutia-based matching scores leads to a reduction of the false non-match rate by approximately 1.7% at a false match rate of 0.1%. © 2005 IEEE.

Obesity induced by a sucrose-rich diet promotes deficits in bone mineralization and microarchitecture

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Effects of Protein A in Detection of Canine Distemper Virus through immunosensor construction

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

Ringed and bearded seal densities in the eastern Chukchi Sea, 1999–2000

Aerial surveys were conducted in 1999 and 2000 to estimate the densities of ringed (Phoca hispida) and bearded (Erignathus barbatus) seals in the eastern Chukchi Sea. Survey lines were focused mainly on the coastal zone within 37 km of the shoreline, with additional lines flown 148–185 km offshore to assess how densities of seals changed as a function of distance from shore. Satellite-linked time-depth recorders were attached to ringed seals in both years to evaluate the time spent basking on the ice surface. Haulout patterns indicated that ringed seals transitioned to basking behavior in late May and early June, and that the largest proportion of seals (60–68%) was hauled out between 0830 and 1530 local solar time. Ringed seals were relatively common in nearshore fast ice and pack ice, with lower densities in offshore pack ice. The average density of ringed seals was 1.91 seals km-2 in 1999 (range 0.37– 16.32) and 1.62 seals km-2 in 2000 (range 0.42–19.4), with the highest densities of ringed seals found in coastal waters south of Kivalina and near Kotzebue Sound. The estimated abundance of ringed seals for the entire study area was similar in 1999 (252,488 seals, SE=47,204) and 2000 (208,857 seals, SE=25,502). Bearded seals were generally more common in offshore pack ice, with the exception of high bearded seal numbers observed near the shore south of Kivalina. Bearded seal densities were not adjusted for haulout behavior, and therefore, abundance was not estimated. Unadjusted average bearded seal density was 0.07 seals km-2 in 1999 (range 0.011–0.393) and 0.14 seals km-2 in 2000 (range 0.009– 0.652). Levels of primary productivity, benthic biomass, and fast ice distribution may influence the distributions of ringed and bearded seals in the Chukchi Sea. Information on movement and haulout behavior of ringed and bearded seals would be very useful for designing future surveys.

Studies on the Helminth Fauna of Alaska. XXVII. The Occurrence of Larvae of Trichinella spiralis in Alaskan Mammals

In 1948 much interest in trichinosis in arctic regions was aroused, particularly by the findings of Thorborg et al. (1948), who investigated serious outbreaks occurring among the Eskimo of West Greenland during 1947. Consequently, with the founding of the Arctic Health Research Center in the autumn of 1948, a study of trichinosis in Alaska was the first project to be initiated by the Zoonotic Disease Section (formerly Animal-borne Disease Section) of this Center. Field work was begun in January, 1949, and a preliminary note on trichinosis in Alaskan mammals was published by Brandly and Rausch (1950). The subject of trichinosis in arctic regions was reviewed by Connell (1949). The survey to determine the prevalence of T. spiralis in mammals in Alaska was terminated in the spring of 1953; this paper reports the results of this work.

MEH-PPV Thin Films for Radiation Sensor Applications

This work deals with MEH-PPV thin films to be used as gamma radiation sensors. The polymer thin films with two different thicknesses (30 and 100 nm) were irradiated at room temperature with different gamma radiation doses (up to 25 kGy). Optical properties of the material were investigated with FTIR and UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy. Results show that gamma radiation does not degrade substantially the thin-film material, suggesting that a crosslink effect may be occurring. The characteristic absorption peak of MEH-PPV, around 500 nm is shifted to shorter wavelengths with the increase of gamma radiation doses for both thicknesses samples. The 30-nm-thick samples showed a larger variation absorbance at a specific wavelength and a larger peak shift. These results indicate their potential for use in monitoring the radiation doses used on the sterilization of health care products.

Photoluminescence from germanate glasses containing silicon nanocrystals and erbium ions

We report the first observation of photoluminescence enhancement in Er3+ doped GeO2-Bi2O3 glasses containing silicon nanocrystals (Si-NCs) excited by a laser operating at 980 nm. The growth of approximate to 200% in the intensity of the Er3+ transition S-4(3/2) -> I-4(15/2) (545 nm) and of approximate to 100% for transitions H-2(11/2) -> I-4(15/2) (525 nm), F-4(9/2) -> I-4(15/2) (660 nm), and I-4(5/2) -> I-4(13/2) (1530 nm) was observed in comparison with a reference sample that does not contain Si-NCs. The results open a new road for obtaining efficient Stokes and anti-Stokes emissions in germanate composites doped with rare-earth ions.

Cardiac Rhythm Disturbances Associated with Amlodipine Acute Intoxication

Amlodipine is a dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonist extensively used for the treatment of arterial hypertension, with predominant effect on the peripheral vascular territory. In most cases of severe intoxication, important hypotension and reflex tachycardia are usually observed. We report a case of young man with severe amlodipine intoxication that developed important bradyarrhythmias, such as low atrial rhythm, prolonged PR interval, atrioventricular block, and left bundle branch block. These rhythm disturbances suggest that, during acute intoxication, dihydropyridine loses its selective action on the vascular territory and can depress automatism and conduction of cardiac electrical stimulus.

Cursos de mestrado acadêmico na área de enfermagem: análise da carga horária

OBJETIVO: identificar, entre os cursos de Mestrado Acadêmico dos programas de pós-graduação em enfermagem brasileiros, analisados por ocasião da avaliação trienal (2007-2009) da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, a carga horária informada pelos programas para a formação de mestre. MÉTODO: trata-se de estudo descritivo, quantitativo, documental, com dados coletados em julho de 2010, mediante consulta aos relatórios da citada Coordenação, no quesito "Propostas dos Programas", dos Cadernos de Indicadores, disponíveis na web. RESULTADOS: foram encontradas discrepâncias entre as cargas horárias dos 32 cursos de Mestrado Acadêmico das diversas regiões do Brasil, sendo que a menor carga horária foi de 315 horas e a maior de 1.530 horas. CONCLUSÕES: há necessidade de maior discussão acerca da carga horária necessária à formação das competências e habilidades para o perfil desejado do egresso. O estudo propicia avanços no conhecimento da enfermagem, pois não foram identificadas investigações pregressas que tratem de tal tema. Espera-se que os cursos de Mestrado Acadêmico de enfermagem percebam-se nesse processo e revejam suas decisões pedagógicas, à luz dos novos modelos de formação/capacitação dos profissionais de enfermagem, centrados na ciência, tecnologia e inovação na área.

Heterogeneous time-dependent response of adipose tissue during the development of cancer cachexia

Cancer cachexia induces loss of fat mass that accounts for a large part of the dramatic weight loss observed both in humans and in animal models; however, the literature does not provide consistent information regarding the set point of weight loss and how the different visceral adipose tissue depots contribute to this symptom. To evaluate that, 8-week-old male Wistar rats were subcutaneously inoculated with 1 ml (2 x 10(7)) of tumour cells (Walker 256). Samples of different visceral white adipose tissue (WAT) depots were collected at days 0, 4, 7 and 14 and stored at -80 degrees C (seven to ten animals/each day per group). Mesenteric and retroperitoneal depot mass was decreased to the greatest extent on day 14 compared with day 0. Gene and protein expression of PPAR gamma(2) (PPARG) fell significantly following tumour implantation in all three adipose tissue depots while C/EBP alpha (CEBPA) and SREBP-1c (SREBF1) expression decreased over time only in epididymal and retroperitoneal depots. Decreased adipogenic gene expression and morphological disruption of visceral WAT are further supported by the dramatic reduction in mRNA and protein levels of perilipin. Classical markers of inflammation and macrophage infiltration (f4/80, CD68 and MIF-1 alpha) in WAT were significantly increased in the later stage of cachexia (although showing a incremental pattern along the course of cachexia) and presented a depot-specific regulation. These results indicate that impairment in the lipid-storing function of adipose tissue occurs at different times and that the mesenteric adipose tissue is more resistant to the 'fat-reducing effect' than the other visceral depots during cancer cachexia progression. Journal of Endocrinology (2012) 215, 363-373

beta(1) Adrenergic receptor is key to cold- and diet-induced thermogenesis in mice

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is predominantly regulated by the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the adrenergic receptor signaling pathway. Knowing that a mouse with triple beta-receptor knockout (KO) is cold intolerant and obese, we evaluated the independent role played by the beta(1) isoform in energy homeostasis. First, the 30 min i.v. infusion of norepinephrine (NE) or the beta(1) selective agonist dobutamine (DB) resulted in similar interscapular BAT (iBAT) thermal response in WT mice. Secondly, mice with targeted disruption of the beta(1) gene (KO of beta(1) adrenergic receptor (beta 1KO)) developed hypothermia during cold exposure and exhibited decreased iBAT thermal response to NE or DB infusion. Thirdly, when placed on a high-fat diet (HFD; 40% fat) for 5 weeks, beta 1KO mice were more susceptible to obesity than WT controls and failed to develop diet-induced thermogenesis as assessed by BAT Ucp1 mRNA levels and oxygen consumption. Furthermore, beta 1KO mice exhibited fasting hyperglycemia and more intense glucose intolerance, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertriglyceridemia when placed on the HFD, developing marked non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. In conclusion, the beta(1) signaling pathway mediates most of the SNS stimulation of adaptive thermogenesis. Journal of Endocrinology (2012) 214, 359-365

Effect of the interaction between food state and the action of estrogen on oxytocinergic system activity

Increased plasma osmolality by food intake evokes augmentation of plasma oxytocin (OT). Ovarian steroids may also influence the balance of body fluids by acting on OT neurones. Our aim was to determine if estrogen influences the activity of OT neurones in paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and supraoptic nucleus (SON) under different osmotic situations. Ovariectomized rats (OVX) were treated with either estradiol (E-2) or vehicle and were divided into three groups: group I was fed ad libitum, group II underwent 48 h of fasting, and group III was refed after 48 h of fasting. On the day of the experiment, blood samples were collected to determine the plasma osmolality and OT. The animals were subsequently perfused, and OT/FOS immunofluorescence analysis was conducted on neurones in the PVN and the SON. When compared to animals which were fasted or fed ad libitum, the plasma osmolality of refed animals was higher, regardless of whether they were treated with vehicle or E-2. We observed neural activation of OT cells in vehicle-or E-2-treated OVX rats refed after 48 h of fasting, but not in animals fed ad libitum or in animals that only underwent 48 h of fasting. Finally, the percentage of neurones that co-expressed OT and FOS was lower in both the PVN and the SON of animals treated with E-2 and refed, when compared to vehicle-treated animals. These results suggest that E-2 may have an inhibitory effect on OT neurones and may modulate the secretion of OT in response to the increase of osmolality induced by refeeding. Journal of Endocrinology (2012) 212, 129-138

Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy in Children for Neuroblastoma: Report of Case Series

Background: Neuroblastoma is one of the most common solid tumors in the pediatric population and the adrenal gland is the main abdominal site of this tumor. The laparoscopic approach has become the standard of care for most benign adrenal tumors in adults, but the role of laparoscopic adrenalectomy in children for malignant tumor is still a point of controversy. However, there is a growing experience with laparoscopic neuroblastoma resection of small lesions and the use of minimally invasive techniques for the initial management of infiltrative neuroblastoma in the last years. The aim of this study is to describe our initial experience with laparoscopic adrenalectomy for neuroblastoma in children, based on surgical outcomes. Methods: A retrospective review of 7 laparoscopic adrenalectomies performed in a single institution between October 2008 and October 2009. We focused our analysis on early surgical outcomes. Results: The mean tumoral size was 2.8 +/- 0.9 cm, the average surgical time was 38.6 +/- 65.5 minutes, and the mean hospital stay was 2.9 +/- 1.6 days. One stage IV patient was submitted to conversion due to bleeding and needed blood transfusion. There were no late complications or deaths and the mean follow-up time was 18.8 +/- 6.1 months. Conclusions: The laparoscopic approach for adrenal neuroblastoma resection is feasible in children with good outcomes, but should be reserved to patients with small, well-circumscribed adrenal lesions, without invasive or infiltrative disease.