Metallopeptidase inhibitors arrest vital biological processes in the fungal pathogen Scedosporium apiospermum

P>Scedosporium apiospermum is an emerging agent of opportunistic mycoses in humans. Previously, we showed that mycelia of S. apiospermum secreted metallopeptidases which were directly linked to the destruction of key host proteins. In this study, we analysed the effect of metallopeptidase inhibitors on S. apiospermum development. As germination of inhaled conidia is a crucial event in the infectious process of S. apiospermum, we studied the morphological transformation induced by the incubation of conidia in Sabouraud-dextrose medium at 37 degrees C. After 6 h, some conidia presented a small projection resembling a germ-tube. A significant increase, around sixfold, in the germ-tube length was found after 12 h, and hyphae were exclusively observed after 24 h. Three distinct metallopeptidase inhibitors were able to arrest the transformation of conidia into hyphae in different ways; for instance, 1,10-phenanthroline (PHEN) completely blocked this process at 10 mu mol l-1, while ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) and ethylene glycol-bis (beta-aminoethyl ether; EGTA) only partially inhibited the differentiation at up to 10 mmol l-1. EGTA did not promote any significant reduction in the conidial growth, while PHEN and EDTA, both at 10 mmol l-1, inhibited the proliferation around 100% and 65%, respectively. The secretion of polypeptides into the extracellular environment and the metallopeptidase activity secreted by mycelia were completely inhibited by PHEN. These findings suggest that metallo-type enzymes could be potential targets for future therapeutic interventions against S. apiospermum.

Growth of EuTe islands on SnTe by molecular beam epitaxy

Semiconductor magnetic quantum dots are very promising structures, with novel properties that find multiple applications in spintronic devices. EuTe is a wide gap semiconductor with NaCl structure, and strong magnetic moments S=7/2 at the half filled 4f(7) electronic levels. On the other hand, SnTe is a narrow gap semiconductor with the same crystal structure and 4% lattice mismatch with EuTe. In this work, we investigate the molecular beam epitaxial growth of EuTe on SnTe after the critical thickness for island formation is surpassed, as a previous step to the growth of organized magnetic quantum dots. The topology and strain state of EuTe islands were studied as a function of growth temperature and EuTe nominal layer thickness. Reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED) was used in-situ to monitor surface morphology and strain state. RHEED results were complemented and enriched with atomic force microscopy and grazing incidence X-ray diffraction measurements made at the XRD2 beamline of the Brazilian Synchrotron. EuTe islands of increasing height and diameter are obtained when the EuTe nominal thickness increases, with higher aspect ratio for the islands grown at lower temperatures. As the islands grow, a relaxation toward the EuTe bulk lattice parameter was observed. The relaxation process was partially reverted by the growth of the SnTe cap layer, vital to protect the EuTe islands from oxidation. A simple model is outlined to describe the distortions caused by the EuTe islands on the SnTe buffer and cap layers. The SnTe cap layers formed interesting plateau structures with easily controlled wall height, that could find applications as a template for future nanostructures growth. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Kraftutveckling för manuella trädfällningsredskap : Force development for manual tree felling tools

The objective with this study has been to build general models of the mechanics in tree felling with chain-saw and to compare felling torque for different tools. The theoretical models are completed and validated with a comparative study. The study includes a great number of felling tools of which some are used with different methods. Felling torque was measured using a naturally like measuring arrangement where a tree is cut at about 3.7 m height and then anchored with a dynamometer to a tree opposite to the felling direction. Notch and felling cut was made as ordinary with exception that the hinge was made extra thin to reduce bending resistance. The tree was consequently not felled during the trials and several combinations of felling tools and individuals could be used on the same tree.The results show big differences between tools, methods and persons. The differences were, however, not general, but could vary depending on conditions (first of all tree diameters). Tools and methods that push or pull on the stem are little affected by the size of the tree, while tools that press on the stump are very much dependent of a large stump-diameter. Hand force asserted on a simple pole is consequently a powerful tool on small trees. For trees of medium size there are several alternative methods with different sizes and brands of felling levers and wedges. Larger and more ungainly tools and methods like tree pusher, winch, etc. develop very high felling torque on all tree sizes. On large trees also the felling wedge and especially the use of several wedges together develop very high felling torque.

Quality management for vital forest tree seedlings : Final report, Project no: P33854-1

The work concerns development of a prototype molecular tests to identify vitality status of conifer seedlings. The work is done by NSure, Holland, Dalarna University and SUAS. In case for spruce, a successful validation experiment has been performed to validate the identified frost tolerance and vitality genes. Multiple indicators were identified that can be used to either reinforce the existing ColdnSure test, but also for development of a vitality test. The identified frost tolerance and vitality genes for pine still need to be validated. NSure together with Dalarna University aim to perform a validation next season. Multiple LN indicators were identified in spruce that can be used to determine the effectiveness of a LN treatment, but they are not yet validated. In spruce and pine hardly any scientific research is performed to study the effect of a LN treatment, particularly not at molecular level. Therefore NSure together with Dalarna Research Station want to apply for a project. Within this project, we would be able to develop the tests further.

High-growth firms : Not so vital after all?

High-growth firms have received considerable interest recently since they create most of the new jobs in the economy. The purpose of our paper is to investigate the characteristics of high-growth firms prior to their growth period, and whether these characteristics differ across industries. Using data on a large sample of limited liability firms in Sweden for the period 2007-2010, we find that high-growth firms do not have the characteristics that we typically associate with successful firms. On the contrary, our results indicate that high-growth firms have low profits and a weak financial position. This might explain why studies have found that high-growth firms are seldom capable of sustaining their high growth rates in subsequent periods, and thus question policies that are targeted towards these companies.

Memórias de trabalhadores do Vital Brazil: um diálogo entre a saúde e a comunidade

O estudo teve como proposta identificar na comunidade do Morro do Vital Brazil referências que indicassem sentido de coletividade e continuidade. Essa comunidade, como pretendido apontar, teria sua origem, nas décadas de 1920 e 1930, no entorno do Instituto de Hygiene, Sorotherapia e Veterinária do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, hoje, Instituto Vital Brazil. Por ser fábrica farmacêutica, a produção necessitaria de mão-de-obra, que no caso estudado, passou a morar no morro atrás do Instituto, mas ainda em seu território. Dessa origem, surge uma comunidade com características de cooperação, união e associativismo. Com a prosperidade da fábrica, cresce o número de moradores e inicia-se um conjunto de domicílios e famílias também possuidores de aspectos em comum. Essas identidades possibilitam um encontro com o poder público na forma de políticos e políticas, como o Programa Médico de Família. Com esse último, interesse inicial da pesquisa, nasceu a relação entre a pesquisadora em questão, médica no posto PMF Vital Brazil, e evidenciou performances dos moradores que indicavam um pertencimento e lugar de fala diferenciado. O estudo apontou características da comunidade e dos atores que contribuíram na criação desse coletivo, utilizou como metodologia a história oral.

Localization strategies of multinationals in Brazil which characteristics of the Brazilian market force multinational companies to localize their marketing activities?

Uma vez que as perspectivas de crescimento económico nos países mais desenvolvidos, como a Europa, os EUA eo Japão estão diminuindo, os mercados emergentes têm se tornado cada vez mais importante para muitas empresas multinacionais. Brasil, Rússia, Índia e China (BRICs) são agora os principais mercados em crescimento em todo o mundo e as empresas estão buscando estratégias para explorar ao máximo o potencial de consumo promissor nessas regiões. Um dos modos mais elaborados de prosseguir essa estratégia é conhecida como "localização" - uma adaptação das práticas de negócios (ao longo de toda a cadeia de suprimentos) com as preferências e condições locais. Este artigo é projetado para analisar as atividades de localização de empresas multinacionais no Brasil. O foco da análise é o de investigar as características do mercado brasileiro, que induzem as multinacionais a localizar o seu marketing mix (composto de produto, preço, colocação e promoção). Em dois estudos de casos com a empresa Suiça Nestlé e a empresa Alemã Volkswagen vários padrões de localização foram no mercado consumidor brasileiro. Os quatro resultados mais significativos da análise são os diferentes padrões sociais o Brasil, que forçar as empresas a reformular certas funções do seu mix de marketing (por exemplo, a colocação no caso da Nestlé), a aceitação dos consumidores brasileiros a pagar preços relativamente elevados (por exemplo, taxas de Volkswagen até 100% mais por seus produtos em relação à Alemanha); o enorme tamanho do Brasil ea infra-estrutura deficiente, que exigem uma abordagem de distribuição localizada; eo caráter atualmente ainda menos exigente dos estratos de consumidores brasileiros emergentes, que permitem às empresas oferecer produtos menos sofisticados em comparação aos mercados europeus.

Perceções acerca do impacto da prática desportiva: um estudo de caso com atletas de competição da escola Dragon Force Madeira

Este estudo inscreve-se no quadro de pesquisa da análise das perceções dos atletas de competição sub 13 da escola Dragon Force acerca do impacto das actividades desportivas sobre o rendimento escolar, relações entre pares e interpessoais, autoestima e autoconceito. Participaram neste estudo 14 atletas do género masculino com idades entre 11 e 13 anos. As metodologias utilizadas foram a quantitativa e a qualitativa. Os instrumentos utilizados foram: notas académicas, Registo de Empenho e Desenvolvimento Educativo (R.E.D.E.), Escala de Autoestima Global de Rosenberg (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, RSES), Questionário de Motivação para as Atividades Desportivas (QMAD), e Escala de Autopercepção de Susan Harter para adolescentes (EAPH-A). Também foi utilizado o focus group. Parte dos dados foi inserida na base de dados do SPSS, versão 19.0, procedendo-se, igualmente, à análise de conteúdo do material resultante do focus group. Embora os resultados revelem que existem algumas diferenças de perceção, a maior parte dos atletas considera que a prática desportiva está associada à alegria e ao divertimento. Também entendem que esta prática influencia o rendimento escolar, a autoestima, o autoconceito, as relações entre pares e interpessoais.

Geografia da dominação: um estudo sobre a organização espacial da terra do sal (Macau-RN)

This work aims to understand the spatial organization in the Town of Macau, State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. This approach focus on bringing back the history of the town, the main personages responsible for the construction of this place, denominated "social agents", as well as its social processes and the spatial forms derived from them. As the personages and their practices were identified, it was found out the existence of a driving force for structuring, interlocking, and maintaining the actions carried out by the social agents during the time. Such actions were materialized in the urban space: "the social segregation". The social segregation takes place as a specific geography of domination. The outcome of those owning the best areas" and ways of accessibility in the urban space, varies from the enrichment by property valorization, because of the concentration of public investments of infrastructure, to the comfort of easily reaching all the daily needs related to the displacements in the urban space. In the latter case, such facility has contributed to improve life quality. While one takes advantage of the location in the urban space, others are negatively affected by the same process. This research identified the salina worker as the weakest element of this social structure, occupying the urban periphery of the town of Macau. Such area is characterized by the lack of services and urban equipment in opposition to the center of the town, the locus of elite. This way, it is established the most known segregation pattern: center x periphery, in which the space acts as a mechanism of segregation

Spatial Assessment of Indices for Characterizing the Erosive Force of Rainfall in El Salvador Republic

Soil erosion data in El Salvador Republic are scarce and there is no rainfall erosivity map for this region. Considering that rainfall erosivity is an important guide for planning soil erosion control practices, a spatial assessment of indices for characterizing the erosive force of rainfall in El Salvador Republic was carried out. Using pluviometric records from 25 weather stations, we applied two methods: erosivity index equation and the Fournier index. In all study area, the rainiest period is from May to November. Annual values of erosivity index ranged from 7,196 to 17,856 MJ mm ha(-1) h(-1) year(-1) and the Fournier index ranged from 52.9 to 110.0 mm. The erosivity map showed that the study area can be broadly divided into three major erosion risk zones, and the Fournier index map was divided into four zones. Both methods revealed that the erosive force is severe in all study area and presented significant spatial correlation with each other. The erosive force in the country is concentrated mainly from May to November.

Mapping of adhesion forces on soil minerals in air and water by atomic force spectroscopy (AFS)

The adhesion force between an atomic force microscope (AFM) tip and sample surfaces, mica and quartz substrates, was measured in air and water. The force curves show that the adhesion has a strong dependence on both the surface roughness and the environmental conditions surrounding the sample. The variability of the adhesion force was examined in a series of measurements taken at the same point, as well as at different places on the sample surface. The adhesion maps obtained from the distribution of the measured forces indicated regions contaminated by either organic compounds or adsorbed water. Using simple mathematical expressions we could quantitatively predict the adhesion force behavior in both air and water. The experimental results are in good agreement with theoretical calculations, where the adhesion forces in air and water were mostly associated with capillary and van der Waals forces, respectively. A small long-range repulsive force is also observed in water due to the overlapping electrical double-layers formed on both the tip and sample surfaces.