The impact of structural reforms on growth in Latin America and the Caribbean: an empirical estimation

Includes bibliography

Recent advances in brain physiology and cognitive processing

The discovery of participation of astrocytes as active elements in glutamatergic tripartite synapses (composed by functional units of two neurons and one astrocyte) has led to the construction of models of cognitive functioning in the human brain, focusing on associative learning, sensory integration, conscious processing and memory formation/retrieval. We have modelled human cognitive functions by means of an ensemble of functional units (tripartite synapses) connected by gap junctions that link distributed astrocytes, allowing the formation of intra- and intercellular calcium waves that putatively mediate large-scale cognitive information processing. The model contains a diagram of molecular mechanisms present in tripartite synapses and contributes to explain the physiological bases of cognitive functions. It can be potentially expanded to explain emotional functions and psychiatric phenomena. © MSM 2011.

The evolution of structural adjustment and stabilization policy in Jamaica

Includes bibliography

Crystallographic portrayal of different conformational states of a Lys49 phospholipase A2 homologue: Insights into structural determinants for myotoxicity and dimeric configuration

Catalytically inactive phospholipase A2 (PLA2) homologues play key roles in the pathogenesis induced by snake envenomation, causing extensive tissue damage via a mechanism still unknown. Although, the amino acid residues directly involved in catalysis are conserved, the substitution of Asp49 by Arg/Lys/Gln or Ser prevents the binding of the essential calcium ion and hence these proteins are incapable of hydrolyzing phospholipids. In this work, the crystal structure of a Lys49-PLA2 homologue from Bothrops brazili (MTX-II) was solved in two conformational states: (a) native, with Lys49 singly coordinated by the backbone oxygen atom of Val31 and (b) complexed with tetraethylene glycol (TTEG). Interestingly, the TTEG molecule was observed in two different coordination cages depending on the orientation of the nominal calcium-binding loop and of the residue Lys49. These structural observations indicate a direct role for the residue Lys49 in the functioning of a catalytically inactive PLA2 homologue suggesting a contribution of the active site-like region in the expression of pharmacological effects such as myotoxicity and edema formation. Despite the several crystal structures of Lys49-PLA2 homologues already determined, their biological assembly remains controversial with two possible conformations. The extended dimer with the hydrophobic channel exposed to the solvent and the compact dimer in which the active site-like region is occluded by the dimeric interface. In the MTX-II crystal packing analysis was found only the extended dimer as a possible stable quaternary arrangement. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.

ECLAC and the new growth theories

Includes bibliography

An appraisal of a quarter-century of structural pension reforms in Latin America

Includes bibliography

Structural change and domestic technological capabilities

Includes bibliography

Relative prices in Latin America in periods of low inflation and structural change

Includes bibliography

Antifungal Efficacy during Candida krusei Infection in Non-Conventional Models Correlates with the Yeast In Vitro Susceptibility Profile

The incidence of opportunistic fungal infections has increased in recent decades due to the growing proportion of immunocompromised patients in our society. Candida krusei has been described as a causative agent of disseminated fungal infections in susceptible patients. Although its prevalence remains low among yeast infections (2-5%), its intrinsic resistance to fluconazole makes this yeast important from epidemiologic aspects. Non mammalian organisms are feasible models to study fungal virulence and drug efficacy. In this work we have used the lepidopteran Galleria mellonella and the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans as models to assess antifungal efficacy during infection by C. krusei. This yeast killed G. mellonella at 25, 30 and 37°C and reduced haemocytic density. Infected larvae melanized in a dose-dependent manner. Fluconazole did not protect against C. krusei infection, in contrast to amphotericin B, voriconazole or caspofungin. However, the doses of these antifungals required to obtain larvae protection were always higher during C. krusei infection than during C. albicans infection. Similar results were found in the model host C. elegans. Our work demonstrates that non mammalian models are useful tools to investigate in vivo antifungal efficacy and virulence of C. krusei. © 2013 Scorzoni et al.

On elimination of chaotic behavior in a non-ideal portal frame structural system, using both passive and active controls

In this paper, an application is considered of both active and passive controls, to suppression of chaotic behavior of a simple portal frame, under the excitation of an unbalanced DC motor, with limited power supply (non-ideal problem). The adopted active control strategy consists of two controls: the nonlinear (feedforward) in order to keep the controlled system in a desirable orbit, and the feedback control, which may be obtained by considering state-dependent Riccati equation control to bringing the system into the desired orbit using a magneto rheological (MR) damper. To control the electric current applied in control of the MR damper the Bouc-Wen mathematical model was used to the MR damper. The passive control was obtained by means of a nonlinear sub-structure with properties of nonlinear energy sink. Simulations showed the efficiency of both the passive control (energy pumping) and active control strategies in the suppression of the chaotic behavior. © The Author(s) 2012.

Structural and dielectric properties of polyvinyl alcohol/barium zirconium titanate polymer-ceramic composite

The polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/barium zirconium titanate Ba[Zr0.1Ti0.9]O3 (BZT) polymer-ceramic composites with different volume percentage are obtained from solution mixing and hot-pressing method. Their structural and electrical properties are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Rietveld refinement, cluster modeling, scanning electron microscope and dielectric study. XRD patterns of PVA/BZT polymer-ceramics composite (with 50% volume fractions) indicate no obvious differences than the XRD patterns of pure BZT which shows that the crystal structure is still stable in the composite. The scanning electron micrograph indicates that the BZT ceramic is dispersed homogeneously in the polymer matrix without agglomeration. The dielectric permittivity (ε r) and the dielectric loss (tan δ) of the composites increase with the increase of the volume fraction of BZT ceramic. Theoretical models are employed to rationalize the dielectric behavior of the polymer composites. The dielectric properties of the composites display good stability within a wide range of temperature and frequency. The excellent dielectric properties of these polymer-ceramic composites indicate that the BZT/PVA composites can be a candidate for embedded capacitors. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

Recent mouse and rat methods for the study of experimental oral candidiasis

The Candida genus expresses virulence factors that, when combined with immunosuppression and other risk factors, can cause different manifestations of oral candidiasis. The treatment of mucosal infections caused by Candida and the elucidation of the disease process have proven challenging. Therefore, the study of experimentally induced oral candidiasis in rats and mice is useful to clarify the etiopathology of this condition, improve diagnosis, and search for new therapeutic options because the disease process in these animals is similar to that of human candidiasis lesions. Here, we describe and discuss new studies involving rat and mouse models of oral candidiasis with respect to methods for inducing experimental infection, methods for evaluating the development of experimental candidiasis, and new treatment strategies for oral candidiasis. © 2013 Landes Bioscience.

Correlação entre dados geofísicos e geológicos em ocorrência de cobre localizada na bacia sedimentar do Camaquã - RS

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Argentina: recent dynamics in the software and IT services industry

Includes bibliography.

Expressão, purificação e estudos estruturais da chaperona molecular Hsp65 de Mycobacterium leprae & caracterização da proteína NUDEL - nuclear distribuition element-like

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