Cellular automata-based spatial dynamic modeling for analyzing urban land use change

This paper analyzes land use change in Rio Claro City and its surroundings, located in the southeastern state of Sao Paulo, in the period from 1988 to 1995, using air-borne digital imagery and a cellular automata model. The simulation experiment was carried out in the Dinamica EGO platform and the results revealed a constrained urban sprawl, resulting from both the densification of residential areas implemented in previous years and the economic recession that led to an internal financial crisis in Brazil during the early 1990s. The simulation outputs were validated using a multi-resolution procedure based on a fuzzy similarity index and showed a satisfactory fitness in relation to the historical reference data. © 2013 IEEE.

Improvement in clinical signs and cellular immunity of dogs with visceral leishmaniasis using the immunomodulator P-MAPA

This study investigated the immunotherapeutic potential of the protein aggregate magnesium-ammonium phospholinoleate-palmitoleate anhydride immuno-modulator (P-MAPA) on canine visceral leishmaniasis. Twenty mongrel dogs presenting clinical symptoms compatible with leishmaniasis and diagnosis confirmed by the detection of anti-leishmania antibodies were studied. Ten dogs received 15 doses of the immunomodulator (2.0mg/kg) intramuscularly, and 10 received saline as a placebo. Skin and peripheral blood samples were collected following administration of the immunomodulator. The groups were followed to observe for clinical signals of remission; parasite load in the skin biopsies using real-time PCR, the cytokines IL-2, IL-10 and IFN-γ in the supernatant of peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated in vitro with either total promastigote antigen or phytohemagglutinin measured by capture ELISA, and changes in CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subpopulations evaluated by flow cytometry. Comparison between the groups showed that treatment with the immunomodulator promoted improvement in clinical signs and a significant reduction in parasite load in the skin. In peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures, supernatants showed a decrease in IL-10 levels and an increase in IL-2 and IFN-γ. An increase in CD8+ T cells was observed in peripheral blood. In addition, the in vitro leishmanicidal action of P-MAPA was investigated using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and no leishmanicidal activity was detected. These findings suggest that P-MAPA has potential as an immunotherapeutic drug in canine visceral leishmaniasis, since it assists in reestablishing partial immunocompetence of infected dogs. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

Biologia populacional e reprodutiva do camarão sete-barbas na Baía de Santos, São Paulo

We investigated the sexual maturity, reproductive period and juvenile recruitment (both associated with salinity and temperature of bottom water) and sex-ratio of Xiphopenaeus kroyeri in Santos Bay, São Paulo. Monthly samples were obtained from June 2008 through May 2009 along four transects. Individuals were measured, sexed and the developmental stage of the reproductive system was macroscopically determined. The mean carapace length of females was larger than that of males. Females attained physiological maturity with 25.5 mm and males with 16.8 mm. The reproductive period was continuous with higher proportions of reproductive females in autumn. Although not significant, in February occurs a peak of reproductive females similar to March. An intermediate peak of these females occurs between August and October and it contributed to the recruitment in summer. The smallest amount of juveniles after the main peak of spawning (February, March and April) can be explained by migration or consequences of open access for fishery that occurs on June. The overall sex-ratio was approximately 1:1. However, when considering the spatial distribution, we observed a greater amount of reproductive females in shallow waters in the bay. The differential distribution between the sexes could be associated with appropriated areas to spawn. The current legal off-season occurs between March and May, and, according to our results of the frequency of reproductive females, we suggest the inclusion of February in the off-season.

Alteration in cellular viability, pro-inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide production in nephrotoxicity generation by Amphotericin B: Involvement of PKA pathway signaling

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Biologia reprodutiva e qualidade do sêmen de reprodutores de curimbatá, Prochilodus lineatus, em condições distintas de manejo

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Estudo por simulação computacional da interação entre polieletrólitos fracos e macroíons esféricos

Pós-graduação em Biofísica Molecular - IBILCE

Estudo do padrão morfológico e da biologia Eutetranychus banksi (McGregor) (Acari: Tetranychidae) de diferentes locais e hospedeiros

Pós-graduação em Biologia Animal - IBILCE

Biologia de Tenuipalpus heveae Baker (acari, Tenuipalpidae) em três clones de Fevea brasileinsis Muell. Arg. (Euphorbiaceace)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Biologia comportamental de Synoeca surinama: enxameio e interações socias (Vespidae, Polistinae: Epiponini)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Sistema pigmentar extracutâneo e morfologia testicular em Anuro (Physalaemus nattereri e Physalaemus fuscomaculatus)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Efeitos do processo inflamatório sobre o sistema pigmentar extracutâneo em Eupemphix nattereri (Anura: Leiuperidae)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Biologia comportamental de Agelaia vicina: forrageio, comportamento das operárias e desenvolvimento dos ninhos (Hymenoptera: Vespidae; Epiponini)

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

Biologia reprodutiva de três espécies de serpentes da Família Viperiade da região neotropical

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

Biologia de Knodus moenkhausii (Teleostei, Characidade) em riachos do Alto Paraná: alimentação, ocorrência e reprodução

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

Biologia, arquitetura de ninhos e coleta de substratos no cerrado por formigas cultivadoras de fungo, Trachymyrmex holmgreni Wheeler, 1925 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Attini)

Pós-graduação em Biologia Animal - IBILCE