Comparação dos algoritmos delineação rápida em cadeia e seriação, para a construção de mapas genéticos

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a eficiência, na construção de mapas genéticos, dos algoritmos seriação e delineação rápida em cadeia, além dos critérios para avaliação de ordens: produto mínimo das frações de recombinação adjacentes, soma mínima das frações de recombinação adjacentes e soma máxima dos LOD Scores adjacentes, quando usados com o algoritmo de verificação de erros " ripple" . Foi simulado um mapa com 24 marcadores, posicionados aleatoriamente a distâncias variadas, com média 10 cM. Por meio do método Monte Carlo, foram obtidas 1.000 populações de retrocruzamento e 1.000 populações F2, com 200 indivíduos cada, e diferentes combinações de marcadores dominantes e co-dominantes (100% co-dominantes, 100% dominantes e mistura com 50% co-dominantes e 50% dominantes). Foi, também, simulada a perda de 25, 50 e 75% dos dados. Observou-se que os dois algoritmos avaliados tiveram desempenho semelhante e foram sensíveis à presença de dados perdidos e à presença de marcadores dominantes; esta última dificultou a obtenção de estimativas com boa acurácia, tanto da ordem quanto da distância. Além disso, observou-se que o algoritmo " ripple" geralmente aumenta o número de ordens corretas e pode ser combinado com os critérios soma mínima das frações de recombinação adjacentes e produto mínimo das frações de recombinação adjacentes.

Fetal testosterone (2D:4D) as predictor of cognitive reflection

The Cognitive Reflection Test (CRT) is a test introduced by S. Frederick (2005) Cognitive reflection and decision making, J Econ Perspect 19(4): 25-42. The task is designed to measure the tendency to override an intuitive response that is incorrect and to engage in further reflection that leads to the correct response. The consistent sex differences in CRT performance may suggest a role for gonadal hormones, particularly testosterone. A now widely studied putative marker for fetal testosterone is the second-to-fourth digit ratio (2D:4D). This paper tests to what extent 2D:4D, as a proxy for prenatal exposure to testosterone, can predict CRT scores in a sample of 623 students. After controlling for sex, we observe that a lower 2D:4D (reflecting a higher exposure to testosterone) is significantly associated with a higher number of correct answers. The result holds for both hands? 2D:4Ds. In addition, the effect appears to be sharper for females than for males. We also control for patience and math proficiency, which are significantly related to performance in the CRT. But the effect of 2D:4D on performance in CRT is not reduced with these controls, implying that these variables are not mediating the relationship between digit ratio and CRT.

Free-running 4D whole-heart self-navigated golden angle MRI: Initial results.

PURPOSE: To test the hypothesis that both coronary anatomy and ventricular function can be assessed simultaneously using a single four-dimensional (4D) acquisition. METHODS: A free-running 4D whole-heart self-navigated acquisition incorporating a golden angle radial trajectory was implemented and tested in vivo in nine healthy adult human subjects. Coronary magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) datasets with retrospective selection of acquisition window width and position were extracted and quantitatively compared with baseline self-navigated electrocardiography (ECG) -triggered coronary MRA. From the 4D datasets, the left-ventricular end-systolic, end-diastolic volumes (ESV & EDV) and ejection fraction (EF) were computed and compared with values obtained from conventional 2D cine images. RESULTS: The 4D datasets enabled dynamic assessment of the whole heart with isotropic spatial resolution of 1.15 mm(3) . Coronary artery image quality was very similar to that of the ECG-triggered baseline scan despite some SNR penalty. A good agreement between 4D and 2D cine imaging was found for EDV, ESV, and EF. CONCLUSION: The hypothesis that both coronary anatomy and ventricular function can be assessed simultaneously in vivo has been tested positive. Retrospective and flexible acquisition window selection allows to best visualize each coronary segment at its individual time point of quiescence. Magn Reson Med, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Construção e avaliação de um protótipo de máquina coletora de anteras

Um protótipo de máquina coletora de anteras foi projetado e construído, e seu desempenho foi avaliado, comparando - se com o método de coleta manual, em flores rosáceas e campanuladas de pessegueiro (Prunus persica). O trabalho foi conduzido utilizando-se do delineamento experimental inteiramente ao acaso, arranjado em um esquema bifatorial (2 métodos de remoção x 2 formas florais), com 12 repetições de 30 balões florais. O protótipo apresentou maior velocidade de processamento, sem diminuir a qualidade do pólen, mesmo sendo armazenadas anteras com maior quantidade de filetes e descartado maior número de anteras do que o método manual.

MorphoGraphX: A platform for quantifying morphogenesis in 4D.

Morphogenesis emerges from complex multiscale interactions between genetic and mechanical processes. To understand these processes, the evolution of cell shape, proliferation and gene expression must be quantified. This quantification is usually performed either in full 3D, which is computationally expensive and technically challenging, or on 2D planar projections, which introduces geometrical artifacts on highly curved organs. Here we present MorphoGraphX ( www.MorphoGraphX.org), a software that bridges this gap by working directly with curved surface images extracted from 3D data. In addition to traditional 3D image analysis, we have developed algorithms to operate on curved surfaces, such as cell segmentation, lineage tracking and fluorescence signal quantification. The software's modular design makes it easy to include existing libraries, or to implement new algorithms. Cell geometries extracted with MorphoGraphX can be exported and used as templates for simulation models, providing a powerful platform to investigate the interactions between shape, genes and growth.

Combined loss of the BH3-only proteins Bim and Bmf restores B-cell development and function in TACI-Ig transgenic mice.

Terminal differentiation of B cells depends on two interconnected survival pathways, elicited by the B-cell receptor (BCR) and the BAFF receptor (BAFF-R), respectively. Loss of either signaling pathway arrests B-cell development. Although BCR-dependent survival depends mainly on the activation of the v-AKT murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog 1 (AKT)/PI3-kinase network, BAFF/BAFF-R-mediated survival engages non-canonical NF-κB signaling as well as MAPK/extracellular-signal regulated kinase and AKT/PI3-kinase modules to allow proper B-cell development. Plasma cell survival, however, is independent of BAFF-R and regulated by APRIL that signals NF-κB activation via alternative receptors, that is, transmembrane activator and CAML interactor (TACI) or B-cell maturation (BCMA). All these complex signaling events are believed to secure survival by increased expression of anti-apoptotic B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2) family proteins in developing and mature B cells. Curiously, how lack of BAFF- or APRIL-mediated signaling triggers B-cell apoptosis remains largely unexplored. Here, we show that two pro-apoptotic members of the 'Bcl2 homology domain 3-only' subgroup of the Bcl2 family, Bcl2 interacting mediator of cell death (Bim) and Bcl2 modifying factor (Bmf), mediate apoptosis in the context of TACI-Ig overexpression that effectively neutralizes BAFF as well as APRIL. Surprisingly, although Bcl2 overexpression triggers B-cell hyperplasia exceeding the one observed in Bim(-/-)Bmf(-/-) mice, Bcl2 transgenic B cells remain susceptible to the effects of TACI-Ig expression in vivo, leading to ameliorated pathology in Vav-Bcl2 transgenic mice. Together, our findings shed new light on the molecular machinery restricting B-cell survival during development, normal homeostasis and under pathological conditions. Our data further suggest that Bcl2 antagonists might improve the potency of BAFF/APRIL-depletion strategies in B-cell-driven pathologies.

Formação de professores: perspectivas docentes para a construção da cidadania intercultural

Propomos neste artigo uma reflexão sobre as possibilidades de uma educação pautada pelos princípios da interculturalidade, no sentido de uma cidadania ativa, crítica e participativa. Para tanto, discutimos as contribuições de duas pesquisas realizadas por investigadores vinculados ao Grupo de Investigación en Educación Intercultural (GREDI Universidade de Barcelona). Os critérios que orientaram tal escolha se pautaram: por oferecer um enfoque privilegiado na formação de professores para a cidadania intercultural; pelo desenvolvimento de um programa de formação para a cidadania intercultural; pelo contexto de execução da pesquisa marcado por características multiculturais e pela atualidade do trabalho. Para além das estratégias consagradas de coleta de dados na pesquisa em educação, comumente as pesquisas produzidas no âmbito do GREDI apresentam propostas de intervenção traduzidas em programas, projetos e ações que são acompanhadas, avaliadas, analisadas e problematizadas conforme preconizam os princípios da metodologia adotada como referência. Assim, nosso objetivo centra-se em compreender como se desencadeiam os processos de construção de cidadania intercultural nas práticas educativas propostas pelos pesquisadores em suas investigações.

Projeto e construção de um bioreator para síntese orgânica assimétrica catalisada por saccharomyces cerevisiae (fermento biológico de padaria)

A model for the construction of a simple and cheap apparatus to be used as bioreactor for reactions catalyzed by baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is described. The bioconversion and separation of cells from products and residual substrates are obtained at the same time. The reactions carried out in this type of reactor are faster than those catalyzed by immobilized cells. Yeast cells can be cultivated in this bioreactor operating with cell recycling at appropriated conditions using glucose and other nutrients.

Construção de equipamentos de refrigeração que permitem trabalhar com temperaturas de -40ºC ou -60ºC

In this article we describe the construction of two cooling systems with an immersion probe which will allow one to work at temperatures of either -40ºC or -60ºC. The two systems were constructed with readily available components and have been used daily for the last year in our laboratory to carry out reactions at low temperature or to cool down traps of vacuum pumps, reducing our need of dry-ice or liquid nitrogen.

Ultramicroeletrodos. Parte II: construção e aplicações

This work describes the techniques of construction and several applications of ultramicroelectrodes in electrochemistry and electroanalytical chemistry. Disc shaped UME are produced by embedding metal wires on insulating materials such as glass or epoxy resin. In the field of electrochemistry, UME have been applied in studies of the hydrogen evolution reaction and the electrocrystallization of metals. The negligible values of sensibility for ohmic drop and the enhanced mass transport rate by spherical diffusion are the main advantages of UME in these applications. New important conclusions regarding the phenomena under study were drawn from the experimental results. The applications in electroanalytical chemistry involved the determination of contaminants such as heavy metals and nitrites in natural waters and food products. The use of UME requires little sample manipulation and, in general, no need for oxygen removal or the addition of supporting electrolytes.