Reduced allergic lung inflammation in rats following formaldehyde exposure: Long-term effects on multiple effector systems

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

Convexity of the extreme zeros of Gegenbauer and Laguerre polynomials

Let C-n(lambda)(x), n = 0, 1,..., lambda > -1/2, be the ultraspherical (Gegenbauer) polynomials, orthogonal. in (-1, 1) with respect to the weight function (1 - x(2))(lambda-1/2). Denote by X-nk(lambda), k = 1,....,n, the zeros of C-n(lambda)(x) enumerated in decreasing order. In this short note, we prove that, for any n is an element of N, the product (lambda + 1)(3/2)x(n1)(lambda) is a convex function of lambda if lambda greater than or equal to 0. The result is applied to obtain some inequalities for the largest zeros of C-n(lambda)(x). If X-nk(alpha), k = 1,...,n, are the zeros of Laguerre polynomial L-n(alpha)(x), also enumerated in decreasing order, we prove that x(n1)(lambda)/(alpha + 1) is a convex function of alpha for alpha > - 1. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier B.V. B.V.

SYMMETRICAL ORTHOGONAL POLYNOMIALS AND THE ASSOCIATED ORTHOGONAL L-POLYNOMIALS

We show how symmetric orthogonal polynomials can be linked to polynomials associated with certain orthogonal L-polynomials. We provide some examples to illustrate the results obtained Finally as an application, we derive information regarding the orthogonal polynomials associated with the weight function (1 + kx(2))(1 - x(2))(-1/2), k > 0.

On a dual role for clonidine stimulation of the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus in sodium and potassium renal excretions of rats

The effects of clonidine on sodium and potassium excretions were examined after previous administration of prazosin (an α 1-adrenergic receptor antagonist) and yohimbine (an α 2-adrenergic receptor antagonist) into the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus of conscious rats. Clonidine injected into the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus induced inhibitory and facilitatory effects on the urinary sodium and potassium excretions. The results suggest that facilitatory effects of clonidine on natriuresis and kaliuresis are mediated through activation of α 1-adrenoceptors and that inhibitory effects require α(2A)-adrenoceptors.

From widespread to microendemic: Molecular and acoustic analyses show that Ischnocnema guentheri (Amphibia: Brachycephalidae) is endemic to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Many species of tropical amphibians are restricted to very small ranges, and this microendemism coupled with ongoing habitat loss and susceptibility to emerging pathogens imperils the long-term persistence of these species. Incomplete taxonomic and distributional knowledge may obscure conservation assessment, particularly in putatively widespread species that are typically considered to be of Least Concern in Red List assessments, but that in fact may constitute complexes of partly microendemic species. Such is the case in the Steindachner's Robber Frog, Ischnocnema guentheri which, together with the recently recognized Ischnocnema henselii, is thought to occupy most of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. To test whether these taxa may constitute a species complex of range-restricted and thus potentially threatened species, we analyzed 160 samples of I. guentheri and/or I. henselii for two molecular markers, 16S rRNA (16S) and recombination activation gene 1 (RAG1). To verify the monophyly of the complex, closely related species were also included in the 16S analysis. Congruent evidence from the molecular data and from analyses of advertisement calls support the existence of six distinct species within the complex: I. guentheri and I. henselii as well as four candidate new species. The lineages are distributed as a mosaic in the Atlantic Forest and are sympatric at some localities without indication of admixture. Their phylogeographical pattern partially agrees with paleo-models for the Atlantic Forest, but also suggests the existence of micro-refugia in less stable areas. I. guentheri, previously considered to be widespread, was found only in its type locality, a reserve within the urban area of Rio de Janeiro city. Although none of the species studied appears highly threatened with extinction, we recommend their IUCN threat status to be re-evaluated carefully for the next comprehensive update of the Red List of Brazil's amphibians. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.

Noradrenergic neurotransmission within the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis modulates the retention of immobility in the rat forced swimming test

The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) is a limbic structure that has a direct influence on the autonomic, neuroendocrine, and behavioral responses to stress. It was recently reported that reversible inactivation of synaptic transmission within this structure causes antidepressant-like effects, indicating that activation of the BNST during stressful situations would facilitate the development of behavioral changes related to the neurobiology of depression. Moreover, noradrenergic neurotransmission is abundant in the BNST and has an important role in the regulation of emotional processes related to the stress response. Thus, this study aimed to test the hypothesis that activation of adrenoceptors within the BNST facilitates the development of behavioral consequences of stress. To investigate this hypothesis, male Wistar rats were stressed (forced swimming, 15 min) and 24 h later received intra-BNST injections of vehicle, WB4101, RX821002, CGP20712, or ICI118,551, which are selective α1, α2, β1, and β2 adrenoceptor antagonists, respectively, 10 min before a 5-min forced swimming test. It was observed that administration of WB4101 (10 and 15 nmol), CGP20712 (5 and 10 nmol), or ICI118,551 (5 nmol) into the BNST reduced the immobility time of rats subjected to forced swimming test, indicating an antidepressant-like effect. These findings suggest that activation of α1, β1, and β2 adrenoceptors in the BNST could be involved in the development of the behavioral consequences of stress. © 2013 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Sperm motility parameters for Steindachneridion parahybae based on open-source software

Summary: The objective of this work was to evaluate the sperm motility of 13 Steindachneridion parahybae males using open-source software (ImageJ/CASA plugin). The sperm activation procedure and image capture were initiated after semen collection. Four experimental phases were defined from the videos captured of each male as follows: (i) standardization of a dialogue box generated by the CASA plugin within ImageJ; (ii) frame numbers used to perform the analysis; (iii) post-activation motility between 10 and 20 s with analysis at each 1 s; and (iv) post-activation motility between 10 and 50 s with analysis at each 10 s. The settings used in the CASA dialogue box were satisfactory, and the results were consistent. These analyses should be performed using 50 frames immediately after sperm activation because spermatozoa quickly lose their vigor. At 10 s post-activation, 89.1% motile sperm was observed with 107.2 μm s-1 curvilinear velocity, 83.6 μm s-1 average path velocity, 77.1 μm s-1 straight line velocity; 91.6% were of straightness and 77.1% of wobble. The CASA plugin within ImageJ can be applied in sperm analysis of the study species by using the established settings. © 2013 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

Potencial anti-inflamatório de Pyrenocine A isolada do Penicillium paxilli: abordagem profilática e terapêutica

Pós-graduação em Biociências e Biotecnologia Aplicadas à Farmácia - FCFAR

Identificação e controle de sistemas dinâmicos utilizando redes wavelets

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Produção de embriões por fecundação in vitro e ativação partenogenética visando o isolamento de células tronco embrionárias felinas

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

Efeito do tempo de fotoativação na citotoxicidade de cimentos de ionômero de vidro modificados por resina em células de linhagem odontoblástica

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Desenvolvimento de redes neurais para previsão de cargas elétricas de sistemas de energia elétrica

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

Técnicas de otimização não-linear aplicada a algoritmos DSM

Esta dissertação apresenta os algoritmos considerados estado-da-arte para gerenciamento dinâmico de espectro (DSM). As técnicas de otimização utilizadas nos algoritmos DSM são abordadas e brevemente discutidas para melhor entendimento, descrição e comparação dos algoritmos. A análise comparativa entre os algoritmos foi realizada considerando o ganho em taxa (kbps) obtido em simulações. Para tanto, foi realizado em laboratório um conjunto de medições de função de transferência direta e de acoplamento, posteriormente utilizadas nas simulações dos algoritmos IWF, ISB e SCALE. Os resultados obtidos nas simulações através do uso das funções de transferência medidas mostraram melhor desempenho quando comparados aos demais resultados ao considerar funções de transferência obtidas a partir do padrão 1% pior caso, resultado este reflexo da aproximação 1% em que os pares apresentam maiores níveis de crosstalk em todas as frequências da função de transferência. Dentre os algoritmos comparados, o ISB e SCALE obtiveram desempenho semelhante em canais padronizados, ficando o IWF com o desempenho próximo ao SSM. No entanto, nas simulações em cenários com canais medidos, os três algoritmos tiveram ganhos muito próximo devido ao baixo nível de crosstalk.

Detecção de refletores sísmicos por rede neural discreta

As redes neurais artificiais têm provado serem uma poderosa técnica na resolução de uma grande variedade de problemas de otimização. Nesta dissertação é desenvolvida uma nova rede neural, tipo recorrente, sem realimentação (self-feedback loops) e sem neurônios ocultos, para o processamento do sinal sísmico, para fornecer a posição temporal, a polaridade e as amplitudes estimadas dos refletores sísmicos, representadas pelos seus coeficientes de reflexão. A principal característica dessa nova rede neural consiste no tipo de função de ativação utilizada, a qual permite três possíveis estados para o neurônio. Busca-se estimar a posição dos refletores sísmicos e reproduzir as verdadeiras polaridades desses refletores. A idéia básica desse novo tipo de rede, aqui denominada rede neural discreta (RND), é relacionar uma função objeto, que descreve o problema geofísico, com a função de Liapunov, que descreve a dinâmica da rede neural. Deste modo, a dinâmica da rede leva a uma minimização local da sua função de Liapunov e consequentemente leva a uma minimização da função objeto. Assim, com uma codificação conveniente do sinal de saída da rede tem-se uma solução do problema geofísico. A avaliação operacional da arquitetura desta rede neural artificial é realizada em dados sintéticos gerados através do modelo convolucional simples e da teoria do raio. A razão é para explicar o comportamento da rede com dados contaminados por ruído, e diante de pulsos fonte de fases mínima, máxima e misturada.

Projeto e implementação de redes neurais artificiais em distintos níveis de abstrações para o reconhecimento de deficiências de diversos macronutrientes e cultivares

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)