Relationship between obsessive-compulsive disorders and diseases affecting primarily the basal ganglia

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has been reported in association with some neurological diseases that affect the basal ganglia such as Tourette's syndrome, Sydenham's chorea, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease. Furthermore, studies such as neuroimaging, suggest a role of the basal ganglia in the pathophysiology of OCD. The aim of this paper is to describe the association of OCD and several neurologic disorders affecting the basal ganglia, report the existing evidences of the role of the basal ganglia in the pathophysiology of OCD, and analyze the mechanisms probably involved in this pathophysiology.

Assessment of overlay masonry strengthening system under in-plane monotonic and cyclic loading using the diagonal tensile test

The development of novel strengthening techniques to address the seismic vulnerability of masonry elements is gradually leading to simpler, faster and more effective strengthening strategies. In particular, the use of fabric reinforced cementitious matrix systems is considered of great potential, given the increase of ductility achieved with simple and economic strengthening procedures. To assess the effectiveness of these strengthening systems, and considering that the seismic action is involved, one important component of the structural behaviour is the in-plane cyclic response. In this work is discussed the applicability of the diagonal tensile test for the assessment of the cyclic response of strengthened masonry. The results obtained allowed to assess the contribution of the strengthening system to the increase of the load carrying capacity of masonry elements, as well as to evaluate the damage evolution and the stiffness degradation mechanisms developing under cyclic loading.

In-plane stiffness of timber floors strengthened with CLT

Five full-scale timber floors were tested in order to analyse the in-plane behaviour of these structural systems. The main objective was an assessment of the effectiveness of in-plane strengthening using cross-laminated timber (CLT). To this end, one unstrengthened specimen (original), one specimen strengthened with a second layer of floorboards, two specimens strengthened with three CLT panels, and one specimen strengthened with two CLT panels, were tested. A numerical analysis was then performed in order to analyse the composite behaviour of the timber floors in more detail. Due to its importance as regards composite behaviour, the first phase of the experimental programme was composed of push-out tests on specimens representing the shear connection between the timber beams and the CLT panels. This paper describes the tests performed and the numerical modelling applied to evaluate the composite behaviour of the strengthened timber floors. The use of CLT panels is revealed to be an effective way to increase the in-plane stiffness of timber floors, through which the behaviour of the composite structure can be significantly changed, depending on the connection applied, or modified as required.

Numerical Assessment of the out-of-plane response of a brick masonry structure without box behaviour

This paper presents the assessment of the out-of-plane response due to seismic loading of a masonry structure without rigid diaphragm. This structure corresponds to real scale brick masonry specimen with a main façade connected to two return walls. Two modelling approaches were defined for this evaluation. The first one consisted on macro modelling, whereas the second one on simplified micro modelling. As a first step of this study, static nonlinear analyses were conducted to the macro model aiming at evaluating the out-of-plane response and failure mechanism of the masonry structure. A sensibility analyses was performed in order to assess the mesh size and material model dependency. In addition, the macro models were subjected to dynamic nonlinear analyses with time integration in order to assess the collapse mechanism. Finally, these analyses were also applied to a simplified micro model of the masonry structure. Furthermore, these results were compared to experimental response from shaking table tests. It was observed that these numerical techniques simulate correctly the in-plane behaviour of masonry structures. However, the

Out-of-plane behavior of masonry infill walls

In order to investigate the out-of-plane behaviour of masonry infill walls, quasi-static testing was performed on a masonry infill walls built inside a reinforced concrete frame by means of an airbag system to apply the uniform out-of-plane load to each component of the infill. The main advantage of this testing setup is that the out-of-plane loading can be applied more uniformly in the walls, contrarily to point load configuration. The test was performed under displacement control by selecting the mid-point of the infill as control point. Input and output air in the airbag was controlled by using a software to apply a specific displacement in the control point of the infill wall. The effect of the distance between the reaction frame of the airbag and the masonry infill on the effective contact area was previously analysed. Four load cells were attached to the reaction frame to measure the out-of-plane force. The effective contact area of the airbag was calculated by dividing the load measured in load cells by the pressure inside the airbag. When the distance between the reaction walls and the masonry infill wall is smaller, the effective area is closer to the nominal area of the airbag. Deformation and crack patterns of the infill confirm the formation of arching mechanism and two-way bending of the masonry infill. Until collapse of the horizontal interface between infill and upper beam in RC frame, the infill bends in two directions but the failure of that interface which is known as weakest interface due to difficulties in filling the mortar between bricks of last row and upper beam results in the crack opening trough a well-defined path and the consequent collapse of the infill.

In-plane and out-of plane experimental characterization of rc masonry infilled frames

Seismic investigations of typical south European masonry infilled frames were performed by testing two reduced scale specimens: one in the in-plane direction and another in the out-ofplane direction. Information about geometry and reinforcement scheme of those structures constructed in 1980s were obtained by [1]. The specimen to be tested in the in-plane direction was constructed as double leaf masonry while the specimen for testing in the out-of-plane direction is constructed with only its exterior leaf since the recent earthquakes have highlighted the vulnerability of the external leaf of the infills in out-of-plane direction [2]. The tests were performed by applying the pre-defined values of displacements in the in-plane and out-of-plane directions in the control points. For in-plane testing it was done by hydraulic actuator and for out-of-plane testing through the application of an airbag. Input and output air in the airbag was controlled by using a software to apply a specific displacement in the control point of the infill wall. Mid-point of the infill was assumed as a control point for outof- plane testing. Deformation and crack patterns of the infill confirm the formation of two-way arching mechanism of the masonry infill until collapse of the upper horizontal interface between infill and frame which is known as weakest interface due to difficulties in filling the mortar between bricks of last row and upper beam. This results in the crack opening through a welldefined path and the consequent collapse of the infill.

Comparação de métodos e processos de amostragem para estimar a área basal para grupos de espécies em uma floresta ecotonal da região norte matogrossense

O objetivo do presente estudo foi o de comparar a acuracidade e a precisão das estimativas de área basal obtidas de processos, intensidades e métodos amostrais com valores obtidos pelo censo, numa floresta ecotonal de 120 hectares na região norte matogrossense, para oito grupos de espécies e para espécies individuais para árvores com DAP ≥ 30 centímetros. Aplicaram-se os processos: aleatório e o sistemático, com uma intensidade amostral de 5 e 10% para 22 tamanhos e formas de parcelas variando de 400 m² a 10000 m². A área basal média por hectare foi de 11,08 m². As parcelas de 2500 m² (125 m x 20 m) apresentaram erros reais e de amostragem sempre inferiores a 10% na estimativa de área basal para os grupos de todas as espécies e para as 15 de maiores valores de importância (VI). Para os demais grupos os erros aumentam na medida em que decresce a quantidade de árvores por hectare. Para as espécies, individualmente, os erros variaram de 28,7% (Vochysia sp.) a 250,59 (Hymenaeae courbaril), respectivamente, para a mais e a menos freqüente, mostrando inviabilidade na aplicação de processos estimativos tradicionalmente empregados nos inventários florestais, notadamente para estimar parâmetros específicos de espécies raras (baixa freqüência por hectare).

Dynamic interface model for masonry walls subjected to high strain rate out-of-plane loads

The present study proposes a dynamic constitutive material interface model that includes non-associated flow rule and high strain rate effects, implemented in the finite element code ABAQUS as a user subroutine. First, the model capability is validated with numerical simulations of unreinforced block work masonry walls subjected to low velocity impact. The results obtained are compared with field test data and good agreement is found. Subsequently, a comprehensive parametric analysis is accomplished with different joint tensile strengths and cohesion, and wall thickness to evaluate the effect of the parameter variations on the impact response of masonry walls.

Litterfall production in intact and selectively logged forests in southern of Amazonia as a function of basal area of vegetation and plant density

Nutrient recycling in the forest is linked to the production and decomposition of litter, which are essential processes for forest maintenance, especially in regions of nutritionally poor soils. Human interventions in forest such as selecttive logging may have strong impacts on these processes. The objectives of this study were to estimate litterfall production and evaluate the influence of environmental factors (basal area of vegetation, plant density, canopy cover, and soil physicochemical properties) and anthropogenic factors (post-management age and exploited basal area) on this production, in areas of intact and exploited forest in southern Amazonia, located in the northern parts of Mato Grosso state. This study was conducted at five locations and the average annual production of litterfall was 10.6 Mg ha-1 year-1, higher than the values for the Amazon rainforest. There were differences in litterfall productions between study locations. Effects of historical logging intensity on litterfall production were not significant. Effects of basal area of vegetation and tree density on litterfall production were observed, highlighting the importance of local vegetation characteristics in litterfall production. This study demonstrated areas of transition between the Amazonia-Cerrado tend to have a higher litterfall production than Cerrado and Amazonia regions, and this information is important for a better understanding of the dynamics of nutrient and carbon cycling in these transition regions.

Rol de las metaloproteasas y caspasas en la conducta biológica del carcinoma basocelular. Role of the metalloproteinases and caspasa Biology in the conduct of basal cell carcinoma.

El carcinoma basocelular (CBC) representa el tumor maligno más frecuente de la piel en personas de raza blanca. Incide en mayores de 50 años de edad e infiltra los tejidos, pero rara vez ocasiona metástasis. En trabajos anteriores, observamos imágenes de cuerpos apoptóticos con MOAR (microscopía óptica de alta resolución), en pieles portadoras de CBC. Todas las células eucariotas poseen una maquinaria enzimática que interviene en la apoptosis. Estas enzimas son las proteincinasas pertenecientes a la familia de las caspasas. Se sintetizan como procaspasas, las cuales una vez activadas, actúan sobre otra caspasa en una reacción secuencial en cadena. Se reconoce que la apoptosis juega un rol importante en el balance y mantenimiento de los tejidos. Hipótesis: -Investigar si la expresión de metaloproteasas y caspasas en las células del CBC promueven y contribuyen a la progresión y extensión tumoral. Objetivos:-Profundizar el conocimiento de la conducta biológica del CBC, en referencia a la relación de los patrones de crecimiento macro y microscópicos del tumor, enfatizando en la expresión de metaloproteasas (colagenasa-3 y streptomelisina), CD-31, Ki-67, oncoproteína bcl-2 y caspasas, mediante la implementación de técnicas de inmunohistoquímica. -Analizar a nivel morfológico la presencia de cuerpos apoptóticos por medio de MOAR y determinar si influyen en la conducta biológica del tumor. Materiales y Métodos: Se realizará un estudio retrospectivo y prospectivo de pacientes asistidos en el Servicio de Dermatología del Hospital Nacional de Clínicas, desde el año 2000. Se utilizarán tomas incisionales de piel, que se fijarán en formol neutro al 10 por ciento y luego serán procesadas e incluidas en parafina y coloreadas con H-E (hematoxilina-eosina). Especimenes seleccionados, se utilizarán para técnicas de MOAR e inmunocitoquímica. El material para MOAR, se fijará en Karnovsky enfriado a pH 7,2 y se incluirá en resinas epóxicas, seccionados con un ultramicrótomo Porter BluMT1 (1micra) y coloreados con P.A.S. azul de toluidina, fuscina básica y metenamina-plata. La aplicación de las técnicas inmunohistoquímicas, se utilizaran sobre cortes desparafinados con xilol, que permitirán investigar en forma retrospectiva y prospectiva la matriz extracelular (MEC) y los elementos neoplásicos. Los anticuerpos monoclonales a utilizar serán: Colageno tipo IV clone CIV 22 M0785 monoclonal antibody (DAKO), CD44 clone E29 M0613 monoclonal antibody (DAKO), Oncoproteina bcl-2 clone 124 M0887 monoclonal antibody (DAKO), CD31: clone 35 BH11 MO631 monoclonal antibody (DAKO) K-167 clone PC10 M0879 monoclonal antibody.(DAKO) bclx y Caspasa 8. Metodología Estadística Los resultados serán evaluados mediante: a) Varianza Anova; para datos con distribución gausiana como media, SD. b) Krusal Walles; para rasgos de distribución no gausiana. c) Chi2 para determinar la diferencia significativa para proporciones. Resultados esperados: Del análisis histomorfológico cualitativo y cuantitativo de biopsias de piel con CBC, aportar determinaciones que clarifiquen la conducta biológica de este tumor.- Importancia del Proyecto: El CBC es una entidad que está aumentando su incidencia en forma exponencial, debido sobre todo a pautas sociales. No sólo ocasiona trastornos en los pacientes, sino que también, representa gastos en el sistema de salud. Asimismo, significa un desafío para la investigación. Esto permite explorar aspectos de la biología molecular, a partir de una entidad que posee características únicas.

Inconvenientes do uso do valor médio do diâmetro para determinação da área basal

Através do estudo matemático do problema, o autor demonstra que o uso do valor médio do diâmetro (GOMES, 1957), obtido através da média aritmética dos diâmetros das árvores, não convém para o cálculo da área basal de um povoamento florestal, pois não satisfaz aos postulados da Teoria da Medida.

Aspectos da determinação da área basal em função da média aritmética dos diâmetros: II - vícios na determinação da área basal retirada

Em estudos teóricos, em amostras geradas em computador, e em desbastes conduzidos em povoamentos florestais, foram determinados os vícios cometidos no cálculo da área basal retirada a partir da média aritmética dos diâmetros. Os resultados contra-indicam êsse tipo de cálculo para a determinação da área basal retirada, devendo ser utilizada a determinação a partir da soma dos quadrados dos diâmetros.

Aspectos da determinação da área basal em função da média aritmética dos diametros III: vícios na determinação da área basal remanescente

São determinados vícios no cálculo da área basal remanescente a partir da média aritmética dos diâmetros, em comparação com o método de cálculo a partir da soma dos quadrados dos diâmetros. Os estudos são conduzidos tanto teòricamente como em amostras geradas em computador, com confirmações com dados coletados em desbastes de povoamentos florestais. Os resultados mostram-se desfavoráveis ao uso da média aritmética para determinações da área basal remanescente.

Sinopse dos gêneros de Acanthocinini neotropicais: II. Élitros sem setas, com crista centro-basal e carenas laterais (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Lamiinae)

Acanthodoxus Martins & Monné, 1974, Cleodoxus Thomson, 1864 and Lathroeus Thomson, 1864 are studied. Cleodoxus lineaticollis Gounelle, 1910 is transferred to Baryssinus Bates, 1864. A key to the genera is added.

Mixed Hodge structures and vector bundles on the projective Plane I

We describe an equivalence of categories between the category of mixed Hodge structures and a category of vector bundles on the toric complex projective plane which verify some semistability condition. We then apply this correspondence to define an invariant which generalises the notion of R-split mixed Hodge structure and compute extensions in the category of mixed Hodge structures in terms of extensions of the corresponding vector bundles. We also give a relative version of this correspondence and apply it to define stratifications of the bases of the variations of mixed Hodge structure.