Probing the 2D kinematic structure of early-type galaxies out to three effective radii

We detail an innovative new technique for measuring the two-dimensional (2D) velocity moments (rotation velocity, velocity dispersion and Gauss-Hermite coefficients h(3) and h(4)) of the stellar populations of galaxy haloes using spectra from Keck DEIMOS (Deep Imaging Multi-Object Spectrograph) multi-object spectroscopic observations. The data are used to reconstruct 2D rotation velocity maps. Here we present data for five nearby early-type galaxies to similar to three effective radii. We provide significant insights into the global kinematic structure of these galaxies, and challenge the accepted morphological classification in several cases. We show that between one and three effective radii the velocity dispersion declines very slowly, if at all, in all five galaxies. For the two galaxies with velocity dispersion profiles available from planetary nebulae data we find very good agreement with our stellar profiles. We find a variety of rotation profiles beyond one effective radius, i.e. rotation speed remaining constant, decreasing and increasing with radius. These results are of particular importance to studies which attempt to classify galaxies by their kinematic structure within one effective radius, such as the recent definition of fast- and slow-rotator classes by the Spectrographic Areal Unit for Research on Optical Nebulae project. Our data suggest that the rotator class may change when larger galactocentric radii are probed. This has important implications for dynamical modelling of early-type galaxies. The data from this study are available on-line.

Adenosine receptor type 2a is differently modulated by nicotine in dorsal brainstem cells of Wistar Kyoto and spontaneously hypertensive rats

Hypertension can result from neuronal network imbalance in areas of central nervous system that control blood pressure, such as the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS). There are several neurotransmitters and neuromodulatory substances within the NTS, such as adenosine, which acts on purinoreceptors A(2a) (A(2a)R). The A(2a)R modulates neurotransmission in the NTS where its activation may induce decrease in blood pressure by different mechanisms. Nicotine is a molecule that crosses the hematoencephalic barrier and acts in several areas of central nervous system including the NTS, where it may interact with some neurotransmitter systems and contributes to the development of hypertension in subjects with genetic predisposition to this disease. In this study we first determined A(2a)R binding, protein, and mRNA expression in dorsomedial medulla oblongata of neonate normotensive (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Subsequently, we analyzed the modulatory effects of nicotine on A(2a)R in cell culture in order to evaluate its possible involvement in the development of hypertension. Data showed a decreased A(2a)R binding and increased protein and mRNA expression in tissue sample and culture of dorsal brainstem from SHR compared with those from WKY rats at basal conditions. Moreover, nicotine modulated A(2a)R binding, protein, and mRNA expression in cells from both strains. Interestingly, nicotine decreased A(2a)R binding and increased protein levels, as well as, induced a differential modulation in A(2a)R mRNA expression. Results give us a clue about the mechanisms involved in the modulatory effects of nicotine on A(2a)R as well as hypothesize its possible contribution to the development of hypertension. In conclusion, we demonstrated that A(2a)R of SHR cells which differ from WKY and nicotine differentially modulates A(2a)R in dorsal brainstem cells of SHR and WKY.

Three Bartlett-type corrections for score statistics in symmetric nonlinear regression models

We present simple matrix formulae for corrected score statistics in symmetric nonlinear regression models. The corrected score statistics follow more closely a chi (2) distribution than the classical score statistic. Our simulation results indicate that the corrected score tests display smaller size distortions than the original score test. We also compare the sizes and the powers of the corrected score tests with bootstrap-based score tests.

ALGORITHM FOR PROBABILISTIC ANALYSIS of DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS WITH DISTRIBUTED GENERATION

In this paper an efficient algorithm for probabilistic analysis of unbalanced three-phase weakly-meshed distribution systems is presented. This algorithm uses the technique of Two-Point Estimate Method for calculating the probabilistic behavior of the system random variables. Additionally, the deterministic analysis of the state variables is performed by means of a Compensation-Based Radial Load Flow (CBRLF). Such load flow efficiently exploits the topological characteristics of the network. To deal with distributed generation, a strategy to incorporate a simplified model of a generator in the CBRLF is proposed. Thus, depending on the type of control and generator operation conditions, the node with distributed generation can be modeled either as a PV or PQ node. To validate the efficiency of the proposed algorithm, the IEEE 37 bus test system is used. The probabilistic results are compared with those obtained using the Monte Carlo method.

Three-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis of Vertical and Angular Misfit in Implant-Supported Fixed Prostheses

Purpose: Three-dimensional finite element analysis was used to evaluate the effect of vertical and angular misfit in three-piece implant-supported screw-retained fixed prostheses on the biomechanical response in the peri-implant bone, implants, and prosthetic components. Materials and Methods: Four three-dimensional models were fabricated to represent a right posterior mandibular section with one implant in the region of the second premolar (2PM) and another in the region of the second molar (2M). The implants were splinted by a three-piece implant-supported metal-ceramic prosthesis and differed according to the type of misfit, as represented by four different models: Control = prosthesis with complete fit to the implants; UAM (unilateral angular misfit) = prosthesis presenting unilateral angular misfit of 100 pm in the mesial region of the 2M; UVM (unilateral vertical misfit) = prosthesis presenting unilateral vertical misfit of 100 pm in the mesial region of the 2M; and TVM (total vertical misfit) = prosthesis presenting total vertical misfit of 100 pm in the platform of the framework in the 2M. A vertical load of 400 N was distributed and applied on 12 centric points by the software Ansys, ie, a vertical load of 150 N was applied to each molar in the prosthesis and a vertical load of 100 N was applied at the 2PM. Results: The stress values and distribution in peri-implant bone tissue were similar for all groups. The models with misfit exhibited different distribution patterns and increased stress magnitude in comparison to the control. The highest stress values in group UAM were observed in the implant body and retention screw. The groups UVM and TVM exhibited high stress values in the platform of the framework and the implant hexagon, respectively. Conclusions: The three types of misfit influenced the magnitude and distribution of stresses. The influence of misfit on peri-implant bone tissue was modest. Each type of misfit increased the stress values in different regions of the system. INT J ORAL MAXILLOFAC IMPLANTS 2011;26:788-796

Influence of Implant Connection Type on the Biomechanical Environment of Immediately Placed Implants - CT-Based Nonlinear, Three-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis

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

Three exopolysaccharides of the beta-(1 -> 6)-D-glucan type and a beta-(1 -> 3;1 -> 6)-D-glucan produced by strains of Botryosphaeria rhodina isolated from rotting tropical fruit

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

Identification, content, and distribution of type VI collagen in bovine tendons

Tendon composition changes according to differentiation, mechanical load, and aging. In this study, we attempted to identify, localize, and quantify type VI collagen in bovine tendons. Type VI collagen was identified by the electrophoretic behavior of the alpha chains and Western blotting, and by rotary shadowing. Type VI collagen was extracted from powdered tendon with three sequential 24-h extractions with 4 M guanidine-HCl. The amount of type VI collagen was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for purely tensional areas and for the compressive fibrocartilage regions of the deep flexor tendon of the digits, for the corresponding fetal and calf tendons, and for the extensor digital tendon. The distal fibrocartilaginous region of the adult tendon was richer in type VI collagen than the tensional area, reaching as much as 3.3 mg/g (0.33%) of the wet weight. Calf tendons showed an accumulation of type VI at the fibrocartilage site. Immunocytochemistry demonstrated that type VI collagen was evenly distributed in the tensional areas of tendons but was highly concentrated around the fibrochondrocytes in the fibrocartilages. The results demonstrate that tendons are variable with regard to the presence and distribution of type VI collagen. The early accumulation of type VI collagen in the region of calf tendon that will become fibrocartilage in the adult suggests that it is a good marker of fibrocartilage differentiation. Furthermore, the distribution of type VI collagen in tendon fibrocartilage indicates that it organizes the pericellular environment and may represent a survival factor for these cells.

Absence of Cooper-type bound states in three- and few-electron systems

It is shown that the appearance of a fixed-point singularity in the kernel of the two-electron Cooper problem is responsible for the formation of the Cooper pair for an arbitrarily weak attractive interaction between two electrons. This singularity is absent in the problem of three and few superconducting electrons at zero temperature on the full Fermi sea. Consequently, such three- and few-electron systems on the full Fermi sea do not form Cooper-type bound states for an arbitrarily weak attractive pair interaction.

Coordinate-space Faddeev-Hahn-type approach to three-body charge-transfer reactions involving exotic particles

Low-energy muon-transfer cross sections and rates in collisions of muonic atoms with hydrogen isotopes are calculated using a six-state close-coupling approximation to coordinate-space Faddeev-Hahn-type equations. In the muonic case satisfactory results are obtained for all hydrogen isotopes and the experimentaly observed strong isotopic dependence of transfer rates is also reproduced. A comparison with results of other theoretical and available experimental works is presented. The present model also leads to good transfer cross sections in the well-understood problem of antihydrogen formation in antiproton-positronium collision.

A mixed-integer linear programming approach for optimal type, size and allocation of distributed generation in radial distribution systems

This paper presents a mixed-integer linear programming approach to solving the problem of optimal type, size and allocation of distributed generators (DGs) in radial distribution systems. In the proposed formulation, (a) the steady-state operation of the radial distribution system, considering different load levels, is modeled through linear expressions; (b) different types of DGs are represented by their capability curves; (c) the short-circuit current capacity of the circuits is modeled through linear expressions; and (d) different topologies of the radial distribution system are considered. The objective function minimizes the annualized investment and operation costs. The use of a mixed-integer linear formulation guarantees convergence to optimality using existing optimization software. The results of one test system are presented in order to show the accuracy as well as the efficiency of the proposed solution technique.© 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Interação entre o gene TKN2 (KNOX-type I) e o miR156 node durante a transição de fase vegetativa para reprodutiva em tomateiro (Solanum lycopersicum)

Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Genética) - IBB

Analysis of the Virulence of an Atypical Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli Strain In Vitro and In Vivo and the Influence of Type Three Secretion System

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

A Favard type theorem for orthogonal polynomials on the unit circle from a three term recurrence formula

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Contrasting patterns of genetic diversity at three different genetic markers in a marine mammal metapopulation

Many studies use genetic markers to explore population structure and variability within species. However, only a minority use more than one type of marker and, despite increasing evidence of a link between heterozygosity and individual fitness, few ask whether diversity correlates with population trajectory. To address these issues, we analyzed data from the Steller’s sea lion, Eumetiopias jubatus, where three stocks are distributed over a vast geographical range and where both genetic samples and detailed demographic data have been collected from many diverse breeding colonies. To previously published mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA) and microsatellite data sets,we have added new data for amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers, comprising 238 loci scored in 285 sea lions sampled from 23 natal rookeries. Genotypic diversity was low relative to most vertebrates, with only 37 loci (15.5%) being polymorphic. Moreover, contrasting geographical patterns of genetic diversity were found at the three markers, with Nei’s gene diversity tending to be higher for AFLPs and microsatellites in rookeries of the western and Asian stocks, while the highest mtDNA values were found in the eastern stock. Overall, and despite strongly contrasting demographic histories, after applying phylogenetic correction we found little correlation between genetic diversity and either colony size or demography. In contrast, we were able to show a highly significant positive relationship between AFLP diversity and current population size across a range of pinniped species, even though equivalent analyses did not reveal significant trends for either microsatellites or mtDNA.