Review of the Brazilian harvestman genus Roeweria Mello-Leitao, 1923 (Opiliones: Gonyleptidae)

The genus Roeweria Mello-Leitao, 1923 is revised and a variation on external morphological characters and male genitalia is presented for Roeweria virescens (Mello-Leitao, 1923). The monotypic genus Harpachylus Roewer, 1943 is a junior synonym of Roeweria Mello-Leitao, 1923 because its type-species, H. tibialis Roewer, 1943 is a junior synonym of the type-species Roeweria bittencourti Mello-Leitao, 1923. Roeweria garrincha sp. n. from Cananeia, Sao Paulo, Brazil, is described and can be distinguished from other members of the genus by the presence of a ventral process on the penis and by very large ventral apophyses on the apex of the male femur and patella IV.

Taxonomic review of Haliclystus antarcticus Pfeffer, 1889 (Stauromedusae, Staurozoa, Cnidaria), with remarks on the genus Haliclystus Clark, 1863

Difficulties concerning the taxonomy of stauromedusae are long known, and there is a clear need for taxonomic revision of the genus Haliclystus, as well as the reevaluation of some species. Haliclystus antarcticus Pfeffer, 1889 is recorded from Admiralty Bay, King George Island, Antarctic Peninsula. Due to the lack of detailed information on this species, we provide a redescription, presenting new data on the cnidome, morphometry, geographical distribution and intraspecific variation. Based on these characters, we propose that our specimens and Haliclystus auricula from Chile and Argentina are synonymous and should be classified as H. antarcticus. We also review the worldwide distribution of the genus Haliclystus Clark, 1863 and discuss taxonomic issues, concluding that some characters traditionally used in the taxonomy of the group should be used cautiously.

Review and cladistic analysis of the Neotropical tarantula genus Ephebopus Simon 1892 (Araneae : Theraphosidae) with notes on the Aviculariinae

The tarantula genus Ephebopus Simon 1892 is reviewed and includes the type species, E. murinus (Walckenaer 1837), and E. uatuman Lucas, Silva & Bertani 1992, E. cyanognathus West & Marshall 2000, E. rufescens West & Marshall 2000 and Ephebopus foliatus, sp. nov., from Guyana. Ephebopus violaceus Mello-Leitao 1930 is transferred to Tapinauchenius Ausserer, where it is a senior synonym of Tapinauchenius purpureus Schmidt 1995 new synonymy. Ephebopus fossor Pocock 1903 is considered a nomen dubium. Ephebopus occurs in northeastern South America where it is known only from Brazil, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana. Spiders of the genus are generally fossorial; however, Ephebopus murinus has a developmental stage that is arboreal. A cladistic analysis of the Theraphosidae retrieves the Aviculariinae as monophyletic, including Avicularia Lamarck, Iridopelma Pocock 1901, Pachistopelma Pocock 1901, Tapinauchenius, Psalmopoeus Pocock, Ephebopus, Stromatopelma Karsch and Heteroscodra Pocock, having as a synapomorphy the well-developed scopulae on tarsi and metatarsi I-II that is very laterally extended.

Systematics and phylogeny of Cristacoxidae (Copepoda, Harpacticoida): a review

Both sexes of a new species of Noodtorthopsyllus Lang, 1965 (Harpacticoida, Cristacoxidae) from a sandy beach in Sao Paulo State (Brazil) are described using light and scanning electron microscopy. Noodtorthopsyllus tageae sp. nov. displays a mosaic of characters drawn from both Noodtorthopsyllus and Cristacoxa Huys, 1990, blurring the boundaries between both genera. Consequently, Cristacoxa, the type genus of the nominal family-group taxon Cristacoxidae Huys, 1990, is relegated to a junior subjective synonym of Noodtorthopsyllus, and its type species is transferred to the latter as N. petkovskii (Huys, 1990) comb. nov. A new genus Acuticoxa is proposed to accommodate A. ubatubaensis sp. nov. (type species), collected on the northern continental shelf of Sao Paulo State, and A. biarticulata sp. nov., previously identified as Laophontisochra sp., from the Northern Magellan Straits. Amended diagnoses are provided for Noodtorthopsyllus and Laophontisochra. Autapomorphies supporting the monophyly of the Cristacoxidae are re-evaluated, including new data on P3 endopod sexual dimorphism and caudal ramus development. It is concluded that a recently published hypothesis of a deeply rooted split of the family into two highly divergent lineages cannot be supported. Consequently, both Laophontisochra and Acuticoxa gen. nov. are removed from the Cristacoxidae and tentatively assigned to the Nannopodidae (ex Huntemanniidae), forming a clade with three other genera displaying coxal modifications on leg 1 (Rosacletodes Wells, 1985; Huntemannia Poppe, 1884; and an as yet undescribed genus from Brazil). Based on the sexual dimorphism of the P4 endopod, we propose to transfer Metahuntemannia Smirnov, 1946 and Pottekia Huys, 2009 from the Nannopodidae to the Canthocamptidae (subfamily Hemimesochrinae) where they are probably most closely related to Psammocamptus Mielke, 1975; Bathycamptus Huys & Thistle, 1989; Perucamptus Huys & Thistle, 1989; and Isthmiocaris George & Schminke, 2003. An identification key to the genera of the Nannopodidae is presented.

A review on the combination of binary classifiers in multiclass problems

Several real problems involve the classification of data into categories or classes. Given a data set containing data whose classes are known, Machine Learning algorithms can be employed for the induction of a classifier able to predict the class of new data from the same domain, performing the desired discrimination. Some learning techniques are originally conceived for the solution of problems with only two classes, also named binary classification problems. However, many problems require the discrimination of examples into more than two categories or classes. This paper presents a survey on the main strategies for the generalization of binary classifiers to problems with more than two classes, known as multiclass classification problems. The focus is on strategies that decompose the original multiclass problem into multiple binary subtasks, whose outputs are combined to obtain the final prediction.

Growth and Melting of Metallic Nanoclusters in Glass: A Review of Recent Investigations

The mechanisms of nucleation and growth and the solid-to-liquid transition of metallic nanoclusters embedded in sodium borate glass were recently studied in situ via small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and wide-an-le X-ray scattering (WAXS). SAXS results indicate that, under isothermal annealing conditions, the formation and growth of Bi or Ag nanoclusters embedded in sodium borate glass occurs through two successive stages after a short incubation period. The first stage is characterized by the nucleation and growth of spherical metal clusters promoted by the diffusion of Bi or Ag atoms through the initially supersaturated glass phase. The second stage is named the coarsening stage and occurs when the (Bi- or Ag-) doping level of the vitreous matrix is close to the equilibrium value. The experimental results demonstrated that, at advanced stages of the growth process, the time dependence of the average radius and density number of the clusters is in agreement with the classical Lifshitz-Slyozov-Waoner (LSW) theory. However, the radius distribution function is better described by a lognormal function than by the function derived from the theoretical LSW model. From the results of SAXS measurements at different temperatures, the activation energies for the diffusion of Ag and Bi through sodium borate glass were determined. In addition, via combination of the results of simultaneous WAXS and SAXS measurements at different temperatures, the crystallographic structure and the dependence of melting temperature T(m) on crystal radius R of Bi nanocrystals were established. The experimental results indicate that T(m) is a linear and decreasing function of nanocrystal reciprocal radius 1/R, in agreement with the Couchman and Jesser theoretical model. Finally, a weak contraction in the lattice parameters of Bi nanocrystals with respect to bulk crystals was established.

A review of the tectonic evolution of the Sunsas belt, SW Amazonian Craton

The Sunsas-Aguapei province (1.20-0.95 Ga), SW Amazonian Craton, is a key area to study the heterogeneous effects of collisional events with Laurentia, which shows evidence of the Grenvillian and Sunsas orogens. The Sunsas orogen, characterized by an allochthonous collisional-type belt (1.11-1.00 Ga), is the youngest and southwestern most of the events recorded along the cratonic fringe. Its evolution occurred after a period of long quiescence and erosion of the already cratonized provinces (>1.30 Ga), that led to sedimentation of the Sunsas and Vibosi groups in a passive margin setting. The passive margin stage was roughly contemporary with intraplate tectonics that produced the Nova Brasilandia proto-oceanic basin (<1.21 Ga), the reactivation of the Ji-Parana shear zone network (1.18-1.12 Ga) and a system of aborted rifts that evolved to the Huanchaca-Aguapei basin (1.17-1.15 Ga). The Sunsas belt is comprised by the metamorphosed Sunsas and Vibosi sequences, the Rincon del Tigre mafic-ultramafic sill and granitic intrusive suites. The latter rocks yield epsilon(Nd(t)) signatures (-0.5 to -4.5) and geochemistry (S,1, A-types) suggesting their origin associated with a continental arc setting. The Sunsas belt evolution is marked by ""tectonic fronts"" with sinistral offsets that was active from c. 1.08 to 1.05 Ga, along the southern edge of the Paragua microcontinent where K/Ar ages (1.27-1.34 Ga) and the Huanchaca-Aguapei flat-lying cover attest to the earliest tectonic stability at the time of the orogen. The Sunsas dynamics is coeval with inboard crustal shortening, transpression and magmatism in the Nova Brasilandia belt (1.13-1.00 Ga). Conversely, the Aguapei aulacogen (0.96-0.91 Ga) and nearby shear zones (0.93-0.91 Ga) are the late tectonic offshoots over the cratonic margin. The post-tectonic to anorogenic stages took place after ca. 1.00 Ga, evidenced by the occurrences of intra-plate A-type granites, pegmatites, mafic dikes and sills, as well as of graben basins. Integrated interpretation of the available data related to the Sunsas orogen supports the idea that the main nucleus of Rodinia incorporated the terrains forming the SW corner of Amazonia and most of the Grenvillian margin, as a result of two independent collisional events, as indicated in the Amazon region by the Ji-Parana shear zone event and the Sunsas belt, respectively. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Synthesis of 4-iodopyrazoles: A Brief Review

The selective incorporation of halogen into organic molecules provides a challenge to academic and industrial research. This microreview presents an overview of the available methodologies for the synthesis of 4-iodopyrazoles, valuable precursors for the selective construction of highly functionalized organic molecules of synthetic and biological importance.

Darunavir: A Critical Review of Its Properties, Use and Drug Interactions

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

Persistent Pleuropulmonary Air Leak Treated with Autologous Blood: Results from a University Hospital and Review of Literature

Background: Persistent air leak after pulmonary resection is a difficult complication for thoracic surgeons to manage. Objectives: To show the results of our experience treating persistent pleuropulmonary air leak with autologous blood and review the literature on this specific method of treatment. Methods: Retrospective study of patients with persistent aerial pleuropulmonary fistula treated with autologous blood. The patient's own blood was collected from a peripheral vein and directly introduced through the pleural drain. An inverted siphon was located in the drainage system to avoid prolonged clamping of the drain. This siphon impeded blood return but not air escape. Results: Between January 2001 and August 2008, 27 patients were treated by the above method. Patient age ranged from 2 to 74 years, and 78% were male. Each procedure used a mean quantity of 92 ml blood. Mean persistent air leak time before pleurodesis was 10.6 days and mean time to fistula resolution after pleurodesis was 1.5 days. Twenty-three (85%) patients had persistent pleuropulmonary air leak closed with the above procedure. Conclusion: Treating persistent pleuropulmonary air leak with autologous blood is promising, but further studies are required to quantify its real effectiveness. Copyright (C) 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel

Phospholipase A(2) - A structural review

Phospholipases A(2) (PLA(2)) are widely distributed in nature and are well characterized proteins with respect to their catalytic and pharmacological activities, A wealth of structural information has recently become available both from X-ray diffraction and NMR studies, and although a detailed model of the catalytic mechanism of PLA(2) has been proposed, the structural bases of other aspects of PLA(2) function, such as interfacial activation and venom PLA(2) pharmacological activities, are still under debate. An appreciation of the PLA(2) protein structure will yield new insights with regard to these activities, the salient structural features of the class I, II and III PLA(2) are discussed with respect to their functional roles. Copyright (C) 1996 Published by Elsevier B.V. Ltd

Systematic review of the frog family Hylidae, with special reference to Hylinae: Phylogenetic analysis and taxonomic revision

Hylidae is a large family of American, Australopapuan, and temperate Eurasian treefrogs of approximately 870 known species, divided among four subfamilies. Although some groups of Hylidae have been addressed phylogenetically, a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis has never been presented. The first goal of this paper is to review the current state of hylid systematics. We focus on the very large subfamily Hylinae (590 species), evaluate the monophyly of named taxa, and examine the evidential basis of the existing taxonomy. The second objective is to perform a phylogenetic analysis using mostly DNA sequence data in order to (1) test the monophyly of the Hylidae; (2) determine its constituent taxa, with special attention to the genera and species groups which form the subfamily Hylinae, and c) propose a new, monophyletic taxonomy consistent with the hypothesized relationships. We present a phylogenetic analysis of hylid frogs based on 276 terminals, including 228 hylids and 48 outgroup taxa. Included are exemplars of all but 1 of the 41 genera of Hylidae (of all four nominal subfamilies) and 39 of the 41 currently recognized species groups of the species-rich genus Hyla. The included taxa allowed us to test the monophyly of 24 of the 35 nonmonotypic genera and 25 species groups of Hyla. The phylogenetic analysis includes approximately 5100 base pairs from four mitochondrial (12S, tRNA valine, 16S, and cytochrome b) and five nuclear genes (rhodopsin, tyrosinase, RAG-1, seventh in absentia, and 28S), and a small data set from foot musculature. Concurring with previous studies, the present analysis indicates that Hemiphractinae are not related to the other three hylid subfamilies. It is therefore removed from the family and tentatively considered a subfamily of the paraphyletic Leptodactylidae. Hylidae is now restricted to Hylinae, Pelodryadinae, and Phyllomedusinae. Our results support a sister-group relationship between Pelodryadinae and Phyllomedusinae, which together form the sister taxon of Hylinae. Agalychnis, Phyllomedusa, Litoria, Hyla, Osteocephalus, Phrynohyas, Ptychohyla, Scinax, Smilisca, and Trachycephalus are not monophyletic. Within Hyla, the H. albomarginata, H. albopunctata, H. arborea, H. boons, H. cinerea, H. eximia, H. geographica, H. granosa, H. microcephala, H. miotympanum, H. tuberculosa, and H. versicolor groups are also demonstrably nonmonophyletic. Hylinae is composed of four major clades. The first of these includes the Andean stream-breeding Hyla, Aplastodiscus, all Gladiator Frogs, and a Tepuian clade. The second clade is composed of the 30-chromosome Hyla, Lysapsus, Pseudis, Scarthyla, Scinax (including the H. uruguaya group), Sphaenorhynchus, and Xenohyla. The third major clade is composed of Nyctimantis, Phrynohyas, Phyllodytes, and all South American/West Indian casque-headed frogs: Aparasphenodon, Argenteohyla, Corythomantis, Osteocephalus, Osteopilus, Tepuihyla, and Trachycephalus. The fourth major clade is composed of most of the Middle American/Holarctic species groups of Hyla and the genera Acris, Anotheca, Duellmanohyla, Plectrohyla, Pseudacris, Ptychohyla, Pternohyla, Smilisca, and Triprion. A new monophyletic taxonomy mirroring these results is presented where Hylinae is divided into four tribes. Of the species currently in Hyla, 297 of the 353 species are placed in 15 genera; of these, 4 are currently recognized, 4 are resurrected names, and 7 are new. Hyla is restricted to H. femoralis and the H. arborea, H. cinerea, H. eximia, and H. versicolor groups, whose contents are redefined. Phrynohyas is placed in the synonymy of Trachycephalus, and Pternohyla is placed in the synonymy of Smilisca. The genus Dendropsophus is resurrected to include all former species of Hyla known or suspected to have 30 chromosomes. Exerodonta is resurrected to include the former Hyla sumichrasti group and some members of the former H. miotympanum group. Hyloscirtus is resurrected for the former Hyla armata, H. bogotensis, and H. larinopygion groups. Hypsiboas is resurrected to include several species groups - many of them redefined here - of Gladiator Frogs. The former Hyla albofrenata and H. albosignata complexes of the H. albomarginata group are included in Aplastodiscus. New generic names are erected for (1) Agalychnis calcarifer and A. craspedopus; (2) Osteocephalus langsdorffii; the (3) Hyla aromatica, (4) H. bromeliacia, (5) H. godmani, (6) H. mixomaculata, (7) H. taeniopus, (8) and H. tuberculosa groups; (9) the clade composed of the H. pictipes and H. pseudopuma groups; and (10) a clade composed of the H. circumdata, H. claresignata, H. martinsi, and H. pseudopseudis groups. Copyright © American Museum of Natural History 2005.

Systematic review of Neotropical genera of Lauxaniidae: 3. The genus Paracestrotus Hendel, 1925 (Diptera: Schizophora)

A review of the Neotropical Lauxaniidae genus Paracestrotus Hendel, 1925 is presented with redescription of P. gibbosus Hendel, 1925 and the description of a new species, P. pulchripennis sp. n., from Brazil, Pará, including illustrations and a key. Copyright © 2006 Magnolia Press.

Mixed germ cell tumor of the pituitary-hypothalamic region presenting as craniopharyngioma: Case report and review of the literature

Craniopharyngiomas and germ cell tumors (GCT) may affect the pituitary-hypothalamic region during childhood. Although different in origin, their clinical and radiological features may be similar. In this article we present a 5-year-old girl with clinical and radiological findings (computer tomography calcification) that were initially considered as craniopharyngioma. However clinical outcome, blood and cerebral spinal fluid tumoral markers, and results from anatomopathology and immunohistochemistry disclosed a mixed GCT. This case report highlights that some clinical features and radiological findings of pituitary-hypothalamic tumors may be misdiagnosed as craniopharyngioma mainly when there is a mature teratoma with cartilaginous tissue differentiation. Copyright© ABE&M.

Influence of vegetable oil in the viscosity of biodiesel-a review

Viscosity is a measure fluid resistance to flowing, affecting the fuel spray in the combustion chamber and, by this way, thus the formation of carbon deposits. The analysis of the influence of vegetable oil viscosity in biodiesel seems appropriate, because biodiesel viscosity is a function of vegetable oil. The increase of the fuel viscosity, promoted by biodiesel, has a major impact on the dynamics of jet fuel, increasing its speed and distance of penetration, obtaining therefore an increase in the amount of turbulent movement of the jet and thus an increase in the rate of preparation of the mixture, air-fuel, when adding biodiesel to diesel oil. The negative effect of this higher fuel viscosity is the increase of the wear of the train of gears, cam shaft, and valve push rod of all the injection pumps due to the higher pressure of injection. The viscosity of biodiesel is influenced by the size of its molecule and by the increase of molecule insaturations, is directly related with its origin vegetable oil or fat. This study is a review of the influence of vegetable oils in viscosity of biodiesel. Copyright © 2008 SAE International.