Neutron Transfer reactions induced by 8Li on 9Be

Angular distributions for the elastic scattering of 8Li on 9Be and the neutron transfer reactions 9Be(8Li,7Li)10Be and 9Be(8Li,9Li)8Be have been measured with a 27 MeV 8Li radioactive nuclear beam. Spectroscopic factors for 8Li|n=9Li and 7Li|n=8Li bound systems were obtained from the comparison between the experimental differential cross section and finite-range DWBA calculations with the code FRESCO. The spectroscopic factors obtained are compared to shell model calculations and to other experimental values from (d,p) reactions. Using the present values for the spectroscopic factor, cross sections for the direct neutron-capture reactions 7Li(n,g)8Li and 8Li(n,g)9Li were calculated in the framework of a potential model.Comment: 24 pages, 8 Figures, submitted as regular article to PR

Anti-atherogenic properties associated with the antioxidant activity from the hydrophilic extracts of Halimeda incrassata (Chlorophyta, Bryopsidales)

Seaweeds are a source of natural antioxidants having potential application in oxidative stress and associated diseases. In this work, anti-atherogenic properties associated with the antioxidant activity from the hydrophilic extracts of Halimeda incrassata were studied. The phenolic content assessed inthe aqueous extract and fraction phenolic acids (FPA) was 0.13 ± 0.05 and 0.47 ± 0.09 mg of gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g dry seaweed, respectively. In DPPH?, radical scavenging assay fractions exhibited a dependent concentration. The seaweeds extract inhibited the desoxirribose oxidation in the presenceor absence of EDTA (IC50 = 1.91± 0.09 mg/mL) (IC50 = 2.95 ± 0.01 mg/mL). In vivo antioxidant properties of FPA-H.incrassata were investigated in rats with a CCl4-induced liver injury. Pre-treatment with H.incrassata led to approximately 50% reductions in liver TBARS levels. The treatment with H. incrassataFPA also increased the activity of the CAT enzyme, which in turn resulted in an enhanced antioxidantdefense. The expression of Catalase by PCR-RT technique demonstrated a higher gene expression when compared with that which was observed in the CCl 4-treated group. Antiatherogenic properties were studied in the inhibition of lipoprotein oxidation mediated by Cu2+ or HRP/H2O2, free radicalscavenging, and metal ion chelation, and it was dose dependent with a higher concentration needed for the aqueous extract than for the FPA fraction. Antioxidant activity was also improved in macrophages as evaluated in the cell supernatant (by TBARS formation); and by luminol enhanced chemiluminescence after cell activation with zymosan; and a degree of cell lipoperoxidation wasdecreased by the Halimeda incrassata extract. The results of this work add to the antioxidant potential of the seaweed for its application in oxidative stress associated conditions.Fil: Vidal-Novoa, Alexis. Universidad de la Habana. Facultad de Biología; CubaFil: Costa-Mugica, Ariadna. Universidad de la Habana. Facultad de Biología; CubaFil: Zulueta Díaz, Yenisleidy de Las Mercedes. Universidad de la Habana. Facultad de Biología; Cuba. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Química Biológica de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Centro de Investigaciones en Química Biológica de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Diaz-Gutierrez, Daylín. Universidad de la Habana. Facultad de Biología; CubaFil: de Oliveira e Silva, Ana, Mara. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Vazquez, Ana María. Center For Molecular Inmunology; CubaFil: Claudina, Zaldívar-Munoz. Universidad de la Habana. Facultad de Biología; CubaFil: Dalva, Assuncao Portari de Mancini. Institute Butantan Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Mancini-Filho, Jorge. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasi

Dimensões argumentativas do discurso fílmico: projeções retóricas na tela do cinema

Cette recherche a pour objectif la réflexion à propos des concepts de l.Analyse du Discours et de l'Analyse Argumentative et leur adéquation au cinéma, dans ce que nous classifions comme des films narratifs de fiction. Selon la perspective proposée ici, le cinéma apporte un type de discours: le discours filmique. Il présente comme différentiel le fait d'être composé par plusieurs codes sémiologiques à savoir texte, images, sons, musique, effets spéciaux, etc. Un film n'est pas simplement une mise en intrigue faite pour distraire les spectateurs devant leur écran. Outre la fonction de divertissement, il est nécessaire de prendre le film comme acte de langage capable de guider rhétoriquement des avis, des états émotionnels et même des actions. Sa portée sociale mérite donc d'être considérée. Il s.agit d'analyser des processus discursifs verbaux et cinématographiques, dans la façon dont ils contribuent à construire l'oeuvre. On a recours à deux approches théoriques: la première concerne l'énonciation, spécialement la Théorie Semiolinguistique de Patrick Charaudeau. La seconde touche aux théories de l.argumentation chez Aristote, Chaïm Perelman et Ruth Amossy, entre autres. Le film choisi en tant qu'objet d'analyse ici est, Le parrain II, (The Godfather part II, 1974), de Francis Ford Coppola.Esta pesquisa tem como objetivo a aplicação de conceitos da Análise do Discurso e da Análise Argumentativa ao cinema, ao objeto classificado como filme narrativo de ficção. Sob a perspectiva aqui proposta, o cinema é dotado um tipo de discurso: o discurso filmico, que tem como diferencial o fato de ser constituído por vários códigos semiológicos, a saber: texto, imagens, sons, música, efeitos especiais etc. Um filme não é apenas um enredo elaborado para distrair os espectadores diante da tela. Além da função de entretenimento, é necessário levar em conta que se trata principalmente de um ato de linguagem capaz de guiar retoricamente as opiniões, os estados emocionais e até mesmo as ações. Seu alcance social, deve ser, portanto, considerado. O interesse consiste em analisar os processos discursivos verbais e cinematográficos e a maneira como eles contribuem para a construção de um filme. Para tanto, são usadas duas abordagens teóricas: a primeira concerne à enunciação, especialmente a Teoria Semiolinguística de Patrick Charaudeau, e a segunda diz respeito às teorias da argumentação desenvolvidas por Aristóteles, Chaim Perelman, Ruth Amossy, entre outros. O filme escolhido como objeto de análise foi O Poderoso Chefão II (The Godfather part II, 1974), de Francis Ford Coppola

Identification and estimation of the area planted with irrigated rice based on the visual interpretation of LANDSAT MSS data

The objective was to test the feasibility of the application of MSS-LANDSAT data to irrigated rice crop identification and area evaluation, within four rice growing regions of the Rio Grande do Sul state, in order to extend the methodology for the whole state. The applied methodology was visual interpretation of the following LANDSAT products: channels 5 and 7 black and white imageries and color infrared composite imageries all at the scale of 1:250.000. For crop identification and evaluation, the multispectral criterion and the seasonal variation were utilized. Based on the results it was possible to conclude that: (1) the satellite data were efficient for crop area identification and evaluation; (2) the utilization of the multispectral criterion, allied to the seasonal variation of the rice crop areas from the other crops and, (3) the large cloud cover percentage found in the satellite data made it impossible to realize a rice crop spectral monitoring and, therefore, to define the best dates for such data acquisition for rice crop assessment

Genome sequencing of the extinct Eurasian wild aurochs, Bos primigenius, illuminates the phylogeography and evolution of cattle

Background Domestication of the now-extinct wild aurochs, Bos primigenius, gave rise to the two major domestic extant cattle taxa, B. taurus and B. indicus. While previous genetic studies have shed some light on the evolutionary relationships between European aurochs and modern cattle, important questions remain unanswered, including the phylogenetic status of aurochs, whether gene flow from aurochs into early domestic populations occurred, and which genomic regions were subject to selection processes during and after domestication. Here, we address these questions using whole-genome sequencing data generated from an approximately 6,750-year-old British aurochs bone and genome sequence data from 81 additional cattle plus genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism data from a diverse panel of 1,225 modern animals. Results Phylogenomic analyses place the aurochs as a distinct outgroup to the domestic B. taurus lineage, supporting the predominant Near Eastern origin of European cattle. Conversely, traditional British and Irish breeds share more genetic variants with this aurochs specimen than other European populations, supporting localized gene flow from aurochs into the ancestors of modern British and Irish cattle, perhaps through purposeful restocking by early herders in Britain. Finally, the functions of genes showing evidence for positive selection in B. taurus are enriched for neurobiology, growth, metabolism and immunobiology, suggesting that these biological processes have been important in the domestication of cattle. Conclusions This work provides important new information regarding the origins and functional evolution of modern cattle, revealing that the interface between early European domestic populations and wild aurochs was significantly more complex than previously thought

Financial Structure and Economic Welfare: Applied General Equilibrium Development Economics

This review provides a common framework for researchers thinking about the next generation of micro-founded macro models of growth, inequality, and financial deepening, as well as direction for policy makers targeting microfinance programs to alleviate poverty. Topics include treatment of financial structure general equilibrium models: testing for as-if-complete markets or other financial underpinnings; examining dual-sector models with both a perfectly intermediated sector and a sector in financial autarky, as well as a second generation of these models that embeds information problems and other obstacles to trade; designing surveys to capture measures of income, investment/savings, and flow of funds; and aggregating individuals and households to the level of network, village, or national economy. The review concludes with new directions that overcome conceptual and computational limitations.National Science Foundation (U.S.)National Institutes of Health (U.S.)Templeton FoundationBill & Melinda Gates Foundatio

Evaluation of live attenuated Streptococcus pneumoniae vaccine strains on the epithelial response to colonisation using a human challenge model

Background: Streptococcus pneumoniae frequently colonisesthe human nasopharynx but causes over 500,000 deaths each yearfrom Pneumonia, Sepsis and Meningitis. Nasopharyngeal carriageis required for transmission and is a pre-requisite for disease.The conjugate polysaccharide vaccines have proven effective indecreasing disease. However, replacement of vaccine serotypeswith non-vaccine types in carriage threatens the future of the vaccines’efficiency.Using an Experimental Human Pneumococcal Challenge model(EHPC) and epithelial cell culture models, we have previouslyshown that pneumococcal colonisation involves both direct epithelialassociation and micro-invasion, inducing innate immunity andclearance without overt disease. Repeated challenge in the EHPCwith the same strain decreases subsequent carriage efficiency anddiminishes transmission potential and/or progression to disease,suggesting active mucosal immunity in the nasopharynx.Methods and materials: We have generated live attenuatedstrains of 6B S. pneumoniae (AS1 and AS2) that have double virulencedeletions and cannot revert to cause disease. Here, we haveexplored the hypothesis that despite their attenuation in a mousemodel of disease, these attenuated strains retain their ability toinvade the epithelium and induce epithelial-derived innate immunityin humans.Colonisation were measured by confocal microscopy and microbiologydensity by CFU counts. Epithelial activation was measuredby flow cytometry, ELISA and RNAseq.Results: We found that both mutants colonised the humannasopharynx and formed epithelial associations with microinvasionin the EHPC model. In vitro, both mutants adhered, invadedand transmigrated across the epithelium 4-fold less than wild type.However, both mutants still resulted in secretion of IL-8, IL-6 andICAM-1 secretion and barrier integrity was maintained. PCA analysesrevealed that epithelial transcriptomic responses between wildtype and the mutants generally overlapped, indicating overall similarstimulation of signaling pathways following exposure.Conclusion: The results reveal that attenuation of these pneumococcalstrains has not led to loss of their ability to elicit amucosalimmune/inflammatory response. This approach provides an excitingnew pipeline for the development and testing of novel vaccines.The application of these attenuated strains in the EHPC also has thepotential to provide important new knowledge on the mechanismsbehind bacterial clearance, transmission and disease progressionduring colonisation.</p

Evaluation of live attenuated Streptococcus pneumoniae vaccine strains on the epithelial response to colonisation using a human challenge model

Background: Streptococcus pneumoniae frequently colonisesthe human nasopharynx but causes over 500,000 deaths each yearfrom Pneumonia, Sepsis and Meningitis. Nasopharyngeal carriageis required for transmission and is a pre-requisite for disease.The conjugate polysaccharide vaccines have proven effective indecreasing disease. However, replacement of vaccine serotypeswith non-vaccine types in carriage threatens the future of the vaccines’efficiency.Using an Experimental Human Pneumococcal Challenge model(EHPC) and epithelial cell culture models, we have previouslyshown that pneumococcal colonisation involves both direct epithelialassociation and micro-invasion, inducing innate immunity andclearance without overt disease. Repeated challenge in the EHPCwith the same strain decreases subsequent carriage efficiency anddiminishes transmission potential and/or progression to disease,suggesting active mucosal immunity in the nasopharynx.Methods and materials: We have generated live attenuatedstrains of 6B S. pneumoniae (AS1 and AS2) that have double virulencedeletions and cannot revert to cause disease. Here, we haveexplored the hypothesis that despite their attenuation in a mousemodel of disease, these attenuated strains retain their ability toinvade the epithelium and induce epithelial-derived innate immunityin humans.Colonisation were measured by confocal microscopy and microbiologydensity by CFU counts. Epithelial activation was measuredby flow cytometry, ELISA and RNAseq.Results: We found that both mutants colonised the humannasopharynx and formed epithelial associations with microinvasionin the EHPC model. In vitro, both mutants adhered, invadedand transmigrated across the epithelium 4-fold less than wild type.However, both mutants still resulted in secretion of IL-8, IL-6 andICAM-1 secretion and barrier integrity was maintained. PCA analysesrevealed that epithelial transcriptomic responses between wildtype and the mutants generally overlapped, indicating overall similarstimulation of signaling pathways following exposure.Conclusion: The results reveal that attenuation of these pneumococcalstrains has not led to loss of their ability to elicit amucosalimmune/inflammatory response. This approach provides an excitingnew pipeline for the development and testing of novel vaccines.The application of these attenuated strains in the EHPC also has thepotential to provide important new knowledge on the mechanismsbehind bacterial clearance, transmission and disease progressionduring colonisation.</p

Mesenchymal stem cells secretome-induced axonal outgrowth is mediated by BDNF

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been used for cell-based therapies in regenerative medicine, with increasing importance in central and peripheral nervous system repair. However, MSCs grafting present disadvantages, such as, a high number of cells required for transplantation and low survival rate when transplanted into the central nervous system (CNS). In line with this, MSCs secretome which present on its composition a wide range of molecules (neurotrophins, cytokines) and microvesicles, can be a solution to surpass these problems. However, the effect of MSCs secretome in axonal elongation is poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that application of MSCs secretome to both rat cortical and hippocampal neurons induces an increase in axonal length. In addition, we show that this growth effect is axonal intrinsic with no contribution from the cell body. To further understand which are the molecules required for secretome-induced axonal outgrowth effect, we depleted brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) from the secretome. Our results show that in the absence of BDNF, secretome-induced axonal elongation effect is lost and that axons present a reduced axonal growth rate. Altogether, our results demonstrate that MSCs secretome is able to promote axonal outgrowth in CNS neurons and this effect is mediated by BDNF.European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), through the Centro 2020 Regional Operational Programme under project CENTRO-01–0145-FEDER-000008:BrainHealth 2020, and through the COMPETE 2020 - Operational Programme for Competitiveness and Internationalisation and Portuguese national funds via FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P., under projects PTDC/SAU-NEU/104100/2008, EXPL/NEU-NMC/0541/2012 and UID/NEU/04539/2013. This work was also funded by Marie Curie Actions - International reintegration grant #249288, 7th Framework programme, EU. Partially funded by Prémios Santa Casa Neurociências - Prize Melo e Castro for Spinal Cord Injury Research; Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (IF Development Grant to A.J.S.); NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000013, supported by the Northern Portugal Regional Operational Programme; by FEDER funds, through the Competitiveness Factors Operational Programme (COMPETE), and by national funds, through the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), under the scope of the project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007038. The authors would also like to acknowledge Prof. J.E. Davies from the Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Toronto, Canada, for kindly providing some of the HUCPVCs lots used in the present workinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio