The Heavy-Ion Beam Diagnostic of the ISTTOK Tokamak-Highlights and Recent Developments.

The unique arrangement of the heavy-ion beam diagnostic in ISTTOK enables one to measure the evolution of temperature, density and pressure-like profiles in normal and AC discharges. The fast chopping beam technique provided the possibility to reduce the noise on the measurements of the plasma pressure-like profile and for the precise control of the plasma column position in real time. The consequent improvements in S/N levels allowed the observation of the effects of runaway beam magnetic energy conversion into plasma local heating. In addition, it made it possible to follow the evolution of the quiescent plasma maintained during AC transitions when the plasma current is null. The use of a new operation mode in the cylindrical energy analyzer provided an improved resolution up to five times in determining the fluctuations of the plasma potential as compared to the normal operation mode. Such analyzer is extremely compact (250 mm × 250 mm × 120 mm) and provides a unique geometry in order to cover the whole plasma diameter. The detector configuration choice gives the possibility for the simultaneous measurements of plasma poloidal magnetic field, plasma pressure-like and plasma potential profiles together with their fluctuations.

Genetic evaluation for latent variables derived from factor analysis in broilers.

1. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between several carcass, performance and meat quality traits in broilers through factor analysis and use the latent variables (i.e. factors) as pseudo-phenotypes in genetic evaluations.2. Factors were extracted using the principal components method and varimax rotation algorithm. Genetic parameters were estimated via Bayesian inference under a multiple-trait animal model.3. All factors taken together explained 71% of the original variance of the data. The first factor, denominated as 'weight', was associated with carcass and body weight traits; and the second factor, defined as 'tenderness', represented traits related to water-holding capacity and shear force. The third factor, 'colour', was associated with traits related to meat colour, whereas the fourth, referenced as 'viscera', was related to heart, liver and abdominal fat.4. The four biological factors presented moderate to high heritability (ranging from 0.35 to 0.75), which may confer genetic gains in this population.5. In conclusion, it seems possible to reduce the number of traits in the genetic evaluation of broilers using latent variables derived from factor analysis.

How many daddies: microsatellite genotyping reveals polyandry in a live-bearing clinid fish Muraenoclinus dorsalis.

Fishes belonging to the family Clinidae in South Africa display super-embryonation, a rare reproductive mode were females gestate broods at different gestational stages, but little is known regarding the mating systems of this family. Here we tested the hypothesis that multiple males would contribute not only to the offspring of each female, but that several males would contribute to each brood, by sampling Muraenoclinus dorsalis from three sampling locations along the west and south-west coast of South Africa. Larval (n = 97) and maternal (n = 14) genotpyes, generated with newly developed microsatellites, were used to estimate the number of potential mates per female. Our results show that up to 78% of females displayed multiple mating with an average of 2·1-2·2 males. In addition, 39-42% of females displayed polyandry with an average of 1·5-1·6 sires per brood. This study provides the evidence for multiple mating and polyandry within a clinid fish characterized by super-embryonation that offers important baseline information regarding rare reproductive strategies, highlighting several gaps in our knowledge concerning clinid reproduction and mating systems.

Remote sensing depicts riparian vegetation responses to water stress in a humid Atlantic region.

Riparian areas in the Cantabrian Atlantic ecoregion (northwest Portugal) play a key role in soil formation and conservation, regulation of nutrient and water cycle, creation of landscape aesthetic value and the preservation of biodiversity. The maintenance of their ecological integrity is crucial given the ever increase in multiple anthropogenic (water demand and agriculture) and climatic pressures (droughts and extreme events). We developed a transferable remote sensing approach, taking advantage of the latest freely available technologies (Sentinel-2 and Copernicus Land products), to detect intra-annual and inter-annual changes in riparian vegetation productivity at the river basin scale related to water stress. This study has used the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) to investigate riparian vegetation productivity dynamics on three different vegetation types (coniferous, broadleaved and grassland) over the past 5 years (2015-2019). Our results indicated that inter-annual seasonality differed between drier (2017) and wetter (2016) years. We found that intra-annual dynamics of NDVI were influenced by the longitudinal river zonation. Our model ranked first (r2m = 0.73) showed that the productivity of riparian vegetation during the dry season was positively influenced by annual rainfall and by the type of riparian vegetation. The emergent long lags between climatic variation and riparian plant productivity provides opportunities to forecast early warnings of climatically-driven impacts. In addition, the different average productivity levels among vegetation types should be considered when assessing climatic impacts on riparian vegetation. Future applications of Sentinel 2 products could seek to distinguish riparian areas that are likely to be more vulnerable to changes in the annual water balance from those that are more resistant under longer-term changes in climate.

Chronic arthritis directly induces quantitative and qualitative bone disturbances leading to compromised biomechanical properties.

OBJECTIVES: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with an increased risk of fragility fractures. In RA patients, the direct effect of inflammation on bone is difficult to study because their skeleton is also affected by medication with corticosteroids and other drugs as well as aging and menopause, which contribute to bone fragility. This study used an animal model of chronic arthritis to evaluate the direct impact of chronic inflammation on biomechanical properties and structure of bone. METHODS: In the SKG mouse chronic arthritis model three point bending tests were performed on femoral bones and compression tests on vertebral bodies. Collagen structure was analysed using second-harmonic generation (SHG) imaging with a two-photon microscope, ultramorphology by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and bone density using water pycnometer. RESULTS: Arthritic bones had poor biomechanical quality compared to control bones. SHG, SEM and pycnometry disclosed variable signs of impaired collagen organization, poor trabecular architecture and low bone density. CONCLUSION: Present data demonstrate for the first time that chronic inflammation per se, without confounding influence of drugs and aging, leads to impairment of bone biomechanics in terms of stiffness, ductility and ultimate strength (fracture).

Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Capitellum: A Case Report of Successful Arthroscopic Treatment.

Introduction. Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the capitellum is a localized disorder of the subchondral bone, in a region with limited healing capacity. Although its aetiology is still unknown, it has been associated with repetitive microtrauma. The natural history of this disease involves the evolution for degenerative joint disease in approximately half of the patients, with early identification and treatment being critical to optimizing the outcome. Case Presentation. We present a rare case in our practice, illustrating a capitellar OCD in a fifteen-year-old White male without an identified cause of repetitive microtrauma. Conclusion. In this case prompt diagnosis and arthroscopic-assisted treatment led to a successful result.

Age-related delay in visual and auditory evoked responses is mediated by white- and grey-matter differences.

Slowing is a common feature of ageing, yet a direct relationship between neural slowing and brain atrophy is yet to be established in healthy humans. We combine magnetoencephalographic (MEG) measures of neural processing speed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures of white and grey matter in a large population-derived cohort to investigate the relationship between age-related structural differences and visual evoked field (VEF) and auditory evoked field (AEF) delay across two different tasks. Here we use a novel technique to show that VEFs exhibit a constant delay, whereas AEFs exhibit delay that accumulates over time. White-matter (WM) microstructure in the optic radiation partially mediates visual delay, suggesting increased transmission time, whereas grey matter (GM) in auditory cortex partially mediates auditory delay, suggesting less efficient local processing. Our results demonstrate that age has dissociable effects on neural processing speed, and that these effects relate to different types of brain atrophy.

Profile of endoparasites in dairy cattle in the microregion of São João del-Rei, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil / [Perfil de endoparasitas em bovinos leiteiros na microrregião de São João del-Rei, Minas Gerais, Brasil]

The present study provides the first evaluation of the endoparasite profile in dairy cattle from the microregion of São João del-Rei, Minas Gerais, Brazil, including seasonal variations in parasitic infections. Fecal samples were collected directly from rectum of 123 dairy cows and 160 calves on 15 farms. These were kept in insulated boxes and sent for immediate analysis. Using eggs per gram of feces (EPG) we found the following prevalences: Strongyloidea 43.5%, Moniezia sp. 7.6% and both Strongyloides sp. and Trichuris spp. 2.2%, in dairy cows. In calves, the prevalence was Strongyloidea 50.9%, Moniezia sp. 5.6% and Strongyloides sp. 1.9%. The third-stage larvae recovered from coprocultures from cows and calves consisted mainly of Cooperia spp., Haemonchus spp. and Ostertagia spp. EPG counts were significantly higher in calves. Regarding seasonality, the EPG counts and prevalence of Moniezia sp. tended to be higher in the dry period, whereas those of Strongyloidea were higher in the rainy season. Evidence suggests that parasite control and prophylaxis were inadequately managed on the farms studied here. The present parasitological profile correlates with those found by other similar studies, indicating that the main problem is still the inadequate management of parasite control and prophylaxis by farmers.(AU)

O presente estudo representa a primeira avaliação do perfil de endoparasitos em bovinos leiteiros da microrregião de São João del-Rei, Minas Gerais, Brasil, e das variações sazonais das infecções parasitárias. Foram avaliadas amostras fecais de 123 vacas e 160 bezerros de 15 propriedades rurais, coletadas diretamente do reto, mantidas em caixas térmicas isoladas e analisadas imediatamente. A contagem de ovos por grama de fezes (OPG) revelou prevalências de 43,5% de Strongyloidea, 7,6% de Moniezia sp. e 2,2% de Strongyloides sp. e Trichuris spp. em vacas leiteiras. As prevalências de OPG em bezerros foram 50,9% de Strongyloidea, 5,6% de Moniezia sp. e 1,9% de Strongyloides sp. As larvas do terceiro estádio recuperadas de coproculturas de vacas e bezerros foram principalmente de Cooperia spp., Haemonchus spp. e Ostertagia spp. OPG dos parasitos foram significativamente maiores em bezerros. Em relação à sazonalidade, OPG e a prevalência de Moniezia sp. tenderam a ser maiores durante a estação seca, enquanto OPG de Strongyloidea foram maiores na estação chuvosa. Com base nos resultados, é possível concluir que o manejo antiparasitário nas propriedades estudadas não é realizado de maneira plenamente satisfatória. O presente perfil parasitológico se assemelha a outros encontrados em estudos semelhantes, indicando que o maior problema ainda é o manejo antiparasitário inadequado realizado nas propriedades de bovinos leiteiros.(AU)

miR-200 promotes the mesenchymal to epithelial transition by suppressing multiple members of the Zeb2 and Snail1 transcriptional repressor complexes.

The miR-200 family promotes the epithelial state by suppressing the Zeb1/Zeb2 epithelial gene transcriptional repressors. To identify other miR-200-regulated genes, we isolated mRNAs bound to transfected biotinylated miR-200c in mouse breast cancer cells. In all, 520 mRNAs were significantly enriched in miR-200c binding at least twofold. Putative miR-200-regulated genes included Zeb2, enriched 3.5-fold in the pull down. However, Zeb2 knockdown does not fully recapitulate miR-200c overexpression, suggesting that regulating other miR-200 targets contributes to miR-200's enhancement of epithelial gene expression. Candidate genes were highly enriched for miR-200c seed pairing in their 3'UTR and coding sequence and for genes that were downregulated by miR-200c overexpression. Epidermal growth factor receptor and downstream MAPK signaling pathways were the most enriched pathways. Genes whose products mediate transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß signaling were also significantly overrepresented, and miR-200 counteracted the suppressive effects of TGF-ß and bone morphogenic protein 2 (BMP-2) on epithelial gene expression. miR-200c regulated the 3'UTRs of 12 of 14 putative miR-200c-binding mRNAs tested. The extent of mRNA binding to miR-200c strongly correlated with gene suppression. Twelve targets of miR-200c (Crtap, Fhod1, Smad2, Map3k1, Tob1, Ywhag/14-3-3γ, Ywhab/14-3-3ß, Smad5, Zfp36, Xbp1, Mapk12, Snail1) were experimentally validated by identifying their 3'UTR miR-200 recognition elements. Smad2 and Smad5 form a complex with Zeb2 and Ywhab/14-3-3ß and Ywhag/14-3-3γ form a complex with Snail1. These complexes that repress transcription assemble on epithelial gene promoters. miR-200 overexpression induced RNA polymerase II localization and reduced Zeb2 and Snail1 binding to epithelial gene promoters. Expression of miR-200-resistant Smad5 modestly, but significantly, reduced epithelial gene induction by miR-200. miR-200 expression and Zeb2 knockdown are known to inhibit cell invasion in in vitro assays. Knockdown of each of three novel miR-200 target genes identified here, Smad5, Ywhag and Crtap, also profoundly suppressed cell invasion. Thus, miR-200 suppresses TGF-ß/BMP signaling, promotes epithelial gene expression and suppresses cell invasion by regulating a network of genes.

Tissular prostanoid release, phospholipase A2 activity, and lipid peroxidation in pancreas transplantation.

Free radical species have been implicated as important agents in ischemia-reperfusion injury associated to transplantation procedures. This study was carried out to investigate the possible relationship between phospholipase A2 activity (PLA2), lipoperoxidation, and the changes in arachidonic acid metabolism during ischemia reperfusion injury in pancreas transplantation, as well as the effect of a free radical scavenger such as superoxide dismutase on these changes. For this purpose male Lewis rat groups (n = 7) were classified as follows: group I--control; group II--syngenic pancreas transplantation after 15 min preservation in Collins solution at 4 degrees C; group III--syngenic pancreas transplantation after 18 hr preservation in the same conditions; group IV--same as III but with administration of SOD (i.v.) immediately before revascularization in the recipient rat. The results indicate that significant increases in PLA2 activity and lipoperoxide levels occur concomitantly with an increase of thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and 6-keto prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto PGF1 alpha) in pancreatic tissue after pancreas transplantation. The counteracting effect of a free radical scavenger such as SOD supports the role of oxygen free radicals (OFR) mediating activation of PLA2 and subsequent formation of eicosanoids in pancreas transplantation.

Energy conservation and CO2 emission reductions due to recycling in Brazil.

The present paper aims to make the energy saving potential provided by waste recycling in Brazil evident by pointing out more specifically the benefits regarding climate change mitigation. In this case, based on the energy saved due to the recycling process of an exogenous amount of waste, we have built two scenarios in order to show the potential for indirectly avoiding CO2 emissions in the country as a result of the recycling process. According to the scenario, 1 Mt and 3.5 Mt of CO2, respectively, would be avoided per year due to solid waste recycling. The international context for greenhouse gas emissions reduction, such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Kyoto Protocol has been taken into account.

[Kinetic study of prostaglandin biosynthesis. A mathematical model]. / Kineticheskoe issledovanie biosinteza prostaglandinov. Matematicheskaia model'.

A mathematical model has been suggested to describe the kinetics of the prostanoid biosynthesis in the Plexaura homomalla coral. It allows to predict the changes in prostaglandin A2 concentration at various pH and concentration of sodium ions citrate when the latter is not too high. The degradation of prostaglandin biosynthesis intermediates is shown to proceed as two consecutive first-order reactions. For the second step the reaction rate grows into the raise of prostaglandin A2 concentration, apparently due to autocatalytic character of the process.

[Primary immunodeficiency secondary to ZAP-70 deficiency]. / Imunodeficiência primária por défice de ZAP-70.

The authors present the case of a child with recurrent infections since the age of 4 months, including bilateral pneumonia by Pneumocystis carinii and protracted varicella. Serum immunoglobulin values (when 10 months old), and B cell values were normal. There was persistent lymphocytic leucocytosis, near absence of CD8+ cells, and an increased CD4/CD8 ratio. The percentage of activated T cells and the expression of HLA class I were normal. Proliferation, activation and IL-2 synthesis studies in T cells showed a TCR/CD3-associated signal transduction deficit. ZAP-70 cDNA sequencing showed a mutation, and no ZAP-70 protein was detected in T cells. ZAP-70 deficiency is associated with a rare immune deficiency with absence of CD8+ T cells as well as a functional deficiency in T cells. Seven months after bone marrow transplantation the child is clinically well and immunologically recovered.

Radial profile measurements of plasma pressure-like fluctuations with the heavy ion beam diagnostic on the tokamak ISTTOK.

The Heavy Ion Beam Diagnostic (HIBD) on the tokamak ISTTOK (Instituto Superior Técnico TOKamak) has been modified, in terms of signal conditioning, to measure the local fluctuations of the neσ1,2(Te) product (plasma density times the effective ionization cross-section) along the tokamak minor diameter, in 12 sample volumes in the range of -0.7a < r < 0.7a, with a maximum delay time of 1 µs. The corresponding signals show high correlation with the magnetic Mirnov coils in the characteristic MHD frequency range of ISTTOK plasmas and enable the identification of tearing modes. This paper describes the HIBD signal conditioning system and presents a preliminary analysis of the radial profile measurements of local neσ1,2(Te) fluctuations.

Impact of cooking and handling conditions on furanic compounds in breaded fish products.

This study evaluates the influence of cooking and handling conditions on the quantity of furanic compounds (furan, 2-furfural, furfuryl alcohol, 2-pentylfuran, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural) in breaded fish products. Oven-baking and reheating in the microwave lead to low furanic compounds formation in comparison with deep-frying. The use of olive oil for deep-frying promoted higher levels of furanic compounds than sunflower oil. The amounts of these compounds diminished as the temperature and time of deep-frying decreased as well as after a delay after deep-frying. Thus, the generation of furanic compounds can be minimized by adjusting the cooking method and conditions, such as using an electric oven, deep-frying in sunflower oil at 160°C during 4min, or waiting 10min after cooking. However, these conditions that reduce furanic compounds levels also reduce the content of volatile compounds related to the aroma and flavour of fried foods. In this sense, new efforts should be done to reduce the formation of furanic compounds without being detrimental to the volatile profile.

In vivo growth inhibition of sarcoma 180 by Kielmeyera rugosa Choisy (Calophyllaceae).

The plant Kielmeyera rugosa Choisy (family Calophyllaceae), popularly known as 'pau-santo', is traditionally used in Brazilian folk medicine. Recently, the dichloromethane extract-dichloromethane partition from stems of K. rugosa (KR) has shown positive results in our cytotoxic screening programme. Therefore, the aim of this study was to validate the antitumour activity of KR on sarcoma 180 tumour-bearing mice. KR showed antitumour activity with both administration routes: intraperitoneal (50 and 100 mg/kg/day) and oral (100 and 200 mg/kg/day). Tumour growth inhibition rates were 40.8-34.9% and 25.4-51.8% after intraperitoneal and oral administrations, respectively. Treatment with KR did not significantly affect body mass, macroscopy of the organs or blood leukocyte counts. In conclusion, KR exhibited an in vivo antitumour effect without substantial toxicity.

New detection system and signal processing for the tokamak ISTTOK heavy ion beam diagnostic.

The tokamak ISTTOK havy ion beam diagnostic (HIBD) operates with a multiple cell array detector (MCAD) that allows for the plasma density and the plasma density fluctuations measurements simultaneously at different sampling volumes across the plasma. To improve the capability of the plasma density fluctuations investigations, a new detection system and new signal conditioning amplifier have been designed and tested. The improvements in MCAD design are presented which allow for nearly complete suppression of the spurious plasma background signal by applying a biasing potential onto special electrodes incorporated into MCAD. The new low cost and small size transimpedance amplifiers are described with the parameters of 400 kHz, 10(7) V/A, 0.4 nA of RMS noise, adequate for the plasma density fluctuations measurements.

Upper limb tremor induced by peripheral nerve injury.

We report a patient with proximal right upper limb tremor, secondary to direct peripheral nerve lesion caused by prior thoracic surgery. Electromyography demonstrated neurogenic abnormalities and tremor in muscles innervated by the thoracodorsal and long thoracic nerves. Somatosensory evoked potentials, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and MRI of the cervical and thoracic spine were normal. Tremor persisted in REM and non-REM sleep. These findings suggest a peripheral generator.

High magnetic field induced charge density wave state in a quasi-one-dimensional organic conductor.

The quasi-one-dimensional organic conductor (Per)2Pt(mnt)2 exhibits a charge density wave ground state below 8 K. Magnetoresistance and magnetization measurements show that the charge density wave is suppressed with magnetic fields of order 20 T, above which a high resistance state, with a cascade of subphases, appears. This new state, tentatively identified as a field induced charge density wave, reenters a low resistance state above 40 T. The results are presented in light of theoretical work [D. Zanchi et al. Phys. Rev. B 53, 1240 (1996)]] involving field induced charge density wave ground states in high magnetic fields.

Gold complexes with dithiothiophene ligands: a metal based on a neutral molecule.

The gold complexes n-Bu4N[Au(alpha-tpdt)2] (5), n-Bu4N[Au(dtpdt)2] (4) and n-Bu4N[Au(tpdt)2] (6) based on new dithiothiophene ligands (alpha-tpdt= 2,3-thiophenedithiolate, dtpdt=2,3-dihydro-5,6-thiophenedithiolate and tpdt = 3,4-thiophenedithiolate) have been prepared and characterised. These gold(III) complexes are diamagnetic, but they can be oxidised with iodine to the paramagnetic compounds [Au(alpha-tpdt)2] (8), [Au(dtpdt)2] (7) and n-Bu4N[[Au(tpdt)2]n-2] (9), which were isolated as fine powders and which exhibit paramagnetic susceptibilities that are almost temperature independent with room temperature values of 2.5 x 10(-4), 2.0 x 10(-4) and 5 x 10(-4) emu x mol(-1), respectively. Interestingly, the neutral complex [Au(alpha-tpdt)2] (8) as a polycrystalline sample displays the properties of a metallic system with a room temperature electrical conductivity of 6 S x cm(-1) and a thermoelectric power of 5.5 microVK(-1); this is the first time that this metallic property has been observed in a molecular system based on a neutral species.