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The high diversity in ants has been associated with some genomic divergences, including karyotype, nuclear genome size and DNA sequences. This study investigated if DNA ploidy levels varies among organs of the worker subcastes of the carpenter ant Camponotus aff. balzani. We also examined if DNA ploidy levels variation may contribute to variations in body size and functional specialization of the worker subcastes and its potential reproductive and behavioral differences among castes. Different DNA ploidy level were identified in the brain, post-pharyngeal gland, thoracic muscles, abdominal sternite muscles and midgut of the workers, resulting in similarities and divergences about the endopolyploid index (EI). The major workers presented the highest EI in the post-pharyngeal gland and thoracic muscles compared to median and minor workers, which may be associated with the different tasks that workers perform in the colony. The lowest EI was found in the brain of all workers subcastes. Moreover, gynes exhibited higher EI levels compared to males and worker subcastes. These findings suggest a complex interplay of genetics and caste determination in this ant. Overall, the results provide fundamental contributions for further studies to verify the role of endopolyploidy in the phenotypic plasticity among castes and subcastes of Camponotus aff. balzani, with potential implications for understanding similar processes in other social organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The search for sustainable polymers to replace those of fossil origin has been constant. Poli (lactic acid) (PLA) is one of the alternatives since it is a biodegradable and ecofriendly polymer. This work intended to aggregate zinc oxide (ZnO) and zirconium phosphate (ZrP) as a tentative to improve PLA crystallization and ultraviolet light stability. To easy the incorporation of ZnO in the ZrP the last one was pre-expanded with Jeffamine and following melting extruded PLA composites were prepared. X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (EDX) showed that incorporation of ZnO (around 50%) in the host filler was successful. Carbonyl absorbance ratio revealed some PLA degraded during the processing. This ratio also increased by exposure to ultraviolet lamps, but ZnO showed best stabilization in the PLA/E-A/ZrP/ZnO. X-rays diffraction revealed that fillers pre-expanded with Jeffamine promoted better dispersion but some reduction on the PLA thermal stability was noticed. Fillers promoted a slight increment of the PLA glass transition temperature. The precursor PLA presented a unique melting peak and low degree of crystallinity (around 4%). Either by compression or by extrusion, PLA lonely and in the composites presented two melting peaks identified as α' and α crystalline arrangements and an increase of crystallinity degree was achieved. The material addresses potential application as sustainable alternative for packaging industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The invasive sun corals Tubastraea spp. were introduced to Brazil in the late 1980s. The invasion prompted rapid changes in seascapes and local biological communities by excluding native species, particularly sessile ones. However, little is known about the impact on the mobile invertebrates. Using an experimental approach this study investigated the effects of living and dead sun corals and coral cover (50 vs. 100% covered areas) on the taxonomic composition, diversity (H') and abundance of reptant and natant macro-crustaceans and tanaids at the species level. Experimental units consisted of 60 tiles measuring 400 cm2, half and fully covered with living or dead corals which were deployed between 3 and 5 m for 12 months on concrete blocks. A total of 1346 specimens of decapods were obtained (27 native and 1 invasive species). 1059 specimens of the tanaid Chondrochelia dubia were sampled. The overall taxonomic composition was neither affected by coral condition (live or dead) nor by coral cover area. The diversity of reptant and natant species responded differently to coral condition and coral cover. The combination of dead corals and full cover accounted for the highest abundance of reptants. Natant abundance was influenced by coral cover area, irrespective of coral condition. The positive relationship between body size and abundance was statistically significant. Abundance of the obligate tube builder C. dubia was favoured by the greater availability of space on blocks half covered by corals. No signs were found of invasion meltdown in the mobile crustacean fauna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An electric potential appears at floating wires located within a strong electric field. This phenomenon can be used to supply small isolated communities situated close to Extra-High Voltage transmission lines. This non-conventional distributed generation system has been studied for the last years. However, to improve the power generation system the optimal position of the floating wires, number of wires used, bundle radius, and type of wires must be properly identified. This paper presents a mathematical model solved with genetic algorithm to design a collector system with optimized induced voltage and minimized project cost, identifying the optimal reactor used for voltage regulation. The algorithm was applied to design a collector system that can tap-off 100 kW from a 230 kV transmission line. The trade-off between objectives and the Pareto optimal solutions were evidenced via several simulations using the weighting sum approach. These results allowed to identify a final geometry according to a-posteriori designer preferences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to address the Ophiothela species distribution worldwide, report invasive populations, and investigate their association with benthic organisms through an extensive review of the scientific literature. All six Ophiothela species occur between latitudes 33º S and 38º N and, together, are dispersed across 75% of the marine realms. Spread throughout more than 6700 km of the Western Atlantic Ocean coastline, O. mirabilis is the only species recorded as invasive. Higher plasticity in substrate use was detected in invaded areas than in native ones, which indicates that substrate availability does not limit the invasive potential of O. mirabilis. The colonization affinity of Ophiothela species is high for Cnidaria species, irrespective of population origin. High densities (e.g., up to 2.8 brittle stars cm−2 per gorgonian surface) and opportunistic habitat colonization pattern found for O. mirabilis invasive populations suggest fast dispersion rates along the Atlantic coast. Therefore, the expansion of this species to nearby systems is likely, and the potential to damage native host species is high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on the ultrafast magnetization dynamics of [Co60Fe40/Pt]5 multilayers studied with femtosecond laser pulses. The samples were grown at room temperature by DC magnetron sputtering with Ta capping and Pt buffer layers and present the same thickness and perpendicular magnetic anisotropy as determined by vibrating sample magnetometry. Controlled growth rate of the Pt buffer layer modified the anisotropy fields and magnetic domain sizes as measured by magnetic force microscopy (MFM). An estimation of the average magnetic domain sizes was obtained from the profile of the self-correlation transform of the MFM images. For multilayers having an average magnetic domain size of 490 nm, we report a damped precession of the magnetization which decays with a time constant of ∼100 ps and which has a frequency which varies from 8.4 GHz to 17.0 GHz as the external field increases from 192 mT to 398 mT. Fitting the precession dynamics with the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation we evaluated the damping α, which decreases from 0.18 to 0.05 with increasing magnetic domain sizes (127 nm to 490 nm). These α values are higher than for single layers suggesting an enhanced scattering and spin pumping effects from the Pt adjacent layers. In addition, the precession frequency increases from 2.04 GHz to 11.50 GHz as the anisotropy field of the multilayers increases from 6.5 kOe to 13.0 kOe. Finally, a comparative analysis between micromagnetic simulations and MFM images allowed us to determine the exchange stiffness (Aex) in the [Co60Fe40/Pt]5 multilayers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A proton NMR relaxation study of the molecular dynamics in flour samples of 'Eugenia uniflora' ('Pitanga'), 'Citrus reticulate' ('Tangerine'), 'Prunus persica' ('Peach'), 'Vitis vinifera' ('Grape'), and 'Cucumis melo' ('Honeydew melon') seeds is presented. The spin-lattice relaxation time was obtained over a broad frequency range from 100 kHz to 100 MHz using both conventional and fast field-cycling NMR techniques. This relaxometry study made possible a comparison between the molecular dynamics behaviour of starch from different fruit seeds and from potatoes. I was possible to conclude that the spin-lattice dispersion presents slightly differences for all samples, in particular at low frequencies. All relaxation dispersions could be well interpreted in terms of power-law relaxation models and domains with different power-law relaxation exponents. For the Peach seeds flour the relaxation dispersion at low frequencies was very similar to that observed for potato's starch incorporated with 5% organoclay Viscogel B8 nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study to evaluate the efficacy and clinical feasibility of chemomechanical method of caries removal in root surface lesions. In the study, twenty patients, both male and female, ranging in age from 45 to 65, participated, contributing a total of 44 root surface lesions. In all cases, an ancillary instrument was necessary as an adjunct in caries removal. The use and type of ancillary hand or rotary instruments were recorded, as well as the total amount of time each instrument was used.

Here, for the first time, novel improvement in processing of polymer nanocomposite based on 2D materials as fillers leading to manufacturing by melt mixing is described. Two new strategies were used to insert pre-exfoliated 2D material into the polymer matrix, liquid-phase feeding (LPF), and solid-solid deposition (SSD). Initially, graphene oxide (GO) and polystyrene (PS) were used as templates for the 2D material and polymer, respectively. Traditional characterizations (tensile mechanical test, molecular weight, rheological measurements and transmission electron microscopy) were carried out, therefore, two unique characterization techniques beyond micro and nanoscale were also used allowing the evaluation of the nanocomposite morphology for millimeter samples size (X-ray Microtomography and Low-Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance). The results show that both methods could be suitable as large-scale manufacturing, and the process parameters must be optimized to obtain a low level of agglomerates. SSD and LPF methods were also applied to other different polymer/ 2D materials systems (poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) - PBAT/GO and PS/Molybdenum disulfide - MoS2), and the results are also presented here. The methodologies described here show indications that can be extended to all thermoplastic polymers and 2D materials providing nanocomposites with suitable morphology to obtain singular properties and to trigger the start of the manufacturing process on a large scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Riedel’s thyroiditis (RT) represents one type of IgG4-related thyroid disease (IgG4RTD) and the diagnosis involves quantitative immunohistochemistry showing dense lymphoplasmacellular inflammatory infiltrate consisting of IgG4-positive plasma cells with storiform fibrosis and obliterative phlebitis. We report a case of RT with progressive enlargement of the anterior neck, severe dysphagia, odynophagia, and dyspnea. The patient underwent surgical decompression of the airway, protection tracheotomy, and gastrostomy for nutritional intake 6 months after first symptoms. Complete resolution occurred after surgical treatment combined with prednisolone. Immunostaining revealed IgG4-positive plasma cells 12/HPF (high-power field) and the IgG4/IgG ratio 25%, values that were disproportionate to the intensity of the patient’s symptoms. As to this case and the few cases described and analyzed in the literature, our impression is that there is no relation between the intensity of symptoms in RT with the total number of IgG4-positive plasma cells and the IgG4/IgG ratio, but more studies are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the effect of crystallization temperature (300, 500 and 700 °C) on the photocatalytic and photoluminescent properties of the multilayer thin films of TiO2, In2O3 and TiO2/In2O3 which were prepared by the Complex Polymerization Method (CPM) and deposited on substrates of Si (100) by the spin coating method. The results of X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed that there was no chemical interaction between the oxides (TiO2/In2O3) in crystalline films. The morphology was observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) with a mean grain size of 15-35 nm. The result showed that the photocatalytic property is significantly increased by increasing the crystallization temperature. This is due to the agitation of the molecules which facilitates the transfer of charge between the electron and the catalyst bore. UV-vis light absorption spectra indicated that the addition of In2O3 in TiO2 films is an effective way of increasing the uptake of TiO2 in the visible region up to ~ 600 nm for photocatalytic applications, it was also possible to observe that these films could be easily Recycled for reuse. The samples were also characterized by photoluminescence, where it was possible to observe that the reduction of the PL intensity increased the photocatalytic activity of the thin films, with the increase of the crystallization temperature. In addition, the method used in this study is simple and economical compared to other methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a comparison of secondary electric arcs behavior for reclosing applications. The main objective of the paper is to show the differences in secondary arcs during simulations, laboratory tests and real life events. These comparisons can help engineers develop adaptive reclosing algorithms and improve power system stability. A software arc model, a laboratory test result and field events' harmonic contents were analyzed. Although the harmonics may differ in each method, they all provide enough information to be used in the reclosing algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Novel 3D rods ZnO:Sm monophasic microcrystals have been synthesized by the microwave-assisted hydrothermal (MAH) method at 140 °C for 10 min. The experimental results revealed that concentration of samarium have a significant influence on the band gap and photocatalysis. On the other hand, the samarium in the ZnO semiconductor structure increases photodegradation activity. ZnO sample doped with 8% Sm exhibited the best activity in the photodegradation of methylene blue dye when compared to that doped with 0-4 mol%. Enhanced photocatalytic activity was attributed to samarium, which inhibits the recombination of electron-hole pairs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the negative photoconductivity (NPC) effect that was observed in a p-type Pb1-xSnxTe film for temperatures varying from 300K down to 85 K. We found that this effect is a consequence of defect states located in the bandgap which act as trapping levels, changing the relation between generation and recombination rates. Theoretical calculations predict contributions to the NPC from both conduction and valence bands, which are in accordance with the experimental observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammatory bowel disease consists of multifactorial diseases whose common manifestation is inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and their pathogenesis remains unknown. This study aimed to analyse the gene polymorphisms in Brazilian patients with inflammatory bowel disease. A total of 101 patients diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease were analysed for the tumour necrosis factor-alpha (-308 G/A; rs1800629) and interleukin-10 (-1082 G/A; rs1800896) gene polymorphisms. Genotyping was performed through polymerase chain reaction-sequence-specific primer, then fractionated on 2% agarose gel and visualized after staining by ethidium bromide. The anatomic-clinical form of Crohn's disease ( CD) predominant was the inflammatory (32.75%), followed by fistulizing (29.31%) and 27.58% stricturing. As control group, a total of 136 healthy subjects, from the same geographical region, were enrolled. The statistical analyses were performed using R program. The frequency of the A allele at tumour necrosis factor-alpha was high in ulcerative colitis ( UC) patients (51%) than in controls (22%; P > 0.01). No statistical difference was found with the genotypic and allelic frequencies of CD patients compared to controls ( P = 0.54). The polymorphism -1082G/A of interleukin-10 was not statistical different between the diseases compared to controls. Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF- α) (-308G/A) is associated with UC onset, suggesting that the presence of -308A allele could confer a relative risk of 3.62 more to develop UC in general population. Further studies, increasing the number of individuals, should be performed to ratify the role of TNF- α in the inflammatory bowel disease pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been shown that inadequate sleep has deleterious effects on health by suppressing immunity and promoting inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of sleep and salivary glucose levels on the development of gingivitis in a prospective longitudinal study of Kuwaiti children. Data were collected from 10-y-old children ( N = 6,316) in 2012 and again in 2014. Children were approximately equally distributed from 138 elementary schools representing the 6 governorates of Kuwait. Calibrated examiners conducted oral examination, self-reported sleep evaluation interviews, anthropomorphic measurements, and unstimulated whole saliva sample collection. Salivary glucose levels were measured by a florescent glucose oxidase method; values of salivary glucose ≥1.13 mg/dL were defined as high glucose levels. A multilevel random intercept and slope analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between sleep duration and gingivitis on 3 levels: within schools, among children, and over time. The outcome was the progression of the extent of gingival inflammation in children over time. The main independent variables were the number of daily sleep hours and salivary glucose levels. Other explanatory variables and confounders assessed were governorate, dental caries and restorations, and obesity by waist circumference (adjusted for snacking and sex). Gingivitis increased over time in children who had shorter sleep duration ( P < 0.05). Salivary glucose levels >1.13 mg/dL predicted gingivitis ( P < 0.05). Children who had more decayed or filled teeth had more gingivitis ( P < 0.05). No significant association was found between gingivitis and obesity. The level of gingivitis was different among the 6 governorates of Kuwait. Additionally, there was a strong clustering effect of the observations within schools and among children across time. Longitudinal analysis of 6,316 Kuwaiti children revealed that shorter sleep duration and higher salivary glucose levels were both associated with increased gingival inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rectovaginal endometriosis nodule with 1.2x1.6 centimetres at 8.5 centimetres from the anal merge was described in the 2D ultrasound. A 25-year-old patient with a history of endometriosis and a Caesearean section (pelvic presentation) was referred to consultation due to dysmenorrhea, dyschezia, dyspareunia and pelvic chronic pain (8 in 10). The magnetic resonance reported two distinct uterine cavities separated by a fibromuscular septum from the level of the uterine fundus to the cervix and also the communication between the two endometrial cavities of probable iatrogenic cause at the level of isthmus. [Extracted from the article]

The final pathology result revealed acute salpingitis with an extensive inflammatory process and adhesions to the right ovary and uterine serosa. A 48-year-old patient with a clinical history of two vaginal births, rheumatoid arthritis, bowel diverticulosis and smoking habits was referred to consultation with slight dyspareunia and pelvic pain. [Extracted from the article]

Copyright of HOLOS is the property of Instituto Federal do Rio Grande do norte - IFRN and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of HOLOS is the property of Instituto Federal do Rio Grande do norte - IFRN and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of HOLOS is the property of Instituto Federal do Rio Grande do norte - IFRN and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose of investigation: To characterize the risk factors for abnormal cervical cytology among women with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and to determine the relationship between antiretroviral therapy (ART) and cytology results. Materials and Methods: Retrospective study of clinical data of 115 HIV-infected women between January 2008 and December 2011. Analysis of cervical smears history, as well as, epidemiologic, medical, and sexual factors, administration of ART, CD4 cells count, and HIV viral load were performed. Results: Mean age was 35.9 ± 6.5 years. Average time of HIV infection was 10.5 ± 4.5 years. HPV infection prevalence was 37.4%, the majority was high-risk. An abnormal Papanicolaou smear was found in 43.5%. Atypical squamous cell of undetermined significance (ASC-US) was reported in 7.8%, low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) in 32.2%, and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) in 3.5%. HPV infection was the only statistical predictor of abnormal cytology (p < 0.001; OR = 0.042). ART, CD4 cells count, and HIV viral load did not correlate to regression of abnormal cytology. Conclusion: These women should be followed-up according to current cervical cancer screening guidelines, independently of the therapy, CD4 cells count, and HIV viral load. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A microporous SAPO-11 Molecular sieve was successfully synthesized by the hydrothermal method, using a single agent, as an organic template: di-isopropylamine (DIPA). The obtained solid was calcined at 550◦C for three hours, after which the flow of nitrogen was exchanged for that of synthetic air and submitted for another ten hours of calcination, so as to remove the single agent: di-isopropylamine, which after the removal of the template could be observed by the high crystallization of the sample. Furthermore, the molecular sieve was characterized by XRD, SEM, TG-DTG and N2 adsorption desorption (BET analysis). The obtained catalyst proved to have a high potential catalytic activity and selectivity, through the obtained characterization results, exhibiting good hydrothermal stability. The catalytic performance of SAPO-11 was tested by the deactivation/regenerability of the coked sample, furthered by cracking of n-hexane reaction and high olefins selectivity was obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study involves the application of Short Time Discrete Fourier Transform in order to obtain the harmonic content of voltage between the terminals of 647 artificially generated long electrical arcs. Non-confined tests were conducted on three 500 kV towers specially built inside a laboratory facility, in order to represent as close as possible actual transmission line conditions. The 1-s duration arcs were artificially generated along the 4 m insulator string of a 500 kV tower by imposing a sustained 60 Hz current. The arc voltage harmonic content can be used to identify the moment at which the arc is stabilized in the air and only after this instant measured data can be used to derive mathematical arc model. A statistical analysis of the results, considering only the period for which the arc is stabilized, enabled the establishment of the harmonic signature of the electric arcs for a large arc current amplitude range. From the results it can be stated that an accurate arc model should properly reproduce the presented harmonic content for any arc current level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In diving seabirds, sexual dimorphism in size often results in sex-related differences of foraging patterns. Previous research on Magellanic penguins, conducted during the breeding season, failed to reveal consistent differences between the sexes on foraging behavior, despite sexual dimorphism. In this paper, we tested the hypothesis that male and female Magellanic penguins differ in diet and foraging patterns during the non-breeding period when the constraints imposed by chick rearing activities vanish. We used stable isotope ratios of carbon and nitrogen in feather and bone to characterize the diet and foraging patterns of male and female penguins in the South Atlantic at the beginning of the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 post-breeding seasons (feathers) and over several consecutive breeding and migratory seasons (bone). The mean δC and δN values of feathers showed no differences between the sexes in any of the three regions considered or in the diet composition between the sexes from identical breeding regions; however, Bayesian ellipses showed a higher isotopic niche width in males at the beginning of the post-breeding season. Stable isotope ratios in bone revealed the enrichment of males with δC compared with females across the three regions considered. Furthermore, the Bayesian ellipses were larger for males and encompassed those of females in two of the three regions analyzed. These results suggest a differential use of winter resources between the sexes, with males typically showing a larger diversity of foraging/migratory strategies. The results also show that dietary differences between male and female Magellanic penguins may occur once the constraints imposed by chick rearing activities cease at the beginning of the post-breeding season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the Raman and infrared spectra of different tourmaline species in the spectral range associated with the hydroxyl stretching modes, investigated through polarized Raman spectroscopy. Different lineshapes are observed for the OH spectra in uvite, fluor-uvite, magnesio-foitite, dravite and elbaite samples, and can be related to the coordination of OH in the two different structural V[O(3)]- and W[O(1)]-occupied sites. Local arrangements around the two different OH sites were assigned, and different ion substitutions for these five tourmaline species were identified. Our work with polarized Raman spectroscopy revealed that OH-stretching modes are described by totally symmetric, irreducible representations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of HOLOS is the property of Instituto Federal do Rio Grande do norte - IFRN and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Ceramica is the property of Associacao Brasileira de Ceramica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Sustainable and renewable energy has become more attractive due to its environmental benefits. Among these alternative sources, biodegradable and low emission biodiesels have been gaining attention as compared to diesel. However, their performance at low temperatures affects their commercial viability, because of engine performance problems, and when starting. Cold Filter Plugging Point, Pour Point, and Cloud Point are employed to predict the limits of operability for biodiesel. However, dynamic viscosity and TM-DSC methods are also useful to assess these properties and can be correlated. Viscosity curves were obtained, and TM-DSC revealed that the start temperature (transition liquid–solid) exhibits an increase in flow resistance for soybean, colza, sunflower, corn, and babassu oil biodiesels. The nucleation processes which occur during cooling are unique for each type of biodiesel due to the presence of different ester compositions and the values for viscosity and flow at low temperatures varied accordingly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The observation that the fluidity must remain within a critical interval, outside which the stability and functionality of the cell tends to decrease, shows that stability, fluidity and function are related and that the measure of erythrocyte stability allows inferences about the fluidity or functionality of these cells. This study determined the biochemical and hematological variables that are directly or indirectly related to erythrocyte stability in a population of 71 volunteers. Data were evaluated by bivariate and multivariate analysis. The erythrocyte stability showed a greater association with hematological variables than the biochemical variables. The RDW stands out for its strong correlation with the stability of erythrocyte membrane, without being heavily influenced by other factors. Regarding the biochemical variables, the erythrocyte stability was more sensitive to LDL-C. Erythrocyte stability was significantly associated with RDW and LDL-C. Thus, the level of LDL-C is a consistent link between stability and functionality, suggesting that a measure of stability could be more one indirect parameter for assessing the risk of degenerative processes associated with high levels of LDL-C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Males, queens and workers of stingless bees show differences in external morphology, behaviour and roles within a colony. In addition, each individual has a cuticular chemical signature responsible for mutual communication that is essential for maintaining the integrity of the colony. In this paper we characterize the cuticular hydrocarbon composition of newly emerged diploid and haploid males, workers and virgin queens of Melipona quadrifasciata by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis. This is the first time that the cuticular profile of diploid males in a species of stingless bee has been characterized. We found differences in the cuticular hydrocarbon composition among males, workers and virgin queens, recording both qualitative and quantitative differences among individuals of different phenotypes. However, no compound was found exclusively in diploid males. The cuticular chemical profiles of haploid and diploid males were very similar to those of workers. Moreover, the cuticular lipids of males and workers were significantly different from those of queens. Tricosane, pentacosene-2 and 7-methyl-heptacosane were the compounds responsible for this significant separation. This result correlates with the behavioural and morphological differences among these phenotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complementary sex determination in Hymenoptera implies that heterozygosity at the sex locus leads to the development of diploid females, whereas hemizygosity results in haploid males. Diploid males can arise through inbreeding. In social species, these pose a double burden on colony fitness, from significant reduction in its worker force and through being less viable and fertile than haploid males. Apart from being 'misfits', diploid males are of interest to assess molecular correlates for possibly ploidy-related bionomic differences. Herein, we generated suppression subtractive cDNA libraries from newly emerged haploid and diploid males of the stingless bee Melipona quadrifasciata to enrich for differentially expressed genes. Gene Ontology classification revealed that in haploid males more DEGs were related to stress responsiveness, biosynthetic processes, reproductive processes and spermatogenesis, whereas in diploid ones differentially expressed genes were associated with cellular organization, nervous system development and amino acid transport were prevalent. Furthermore, both libraries contained over 40 % ESTs representing possibly novel transcripts. Quantitative RT-PCR analyses confirmed the differential expression of a representative DEG set in newly emerged males. Several muscle formation and energy metabolism-related genes were under-expressed in diploid males. On including 5-day-old males in the analysis, changes in transcript abundance during sexual maturation were revealed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resin-based composite dental restoration materials may release bisphenol-A, an endocrine-disrupting chemical. Using secondary analysis of a randomized clinical safety trial of amalgam vs. composites, we tested the hypothesis that dental restoration materials affect children’s growth. Children (N = 218 boys, N = 256 girls) aged 6 to 10 yrs at baseline with ≥ 2 decayed posterior teeth were randomized to amalgam or composites (bisphenol-A-diglycidyl-dimethacrylate composite for permanent teeth, urethane-dimethacrylate compomer for primary teeth) for treatment of posterior caries throughout follow-up. Primary outcomes for this analysis were 5-year changes in BMI-for-age z-scores, body fat percentage (BF%), and height velocity; exploratory analyses (n = 113) examined age at menarche. Results showed no significant differences between treatment assignment and changes in physical development in boys [(composites vs. amalgam) BF%, 4.9 vs. 5.7, p = 0.49; (BMI-z-score) 0.13 vs. 0.25, p = 0.36] or girls (8.8 vs. 7.7, p = 0.95; 0.36 vs. 0.21, p = 0.49). Children with more treatment on primary teeth had greater increases in BF% regardless of material type. Girls assigned to composites had lower risk of menarche during follow-up (hazard ratio = 0.57, 95% CI 0.35-0.95). Overall, there were no significant differences in physical development over 5 years in children treated with composites or amalgam. Additional studies examining these restoration materials in relation to age at menarche are warranted (clinicaltrials.gov number NCT00065988). [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Copyright of Comunicaçõe Geológicas is the property of Laboratorio Nacional de Energia e Geologia, I.P. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Mexicana de Ingeniería Biomédica is the property of Sociedad Mexicana de Ingenieria Biomedica, A.C. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The higher is the degree of unsaturation in ester chain of a biodiesel, the smaller is its oxidation stability. Sunflower biodiesel obtained by the ethyl route possesses a high amount of unsaturated fatty acids, mainly oleic acid (C18:1) and linoleic acid (C18:2), thus being more prone to the oxidation process. In Brazil, with the purpose of meeting the specifications of the Brazilian National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP), antioxidant additives, from synthetic and natural origins, have been added to the biofuel. Antioxidants are an alternative to prevent the oxidative deterioration of the fatty acid derivatives, as they are substances able to reduce the oxidation rate. In this study, the oxidative stability of sunflower biodiesel, obtained by the ethyl route and additivated with different concentrations of the antioxidants butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and t-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ), was evaluated by means of Pressure differential scanning calorimetry (P-DSC) and the Accelerated oxidative stability test (Rancimat, Method EN 14112). The results obtained by the two techniques showed the same oxidation tendency. Thus, P-DSC can be used as an alternative to determine the oxidative stability of biodiesel. The antioxidant TBHQ, added to biodiesel at the concentrations of 2000 and 2500 mg kg, raised the oxidation induction time to a value higher than 6 h, the limit established by the Resolution ANP number 7/2008, thus being the best alternative among the studied antioxidants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]