Search

Deterministic direct-search methods have been successfully used to address real-world challenging optimization problems, including the beam angle optimization (BAO) problem in radiation therapy treatment planning. BAO is a highly non-convex optimization problem typically treated as the optimization of an expensive multi-modal black-box function which results in a computationally time consuming procedure. For the recently available modalities of radiation therapy with protons (instead of photons) further efficiency in terms of computational time is required despite the success of the different strategies developed to accelerate BAO approaches. Introducing randomization into otherwise deterministic direct-search approaches has been shown to lead to excellent computational performance, particularly when considering a reduced number (as low as two) of random poll directions at each iteration. In this study several randomized direct-search strategies are tested considering different sets of polling directions. Results obtained using a prostate and a head-and-neck cancer cases confirmed the high-quality results obtained by deterministic direct-search methods. Randomized strategies using a reduced number of polling directions showed difficulties for the higher dimensional search space (head-and-neck) and, despite the excellent mean results for the prostate cancer case, outliers were observed, a result that is often ignored in the literature. While, for general global optimization problems, mean results (or obtaining the global optimum once) might be enough for assessing the performance of the randomized method, in real-world problems one should not disregard the worst-case scenario and beware of the possibility of poor results since, many times, it is only possible to run the optimization problem once. This is even more important in healthcare applications where the mean patient does not exist and the best treatment possible must be assured for every patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Encephalitozoon cuniculi is an obligate macrophage parasite of vertebrates that commonly infects rodents, monkeys, dogs, birds, and humans. In the present study, we aimed to assess the phagocytosis and intracellular survival of E. cuniculi spores using untreated and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated J774A.1 murine macrophages and assess the macrophage viability. The experimental groups comprised untreated spores, spores killed by heat treatment at 90 °C, and spores killed by treatment with 10% formalin. LPS-activated macrophages significantly increased the phagocytosis of spores and reduced their intracellular growth after 24 and 48 h (P < 0.01); however, after 72 h, we observed an increase in spore replication but no detectable microbicidal activity. These results indicate that LPS activation enhanced E. cuniculi phagocytosis between 24 and 48 h of treatment, but the effect was lost after 72 h, enabling parasitic growth. This study contributes to the understanding of the phagocytosis and survival of E. cuniculi in murine macrophages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study thermally activated unzipping, which is modeled as a debonding process. The system is modeled as a parallel bundle of elastically interacting breakable units loaded through a series spring. Using equilibrium statistical mechanics, we compute the reversible response of this mechanical system under quasi-static driving. Depending on the stiffness of the series spring, the system exhibits either ductile behavior, characterized by noncooperative debonding, or brittle behavior, with a highly correlated detachment of the whole bundle. We show that the ductile to brittle transition is of the second order and that it can also be controlled by temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzed the spatial distribution of Yellow Sigatoka Leaf Spot relative to soil fertility and plant nutritional status using geostatistics. The experimental area comprised 1.2 ha, where 27 points were georeferenced and spaced on a regular grid 18 × 18 m. The severity of Yellow Sigatoka, soil fertility and plant nutritional status were evaluated at each point. The spherical model was adjusted for all variables using restricted maximum likelihood. Kriging maps showed the highest infection rate of Sigatoka occurred in high areas of the field which had the highest concentration of sand, while the lowest disease was found in lower areas with lower silt, organic matter, total exchangeable bases, effective cation exchange capacity, base saturation, Ca and Mg in soil, and foliar sulfur (S). These results may help farmers manage Yellow Sigatoka disease more effectively, with balanced fertilization and reduced fungicide application. This practice minimizes the environmental impact and cost of production while contributing to production sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this work was to assess the incidence of Yellow Sigatoka in banana plants cultivated with deficiencies of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur or boron. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with 8 treatments, 4 repetitions and 1 plant per repetition. The treatments were supplied in solution culture and consisted of all the nutrients (control) or nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulphur (S) or boron (B) deficiency. Leaves 1 and 2 were inoculated on the abaxial surface with a suspension of conidia and assessed every 5 days to with a total of 5 assessments. The average number of lesions were integrated for the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC). The greatest AUDPC occurred in plants deficient in K, N, P, S, or Mg. Plants deficient in N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S or B had lower leaf contents of these nutrients and showed morphological changes expressed in visual deficiency symptoms. Thus, banana plants deficient in K, N, P, S or Mg had a greater incidence of Yellow Sigatoka, compared with plants with full nutrients and plants deficient Ca or B. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efavirenz (EFV), a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, was approved for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection (HIV-1), and it is used in the high activity antiretroviral therapy in association with others drugs as the best choice of treatment in adults and children. EFV was investigated about its thermal behavior, through DSC, TG, and DTG techniques, and the kinetic parameters were evaluated by isothermal and non-isothermal conditions by Ozawa's conventional method and by an isoconversional method proposed by Ozawa-Flynn-Wall. The decomposition process was obtained by thermogravimetric curves to determine the kinetic. EFV was melted at T = 411.66 K, and the decomposition started at 528.97 K. The activation energy values obtained were 93.24 and 91.58 kJ mol for the non-isothermal and isothermal conditions, respectively, with the conventional method. The activation energy values obtained by isoconversional method were practically constant, hence the reaction involves a single step. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feedbacks between land carbon pools and climate provide one of the largest sources of uncertainty in our predictions of global climate. Estimates of the sensitivity of the terrestrial carbon budget to climate anomalies in the tropics and the identification of the mechanisms responsible for feedback effects remain uncertain. The Amazon basin stores a vast amount of carbon, and has experienced increasingly higher temperatures and more frequent floods and droughts over the past two decades. Here we report seasonal and annual carbon balances across the Amazon basin, based on carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide measurements for the anomalously dry and wet years 2010 and 2011, respectively. We find that the Amazon basin lost 0.48 ± 0.18 petagrams of carbon per year (Pg C yr−1) during the dry year but was carbon neutral (0.06 ± 0.1 Pg C yr−1) during the wet year. Taking into account carbon losses from fire by using carbon monoxide measurements, we derived the basin net biome exchange (that is, the carbon flux between the non-burned forest and the atmosphere) revealing that during the dry year, vegetation was carbon neutral. During the wet year, vegetation was a net carbon sink of 0.25 ± 0.14 Pg C yr−1, which is roughly consistent with the mean long-term intact-forest biomass sink of 0.39 ± 0.10 Pg C yr−1 previously estimated from forest censuses. Observations from Amazonian forest plots suggest the suppression of photosynthesis during drought as the primary cause for the 2010 sink neutralization. Overall, our results suggest that moisture has an important role in determining the Amazonian carbon balance. If the recent trend of increasing precipitation extremes persists, the Amazon may become an increasing carbon source as a result of both emissions from fires and the suppression of net biome exchange by drought. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The selection of appropriate radiation incidence directions in radiation therapy treatment planning is important for the quality of the treatment plan, both for appropriate tumor coverage and for better organ sparing. The objective of this paper is to discuss the benefits of using radial basis functions within a pattern search methods framework in the optimization of the highly non-convex beam angle optimization (BAO) problem. Pattern search methods are derivative-free optimization methods that require few function value evaluations to converge and have the ability to avoid local entrapment. These two characteristics gathered together make pattern search methods suited to address the BAO problem. The pattern search methods framework is composed by a search step and a poll step at each iteration. The poll step performs a local search in a mesh neighborhood and assures convergence to a local minimizer or stationary point. The search step provides the flexibility for a global search since it allows searches away from the neighborhood of the current iterate. Radial basis functions are used and tested in this step both to influence the quality of the local minimizer found by the method and to obtain a better coverage of the search space in amplitude. A set of retrospective treated cases of head-and-neck tumors at the Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Coimbra is used to discuss the benefits of using this approach in the optimization of the BAO problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this paper is to show that the use of minimum Frobenius norm quadratic models can improve the performance of direct-search methods. The approach taken here is to maintain the structure of directional direct-search methods, organized around a search and a poll step, and to use the set of previously evaluated points generated during a direct-search run to build the models. The minimization of the models within a trust region provides an enhanced search step. Our numerical results show that such a procedure can lead to a significant improvement of direct search for smooth, piecewise smooth, and noisy problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamics characteristics of picosecond soliton-like pulses propagating through add–drop optical filters, based on lossless uniform and Gaussian nonlinear fiber grating couplers, are numerically investigated under different power levels. To obtain the temporal profiles, the nonlinear coupled-mode equations, that model these devices, are solved numerically. These devices can perform the extraction (drop) of an optical signal, since there is the reflection of a pulse previously switched between adjacent waveguides. The extraction efficiency, recurrently better at low power levels, is subordinated to the matching between the associated spectra of the input pulses and the hybrid devices analyzed. The switching effects, as well the gratings responsiveness, impact on the outputs profiles, since diverse temporal shapes can be obtained. The results reinforce the importance and the potential of properly engineered structures for all-optical processing requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we have presented a numerical analysis of the stability of optical bullets (2 + 1), or spatiotemporal solitons (2 + 1), in a planar waveguide with cubic–quintic nonlinearity. The optical spatiotemporal solitons are the result of the balance between the nonlinear parameters, of dispersion (dispersion length, LD) and diffraction (diffraction length, Ld) with temporal and spatial auto-focusing behavior, respectively. With the objective of ensure the stability and preventing the collapse or the spreading of pulses, in this study we explore the cubic–quintic nonlinearity with the optical fields coupled by cross-phase modulation and considering several values for the non linear parameter α We have shown the existence of stable light bullets in planar waveguide with cubic–quintic nonlinearity through the study of spatiotemporal collisions of the light bullets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulfated polysaccharides (fucans and fucoidans) from brown algae show several biological activities, including anticoagulant and anti-inflammatory activities. We have extracted a sulfated heterofucan from the brown seaweed Lobophora variegata by proteolytic digestion, followed by acetone fractionation, molecular sieving, and ion-exchange chromatography. Chemical analyses and 13C-NMR and IR spectroscopy showed that this fucoidan is composed of fucose, galactose, and sulfate at molar ratios of 1:3:2. We compared the anticoagulant activity of L. variegata fucoidan with those of a commercial sulfated polysaccharide (also named fucoidan) from Fucus vesiculosus and heparin. The experimental inflammation models utilized in this work revealed that fucoidan from L. variegata inhibits leukocyte migration to the inflammation site. Ear swelling caused by croton oil was also inhibited when sulfated polysaccharides from F. vesiculosus and L. variegata were used. The precise mechanism of different action between homo-and heterofucans is not clear; nevertheless, the polysaccharides studied here may have therapeutic potential in inflammatory disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extended-release primaquine tablets were developed using polyethylene oxide (PEO) as a hydrophilic swellable polymer with different amounts and molecular weights (4 × 106 and 8 × 106). Investigations were carried out in order to verify the matrix performance. The evaluated parameters were weight, hardness, thickness, friability, and drug content. The swelling and erosion matrices as well as drug release profile were analyzed under dissolution conditions. The statistical model ANOVA and Tukey-Kramer HSD were considered. The results showed that all formulations provided adequate physical characteristics and a time release about eight hours following a non-Fickian diffusion model. The kinetics of drug delivery was directly related to the synchronization of swelling and erosion matrices. The formulations prepared with high PEO concentrations showed a lower rate of erosion, a slower drug release, and faster rate of swelling, as compared with matrices containing lower PEO concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study of the structural characteristics of the composites [Pb(Fe0.5Nb0.5)O3(PFN)] x -[Cr0.75Fe1.25O3(CRFO)]100− x ( x = 0 (CRFO100), 10, 50, 90, 100) was performed in this work. The compounds PFN100 and CRFO100 were prepared by conventional solid-state method and investigated by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and 57Fe Mössbauer Spectroscopy techniques. The X-ray analysis shows that PFN100 is tetragonal and the CRFO100 phase has a trigonal symmetry. The refinement of all the composites was also performed and discussed in this paper. The Mössbauer spectrum for the composite samples shows a paramagnetic doublet and a sextet probably assigned to a magnetic phase associated to Fe+3. For the sample PFN100, only a magnetic field of 49.5 T (isomer shift (δ) = 0.21 mm/s) was detected. For the composite sample, the δ and Δ are typical of Fe ions at sites of octahedral coordination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we did a study of logic gates obtained in the operation of a three-core non linear directional coupler (TNLDC) and an asymmetric two-core coupler (DNLDC) operating in the CW regime (the laser signals have the same wavelength). The symmetric three-core coupler (TNLDC), with their cores identical, in a planar arrangement, was studied using a control pulse applied to the first core. The second structure is an asymmetric two-core coupler (DNLDC). Looking at the transmission characteristics of the device, through the direct and cross channel, we did a study of the extinction ratio (Xratio) of these devices. For both devices we did a numerical investigation with the objective to implement logic gates. The DNLDC supplied AND, OR and XOR gates while the TNLDC supplied AND, NAND, OR, XOR and NOT gates. In comparing the performance of both switches operating as logic gates (DNLDC and TNLDC) we define, for the first time, a figure-of-merit of the logic gates (FOMELG). In this criteria the FOMELG is defined as a function of the extinction ratio of the gate outputs. Comparing the same gates of the three and two-core NLDC we observe that the logical gates of the three-core TNLDC present a better performance than the one of the two-core DNLDC considering the figure of merit FOMELG, besides the fact that is simpler to fabricate a symmetrical coupler (with identical cores) comparing with an asymmetric coupler. We believe that the use of this figure of merit will be useful in the study of the performance of logic gates to be used in communication systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study of the effect of the presence of BIT (Bi4Ti3O12) in the dielectric and optical properties of the CaCu3Ti4O12 (CCTO) is presented. The samples were prepared by the solid state procedure. Mechanical alloying followed by the solid state procedure has been used successfully to produce powders of CaCu3Ti4O12 (CCTO) and BIT (Bi4Ti3O12) to be used in the composites. We also look at the effect of the grain size of the BIT and CCTO in the final properties of the composite. The samples were studied using X-Ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman and infrared spectroscopy. We also did a study of the dielectric function K and dielectric loss of the samples. The role played by the grain size of CCTO and BIT in the dielectric constant and structural properties of the substrates are discussed. For frequencies below 10 MHz the K value presented by the CCTO100 sample is always higher than the K value presented by the BIT100 sample. At 100 Hz the value of K 1900 for the CCTO100 sample and 288 for the BIT100 sample. However for the composite sample one has an unexpected result. The dielectric constant is higher for all the frequencies under study. At 100 Hz the value of the K is around 10.000 for the BIT10 sample. Which is more than one order bigger compared to the CCTO100 value for the same frequency. Therefore, these measurements confirm the potential use of such materials for small high dielectric planar devices. These composites are also attractive for capacitor applications and certainly for microelectronics, microwave devices (cell mobile phones for example), where the miniaturization of the devices is crucial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study shows the cytotoxic effect of three different classes of algal polysaccharides on HL60 cells. Three galactofucans, fucoidan, and glucan were the polysaccharides utilized in this analysis. The parameters used for evaluating cell viability were [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] (MTT) reduction, protein content, and phosphatase activity. We demonstrated stimulation of phosphatase activity, MTT reduction, and protein content in relation to three types of galactofucans (1, 2, and 3) with different molecular weights (1600, 1200, and 360 kD). However, when HL60 cells were treated with galactofucan type 3, the total protein remained unchanged. Under the same experimental conditions, an expressed increase in the phosphatase activity was detected when galactofucan 3 was utilized. In relation to the mitochondrial function, the stimulation was higher in cells treated with galactofucan type 1. Fucoidan did not have a significant effect on MTT reduction, but protein content was decreased (IC50 around 30 μg/ml). Glucan also activated all the parameters that were analyzed, and this effect was more expressed in the phosphatase activity and in the protein content. This study provides new insights into the cytotoxic action of polysaccharides on HL60 cells and suggests for the first time the possible involvement of phosphatases in this process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The X-ray fluorescence microtomography (XRFMT) is a non-destructive technique, based on the detection of X-ray fluorescence emitted by the elements in the sample, and it is used to complement other techniques for sample characterization. In this work some tissues of human breast (healthy tissue, benign tumor and malignant tumor) have been analyzed in order to verify the efficiency of the system in the determination of the elemental distribution in these types of samples. The experiments were performed at the X-ray fluorescence beam line (D09B-XRF) of the Brazilian Synchrotron Light Source (LNLS), Campinas, Brazil. A white beam was used for the excitation of the elements and an HPGe detector detected the fluorescence photons. The incident beam was monitored by an ionization chamber and a fast scintillator detector was used to detect the transmitted radiation. All the tomographies have been reconstructed using a filtered-back projection algorithm. In the tissues samples, the elements of higher concentration were Zn, Cu and Fe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary. Tomato-infecting begomoviruses have been reported throughout Brazil since the introduction of the B biotype of Bemisia tabaci. Here, we report a large scale survey on the distribution and genetic diversity of tomato-infecting begomoviruses. Tomato samples with typical begomovirus symptoms were collected in seven different states, comprising the major tomato growing areas of the country. Viruses were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using universal primers for the genus Begomovirus. PCR-amplified fragments were cloned and sequenced. Based on sequence comparisons and phylogenetic analyses, at least seven previously undescribed species of begomoviruses were found. Four of the new viruses were found exclusively in the Southeastern states, two exclusively in the Northeastern states, and one was found in both regions. Sequence comparisons reveal strong evidence of recombination among the Brazilian begomoviruses. Together, the results indicate the existence of a high degree of pre-existing genetic diversity among tomato-infecting begomoviruses in Brazil and suggest that these viruses have emerged after being transferred from natural hosts to tomatoes, due to the introduction into Brazil of a novel polyfagous biotype of the whitefly vector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]