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Dog bites are a known public health problem involving physical, mental and emotional traumas. From a forensic point of view, it has been stated that their morphological characters, and the intercanine and interincisive measurements, could allow a taxonomic and specific identification of the implicated animal. The aim of this study was to differentiate and identify the biological profile of a potential aggressor dog by analysing eight morphometric bite patterns belonging to three different dog breeds. The data obtained were analyzed following three categories: a) breeds; b) sexes among breeds; and c) sex within breed. Significant differences were detected among the variables (p£ 0.05), but only the maximum maxillary intercanines width (MaxCW) allowed a breed differentiation. The other variables allowed a differentiation between two breeds or one breed over the others. The principal components analysis (PCA) allowed visualizing the degree of dispersion and relationship among the scores. It showed three well-defined and separated breed groups, and different degrees of dispersion within and among breeds. The most important variable for such a differentiation was MaxCW. When considering sex among breeds for males, it showed a statistically significant difference, but only the diastema located between the third left mandibular, incisive and the left mandibular canine (C-I-ManL) allowed breed differentiation. For females, only MaxCW allowed a differentiation among breeds. The multivariate analysis permitted with a 95% confidence interval, a breed and sex differentiation. Besides, the PCA models allowed classifying, identifying, separating and graphically showing the relationship among the variables. This made it possible to differentiate between breeds and sexes. Due to the large range of dog breeds around the world, this multivariate analysis could also help determining the dog's weight and size, narrowing down towards an approximate number of offending dogs, focussing on a certain kind of dog breed, and pinpointing any suspect dog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we present a generalisation of previously considered Marko- vian models for Tennis that overcome the assumption that the points played are i.i.d. Indeed, we postulate that in any game there are two different sit- uations: the first 6 points and the, possible, additional points after the first deuce, with different winning probabilities. We are able to compute the win- ning probabilities and the expected number of points played to complete a game and a set in this more general setting. We apply our results considering scores of matches between Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the study "Relationship Between Concentration of Superoxide Dismutase With Time and Timed Artificial Insemination Pregnancy Rate in Cows With High Milk Production," by M. Maturana Filho et al is presented.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) correspond to a class of endogenous small non-coding RNAs (19-24 nt) that regulates the gene expression, through mRNA target cleavage or translation inhibition. In plants, miRNAs have been shown to play pivotal roles in a wide variety of metabolic and biological processes like plant growth, development, and response to biotic and abiotic stress. Soybean is one of the most important crops worldwide, due to the production of oil and its high protein content. The reproductive phase is considered the most important for soybean yield, which is mainly intended to produce the grains. The identification of miRNAs is not yet saturated in soybean, and there are no studies linking them to the different floral organs. In this study, three different mature soybean floral whorls were used in the construction of sRNA libraries. The sequencing of petal, carpel and stamen libraries generated a total of 10,165,661 sequences. Subsequent analyses identified 200 miRNAs sequences, among which, 41 were novel miRNAs, 80 were conserved soybean miRNAs, 31 were new antisense conserved soybean miRNAs and 46 were soybean miRNAs isoforms. We also found a new miRNA conserved in other plant species, and finally one miRNA-sibling of a soybean conserved miRNA. Conserved and novel miRNAs were evaluated by RT-qPCR.We observed a differential expression across the three whorls for six miRNAs. Computational predicted targets for miRNAs analyzed by RT-qPCR were identified and present functions related to reproductive process in plants. In summary, the increased accumulation of specific and novel miRNAs indifferent whorls indicates that miRNAs are an important part of the regulatory network in soybean flower. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The response of the meiofauna communities to the discharge of synthetic-based mud (SBM) cuttings from an exploratory drill was analyzed in a deep-sea site (mean depth of 890m) in the Campos Basin, southeast Brazil. A total of 159 samples were taken on three sampling cruises: one pre- and two post-drilling (1 month and 1 year after drilling). One month after drilling, significant decreases in the meiofauna density and number of taxa were observed, as well as in nematode density and richness (number of families and genera); conversely, relative abundances of non-selective deposit-feeding nematodes, particularly the genus Sabatieria, increased significantly. Univariate and multivariate analyses indicate that the impacts on meiofauna were not restricted to a potential area of impact predicted by a model of cuttings dispersal; meiofauna changes just after the drilling agreed with the model in showing northward dispersal but over a larger area. The meiofauna, however, showed a weak correlation with the analyzed chemical parameters, such as hydrocarbon and metal concentrations. The results suggest that the effects of SBM drill cutting discharge on the meiofauna were probably related to physical changes in the substrate. Twelve months after drilling, most of the values of the meiofauna descriptors had returned to pre-impact period values. Nonetheless, the multivariate structure of meiofauna community was still significantly different, and the number of meiofauna taxa, densities of copepods, and epigrowth-feeder nematodes increased significantly. The increase of superficial forms of meiofauna in the deep sea may last until complete disaggregation of the cuttings. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this work we studied the behavior of the energy level of the ground state for both electrons and holes in a GaAs- Ga1-xAlxAs pillbox immersed in a system of Ga1-yAlyAs as a function of an applied hydrostatic pressure. We have found that the electron - light hole transition energy present an excellent agreement with experimental reports by Venkateswaran et al, PRB 33, 8416 (1986). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The location of and threats to biodiversity are distributed unevenly, so prioritization is essential to minimize biodiversity loss. To address this need, biodiversity conservation organizations have proposed nine templates of global priorities over the past decade. Here, we review the concepts, methods, results, impacts, and challenges of these prioritizations of conservation practice within the theoretical irreplaceability/vulnerability framework of systematic conservation planning. Most of the templates prioritize highly irreplaceable regions; some are reactive (prioritizing high vulnerability), and others are proactive (prioritizing low vulnerability). We hope this synthesis improves understanding of these prioritization approaches and that it results in more efficient allocation of geographically flexible conservation funding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large amounts of fish waste are produced by the fish processing plants. This waste could be used to obtain high value-added products, such as long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Thus, the aim of this work was to evaluate the enzymatic hydrolysis of low commercial value crude fish oil through chemical parameters. Crude fish oil was obtained from mixed fishmeal production and was chemically refined. Candida rugosa lipase AY "Amano" 30 was utilized to catalyze the enzymatic hydrolysis. The acidity index, iodine value, saponification index and peroxide value were used to characterize the samples studied. The chemical refining process yielded 62.75% and improved the quality of crude fish oil by reducing the acidity index around 91%. The best results of hydrolysis degree (23.45%) and iodine value (120 g I2 g-1) were obtained at 45°C after 6 h of lipase action. The iodine value of crude oil was not affected by processing, indicating that the nutritional quality was preserved in the refined oil. Despite the hydrolysis process showed good results, it was not sufficient to concentrate the unsaturated fatty acids of refined oil, as indicated by the iodine value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monte Carlo proton dose calculations requires mass densities calculated from the patient CT image. This work investigates the impact of different single-energy CT (SECT) and dual-energy CT (DECT) to density conversion methods in proton dose distributions for brain tumours. Material and methods: Head CT scans for four patients were acquired in SECT and DECT acquisition modes. Commercial software was used to reconstruct DirectDensity™ images in Relative Electron Densities (RED, ρ e ) and to obtain DECT-based pseudo-monoenergetic images (PMI). PMI and SECT images were converted to RED using piecewise linear interpolations calibrated on a head-sized phantom, these fits were referred to as "PMI2RED" and "CT2RED". Two DECT-based calibration methods ("Hünemohr-15it" and "Saito-15it") were also investigated. ρ e images were converted to mass-densities ( ρ m ) to investigate ρ m differences and one representative patient case was used to make a proton treatment plan. Using CT2RED as reference method, dose distribution differences in the target and in five organs-at-risk (OARs) were quantified. Results: In the phantom study, Saito-15it and Hünemohr-15it produced the lowest ρ e root-mean-square error (0.7%) and DirectDensity™ the highest error (2.7%). The proton plan evaluated in the Saito-15it and Hünemohr-15it datasets showed the largest relative differences compared to initial CT2RED plan down to −6% of the prescribed dose. Compared to CT2RED, average range differences were calculated: −0.1 ± 0.3 mm for PMI2RED; −0.8 ± 0.4 mm for Hünemohr-15it, and −1.2 ± 0.4 mm for Saito-15it. Conclusion: Given the wide choice of available conversion methods, studies investigating the density accuracy for proton dose calculations are necessary. However, there is still a gap between performing accuracy studies in reference ρ e phantoms and applying these methods in human CT images. For this treatment case, the PMI2RED method was equivalent to the conventional CT2RED method in terms of dose distribution, CTV coverage and OAR sparing, whereas Hünemohr-15it and Saito-15it presented the largest differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resistance to antibiotics has being considered one of the greatest public health problems worldwide. The objective of this systematic review was to compile important bibliographical references that support the studies related to the biotechnological potential of antimicrobial peptides. Antimicrobial peptides are considered the major components of the innate immune system and work in defence against infections caused by different microorganisms. Many researchers argue that the studies associated with the discoveries of antimicrobial peptides that are more effective in the treatment of infections caused by microorganisms be also directed to the substances produced by insects. The major aspects associated to the technological potential of antimicrobial peptides are, general characteristics, classification, mode of action and prospects for applying, mainly in the pharmaceutical industry. It can be concluded that research for new substances with action against pathogenic microorganisms aim mainly to seek alternatives to the use of antibiotics. In addition, anticancer peptides are small cationic molecules with promising pharmacological use. However, the products for application in the protection of food, treatment of skin infections and its use in the cosmetics industry are those with the greatest potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invertases are used for several purposes; one among these is the production of fructooligosaccharides. The aim of this study was to biochemically characterize invertase from industrial Saccharomyces cerevisiae CAT-1 and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa isolated from Cerrado soil. The optimum pH and temperature were 4.0 and 70 °C for Rhodotorula mucilaginosa invertase and 4.5 and 50 °C for Saccharomyces cerevisiae invertase. The pH and thermal stability from 3.0 to 10.5 and 75 °C for R. mucilaginosa invertase, respectively. The pH and thermal stability for S. cerevisiae CAT-1 invertase from 3.0 to 7.0, and 50 °C, respectively. Both enzymes showed good catalytic activity with 10% of ethanol in reaction mixture. The hydrolysis by invertases occurs predominantly when sucrose concentrations are ≤5%. On the other hand, the increase in the concentration of sucrose to levels above 10% results in the highest transferase activity, reaching about 13.3 g/L of nystose by S. cerevisiae invertase and 12.6 g/L by R. mucilaginosa invertase. The results demonstrate the high structural stability of the enzyme produced by R. mucilaginosa, which is an extremely interesting feature that would enable the application of this enzyme in industrial processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]