Abstract: The formation of the Isthmus of Panama stands as one of the greatest natural events of the Cenozoic, driving profound biotic transformations on land and in the oceans. Some recent studies suggest that the Isthmus formed many millions of years earlier than the widely recognized age of approximately 3 million years ago (Ma), a result that if true would revolutionize our understanding of environmental, ecological, and evolutionary change across the Americas. To bring clarity to the question of when the Isthmus of Panama formed, we provide an exhaustive review and reanalysis of geological, paleontological, and molecular records. These independent lines of evidence converge upon a cohesive narrative of gradually emerging land and constricting seaways, with formation of the Isthmus of Panama sensu stricto around 2.8 Ma. The evidence used to support an older isthmus is inconclusive, and we caution against the uncritical acceptance of an isthmus before the Pliocene.

Abstract: Este artigo pretende discutir a amostragem nomeada como “bola de neve”, uma forma de amostra nao probabilistica que utiliza cadeias de referencia. Apesar de suas limitacoes, a amostragem em bola de neve pode ser util para pesquisar grupos dificeis de serem acessados ou estudados, bem como quando nao ha precisao sobre sua quantidade. Alem disso, esse tipo especifico de amostragem tambem e util para estudar questoes delicadas, de ambito privado e, portanto, que requer o conhecimento das pessoas pertencentes ao grupo ou reconhecidos por estas para localizar informantes para estudo. Apesar da existencia de alguns trabalhos sobre essa forma de amostragem em outros paises, no Brasil e quase nula a producao de artigos referentes a propria aplicacao dessa forma de amostragem, e este trabalho pretende auxiliar nas discussoes possiveis sobre a mesma.

Abstract: Resumo O proposito desta pesquisa e abordar a analise e a indexacao de paisagens da vida rural tendo por referencia o Arquivo Fotografico Ilustrativo dos Trabalhos Geograficos de Campo, do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica, cujas fotografias foram produzidas pelos geografos agrarios do entao Conselho Nacional de Geografia, entre os anos de 1940 e 1960. Trata-se de uma pesquisa exploratoria que aborda a informacao geografica no âmbito da Ciencia da Informacao voltada para a organizacao e a representacao do conhecimento registrado no processo de transferencia da informacao. Partindo de estudos sobre a paisagem levantados na literatura de Geografia e conjugado com a bibliografia das areas de Arquivologia, Biblioteconomia, Ciencia da Informacao e Historia, buscou-se identificar conceitos e categorias que subsidiaram a proposta de uma matriz para analise e indexacao de fotografias de paisagens. Os conjuntos fotograficos selecionados do acervo para o experimento referem-se as regioes brasileiras Nordeste e Sul, de acordo com a primeira divisao oficial proposta pelo Conselho Nacional de Geografia em 1941.

Abstract: The products formed by glycosylation of food proteins with carbohydrates via the Maillard reaction, also known as conjugates, are agents capable of changing and improving techno-functional characteristics of proteins. The Maillard reaction uses the covalent bond between a group of a reducing carbohydrates and an amino group of a protein. This reaction does not require additional chemicals as it occurs naturally under controlled conditions of temperature, time, pH, and moisture. Moreover, there is growing interest in modifying proteins for industrial food applications. This review analyses the current state of art of the Maillard reaction on food protein functionalities. It also discusses the influence of the Maillard reaction on the conditions and formulation of reagents that improve desirable techno-functional characteristics of food protein.

Abstract: Although many insects successfully live in dangerous environments exposed to diverse communities of microbes, they are often exploited and killed by specialist pathogens. Studies of host-pathogen interactions (HPI) provide valuable insights into the dynamics of the highly aggressive coevolutionary arms race between entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) and their arthropod hosts. The host defenses are designed to exclude the pathogen or mitigate the damage inflicted while the pathogen responds with immune evasion and utilization of host resources. EPF neutralize their immediate surroundings on the insect integument and benefit from the physiochemical properties of the cuticle and its compounds that exclude competing microbes. EPF also exhibit adaptations aimed at minimizing trauma that can be deleterious to both host and pathogen (eg, melanization of hemolymph), form narrow penetration pegs that alleviate host dehydration and produce blastospores that lack immunogenic sugars/enzymes but facilitate rapid assimilation of hemolymph nutrients. In response, insects deploy an extensive armory of hemocytes and macromolecules, such as lectins and phenoloxidase, that repel, immobilize, and kill EPF. New evidence suggests that immune bioactives work synergistically (eg, lysozyme with antimicrobial peptides) to combat infections. Some proteins, including transferrin and apolipophorin III, also demonstrate multifunctional properties, participating in metabolism, homeostasis, and pathogen recognition. This review discusses the molecular intricacies of these HPI, highlighting the interplay between immunity, stress management, and metabolism. Increased knowledge in this area could enhance the efficacy of EPF, ensuring their future in integrated pest management programs.

Abstract: Large rivers create major gaps in reef distribution along tropical shelves. The Amazon River represents 20% of the global riverine discharge to the ocean, generating up to a 1.3 × 106–km2 plume, and extensive muddy bottoms in the equatorial margin of South America. As a result, a wide area of the tropical North Atlantic is heavily affected in terms of salinity, pH, light penetration, and sedimentation. Such unfavorable conditions were thought to imprint a major gap in Western Atlantic reefs. We present an extensive carbonate system off the Amazon mouth, underneath the river plume. Significant carbonate sedimentation occurred during lowstand sea level, and still occurs in the outer shelf, resulting in complex hard-bottom topography. A permanent near-bottom wedge of ocean water, together with the seasonal nature of the plume’s eastward retroflection, conditions the existence of this extensive (~9500 km2) hard-bottom mosaic. The Amazon reefs transition from accretive to erosional structures and encompass extensive rhodolith beds. Carbonate structures function as a connectivity corridor for wide depth–ranging reef-associated species, being heavily colonized by large sponges and other structure-forming filter feeders that dwell under low light and high levels of particulates. The oxycline between the plume and subplume is associated with chemoautotrophic and anaerobic microbial metabolisms. The system described here provides several insights about the responses of tropical reefs to suboptimal and marginal reef-building conditions, which are accelerating worldwide due to global changes.

Abstract: Ultrahigh energy cosmic ray air showers probe particle physics at energies beyond the reach of accelerators Here we introduce a new method to test hadronic interaction models without relying on the absolute energy calibration, and apply it to events with primary energy 6-16 EeV (E_CM = 110-170 TeV), whose longitudinal development and lateral distribution were simultaneously measured by the Pierre Auger Observatory The average hadronic shower is 133 +- 016 (161 +- 021) times larger than predicted using the leading LHC-tuned models EPOS-LHC (QGSJetII-04), with a corresponding excess of muons

Abstract: The NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T cells) family of transcription factors consists of four Ca2+-regulated members (NFAT1–NFAT4), which were first described in T lymphocytes. In addition to their well-documented role in T lymphocytes, where they control gene expression during cell activation and differentiation, NFAT proteins are also expressed in a wide range of cells and tissue types and regulate genes involved in cell cycle, apoptosis, angiogenesis and metastasis. The NFAT proteins share a highly conserved DNA-binding domain (DBD), which allows all NFAT members to bind to the same DNA sequence in enhancers or promoter regions. The same DNA-binding specificity suggests redundant roles for the NFAT proteins, which is true during the regulation of some genes such as IL-2 and p21. However, it has become increasingly clear that different NFAT proteins and even isoforms can have unique functions. In this review, we address the possible reasons for these distinct roles, particularly regarding N- and C-terminal transactivation regions (TADs) and the partner proteins that interact with these TADs. We also discuss the genes regulated by NFAT during cell cycle regulation and apoptosis and the role of NFAT during tumorigenesis.

Abstract: Resumo O objetivo deste artigo e apresentar a cobertura da Estrategia Saude da Familia (ESF) estimada pela Pesquisa Nacional de Saude (PNS), comparando com dados administrativos e coberturas anteriores da Pesquisa Nacional de Amostras de Domicilios (PNAD), alem de descrever frequencias de visitas domiciliares das equipes. Foram comparados dados de inqueritos populacionais em 2008 (PNAD), em 2013 (PNS) e dados administrativos do Departamento de Atencao Basica, sobre a proporcao de pessoas moradoras em domicilios cadastrados em unidade de saude da familia, para Brasil, Grandes Regioes e Unidades da Federacao, alem de indicadores com visitas domiciliares por escolaridade. Observou-se aumento na cobertura da populacao pelo Saude da Familia no Brasil, passando de 50,9%, segundo a PNAD 2008, para 53,4% em 2013, segundo a PNS. O crescimento ocorreu no Brasil, Grandes Regioes, urbano e rural. Os dados da PNS em 2013 foram semelhantes aos administrativos do DAB em 2013, cerca de 56% de domicilios cadastrados. Populacoes com menor escolaridade receberam mais visitas domiciliares mensalmente. A ESF e um importante promotor de equidade em saude e o aumento de sua cobertura e abrangencia e exitoso no pais.

Abstract: Among the alternative host materials for solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs), polycarbonates have recently shown promising functionality in all-solid-state lithium batteries from ambient to elevated temperatures. While the computational and experimental investigations of ion conduction in conventional polyethers have been extensive, the ion transport in polycarbonates has been much less studied. The present work investigates the ionic transport behavior in SPEs based on poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC) and its co-polymer with epsilon-caprolactone (CL) via both experimental and computational approaches. FTIR spectra indicated a preferential local coordination between Li+ and ester carbonyl oxygen atoms in the P(TMC20CL80) co-polymer SPE. Diffusion NMR revealed that the co-polymer SPE also displays higher ion mobilities than PTMC. For both systems, locally oriented polymer domains, a few hundred nanometers in size and with limited connections between them, were inferred from the NMR spin relaxation and diffusion data. Potentiostatic polarization experiments revealed notably higher cationic transference numbers in the polycarbonate based SPEs as compared to conventional polyether based SPEs. In addition, MD simulations provided atomic-scale insight into the structure-dynamics properties, including confirmation of a preferential Li+-carbonyl oxygen atom coordination, with a preference in coordination to the ester based monomers. A coupling of the Li-ion dynamics to the polymer chain dynamics was indicated by both simulations and experiments.

Abstract: Este artigo objetiva analisar a divisao sexual do trabalho no Brasil e entre suas regioes. Para tanto, foram realizadas estatisticas descritivas, com base na Pnad 2004 e 2014, da participacao no mercado de trabalho, da participacao nos afazeres domesticos, das horas de afazeres domesticos e das horas trabalhadas. Os resultados revelam que a divisao sexual do trabalho e desigual e desfavoravel para as mulheres brasileiras, nao havendo muita heterogeneidade entre as regioes.

Abstract: Importance The timing and selection of patients with Kawasaki disease for corticosteroid use to prevent coronary artery complications remain controversial. Objective To evaluate the effect of corticosteroid therapy in KD. Data Sources Databases of Medline, The Cochrane Library, and the Clinicaltrials.gov website until July 2015. We used the key words [“Kawasaki disease”] and [“steroid” OR “corticosteroid”] to retrieve potentially relevant studies in the databases of Medline, the Cochrane Library, and the Clinicaltrials.gov website until July 2015. Both English and non-English literature was identified. Titles and abstracts were reviewed by 2 authors (S.C. and Y.D.) to determine suitability for inclusion. Relevant articles were reassessed by reviewing the full text. Discrepancies in study inclusion were resolved by consensus (M.G.K.). Study Selection Clinical studies that compared corticosteroids plus intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy with IVIG therapy alone in treating patients with KD. Studies either using corticosteroids as initial therapy or as rescue therapy were included. Data Extraction and Synthesis Investigators independently extracted the data information. Data were quantitatively synthesized using random-effects analysis. Main Outcomes and Measures Rate of coronary artery abnormalities. Results Sixteen comparative studies characterizing 2746 patients were analyzed. The duration of illness before corticosteroids therapy was significantly shorter in the initial corticosteroids subset than in the rescue corticosteroids subset. The rate of coronary artery abnormalities was significantly lower in adjunctive corticosteroids therapy than in IVIG therapy (odds ratio [OR], 0.424; 95% CI, 0.270-0.665). Meta-regression based on known variables demonstrated that the overall efficacy was negatively correlated with the duration of illness before corticosteroid therapy ( P Conclusions and Relevance This study highlights the importance of timing to prevent coronary artery complication in treating KD. High-risk patients with KD benefit greatly from a timely and potent adjunctive corticosteroid therapy strategy.

Abstract: Background: The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the effects of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) membranes on the outcomes of clinical treatments in patients with gingival recession.Methods: Articles that were published before June 2015 were searched electronically in four databases without any date or language restrictions and searched manually in regular journals and unpublished studies. The eligibility criteria comprised randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and prospective controlled trials with follow-up periods of ≥6 months that compared the performance of PRF to other biomaterials in the treatment of Miller Class I or II gingival recessions. For the meta-analysis, the inverse variance method was used in fixed- or random-effect models, which were chosen according to heterogeneity. The estimates of the intervention effects were expressed as the mean differences in percentages or millimeters.Results: Six RCTs and one prospective clinical trial are included in this review. Root coverage (RC) and cl...

Abstract: Introduction: National chronic dialysis data have had impact in the treatment planning. Objective: To report data of the annual survey of the Brazilian Society of Nephrology about chronic kidney disease patients on dialysis in July 2014. Methods: A survey based on data of dialysis units from the whole country. The data collection was performed by using a questionnaire filled out on-line by the dialysis units. Results: Three hundred twelve (44%) of the dialysis units in the country answered the questionnaire. In July 2014, the total estimated number of patients on dialysis was 112,004. The estimated prevalence and incidence rates of chronic maintenance dialysis were 552 (range: 364 in the North region and 672 in the Southeast) and 180 patients per million population (pmp), respectively. The annual incidence rate of patients with diabetic nephropathy was 77 pmp. The annual gross mortality rate was 19%. For prevalent patients, 91% were on hemodialysis and 9% on peritoneal dialysis, 32,499 (29%) were on a waiting list of renal transplant, 37% were overweight/obese, 29% were diabetics, 16% had PTH levels > 600 pg/ml and 26% hemoglobin < 10 g/dl. A venous catheter was the vascular access for 17% of the hemodialysis patients. Conclusion: During 2011-2014 the prevalence and incidence rates of patients on dialysis tended to increase, while the gross mortality rate remained stable. In 2014, diabetes was the primary renal disease in 42% of the new dialysis patients.

Abstract: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been broadly used as antibacterial and antiviral agents. Further, interests for green AgNP synthesis have increased in recent years and several results for AgNP biological synthesis have been reported using bacteria, fungi and plant extracts. The understanding of the role and nature of fungal proteins, their interaction with AgNPs and the subsequent stabilization of nanosilver is yet to be deeply investigated. Therefore, in an attempt to better understand biogenic AgNP stabilization with the extracellular fungal proteins and to describe these supramolecular interactions between proteins and silver nanoparticles, AgNPs, produced extracellularly by Aspergillus tubingensis—isolated as an endophytic fungus from Rizophora mangle—were characterized in order to study their physical characteristics, identify the involved proteins, and shed light into the interactions among protein-NPs by several techniques. AgNPs of around 35 nm in diameter as measured by TEM and a positive zeta potential of +8.48 mV were obtained. These AgNPs exhibited a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band at 440 nm, indicating the nanoparticles formation, and another band at 280 nm, attributed to the electronic excitations in tryptophan, tyrosine, and/or phenylalanine residues in fungal proteins. Fungal proteins were covalently bounded to the AgNPs, mainly through S–Ag bonds due to cysteine residues (HS–) and with few N–Ag bonds from H2N– groups, as verified by Raman spectroscopy. Observed supramolecular interactions also occur by electrostatic and other protein–protein interactions. Furthermore, proteins that remain free on AgNP surface may perform hydrogen bonds with other proteins or water increasing thus the capping layer around the AgNPs and consequently expanding the hydrodynamic diameter of the particles (~264 nm, measured by DLS). FTIR results enabled us to state that proteins adsorbed to the AgNPs did not suffer relevant secondary structure alteration upon their physical interaction with the AgNPs or when covalently bonded to them. Eight proteins in the AgNP dispersion were identified by mass spectrometry analyses. All these proteins are involved in metabolic pathways of the fungus and are important for carbon, phosphorous and nitrogen uptake, and for the fungal growth. Thereby, important proteins for fungi are also involved in the formation and stabilization of the biogenic AgNPs.

Abstract: Earth’s crust diverges and extends along mid-ocean ridges. Analyses of gravity and seismic data from the equatorial Atlantic show that propagation of ridge segments can compress the crust and create sufficient uplift to create small islands.

Abstract: Background: A Systematic Literature Review (SLR) is a methodology used to aggregate relevant evidence related to one or more research questions. Whenever new evidence is published after the completion of a SLR, this SLR should be updated in order to preserve its value. However, updating SLRs involves significant effort. Objective: The goal of this paper is to investigate the application of forward snowballing to support the update of SLRs. Method: We compare outcomes of an update achieved using the forward snowballing versus a published update using the search-based approach, i.e., searching for studies in electronic databases using a search string. Results: Forward snowballing showed a higher precision and a slightly lower recall. It reduced in more than five times the number of primary studies to filter however missed one relevant study. Conclusions: Due to its high precision, we believe that the use of forward snowballing considerably reduces the effort in updating SLRs in Software Engineering; however the risk of missing relevant papers should not be underrated.