Showing papers by "Rio de Janeiro State University published in 2023"

Characterization an wooden Pietà sculpture from the XVIII century using XRF and microct techniques

Abstract: In this work the pigments, ground layer and the structure of a polychrome wooden Pietà sculpture from the 18th century was characterized using X-ray fluorescence and computed microtomography (microCT) techniques. It was possible to detect the elements: Ca, Ti, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ba, Au, Hg and Pb. It was possible to characterize the pigments Azurite, Prussian Blue, Green Earth, Vermilion, Lead white, Zinc white, and Gold foils. In the regions where there were restorations, it was possible to identify the presence of the lithopone pigment, indicating that these processes occurred from the 19th century. The microCT showed that the statue is a carved wood sculpture with a painting layer with high density pigments. Two different blocks of wood were identified joined together with a wooden pin. The statue was attached to its wooden base with different types of nails, showing that this step took place in a period of time later than the statue manufacturing. Details of the attaching of the eyes and damages due to insect galleries could be also found in this statue.

Epigenetics of X-chromosome Inactivation

Abstract: X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) evolved as a complex and multi-layered epigenetic mechanism to enable dosage equivalence for X-linked genes expression between XX and XY individuals in marsupial and placental mammals. Nevertheless, not all X-linked genes are entirely inactivated and their expression from the inactive X-chromosome may underlie sex differences between females and males. Besides, XCI statuses can epigenetically modify the inheritance mode of X-driven phenotypes and contribute to variability of human conditions. On the other hand, by taking advantage of the natural plasticity of XCI, induced reactivation of the Xi may represent a hopeful strategy for treating dominant X-linked conditions in affected females. This chapter provides an overview of XCI based on the main epigenetic regulatory events involved and the e(X)ceptional features of XCI on health and diseases.

The Magmatic Rifting of Santos Basin: Aeromagnetic Mapping of Dykes, Terranes and Marginal Structures and the Interplay Between Tectonism and Volcanism

Abstract: We present a new magnetic map integrating continental and oceanic features at the Santos Basin, in order to investigate the connection between onshore and offshore tectonics and magmatism at the early stages of rifting. The magnetic and seismic data evidence the offshore continuity of the Florianópolis and Serra do Mar dyke swarms, while the Ponta Grossa Dyke Swarm is interrupted by the marginal structures. This structural relationship brings to evidence a different timing of formation of the Ponta Grossa Dyke Swarm relative to the early opening of the margin. A very high amplitude magnetic lineament - the Santos Marginal Anomaly (SAMA) reaches up to 1,500 nT and trends NE-SW, with local E-W inflections forming the Cananéia and Guaratiba Arcuate anomalies. Our modeling suggests that the SAMA can be associated with dykes and syn-rift extrusive rocks linked at depth to larger magmatic bodies at the proximal and necking domains. Based on the increasing width and amplitude of the magnetic anomalies oceanwards, we propose a mechanism whereby the igneous accretion (i.e., the amount of magmatism) augmented as rifting evolved from continent to ocean, creating a volcanic rift axis. This rift was segmented by crustal discontinuities that probably nucleated on preexisting rheological contrasts, forming tectonomagmatic segments during the early extensional stages. The onshore-offshore relationships highlight that where there was an agreement between basement fabric and dyke orientation, inheritance may have influenced their emplacement, although it was not a limiting factor for their formation. The regional geodynamics of the Gondwana opening was the first order control on the emplacements of the dyke swarms, with deviations of the magmatically influenced rift by tectonic inheritance.

Remarks on the Bell-Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt inequality

Abstract: We discuss the relationship between the Bogoliubov transformations, squeezed states, entanglement and maximum violation of the Bell-CHSH inequality. In particular, we point out that the construction of the four bounded operators entering the Bell-CHSH inequality can be worked out in a simple and general way, covering a large variety of models, ranging from Quantum Mechanism to relativistic Quantum Field Theories. Various examples are employed to illustrate the above mentioned framework. We start by considering a pair of entangled spin 1 particles and a squeezed oscillator in Quantum Mechanics, moving then to the relativistic complex quantum scalar field and to the analysis of the vacuum state in Minkowski space-time in terms of the left and right Rindler modes. In the latter case, the Bell-CHSH inequality turns out to be parametrized by the Unruh temperature.

Maternal protein restriction during the lactation period disrupts the ontogenetic development of behavioral traits in male Wistar rat offspring

Abstract: Neonatal undernutrition in rats results in short- and long-term behavioral and hormonal alterations in the offspring. It is not clear, however, whether these effects are present since the original insult or if they develop at some specific age later in life. Here, we assessed the ontogenetic profile of behavioral parameters associated with anxiety, exploration and memory/learning of Wistar rat offspring that were subjected to protein malnutrition during lactation. Dams and respective litters were separated into two groups: (1) protein-restricted (PR), which received a hypoproteic chow (8% protein) from birth to weaning [postnatal day (PN) 21]; (2) control (C), which received normoproteic chow. Offspring's behaviors, corticosterone, catecholamines, T3 and T4 levels were assessed at PN21 (weaning), PN45 (adolescence), PN90 (young adulthood) or PN180 (adulthood). PR offspring showed an age-independent reduction in the levels of anxiety-like behaviors in the Elevated Plus Maze and better memory performance in the Radial Arm Water Maze. PR offspring showed peak exploratory activity in the Open Field earlier in life, at PN45, than C, which showed theirs at PN90. Corticosterone was reduced in PR offspring, particularly at young adulthood, while catecholamines were increased at weaning and adulthood. The current study shows that considerable age-dependent variations in the expression of the observed behaviors and hormonal levels exist from weaning to adulthood in rats, and that protein restriction during lactation has complex variable-dependent effects on the ontogenesis of the assessed parameters.

Dietary patterns, obesity markers and leukocyte telomere length among Brazilian civil servants: cross-sectional results from the Pro-Saude study

Abstract: Dietary patterns express the combination and variety of foods in the diet. The partial least squares method allows extracting dietary patterns related to a specific health outcome. Few studies have evaluated obesity-related dietary patterns associated with telomeres length. This study aims to identify dietary patterns explaining obesity markers and to assess their association with leukocyte telomere length (LTL), a biological marker of the ageing process.Cross-sectional study.University campuses in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.478 participants of a civil servants' cohort study with data on food consumption, obesity measurements (total body fat, visceral fat, BMI, leptin and adiponectin) and blood samples.Three dietary patterns were extracted: (1) fast food and meat; (2) healthy and (3) traditional pattern, which included rice and beans, the staple foods most consumed in Brazil. All three dietary patterns explained 23·2 % of food consumption variation and 10·7 % of the obesity-related variables. The fast food and meat pattern were the first factor extracted, explaining 11-13 % variation of the obesity-related response variables (BMI, total body fat and visceral fat), leptin and adiponectin showed the lowest percentage (4·5-0·1 %). The healthy pattern mostly explained leptin and adiponectin variations (10·7 and 3·3 %, respectively). The traditional pattern was associated with LTL (β = 0·0117; 95 % CI 0·0001, 0·0233) after adjustment for the other patterns, age, sex, exercise practice, income and energy intake.Leukocyte telomere length was longer among participants eating a traditional dietary pattern that combines fruit, vegetables and beans.

Influence of Synthesis Parameters on the Magnetic, Thermal and Morphological Properties of poly(glycidyl methacrylate‐co‐divinylbenzene)/magnetite

Abstract: In this work, polymeric microspheres based on glycidyl methacrylate and divinylbenzene with magnetic properties are synthesized by the suspension polymerization technique. To obtain magnetic properties, magnetite particles modified by oleic acid are synthesized in the laboratory. The effects of stirring speed, concentration of magnetite added, and concentration of stabilizer on the particles’ properties are studied. The magnetic microspheres are characterized according their morphology, magnetite incorporation, and magnetic and thermal properties. The incorporation of iron particles is mainly affected by stirring speed during synthesis and the amount of added magnetic material. The saturation magnetization of the microspheres is affected by the content of incorporated magnetic material. The modification with oleic acid is important for incorporation of the magnetic material in the copolymer matrix. Polymeric particles with superparamagnetic behavior are obtained with spherical morphology and saturation magnetization of 7.11 (emu g−1) when employing a monomer molar ratio of 50/50, 1% poly(vinyl alcohol), 20% magnetite particles modified by oleic acid, and stirring speed of 500 rpm.

Chemical Diversity and Redox Values Change as a Function of Temporal Variations of the Essential Oil of a Tropical Forest Shrub

Abstract: This study investigated the chemical phenotypical variability of Piper lhotzkyanum Kunth (Piperaceae), a shrub found in Brazilian tropical forests, over time (different periods of the day and seasons) and under natural conditions. For this, essential oils (EOs) from the leaves were collected in different seasons and times of the day and analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, and gas chromatography coupled with a flame ionization detector. The indices were applied to evaluate the chemical diversity as well as the dynamics of redox of the mixtures. The results showed that the EOs were dominated by non-oxygenated sesquiterpenes, with β-elemene, E-caryophyllene, and α-zingiberene being the main compounds identified in all collections. Temporal and seasonal analyses revealed important fluctuations in the chemical composition, redox, and chemical diversity indices of the species. A correlation between climatic factors and the variation in redox and chemical diversity was observed, highlighting the chemical phenotypic plasticity P. lhotzkyanum. This study resolves a previously unanswered question by confirming that natural light does not produce interconversion of major compounds. The adaptation capacity of this species to the environmental changes suggests new cultivation strategies to maximize the quality of EO and promote a more sustainable future in partnership with nature.

Conselho de Ética e Decoro Parlamentar da Câmara dos Deputados como mecanismo de accountability contra “discursos de ódio”

Abstract: Resumo Este artigo tem por objetivo discutir o funcionamento do Conselho de Ética e Decoro Parlamentar da Câmara dos Deputados em relação à quebra de decoro parlamentar por discriminação contra minorias. Especificamente, trata-se de abordar a dificuldade de responsabilização de deputados pela emissão de discursos de ódio contra pessoas LGBT, mulheres, mulheres pretas e vítimas da ditadura civil e militar. A metodologia é de cunho bibliográfico e documental. Os principais resultados são: o Conselho em questão é um mecanismo institucional de accountability por apurar e deliberar acerca de casos de desvio de conduta através de representações em face de um deputado; apesar do cumprimento de todas as regras de procedimento durante o processo de responsabilização, as representações (denúncias) são arquivadas, indicando que, substantivamente, os deputados não são accountable; este é um cenário de “humilhação institucional” por comunicar que o direito à liberdade de expressão é absoluto.

Direct measurements can help to understand the changes in ecosystems: Amazonia a case study

Abstract: The Amazon is the largest rainforest on the planet and was an important carbon sink. The carbon sink is declining, mainly due to an increase in tree mortality as a result of deforestation, degradation, and local, regional and global climate change. In addition, deforestation and forest degradation reduce the ability of the Amazon rainforest to act as a carbon sink. CO2 Vertical Profiles (VP) were performed from 2010 to 2021 (805), using small aircraft at 4 locations: SAN (2.86° S 54.95° W), ALF (8.80° S 56.75° W), RBA (9.38° S 67.62° W) and from 2010 to 2012 on TAB (5.96° S 70.06° W) and since 2013 at TEF (3.39° S 65.55° W). The question if Amazonia is a carbon source or sink is an important role in the global carbon budget. Amazonia vertical profile annual mean derived from CO2 annual mean vertical profiles (VP subtracted from the background concentration: ∆VP) from the 4 studied sites can help to clarify this important question. The sampling frequency was approximately 2 times per month in each location, from 4.4 km height (a.s.l.) until near surface 300 m (a.s.l.), and usually carried out between 12:00 and 13:00 local time. The CO2 samples were analyzed at INPE's LaGEE (Greenhouse Gas Laboratory), in São Jose dos Campos. This result is a direct indication of the regional source in the global carbon budget, indeed there are well-known discrepancies from many studies using different methodologies (bottom-up, top-down techniques, and a wide variety of global, regional, and inversion models). In this study, we will present Carbon flux from the time series for the 4 sites and Amazon Carbon balance using the column budget technique, and analyze the correlations with various parameters related to climate, vegetation, deforestation, and biomass burning.

Influence of different recovery intervals on time under tension, total training volume, and fatigue index in horizontal bench press exercise in young male wrestling athletes

Abstract: The recovery interval (RI) seems to be a variable closely related to the training volume since it can determine the performance after this rest time. This study investigated the influence of different recovery intervals on time under tension (TUT), total training volume (TTV), and Fatigue Index (FI) in the horizontal bench press exercise.Eighteen male wrestling athletes underwent three visits: 1st) performed the 10-repetition maximum (10RM) test; 2nd and 3rd) performed 5 sets of up to 10 repetitions with 1 minute (RI1) and 3 minutes (RI3) of passive RI with randomized entry. TUT, number of repetitions, TTV and FI data were collected or calculated.TUT was lower in sets 5 (P<0.001) for RI1 when compared to RI3, with no significant difference for the other 4 sets. The number of repetitions for RI1 was lower when compared to RI3 in sets 3 (P=0.018), 4 (P=0.023), and 5 (P<0.001), with no significant difference in sets 1 and 2. The FI was significantly higher for RI1 (P<0.001); however, TTV was significantly higher for RI3 (P=0.007).Different RI influenced the TUT and the number of repetitions along 5 sets in the horizontal bench press exercise. Moreover, these two variables showed different behavior when compared under the same condition (RI1 or RI3), especially after the third set. Using longer RI demonstrated a greater ability to maintain TTV and less negative effect of fatigue in young male wrestling athletes.

Obese mothers supplemented with melatonin during gestation and lactation ameliorate the male offspring’s pancreatic islet cellular composition and beta-cell function

Abstract: Melatonin supplementation to obese mothers during gestation and lactation might benefit the pancreatic islet cellular composition and beta-cell function in male offspring adulthood. C57BL/6 females (mothers) were assigned to two groups (n = 20/each) based on their consumption in control (C 17% kJ as fat) or high-fat diet (HF 49% kJ as fat). Mothers were supplemented with melatonin (Mel) (10 mg/kg daily) during gestation and lactation, or vehicle, forming the groups (n = 10/each): C, CMel, HF, and HFMel. The male offspring were studied, considering they only received the C diet after weaning until three months old. The HF mothers and their offspring showed higher body weight, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, and low insulin sensitivity than the C ones. However, HFMel mothers and their offspring showed improved glucose metabolism and weight loss than the HF ones. Also, the offspring's higher expressions of pro-inflammatory markers and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress were observed in HF but reduced in HFMel. Contrarily, antioxidant enzymes were less expressed in HF but improved in HFMel. In addition, HF showed increased beta-cell mass and hyperinsulinemia but diminished in HFMel. Besides, the beta-cell maturity and identity gene expressions diminished in HF but enhanced in HFMel. In conclusion, obese mothers supplemented with melatonin benefit their offspring's islet cell remodeling and function. In addition, improving pro-inflammatory markers, oxidative stress, and ER stress resulted in better glucose and insulin levels control. Consequently, pancreatic islets and functioning beta cells were preserved in the offspring of obese mothers supplemented with melatonin.