Previous research has shown that the direction of the cognate facilitation effect (CFE) can disappear if identical cognate words are removed from the stimulus list while keeping task requirements constant (Comesaña, Ferré, Romero, Guasch, Soares & García-Chico, 2015). These results do not fit well with leading computational models of bilingual word recognition (BIA+, Multilink), according to which there are no top-down influences at early stages of word processing. Influences would be post-lexical in nature and would result from competition at the response level. This study aimed to examine this issue by manipulating stimulus list composition and examining its impact on cognate word recognition. We varied the proportion of identical cognates in the experimental lists with four ratios of identical vs. non-identical cognates (50-50; 25-75; 12-88, and 0-100, respectively). Results showed that the CFE gradually decreases as the proportion of identical cognates also decreases. These findings cannot be explained by mechanisms of response competition, but instead seem to imply a dynamic and language-specific top-down regulation of lexical activation.

Porungo is a traditional pasta filata cheese produced using raw milk throughout the southwest region of the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The objectives of this Research Communication were to evaluate the quality of raw milk used to make Porungo cheese, to characterize its production process, and to determine its chemical composition. The results showed that the raw milk met both Brazilian and international quality requirements. Chemically, Porungo can be classified as a medium to full fat semi-hard fresh cheese. Our study has allowed the first standards and regulations for Porungo to be established in Brazil. By virtue of this, the local producers are able to formalize their activity while consumers can have access to a safe and certified product.

The carpenter ant Camponotus rufipes has intracellular bacteria in bacteriocytes scattered in the midgut epithelium, which have different amounts of endosymbionts, according to the developmental stages. However, there are no detailed data about the midgut cells in adult workers. The present work aimed to evaluate the morphology and cellular events that coordinate the abundance of endosymbionts in the midgut cells in C. rufipes workers. The midgut epithelium has digestive cells, bacteriocytes, and cells with intermediate morphology. The latter is similar to bacteriocytes, due to the abundance of endosymbionts, and similar to digestive cells, due to their microvilli. The digestive and intermediate cells are rich in autophagosomes and autolysosomes, both with bacteria debris in the lumen. These findings suggest that midgut cells of C. rufipes control the endosymbiont level by the autophagy pathway.

Although several studies have underlined the advantages of using insect-proof nets to improve yields while reducing the use of pesticides, one obstacle to the diffusion of this technique in tropical conditions is the associated increase in temperature in the tunnel. The aim of this work was to assess the interest of combining the physical protection provided by nets against insect pests with the beneficial impacts of using shade nets to grow cabbages. A two-season experiment was set up to compare temperature conditions, insect pest populations, yields, and the quality of cabbage crops grown in the open field and in low tunnels covered with nets providing different degrees of shading, 17.2% by white and 50.1% by silver nets. During the day, the temperature under the white and silver nets was 10.4 °C and 6.3 °C higher, respectively, than in the open field in the first season, and 6.5 °C and 5.9 °C higher in the second season. Both insect-proof nets significantly reduced insect pest populations and hence the need for insecticide treatments. The white nets increased marketable yield by 45.4% in the first season and by 16.4% in the second compared to yields in the open field, whereas silver nets reduced yield by 18.6% and 15.0%, respectively. The reduction in yield under silver nets was attributed to excessive shading that prevented the light requirements of cabbage crops from being fulfilled. Economic analysis raised some concerns about the profitability of the use of netting to grow cabbage due to investment costs and the lack of premium prices for vegetables produced with fewer pesticides in local markets.

The co-infection between visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has increased in several countries in the world. The current serological tests are not suitable since they present low sensitivity to detect the most of VL/HIV cases, and a more precise diagnosis should be performed. In this context, in the present study, an immunoproteomics approach was performed using Leishmania infantum antigenic extracts and VL, HIV and VL/HIV patients sera, besides healthy subjects samples; aiming to identify antigenic markers for these clinical conditions. Results showed that 43 spots were recognized by antibodies in VL and VL/HIV sera, and 26 proteins were identified by mass spectrometry. Between them, β-tubulin was expressed, purified and tested in ELISA experiments as a proof of concept for validation of our immunoproteomics findings and results showed high sensitivity and specificity values to detect VL and VL/HIV patients. In conclusion, the identified proteins in the present work could be considered as candidates for future studies aiming to improvement of the diagnosis of VL and VL/HIV co-infection.

The University of São Paulo Twin Panel (Painel USP de Gêmeos), based at the Institute of Psychology of the University of São Paulo, started formally in 2017. Our registry is new, but in only two years of formal existence, it comprises a volunteer sample of 4826 registered individuals (98% twins and 2% higher-order multiples), recruited at the University of São Paulo and by social media campaigns. Our main aim is to conduct and promote research with twins on psychological processes and behavior. The University of São Paulo is the largest higher education and research institution in South America, and the Painel USP de Gêmeos has great potential for fostering research on twin-related issues from a psychological perspective in Brazil and South America.

The thermomechanical processing of NiTi shape memory alloys usually involves several steps of hot and/or cold deformation. The present work presents the structural characterization of a Ni-rich NiTi alloy bar, produced by vacuum-induced melting and thermomechanical processing in laboratory scale, aiming at massive production in the future. This study focused on the first step of hot working at 800 °C during rotary forging. Microstructural characterization was performed using differential scanning calorimetry, high- and low-temperature X-ray diffraction (XRD) using a laboratory source and synchrotron XRD. Thus, it was possible to obtain the phase transformation characteristics of the material: the transformation temperatures and the transformation sequence. Proposed thermomechanical processing is intended for production of bars and wires that will be subsequently drawn to get thin wires, for different applications, including orthodontic arch wires.

This paper reports on a monolithic 10 cm × 10 cm area PV module integrating an array of 72 a-Si:H n-i-p cells on a 100 μm thick polyethylene-naphtalate substrate. The n-i-p stack is deposited using a PECVD system at 150 °C substrate temperature. The design optimization and device performance analysis are performed using a two-dimensional distributed circuit model of the photovoltaic cell. The circuit simulator SPICE is used to calculate current and potential distributions in a network of sub-cell circuits, and also to map Joule losses in the front TCO electrode and the metal grid. Experimental results show that the shunt leakage is one of the factors reducing the device performance. Current-voltage characteristics of individual a-Si:H p-i-n cells were analyzed to estimate a variation of shunt resistances. Using the LBIC technique, the presence of multiple shunts in the n-i-p cell was detected. To understand the nature of electrical shunts, the change in the surface roughness of all device layers was analyzed throughout fabrication process. It is found that surface defects in plastic foils, which are thermally induced during the device fabrication, form microscopic pinholes filled with highly conductive top electrode material.

Morphometric characteristics of the periotic–timpanic bone complex in the middle ear of cetaceans, are effective characteristics in evaluating systematics. However, they have not been used for studies of geographic variation regarding dolphins of the genus Sotalia. This study aimed to compare the periotic–timpanic of Sotalia guianensis from four distinct locations, considered here as different operational taxonomic units, Amapá/Pará (AM/PA), Maranhão/Piauí (MA/PI), Ceará (CE), and Rio de Janeiro (RJ), using 21 morphometric measurements. Multivariate analysis showed significant distinction mainly between the units of northern (AM/PA and MA/PI) and south-eastern (RJ) Brazilian coast. The timpanic bone showed variation, reaching larger sizes in the Brazilian south coast unit, corroborating current molecular data on the geographic variation of S. guianensis.

Evidence supports an important contribution of abdominal obesity and inflammation to the development of insulin resistance (IR) and CVD. Weight loss in obese individuals can reduce inflammation and, consequently, IR, but the role of training remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of body weight reduction with and without exercise over abdominal fat tissue (primary outcome) and IR. In this randomised clinical trial, forty-eight obese individuals (age 31·8 (sd 6·0) years, BMI 34·8 (sd 2·7) kg/m2) were randomised to either a diet-only group (DI) or a diet and exercise group (DI+EXE). Treatment was maintained until 5 % of the initial body weight was lost. At baseline and upon completion, the following parameters were analysed: biochemical parameters such as glycaemia and insulin for the determination of homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and abdominal computed tomography for the determination of visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue. A total of thirteen individuals dropped out before completing the weight-loss intervention and did not repeat the tests. In both the DI (n 18) and DI+EXE (n 17) groups, we observed significant and similar decreases of visceral adipose tissue (difference between means: 7·9 (95 % CI − 9·5, 25·2) cm2, P= 0·36), hs-CRP (difference between means: − 0·06 (95 % CI − 0·19, 0·03) mg/l, P= 0·39) and HOMA (difference between means: − 0·04 (95 % CI − 0·17, 0·08), P= 0·53). In the present study, 5 % weight loss reduced abdominal fat and IR in obese individuals and exercise did not add to the effect of weight loss on the outcome variables.

The initial process of self development involves interaction with others and the establishment of relationships taking different paths depending on the socio-cultural context. Self-recognition and self-regulation are considered manifestations of this development between 18 and 24 months of age. This study aimed at analyzing the relationship between these two aspects, maternal beliefs about autonomy and relatedness, as well as identifying differences between boys and girls in this developmental stage. Participants were 94 mothers of different educational levels and their children of 17-22 months of age in two Brazilian cities. Socialization Goals Inventory and Parental Practices in the First Year Inventory were used to collect data on mothers' beliefs. Children performed tasks related to self-recognition (the mirror test) and self-regulation (compliance to requests). The group of mothers studied valued both autonomy and interdependence. Children's responses are consistent with a perspective of relational autonomy, which value both independence and interdependence. Differences were found in relation to sex in both self-recognition and self-regulation, and baby girls showed superior performance than boys in both tasks.

The genetic and environmental contributions to determine digital dermatoglyphic traits were investigated by using female dizygotic and monozygotic twin pairs to estimate heritability indexes (h2). The evaluated sample was composed by 20 monozygotic twin pairs and 13 dizygotic twin pairs. A significant heritability (h2 = 0.65 to 0.96) was observed for 12 dermatoglyphic characteristics (delta indexes and ridge counts for right hand, left hand and both hands, and ridge counts for most individual fingers). A negative correlation between the ridge counts and heritability indexes from individual fingers was found for the left hand, which appears to be associated to a higher arch pattern frequency in most left-hand fingers, since this frequency was negatively correlated with ridge counts and positively correlated with heritability indexes. Heritability indexes of right-hand fingers were positively correlated with loop pattern frequency and negatively correlated with whorl pattern frequency. The low heritability of ridge counts from left thumb, ring and little fingers (h2 = 0.11 to 0.32) indicates a higher chance that the chorion type had an influence in the intra-pair variance of monozygotic twins. Results confirmed the predominant genetic influence on the total ridge count. The heritability indexes varied in up to 8 times between different fingers and its association to ridge counts and pattern frequency was very variable between hands, evidencing that the use of dermatoglyphic traits from individual fingers as indicators of genetic influences to other human traits should consider this variability.

The characteristics of a tunable wavelength filter in a-SiC:H multilayered stack p-i'i-n graded cells are studied both theoretically and experimentally. Three different architectures are tested for proper fine tuning of the spectral sensitivity. The simplest configuration is a two terminal p-i-n photodiode where the active intrinsic layer is a double layered a-SiC:H/a-Si:H thin film. In the others the active device consists of a p-i'(a-SiC:H)-n / p-i(a-Si:H)-n heterostructures where the doped layers can have high or low conductivities. The spectral analysis of the device is performed under different optical and electrical applied bias and frequencies. Results show that, depending on the architecture and time window used, the device acts as an optical filter, an amplifier or a multiplexer /demultiplexer for optical signal processing, wavelength conversion, signal demultiplexing, and pattern recognition. A theoretical analysis supported by numerical and electrical simulations is presented. The analysis uses simple phototransistor and photodiode equations to explain the response of the device under different optical signals, and to compare the generated photocurrent with the experimental data.

In this paper we present results on the use of multilayered a-SiC:H heterostructures as an integrated device for simultaneous wavelength-division demultiplexing and measurement of optical signals. These devices are useful in optical communications applications that use the wavelength division multiplexing technique to encode multiple signals into the same transmission medium.

The device is composed of two stacked p-i-n photodiodes, both optimized for the selective collection of photo generated carriers. Band gap engineering was used to adjust the photogeneration and recombination rates profiles of the intrinsic absorber regions of each photodiode to short and long wavelength absorption and carrier collection in the visible spectrum. The generated photocurrent signal using different input optical channels was analyzed at reverse and forward bias and under steady state illumination. A demux algorithm based on the voltage controlled sensitivity of the device was proposed and tested. An electrical model of the WDM device is presented and supported by the solution of the respective circuit equations. Other possible applications of the device in optical communication systems are also proposed.

In this paper a light-activated multiplexer/demultiplexer silicon-carbon device is analysed. An electrical model for the device operation is presented and used to compare output signals with experimental data. An algorithm that takes into accounts the voltage and the optical bias controlled sensitivities is developed. The device is a double pi'n/pin a-SiC:H heterostructure with two optical gate connections for light triggering in different spectral regions. Multiple monochromatic pulsed communication channels were transmitted together, each one with a specific bit sequence. The combined optical signal was analyzed by reading out, under different applied voltages and optical bias, the generated photocurrent across the device. Experimental and simulated results show that the output multiplexed signal has a strong nonlinear dependence on the light absorption profile, i.e. on the incident light wavelength, bit rate and intensity under unbalanced light generation of carriers. By switching between positive and negative voltages the input channels can be recovered or removed from the output signal.

In this paper a double pi'n/pin a-SiC:H voltage and optical bias controlled device is presented and it behavior as image and color sensor, optical amplifier and multiplex/demultiplex device discussed. The sensing element structure (single or tandem) and the light source properties (wavelength, intensity and frequency) are correlated with the sensor output characteristics (light-to-dark sensivity, resolution, linearity, bit rate and S/N ratio). Depending on the application, different readout techniques are used. When a low power monochromatic scanner readout the generated carriers the transducer recognize a color pattern projected on it acting as a color and image sensor. Scan speeds up to 104 lines per second are achieved without degradation in the resolution. If the photocurrent generated by different monochromatic pulsed channels is readout directly, the information is multiplexed or demultiplexed. It is possible to decode the information from three simultaneous color channels without bit errors at bit rates per channel higher than 4000bps. Finally, when triggered by appropriated light, it can amplify or suppress the generated photocurrent working as an optical amplifier. An electrical model is presented to support the sensing methodologies. Experimental and simulated results show that the tandem devices act as charge transfer systems. They filter, store, amplify and transport the photogenerated carriers, keeping its memory (color, intensity and frequency) without adding any optical pre-amplifier or optical filter as in the standard p-i-n cells.

In this paper we present results on the use of a multilayered a-SiC:H heterostructure as a wavelength-division demultiplexing device (WDM) for the visible light spectrum. The WDM device is a glass/ITO/a-SiC:H (p-i-n)/ a-SiC:H(-p) /Si:H(-i)/SiC:H (-n)/ITO heterostructure in which the generated photocurrent at different values of the applied bias can be assigned to the different optical signals.

The device was characterized through spectral response measurements, under different electrical bias. Demonstration of the device functionality for WDM applications was done with three different input channels covering wavelengths within the visible range. The recovery of the input channels is explained using the photocurrent spectral dependence on the applied voltage. The influence of the optical power density was also analysed.

An electrical model, supported by a numerical simulation explains the device operation. Short range optical communications constitute the major application field, however other applications are also foreseen.

An estimated quarter of the world's population possesses an infection caused by gastrointestinal nematodes, which induce a Th2 type immune response. Concomitant infection of nematodes with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which induces a predominantly Th1 type response, is very frequent in tropical and subtropical regions. This study examined immune responses of BALB/c mice infected with Strongyloides venezuelensis and then co-infected with Mycobacterium bovis. The number of worms in the intestine, eggs in feces, cytokine production in lungs and intestine and the expression of CD80, CD86, CTLA-4 and CD28 cell markers on pulmonary cells were analysed. Our results indicate that co-infected mice had an increased parasite burden, which correlates with elevated IFN-γ and IL-10 cytokine production and decreased IL-4 and IL-13. Moreover, decreased expression of CD80 and increased expression of CTLA-4 were observed in co-infected mice. Our data point out that susceptibility to Strongyloides venezuelensis infection is increased by Mycobacterium bovis co-infection, resulting in higher parasite survival.