Poisson function and volume ratio of soft anisotropic materials under large deformations.

Accurate transverse deformation measurements are required for the estimation of the Poisson function and volume ratio. In this study, pure silicone and soft composite specimens were subjected to uniaxial tension, and the digital image correlation method was used to measure longitudinal and in- and out-of-plane transverse stretches. To minimize the effects of measurement errors on parameter estimation, the measured transverse stretches were defined in terms of the longitudinal stretch using a new formulation based on Poisson's ratios and two stretch-dependent parameters. From this formulation, Poisson functions and volume ratio for soft materials under large deformations were obtained. The results showed that pure silicone can be considered isotropic and nearly incompressible under large deformations, as expected. In contrast, Poisson's ratio of silicone reinforced with extensible fabric can exceed classical bounds, including negative value (auxetic behavior). The incompressibility assumption can be employed for describing the stress-stretch curve of pure silicone, while volume ratios are required for soft composites. Data of human skin, aortic wall, and annulus fibrosus from the literature were selected and analyzed. Except for the aortic wall, which can be considered nearly incompressible, the studied soft tissues must be regarded as compressible. All tissues presented anisotropic behavior.

Actin protein inside DMPC GUVs and its mechanical response to AC electric fields.

Cells are dynamic systems with complex mechanical properties, regulated by the presence of different species of proteins capable to assemble (and disassemble) into filamentous forms as required by different cells functions. Giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) of DMPC (1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) are systems frequently used as a simplified model of cells because they offer the possibility of assaying separately different stimuli, which is no possible in living cells. Here we present a study of the effect of acting protein on mechanical properties of GUVs, when the protein is inside the vesicles in either monomeric G-actin or filamentous F-actin. For this, rabbit skeletal muscle G-actin is introduced inside GUVs by the electroformation method. Protein polymerization inside the GUVs is promoted by adding to the solution MgCl2 and the ion carrier A23187 to allow the transport of Mg+2 ions into the GUVs. To determine how the presence of actin changes the mechanical properties of GUVs, the vesicles are deformed by the application of an AC electric field in both cases with G-actin and with polymerized F-actin. The changes in shape of the vesicles are characterized by optical microscopy and from them the bending stiffness of the membrane are determined. It is found that G-actin has no appreciable effect on the bending stiffness of DMPC GUVs, but the polymerized actin makes the vesicles more rigid and therefore more resistant to deformations. This result is supported by evidence that actin filaments tend to accumulate near the membrane.

Effect of trimming of overgrown and deformed claws in goats on morphometric measurements.

Reduced welfare and productivity of dairy goats have often been associated with poor claw health, especially conditions such as claw overgrowth and deformations. It is known that periodic claw trimmings have prophylactic and therapeutic effects on these problems, and this study aimed to evaluate if the additional use of an angle grinder to finish trimming overgrown and deformed goat claws, after the usual trimming using hoof shears, could provide further changes in these claws. For this, twelve Saanen goats (57.29 ± 11.15 kg of body weight, 3.08 ± 1.78 years old) were selected by presence of severe claw overgrowth, and absence of claw alterations of other nature. Their claws were trimmed in two steps, first using hoof shears and then using an angle grinder. Morphometric, baropodometric, and conformational aspects of all claws were assessed before claw trimming and after each trimming step. To analyse the effects of the trimming steps in each claw, the Tukey's test was used on parametric data, with 5% probability, and descriptive statistics were used on non-parametric data. Although this is a small pilot study, results suggest that using an angle grinder after the use of hoof shears, could further reduce heel length and sole width of claws, as well as reduce the number of deformed claws. The incorporation of the second trimming tool, could also further increase the frequency with which the point of maximum pressure was found in the toes, rather then in the heels of the claws as seen in deformed claws.

A difícil arte de amar: a limitação do conhecimento entre o homem e a mulher: uma interpretação da psicologia simbólica junguiana / Difficulties in the art of loving: the limitation of knowledge among men and women

Baseada na formação da identidade pela elaboração dos símbolos e funções estruturantes coordenados por arquétipos nas incontáveis vivências existenciais, a psicologia simbólica junguiana argumenta, neste artigo, que o amor exige o conhecimento das personalidades dos amantes e que o desconhecimento entre o homem e a mulher, que ainda é muito grande, dificulta sua vivência. A seguir, o autor defende a tese segundo a qual o conhecimento entre o homem e a mulher vem se desenvolvendo lentamente na história da humanidade, mas ainda está no início. Ele afirma também que até mesmo esse pequeno conhecimento acumulado está deformado por projeções defensivas mútuas, oriundas da constituição física, do problema do desenvolvimento diferente de um e de outro e da confusão da identidade do homem e da mulher com os papéis que desempenharam na história. Assim sendo, o autor descreve resumidamente essas deformações e, concluindo, afirma que, para se conhecerem e poderem se amar, o homem e a mulher necessitam antes de tudo elaborar essas deformações milenares que os afastaram e ainda hoje os iludem.

In this article Jungian symbolic psychology suggests that love requires a good deal of knowledge of the personalities of men and of women and that lack of knowledge, still very pronounced, limits this experience. The theory is based on identity formation by the elaboration of symbols and structuring functions according to archetypes. The author supports that knowledge among men and women is slowly developing in the history of humankind, but is still in the beginning, and even this little knowledge is deformed by mutual projections originated in our physical constitution, in the differences of our process of development and in the confusion between the identity of man and of woman and the roles they have lives through history. Therefore, the author summarily describes these deformations and concludes that, in order to know and to love each other, men and women firstly need to elaborate these millenary deformations which have driven them apart through wounds and illusions.

A difícil arte de amar: a limitação do conhecimento entre o homem e a mulher: uma interpretação da psicologia simbólica junguiana / Difficulties in the art of loving: the limitation of knowledge among men and women

Baseada na formação da identidade pela elaboração dos símbolos e funções estruturantes coordenados por arquétipos nas incontáveis vivências existenciais, a psicologia simbólica junguiana argumenta, neste artigo, que o amor exige o conhecimento das personalidades dos amantes e que o desconhecimento entre o homem e a mulher, que ainda é muito grande, dificulta sua vivência. A seguir, o autor defende a tese segundo a qual o conhecimento entre o homem e a mulher vem se desenvolvendo lentamente na história da humanidade, mas ainda está no início. Ele afirma também que até mesmo esse pequeno conhecimento acumulado está deformado por projeções defensivas mútuas, oriundas da constituição física, do problema do desenvolvimento diferente de um e de outro e da confusão da identidade do homem e da mulher com os papéis que desempenharam na história. Assim sendo, o autor descreve resumidamente essas deformações e, concluindo, afirma que, para se conhecerem e poderem se amar, o homem e a mulher necessitam antes de tudo elaborar essas deformações milenares que os afastaram e ainda hoje os iludem (AU)

In this article Jungian symbolic psychology suggests that love requires a good deal of knowledge of the personalities of men and of women and that lack of knowledge, still very pronounced, limits this experience. The theory is based on identity formation by the elaboration of symbols and structuring functions according to archetypes. The author supports that knowledge among men and women is slowly developing in the history of humankind, but is still in the beginning, and even this little knowledge is deformed by mutual projections originated in our physical constitution, in the differences of our process of development and in the confusion between the identity of man and of woman and the roles they have lives through history. Therefore, the author summarily describes these deformations and concludes that, in order to know and to love each other, men and women firstly need to elaborate these millenary deformations which have driven them apart through wounds and illusions (AU)

Modes of deformation of walled cells.

The bewildering morphological diversity found in cells is one of the starkest illustrations of life's ability to self-organize. Yet the morphogenetic mechanisms that produce the multifarious shapes of cells are still poorly understood. The shared similarities between the walled cells of prokaryotes, many protists, fungi, and plants make these groups particularly appealing to begin investigating how morphological diversity is generated at the cell level. In this review, I attempt a first classification of the different modes of surface deformation used by walled cells. Five modes of deformation were identified: inextensional bending, equi-area shear, elastic stretching, processive intussusception, and chemorheological growth. The two most restrictive modes-inextensional and equi-area deformations-are embodied in the exine of pollen grains and the wall-like pellicle of euglenoids, respectively. For these modes, it is possible to express the deformed geometry of the cell explicitly in terms of the undeformed geometry and other easily observable geometrical parameters. The greatest morphogenetic power is reached with the processive intussusception and chemorheological growth mechanisms that underlie the expansive growth of walled cells. A comparison of these two growth mechanisms suggests a possible way to tackle the complexity behind wall growth.

Electron density deformations provide new insights into the spectral shift of rhodopsins.

Spectral shifts of rhodopsin, which are related to variations of the electron distribution in 11-cis-retinal, are investigated here using the method of deformed atoms in molecules. We found that systems carrying the M207R and S186W mutations display large perturbations of the π-conjugated system with respect to wild-type rhodopsins. These changes agree with the predicted behavior of the bond length alternation (BLA) and the blue shifts of vertical excitation energies of these systems. The effect of the planarity of the central and Schiff-base regions of retinal chain on the electronic structure of the chromophore is also investigated. By establishing nonlinear polynomial relations between BLA, chain distortions, and vertical excitation energies, we are also able to provide a semiquantitative approach for the understanding of the mechanisms regulating spectral shifts in rhodopsin and its mutants.

Anomalías congénitas / Congenital anomalies

Las anomalías congénitas en conjunto con la restricción del crecimiento intrauterino dan cuenta del 50 a 60 por ciento de la mortalidad fetal. En este artículo se describen las malformaciones congénitas más importantes divididas por sistemas, la mayoría son diagnosticables a través del ultrasonido; sin embargo, hay un grupo de ellas que no son posibles de diagnosticar, otras que se desarrollan tardíamente en el embarazo y finalmente existen casos en que el examen ultrasonográfico puede sugerir una anormalidad inexistente. También se profundiza en la incidencia, etiología y factores de riesgo de las malformaciones congénitas, se describe la importancia y características del diagnóstico prenatal y de la prevención por medio de la suplementación de ácido fólico en la dieta.

Congenital anomalies in conjunction with intrauterine growth restriction account for 50-60 percent of fetal mortality. This article describes major birth defects by systems; most can be diagnosed by ultrasound while others cannot. Some anomalies develop later in pregnancy and in some cases sonographic examination may suggest the presence of a nonexistent abnormality. Incidence, etiology and risk factors of congenital malformations are described, as well as the importance and characteristics of prenatal diagnosis and prevention through folic acid supplementation in the diet.

Triple artrodesis en el tratamiento de las deformidades podálicas en la edad pediátrica / Triple Arthrodesis in the treatment of podalic deformities in children

INTRODUCCIÓN: Las deformidades podálicas son muy frecuentes. La conducta que se ha de seguir ha sido siempre un tema complejo por las características individuales de cada deformidad. El propósito de este trabajo fue el estudio de la triple artrodesis del pie, su utilidad, sus indicaciones y sus complicaciones en el tratamiento de las deformidades podálicas en la edad pediátrica. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio de intervención en el Complejo Científico Ortopédico Internacional Frank País de La Habana, Cuba, donde se evaluaron los pacientes pediátricos (10-18 años de edad) con deformidades podálicas que fueron tratados quirúrgicamente mediante una triple artrodesis en el período comprendido entre el 1 septiembre del 2008 y el 31 agosto del 2009. RESULTADOS: Prevaleció en el sexo masculino y entre los 13 a los 15 años de edad. El pie plano y el pie varo equino son las deformidades podálicas donde con mayor frecuencia se realizó la triple artrodesis del pie. La podoscopia, los estudios radiográficos y la aplicación de la escala visual analógica son importantes para evaluar con eficacia los resultados de la triple artrodesis. Con la utilización de las grapas se logró un alto índice de consolidación en las deformidades tratadas. La incidencia de complicaciones fue baja, la más frecuente encontrada fue el hematoma de la herida quirúrgica. En la mayoría de los pacientes (85,7 por ciento) ofreció buenos resultados. CONCLUSIONES: La triple artrodesis garantiza un bajo porcentaje de recidiva y una corrección factible de las desviaciones en varo o en valgo del pie

INTRODUCTION: Podalic deformities are very frequent. The behavior to be followed always has been a complex subject due to individual characteristics of each deformity. The aim of present paper was to study the foot triple arthrodesis, its usefulness, indications and complications in the treatment of podalic deformities in children. METHODS: A intervention study was conducted in the Frank País International Orthopedics Scientific Complex, Cuba to assess the pediatric patients (aged 10-18) with podalic deformities operated on by triple arthrodesis from September 1, 2008 to August, 31, 2009. RESULTS: There was prevalence of male sex aged between 13-15. The flat foot and equinovarus foot are the more frequent podalic deformities where a triple arthrodesis was carried out. The podoscopy, radiographic studies and application an analogous visual scale are important to assess efficaciously the results from triple arthrodesis. With the use of staples a high rate of consolidation of treated deformities was achieved. The incidence of complications was low and more frequent found was the hematoma of surgical wound. Most of patients (85,7 percent) had good results. CONCLUSIONS: The ripple arthrodesis guarantees a low percentage of relapse and a feasible correction of deviations in varus and valgus foot

Morfogeometría de los peces del género Hyphessobrycon (Characiformes: Characidae), grupo heterorhabdus, en Venezuela

Morphogeometry of fishes in the genus Hyphessobrycon (Characiformes: Characidae), heterorhabdus group, from Venezuela. Hyphessobrycon is the most numerous and morphologically complex genus of Characidae, that includes 122 valid species, 17 of which are present in Venezuela. Different methods have been proposed for species identification within this genus. We present a morphometric analysis for the species Hyphessobrycon, heterorhabdus group. A total number of 310 individuals were photographed and analyzed by means of Box Truss method. The combination of 16 homologous landmarks and the design of Box Truss yielded 28 measurements. The Principal Components Analysis (PCA) indicated that the differences between the species are related to the distance between snout and the supraoccipital (81.7%), and between the supraoccipital and the base of the pectoral fin (11.87%). All species showed allometric growth except for Hyphessobrycon tuyensis, which resulted isometric in the Box Truss I. The partial deformations describe the form differences related to the cephalic region and the body depth. The great body form similarity is related to the phylogeny and biogeography of these species. Rev. Biol. Trop. 58 (3): 801-811. Epub 2010 September 01.

El género Hyphessobrycon es uno de los más numerosos y morfológicamente complejos de la familia Characidae, incluye 122 especies válidas, de las cuales 17 están en Venezuela. El objetivo del presente estudio fue realizar un análisis morfogeométrico comparado entre las especies del género Hyphessobrycon grupo heterorhabdus; 310 ejemplares fueron fotografiados y analizados mediante el método de cerchas (Box Truss), por medio de la combinación de 16 hitos homólogos y un total de 28 mediciones. El análisis de componentes principales (ACP) indicó que las diferencias entre especies están relacionadas con distancia hocico-supraoccipital (81.7%) y supraoccipital-base aleta pectoral (11.87%); todas las especies tienen crecimiento alométrico, excepto Hyphessobrycon tuyensis, que presento isometría en la cercha I; las deformaciones parciales describen diferencias en la forma relacionadas con la región cefálica y la profundidad del cuerpo. Se plantea que la asociación de formas está relacionada con la filogenia y biogeografía de las especies.

Caracterização das injúrias causadas por Frankliniella occidentalis no morangueiro / Injury characterization of Frankliniella occidentalis in strawberry

Frankliniella occidentalis tem sido relatada como uma das principais pragas associadas à cultura do morangueiro. No entanto, os sintomas do ataque do inseto não estão caracterizados e, geralmente, atribui-se ao ataque do inseto a presença de frutos deformados. As injúrias causadas por F. occidentalis foram caracterizadas na cultura do morangueiro infestando-se com adultos botões florais e frutos. Para cada órgão (flores e frutos) e fase de desenvolvimento, foram utilizados 20 insetos, os quais foram mantidos em gaiolas por cinco dias. Também foi avaliado um tratamento em que foram colocados 20 insetos a cada cinco dias, durante todo o ciclo da cultura. Nas flores, foram constatadas injúrias causadas pela alimentação de F. occidentalis nos estames e no receptáculo floral. Em frutos verdes e maduros, foi observado bronzeamento na base dos frutos, sob o cálice, e ao redor dos aquênios. No tratamento no qual os insetos estiveram presentes durante todo o desenvolvimento dos frutos, foram registrados somente 17,6 por cento destes com mais de 40 por cento da superfície com bronzeamento. Não foi encontrada associação entre a infestação por tripes e a deformação de frutos. A alimentação de F. occidentalis na cultura do morangueiro causa injúrias nos estames e no receptáculo floral e bronzeamento na superfície dos frutos verdes e maduros, sem provocar deformações.

Frankliniella occidentalis has been reported as one of the major pests associated with strawberry. However, the symptoms of insect attack are not characterized and their presence are related to deformed fruits. The injury caused by F. occidentalis in strawberries was studied by infesting flowers, unripe and ripe fruits with 20 adult for five days and during all the ripening period inoculating 20 adults each five days. In flowers, it was observed that F. occidentalis feeding caused damage in the stamens and floral receptacle. In the unripe and ripe fruits it was observed russeting on the fruits basis, under the calyx and around the achenes. In the treatment where the insects were maintained during all the ripening period, only 17.6 percent of the fruits showed more than 40 percent of the area with russeting. Insect feeding causes russet in unripe and ripe fruits and fruit deformation are not associated with thrips presence of deformation.

Caracterização das injúrias causadas por Frankliniella occidentalis no morangueiro

Frankliniella occidentalis has been reported as one of the major pests associated with strawberry. However, the symptoms of insect attack are not characterized and their presence are related to deformed fruits. The injury caused by F. occidentalis in strawberries was studied by infesting flowers, unripe and ripe fruits with 20 adult for five days and during all the ripening period inoculating 20 adults each five days. In flowers, it was observed that F. occidentalis feeding caused damage in the stamens and floral receptacle. In the unripe and ripe fruits it was observed russeting on the fruits basis, under the calyx and around the achenes. In the treatment where the insects were maintained during all the ripening period, only 17.6% of the fruits showed more than 40% of the area with russeting. Insect feeding causes russet in unripe and ripe fruits and fruit deformation are not associated with thrips presence of deformation.

Frankliniella occidentalis tem sido relatada como uma das principais pragas associadas à cultura do morangueiro. No entanto, os sintomas do ataque do inseto não estão caracterizados e, geralmente, atribui-se ao ataque do inseto a presença de frutos deformados. As injúrias causadas por F. occidentalis foram caracterizadas na cultura do morangueiro infestando-se com adultos botões florais e frutos. Para cada órgão (flores e frutos) e fase de desenvolvimento, foram utilizados 20 insetos, os quais foram mantidos em gaiolas por cinco dias. Também foi avaliado um tratamento em que foram colocados 20 insetos a cada cinco dias, durante todo o ciclo da cultura. Nas flores, foram constatadas injúrias causadas pela alimentação de F. occidentalis nos estames e no receptáculo floral. Em frutos verdes e maduros, foi observado bronzeamento na base dos frutos, sob o cálice, e ao redor dos aquênios. No tratamento no qual os insetos estiveram presentes durante todo o desenvolvimento dos frutos, foram registrados somente 17,6% destes com mais de 40% da superfície com bronzeamento. Não foi encontrada associação entre a infestação por tripes e a deformação de frutos. A alimentação de F. occidentalis na cultura do morangueiro causa injúrias nos estames e no receptáculo floral e bronzeamento na superfície dos frutos verdes e maduros, sem provocar deformações.

Caracterização das injúrias causadas por Frankliniella occidentalis no morangueiro

Frankliniella occidentalis has been reported as one of the major pests associated with strawberry. However, the symptoms of insect attack are not characterized and their presence are related to deformed fruits. The injury caused by F. occidentalis in strawberries was studied by infesting flowers, unripe and ripe fruits with 20 adult for five days and during all the ripening period inoculating 20 adults each five days. In flowers, it was observed that F. occidentalis feeding caused damage in the stamens and floral receptacle. In the unripe and ripe fruits it was observed russeting on the fruits basis, under the calyx and around the achenes. In the treatment where the insects were maintained during all the ripening period, only 17.6% of the fruits showed more than 40% of the area with russeting. Insect feeding causes russet in unripe and ripe fruits and fruit deformation are not associated with thrips presence of deformation.

Frankliniella occidentalis tem sido relatada como uma das principais pragas associadas à cultura do morangueiro. No entanto, os sintomas do ataque do inseto não estão caracterizados e, geralmente, atribui-se ao ataque do inseto a presença de frutos deformados. As injúrias causadas por F. occidentalis foram caracterizadas na cultura do morangueiro infestando-se com adultos botões florais e frutos. Para cada órgão (flores e frutos) e fase de desenvolvimento, foram utilizados 20 insetos, os quais foram mantidos em gaiolas por cinco dias. Também foi avaliado um tratamento em que foram colocados 20 insetos a cada cinco dias, durante todo o ciclo da cultura. Nas flores, foram constatadas injúrias causadas pela alimentação de F. occidentalis nos estames e no receptáculo floral. Em frutos verdes e maduros, foi observado bronzeamento na base dos frutos, sob o cálice, e ao redor dos aquênios. No tratamento no qual os insetos estiveram presentes durante todo o desenvolvimento dos frutos, foram registrados somente 17,6% destes com mais de 40% da superfície com bronzeamento. Não foi encontrada associação entre a infestação por tripes e a deformação de frutos. A alimentação de F. occidentalis na cultura do morangueiro causa injúrias nos estames e no receptáculo floral e bronzeamento na superfície dos frutos verdes e maduros, sem provocar deformações.

Caracterização das injúrias causadas por Frankliniella occidentalis no morangueiro

Frankliniella occidentalis has been reported as one of the major pests associated with strawberry. However, the symptoms of insect attack are not characterized and their presence are related to deformed fruits. The injury caused by F. occidentalis in strawberries was studied by infesting flowers, unripe and ripe fruits with 20 adult for five days and during all the ripening period inoculating 20 adults each five days. In flowers, it was observed that F. occidentalis feeding caused damage in the stamens and floral receptacle. In the unripe and ripe fruits it was observed russeting on the fruits basis, under the calyx and around the achenes. In the treatment where the insects were maintained during all the ripening period, only 17.6% of the fruits showed more than 40% of the area with russeting. Insect feeding causes russet in unripe and ripe fruits and fruit deformation are not associated with thrips presence of deformation.

Frankliniella occidentalis tem sido relatada como uma das principais pragas associadas à cultura do morangueiro. No entanto, os sintomas do ataque do inseto não estão caracterizados e, geralmente, atribui-se ao ataque do inseto a presença de frutos deformados. As injúrias causadas por F. occidentalis foram caracterizadas na cultura do morangueiro infestando-se com adultos botões florais e frutos. Para cada órgão (flores e frutos) e fase de desenvolvimento, foram utilizados 20 insetos, os quais foram mantidos em gaiolas por cinco dias. Também foi avaliado um tratamento em que foram colocados 20 insetos a cada cinco dias, durante todo o ciclo da cultura. Nas flores, foram constatadas injúrias causadas pela alimentação de F. occidentalis nos estames e no receptáculo floral. Em frutos verdes e maduros, foi observado bronzeamento na base dos frutos, sob o cálice, e ao redor dos aquênios. No tratamento no qual os insetos estiveram presentes durante todo o desenvolvimento dos frutos, foram registrados somente 17,6% destes com mais de 40% da superfície com bronzeamento. Não foi encontrada associação entre a infestação por tripes e a deformação de frutos. A alimentação de F. occidentalis na cultura do morangueiro causa injúrias nos estames e no receptáculo floral e bronzeamento na superfície dos frutos verdes e maduros, sem provocar deformações.