On modeling and evaluating multicomputer transcoding architectures for live-video streams

de Mello, Rodrigo Fernandes,Goularte, Rudinei,Dodonov, Evgueni,Yang, Laurence T.,Park, Jong Hyuk,Kim, Tai-hoon Springer-Verlag 2009 MULTIMEDIA TOOLS AND APPLICATIONS Vol.43 No.2

Healing Actions of Essential Oils from Citrus aurantium and d-Limonene in the Gastric Mucosa: The Roles of VEGF, PCNA, and COX-2 in Cell Proliferation

Thiago Mello Moraes,Ariane Leite Rozza,He´lio Kushima,Claudia Helena Pellizzon,Lucia Regina Machado Rocha,Cle´lia Akiko Hiruma-Lima 한국식품영양과학회 2013 Journal of medicinal food Vol.16 No.12

Previous studies have described the gastroprotective effects of essential oils that are derived from Citrus aurantium (OEC) and its main compound d-limonene (LIM) in a model of chemically induced ulcers in rats. However, these studies do not address the compound’s healing effects on the gastric mucosa. Thus, the aim of this work was to evaluate the healing activity of OEC and LIM in acetic acid-induced gastric ulcers in rats, a model that reproduces human chronic ulcers. The obtained results demonstrated that lower effective doses of OEC (250 mg/kg) and LIM (245 mg/kg) induced gastric mucosal healing with a cure rate of 44% and 56%, respectively, compared with the control group (P < .05). During the 14 days of OEC or LIM treatment, none of the groups demonstrated toxicity in terms of body and organ weight or serum biochemical parameters. Both OEC and LIM treatment promoted an increase in epithelial healing, as confirmed by immunohistochemistry, which was greater in the animals that were treated with the positive control. In addition, both treatments increased cellular proliferation as measured by proliferating cell nuclear antigen and cyclooxygenase 2 expression in the gastric mucosa, vascular endothelial growth factor-mediated blood vessel formation in the margin of the ulcer, and production of gastric mucus, which fortifies the gastric protective barrier. We concluded that OEC and LIM, two common flavoring agents, promote gastric mucosal healing without any apparent toxic effect, resulting in better gastric epithelial organization in the treated rats.

The Location of the United States' FDI Under the Share Gravity Model

Felipa De Mello-Sampayo 한국국제경제학회 2007 International Economic Journal Vol.21 No.4

This paper examines the geographical distribution of US MNEs FDI using the sharegravity model, which adds a competition factor to the classical gravity formulation. Theaim is to show that, unlike previous applications of the gravity model to FDI, the share ofFDI pertaining to a location is determined not only by its own characteristics but also bythe those of competing locations. A dynamic share gravity model is estimated for a panelof both industrialised and developing countries using ve alternative measures of FDI. Theresults vindicate the superiority of the share relative to the classical version of the gravitymodel in that the competition factor has a signicantly negative impact on the FDI share.JEL Classication:C23; F21; F23

Catalytic Properties of Lipases Immobilized onto Ultrasound-treated Chitosan Supports

Matheus Dorneles de Mello,Deborah Cordeiro,Lilian Terezinha Costa,Cristian Follmer 한국생물공학회 2013 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.18 No.6

Ultrasound sonication has been utilized toproduce fragmentation of chitosan polymer and hence increasethe chitosan surface area, making it more accessible tointeractions with proteins. In this context, we haveinvestigated the catalytic properties of lipases from differentsources immobilized onto ultrasound-treated chitosan (ChiS)pre-activated with glutaraldehyde (ChiS-G). Atomic forcemicroscopy indicated that ChiS-G displays a more cohesiveframe without the presence of sheared/fragmented structureswhen compared with ChiS, which might be attributed tothe cross-linking of the polysaccharide chains. Theimmobilization efficiency onto ChiS-G and ChiS wereremarkably higher than using conventional beads. Incomparison with the free enzymes, lipases immobilizedonto ChiS show a slight increase of apparent Km anddecrease of apparent Vmax. On the other hand, immobilizationonto ChiS-G resulted in an increase of Vmax, even though aslight increase of Km was also observed. These datasuggest that the activation of chitosan with glutaraldehydehas beneficial effects on the activity of the immobilizedlipases. In addition, the immobilization of the lipases ontoChiS-G displayed the best reusability results: enzymesretained more than 50% of its initial activity after fourreuses, which might be attributed to the covalent attachmentof enzyme to activated chitosan. Overall, our findingsdemonstrate that the immobilization of lipases ontoultrasound-treated chitosan supports is an effective andlow-cost procedure for the generation of active immobilizedlipase systems, being an interesting alternative to conventionalchitosan beads.

ECONOMIC CRISIS OF 2008 AND THE AGGREGATE CONSUMPTION IN BRAZIL

Cristina Helena Pinto de Mello 글로벌지식마케팅경영학회 2014 Global Marketing Conference Vol.2014 No.7

Brazilian Government faced international crises by implementing fiscal stimulus to raise internal consumption while sustained a high interest rate with flexible exchange rate system and low capital flow control. The mix of economic policies has increased the internal expenditure level, lowered income differences and has sustained inflation controls. The composition of internal expenditure has changed and external firms captured the higher demand. Therefore, an imbalance in transactions account is an increasing macroeconomic problem. This paper analyses the relation between recent shifts in macroeconomic policies in Brazil, the growing importation of final goods and a different insertion and external sharing of Brazilian exportation. Fiscal policies, instead of increasing sales and firms revenues, has increased imbalances in transaction account and has feed the discussion about Dutch Disease and Deindustrialization in Brazil. We can define deindustrialization as a lower share in industrial jobs in the total employment in the country (Rowthorn & Ramaswany 1999). The broad concept is a decrease in the industrial value added share to gross domestic product in addition to a lower industrial employment share (Tregenna 2009). In the first part, we discuss three different interpretations of causes of deindustrialization. Follows an analysis of consumption in Brazil and transaction account data. For some economists Brazil faces a historical and structural trend to currency valuation, related to commodities exports. These phenomena must be corrected through export taxation in order to sustain product diversification and national firms in manufacturing sector (Bresser-Pereira 2011). Others consider that the mix of economic policies combined with low capital controls and pre-salt announcement, led to deindustrialization and devaluated currency. In addition, we can find in the literature that deindustrialization is a recent phenomenon closely linked to 2008 crisis (Bacha 2013). Finally, some economists think that deindustrialization is a natural phenomenon and as economy growth, we can observe a pattern where service sector grows more than manufacture sector. This is related to the income increases and family demand (services has higher income elasticity of demand than manufacture goods). In the second part of this paper, we show how a wage-led strategy to growth has increased imports and decrease exports instead of increasing national firms’ sales and revenues. Recent data shows an imbalance in external accounts and a huge change in imports and exports composition. In the third part, we show the consumption contribution to growth, aggregate demand since 2008, the increase in importation and the consumption pattern for durable, no durable goods. We also analyze the growing indebtedness of households and shifts in income sharing. Finally, a shift in composition of exports and imports ends the third part showing a different insertion of Brazilian economy. The conclusion shows that firms in national territory fails in benefiting from increases in demand and in competing for exports. We raise questions about when one country should adopt fiscal stimulus to fight against crises and poverty. When fiscal policy is combined with monetary contraction and currency appreciation, the results are that firms cannot benefit from a growing demand and we call that Access Theory: exchange rate is strongly related to consumption level for national goods.

ECONOMIC CRISIS OF 2008 AND THE AGGREGATE CONSUMPTION IN BRAZIL

Cristina Helena Pinto de Mello 글로벌지식마케팅경영학회 2014 Global Marketing Conference Vol.2014 No.10

Brazilian Government faced international crises by implementing fiscal stimulus to raise internal consumption while sustained a high interest rate with flexible exchange rate system and low capital flow control. The mix of economic policies has increased the internal expenditure level, lowered income differences and has sustained inflation controls. The composition of internal expenditure has changed and external firms captured the higher demand. Therefore, an imbalance in transactions account is an increasing macroeconomic problem. This paper analyses the relation between recent shifts in macroeconomic policies in Brazil, the growing importation of final goods and a different insertion and external sharing of Brazilian exportation. Fiscal policies, instead of increasing sales and firms revenues, has increased imbalances in transaction account and has feed the discussion about Dutch Disease and Deindustrialization in Brazil. We can define deindustrialization as a lower share in industrial jobs in the total employment in the country (Rowthorn & Ramaswany 1999). The broad concept is a decrease in the industrial value added share to gross domestic product in addition to a lower industrial employment share (Tregenna 2009). In the first part, we discuss three different interpretations of causes of deindustrialization. Follows an analysis of consumption in Brazil and transaction account data. For some economists Brazil faces a historical and structural trend to currency valuation, related to commodities exports. These phenomena must be corrected through export taxation in order to sustain product diversification and national firms in manufacturing sector (Bresser-Pereira 2011). Others consider that the mix of economic policies combined with low capital controls and pre-salt announcement, led to deindustrialization and devaluated currency. In addition, we can find in the literature that deindustrialization is a recent phenomenon closely linked to 2008 crisis (Bacha 2013). Finally, some economists think that deindustrialization is a natural phenomenon and as economy growth, we can observe a pattern where service sector grows more than manufacture sector. This is related to the income increases and family demand (services has higher income elasticity of demand than manufacture goods). In the second part of this paper, we show how a wage-led strategy to growth has increased imports and decrease exports instead of increasing national firms’ sales and revenues. Recent data shows an imbalance in external accounts and a huge change in imports and exports composition. In the third part, we show the consumption contribution to growth, aggregate demand since 2008, the increase in importation and the consumption pattern for durable, no durable goods. We also analyze the growing indebtedness of households and shifts in income sharing. Finally, a shift in composition of exports and imports ends the third part showing a different insertion of Brazilian economy. The conclusion shows that firms in national territory fails in benefiting from increases in demand and in competing for exports. We raise questions about when one country should adopt fiscal stimulus to fight against crises and poverty. When fiscal policy is combined with monetary contraction and currency appreciation, the results are that firms cannot benefit from a growing demand and we call that Access Theory: exchange rate is strongly related to consumption level for national goods.

The potatoes of Otro: the reconstitution of an element of the Walser food heritage in NW Italy

Fontefrancesco Michele F.,Mello Margherita 한국식품연구원 2022 Journal of Ethnic Foods Vol.9 No.-

The article analyzes the trajectory of the reconstitution of the gastronomic heritage among the Italian Walser community. It focuses on the case study of potato production in the Otro Valley, in Alagna Valsesia (VC), and explores how the process of heritagization linked to these products allowed the community to reconstitute a trait of their biocultural diversity lost during the twentieth century. In so doing, it offers details about the gastronomy of potatoes among the Walser and shows that food heritagization is not always coupled with the commodification of local heritage products, but rather can foster processes of reappropriation of a traditional gastronomy.

Can silver diamine fluoride or silver nanoparticle-based anticaries agents to affect enamel bond strength?

Favaro Jaqueline Costa,de Mello Peixoto Yana Cosendey Toledo,Geha Omar,Dias Flaviana Alves,Guiraldo Ricardo Danil,Lopes Murilo Baena,Berger Sandrine Bittencourt 대한치과보존학회 2021 Restorative Dentistry & Endodontics Vol.46 No.1

Objectives: The aim of the current study is to investigate the effect of different anticaries agents, such as experimental agents based on silver nanoparticles (SNPs) and silver diamine fluoride (SDF), on the micro-shear bond strength (μ-SBS) of composite resin applied to intact enamel (IE) or demineralized enamel (DE). Materials and Methods: Sixty dental enamel fragments were collected from human third molars and categorized into 6 groups (n = 10): positive control (IE), negative control (DE), IE + SDF, DE + SDF, IE + SNP and DE + SNP. Samples from DE, DE + SDF and DE + SNP groups were subjected to pH cycling; superficial microhardness test was performed to confirm demineralization. Resin composite build-ups were applied to the samples (0.75-mm diameter and 1-mm height) after the treatments (except for IE and DE groups); μ-SBS was also evaluated. Samples were analyzed under a stereomicroscope at 40× magnification to identify failure patterns. Data were subjected to one-way analysis of variance, followed by Tukey's and Dunnett's tests (p < 0.05). Results: There was no significant difference among the IE, IE + SNP, DE + SDF, and DE + SNP groups. The IE + SDF and DE groups recorded the highest and the lowest μ-SBS values, respectively. Adhesive-type failures were the most frequent for all treatments. Conclusions: Anticaries agents did not have a negative effect on the μ-SBS of composite resin when it was used on IE or DE.

Blood biochemical parameters and organ development of brown layers fed reduced dietary protein levels in two rearing systems

Viana Eduardo de Faria,Carvalho Mello Heloisa Helena de,Carvalho Fabyola Barros,Café Marcos Barcellos,Leandro Nadja Susana Mogyca,Arnhold Emmanuel,Stringhini José Henrique 아세아·태평양축산학회 2022 Animal Bioscience Vol.35 No.3

Objective: An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of different levels of crude protein (CP) and two rearing systems (cage and floor), on blood parameters and digestive and reproductive organ development of brown laying hens. Methods: A total of 400 Hisex Brown laying hens between 30 and 45 weeks of age were distributed in a completely randomized design and a 2×4 factorial arrangement, with main effects including two rearing systems (cage and floor) and levels of CP (140, 150, 160, and 180 g/kg), in a total of eight treatments and five replicates of 10 birds each with initial body weight of 1,877 g (laying hen in cage) and 1,866 g (laying hens in floor). The parameters evaluated were plasma total protein, albumin, uric acid, total cholesterol, relative weights of oviduct, abdominal fat, liver, gizzard, crest and dewlap, length of small intestine and oviduct. Results: The blood parameters were similar in birds reared in cage and floor systems. The birds reared on the floor showed greater small intestine and oviduct weight (%) and lower liver and pancreas weight (%). A significant interaction was observed between factors for the relative gizzard, crest and dewlap weight, serum protein, uric acid, and total cholesterol (p<0.05). The diets with 140 g/kg CP resulted in lower serum protein and lower cholesterol in birds reared in floor system, while birds reared in cage system showed no effect of CP on both parameters. Birds reared in cage and fed with 140 and 150 g/kg CP presented lower uric acid. The group of birds reared in floor system fed 180 g/kg had greater uric acid. Conclusion: The dietary protein level can be reduced up to 140 g/kg for Hisex Brown hens (30 to 45 weeks of age) without an important effect on metabolic profile and organ development in both rearing systems. Objective: An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of different levels of crude protein (CP) and two rearing systems (cage and floor), on blood parameters and digestive and reproductive organ development of brown laying hens.Methods: A total of 400 Hisex Brown laying hens between 30 and 45 weeks of age were distributed in a completely randomized design and a 2×4 factorial arrangement, with main effects including two rearing systems (cage and floor) and levels of CP (140, 150, 160, and 180 g/kg), in a total of eight treatments and five replicates of 10 birds each with initial body weight of 1,877 g (laying hen in cage) and 1,866 g (laying hens in floor). The parameters evaluated were plasma total protein, albumin, uric acid, total cholesterol, relative weights of oviduct, abdominal fat, liver, gizzard, crest and dewlap, length of small intestine and oviduct.Results: The blood parameters were similar in birds reared in cage and floor systems. The birds reared on the floor showed greater small intestine and oviduct weight (%) and lower liver and pancreas weight (%). A significant interaction was observed between factors for the relative gizzard, crest and dewlap weight, serum protein, uric acid, and total cholesterol (p<0.05). The diets with 140 g/kg CP resulted in lower serum protein and lower cholesterol in birds reared in floor system, while birds reared in cage system showed no effect of CP on both parameters. Birds reared in cage and fed with 140 and 150 g/kg CP presented lower uric acid. The group of birds reared in floor system fed 180 g/kg had greater uric acid.Conclusion: The dietary protein level can be reduced up to 140 g/kg for Hisex Brown hens (30 to 45 weeks of age) without an important effect on metabolic profile and organ development in both rearing systems.

Risk Factors of Female Breast Cancer in Vietnam: A Case-Control Study

Phuong Dung (Yun) Trieu,Claudia Mello-Thoms,Jennifer K. Peat,Thuan Doan Do,Patrick C. Brennan 대한암학회 2017 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.49 No.4

Purpose Rates of women with breast cancer have increased rapidly in recent years in Vietnam, with over 10,000 new patients contracting the disease every year. This study was conducted to identify demographic, reproductive and lifestyle risk factors for breast cancer in Vietnam. Materials and Methods Breast density, demographic, reproductive and lifestyle data of 269 women with breast cancer and 519 age-matched controls were collected in the two largest oncology hospitals in Vietnam (one in the north and one in the south). Baseline differences between cases and controls in all women, premenopausal and postmenopausal women were assessed using chi-squared tests and independent t tests. Conditional logistic regression was used to derive odds ratios (OR) for factors that had statistically significant associations with breast cancer. Results Vietnamese women with breast cancer were significantly more likely to have a breast density > 75% (OR, 1.7), be younger than 14 years at first menstrual period (OR, 2.2), be postmenopausal (OR, 2.0), have less than three pregnancies (OR, 2.1), and have less than two babies (OR, 1.7). High breast density (OR, 1.6), early age at first menstrual period (OR, 2.6), low number of pregnancies (OR, 2.3), hormone use (OR, 1.8), and no physical activities (OR, 2.2) were significantly associated with breast cancer among premenopausal women, while breast density (OR, 2.0), age at first menstrual period (OR, 1.8), number of pregnancies (OR, 2.3), and number of live births (OR, 2.4) were the risk factors for postmenopausal women. Conclusion Breast density, age at first menarche, menopause status, number of pregnancies, number of babies born, hormone use and physical activities were significantly associated with breast cancer in Vietnamese women.