APHRODITE: Design and Preliminary Tests of an Autonomous and Reusable Photo-sensing Device for Immunological Test aboard the International Space Station

Preliminary results of the design and manufacturing of APHRODITE, a compact and versatile device for carrying out analyses of biological fluids during space missions that will be used as a technological demonstrator on board the International Space Station (ISS) for the quantitative determination of salivary biomarkers indicators of alterations of functionality of the immune system. The paper addresses the design of the main subsystems of the analytical device and the preliminary results obtained during the first implementations of the device subsystems and testing measurements. In particular, the system design and the experiment data output of the lab-on-chip photosensors and of the front-end readout electronics are reported in detail

Thermodynamic study of aqueous micellar solutions of biologically active bisquaternary ammonium chlorides

Thermodynamic properties of aqueous solution of bisquaternary ammonium salts, which are derivatives of N,N-bisdimethyl-1,2-ethanediamine ( bis-Cn-BEC) , of general formula /CnH2n/1OOCCH2(CH3)2N!CH2CH2N!(CH3)2CH2COOCn-H /2Cl0(bis-Cn-BEC, where the subscript n stands for the number of carbon atoms of the alkyl chain bound to the carboxyl group) are here reported and compared with those of the corresponding monomers. Dilution enthalpies have been measured by means of a flow type microcalorimeter at 313 K, and densities have been measured by means of a vibrating tube densimeter at 298 K. Apparent and partial molar quantities have been obtained from the experimental data and expressed as a function of molality assuming the infinite dilution as standard state. The changes in enthalpy and in volume upon micellization have been evaluated by assuming the pseudo-phase transition model. From the calculated enthalpy changes at 313 K and that previously reported at 298 K, the changes in heat capacity for micellization has been evaluated. The data suggest the hypothesis that the alkyl chain in the dimers are already partially associated in solution. Moreover, the trends of the cmc as a function of the chain length for monomers and dimers suggest that the association of the chains probably leaves out the first three methylene groups of the alkyl chains bound to the carboxylic groups. The packing parameter, P, gives 0.37 for bis-C10-BEC, and the formation of rod-like micelles is therefore suggested

Urticaceae endémicas del Perú

The Urticaceae are represented in Peru by ten genera and 87 species (Brako & Zarucchi, 1993; Ulloa Ulloa et al., 2004), between herbs, shrubs and trees. Here we recognize 24 species and two infra-specific taxa as endemics, representing six genera. Pilea is the genus with more endemic species. Endemic taxa are found mainly in Very Humid Montane Forests and Mesoandean regions, between 1600 and 3550 m elevation. We applied IUCN categories and criteria to six species. Two endemic Urticaceae have been recorded within Peru's protected areas system.La familia Urticaceae es reconocida en el Perú por presentar 10 géneros y 87 especies (Brako & Zarucchi, 1993; Ulloa Ulloa et al., 2004), entre hierbas, arbustos y árboles. En este trabajo reconocemos como endemismos a 24 especies y dos taxones subespecíficos, en seis géneros. Pilea es el género más rico en especies endémicas. Los taxones endémicos han sido encontrados principalmente en las regiones Bosques Muy Húmedos Montanos y Mesoandina, entre los 1600 y 3550 m de altitud. Se aplicaron las categorías y criterios de la UICN a seis especies. Dos especies han sido registradas dentro del Sistema Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas por el Estado