Retroreflecting curves in nonstandard analysis

We present a direct construction of retroreflecting curves by means of Nonstandard Analysis. We construct non self-intersecting curves which are of class C(1), except for a hyper-finite set of values, such that the probability of a particle being reflected from the curve with the velocity opposite to the velocity of incidence, is infinitely close to 1. The constructed curves are of two kinds: a curve infinitely close to a straight line and a curve infinitely close to the boundary of a bounded convex set. We shall see that the latter curve is a solution of the problem: find the curve of maximum resistance infinitely close to a given curve.CEOCFCTFEDER/POCT

Retroreflecting Curves in Nonstandard Analysis

We present a direct construction of retroreflecting curves by means of Nonstandard Analysis. We construct non self-intersecting curves which are of class C¹, except for a hyper-finite set of values, such that the probability of a particle being reflected from the curve with the velocity opposite to the velocity of incidence, is infinitely close to 1. The constructed curves are of two kinds: a curve infinitely close to a straight line and a curve infinitely close to the boundary of a bounded convex set. We shall see that the latter curve is a solution of the problem: find the curve of maximum resistance in nitely close to a given curve

Núcleo de Agroecologia Itamarati.

bitstream/item/66236/1/31385.pd

Antimicrobial activity of fruit packages coated with nanomaterials based in metal-ions zeolites

The transport and storage of fruits is frequently compromised by microbial contaminations, especially during the delivery of these perishable foods to the public. The development of smart packages against microbial contaminations is an alternative of great interest to help controlling post-harvest diseases. The incorporation of nanomaterials, such as metal-ions zeolites with antimicrobial properties, in the semi-rigid alveolar structure for fruits transport/storage could allow the preservation of fruit with safety and quality, by inhibiting/reducing the growth of microrganisms. In this work, metal-ions zeolite nanomaterials were incorporated on the packaging material and the antibacterial activity was tested against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The package material exhibited good antimicrobial activity against the two bacteria (Figure 1), which are promising results for industrial application.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Optical Tweezers 3d Photonic Force Spectroscopy

Since optical tweezers trapped microspheres can be used as an ultrasensitive force measurements technique, the knowledge of its theoretical description is of utmost importance. However, even the description of the incident electromagnetic fields under very tight focusing, typical of the optical trap, is not yet a closed problem. Therefore it is important to experimentally obtain whole accurate curves of the force as a function of wavelength, polarization and incident beam 3D position with respect to the center of the microsphere. Theoretical models for optical forces such as the Generalized Lorenz-Mie theory, can then be applied to the precisely evaluated experimental results. Using a dual trap in an upright standard optical microscope, one to keep the particle at the equilibrium position and the other to disturb it we have been able to obtain these force curves as a function of x, y and z position, incident beam polarization and also wavelength. Further investigation of optical forces was conducted for wavelengths in and out Mie resonances of the dielectric microspherical cavities for both TM and TE modes.6131Ashkin, A., Dziedzic, J.M., Bjorkholm, J.E., Chu, S., Observation of a single-beam gradient force trap for dielectric particles (1986) Opt. Lett., 11, pp. 288-290Ashkin, A., Dziedzic, J.M., Optical trapping and manipulation of viruses and bacteria (1987) Science, 235, pp. 1517-1520Grier, D.G., A revolution in optical manipulation (2003) Nature, 424, pp. 810-816Neuman, K.C., Block, S., Optical trapping (2004) Rev. Sci. Instrum., 75, pp. 2787-2809Lock, J.A., Calculation of the radiation trapping force for laser tweezers by use of generalized Lorenz-Mie theory. I. Localized model description of an on-axis tightly focused laser beam with spherical aberration (2004) Appl. Opt., 43, pp. 2532-2544Lock, J.A., Calculation of the radiation trapping force for laser tweezers by use of generalized Lorenz-Mie theory. II. On-axis trapping force (2004) Appl. Opt., 43, pp. 2545-2554Mazolli, A., Neto, P.A.M., Nussenzveig, H.M., Theory of trapping forces in optical tweezers (2003) Proc. Royal Soc. London Ser. A Math. Phys. Eng. Sci., 459, pp. 3021-3041Fontes, A., Neves, A.A.R., Moreira, W.L., De Thomaz, A.A., Barbosa, L.C., De Paula, A.M., Cesar, C.L., Double optical tweezers for ultrasensitive force spectroscopy in microsphere Mie scattering (2005) Appl. Phys. Lett., 87. , Art. No. 221109Ren, K.F., Gouesbet, G., Gréhan, G., Integral localized approximation in generalized Lorenz-Mie theory (1998) Appl. Opt., 37, pp. 4218-4225Lock, J.A., Excitation efficiency of a morphology-dependent resonance by a focused Gaussian beam (1998) J. Opt. Soc. Am. A, 15, pp. 2986-2994Davis, L.W., Theory of electromagnetic beams (1979) Phys. Rev. A, 19, pp. 1177-1779Ren, K.F., Gréhan, G., Gouesbet, G., Radiation pressure forces exerted on a particle arbitrarily located in a gaussian beam by using the generalized Lorenz-Mie theory and associated resonance effects (1994) Opt. Commun., 108, pp. 343-354Ren, K.F., Gréhan, G., Gouesbet, G., Symmetry relations in generalized Lorenz-Mie theory (1994) J. Opt. Soc. Am. A, 11, pp. 1812-181

The Unmet Needs for Studying Chronic Pelvic/Visceral Pain Using Animal Models

The different definitions of chronic pelvic/visceral pain used by international societies have changed over the years. These differences have a great impact on the way researchers study chronic pelvic/visceral pain. Recently, the role of systemic changes, including the role of the central nervous system, in the perpetuation and chronification of pelvic/visceral pain has gained weight. Consequently, researchers are using animal models that resemble those systemic changes rather than using models that are organ- or tissue-specific. In this review, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using bladder-centric and systemic models, enumerating some of the central nervous system changes and pain-related behaviors occurring in each model. We also present some drawbacks when using animal models and pain-related behavior tests and raise questions about possible, yet to be demonstrated, investigator-related bias. We also suggest new approaches to study chronic pelvic/visceral pain by refining existing animal models or using new ones.</jats:p

Alkali Iodide Deep Eutectic Solvents as Alternative Electrolytes for Dye Sensitized Solar Cells

PTDC/QEQ- QFI/1971/2014 POCI- 01-0145-FEDER-016387Different alkali deep eutectic solvents (DES), such as LiI:nEG, NaI:nEG, and KI:nEG, have been tested as electrolytes for dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). These DSSCs were prepared using pure DES or, alternatively, DES combined with different amounts of iodine (I2). The most important parameters, such as open circuit voltage (VOC), short circuit current density (JSC), fill factor (FF), and the overall conversion efficiency (η), were evaluated. Some DES seem to be promising candidates for DSSC applications, since they present higher VOC (up to 140 mV), similar FF values but less current density values, when compared with a reference electrolyte in the same experimental conditions. Additionally, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) has been performed to elucidate the charge transfer and transport processes that occur in DSSCs. The values of different resistance (Ω·cm2) phenomena and recombination/relaxation time (s) for each process have been calculated. The best-performance was obtained for DES-based electrolyte, KI:EG (containing 0.5 mol% I2) showing an efficiency of 2.3%. The efficiency of this DES-based electrolyte is comparable to other literature systems, but the device stability is higher (only after seven months the performance of the device drop to 60%).publishersversionpublishe

2-Amino-6-[(2,6-dichloro­phen­yl)imino]-3-oxocyclo­hexa-1,4-dienecarbaldehyde

The title compound, C13H8Cl2N2O2, was obtained by the oxidation of diclofenac {systematic name: 2-[2-(2,6-dichloro­phenyl­amino)­phen­yl]acetic acid}, an anti-inflammatory drug, with hydrogen peroxide catalysed by chlorido[5,10,15,20-tetra­kis­(2,6-dichloro­phen­yl)porphyrinato]manganese(III), using ammonium acetate as co-catalyst. The asymmetric unit contains two crystallographically independent mol­ecules of the title compound (Z′ = 2). The close packing of individual mol­ecules is mediated by a series of strong and rather directional N—H⋯Cl and N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, plus weak π–π [distance between the individual double bonds of symmetry-related imino­quinone rings = 3.7604 (13) Å] and Cl⋯O inter­actions [3.0287 (18) Å]

Advances achieved by ionic-liquid-based materials as alternative supports and purification platforms for proteins and enzymes

Ionic liquids (ILs) have been applied in several fields in which enzymes and proteins play a noteworthy role, for instance in biorefinery, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical sciences, among others. Despite their use as solvents and co-solvents, their combination with materials for protein- and enzyme-based applications has raised significant attention in the past few years. Among them, significant advances were brought by supported ionic liquids (SILs), in which ILs are introduced to modify the surface and properties of materials, e.g., as ligands when covalently bond or when physiosorbed. SILs have been mainly investigated as alternative supports for enzymes in biocatalysis and as new supports in preparative liquid chromatography for the purification of high-value proteins and enzymes. In this manuscript, we provide an overview on the most relevant advances by using SILs as supports for enzymes and as purification platforms for a variety of proteins and enzymes. The interaction mechanisms occurring between proteins and SILs/ILs are highlighted, allowing the design of efficient processes involving SILs. The work developed is discussed in light of the respective development phase and innovation level of the applied technologies. Advantages and disadvantages are identified, as well as the missing links to pave their use in relevant applications.publishe