Contribuição para o estudo dos Rhinotragini (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae). III: Oxyommata Zajciw, 1970 e novo gênero oriundo da divisão de Xenocrasis Bates, 1873

Oxyommata Zajciw, 1970 e O. collaris (Audinet-Serville, 1833) são redescritos e comentados. Um novo gênero proveniente da divisão de Xenocrasis Bates, 1873 é descrito e três espécies alocadas nele: X. fulvicollis(Lacordaire, 1868); X. pubipennis (Fisher, 1952); e X. vestitipennis Zajciw, 1963. É apresentada chave para as espécies do novo gênero.Oxyommata Zajciw, 1970 and O. collaris (Audinet-Serville, 1833) are redescribed and commented uppon. A new genus from the division of Xenocrasis Bates, 1873 is described, and three species are allocated in to it: X. fulvicollis (Lacordaire, 1868); X. pubipennis (Fisher, 1952); and X. vestitipennis Zajciw, 1963. A key to the species of the new genus is added

Hybrid Pigments Based on Anthocyanins and Clay Minerals: A Mini Review

The synthesis of hybrid pigments has been studied as these provide a safer alternative to modern synthetic pigments that are stable but are unsafe. This paper provides a systematic review of previous research on hybrid pigments composed of anthocyanins combined with different mineral clays, particularly saponite, montmorillonite, halloysite, palygorskite, and sepiolite. The research was carried out by summarizing the related literature cited and comparing each paper to another by the processes that were used and interactions that occurred in creating the hybrid pigment. The findings showed that the literature cited used adsorption as the method of combining the anthocyanin dye and the mineral clays used; the interactions that occurred were the intercalation of the dye and stabilizer used. Additionally, it was shown that the hybrid pigments exhibited improvement with respect to their stability in different areas, particularly pH, chemical, thermal, color, and light stability. Overall, the paper has shown the development and improvement in hybrid pigment research, particularly with anthocyanin hybrid pigments

A robust multi-model predictive controller for distributed parameter systems

12 páginas, 6 figurasIn this work a robust nonlinear model predictive controller for nonlinear convection–diffusion-reaction systems is presented. The controller makes use of a collection of reduced order approximations of the plant (models) reconstructed on-line by projection methods on proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) basis functions. The model selection and model update step is based on a sufficient condition that determines the maximum allowable process-model mismatch to guarantee stable control performance despite process uncertainty and disturbances. Proofs on the existence of a sequence of feasible approximations and control stability are given. Since plant approximations are built on-line based on actual measurements, the proposed controller can be interpreted as a multi-model nonlinear predictive control (MMPC). The performance of the MMPC strategy is illustrated by simulation experiments on a problem that involves reactant concentration control of a tubular reactor with recycle.This work has been also partially founded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (SMART-QC, AGL2008-05267-C03-01), the FP7 CAFE project (KBBE-2007-1-212754), the Project PTDC/EQU-ESI/73458/2006 from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology and PI grant 07/IN.1/I1838 by Science Foundation Ireland. Also, the authors acknowledge financial support received by a collaborative grant GRICES-CSIC.Peer reviewe

A robust multi-model predictive controller for distributed parameter systems

12 páginas, 6 figurasIn this work a robust nonlinear model predictive controller for nonlinear convection–diffusion-reaction systems is presented. The controller makes use of a collection of reduced order approximations of the plant (models) reconstructed on-line by projection methods on proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) basis functions. The model selection and model update step is based on a sufficient condition that determines the maximum allowable process-model mismatch to guarantee stable control performance despite process uncertainty and disturbances. Proofs on the existence of a sequence of feasible approximations and control stability are given. Since plant approximations are built on-line based on actual measurements, the proposed controller can be interpreted as a multi-model nonlinear predictive control (MMPC). The performance of the MMPC strategy is illustrated by simulation experiments on a problem that involves reactant concentration control of a tubular reactor with recycle.This work has been also partially founded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (SMART-QC, AGL2008-05267-C03-01), the FP7 CAFE project (KBBE-2007-1-212754), the Project PTDC/EQU-ESI/73458/2006 from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology and PI grant 07/IN.1/I1838 by Science Foundation Ireland. Also, the authors acknowledge financial support received by a collaborative grant GRICES-CSIC.Peer reviewe

Enzymatic synthesis and characterization of different families of chitooligosaccharides and their bioactive properties

Chitooligosaccharides (COS) are homo- or hetero-oligomers of D-glucosamine (GlcN) and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc) that can be obtained by chitosan or chitin hydrolysis. Their enzymatic production is preferred over other methodologies (physical, chemical, etc.) due to the mild conditions required, the fewer amounts of waste and its efficiency to control product composition. By properly selecting the enzyme (chitinase, chitosanase or nonspecific enzymes) and the substrate properties (degree of deacetylation, molecular weight, etc.), it is possible to direct the synthesis towards any of the three COS types: fully acetylated (faCOS), partially acetylated (paCOS) and fully deacetylated (fdCOS). In this article, we review the main strategies to steer the COS production towards a specific group. The chemical characterization of COS by advanced techniques, e.g., high-performance anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection (HPAECPAD) and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, is critical for structure-function studies. The scaling of processes to synthesize specific COS mixtures is difficult due to the low solubility of chitin/chitosan, the heterogeneity of the reaction mixtures, and high amounts of salts. Enzyme immobilization can help to minimize such hurdles. The main bioactive properties of COS are herein reviewed. Finally, the anti-inflammatory activity of three COS mixtures was assayed in murine macrophages after stimulation with lipopolysaccharidesThis work was supported by grants from the EU EMFF-Blue Economy-2018 (FISH4FISH- 863697 project), the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Grants BIO2016-76601- C3-1,2-R), the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (Grants PID2019-105838RB-C31/C32), Fundación Ramón Areces (XIX Call of Research Grants in Life and Material Sciences) and by an institutional grant from Fundación Ramón Areces to the Centro de Biología Molecula

Obese elderly women exhibit low postural stability: a novel three-dimensional evaluation system

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the multisegmental static postural balance of active eutrophic and obese elderly women using a three-dimensional system under different sensory conditions. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 31 elderly women (16 eutrophic and 15 obese) aged 65 to 75 years. The following anthropometric measurements were obtained: weight, height, waist and hip circumference, and handgrip strength. The physical activity level was evaluated using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Body composition was measured using the deuterium oxide dilution technique. The Polhemus (R) Patriot (three-dimensional) equipment was used to measure the parameters of postural balance along the anteroposterior and laterolateral axes. The data acquisition involved one trial of 60 s to test the limit of stability and four trials of 90 s each under the following conditions: (1) eyes open, stable surface; (2) eyes closed, stable surface; (3) eyes open, unstable surface; and (4) eyes closed, unstable surface. RESULTS: For the limit of stability, significant differences were observed in the maximum anteroposterior and laterolateral displacement (p<0.01) and in the parameter maximum anteroposterior displacement in the eyes closed stable surface condition (p<0.01) and maximum anteroposterior and laterolateral displacement in the eyes open unstable surface (p<0.01 and p = 0.03) and eyes closed unstable surface (p<0.01 and p<0.01) conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Obese elderly women exhibited a lower stability limit (lower sway area) compared with eutrophic women, leaving them more vulnerable to falls

A comparison between magnetic resonance angiography at 3 teslas (time-of-flight and contrast-enhanced) and flat-panel digital subtraction angiography in the assessment of embolized brain aneurysms

PURPOSE: To compare the time-of-flight and contrast-enhanced- magnetic resonance angiography techniques in a 3 Tesla magnetic resonance unit with digital subtraction angiography with the latest flat-panel technology and 3D reconstruction in the evaluation of embolized cerebral aneurysms. INTRODUCTION: Many embolized aneurysms are subject to a recurrence of intra-aneurismal filling. Traditionally, imaging surveillance of coiled aneurysms has consisted of repeated digital subtraction angiography. However, this method has a small but significant risk of neurological complications, and many authors have advocated the use of noninvasive imaging methods for the surveillance of embolized aneurysms. METHODS: Forty-three aneurysms in 30 patients were studied consecutively between November 2009 and May 2010. Two interventional neuroradiologists rated the time-of-flight-magnetic resonance angiography, the contrast-enhanced-magnetic resonance angiography, and finally the digital subtraction angiography, first independently and then in consensus. The status of aneurysm occlusion was assessed according to the Raymond scale, which indicates the level of recanalization according to degrees: Class 1: excluded aneurysm; Class 2: persistence of a residual neck; Class 3: persistence of a residual aneurysm. The agreement among the analyses was assessed by applying the Kappa statistic. RESULTS: Inter-observer agreement was excellent for both methods (K = 0.93; 95 % CI: 0.84-1). Inter-technical agreement was almost perfect between time-of-flight-magnetic resonance angiography and digital subtraction angiography (K = 0.98; 95 % CI: 0.93-1) and between time-of-flight-magnetic resonance angiography and contrast-enhanced-magnetic resonance angiography (K = 0.98; 95% CI: 0.93-1). Disagreement occurred in only one case (2.3%), which was classified as Class I by time-of-flight-magnetic resonance angiography and Class II by digital subtraction angiography. The agreement between contrast-enhanced-magnetic resonance angiography and digital subtraction angiography was perfect (K = 1; 95% CI: 1-1). In three patients, in-stent stenosis was identified by magnetic resonance angiography but not confirmed by digital subtraction angiography. CONCLUSION: Digital subtraction angiography and both 3T magnetic resonance angiography techniques have excellent reproducibility for the assessment of aneurysms embolized exclusively with coils. In those cases also treated with stent remodeling, digital subtraction angiography may still be necessary to confirm eventual parent artery stenosis, as identified by magnetic resonance angiography

Evidence of the effect of strong stripping channels on the dynamics of the 8 Li + 58Ni reaction

The 8 Li + 58Ni collision is investigated at 23.9, 26.1, 28.7, and 30 MeV bombarding energies. Quasielastic angular distributions and the singles 7 Li angular and energy distributions are presented. Coupled-reaction channels (CRC) calculations, which include the coupling of the elastic channel to 59Ni = 58Ni + n states above and below the neutron threshold, provide a simultaneous description of the quasielastic and transfer distributions and evidence the strong effect of the one-neutron transfer/breakup channels on the quasielastic scattering. The 7 Li angular and energy distributions have been also successfully analyzed combining the continuum discretized coupled channels (CDCC) method, for the elastic breakup, and the IAV model of Ichimura, Austern, and Vincent [Phys. Rev. C 32, 431 (1985)], for the nonelastic breakup. These calculations indicate that most of the 7 Li yields are due to nonelastic breakup contributions (transfer), whereas elastic breakup plays a minor role.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo, FAPESP (Brazil), Contratos No. 2019/02759-0, No. 2019/07767-1, No. 2016/17612-7 y No. 2013/22100-7Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nével Superior, Brasil (CAPES), código de financiación: 88887.355019/2019Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades de España. proyecto No. FIS2017-88410-PFondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER)Programa Horizon 2020 de la Unión Europea No. 65400

Movimento de água subterrânea em ecossistema Campina Amazônica ()

In the period of december 1974 to January 1975 the movement of the ground water in the eco-system of the Campina Amazonica was studied. The saturated flux of the ground water was studied by two methods : 1º) Applying Darcy's equation; 2º) Using a tracer of 3H (100 mCi) in the form of 3H2O. The variations shown by the two methods are derived from a high permeability of the arenaceous soil, proportioning rapid variations in the ground water, totally influenced by precipitation. However the results obtained through applicatios of Darcy's equation and through the method of dilutions are of the same order of magnitude. They indicate the existence of a horizontal movement in the saturated flux of the ground water of Campina, of the same order of 0,0018 cm3. cm-2. h-1. This work is the first attempt to determine the flux magnitude of the underground water, to estimate the potencial elements biologically important in the nutrient cycle, in these formations of Central Amazonian.", 'enPrimeira tentativa para determinar a magnitude do fluxo de água subterrânea, a fim de estimar o potencial de elementos biologicamente importantes no ciclo de nutrientes no ecossistema Campina Amazônica. O fluxo saturado da água, dentro do lençol freático, foi estudado por 2 métodos, no período de dezembro de 1974 a janeiro de 19751) aplicando-se a equação de Darcy; 2) usando-se um traçador 3h (100 mCi) na forma de 3H2O. As variações apresentadas pelos dois métodos foram provenientes da alta permeabilidade do solo arenoso, propiciando rápidas variações do lençol freático, totalmente influenciado pelas precipitações pluviométricas. Ambos os métodos apresentaram resultados da mesma ordem de grandeza, indicando a existência de um movimento horizontal do fluxo saturado da água no lençol freático da Campina, da ordem de 0,0018 cm3. cm-2. h-1