Microscopic calculation of proton capture reactions in mass 60-80 region and its astrophysical implications

Microscopic optical potentials obtained by folding the DDM3Y interaction with the densities from Relativistic Mean Field approach have been utilized to evaluate S-factors of low-energy $(p,\gamma)$ reactions in mass 60-80 region and to compare with experiments. The Lagrangian density FSU Gold has been employed. Astrophysical rates for important proton capture reactions have been calculated to study the behaviour of rapid proton nucleosynthesis for waiting point nuclei with mass less than A=80

Wound-healing evaluation of ointment from Stryphnodendron adstringens (barbatimão) in rat skin

This study evaluated the cicatrizant effect of an ointment containing 1% of the ethyl-acetate fraction extracted from the stem bark of "barbatimão" (Stryphnodendron adstringens), in wounds made in the skin of rats, after 4, 7 and 10 days of treatment. Control wounds were treated with a base ointment without extract. The proliferation of keratinocytes in the area of reepithelialization was evaluated by counting the number of epithelial cells that were blocked in metaphase by vincristine sulfate. The length of the reepithelialized margin and the contraction of the wound were measured. Topical application of the "barbatimão" ointment stimulated proliferation of the keratinocytes, but had no effect on the length of the epithelium or on the contraction of the wounds.Neste estudo, avaliou-se a atividade cicatrizante de uma pomada contendo uma fração acetato de etila 1% obtida de cascas de "barbatimão" (Stryphnodendron adstringens) em feridas excisionais na pele de ratos após 4, 7 e 10 dias de tratamento. Feridas controle foram tratadas com pomada base, sem extrato. A proliferação dos queratinócitos na área reepitelizada foi avaliada através da contagem do número de queratinócitos bloqueados em metáfase, pelo sulfato de vincristina. O comprimento da margem reepitelizada e a contração das feridas foram mensurados. As feridas tratadas com barbatimão apresentaram um maior número de mitoses do que aquelas tratadas com a pomada base, em todos os tempos avaliados. A aplicação tópica da pomada de "barbatimão" estimulou a proliferação epitelial contudo não teve efeito sobre a migração dos queratinócitos ou sobre a contração das feridas

Green strength sustainability: a case study of chemical engineering students

Green chemistry is a relatively new area of science and technology aimed at improving chemical processes and thereby avoiding negative impacts on human health, safety, and the environment (EHS). It is based on careful selection of raw materials for the production of various products, excluding the use of hazardous substances. The field of green chemistry has received much attention from the scientific and industrial communities in almost every highly industrialized nation. It is understandable that the principles of green chemistry should generate strong interest in countries or regions with high production capacities. Unfortunately, that industry resulted in a number of highly contaminated sites, hazardous and resource consuming production tools. A strong industrial development in European Union (EU) countries took place in last two decades focused on a profit, when there was small or no concern about some specific environmental issues. Human health and safety was rather controlled with robust standards. Environmental, health and safety protection remain a major component of co-operative activities between EU and other world. In particular, management of environmental risks associated with man-made changes, industrial, agricultural and military wastes, including risks for soil, water, air and the food chain and possible remediation are identified as one of the three priorities of the EU “Specific measures in support of international co-operation” program. These are challenges that need to be faced worldwide. With that respect, Green Chemistry is a promising approach to pollution prevention because it applies innovative scientific solutions to real world environmental situations. Green sustainability has started from educational and training institutions on entire vertical of education. In our research, we investigated chemical engineering freshman and senior students considering their perception toward importance of EHS area and about self-reported level of green competencies achievement during study. Freshman and senior students of chemical engineering estimated importance of green competencies as highly desirable. Existing curriculum in chemical engineering allows students achievements at basic level, while for high level of green chemistrycurriculum upgrade / modification is needed. It was judged that proposed green chemistry courses show potential for implementation and use at competitive higher education and training

Spectroscopy of Neutron-Deficient Nuclei Near the Z=82 Closed Shell via Symmetric Fusion Reactions

In-beam and decay-spectroscopy studies of neutron-deficient nuclei near the Z=82 shell closure were carried out using the Fragment Mass Analyzer (FMA) and the Gammasphere array, in conjunction with symmetric fusion reactions and the Recoil Decay Tagging (RDT) technique. The primary motivation was to study properties of 179Tl and 180Tl, and their daughter, and grand-daughter isotopes. For the first time, in-beam structures associated with 179Tl and 180Tl were observed, as well as γ rays associated with the 180Tl α decay. No long-lived isomer was identified in 180Tl, in contrast with the known systematics for the heavier odd-odd Tl isotopes