Efeito do armazenamento sobre atributos associados à qualidade de feijão tipo carioca.

Este trabalho objetivou avaliar o efeito do armazenamento sobre o escurecimento, tempo de cocção, teor de taninos e atividade das enzimas PPO e POX no grão de duas cultivares de feijão tipo carioca, BRS Requinte e BRS Pontal, uma vez que grupos comerciais semelhantes de grãos de feijão podem responder diferentemente às condições de armazenamento

Desempenho produtivo de ovinos alimentados com silagens de capim-elefante contendo subprodutos do processamento de frutas.

Esta pesquisa foi realizada objetivando-se avaliar o desempenho produtivo e os consumos de matéria seca (CMS), proteína bruta (CPB) e fibra em detergente neutro (CFDN) em ovinos confinados e alimentados com dietas à base de silagem de capim-elefante exclusivo e ensilado com adição de 7% do subprodutos da acerola (SACD); 10,5% do pseudofruto do caju (SPCD) e com 10,5% do subprodutos do abacaxi desidratados (SABD). Adotou-se o delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com cinco repetições sendo cada repetição composta por um ovino. Para CMS (g/animal/dia, %PV e g/kg PV0,75) e CPB (g/animal/dia e %PV), as silagens com 10,5% do SPCD resultaram em consumo superior às silagens exclusivas de capim-elefante, enquanto para CFDN houve maior ingestão das silagens com adição dos subprodutos. Maior ganho de peso foi observado para os animais alimentados com as silagens contendo o SPCD e SABD em comparação as silagens exclusivas de capim-elefante.Para a conversão alimentar observou-se maior eficiência de conversão alimentar para as dietas à base de SABD em relação às silagens exclusivas de capim-elefante. Conclui-se que os SPCD e SABC podem ser utilizados na ensilagem de capim-elefante uma vez que melhoram o ganho de peso dos animais

Morphology of supported polymer electrolyte ultra-thin films: a numerical study

Morphology of polymer electrolytes membranes (PEM), e.g., Nafion, inside PEM fuel cell catalyst layers has significant impact on the electrochemical activity and transport phenomena that determine cell performance. In those regions, Nafion can be found as an ultra-thin film, coating the catalyst and the catalyst support surfaces. The impact of the hydrophilic/hydrophobic character of these surfaces on the structural formation of the films has not been sufficiently explored yet. Here, we report about Molecular Dynamics simulation investigation of the substrate effects on the ionomer ultra-thin film morphology at different hydration levels. We use a mean-field-like model we introduced in previous publications for the interaction of the hydrated Nafion ionomer with a substrate, characterized by a tunable degree of hydrophilicity. We show that the affinity of the substrate with water plays a crucial role in the molecular rearrangement of the ionomer film, resulting in completely different morphologies. Detailed structural description in different regions of the film shows evidences of strongly heterogeneous behavior. A qualitative discussion of the implications of our observations on the PEMFC catalyst layer performance is finally proposed

Evaluation of turbulent dissipation rate retrievals from Doppler Cloud Radar

Turbulent dissipation rate retrievals from cloud radar Doppler velocity measurements are evaluated using independent, in situ observations in Arctic stratocumulus clouds. In situ validation data sets of dissipation rate are derived using sonic anemometer measurements from a tethered balloon and high frequency pressure variation observations from a research aircraft, both flown in proximity to stationary, ground-based radars. Modest biases are found among the data sets in particularly low- or high-turbulence regimes, but in general the radar-retrieved values correspond well with the in situ measurements. Root mean square differences are typically a factor of 4-6 relative to any given magnitude of dissipation rate. These differences are no larger than those found when comparing dissipation rates computed from tetheredballoon and meteorological tower-mounted sonic anemometer measurements made at spatial distances of a few hundred meters. Temporal lag analyses suggest that approximately half of the observed differences are due to spatial sampling considerations, such that the anticipated radar-based retrieval uncertainty is on the order of a factor of 2-3. Moreover, radar retrievals are clearly able to capture the vertical dissipation rate structure observed by the in situ sensors, while offering substantially more information on the time variability of turbulence profiles. Together these evaluations indicate that radar-based retrievals can, at a minimum, be used to determine the vertical structure of turbulence in Arctic stratocumulus clouds

LILRA2 Selectively Modulates LPS-Mediated Cytokine Production and Inhibits Phagocytosis by Monocytes

The activating immunoglobulin-like receptor, subfamily A, member 2 (LILRA2) is primarily expressed on the surface of cells of the innate immunity including monocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, basophils and eosinophils but not on lymphocytes and NK cells. LILRA2 cross-linking on monocytes induces pro-inflammatory cytokines while inhibiting dendritic cell differentiation and antigen presentation. A similar activating receptor, LILRA4, has been shown to modulate functions of TLR7/9 in dendritic cells. These suggest a selective immune regulatory role for LILRAs during innate immune responses. However, whether LILRA2 has functions distinct from other receptors of the innate immunity including Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 and FcγRI remains unknown. Moreover, the effects of LILRA2 on TLR4 and FcγRI-mediated monocyte functions are not elucidated. Here, we show activation of monocytes via LILRA2 cross-linking selectively increased GM-CSF production but failed to induce IL-12 and MCP-1 production that were strongly up-regulated by LPS, suggesting functions distinct from TLR4. Interestingly, LILRA2 cross-linking on monocytes induced similar amounts of IL-6, IL-8, G-CSF and MIP-1α but lower levels of TNFα, IL-1β, IL-10 and IFNγ compared to those stimulated with LPS. Furthermore, cross-linking of LILRA2 on monocytes significantly decreased phagocytosis of IgG-coated micro-beads and serum opsonized Escherichia coli but had limited effect on phagocytosis of non-opsonized bacteria. Simultaneous co-stimulation of monocytes through LILRA2 and LPS or sequential activation of monocytes through LILRA2 followed by LPS led lower levels of TNFα, IL-1β and IL-12 production compared to LPS alone, but had additive effect on levels of IL-10 and IFNγ but not on IL-6. Interestingly, LILRA2 cross-linking on monocytes caused significant inhibition of TLR4 mRNA and protein, suggesting LILRA2-mediated suppression of LPS responses might be partly via regulation of this receptor. Taken together, we provide evidence that LILRA2-mediated activation of monocytes is significantly different to LPS and that LILRA2 selectively modulates LPS-mediated monocyte activation and FcγRI-dependent phagocytosis

Natural carriers for application in tuberculosis treatment

Tuberculosis remains the leading cause of preventable deaths worldwide and unsuccessful therapy is mainly due to non-compliance with very prolonged treatments, often associated with severe side-effects. Overcoming this problem demands the introduction of drug carriers releasing the antimicrobial agents in a targeted and sustained manner, allowing reduction in frequency and dosing numbers. Nano and microparticles have taken the forefront of this approach, providing the means for the desired improvement of therapeutic schedules. Natural polymers are strong candidates as matrix forming materials, usually exhibiting biocompatibility, biodegradability, low cost and some technological advantages as compared with synthetic counterparts. In this review, natural particulate carriers developed for tuberculosis therapy are presented, mainly focusing on the use of polysaccharides and lipids. Their effectiveness is discussed taking into account their composition. Finally, considerations on the general potential of natural materials for this application, as well as key factors still to be addressed, are discussed