High performance bilayer-graphene Terahertz detectors

We report bilayer-graphene field effect transistors operating as THz broadband photodetectors based on plasma-waves excitation. By employing wide-gate geometries or buried gate configurations, we achieve a responsivity $\sim 1.2V/W (1.3 mA/W)$ and a noise equivalent power $\sim 2\times 10^{-9} W/Hz^{-1/2}$ in the 0.29-0.38 THz range, in photovoltage and photocurrent mode. The potential of this technology for scalability to higher frequencies and the development of flexible devices makes our approach competitive for a future generation of THz detection systems.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures. Submitted to Applied Physics Letter

Acetaminophen Does Not Alter the Early Processing of Emotional Facial Expressions: An Eye-tracking Study

A growing body of research has uncovered that acetaminophen, the most commonly used over-the-counter painkilling drug in the United States, produces a number of unintended psychological effects. In particular, recent studies show that acetaminophen blunts a variety of adaptive affective and cognitive processes, including our sensitivity to painful social experiences and subjective responses to emotional stimuli. Using a double-blind placebo-controlled study, here we examined whether acetaminophen alters the early visual processing of emotional facial expressions. Participants consumed 1000 mg of acetaminophen, or a matched placebo, prior to performing a delayed disengagement task with different facial expressions. Specifically, we used eye-tracking software to assess the latency to look away from neutral, happy, and angry faces. Based on prior research, we hypothesized that acetaminophen would reduce the typical delay in disengaging from emotional expressions. Our findings showed a significant main effect of facial expression, with happy faces producing the greatest delay, but there was no difference in response between the acetaminophen and placebo conditions. These results indicate that acetaminophen does not alter our initial assessment of emotional facial expressions, but we suggest further research be conducted to examine how this widely consumed drug may alter the detection and perception of emotions in others

Neuroendocrine Pathways Mediating Nutritional Acceleration of Puberty: Insights from Ruminant Models

The pubertal process is characterized by an activation of physiological events within the hypothalamic-adenohypophyseal–gonadal axis which culminate in reproductive competence. Excessive weight gain and adiposity during the juvenile period is associated with accelerated onset of puberty in females. The mechanisms and pathways by which excess energy balance advances puberty are unclear, but appear to involve an early escape from estradiol negative feedback and early initiation of high-frequency episodic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion. Hypothalamic neurons, particularly neuropeptide Y and proopiomelanocortin neurons are likely important components of the pathway sensing and transmitting metabolic information to the control of GnRH secretion. Kisspeptin neurons may also have a role as effector neurons integrating metabolic and gonadal steroid feedback effects on GnRH secretion at the time of puberty. Recent studies indicate that leptin-responsive neurons within the ventral premammillary nucleus play a critical role in pubertal progression and challenge the relevance of kisspeptin neurons in this process. Nevertheless, the nutritional control of puberty is likely to involve an integration of major sensor and effector pathways that interact with modulatory circuitries for a fine control of GnRH neuron function. In this review, observations made in ruminant species are emphasized for a comparative perspective

Biorecovery of heavy metals using vermiculite for sediment and water protection

The release of heavy metals in aquatic ecosystems is a matter of great concern due to their toxicity and accumulation in biota. Bottom sediments can act as sink of these pollutants. Several remediation technologies have been applied in order to treat wastewater and contaminated sediments. In this study, a permeable bio-barrier composed by low cost biomaterials was tested for water treatment and sediment protection against metal adsorption. The novelty of this work entails the combination of bacterial biosorption properties with the adsorption capacity of a natural clay. The results of preliminary continuous column experiments reveal the ability of vermiculite to entrap Cu ions, and highlight that metal adsorption can be enhanced by the presence of a Pseudomonas putida biofilm attached to the vermiculite surface

Combining The Pharmacophore Features Of Coumarins And 1,4-substituted 1,2,3-triazoles To Design New Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors: Fast And Easy Generation Of 4-methylcoumarins/1,2,3-triazoles Conjugates Via Click Chemistry

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coumarins are a large class of compounds that display a range of interesting biological properties, being considered privileged structures because of the ability of their 2H-chromen-2-one nuclei to bind to multiple pharmacological targets. We hypothesized that the linkage of a second pharmacophore nucleus to the 2H-chromen-2-one core, the 1,2,3-triazole moiety, would entail more selective and pharmacologically active coumarins. Therefore, we describe the synthesis of fourteen 4-methylcoumarins/1,4-substituted 1,2,3-triazole conjugates, which were predicted by in silico methods to inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and proved to be moderate in vitro inhibitors of this enzyme. Molecular docking simulations suggest that the most active of these compounds has a putative binding mode similar to donepezil, both occupying the peripheral anionic site of AChE, which is associated with the secondary noncholinergic functions of the enzyme. This highlights the potential of this series for further optimization in the search of new coumarins for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.27915411550Brazilian funding agency Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES)Brazilian funding agency Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq)Brazilian funding agency Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (FAPERGS)Brazilian funding agency Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP)Brazilian funding agency Instituto Nacional de Ciencia e Tecnologia para Inovacao Farmaceutica (INCT-IF)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

O4 - Exploring the biological properties and regenerative potential of biomaterials using cell culture models

Life expectancy has improved signifcantly and, along with the declining birthrate, has contributed to the aging of populations, especially in industrialized countries. Alas, aging is intrinsically associated with the incidence of health problems including bone and tooth loss that require suitable solutions to support the quality of life. To meet these demands, signifcant research eforts have been undertaken to develop novel biomaterials, both orthopedic and dental implants. The feld of biomaterials for bone tissue engineering is increasingly evolving. The most recent generations of biomaterials have increasingly more activity and interaction with the biological environment and stimulate the regeneration of functional tissue. Natural polymers and compounds have been combined with each other to improve workability and are strategically integrated with ceramics or bioactive glasses to reinforce the structure of the fnal system, thus producing composites with a better mechanical performance. Our research group has been focused on the biological characterization of diferent added-value materials and composites, namely by evaluating their antimicrobial, biocompatibility, and regenerative properties. Some of our recent work results allowed us to conclude that marine fungal extracts, as well as sol–gel-derived bioactive glass nanoparticles, have inhibitory efects on the growth of C. albicans and E. faecalis (main pathogens in persistent root canal infections). Additionally, we have characterized cuttlefsh bone powders for endodontic applications. We are also committed to developing strategies for monitoring cell response to these biomaterials at the molecular level that could be used to follow infammation and osteoconduction.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Disponibilidade de cobre na rotação soja-trigo em sistema de plantio direto.

A matéria orgânica (MO) é um quelante natural com capacidade de diminuir a disponibilidade de cobre (Cu) para as plantas, principalmente, quando cultivadas em sistema de plantio direto (SPD). O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos de doses de Cu sobre a produção e fertilidade do solo na rotação trigo (Triticum aestivum) e soja (Glycine max) em SPD. O delineamento experimental foi o blocos casualizados em parcelas subdividida com quatro repetições. As parcelas consistiram na aplicação de cinco doses de Cu (0, 1, 2, 4 e 8 kg ha-1) em cobertura e a subparcelas os períodos de cultivo. As doses de Cu influenciaram a produção de grãos de trigo e soja. Em solo com alto teor de MO, os extratores DTPA-TEA e Mehlich 1 apresentaram correlação significativa na determinação do Cu disponível, sendo que o DTPA-TEA teve o melhor ajuste (R2) em função das doses de Cu aplicada