9,952 research outputs found
Gravitational waves from pulsars with measured braking index
We study the putative emission of gravitational waves (GWs) in particular for
pulsars with measured braking index. We show that the appropriate combination
of both GW emission and magnetic dipole brakes can naturally explain the
measured braking index, when the surface magnetic field and the angle between
the magnetic dipole and rotation axes are time dependent. Then we discuss the
detectability of these very pulsars by aLIGO and the Einstein Telescope. We
call attention to the realistic possibility that aLIGO can detect the GWs
generated by at least some of these pulsars, such as Vela, for example.Comment: 6 pages and 4 figure
Structural characterization of functionalized gold nanoparticles for drug delivery in cancer therapy: a NMR based approach
In the present paper, we report results from a study of the structure and physicochemical properties of gold nanoparticles modified with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) designed for the drug delivery of the proteasome inhibitor Bortezomib (BTZ) in cancer therapy. A number of advanced analytical techniques were used to define important physicochemical characteristics such as composition, structure, surface properties, particle size and morphology. A new approach based on detailed NMR studies was employed to define specific intermolecular interactions and mechanisms of drug immobilization and location into surface modified gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Particularly important information was gained from analysis of NMR spectroscopic parameters such as the spectral line shape, translation diffusion, the nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE) and spin-lattice relaxation (T-1). The results confirmed the coexistence of two different types of BTZ inclusion into polyethylene glycol coated gold nanoparticles: (i) association with the polymer chains by weak H-bonds and/or dipole-charge interactions and (ii) adsorption on the surface of the gold nanoparticles. The results allowed for determination of the overall structure of Bortezomib loaded PEG coated AuNPs, which is related to the therapeutic drug efficacy and activity in the treatment of cancer
SiUinde: A collaborative platform to share conditions for near-the-shore activities
Currently, a large number of near-the-shore activities (sports and leisure) with a huge set of practitioners (growing everyday) exist. Also, the number of commercial companies, such as sport schools, that explore such type of costal activities are also on the rising. These kind of coastal activities are dependent of a set of conditions (in particular on what concerns the sun, the wind and waves) that affect directly or indirectly, the type of activity – mostly sportive – that can be practiced (surf, windsurf, paddle, kite surfing, canoeing, paragliding and others) on a given spot at a given time. This paper presents a platform, called SiUinde that was developed to allow users to collaboratively communicate reports about the coastal conditions, using several parameters, which include the wind conditions and the sea conditions, through a smartphone or tablet, permitting other users to have an in-depth and timely overview of the best places to enjoy their near-the-shore activities. This collaborative platform, takes advantage from the concept of collaborative intelligence and crowdsourcing to provide to the end-users the best possible recommendations for their preferred near-the-shore activities.info:eu-repo/semantics/submittedVersio
Mercapturate Pathway in the Tubulocentric Perspective of Diabetic Kidney Disease
BACKGROUND: The recent growing evidence that the proximal tubule underlies the
early pathogenesis of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is unveiling novel and
promising perspectives. This pathophysiological concept links tubulointerstitial
oxidative stress, inflammation, hypoxia, and fibrosis with the progression of
DKD. In this new angle for DKD, the prevailing molecular mechanisms on proximal
tubular cells emerge as an innovative opportunity for prevention and management
of DKD as well as to improve diabetic dysmetabolism.
SUMMARY: The mercapturate pathway (MAP) is a classical metabolic detoxification
route for xenobiotics that is emerging as an integrative circuitry detrimental to
resolve tubular inflammation caused by endogenous electrophilic species. Herein
we review why and how it might underlie DKD. Key Messages: MAP is a hallmark of
proximal tubular cell function, and cysteine-S-conjugates might represent targets
for early intervention in DKD. Moreover, the biomonitoring of urinary
mercapturates from metabolic inflammation products might be relevant for the
implementation of preventive/management strategies in DKD.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
X-ray method to study temperature-dependent stripe domains in MnAs/GaAs(001)
MnAs films grown on GaAs (001) exhibit a progressive transition between
hexagonal (ferromagnetic) and orthorhombic (paramagnetic) phases at wide
temperature range instead of abrupt transition during the first-order phase
transition. The coexistence of two phases is favored by the anisotropic strain
arising from the constraint on the MnAs films imposed by the substrate. This
phase coexistence occurs in ordered arrangement alternating periodic terrace
steps. We present here a method to study the surface morphology throughout this
transition by means of specular and diffuse scattering of soft x-rays, tuning
the photon energy at the Mn 2p resonance. The results show the long-range
arrangement of the periodic stripe-like structure during the phase coexistence
and its period remains constant, in agreement with previous results using other
techniques.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, submitted to Applied Physics Letter
Metabolic engineering of fatty acids from soybean seeds.
Edição do Congress of the Brazilian Biotechnology Society, Florianópolis, 2013
Manejo de irrigação com deficit em bananeira BRS Tropical no norte de Minas Gerais.
A irrigação existe como alternativa para a suplementação ou complementação de água que falta durante períodos de déficit hídrico no solo e não funciona isoladamente, mas, sim, conjugada com outras práticas agrícolas, de forma a beneficiar a cultura. A bananeira, cultivar BRS Tropical, desenvolvida pela Embrapa Mandioca e Fruticultura vem tendo sua área expandida com boa aceitação comercial. As avaliações iniciais dessa cultivar sob irrigação demonstraram que a mesma tem relevante crescimento vegetativo com produtividades entre 17,0 e 25,0 t.ha-1 (Silva et al., 2003). Os resultados sobre necessidade hídrica da bananeira tem sido específicos para cultivares de elevada exigência hídrica, tais como a Prata Anã. Observações de campo tem mostrado que a cultivar tem comportamento diferenciado quanto a tolerância a estresses hídricos do solo. Coelho et al. (2009) avaliaram o comportamento dessa cultivar sob diferentes níveis de água em condições subumidas de Tabuleiros costeiros e não verificaram diferenças significativas entre as produtividades com redução de até 90% da laminas de irrigação calculada. Com esses resultados confirmou-se a hipótese da tolerância à estresse hídrico dessa cultivar, mas ficou a necessidade de confirmação da mesma em condições semi-aridas. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito de quatro níveis de irrigação e três níveis de adubação abaixo dos valores calculados nas variáveis de produção da bananeira, cultivar BRS Tropical nas condições dos Norte de Minas Gerais.pdf 166
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