SatNEx: A Network of Excellence Providing Training in Satellite Communications

YesSatellite communications represents a specialised area of telecommunications. While the development of satellite technology is relatively slow in comparison to wireless networks evolution, due to the need for high reliability, the services that satellites are able to offer are evolving at much the same pace as their terrestrial counterparts. It is within this context that the satellite communications network of excellence (SatNEx) has evolved its initiative, the aim being to serve the engineering community with the latest technological trends, while also providing a solid grounding in the fundamentals for those new to the subject area.European Commission Framework Programme

Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer: results and open issues

The medical treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has progressively changed since the introduction of “targeted therapy”. The development of one of these molecular drug categories, e. g., the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine-kinase (TK) selective inhibitors, such as the orally active gefitinib and erlotinib, offers an interesting new opportunity. The clinical response rates obtained with their employment in unselected patient populations only account for approximately 10%. Because of this, over the last two years numerous studies have been performed in order to identify the patient subsets that could better benefit from these agents. Not only patient characteristics and clinical-pathological features, such as never-smoking status, female gender, East Asian origin, adenocarcinoma histology, bronchioloalveolar subtype, but also molecular findings, such as somatic mutations in the EGFR gene, emerge as potentially useful prognostic and predictive factors in advanced NSCLC. Further, specifically designed clinical trials are still needed to completely clarify these and other open issues that are reviewed in this paper, in order to clarify all the interesting findings available in the clinical practice

The use of camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia) for the production of a fermented alcoholic beverage

The high levels of ascorbic acid in camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia McVaugh, Myrtaceae) have stimulated interest of extractivists, farmers and consumers. This has led to a need to develop adequate technology for it's production on non-flooded land and the industrial use of this fruit. This study had as its main objective to verify if camu-camu is adequate for the production of fermented alcoholic beverages, measuring the effect of blanching the fruit and the incorporation of the fruit peel with the fruit pulp on the nutritional and sensory characteristics of the drink. The fruits were separated into 4 groups, two being blanched (90 ºC for 7 minutes). After the pulp was removed, the peels of one group from each blanching treatment were incorporated into the respective pulps and their chemical composition evaluated. After sugar correction of the must, pasteurisation, fermentation (25 days), decanting, pasteurisation (70 ºC for 15 minutes), filtering and clarification, the beverages were evaluated as to their chemical composition, sweetened and submitted to sensory analysis. Blanching reduced the concentration of ascorbic acid in the pulps (33 %) and the addition of the peel increased the amount of dry matter (39 % in pulp), ascorbic acid (33 % in pulp, 23 % in must and 50 % in drink) and phenolic compounds (50 % in drink). The sensory profile and acceptability suggest that camu-camu is adequate for the production of fermented alcoholic beverages and that the addition of the peel to the pulp contributes positively to it's acceptability (6.7 with versus 6.2 without, of 9 points possible). The beverage had flavour characteristic of the fruit, a orangish-red color and agreeable taste.", 'enO elevado teor de ácido ascórbico no camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia McVaugh, Myrtaceae) desperta o interesse de extrativistas, agricultores e consumidores, e leva à necessidade de desenvolvimento de tecnologias adequadas para produção em terra firme e aproveitamento industrial do fruto. Este trabalho teve por objetivo verificar a adequação do camu-camu para a produção de bebida alcoólica fermentada, assim como o efeito do branqueamento do fruto e da incorporação da casca à polpa nas características nutricionais e sensoriais da bebida. Os frutos foram separados em quatro lotes, sendo dois branqueados (90 ºC por 7 min). Após a despolpa, as cascas de um lote de cada tratamento (com e sem branqueamento) foram incorporadas às respectivas polpas e avaliadas quanto à composição química (umidade, pH, acidez, sólidos solúveis, açúcares, ácido ascórbico, compostos fenólicos, antocianinas e flavonóides). Após a correção do mosto com açúcar, pasteurização, fermentação (25 dias), trasfega, pasteurização (70 ºC por 15 min), filtragem e clarificação, as bebidas foram avaliadas quanto a composição química, edulcoradas e submetidas à análise sensorial. O branqueamento reduziu a concentração de ácido ascórbico das polpas (33 %) e a agregação da casca aumentou os teores de matéria seca (39 % polpa), ácido ascórbico (33 % na polpa, 23 % no mosto e 50 % na bebida) e fenólicos (50 % bebida). O perfil sensorial e a aceitabilidade sugerem que o camu-camu é adequado para a produção de bebida alcoólica fermentada e que a agregação da casca à polpa contribuiu positivamente para a aceitabilidade (6,7 com casca e 6,2 sem casca, na escala de 9 pontos). As bebidas apresentaram flavor característico do fruto, limpidez, coloração vermelho-laranjada e sabor agradável

Phase Equilibrium Measurements For The System Fennel (foeniculum Vulgare) Extract + Co2

Phase equilibria data for the system formed by CO2 (1) + fennel extract (2) were measured at pressures from (47.4 to 220.4) bar and temperatures of (303.0, 313.1, 323.1, and 333.0) K; CO2 mole fraction varied from (0.4827 to 0.9966). The phase equilibrium experiments (cloud points) were performed using a high-pressure variable-volume view cell. The phase transitions were visually recorded as bubble or dew points. The fennel extract used in the present work was obtained by extraction with carbon dioxide. Liquid-vapor (LV) equilibria were observed at all temperatures for x1 = (0.4827 to 0.7086). Liquid-liquid (LL) equilibria were observed for all temperatures at x1 = (0.7178 to 0.7760) and x1 = 0.9949, except at 333.0 K; LL transition was also observed at 303.0 K and x1 = 0.9966. At 303.0 K, liquid-liquid-vapor (LLV) transitions were observed at x1 = (0.8297, 0.9273, and 0.9949); at 313.1 K for x1 = (0.9273 and 0.9949). At x1 = 0.9966 and 303.0 K, LL and LLV were observed at (98.4 and 70.2) bar, respectively. The experimental data were fitted to the Peng-Robinson equation of state with the quadratic mixing rule using the simulated annealing minimization method. The model described quantitatively the experimental data. © 2005 American Chemical Society.50516571661McHugh, M.A., Krukonis, V.J., (1994) Supercritical Fluid Extraction: Principles and Practice, 2nd Ed., , Butterworth-Heinemann: LondonChristov, M., Dohrn, R., Review - High-pressure fluid phase equilibria experimental methods and systems investigated (1994-1999) (2002) Fluid Phase Equilib., 202, pp. 153-218Meireles, M.A.A., Supercritical extraction from solid: Process design data (2001-2003) (2003) Curr. Opin. Solid State Mater. Sci., 7, pp. 321-330Akgün, M., Akgün, N.A., Dinçer, S., Phase behaviuor of essential oil components in supercritical carbon dioxide (1999) J. Supercrit. Fluids, 15, pp. 117-125Cardozo Filho, L., Wolff, F., Meireles, M.A.A., High-pressure phase equilibrium: Prediction of essential oil solubility (1997) Ciênc. Tecnol. Aliment., 4, pp. 485-488Raeissi, S., Peters, C.J., On the phenomenon of double retrograde vaporization: Multi-dew point behavior in the binary system ethane + limonene (2001) Fluid Phase Equilib., 91, pp. 33-40Raeissi, S., Peters, C.J., Double retrograde vaporization in a multi-component system: Ethane + orange peel oil (2004) J. Supercrit. Fluids, 29, pp. 69-75Sousa, A.R.S., Raeissi, S., Aguiar-Ricardo, A., Duarte, C.M.M., High pressure phase behavior of the system ethane + orange peel oil (2004) J. Supercrit. Fluids, 29, pp. 59-67Souza, A.T., Corazza, M.L., Cardozo-Filho, L., Guirardello, R., Meireles, M.A.A., Phase equilibrium measurements for the system clove (Eugenia caryophyllus) oil + CO2 (2004) J. Chem. Eng. Data, 49, pp. 352-356Peng, D.Y., Robinson, D.B., A New two-constant equation of state (1976) Ind. Eng. Chem. Fundam., 15, pp. 59-64Poling, B.E., Prausnitz, J.M., O'Connell, J.P., (2000) The Properties of Gases and Liquids, 5th Ed., , McGraw-Hill: New YorkConstantinou, L., Gani, R., New group contribution method for estimating properties of pure compounds (1994) Am. Inst. Chem. Eng. J., 40, pp. 1697-1710Moura, L.S., Carvalho-Junior, R.N., Stefanini, M.B., Ming, L.C., Meireles, M.A.A., Supercritical fluid extraction from fennel (Foeniculum vulgare): Global yield, composition and kinetic data J. Supercrit. Fluids, , in pressCollins, C.H., Braga, G.L., Bonato, P., (1997) Introdução a Métodos Cromatográficos, 7th Ed., , Editera da Unicamp: Campinas, BrazilCorazza, M.L., Cardozo-Filho, L., Antunes, O.A.C., Dariva, C., High pressure phase equilibria of related substances in the limonene oxidation in supercritical CO2 (2003) J. Chem. Eng. Data, 48, pp. 354-358Joback, K.G., Reid, R.C., Estimation of pure-component properties from group-contributions (1987) Chem. Eng. Commun., 57, pp. 233-243Araújo, M.E., Meireles, M.A.A., Improving phase equilibrium calculation with the Peng-Robinson EOS for fats and oils related compounds supercritical CO2 systems (2000) Fluid Phase Equilib., 169, pp. 49-64Angus, S.A., Armstrong, B., Reuck, K.M., (1976) International Thermodynamics Tables of the Fluid State Carbon Dioxide, , Pergamon Press: Elmsford, NYBaker, L.E., Pierce, A.C., Lucks, K.D., Gibbs energy analysis of phase equilibria (1982) Soc. Pet. Eng. J., 22, pp. 731-742Press, W.H., Teukolsky, S.A., Vetterling, W.T., Flannery, B.P., (1997) Numerical Recipes in Fortran 90, , Press Syndicate of the University of Cambridge: New YorkHua, J.Z., Brennecke, J.F., Stadtherr, M.A., Reliable computation of phase stability using interval analysis: Cubic equations of state models (1998) Comput. Chem. Eng., 22, pp. 1207-1214Stradi, B.A., Xu, G., Brennecke, J.F., Stadtherr, M.A., Modeling and Design of an Environmentally Benign Reaction Process, , Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Notre Dame: Notre Dame, INDamjanovic, B., Lepojevic, Z., Zivkovic, V., Tolic, A., Extraction of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) seeds with supercritical CO2: Comparison with hydrodistillation (2005) Food Chem., 92, pp. 143-149Van Konynenburg, P.H., Scott, R.L., Critical phenomena and phase equilibria in binary van der Waals mixtures (1980) Philos. Trans. A, 298, pp. 495-54

Can ankle imbalance be a risk factor for tensor fascia lata muscle weakness?

explanation could be related by the temporary inhibition of muscular control following an alteration of proprioceptive regulation due to the ankle imbalance pathology. The purpose of our study was to validate a new experimental set up to quantify two kinesiologic procedures (Shock Absorber Test (SAT) and Kendall and Kendall\u2018s Procedure (KKP)) to verify if a subtalus stimulus in an ankle with imbalance can induce a non-appropriate response of controlateral tensor fascia lata muscle (TFL). Fifteen male soccer players with ankle imbalance (AIG) and 14 healthy (CG) were tested after (TEST) before (NO-TEST) a manual percussion in subtalus joint (SAT). A new tailor-made device equipped with a load cell was used to quantify TFL\u2018s strength activation in standardized positions. Two trials for each subject were performed, separated by at least one 4-min resting interval. In NO-TEST conditions both AIG and CG showed a progressive adaptation of the subject to the force imposed by operator. No reduction in mean force, mean peak force, and muscle force duration (p > 0.5). AIG presented significant differences (mean difference 0.92 \ub1 0.46 s; p = 0.000) in muscle force duration in TEST conditions. Our results indicated that \u2018\u2018wrong\u201d proprioceptive stimuli coming from the subtalus joint in AIG might induce inhibition in terms of duration of TFL muscle altering the knee stability. This kinesiological evaluation might be useful to prevent ankle and knee injuries

Phase Equilibrium For (camphor + Co2), (camphor + Propane), And (camphor + Co2 + Propane)

Phase equilibrium data for {camphor (1) + CO2 (2)}, {camphor (1) + propane (3)}, and {camphor (1) + CO2 (2) + propane (3)} were measured using a high-pressure variable-volume view cell and the synthetic static method; experiments were performed at temperatures of (304, 314, 324, 334, 344, 354, 364, 374, and 384) K. The phase transitions have been visually identified as bubble and dew points. The temperature and pressure uncertainties were 0.5 K and 0.07 MPa. The experimental data were described satisfactorily by the Peng-Robinson equation of state with vdW2 mixing rule. The binary interaction parameters (k12 and I12) were estimated by heuristic, optimization using the simulated annealing (SA) method. Propane considerably affected the phase behavior of camphor + CO2 when used as a second solvent, resulting in pressures for the LV phase transition intermediate to the phase transition pressure of the binary systems investigated. © 2006 American Chemical Society.5139971000Iwai, Y., Morotomi, T., Sakamoto, K., Koga, Y., Arai, Y., High-pressure vapor-liquid equilibria for carbon dioxide + limonene (1996) J. Chem. Eng. Data, 41, pp. 951-952Rodrigues, V.M., Sousa, E.M.B.D., Monteiro, A.R., Chiavone-Filho, O., Marques, M.O.M., Meireles, M.A.A., Determination of the solubility of extracts from vegetable material in pressurized CO2: A pseudo-ternary system mixture formed by cellulosic structure + solute + solvent (2002) J. Supercrit. Fluids, 22, pp. 21-36Arai, Y., Sato, T., Tekebayashi, Y., (2002) Supercritical Fluids: Molecular Interactions, Physical Properties, and New Applications, , Springer: BerlinWagner, Z., Pavlícek, J., Vapour-liquid equilibrium in the carbon dioxide-p-cymene system at high pressure (1993) Fluid Phase Equilib., 90, pp. 135-141Weber, W., Petkov, S., Brunner, G., Vapour-liquid-equilibria and calculations using the Redlich-Kwong-Aspen- equation of state for tristearin, tripalmitin, and triolein in CO2 and propane (1999) Fluid Phase Equilib., 158, pp. 695-706Lee, K.R., Tan, C.S., Vapor-liquid equilibria for the systems propane + m-cresol. propane + p-cresol. and propane + m-cresol + p-cresol at high pressures (1998) Fluid Phase Equilib., 143, pp. 125-141Corazza, M.L., Cardozo Filho, L., Antunes, O.A.C., Dariva, C., High-pressure phase equilibria of the related substances in the limonene oxidation in supercritical CO2 (2003) J. Chem. Eng. Data, 48, pp. 354-358Corazza, M.L., Cardozo Filho, L., Antunes, O.A.C., Dariva, C., Phase behavior of the reaction medium of limonene oxidation in supercritical carbon dioxide (2003) Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 42, pp. 3150-3155Moura, L.S., Corazza, M.L., Cardozo Filho, L., Meireles, M.A.A., Phase equilibrium measurements for the system fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) extract + CO2 (2005) J. Chem. Eng. Data, 50, pp. 1657-1661Souza, A.T., Corazza, M.L., Cardozo-Filho, L., Guirardello, R., Meireles, M.A.A., Phase equilibrium measurements for the system clove (Eugenia caryophyllus) oil + CO2 (2004) J. Chem. Eng. Data, 49, pp. 352-356Stuart, G.R., Dariva, C., Oliveira, J.V., High-pressure vapor-liquid equilibrium data for CO2-orange peel oil (2000) Braz. J. Chem. Eng., 17, pp. 181-189Adams, R.P., (2001) Identification of Essential Oil Components by Gas Chromatography/ Quadrupole Mass Spectroscopy, , Allured Publishing Corporation: Carol Stream, ILAkgün, M., Akgün, N., Dinçer, S., Phase behaviour of essential oil components in supercritical dioxide of carbon (1999) J. Supercrit. Fluids, 15, pp. 117-125Adas, N., Dinçer, S., Bolat, E., Supercritical fluid extraction of essential oil from turkish lavender flowers (1994) J. Supercrit. Fluids, 7, pp. 93-99Henderson, N., Oliveira Jr., J.R., Amaral, H.P., Pitanga Marques, R., Modeling and analysis of the isothermal flash problem and its calculations with the simulated annealing algorithm (2001) Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 40, pp. 6028-6038Kundu, M., Mandal, B.P., Bandyopadhyay, S.S., Vapor-liquid equilibrium of CO2 in aqueous solutions of 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (2003) J. Chem. Eng. Data, 48, pp. 789-796Peng, D.Y., Robinson, D.B., A new two-constant equation of state (1976) Ind. Eng. Chem. Fundam., 15, pp. 59-64Press, W.H., Teukolsky, S.A., Vetterling, W.T., Flannery, B.P., (1997) Numerical Recipes in Fortran, 90. , Press Syndicate of the University of Cambridge: New YorkReid, R.C., Prausnitz, J.M., Sherwood, T.K., (1977) The Properties of Gases and Liquids, , McGraw-Hill: New YorkCorazza, M., Cardozo Filho, L., Dariva, C., SVL equilibrium for CO2/ cosolvent/solute system: Experimental data and modeling (2004) V EBFS-V Brazilian Meeting on Supercritical Fluids, , Florianópolis, Brazil, April 21-2

Binding of cations of group IA and IIA to bovine serum amine oxidase: Effect on the activity

AbstractIn this paper, we report on the presence of cation binding areas on bovine serum amine oxidase, where metal ions of the groups IA and IIA, such as Na+, K+, Cs+, Mg2+, and Ca2+, bind with various affinities. We found a cation-binding area that influences the enzyme activity if occupied, so that the catalytic reaction may be altered by some physiologically relevant cations, such as Ca2+ and K+. This binding area appears to be localized inside the enzyme active site, because some of these cations act as competitive inhibitors when highly charged amines, such as spermine and spermidine, are used as substrates. In particular, dissociation constant values (Kd) of 23 and 27mM were measured for Cs+ and Ca2+, respectively, using, as substrate, spermine, a polyamine of plasma. An additional cation-binding area, where metal ions such as Cs+ (Kd ≅ 0.1mM) and Na+ (Kd ≅ 54mM) bind without affecting the enzyme activity, was found by NMR

Development, dormancy, germination and ex-situ survival of seeds of selected Amaryllidaceae species

Seed development, dormancy, germination, desiccation tolerance and survival ex-situ were studied in selected members of the Amaryllidaceae following reports of poor seed germination and storability. Seed dry weight accumulation of temperate woodland European Galanthus nivalis L. and Narcissus pseudonarcissus L. continued until seed dispersal with no subsequent maturation drying phase. Seeds shed at high moisture contents (> 60% FWB). In both species, the ability of seeds to germinate developed before the ability to tolerate desiccation; the latter was not acquired in some seeds at dispersal. Embryo elongation occurred during seed development which continued post-shedding, more rapidly at warmer temperatures similar to summer temperatures of the natural post-shedding environment. Warm temperatures alleviated physiological dormancy gradually; germination occurred in most seeds at subsequent cooler, autumn-like temperatures. This pattern was repeated in seeds which did not germinate initially. Constant temperatures and darkness promoted germination in both species, with darkness a strong requirement for G. nivalis. Desiccation increased dormancy in a proportion of N pseudo narcissus seeds. Seeds 'of European Leucojum aestivum L. and N pseudo narcissus and American Rhodophiala bagnoldii (Herb.) Traub, Rhodophiala advena (Ker Gawl.) Traub and Zephyranthes drummondii D.Don tolerated drying to 4.1 - 5.5% moisture content. Seeds of the American and European species survived sub-zero storage for over four years and six months respectively, and are probably orthodox. Galanthus nivalis seed survival on desiccation varied considerably amongst populations: virtually no seeds survived drying to 7.1 - 7.3 % moisture content while others tolerated desiccation to 12 -18%, suggesting possible intermediate seed storage behaviour. Seeds of these American and European species are estimated to be relatively short-lived in seed bank storage compared with species from other families. Storage of seeds of European species at slightly higher moisture contents may reduce the rate of viability loss.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo