Insights into the room temperature magnetism of ZnO/Co3O4 mixtures

The origin of room temperature (RT) ferromagneticlike behavior in ZnO-based diluted magnetic semiconductors is still an unclear topic. The present work concentrates on the appearance of RT magnetic moments in just mixed ZnO/Co3O4 mixtures without thermal treatment. In this study, it is shown that the magnetism seems to be related to surface reduction of the Co3O4 nanoparticles, in which, an antiferromagnetic Co3O4 nanoparticle (core) is surrounded by a CoO-like shell. This singular superficial magnetism has also been found in other mixtures with semiconductors such as TiO2 and insulators such as Al2O3

Publicações científicas eletrônicas no Brasil : mudanças na comunicação formal, também?

Results of an exploratory study which aimed to identify the occurrence of electronic publications (journals, books and conference proceedings) produced by academic institutions (universities and learned societies) in Brazil are presented. Relates, in the light of the recent literature, technology developments for electronic publishing, the issue of innovation adoption and the peer review process. Some comments on changes on the formal communication (publishing) as compared to impacts already perceived on the informal communication are presented, on the basis of a hybrid communication model that depicts the co-existence of the print and electronic media nowadays. The research data gathered in the study show that there is a low adoption of information technology in formal communication amongst academic researchers in Brazil. Most of the publications found constitute an electronic version of a print-on-paper one, and are from disciplines in the sciences. There has been a significant role played by Scielo in this process. Moreover, it seems that there has not been a fully exploitation of the technology already available to electronic publishing in the country so far. The peer review process, as it happens in the print-based communication model, is also an essential issue in this scenario.Apresenta resultados de um estudo exploratório que visou à identificação da ocorrência de publicações eletrônicas (periódicos, livros e anais de congressos) produzidas no âmbito de instituições acadêmicas (universidades e sociedades científicas) no Brasil. Discorre, de forma sucinta e com base na literatura recente, a respeito questões consideradas relevantes sobre desenvolvimentos da tecnologia de informação empregada em publicações eletrônicas, a questão da adoção de inovações e o processo de revisão pelos pares. Comenta as mudanças na comunicação formal (publicação) em comparação aos impactos já verificados na comunicação informal, à luz de um modelo híbrido do processo de comunicação que ilustra a coexistência dos meios impresso e eletrônico no cenário atual. Os resultados do estudo mostram baixa adoção das tecnologias de informação na comunicação formal entre pesquisadores acadêmicos no Brasil (poucas publicações produzidas). A maior parte das publicações disponibilizadas constituem versões eletrônicas de publicações impressas e ocorrem na área das ciências naturais, com uma significativa participação do Scielo nesse processo. Além disso, parece não haver ainda no país a exploração inteligente das tecnologias disponíveis para a produção de publicações eletrônicas, e o processo de revisão pelos pares, tal como se dá no modelo impresso, constitui igualmente questão fundamental nesse novo cenário

Secondary Metabolites

Plants are the main source for obtaining secondary metabolites that are used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries. In nature, the performance of bioactive compounds is affected by biotic and abiotic factors, an alternative to overcome this adversity is in vitro plant cultures and particularly plant cell culture that has multiple advantages, highlighting the possibility of controlling variables to increase the content. of compounds of interest. The objective of this research was to determine and optimize the effect of some elicitors on the production of secondary flavonoid metabolites in suspension cell cultures of Thevetia peruviana on a shake flask scale. The experimental part was performed from cell cultures in suspension cells of T. peruviana maintained by the Bioconversion Laboratory of the Universidad Nacional de Colombia, sede Medellin. Firstly, methyl jasmonate (MeJa) 3 µM and salicylic acid (SA) 300 µM were added to two los of cell cultures, that circumstantially they differed in their time suspension state lot 1 (9 months) and lot 2 (3 months). Secondly, certain were evaluated, in order to be optimized; the operational parameters cosidered were: day of addition, concentration and hours of harvest. Finally, the combined effect of MeJa (0.3 µM) and SA (100 µM) was determined in different proportions, the day of elicitation and the hours of harvest were constant. Flavonoid content was quantified by UV-vis spectrophotometry usinfg the AlCl3 complexation method and was evaluated at extracellular and intracellular level. In the first part, at intracellular level, SA generated 14.6 % and 9.56 % more flavonoid content than MeJa in lots 1 and 2, respectively. In the second part, 4.14 mg EQ/g DW were generated with MeJa 0.3 µM, elicitation day 5 and harvest at 90 h; 3.75 mg EQ/g DW were generated with 100 µM SA, elicitation day 0 and harvests at 96 h. In the third part, 4.62 mg EQ / g DW were generated with the combination of MeJa (0.3 µM) – SA (100 µM) in a ratio of 20-80, elicitation on day 0 and harvest at 96 h. Eliciting cell cultures of Thevetia peruviana with MeJa and SA under optimal conditions of concentration, day of addition and hours of harvest increased the content of flavonoid compounds. The results obtained could serve as a basis for the development of investigations at the bioreactor scale.Las plantas son la principal fuente para la obtención de metabolitos secundarios que se usan en la industria farmacéutica, cosmética y alimentaria. En la naturaleza el rendimiento de compuestos bioactivos se ve afectado por factores bióticos y abióticos, una alternativa para superar esta adversidad son los cultivos vegetales in vitro y particularmente el cultivo de células en suspensión que presenta múltiples ventajas destacándose la posibilidad de controlar variables para aumentar el contenido de compuestos de interés. El objetivo del presente trabajo de investigación fue determinar y optimizar el efecto de algunos elicitores sobre la producción de metabolitos secundarios tipo flavonoides en cultivos de células en suspensión de Thevetia peruviana a escala de matraz agitado. La parte experimental se realizó a partir de cultivos de células en células en suspensión de T. peruviana que mantenía el laboratorio de bioconversiones de la Universidad Nacional de Colombia sede Medellín. Primeramente, metil jasmonato (MeJa) 3 μM y ácido salicílico (AS) 300 μM se adicionaron a dos lotes de cultivos de células; que circunstancialmente diferían en su tiempo en estado de suspensión lote 1 (9 meses) y lote 2 (3 meses). Segundamente, determinadas condiciones fueron evaluadas, con el fin de ser optimizadas; los parámetros operacionales que se consideraron fueron: día de adición, concentración y las horas de cosecha. Por último, el efecto combinado de MeJa (0,3 μM) – AS (100 μM) se determinó en diferentes proporciones, el día de elicitación y las horas de cosecha fueron constantes. El contenido de flavonoides se cuantificó por espectrofotometría UV – vis por el método de complejación de AlCl3 y se evaluaron a nivel extracelular e intracelular. En la primera parte, a nivel intracelular AS generaron 14,6 % y 9,56 % más contenido de flavonoides que MeJa en lotes 1 y 2, respectivamente. En la segunda parte, 4,14 mg EQ/g MS fueron generados con MeJa 0,3 μM, elicitación día 5 y cosecha a 90 h; por otro lado, 3,75 mg EQ/g MS fueron generados con AS 100 μM, elicitación día 0 y cosecha a 96 h. En la tercera parte, 4,62 mg EQ/g MS fueron generados con la combinación de MeJa (0,3 μM) – AS (100 μM) en proporción 20 – 80, elicitación el día 0 y cosecha a las 96 h. Elicitar cultivos celulares de Thevetia peruviana con MeJa y AS en condiciones óptimas de concentración, día de adición y horas de cosecha incrementaron el contenido de compuestos flavonoides. Los resultados obtenidos podrían servir como base para el desarrollo de investigaciones a escala de biorreactor.Maestrí

Spatio-temporal expression patterns of Arabidopsis thaliana and Medicago truncatula defensin-like genes

Plant genomes contain several hundred defensin-like (DEFL) genes that encode short cysteine-rich proteins resembling defensins, which are well known antimicrobial polypeptides. Little is known about the expression patterns or functions of many DEFLs because most were discovered recently and hence are not well represented on standard microarrays. We designed a custom Affymetrix chip consisting of probe sets for 317 and 684 DEFLs from Arabidopsis thaliana and Medicago truncatula, respectively for cataloging DEFL expression in a variety of plant organs at different developmental stages and during symbiotic and pathogenic associations. The microarray analysis provided evidence for the transcription of 71% and 90% of the DEFLs identified in Arabidopsis and Medicago, respectively, including many of the recently annotated DEFL genes that previously lacked expression information. Both model plants contain a subset of DEFLs specifically expressed in seeds or fruits. A few DEFLs, including some plant defensins, were significantly up-regulated in Arabidopsis leaves inoculated with Alternaria brassicicola or Pseudomonas syringae pathogens. Among these, some were dependent on jasmonic acid signaling or were associated with specific types of immune responses. There were notable differences in DEFL gene expression patterns between Arabidopsis and Medicago, as the majority of Arabidopsis DEFLs were expressed in inflorescences, while only a few exhibited root-enhanced expression. By contrast, Medicago DEFLs were most prominently expressed in nitrogen-fixing root nodules. Thus, our data document salient differences in DEFL temporal and spatial expression between Arabidopsis and Medicago, suggesting distinct signaling routes and distinct roles for these proteins in the two plant species

Brazilian scientific articles on “Spirituality, Religion and Health”

Abstract Background Studies on “Spirituality, religion and health” (R/S) have been increasing worldwide, including in Brazil. Mapping this production can help researchers to understand this field and also to identify gaps in the Brazilian R/S studies. Objective To analyze the Brazilian scientific articles on “Religion, Spirituality and Health” available on the main electronic databases using a bibliometric approach. Methods A comprehensive review of four major databases (PubMed, Scopus, BVS and Web of Science) was conducted. Three reviewers performed the data analysis. Off-topic articles, articles from Portugal, books and thesis were excluded. Articles were then classified by: Publication year, journal, Central focus in R/S, Academic Area, Main topic and Study Type. Results From 3,963 articles found, 686 studies were included in the final analysis (320 had central focus on R/S). There was an increase of articles in the last decade (most observational), with predominance of mental health issues, and from journals in the field of psychiatry, public health and nursing. Discussion This study enabled us to widen our understanding about how the field of “spirituality, religion and health” has been established and how this field is increasing in Brazil. These findings can help in the development of future Brazilian studies

Environmental assessment of industrial production of microalgal biodiesel in central-south Chile

Biofuels from microalgae have the potential to replace fossil fuels, without competing with other products derived from crops. This study aims to perform a cradle-to-gate Life Cycle Assessment of the industrial production of microalgal biodiesel, using an autochthonous Chilean Phaeodactylum tricornutum strain, considering 1 MJ of biodiesel as the functional unit. For the compilation of the Life Cycle Inventory, real experimental data were obtained from the pilot-scale cultivation in a photobioreactor (PBR) module located in the city of Concepción, in Chile. The scale-up to the industrial plant considers that PBR modules are of the same size as those used in the pilot-scale. The Life Cycle Impacts Analysis considered the ReCiPe 2016 Endpoint (H) V1.00 method. Results show that the whole process contributes to a total of 5.74 kgCO2eq per MJ of biodiesel produced. PBR construction materials and energy consumption are the main contributors to the life cycle environmental impacts. The sensitivity analysis shows that energy consumption, water reuse and transportation distance of seawater from ocean to the industrial plant are the critical parameters that most affect the overall environmental performance of the system. The rate of water reuse is particularly critical to the global warming potential. Results also show that the valorization of co-products is an important aspect to improve the environmental performance of microalgal biodiesel production. Therefore, this study supports the decision-making process in biofuel production to promote the development of sustainable pilot and large-scale algae-based industry.publishe

Spatially confined UHF RFID detection with a metamaterial grid

WOS: 000329516700044 (Nº de Acesso Web of Science)The confinement of the detection region is one of the most challenging issues in Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems. Here, we propose a new paradigm to confine the interrogation zone of standard UHF RFID systems. Our approach relies on the use of an all-planar metamaterial wire grid to block the radiation field (i.e., the far-field) of the reader antenna, and thereby obtain a spatially well-confined detection region in the near-field. This solution is analytically and numerically investigated, and then experimentally verified through near-field and tag-reading measurements, demonstrating its effectiveness and robustness under external perturbations

Induction of a Protective Response in Mice by the Dengue Virus NS3 Protein Using DNA Vaccines

The dengue non-structural 3 (NS3) is a multifunctional protein, containing a serino-protease domain, located at the N-terminal portion, and helicase, NTPase and RTPase domains present in the C-terminal region. This protein is considered the main target for CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses during dengue infection, which may be involved in protection. However, few studies have been undertaken evaluating the use of this protein as a protective antigen against dengue, as well as other flavivirus. In the present work, we investigate the protective efficacy of DNA vaccines based on the NS3 protein from DENV2. Different recombinant plasmids were constructed, encoding either the full-length NS3 protein or only its functional domains (protease and helicase), fused or not to a signal peptide (t-PA). The recombinant proteins were successfully expressed in transfected BHK-21 cells, and only plasmids encoding the t-PA signal sequence mediated protein secretion. Balb/c mice were immunized with the different DNA vaccines and challenged with a lethal dose of DENV2. Most animals immunized with plasmids encoding the full-length NS3 or the helicase domain survived challenge, regardless of the presence of the t-PA. However, some mice presented clinical signs of infection with high morbidity (hind leg paralysis and hunched posture), mainly in animal groups immunized with the DNA vaccines based on the helicase domain. On the other hand, inoculation with plasmids encoding the protease domain did not induce any protection, since mortality and morbidity rates in these mouse groups were similar to those detected in the control animals. The cellular immune response was analyzed by ELISPOT with a specific-CD8+ T cell NS3 peptide. Results revealed that the DNA vaccines based on the full-length protein induced the production of INF-γ, thus suggesting the involvement of this branch of the immune system in the protection