The sensory acceptability of a tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) mechanically separated meat-based spread.

A carne mecanicamente separada (CMS) é uma alternativa para a diversificação de novos produtos à base de pescado e também se mostra como um destino para os resíduos da indústria de filetagem. A carne mecanicamente separada de tilápia foi utilizada, neste estudo, na formulação de patê, com o objetivo de investigar a aceitabilidade desse produto pelos consumidores. Duas formulações de patê foram preparadas, com diferentes tipos de sais comerciais: sal temperado (A) e sal comum (B). Consumidores (112) avaliaram a aceitação em relação à impressão global, à espalhabilidade, à aparência e ao sabor em escala hedônica de nove pontos. A análise microbiológica da carne mecanicamente separada de tilápia e a composição química da formulação de patê de tilápia também foram determinadas. Quando a aceitação de todos os consumidores foi considerada, a impressão global, a aparência e o sabor foram significativamente (p < 0,05) inferiores para o patê de tilápia com sal comum (B). No entanto, três diferentes grupos de consumidores foram encontrados a partir da aceitabilidade da impressão global do patê de tilápia. O maior segmento também preferiu o patê de tilápia com sal temperado (A), mas ambos tiveram alta aceitabilidade. A CMS de tilápia apresentou qualidade como matéria-prima de acordo com regulamento técnico sobre padrões microbiológicos. O produto final apresentou a seguinte composição química: umidade - 62,17%; cinzas - 2,11%; proteína - 9,75%, e lipídios - 18,81%. Esses resultados podem ser de grande importância para a indústria no desenvolvimento e na comercialização de novos produtos obtidos a partir da carne mecanicamente separada de tilápia

Evaluation of the long-term compressive strength development of the sewage sludge ash/metakaolin-based geopolymer

[EN] This paper aimed to evaluate the long-term compressive strength development of the sewage sludge ash/metakaolin (SSA/MK)¿based geopolymer. SSA/MK¿based geopolymeric mortars and pastes were produced at 25ºC with different SSA contents (0 - 30 wt.%). Compressive strength tests were run within the 3-720 curing days range. A physicochemical characterisation (X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy) was performed in geopolymeric pastes. All the geopolymeric mortars presented a compressive strength gain with curing time. The mortars with all the SSA evaluated contents (10, 20, 30 wt.%) developed a compressive strength over 40 MPa after 720 curing days at 25ºC. The maximum compressive strength of the mortars with SSA was approximately 61 MPa (10 wt.% of SSA), similarly to the reference mortar (100% MK-based geopolymer). The microstructure analyses showed that the SSA/MK¿based geopolymer presented a dense microstructure with N-A-S-H gel formation.This study was financed partly by the Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Su-perior -Brasil (CAPES) -(Finance Code 001 and CAPES/DGU n. 266/12), and the National Council of Scientific and Technological Development -Bra-sil (CNPq) -(n. 14/2013, process 478057/2013-0 and 309015/2015-4). The authors would like to thank Programa Institucional de Internacionalizacao - CAPES -PrInt. The authors acknowledge the Scanning Electron Microscopy Service of FEIS/UN-ESP, Servico Municipal Autonomo de Agua e Es-goto (SEMAE) from the Sao Jose do Rio Preto city -SP, Brazil and Diatom Mineracao Ltda. The authors would like to thank Programa Institucional de Internacionalizacao CAPES -PrInt.Istuque, D.; Soriano Martinez, L.; Borrachero Rosado, MV.; Paya Bernabeu, JJ.; Akasaki, JL.; Melges, JLP.; Tashima, MM. (2021). Evaluation of the long-term compressive strength development of the sewage sludge ash/metakaolin-based geopolymer. Materiales de Construcción. 71(343):1-10. https://doi.org/10.3989/mc.2021.13220S1107134

Active control of a plasmonic metamaterial for quantum state engineering

We experimentally demonstrate the active control of a plasmonic metamaterial operating in the quantum regime. A two-dimensional metamaterial consisting of unit cells made from gold nanorods is investigated. Using an external laser we control the temperature of the metamaterial and carry out quantum process tomography on single-photon polarization-encoded qubits sent through, characterizing the metamaterial as a variable quantum channel. The overall polarization response can be tuned by up to 33% for particular nanorod dimensions. To explain the results, we develop a theoretical model and find that the experimental results match the predicted behavior well. This work goes beyond the use of simple passive quantum plasmonic systems and shows that external control of plasmonic elements enables a flexible device that can be used for quantum state engineering.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figure

Path Selection for Quantum Repeater Networks

Quantum networks will support long-distance quantum key distribution (QKD) and distributed quantum computation, and are an active area of both experimental and theoretical research. Here, we present an analysis of topologically complex networks of quantum repeaters composed of heterogeneous links. Quantum networks have fundamental behavioral differences from classical networks; the delicacy of quantum states makes a practical path selection algorithm imperative, but classical notions of resource utilization are not directly applicable, rendering known path selection mechanisms inadequate. To adapt Dijkstra's algorithm for quantum repeater networks that generate entangled Bell pairs, we quantify the key differences and define a link cost metric, seconds per Bell pair of a particular fidelity, where a single Bell pair is the resource consumed to perform one quantum teleportation. Simulations that include both the physical interactions and the extensive classical messaging confirm that Dijkstra's algorithm works well in a quantum context. Simulating about three hundred heterogeneous paths, comparing our path cost and the total work along the path gives a coefficient of determination of 0.88 or better.Comment: 12 pages, 8 figure

Comparative study of alternative Geant4 hadronic ion inelastic physics models for prediction of positron-emitting radionuclide production in carbon and oxygen ion therapy

© 2019 Commonwealth of Australia, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, ANSTO.. The distribution of fragmentation products predicted by Monte Carlo simulations of heavy ion therapy depend on the hadronic physics model chosen in the simulation. This work aims to evaluate three alternative hadronic inelastic fragmentation physics options available in the Geant4 Monte Carlo radiation physics simulation framework to determine which model most accurately predicts the production of positron-emitting fragmentation products observable using in-beam PET imaging. Fragment distributions obtained with the BIC, QMD, and INCL + + physics models in Geant4 version 10.2.p03 are compared to experimental data obtained at the HIMAC heavy-ion treatment facility at NIRS in Chiba, Japan. For both simulations and experiments, monoenergetic beams are applied to three different block phantoms composed of gelatin, poly(methyl methacrylate) and polyethylene. The yields of the positron-emitting nuclei 11C, 10C and 15O obtained from simulations conducted with each model are compared to the experimental yields estimated by fitting a multi-exponential radioactive decay model to dynamic PET images using the normalised mean square error metric in the entrance, build up/Bragg peak and tail regions. Significant differences in positron-emitting fragment yield are observed among the three physics models with the best overall fit to experimental 12C and 16O beam measurements obtained with the BIC physics model

Modest but Variable Effect of Rifampin on Steady-State Plasma Pharmacokinetics of Efavirenz in Healthy African-American and Caucasian Volunteers

ABSTRACT Efavirenz-based antiretroviral regimen is preferred during rifampin-containing tuberculosis therapy. However, current pharmacokinetic data are insufficient to guide optimized concurrent dosing. This study aimed to better characterize the effects of rifampin on efavirenz pharmacokinetics. Subjects were randomized to receive 600 mg efavirenz/day or 600 mg efavirenz with 600 mg rifampin/day for 8 days, with plasma samples collected for pharmacokinetic analysis over 24 h on day 8. Treatments were then crossed over after at least a 2-week washout period, and procedures were repeated. Efavirenz concentrations were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated by noncompartmental analysis. Efavirenz pharmacokinetic differences between treatment periods were evaluated by paired t test. The coefficients of variation in efavirenz plasma AUC 0-24 (area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to 24 h) were 50% and 56% in the absence and presence of rifampin, respectively. Of the 11 evaluable subjects (6 white, 5 black; 6 women, 5 men), the geometric mean AUC 0-24 ratio on/off rifampin (90% confidence interval) was 0.82 (0.72, 0.92), with individual AUC 0-24 ratios varying from 0.55 to 1.18. Five subjects had a 24-hour efavirenz concentration ( C 24 ) of <1,000 ng/ml on rifampin. They were more likely to have received a lower dose in milligrams/kilogram of body weight and to have lower efavirenz AUC 0-24 values in the basal state. Although rifampin resulted in a modest reduction in efavirenz plasma exposure in subjects as a whole, there was high variability in responses between subjects, suggesting that efavirenz dose adjustment with rifampin may need to be individualized. Body weight and genetic factors will be important covariates in dosing algorithms

Alkaline activation of ceramic waste materials

Ceramic materials represent around 45 % of construction and demolition waste, and originate not only from the building process, but also as rejected bricks and tiles from industry. Despite the fact that these wastes are mostly used as road sub-base or construction backfill materials, they can also be employed as supplementary cementitious materials, or even as raw material for alkali-activated binders This research aimed to investigate the properties and microstructure of alkali-activated cement pastes and mortars produced from ceramic waste materials of various origins. Sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate were used to prepare the activating solution. The compressive strength of the developed mortars ranged between 22 and 41 MPa after 7 days of curing at 65 C, depending on the sodium concentration in the solution and the water/binder ratio. These results demonstrate the possibility of using alkaliactivated ceramic materials in building applications.The authors are grateful to the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation for supporting this study through Project GEOCEDEM BIA 2011-26947, and also to FEDER funding. They also thank Universitat Jaume I for supporting this research through Lucia Reig's granted research stay.Reig Cerdá, L.; Mitsuuchi Tashima, M.; Soriano, L.; Borrachero Rosado, MV.; Monzó Balbuena, JM.; Paya Bernabeu, JJ. (2013). Alkaline activation of ceramic waste materials. Waste and Biomass Valorization. 4:729-736. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12649-013-9197-zS7297364Puertas, F., García-Díaz, I., Barba, A., Gazulla, M.F., Palacios, M., Gómez, M.P., Martínez-Ramírez, S.: Ceramic wastes as alternative raw materials for Portland cement clinker production. 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Ceramic tiles waste as replacement material in portland cement

Permission is granted by ICE Publishing to print one copy for personal use. Any other use of these PDF files is subject to reprint fees.The pozzolanic reactivity of real ceramic waste from different tile manufacturing companies was evaluated and its suitability as a partial Portland cement replacement was analysed. The raw material was finely ground and physicochemically characterised using X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and laser analysis particle size distribution (ADL). Percentages of ceramic waste (from 15 wt% to 50 wt%) to substitute Portland cement were used to assess this material s pozzolanic behaviour, and samples were cured at 20°C for different curing times. pH tests and conductivity measurements were used to evaluate its pozzolanic character, while mortars were utilised to evaluate compressive strength behaviour. The microstructural evolution of the developed binders was assessed in pastes by XRD, thermal analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and SEM analyses. A strength gain due to pozzolanic activity was observed after 28 d and 90 d curing. The results prove that mortars with up to 35 wt% of tile ceramic waste comply with the requirements established for fly ash pozzolanic materials.The authors are grateful to the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation for supporting this study through project GEOCEDEM BIA 2011-26947, and also to FEDER funding.Mas, MA.; Monzó Balbuena, JM.; Paya Bernabeu, JJ.; Reig Cerdá, L.; Borrachero Rosado, MV. (2016). Ceramic tiles waste as replacement material in portland cement. Advances in Cement Research. 28:221-232. https://doi.org/10.1680/jadcr.15.00021S2212322

Abacavir, efavirenz, didanosine, with or without hydroxyurea, in HIV-infected adults failing initial nucleoside/protease inhibitor-containing regimens

Background: Hydroxyurea (HU) is an immunomodulatory agent that has been documented to enhance the antiretroviral activity of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, such as abacavir (ABC) and didanosine (ddI), and would be expected to improve virologic efficacy. Methods: A 48-week, phase IV, multicenter, open-label, proof-of-concept clinical trial was conducted to evaluate second-line, protease inhibitor (PI)-sparing therapy with ABC/efavirenz (EFV)/ddl plus HU or without HU in HIV-infected subjects failing to achieve HIV-1 RNA ≤ 400 copies/mL after ≥ 16 weeks of treatment with lamivudine /zidovudine or lamivudine/stavudine, plus 1 or 2 Pls. Subjects were assigned to ABC (300 mg twice daily)/ EFV (600 mg once daily)/ ddI (400 mg once daily) plus HU (500 mg twice daily) (n = 30) or this regimen without HU (n = 24). Results: Baseline mean HIV-1 RNA was 3.86 log10 copies/mL and CD4+ cell count was 345 cells/mm3. A similar percentage of subjects in the non-HU arm (58%) and HU arm (53%) completed the study. Intent-to-treat: missing = failure analysis showed no differences in proportions of subjects in the non-HU and HU arms achieving undetectable plasma HIV-1 RNA levels at week 24 (&lt;400 copies/mL: 58% [14/24] vs 57% [17/30], P = 0.899; &lt;50 copies/mL (50% [12/24] vs 47% [14/30], P = 0.780). Median change from baseline in CD4+ cell count in the non-HU and HU arms at week 48 was +114 cells/mm3 and -63 cells/mm3 (P = 0.007), respectively. Both regimens were generally well tolerated, although more subjects in the HU arm withdrew prematurely from the study due to adverse events (23% vs 4%). Four cases of possible ABC-related hypersensitivity were observed. Conclusion: ABC/EFV/ddI was an effective and well-tolerated second-line regimen for nucleoside/PI-experienced HIV-infected subjects. The addition of HU blunted the CD4+ cell response, did not appear to enhance antiviral activity, and resulted in more treatment-limiting adverse events

Remdesivir for 5 or 10 Days in Patients With Severe Covid-19

Background: Remdesivir is an RNA polymerase inhibitor with potent antiviral activity in vitro and efficacy in animal models of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). Methods: We conducted a randomized, open-label, phase 3 trial involving hospitalized patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, oxygen saturation of 94% or less while they were breathing ambient air, and radiologic evidence of pneumonia. Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive intravenous remdesivir for either 5 days or 10 days. All patients received 200 mg of remdesivir on day 1 and 100 mg once daily on subsequent days. The primary end point was clinical status on day 14, assessed on a 7-point ordinal scale. Results: In total, 397 patients underwent randomization and began treatment (200 patients for 5 days and 197 for 10 days). The median duration of treatment was 5 days (interquartile range, 5 to 5) in the 5-day group and 9 days (interquartile range, 5 to 10) in the 10-day group. At baseline, patients randomly assigned to the 10-day group had significantly worse clinical status than those assigned to the 5-day group (P = 0.02). By day 14, a clinical improvement of 2 points or more on the ordinal scale occurred in 64% of patients in the 5-day group and in 54% in the 10-day group. After adjustment for baseline clinical status, patients in the 10-day group had a distribution in clinical status at day 14 that was similar to that among patients in the 5-day group (P = 0.14). The most common adverse events were nausea (9% of patients), worsening respiratory failure (8%), elevated alanine aminotransferase level (7%), and constipation (7%). Conclusions: In patients with severe Covid-19 not requiring mechanical ventilation, our trial did not show a significant difference between a 5-day course and a 10-day course of remdesivir. With no placebo control, however, the magnitude of benefit cannot be determined. (Funded by Gilead Sciences; GS-US-540-5773 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04292899.)