The L\'evy Map: A two-dimensional nonlinear map characterized by tunable L\'evy flights

Once recognizing that point particles moving inside the extended version of the rippled billiard perform L\'evy flights characterized by a L\'evy-type distribution $P(\ell)\sim \ell^{-(1+\alpha)}$ with $\alpha=1$, we derive a generalized two-dimensional non-linear map $M_\alpha$ able to produce L\'evy flights described by $P(\ell)$ with $0<\alpha<2$. Due to this property, we name $M_\alpha$ as the L\'evy Map. Then, by applying Chirikov's overlapping resonance criteria we are able to identify the onset of global chaos as a function of the parameters of the map. With this, we state the conditions under which the L\'evy Map could be used as a L\'evy pseudo-random number generator and, furthermore, confirm its applicability by computing scattering properties of disordered wires.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figure

Laser Scribed Graphene Biosensor for Detection of Biogenic Amines in Food Samples Using Locally Sourced Materials

In foods, high levels of biogenic amines (BA) are the result of microbial metabolism that could be affected by temperatures and storage conditions. Thus, the level of BA is commonly used as an indicator of food safety and quality. This manuscript outlines the development of laser scribed graphene electrodes, with locally sourced materials, for reagent-free food safety biosensing. To fabricate the biosensors, the graphene surface was functionalized with copper microparticles and diamine oxidase, purchased from a local supermarket; and then compared to biosensors fabricated with analytical grade materials. The amperometric biosensor exhibits good electrochemical performance, with an average histamine sensitivity of 23.3 µA/mM, a lower detection limit of 11.6 µM, and a response time of 7.3 s, showing similar performance to biosensors constructed from analytical grade materials. We demonstrated the application of the biosensor by testing total BA concentration in fish paste samples subjected to fermentation with lactic acid bacteria. Biogenic amines concentrations prior to lactic acid fermentation were below the detection limit of the biosensor, while concentration after fermentation was 19.24 ± 8.21 mg histamine/kg, confirming that the sensor was selective in a complex food matrix. The low-cost, rapid, and accurate device is a promising tool for biogenic amine estimation in food samples, particularly in situations where standard laboratory techniques are unavailable, or are cost prohibitive. This biosensor can be used for screening food samples, potentially limiting food waste, while reducing chances of foodborne outbreaks

Microbiological assay for quantitative determination of Imipenem in powder for injection

This work describes the development and validation of a microbiological method using the cylinder-plate assay for quantitative determination of imipenem in powder for injection. The aim was to obtain a low-cost and suitable methodology that can be alternative to physicochemical techniques already described, contributing for the quality control of this antibiotic. Firstly, the analytical conditions were optimized, testing the microorganism, inoculum concentration and best range of sample and standard concentrations, in a way that provides the adequate measurement of the inhibition halos. Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 12228 was selected as test microorganism, as well as 2.0 % of inoculum concentration. The validation protocol followed the official guidelines, and the parameters evaluated were linearity, precision (intermediate precision and repeatability) and accuracy. All standard curves ranging 0.5-2.0 μg/mL showed r values higher than 0.999, and ANOVA confirmed that were no deviation from linearity (p-value > 0.05). The method also proved to be precise with RSD (relative standard deviation) values ranging 0.28-0.64 for repeatability and 2.49 for intermediate precision. It was performed three days of experiments, being three assays of eight plates a day. The drug mean content was 101.05%. Accuracy was assessed by recovery test, with standard recovery percentage of 101.70-107.90% (mean recovery = 104.86%), which was considered satisfactory. Therefore, the proposed microbiological method was considered validated and suitable for application in quantitative determination of this drug, being useful for quality control routine

REVISÃO SISTEMÁTICA DE ESTUDOS QUALITATIVOS QUANTO À DISPOSIÇÃO FINAL DE MEDICAMENTOS INSERVÍVEIS

O present work as an objective to analyze studies that deal with discarding useless drugs (out of use or with expired validity data). For this, a systematic review of the literature was carried out, focusing on scientific articles published between the years of 2015 and 2020 in the databases of the Portal de Periódicos da CAPES, Scielo (Scientific Electronic Library Online), as well as searching in renowned newspapers in waste area (Waste Management). Foram used as key words (descriptors): “disposal of expired medicines” and “expired medicines disposal”. Foram found 156 articles, being that, after reading and applying two criteria of inclusion and exclusion, the universe was reduced to 21 publications. I verified that qualitative research is a viable method for the study of discarding useless drugs. It was possible to discover some two reasons why the discarding of drugs did not occur in an adequate way, in addition to enabling a comparison of the phenomenon in Brazil, in relation to other countries. All the studies analyzed show that, even in different states of Brazil or in different parts of the world, the scenario is similar. The useless medicines, in a general way, are discarded in an inappropriate way (as common household waste or in sanitation and garbage), mainly due to lack of consumer information on how to carry out this disposal in a correct manner.El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar los estudios que tratan sobre la eliminación de medicamentos inutilizables (fuera de uso o vencidos). Por ello, se realizó una revisión sistemática de la literatura, enfocándose en artículos científicos publicados entre 2015 y 2020 en las bases de datos del Portal de Publicaciones Periódicas de la CAPES, Scielo (Scientific Electronic Library Online), además de la búsqueda en revistas de renombre en el área de residuos ( Gestión de residuos). Se utilizaron palabras clave (descriptores): “disposición de medicamentos vencidos” y “disposición de medicamentos vencidos”. Se encontraron un total de 156 artículos y, tras la lectura y aplicación de los criterios de inclusión y exclusión, el universo se redujo a 21 publicaciones. Se constató que la investigación cualitativa es un método viable para estudiar el desecho de medicamentos inservibles. Fue posible conocer algunas de las razones por las cuales la eliminación de medicamentos no se realiza de forma adecuada, además de permitir una comparación del fenómeno en Brasil, en relación a otros países. Todos los estudios analizados mostraron que, incluso en diferentes estados de Brasil o en diferentes partes del mundo, el escenario es similar. Los medicamentos inutilizables, por lo general, se desechan de manera inadecuada (como residuos domésticos comunes o en tazas de inodoros y fregaderos), principalmente debido a la falta de información al consumidor sobre cómo desecharlos correctamente.O presente trabalho teve como objetivo analisar estudos que tratam do descarte de medicamentos inservíveis (fora de uso&nbsp;&nbsp; ou com data de validade vencida). Para tanto, foi realizada uma revisão sistemática da literatura, tendo como foco artigos científicos publicados entre os anos de 2015 e 2020 nas bases de dados do Portal de Periódicos da CAPES, Scielo (Scientific Eletronic Library Online), além da busca em periódicos renomados na área de resíduos (Waste Management). Foram usadas como palavras chave (descritores): “descarte de medicamentos vencidos” e “expired medicines disposal”.&nbsp; Foram encontrados 156 artigos, sendo que, após leitura e aplicação dos critérios de inclusão e exclusão, o universo foi reduzido para 21 publicações. Verificou-se que a pesquisa qualitativa é um método viável para o estudo do descarte de medicamentos inservíveis. Foi possível conhecer alguns dos motivos para que o descarte de medicamentos não aconteça de forma adequada, além de possibilitar uma comparação do fenômeno no Brasil, em relação a outros países. Todos os estudos analisados mostraram que, mesmo em diferentes estados do Brasil ou em diferentes lugares do mundo, o cenário é similar. Os medicamentos inservíveis, de forma geral, são descartados de forma inadequada (como resíduo domiciliar comum ou em bacias sanitárias e pias), principalmente por falta de informação do consumidor de como realizar esse descarte de maneira correta

TRANSGÊNICO OU CONVENCIONAL: O DILEMA DA SOJA NO MATO GROSSO

O presente artigo procura mostrar quais são os fatores que levam os produtores rurais de Mato Grosso a plantar a soja transgênica em detrimento da convencional, uma vez que a adoção da soja RR traz mudanças na governança dos produtores dentro dessa cadeia. Apesar de haver indícios de que a soja transgênica vai dominar o mercado nacional, é importante saber se isso já está sendo consolidado em Mato Grosso, pois esse é um dos mais representativos no plantio de soja do Brasil, sendo a região de Sorriso a maior produtora mundial em área dessa commoditie. Como aporte teórico para dar sustentação ao trabalho, utilizou-se a Economia dos Custos de Transação (ECT). Diante dos resultados encontrados junto a alguns produtores de Mato Grosso, pode-se inferir que a área plantada com soja transgênica não aumentará muito na safra 2007/8 e que um dos fatores que levaram ao não aumento dessa área foi a baixa produtividade da soja transgênica frente à convencional.------------------------------------------------This paper shearch to show which is the factors that take the agricultural producers of the Mato Grosso to plant the transgenic soybean in detriment of the conventional, a time that the adoption of soybean RR change the form of governance of the producers inside of this chain. Although to have indications of that the transgenic soybean goes to dominate the market national, it is importante to know if this already is being consolidated in Mato Grosso, since this state is one of most representative in the plantation of soybean of Brazil, being the region of Sorriso world-wide the producing greater of this commoditie in area. As it arrives in port theoretical to give sustentation to the work, we use the Economy of the Costs of Transactions (ECT). Ahead of the joined results together to some producers of Mato Grosso, it can be inferred that the area planted with transgenic soybean will not increase very in harvest 2007/8 and that one of the factors that had led to not increase of this area was low the productivity of the transgenic soybean front to the conventional.soja – transgênicos – ECT - soybean – transgenics, Crop Production/Industries,

REVISÃO SISTEMÁTICA DE ESTUDOS QUALITATIVOS QUANTO À DISPOSIÇÃO FINAL DE MEDICAMENTOS INSERVÍVEIS

O present work as an objective to analyze studies that deal with discarding useless drugs (out of use or with expired validity data). For this, a systematic review of the literature was carried out, focusing on scientific articles published between the years of 2015 and 2020 in the databases of the Portal de Periódicos da CAPES, Scielo (Scientific Electronic Library Online), as well as searching in renowned newspapers in waste area (Waste Management). Foram used as key words (descriptors): “disposal of expired medicines” and “expired medicines disposal”. Foram found 156 articles, being that, after reading and applying two criteria of inclusion and exclusion, the universe was reduced to 21 publications. I verified that qualitative research is a viable method for the study of discarding useless drugs. It was possible to discover some two reasons why the discarding of drugs did not occur in an adequate way, in addition to enabling a comparison of the phenomenon in Brazil, in relation to other countries. All the studies analyzed show that, even in different states of Brazil or in different parts of the world, the scenario is similar. The useless medicines, in a general way, are discarded in an inappropriate way (as common household waste or in sanitation and garbage), mainly due to lack of consumer information on how to carry out this disposal in a correct manner.El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar los estudios que tratan sobre la eliminación de medicamentos inutilizables (fuera de uso o vencidos). Por ello, se realizó una revisión sistemática de la literatura, enfocándose en artículos científicos publicados entre 2015 y 2020 en las bases de datos del Portal de Publicaciones Periódicas de la CAPES, Scielo (Scientific Electronic Library Online), además de la búsqueda en revistas de renombre en el área de residuos ( Gestión de residuos). Se utilizaron palabras clave (descriptores): “disposición de medicamentos vencidos” y “disposición de medicamentos vencidos”. Se encontraron un total de 156 artículos y, tras la lectura y aplicación de los criterios de inclusión y exclusión, el universo se redujo a 21 publicaciones. Se constató que la investigación cualitativa es un método viable para estudiar el desecho de medicamentos inservibles. Fue posible conocer algunas de las razones por las cuales la eliminación de medicamentos no se realiza de forma adecuada, además de permitir una comparación del fenómeno en Brasil, en relación a otros países. Todos los estudios analizados mostraron que, incluso en diferentes estados de Brasil o en diferentes partes del mundo, el escenario es similar. Los medicamentos inutilizables, por lo general, se desechan de manera inadecuada (como residuos domésticos comunes o en tazas de inodoros y fregaderos), principalmente debido a la falta de información al consumidor sobre cómo desecharlos correctamente.O presente trabalho teve como objetivo analisar estudos que tratam do descarte de medicamentos inservíveis (fora de uso&nbsp;&nbsp; ou com data de validade vencida). Para tanto, foi realizada uma revisão sistemática da literatura, tendo como foco artigos científicos publicados entre os anos de 2015 e 2020 nas bases de dados do Portal de Periódicos da CAPES, Scielo (Scientific Eletronic Library Online), além da busca em periódicos renomados na área de resíduos (Waste Management). Foram usadas como palavras chave (descritores): “descarte de medicamentos vencidos” e “expired medicines disposal”.&nbsp; Foram encontrados 156 artigos, sendo que, após leitura e aplicação dos critérios de inclusão e exclusão, o universo foi reduzido para 21 publicações. Verificou-se que a pesquisa qualitativa é um método viável para o estudo do descarte de medicamentos inservíveis. Foi possível conhecer alguns dos motivos para que o descarte de medicamentos não aconteça de forma adequada, além de possibilitar uma comparação do fenômeno no Brasil, em relação a outros países. Todos os estudos analisados mostraram que, mesmo em diferentes estados do Brasil ou em diferentes lugares do mundo, o cenário é similar. Os medicamentos inservíveis, de forma geral, são descartados de forma inadequada (como resíduo domiciliar comum ou em bacias sanitárias e pias), principalmente por falta de informação do consumidor de como realizar esse descarte de maneira correta

Sida tuberculata (Malvaceae) : a study based on development of extractive system and in silico and in vitro properties

Sida tuberculata (Malvaceae) is a medicinal plant traditionally used in Brazil as an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agent. Here, we aimed to investigate the different extractive techniques on phytochemical parameters, as well as to evaluate the toxicity and antioxidant capacity of S. tuberculata extracts using in silico and in vitro models. Therefore, in order to determine the dry residue content and the main compound 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) concentration, extracts from leaves and roots were prepared testing ethanol and water in different proportions. Extracts were then assessed by Artemia salina lethality test, and toxicity prediction of 20E was estimated. Antioxidant activity was performed by DPPH and ABTS radical scavenger assays, ferric reducing power assay, nitrogen derivative scavenger, deoxyribose degradation, and TBARS assays. HPLC evaluation detected 20E as main compound in leaves and roots. Percolation method showed the highest concentrations of 20E (0.134 and 0.096 mg/mL of extract for leaves and roots, respectively). All crude extracts presented low toxic potential on A. salina (LD50 41000 mg/mL). The computational evaluation of 20E showed a low toxicity prediction. For in vitro antioxidant tests, hydroethanolic extracts of leaves were most effective compared to roots. In addition, hydroethanolic extracts presented a higher IC50 antioxidant than aqueous extracts. TBARS formation was prevented by leaves hydroethanolic extract from 0.015 and 0.03 mg/mL and for roots from 0.03 and 0.3 mg/mL on egg yolk and rat tissue, respectively (Po0.05). These findings suggest that S. tuberculata extracts are a considerable source of ecdysteroids and possesses a significant antioxidant property with low toxic potential

Actividad antifúngica del aceite esencial de Eugenia caryophyllata sobre cepas de Candida tropicalis de aislados clínicos

La candidiasis es una infección fúngica oportunista causada por levaduras del género Candida. En Brasil, la especie C. tropicalis esta siendo aislada frecuentemente, es el segundo microorganismo más aislado después de C. albicans. La aparición de cepas resistentes a los antifúngicos convencionales ha aumentado la búsqueda de nuevas alternativas provenientes de productos naturales, especialmente los aceites esenciales. En este estudio se investigó la actividad de los aceites esenciales contra las cepas de C. tropicalis, utilizando el método de difusión en disco, la concentración inhibitoria mínima (CIM) y la concentración fungicida mínima (CFM). En el método de difusión en disco, con los aceites esenciales de Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Eugenia caryophyllata y Origanum vulgare se obtuvieron mayores valores de inhibición. La CIM y CFM del aceite esencial de Eugenia caryophyllata fueron 512 y 1024 μg/mL, mientras que los de la anfotericina B fueron idénticos, 2 μg/mL. Por lo tanto, se puede concluir que el aceite esencial de E. caryophyllata tiene potente actividad antifúngica y puede ser objeto de nuevos estudios sobre esta actividad