Effects of Xylopia aromatica (Lam.) Mart. fruit on metabolic and inflammatory dysfunction induced by high refined carbohydrate-containing-diet in mice

AbstractObesity is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation, which has been shown to be involved in the development of various comorbidities such as insulin resistance, glucose intolerance and liver damage. Phytochemicals found in some spices could modulate inflammation and improve health problems associated with the excess of adiposity. The extract of the Brazilian pepper Xylopia aromatica (Lam.) Mart. (CEXA) showed positive effects in the lower dose on oral glucose tolerance, hepatic steatosis and liver inflammation. The higher dose of CEXA also showed improvement on insulin sensitivity and release of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-13 and IL-4 on adipose tissue and liver. Chemical analysis revealed the presence of phenolic acids and flavonoids in CEXA. This study suggests the potential of the Brazilian pepper to attenuate mice glucose resistance and liver inflammation, health problems commonly associated with obesity

Shell model in the complex energy plane and two-particle resonances

An implementation of the shell-model to the complex energy plane is presented. The representation used in the method consists of bound single-particle states, Gamow resonances and scattering waves on the complex energy plane. Two-particle resonances are evaluated and their structure in terms of the single-particle degreees of freedom are analysed. It is found that two-particle resonances are mainly built upon bound states and Gamow resonances, but the contribution of the scattering states is also important.Comment: 20 pages, 9 figures, submitted to Phys.Rev.

Effect of housing on weanling pigs performance

Foram utilizados 420 leitões, em dois experimentos, para comparar a eficiência de baias contendo divisórias de concreto pré-moldadas e piso de concreto parcialmente ripado, e gaiolas metálicas suspensas contendo divisórias e piso de arame galvanizado trançado. O peso médio inicial foi de 8,5 kg e o final, de 26 kg. No primeiro experimento, o ganho diário de peso e a conversão alimentar dos mestiços Landrace X Large White, alojados nas baias e nas gaiolas, foram semelhantes (506 g e 1,84 versus 499 g e 1,83, respectivamente). No segundo experimento, os leitões Landrace X Large White também apresentaram desempenho não estatisticamente diferentes (P>0,05), semelhantes nos dois tipos de instalação (549 g e 1,79 versus 543 g e 1,84). No entanto, os leitões Landrace mantidos nas baias apresentaram menor ganho diário de peso (497 versus 552 g) do que aqueles que foram mantidos nas gaiolas. A diferença na conversão alimentar dos leitões Landrace (1,88 versus 1,80), em virtude do tipo de instalação, não foi estatisticamente significativa (P>0,05). Foi necessário eliminar 4,76% dos leitões das baias e 1,90% dos leitões das gaiolas, por terem apresentado paralização no crescimento, ou mesmo perda de peso. A diferença no número de leitões eliminados dos dois tratamentos não foi significativa (P>0,05). A análise econômica revelou que o custo por leitão criado nas gaiolas foi 2,38 vezes maior do que o calculado para os leitões das baias.Four hundred and twenty piglets were used in two experiments to compare the efficiency of pens with partial slotted concrete floor and flat deck cages whose floors were made of galvanized woven wire. The mean initial and final live-weight were 8.5 kg and 26 kg respectively. In the first experiment the daily weight gain and the feed conversion of the crossbred Landrace x Large White pigs confined in the pens or in the cages were similar (506 g and 1.84 versus 499 g and 1.83, respectively). In the second experiment the crossbred pigs also showed performance not statistically different (P>0.05) due to the housing system (549 g and 1.79 versus 543 g and 1.84). However, the Landrace pigs housed in the pens showed lower daily weight gain (497 g versus 552 g) than that housed in the cages. The feed conversion was not statistically (P>0.05) different (1.88 versus 1.80). The pigs that showed growth stop and those that lost weight were removed from the experiments. The difference in the number of the pigs removed from the treatments (4.76% from the pens versus 1.90% from the cages) was not significant (P>0.05). The cost per pig housed in the cages was 2.38 times than that calculated for pigs in the pens

Synthesis, surface active and antimicrobial properties of new alkyl 2,6-dideoxy-L-arabino-hexopyranosides

Synthesis of alkyl 2,6-dideoxy-L-arabino-hexopyranosides was accomplished by the reaction of 1,5-anhydro-2,6-dideoxy-L-arabino-hex-1-enitol with fatty alcohols in dichloromethane, catalyzed by triphenylphosphine hydrobromide. Reaction with octanol and dodecanol gave the corresponding α-glycosides in 50% and 42% yield, the β-glycosides in 20% and 21% yield and the α-anomer of the Ferrier product in 10% and 9% yield, respectively.Deacetylation of the α-/β-glycosides with sodium methoxide in methanol afforded the amphiphilic L-arabino-hexopyranosides in 94–99% yield. The surface tension at the air–water interface of the octyl L-glycosides and of the dodecyl α-L-glycoside aqueous solutions at 35 °C was measured with a du Noüy ring tensiometer and surface properties such as critical micelle concentration (CMC), relative surface excess, molecular area at the interface and Gibbs micellization free energy were evaluated. The stereochemistry of the hexopyranoside ring in unimers and aggregates is correlated to the hydrophobicity and packing efficiency on the air–water interface. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of the surface-active glycosides were evaluated using the paper disk diffusion method. The dodecyl α-L-arabino-hexopyranoside was quite active over Bacillus cereus and Bacillus subtilis, while low activity was found for this glycoside over Enterococcus faecalis and Listeria monocytogenes. The octyl glycosides tested showed low activity over almost all the above-mentioned bacteria, and also over the fungus Candida albicans. No inhibition of Salmonella enteritidis and of the filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger was detected for any of the compounds tested.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Three-body halos. V. Computations of continuum spectra for Borromean nuclei

We solve the coordinate space Faddeev equations in the continuum. We employ hyperspherical coordinates and provide analytical expressions allowing easy computation of the effective potentials at distances much larger than the ranges of the interactions where only s-waves in the different Jacobi coordinates couple. Realistic computations are carried out for the Borromean halo nuclei 6He (n+n+\alpha) for J\pi = 0+-, 1+-, 2+- and 11Li (n+n+9Li) for (1/2)+-, (3/2)+-, (5/2)+-. Ground state properties, strength functions, Coulomb dissociation cross sections, phase shifts, complex S-matrix poles are computed and compared to available experimental data. We find enhancements of the strength functions at low energies and a number of low-lying S-matrix poles.Comment: 35 pages, 14 figure

Sugar bislactones by one-step oxidative dimerisation with pyridinium chlorochromate versus regioselective oxidation of vicinal diols

Synthesis of 10-membered bislactones by PCC oxidation of methyl 2,6-di-O-pivaloyl-α-D-glucopyranoside and methyl 4,6-O-benzylidene-α-D-glucopyranoside is described, with emphasis on their structure elucidation using the information gained by combination of NMR spectroscopic techniques with X-ray diffraction data. In alternative, the use of PCC and PCC adsorbed on silica gel or alumina for the regioselective oxidation of vicinal diols in sugars is also reported. Both bislactones showed antifungal activity against Candida albicans, and were slightly active against the bacteria Bacillus subtilis. The bislactone presenting pivaloyl protecting groups also promoted some growth inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Análisis del efecto de materiales de cambio de fase sobre la demanda de calefacción en una casa fotovoltaica

CIES2020 - XVII Congresso Ibérico e XIII Congresso Ibero-americano de Energia SolarRESUMEN: Este trabajo evalúa el efecto que tiene la integración de materiales de cambio de fase (MCF) en la envolvente de los edificios, sobre la operación de un sistema de generación solar fotovoltaica acoplado con bomba de calor para cubrir las necesidades térmicas de dicho edificio. A partir de una instalación a escala real, se han realizado modelos en EnergyPlus de diferentes escenarios de estudio intermedios, teniendo en cuenta que la aplicación de los MCF microencapsulados como revestimiento de paredes interiores, requiere de un material de sustrato y un mortero para que se incorpore, evaluando de esta forma el efecto que tiene cada uno de los elementos. Se ha simulado y evaluado el efecto en cada escenario de estudio sobre la demanda energética del demostrador, desde la solución constructiva del fabricante hasta la solución con el mortero aditivado con MCF aplicado como recubrimiento interior de las paredes. En paralelo se ha realizado la simulación mediante TRNSYS de una instalación fotovoltaica de 50, 100, 200 y 300 W conectadas a una bomba de calor sobre la que se ha considerado que tiene un rendimiento en calefacción de 3 y un rendimiento de refrigeración de 2. Los resultados muestran que hay una gran cantidad de energía de calefacción que se pierde en los momentos en los que la demanda de calefacción es reducida y la disponibilidad de energía solar es alta. También se ha podido comprobar que el dimensionado para refrigeración es más crítico que para calefacción. Finalmente cabe indicar que el presente trabajo se ha realizado dentro del marco del proyecto SUDOKET financiado por la convocatoria Interreg SUDOE.ABSTRACT: The present work evaluates the effect that the incorporation of Phase Change Materials (PCM) in the building envelope has in the operation of a solar photovoltaic (PV) generation system coupled with a heat pump for covering the thermal demand of a building. Based on data from a real scale facility, the EnergyPlus models of different case scenarios have been performed, taking into account that the application of microencapsulated PCM as an interior wall coating requires a substrate material and a mortar matrix to be embedded into. The effect on each case scenario on the buildings energy demand, from the manufacturer constructive walls solution until the PCM enhanced mortar applied as the interior wall coating, has been simulated and evaluated. In parallel, the TRNSYS simulation of a solar photovoltaic (PV) system has been performed, considering 50, 100, 200 and 300 W connected to a heat pump with a heating performance of 3 and a cooling performance of 2. The obtained results show that there is a large amount of heating energy that is wasted when the demand for heating is low and the availability of solar energy is high. It has also been demonstrated that sizing for cooling is more critical than for heating. Finally, it should be indicated that this work has been carried out within the SUDOKET project financed by the Interreg SUDOE programme.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

MEtop - a generator for single top production via FCNC interactions

We present a generator for single top quark production via flavour-changing neutral currents. The MEtop event generator allows for Next-to-Leading-Order direct top production $pp \to t$ and Leading-Order production of several other single top processes. A few packages with definite sets of dimension six operators are available. We discuss how to improve the bounds on the effective operators and how well new physics can be probed with each set of independent dimension six operators.Comment: 26 pages, 22 figure

Variabilidade do gene da proteína capsidial do Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 no Brasil

Leafroll is an economically important disease affecting grapevines (Vitis spp.). Nine serologically distinct viruses, Grapevine leafroll-associated virus-1 through 9, are associated with this disease. The present study describes the coat protein gene sequence of four GLRaV-3 isolates occurring in the São Francisco River basin, Northeastern Brazil. The viral RNA was extracted from GLRaV-3 ELISA-positive plants and the complete coat protein gene was amplified by RT-PCR. Sequences were generated automatically and compared to the complete coat protein sequence from North American (NY1) and Chinese (Dawanhong Nº2 and SL10) GLRaV-3 isolates. The four studied isolates, named Pet-1 through 4, showed deduced amino acid identities of 98-100% (Pet-1 through 3) and 95% (Pet-4) with North American and Chinese isolates. A total of seventeen amino acid substitutions was detected among the four characterized isolates in comparison to the NY1, Dawanhong No.2 and SL10 sequences. The results indicated the existence of natural variation among GLRaV-3 isolates from grapevines, also demonstrating a lack of correlation between sequence data and geographic origin. This variability should be considered when selecting regions of the viral genome targeted for reliable and consistent virus molecular detection.O enrolamento da folha é uma doença economicamente importante que afeta videiras (Vitis spp.). Nove vírus sorologicamente distintos, Grapevine leafroll-associated virus-1 a -9, estão associados à doença. Este estudo descreve a seqüência do gene da proteína capsidial de quatro isolados do GLRaV-3 encontrados no Vale do Rio São Francisco, Nordeste do Brasil. O RNA viral foi extraído de plantas positivas em ELISA para o GLRaV-3 e o gene da proteína capsidial completo foi amplificado por RT-PCR. As seqüências foram geradas automaticamente e comparadas a seqüências completas do gene da proteína capsidial de isolados Norte-Americano (NY1) e Chineses (Dawanhong Nº;2 e SL10) de GLRaV-3. Os quatro isolados estudados, denominados Pet-1 a 4, exibiram identidades de aminoácidos deduzidos de 98-100% (Pet-1 a 3) e 95% (Pet-4) com os isolados Norte-Americano e Chineses. Um total de dezessete substituições de aminoácidos foi detectado entre os quatro isolados caracterizados em comparação com as seqüências do NY1, Dawanhong No.2 e SL10. Os resultados indicaram a existência de variação natural entre os isolados de GLRaV-3 de videiras, demonstrando também a falta de correlação entre dados de sequência e origem geográfica. Esta variabilidade deve ser considerada quando se selecionam regiões do genoma viral para uma detecção molecular confiável e consistente

Evaluation of turbulent dissipation rate retrievals from Doppler Cloud Radar

Turbulent dissipation rate retrievals from cloud radar Doppler velocity measurements are evaluated using independent, in situ observations in Arctic stratocumulus clouds. In situ validation data sets of dissipation rate are derived using sonic anemometer measurements from a tethered balloon and high frequency pressure variation observations from a research aircraft, both flown in proximity to stationary, ground-based radars. Modest biases are found among the data sets in particularly low- or high-turbulence regimes, but in general the radar-retrieved values correspond well with the in situ measurements. Root mean square differences are typically a factor of 4-6 relative to any given magnitude of dissipation rate. These differences are no larger than those found when comparing dissipation rates computed from tetheredballoon and meteorological tower-mounted sonic anemometer measurements made at spatial distances of a few hundred meters. Temporal lag analyses suggest that approximately half of the observed differences are due to spatial sampling considerations, such that the anticipated radar-based retrieval uncertainty is on the order of a factor of 2-3. Moreover, radar retrievals are clearly able to capture the vertical dissipation rate structure observed by the in situ sensors, while offering substantially more information on the time variability of turbulence profiles. Together these evaluations indicate that radar-based retrievals can, at a minimum, be used to determine the vertical structure of turbulence in Arctic stratocumulus clouds