Comparison of two extraction methods for evaluation of volatile constituents patterns in commercial whiskeys: Elucidation of the main odour-active compounds

An analytical procedure based on manual dynamic headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) method and the conventional extraction method by liquid–liquid extraction (LLE), were compared for their effectiveness in the extraction and quantification of volatile compounds from commercial whiskey samples. Seven extraction solvents covering a wide range of polarities and two SPME fibres coatings, has been evaluated. The highest amounts extracted, were achieved using dichloromethane (CH2Cl2) by LLE method (LLECH2Cl2)(LLECH2Cl2) and using a CAR/PDMS fibre (SPMECAR/PDMS) in HS-SPME. Each method was used to determine the responses of 25 analytes from whiskeys and calibration standards, in order to provide sensitivity comparisons between the two methods. Calibration curves were established in a synthetic whiskey and linear correlation coefficient (r ) were greater than 0.9929 for LLECH2Cl2LLECH2Cl2 and 0.9935 for SPMECAR/PDMS, for all target compounds. Recoveries greater than 80% were achieved. For most compounds, precision (expressed by relative standard deviation, R.S.D.) are very good, with R.S.D. values lower than 14.78% for HS-SPME method and than 19.42% for LLE method. The detection limits ranged from 0.13 to 19.03 μg L−1 for SPME procedure and from 0.50 to 12.48 μg L−1 for LLE. A tentative study to estimate the contribution of a specific compound to the aroma of a whiskey, on the basis of their odour activity values (OAV) was made. Ethyl octanoate followed by isoamyl acetate and isobutyl alcohol, were found the most potent odour-active compounds

Comparative study of the whisky aroma profile based on headspace solid phase microextraction using different fibre coatings

A dynamic headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and gas chromatography coupled to ion trap mass spectrometry (GC–ITMS) method was developed and applied for the qualitative determination of the volatile compounds present in commercial whisky samples which alcoholic content was previously adjusted to 13% (v/v). Headspace SPME experimental conditions, such as fibre coating, extraction temperature and extraction time, were optimized in order to improve the extraction process. Five different SPME fibres were used in this study, namely, poly(dimethylsiloxane)(PDMS),poly(acrylate)(PA),Carboxen-poly(dimethylsiloxane)(CAR/PDMS),Carbowax-divinylbenzene(CW/DVB)and Carboxen-poly(dimethylsiloxane)-divinylbenzene (CAR/PDMS/DVB). The best results were obtained using a 75 m CAR/PDMS fibre during headspace extraction at 40◦C with stirring at 750rpm for 60min, after saturating the samples with salt. The optimised methodology was then appliedtoinvestigatethevolatilecompositionprofileofthreeScotchwhiskysamples—BlackLabel,BallantinesandHighlandClan.Approximately seventy volatile compounds were identified in the these samples, pertaining at several chemical groups, mainly fatty acids ethyl esters, higher alcohols, fatty acids, carbonyl compounds, monoterpenols, C13 norisoprenoids and some volatile phenols. The ethyl esters form an essential group of aroma components in whisky, to which they confer a pleasant aroma, with “fruity” odours. Qualitatively, the isoamyl acetate, with “banana” aroma,wasthemostinteresting.Quantitatively,significantcomponentsareethylestersofcaprilic,capricandlauricacids.Thehighestconcentration of fatty acids, were observed for caprilic and capric acids. From the higher alcohols the fusel oils (3-methylbutan-1-ol and 2.phenyletanol) are the most important ones

Aplicabilidad de escalas/indicadores para el control del dolor en pacientes críticamente incapaces de verbalizar: una revisión sistemática de la literatura

Objective: To conduct a systematic review of the existing literature about the applicability of scales/indicators for pain monitoring in critically ill patients who are unable to verbalize. Methods: We performed a systematic review of the literature, according to the Joanna Briggs Institute's guidelines, in the following databases: MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. The search was executed using, as main descriptors, "Critically Ill Patient", "Pain", "Scale" and "Instrument", in Portuguese, English, Italian, and Spanish. We considered the period between January 2012 and December 2017, and obtained a total of 149 results. From these, we selected 11 fi nal full-text articles for extraction and analysis, which met the required inclusion criteria. Two researchers made the search and two independent reviewers carried out the critical evaluation, extraction and synthesis of the data. Results: The key to adequate pain management lies in detecting and assessing several indicators, such as: facial expression, vocalization, body movements, muscle tone, adaptation to mechanical ventilation. Subsequently, it is fundamental to intervene accordingly and to reassess the patient's status. The BPS (Behavioral Pain Scale) and the CPOT (Critical-care Pain Observation Tool) are considered the most appropriate scales for pain assessment in critically ill patients who are incapable of verbalizing. While the BPS should only be used in ventilated patients, the CPOT can be used in both ventilated and non-ventilated patients. Conclusion: The BPS and the CPOT are two scales recognized as reliable, valid, and easy to apply, for pain monitoring in critically ill patients who are unable to verbalize their pain.Objetivo: Llevar a cabo una revisión sistemática de la literatura existente sobre la aplicabilidad de escalas/indicadores para el control del dolor en pacientes críticamente enfermos que no pueden verbalizar. Métodos: Se realizó una revisión sistemática de la literatura en las siguientes bases de datos: MEDLINE, CINAHL y el Registro Cochrane Central de Ensayos Controlados, como descriptores principales “Paciente en estado crítico”, “Dolor”, “Escala” e “Instrumento”. Consideramos el periodo entre enero de 2012 y diciembre de 2017, y obtuvimos un total de 149 resultados. De estos, seleccionamos 12 artículos finales de texto completo para extracción y análisis, que cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión requeridos. Dos revisores independientes llevaron a cabo la evaluación crítica, extracción y síntesis de los datos. Resultados: La clave para el manejo adecuado del dolor radica en detectar y evaluar varios indicadores, tales como: expresión facial, tamaño de la pupila, vocalización, movimientos corporales, tono muscular, adaptación a la ventilación mecánica, presión arterial y frecuencia cardiaca. Posteriormente, es fundamental intervenir en consecuencia y reevaluar el estado del paciente. La BPS (Escala de dolor conductual) y la CPOT (herramienta de observación del dolor en cuidados críticos) se consideran las escalas más adecuadas para la evaluación del dolor en pacientes críticos que son incapaces de verbalizar. Si bien el BPS solo se debe utilizar en pacientes ventilados, el CPOT se puede usar tanto en pacientes ventilados como no ventilados. Conclusión: el BPS y el CPOT son dos escalas reconocidas como confiables, válidas y fáciles de aplicar para el control del dolor en pacientes críticamente enfermos que no pueden verbalizar su dolor.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Hermitian symmetric polynomials and CR complexity

Properties of Hermitian forms are used to investigate several natural questions from CR Geometry. To each Hermitian symmetric polynomial we assign a Hermitian form. We study how the signature pairs of two Hermitian forms behave under the polynomial product. We show, except for three trivial cases, that every signature pair can be obtained from the product of two indefinite forms. We provide several new applications to the complexity theory of rational mappings between hyperquadrics, including a stability result about the existence of non-trivial rational mappings from a sphere to a hyperquadric with a given signature pair.Comment: 19 pages, latex, fixed typos, to appear in Journal of Geometric Analysi

The Use of Artificial Intelligence in Interactive Virtual Reality Adaptive Environments with Real-Time Biofeedback Applied to Phobias Psychotherapy

Cursos e Congresos , C-155[Abstract] Exposure therapy is a type of psychotherapy where the patient is gradually exposed to a fear situation. Patients may present different degrees of phobia, and the degree of phobia of each patient changes throughout the treatment. The use of Interactive Virtual Reality Adaptive Environments, where the interaction is personalized through real-time biofeedback mechanisms, allows the environment to adapt to the patients and their evolution throughout the treatment. The Artificial Intelligence affective algorithms continuously monitor the patient’s behavioral data and physiological responses to adjust the intensity and number of the stimuli. This real-time adaptation aims to personalize and optimize the exposure process, gradually desensitizing patients to their fearsCITIC is funded by the Xunta de Galicia through the collaboration agreement between the Consellería de Cultura, Educación, Formación Profesional e Universidades and the Galician universities for the reinforcement of the research centres of the Galician University System (CIGUS

Especificando orientações para desenvolvimento de interfaces para o idoso

This research proposes guidelines for the design of mobile interfaces targeting the elderly. With these guidelines, technology tools designed for this audience will be more likely to be utilized on a wider scale due to their more accessible design and usability. Therefore, studies conducted on the target audience and related work were analyzed, observation of that audience interacting with mobile devices and application of a questionnaire

Amazonian evaporation.

Medições de evaporação da cobertura vegetal seca e perdas por intercepção obtidas durante um estudo de dois anos de evaporação na floresta tropical no centro da Amazônia são utilizados para calibrar um modelo micrometeorológico de evaporação

Late Onset Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders (LONMOSD) from a Nationwide Portuguese Study: Anti-AQP4 Positive, Anti-MOG Positive and Seronegative Subgroups

Introduction: Several neuroimmunological disorders have distinct phenotypes according to the age of onset, as in multiple sclerosis or myasthenia gravis. It is also described that late onset NMOSD (LONMOSD) has a different phenotype. Objective: To describe the clinical/demographic characteristics of the LONMOSD and distinguish them from those with early onset (EONMOSD). Methods: From a nationwide Portuguese NMOSD study we analyzed the clinical/demographic characteristics of the LONMOSD. Results: From the 180 Portuguese patients 45 had disease onset after 50 years old, 80% were female. 23 had anti-AQP4 antibodies (51.1%), 13 anti-MOG antibodies (28.9%) and 9 were double seronegative (20.0%). The most common presenting phenotypes in LONMOSD were transverse myelitis (53.3%) and optic neuritis (26.7%), without difference from EONMOSD (p = 0.074). The mean EDSS for LONMOSD was 6.0 (SD=2.8), after a mean follow-up time of 4.58 (SD=4.47) years, which was significantly greater than the mean EDSS of EONMOSD (3.25, SD=1.80)(p = 0.022). Anti-AQP4 antibodies positive LONMOSD patients had increased disability compared to anti-MOG antibodies positive LONMOSD (p = 0.022). The survival analysis showed a reduced time to use a cane for LONMOSD, irrespective of serostatus (p<0.001). Conclusions: LONMOSD has increased disability and faster progression, despite no differences in the presenting clinical phenotype were seen in our cohort.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Documento de consenso sobre codificação de exames de ressonância magnética cardíaca em Portugal

One of the obstacles to more frequent and appropriate use of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in Portugal has been the lack of specific codes that accurately describe these examinations as they are currently performed. In this consensus document, recommendations are made for updating and standardizing CMR codes in Portugal. Guidance on which techniques and codes should be used in the most common clinical scenarios is also provided