A perspective on fundamental principles, applications, and challenges

Funding Information: This study was financed in part by Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior—Brasil (CAPES)—Finance Code 001. The authors would like to thank the financial support given by CNPq—National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (Grant Nos. 402287/2013–4, 304044/2019–9, and 442575/2019–0), SISNANO/MCTI, Financier of Studies and Projects (FINEP) and Brazilian Agricultural Research Corp. (Embrapa) AgroNano research network. The authors would like to acknowledge the European Commission under the Project NewFun (Grant No. ERC-StG-2014, GA 640598). This work was also supported by European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Grant DIGISMART (Grant No. ERC-AdG-2017, GA 787410) and the FEDER funds through the COMPETE 2020 Program and the National Funds through the FCT—Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology under the Project No. POCI-01–0145-FEDER-007688, Reference UID/CTM/50025; Project CHIHC, Grant No. PTDC/NAN-MAT/32558/2017; and Project BEST, Grant Nos. ALT20–03-0247-FEDER-113469 and LISBOA-01–0247-FEDER-113469. J. C. acknowledges the Santander/NOVA 2021 Collaborative Research Award—Graphene Smart Bandages for Diabetic Foot Ulcer Monitoring, Reference GSBDFULM. P. C. acknowledges BI-84-Mestre-DIGISMART and CAPES/Embrapa (Grant No. 88882.157024/2017 01) for the scholarships received. S. S. and T. P. also acknowledge the funding from National Foundation for Science and Technology, through the Ph.D. Grant Nos. SFRH/BD/149751/2019 and 2020.08606.BD. Publisher Copyright: © 2022 Author(s).Since the discovery of laser-induced graphene (LIG), significant advances have been made to obtain green LIG (gLIG) from abundant, eco-friendly, natural, and organic renewable bio-based carbon sources. Recently, some sustainable and cost-effective electronic devices have been designed with gLIG, resulting in diverse solutions to the environmental impact caused by electronic waste (e-waste). However, there are still several challenges that must be addressed regarding the widespread market implementation of gLIG-based products, from synthesis to practical applications. In this review, we focus on sustainable precursor sources, their conversion mechanisms, physical and chemical properties and applications, along with the challenges related to its implementation, showing the future opportunities and perspectives related to this promising new material. Various systems based on gLIG for energy storage, electrocatalysis, water treatment, and sensors have been reported in the literature. Additionally, gLIG has been proposed for ink formulation or incorporation into polymer matrices, to further expand its use to non-carbon-based substrates or applications for which pristine LIG cannot be directly used. In this way, it is possible to apply gLIG on diverse substrates, aiming at emerging wearable and edible electronics. Thus, this review will bring an overview of gLIG developments, in accordance with the European Green Deal, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the new era of internet-of-things, which demands cost-effective electronic components based on the principles of energy efficiency and sustainable production methods.publishersversionpublishe

SYNTHESIS AND EVALUATION OF ARYLIMINO PYRIDINE NICKEL(II) CATALYSTS: INFLUENCE OF SUBSTITUENTS ON POLYETHYLENE STRUCTURE

Abstract. The asymmetric arylimino pyridine Ni(II) catalysts have been examined with different substituents including diisopropyl, diethyl, fluoro, and chloro groups. The influence of these substituents and variation of ethylene pressure on the catalytic activity, crystalline structure, as well as on thermal properties of polyethylene has been investigated. The result show that complexes with substituent alkyl groups, which provide the increased electron density on the metal center ( o -diethyl and o-diisopropyl) exhibit higher activity, compared to those with electron acceptors substituents (o-fluoro and o-chloro)

GRUPOS ECOLÓGICOS E A DISPERSÃO DE SEMENTES DE ESPÉCIES ARBÓREAS EM TRECHO DA FLORESTA TROPICAL NA RESERVA FLORESTAL DE LINHARES (ES)

No presente estudo procurou-se avaliar os diferen­tes grupos ecológicos e os processos de dispersão predominantes para espécies arbóreas em trecho da floresta tropical na Reserva Florestal de Unhares (ES). Foram avaliadas 227 espécies. 57% enquadraram-se no grupo ecológico das secundárias, 23% no de pionei­ras e20% nos de tolerantes. 74% apresentavam síndrome de dispersão zoocórica, 24% anemocórica e apenas 4% aulocórica. Os autores concluíram que, para a floresta estudada, a sucessão depende, principalmente, da ação dos agentes dispersores bióticos

Genomic evaluation of Coffea arabica and its wild relative Coffea racemosa in Mozambique: settling resilience keys for the Coffee crop in the context of climate change

Climate change is negatively affecting the coffee value chain, with a direct effect on approximately 100 million people from 80 countries. This has been attributed to the high vulnerability of the two-mainstream species, Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora, to extreme weather events, with notable uneven increases in market prices. Taking into account the narrow genetic plasticity of the commercial coffee cultivars, wild-relatives and underutilized Coffea species are valuable genetic resources. In this work, we have assessed the occurrence of Coffea species in to understand the degree of genetic relationships between Coffea species in the country, as well as the patterns of genetic diversity, differentiation, and genetic structure. Only one wild species was found, C. racemosa, which showed a high level of genetic separation with C. arabica, based on plastid, as well as SSR and SNP analysis. C. arabica presented low levels of diversity likely related to their autogamous nature, while the allogamous C. racemosa presented higher levels of diversity and heterozygosity. The analysis of the functional pathways based on SNPs suggests that the stress signaling pathways are more robust in this species. This novel approach shows that it is vital to introduce more resilient species and increase genomic diversity in climate-smart practices.This researchwas funded by by Camões, Instituto da Cooperação e da Língua (CICL), Agência Brasileira de Cooperação (ABC), and ParqueNacional da Gorongosa (PNG), under the Triangular Project TriCafé (GorongosaCoffee), and by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P. (FCT)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

[C-11]PIB PET imaging can detect white and grey matter demyelination in a non-human primate model of progressive multiple sclerosis

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating and inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. Its diagnosis is clinical, often confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. This image modality, however, is not ideal for discrimination of demyelination in grey and white matter regions from inflammatory lesions. Positron Emission Tomography (PET), using specific radiopharmaceuticals, can be a tool to differentiate between these processes. The radiopharmaceutical [C-11]PIB is widely used for detection of beta-amyloid plaques, but has also been suggested for the analysis of myelin content due to its consistent uptake in white matter. The aim of this study was to evaluate [C-11]PIB PET imaging as a tool for detecting demyelinated regions in white and grey matter of non-human primate model of progressive MS. Methods: Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) was induced in marmosets by injection of re-combinant human myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (rhMOG) emulsified in either Incomplete Freund's Adjuvant (IFA) or Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA). [C-11]PIB PET images were acquired prior to immunization (baseline) and after symptoms were present (end of experiment). Brain tissue was isolated for histochemical analysis. Results: All rhMOG/IFA-treated and rhMOG/CFA-treated animals showed clinical signs of EAE. The rhMOG/CFA group presented a significant [C-11]PIB uptake reduction only in the left motor cortex (9%, P = 0.011). For the rhMOG/IFA group, significant decrease in [C-11]PIB uptake was observed in the whole brain (15%, P = 0.015), in the right hemisphere of body of corpus callosum (34%, P = 0.02), splenium of corpus callosum (38%, P = 0.004), hippocampus (19%, P = 0.036), optic tract (13%, P = 0.025), thalamus (14%, P = 0.041), Globus pallidus (23%, P = 0.017), head of caudate nucleus (25%, P = 0.045), tail of caudate nucleus (29%, P = 0.003), putamen (28%, P = 0.047) and left hemisphere of body of corpus callosum (14%, P = 0.037) and head of caudate nucleus (23%, P = 0.023). [C-11]PIB uptake significantly correlated with luxol fast blue histology (myelin marker), both in the rhMOG/IFA (r(2) = 0.32, P <0.0001) and the rhMOG/CFA group (r(2) = 0.46, P <0.0001). Conclusion: [C-11]PIB PET imaging is an efficient tool for detecting demyelination in grey and white matter, in a non-human primate model of progressive MS

Frequency of GAA-FGF14 Ataxia in a Large Cohort of Brazilian Patients With Unsolved Adult-Onset Cerebellar Ataxia

OBJECTIVES: Intronic FGF14 GAA repeat expansions have recently been found to be a common cause of hereditary ataxia (GAA-FGF14 ataxia; SCA27B). The global epidemiology and regional prevalence of this newly reported disorder remain to be established. In this study, we investigated the frequency of GAA-FGF14 ataxia in a large cohort of Brazilian patients with unsolved adult-onset ataxia. METHODS: We recruited 93 index patients with genetically unsolved adult-onset ataxia despite extensive genetic investigation and genotyped the FGF14 repeat locus. Patients were recruited across 4 different regions of Brazil. RESULTS: Of the 93 index patients, 8 (9%) carried an FGF14 (GAA)≥250 expansion. The expansion was also identified in 1 affected relative. Seven patients were of European descent, 1 was of African descent, and 1was of admixed American ancestry. One patient carrying a (GAA)376 expansion developed ataxia at age 28 years, confirming that GAA-FGF14 ataxia can occur before the age of 30 years. One patient displayed episodic symptoms, while none had downbeat nystagmus. Cerebellar atrophy was observed on brain MRI in 7 of 8 patients (87%). DISCUSSION: Our results suggest that GAA-FGF14 ataxia is a common cause of adult-onset ataxia in the Brazilian population, although larger studies are needed to fully define its epidemiology

Aspectos odontolegais relacionados ao dano estético nos processos julgados pelo TJ/RS

Objetivo: analisar os valores pagos por danos estéticos, morais e materiais nos processos de responsabilidade civil contra o Cirurgião-dentista julgados no Tribunal de Justiça do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul nos anos de 2007 a 2010, identificar no teor dos julgamentos se foi utilizado pelo perito ou juiz o método descritivo na avaliação da alteração estética, bem como destacar a importância de equipará-lo a uma das categorias ou adjetivos referida em uma escala gradual qualificativa de gravidade crescente.Metodologia:Conclusão:Os processos relacionados à responsabilidade profissional do Cirurgião-dentista mostraram uma tendência dos magistrados deferirem mais indenizações por danos morais do que danos materiais, bem como de valorar num patamar quantitativo alto os pedidos por danos estéticos, sendo esses, na média, maior que os danos materiais e morais. De acordo com os julgamentos analisados, não se identificou na valoração dos danos estéticos uma análise objetiva e comparativa. Os parâmetros indicados no método descritivo sempre deverão ser utilizados para mostrar sua característica e importância nas avaliações das alterações estéticas, necessitando para tal atribuir pontos ou porcentagens com escalas numéricas. Foram analisados julgamentos de processos civis envolvendo Cirurgiões-dentistas, baixadas (download) e impressas, por meio de busca eletrônica no site do Tribunal de Justiça do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul do ano de 2007 até o ano de 2010. Utilizou-se na amostra apenas os textos produzidos pelos magistrados, fazendo a análise do inteiro teor somente nos casos em que foram deferidos danos estéticos. Nesses, verificou-se se fora utilizada algum parâmetro qualificativo ou numérico

Host determinants of infectiousness in smear-positive patients with pulmonary tuberculosis

Background Epidemiologic data suggests that only a minority of tuberculosis (TB) patients are infectious. Cough aerosol sampling is a novel quantitative method to measure TB infectiousness. Methods We analyzed data from three studies conducted in Uganda and Brazil over a 13-year period. We included sputum acid fast bacilli (AFB) and culture positive pulmonary TB patients and used a cough aerosol sampling system (CASS) to measure the number of colony-forming units (CFU) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in cough-generated aerosols as a measure for infectiousness. Aerosol data was categorized as: aerosol negative (CFU = 0) and aerosol positive (CFU > 0). Logistic regression models were built to identify factors associated with aerosol positivity. Results M. tuberculosis was isolated by culture from cough aerosols in 100/233 (43%) TB patients. In an unadjusted analysis, aerosol positivity was associated with fewer days of antituberculous therapy before CASS sampling (p = .0001), higher sputum AFB smear grade (p = .01), shorter days to positivity in liquid culture media (p = .02), and larger sputum volume (p = .03). In an adjusted analysis, only fewer days of TB treatment (OR 1.47 per 1 day of therapy, 95% CI 1.16-1.89; p = .001) was associated with aerosol positivity. Conclusion Cough generated aerosols containing viable M. tuberculosis, the infectious moiety in TB, are detected in a minority of TB patients and rapidly become non-culturable after initiation of antituberculous treatment. Mechanistic studies are needed to further elucidate these findings.publishersversionpublishe

Purification and characterization of a collagenase from Penicillium sp. UCP 1286 by polyethylene glycol-phosphate aqueous two-phase system

Collagenases are proteolytic enzymes capable of degrading both native and denatured collagen, reported to be applied in industrial, medical and biotechnological sectors. Liquid-liquid extraction using aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) is one of the most promising bioseparation techniques, which can substitute difficult solid-liquid separation processes, offering many advantages over conventional methods including low-processing time, low-cost material and low-energy consumption. The collagenase produced by Penicillium sp. UCP 1286 showed a stronger affinity for the bottom salt-rich phase, where the highest levels of collagenolytic activity were observed at the center point runs, using 15.0% (w/w) PEG 3350 g/mol and 12.5% (w/w) phosphate salt at pH 7.0 and concentration. The enzyme was characterized by thermal stability, pH tolerance and effect of inhibitors, showing optimal collagenolytic activity at 37 °C and pH 9.0 and proved to be a serine protease. ATPS showed high efficiency in the collagenase purification, confirmed by a single band in SDS/PAGE, and can in fact be applied as a quick and inexpensive alternative method.This work was supported by the National Council of Technological and Scientific Development (CNPq) and Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES). Sara Silvério also acknowledges her post-doc grant (SFRH/BPD/88584/2012) from FCT (SFRH/BPD/88584/2012) (Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation), Portugal