How to match the optimal currently available inhaler device to an individual child with asthma or recurrent wheeze

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DNA probe detection within 3D hydrogel matrix in a hollow core photonic crystal fibre

In this paper, we report for the first time the detection of a Cy5-labelled DNA probe immobilised within a 3D hydrogel matrix formed, inside a hollow core Photonic Crystal Fibre (HC-PCF). We show both the sensitivity of fluorescence detection inside the HC-PCF using a supercontinuum light source and of the variation of the luminescence intensity with the concentration DNA probe within the hydrogel. The 3D hydrogel matrix is a network of polymer chains, which is expected to provide highly sensitive detection and selection of bio-molecules, in comparison with 2D coverage. The biocompatibility of hydrogel in the HC-PCF suggests numerous applications associated with immobilised DNA probe detection for point-of-care or remote systems

A INSERÇÃO TERRITORIAL DE APL’S DO PARANÁ E POSSIBILIDADES DE DESENVOLVIMENTO TERRITORIAL

Neste trabalho, construiu-se um perfil do APL (Arranjo Produtivo Local) de Cal e Calcário na Região Metropolitana de Curitiba e do APL de Malhas, em Imbituva/PR, visando à identificação das principais características destes aglomerados produtivos, bem como à compreensão da estrutura da governança territorial estabelecida, a partir da clara delimitação do papel de cada ator no desenvolvimento territorial. Discute-se, a partir do perfil construído, a inserção territorial das atividades produtivas em questão e as perspectivas de desenvolvimento territorial, considerando-se a análise dos APL's

Temperature limited fed-batch technique for control of proteolysis in Pichia pastoris bioreactor cultures

BACKGROUND: A temperature limited fed-batch (TLFB) technique is described and used for Pichia pastoris Mut(+ )strain cultures and compared with the traditional methanol limited fed-batch (MLFB) technique. A recombinant fusion protein composed of a cellulose-binding module (CBM) from Neocallimastix patriciarum cellulase 6A and lipase B from Candida antarctica (CALB), was produced and secreted by this strain. RESULTS: A protein concentration of about 1 g L(-1 )was produced in the MLFB process. However, this product was considerably degraded by protease(s). By applying the TLFB process, the yield was increased to 2 g L(-1 )full-length product and no proteolytic degradation was observed. Flow cytometry analysis showed that the percentage of dead cells increased rapidly during the initial methanol feed phase in the MLFB process and reached a maximum of about 12% after about 40–70 hours of methanol feeding. In the TLFB process, cell death rate was low and constant and reached 4% dead cells at the end of cultivation (about 150 hours methanol feeding time). The lower cell death rate in the TLFB correlated with a lower protease activity in the culture supernatant. The specific alcohol oxidase (AOX) activity in the TLFB process was 3.5 times higher than in the MLFB process. CONCLUSION: Three mechanisms that may contribute to the much higher accumulation of product in the TLFB process are: 1) reduced proteolysis due to lower temperature, 2) reduced proteolysis due to lower cell death and protease release to the medium, 3) increased synthesis rate due to higher AOX activity

MTR variations in normal adult brain structures using balanced steady-state free precession

Introduction: Magnetization transfer (MT) is sensitive to the macromolecular environment of water protons and thereby provides information not obtainable from conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Compared to standard methods, MT-sensitized balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) offers high-resolution images with significantly reduced acquisition times. In this study, high-resolution magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) images from normal appearing brain structures were acquired with bSSFP. Methods: Twelve subjects were studied on a 1.5T scanner. MTR values were calculated from MT images acquired in 3D with 1.3mm isotropic resolution. The complete MT data set was acquired within less than 3.5 min. Forty-one brain structures of the white matter (WM) and gray matter (GM) were identified for each subject. Results: MTR values were higher for WM than GM. In general, MTR values of the WM and GM structures were in good accordance with the literature. However, MTR values showed more homogenous values within WM and GM structures than previous studies. Conclusions: MT-sensitized bSSFP provides isotropic high-resolution MTR images and hereby allows assessment of reliable MTR data in also very small brain structures in clinically feasible acquisition times and is thus a promising sequence for being widely used in the clinical routine. The present normative data can serve as a reference for the future characterization of brain pathologie

O ofício e o campo de atuação em design têxtil: um panorama no Brasil

Textile design, which in Brazil is often associated with print design, consists of a wide field of activities along the textile production chain. This study aimed at characterizing the metier and list the specifications of textile design in the 21st century, from the descriptions presented in profession guides and career manuals, to the theoretical definitions of surface design in terms of textiles, as well as terms adopted by the Brazilian market, having concluded that, as the activity specializes in certain links in the production chain, new areas of action emerge and the need for synergy between the various designers participating in this long chain that ranges from textile fibers to the manufacture of the final product.El diseño textil, que en Brasil se asocia a menudo con el diseño de estampados, comprende un amplio campo de actividad a lo largo de la cadena de producción textil. Ese estudio, a su vez, buscó caracterizar el oficio y enumerar las especificaciones del diseño textil en el siglo XXI, desde las descripciones presentadas en las guías de profesión y manuales de carrera, desde las definiciones teóricas del diseño de superficies en términos de textiles, así como los términos adoptados por el mercado brasileño, habiendo concluido que, a medida que la actividad se especializa en ciertos enlaces etapas  de la cadena productiva, surgen nuevas áreas de acción y la necesidad de sinergia entre los diversos diseñadores que participan en esta larga cadena que va desde el fibras textil hasta la fabricación del producto final se hace necesaria.O design têxtil, que no Brasil é frequentemente associado ao design de estampas, compreende um amplo campo de atuação ao longo da cadeia produtiva têxtil-confecção. Este estudo, por sua vez, buscou caracterizar o ofício e enumerar as áreas de especialização em design têxtil no século XXI, a partir das descrições apresentadas em guias de profissão e manuais de carreira, das definições teóricas do design de superfície no que se refere ao têxtil, assim como termos adotados pelo mercado brasileiro, tendo concluído que, conforme a atividade se especializa em determinados elos da cadeia produtiva, novas áreas de atuação surgem e amplia-se a necessidade de sinergia entre os diversos designers participantes desta longa cadeia que contempla desde as fibras têxteis até a confecção do produto final

Dielectric spectroscopy of pressurized Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Results of broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker’s yeast), in situ as the function of pressure are presented. They show a clear evidence of a threshold to the new pattern of the pressure evolution of the static dielectric permittivity and DC electric conductivity already for P t  ≈ 200MPa at T = 5o C and P t  ≈ 300MPa at T = 25o C. BDS monitoring versus pressure tests up to P = 400MPa revealed particularly notable changes of properties after 30 minutes of compressing. Finally, the correlation between the amount of the spectrophotometric maximum absorbance and the DC electric conductivity was found. All these indicate significance of BDS as the tool for testing of pressure properties of cells assemblies, model foods etc., in situ under high pressures

Perspectives for the VITO beam line at ISOLDE, CERN

By using polarized ion beams in combination with the β-NMR technique, the Versatile Ion-polarized Techniques On-line (VITO) experiment at ISOLDE, CERN links together expertise from different fields in an unique experimental setup. An overview of the experimental techniques and a general description of the newly designed beam line are presented. Potential uses in multidisciplinary research and perspectives for future experiments are discussed

Q-dependent Collective Relaxation Dynamics of Glass-Forming Liquid Ca0.4K0.6(NO3)1.4 Investigated by Wide-Angle Neutron Spin-Echo

Employing wide-angle neutron spin echo spectroscopy, we measured the Q-dependent coherent intermediate scattering function of the prototypical ionic glass former Ca0.4K0.6(NO3)1.4, in the equilibrium and supercooled liquid states beyond the hydrodynamic regime. The data reveal a clear two-step relaxation: an exponential fast process, and a stretched exponential slow alpha process. de Gennes narrowing is observed in all characteristic variables of the alpha process: the relaxation time, amplitude, and stretching exponent. At all length scales probed, the relative amplitude of the alpha-relaxation decreases with increasing temperature and levels off in the normal liquid state. The temperature dependence of the stretching exponent and the relaxation time at different Q's indicate that modifications of the relaxation mechanisms at the local length scales, manifested as temperature independent dynamic heterogeneity and smaller deviations from Arrhenius behavior, have occurred even above the alpha-beta (Johari-Goldstein) bifurcation temperature

Longitudinal analysis of new multiple sclerosis lesions with magnetization transfer and diffusion tensor imaging

Objective The potential of magnetization transfer imaging (MTI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) for the detection and evolution of new multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions was analyzed. Methods Nineteen patients with MS obtained conventional MRI, MTI, and DTI examinations bimonthly for 12 months and again after 24 months at 1.5 T MRI. MTI was acquired with balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) in 10 min (1.3 mm$^{3}$ isotropic resolution) yielding both magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) and quantitative magnetization transfer (qMT) parameters (pool size ratio (F), exchange rate (kf), and relaxation times (T1/T2)). DTI provided fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (AD), and radial diffusivity (RD). Results At the time of their appearance on MRI, the 21 newly detected MS lesions showed significantly reduced MTR/F/kf and prolonged T1/T2 parameters, as well as significantly reduced FA and increased AD/MD/RD. Significant differences were already observed for MTR 4 months and for qMT parameters 2 months prior to lesions’ detection on MRI. DTI did not show any significant pre-lesional differences. Slightly reversed trends were observed for most lesions up to 8 months after their detection for qMT and less pronounced for MTR and three diffusion parameters, while appearing unchanged on MRI. Conclusions MTI provides more information than DTI in MS lesions and detects tissue changes 2 to 4 months prior to their appearance on MRI. After lesions’ detection, qMT parameter changes promise to be more sensitive than MTR for the lesions’ evolutional assessment. Overall, bSSFP-based MTI adumbrates to be more sensitive than MRI and DTI for the early detection and follow-up assessment of MS lesions. Clinical relevance statement When additionally acquired in routine MRI, fast bSSFP-based MTI can complement the MRI/DTI longitudinal lesion assessment by detecting MS lesions 2–4 months earlier than with MRI, which could implicate earlier clinical decisions and better follow-up/treatment assessment in MS patients. Key Points • Magnetization transfer imaging provides more information than DTI in multiple sclerosis lesions and can detect tissue changes 2 to 4 months prior to their appearance on MRI. • After lesions’ detection, quantitative magnetization transfer changes are more pronounced than magnetization transfer ratio changes and therefore promise to be more sensitive for the lesions’ evolutional assessment. • Balanced steady-state free precession–based magnetization transfer imaging is more sensitive than MRI and DTI for the early detection and follow-up assessment of multiple sclerosis lesions