Strategies of success for social networks: Mermaids and temporal evolution

The main goal of this article is to investigate techniques that can quickly lead to successful social systems by boosting network connectivity. This is especially useful when starting new online communities where the aim is to increase the system utilization as much as possible. This aspect is very important nowadays, given the existence of many online social networks available on the web, and the relatively high level of competition. In other words, attracting users' attention is becoming a major concern, and time is an essential factor when investing money and resources into online social systems. Our study describes an effective technique that deals with this issue by introducing the notion of mermaids, special attractors that alter the normal evolutive behavior of a social system. We analyze how mermaids can boost social networks, and then provide estimations of fundamental parameters that business strategists can take into account in order to obtain successful systems within a constrained budget

Efeito do substrato e da temperatura sobre a germinação e vigor de sementes de jequitibá-rosa (Cariniana legalis).

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Efeito do sombreamento sobre o teor de clorofila e crescimento inicial do jequitibá-rosa.

Com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos de períodos de sombreamento sobre o crescimento inicial e concentrações de clorofila em mudas de jequitibá-rosa (Cariniana legalis), foi instalado um experimento no viveiro de pesquisa da Embrapa Florestas, em Colombo, PR. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos e quatro repetições. Os tratamentos estabelecidos foram: 100 % (pleno sol); 70 %; 64 %, 44 % e 34 % de radiação solar incidente. A altura e diâmetro do coleto foram monitorados em intervalos de 30 dias, dos 60 aos 180 dias após a emergência (DAE). O peso da matéria seca total, aérea e radicial, área foliar, clorofila a e b e clorofila total, foram medidos aos 180 DAE. O percentual de 63,07 % de RFA (radiação fotossinteticamente ativa) proporcionou o maior crescimento em altura das mudas. As maiores médias de diâmetro do coleto ocorreram com as mudas submetidas a pleno sol. O oposto foi observado com a área foliar, onde observaram-se as maiores médias quando as mudas foram submetidas ao maior percentual de sombreamento (34 % de luminosidade). O acúmulo de matéria seca total foi estimado para 54,40 % de RFA. Os teores de clorofila a e b foram maiores nas folhas das mudas sombreadas. Concluiu-se que mudas do jequitibá-rosa, em sua fase inicial, apresentam bom crescimento quando cultivadas na faixa de 54 % a 64 % de luminosidade

Jacarandá-da-Bahia (Dalbergia nigra Vellozo) leguminoseae-papilionoidae: produção de mudas.

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Recomposição florestal: cultivo do jequitibá-rosa (cariniana legalis).

bitstream/item/68751/1/CPATC-CIR.-TEC.-25-01.pdfISSN 1517-1329

Development of a cosmos solid emulsion

Natural products are becoming a trend in the cosmetic market, due to a growing awareness and concern with the origin of these products. The certification of natural products, especially organic ones under the COSMOS signature preserves the integrity of the constituents, in an environmentally appropriate and safe for human health, expanding the concept of "green chemistry”, guaranteeing the origin, and processing of the products, storage, manufacturing, packaging, etc. The objective of this study was to develop a moisturizing cosmetic emulsion in the solid format according to COSMOS certification, with guarantee the quality of the product in a new concept of solid cosmetic. 59 tests were carried out to optimise this emulsion, with the best possible hydration level. The different tests included variations in components and their amounts, following be evaluation of sensory aspects for each formulation. The final cosmetic emulsion formulation (Figure 1) contains components of Portuguese origin such as grape seeds oil from Douro Valley, olive oil and extract of by-products of acorn (Quercus Ilex L.) and essential oils of mandarin, geranium, coriander and cinnamon. The formulation has undergone accelerated stability tests with temperatures (40 ºC /-12 ºC). The pH, density and organoleptic characteristics were evaluate. The phenolic profile of acorn by-product (Quercus ilex L.) was performe by UHPLC-DAD-ESI-MS2. A questionnaire was applying to evaluate the acceptance after use of the moisturizing cosmetic emulsion. In stability tests, overall the formulation showed small color variations and less aroma intensity, maintaining hydration and solid state. The pH changes were from 4.68 ± 0.006 to 4.78 ± 0.05 and the density was maintaining at 0.73 kg/m3 . The polar extract of acorn by-product have as major compounds trigalloyl-HHDP-glucose, valoneic acid dilactone and gallic acid, known as antioxidants compounds. The essential oils bring beneficial properties to the skin and the aroma. In the post use of solid emulsion survey applied shown that “aroma” was the second point most valorised (47.6%), after “hydration” (90.5%). The results shown that the majority of participants (81.0%) were “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with the solid emulsion indicating the intention to use it if it is on the market (76.2%). This study highlights the research in reformulations from liquid to solid products, and the potential of using Portuguese raw materials such as acorn.Thanks to FCT (Portugal) and the ERDF under the PT2020 Program for financial support to CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020) and LAQVREQUIMTE (UIDB/50006/2020). SMC acknowledges the research contract (project AgroForWealth, CENTRO-01-0145- FEDER000001).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Paracetamol metabolism, hepatotoxicity, biomarkers and therapeutic interventions: a perspective

After over 60 years of therapeutic use in the UK, paracetamol (acetaminophen, N-acetyl-p-aminophenol, APAP) remains the subject of considerable research into both its mode of action and toxicity. The pharmacological properties of APAP are the focus of some activity, with the role of the metabolite N-arachidonoylaminophenol (AM404) still a topic of debate. However, that the hepatotoxicity of APAP results from the production of the reactive metabolite N-acetyl-p-benzoquinoneimine (NAPQI/NABQI) that can deplete glutathione, react with cellular macromolecules, and initiate cell death, is now beyond dispute. The disruption of cellular pathways that results from the production of NAPQI provides a source of potential biomarkers of the severity of the damage. Research in this area has provided new diagnostic markers such as the microRNA miR-122 as well as mechanistic biomarkers associated with apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation and tissue regeneration. Additionally, biomarkers of, and systems biology models for, glutathione depletion have been developed. Furthermore, there have been significant advances in determining the role of both the innate immune system and genetic factors that might predispose individuals to APAP-mediated toxicity. This perspective highlights some of the progress in current APAP-related research

Potencial alelopático de Annona crassiflora: efeitos sobre plantas daninhas.

A alelopatia pode oferecer novas substâncias químicas com propriedades herbicidas menos prejudiciais ao ambiente e ao homem do que os sintéticos em uso na atual agricultura. Nesse contexto, foi avaliado o efeito de extratos de Annona crassiflora sobre a germinação e o desenvolvimento de Brachiaria brizantha, Euphorbia heterophylla e Ipomoea grandifolia, bem como o efeito do extrato mais promissor sobre a soja (Glycine max). Para isso, foram preparados extratos hidroalcoólicos de sementes, folhas e caules de A. crassiflora, a fim de serem avaliados em testes de germinação e desenvolvimento das plantas daninhas. O extrato da parte mais promissora da planta foi fracionado, utilizando-se solventes em ordem crescente de polaridade. Em relação às partes da planta de A. crassiflora avaliadas, o extrato hidroalcoólico preparado a partir das sementes proporcionou maior interferência nas plantas daninhas; a germinação das sementes de Brachiaria brizantha e Euphorbia heterophylla foi totalmente inibida por esse extrato. De modo geral, as espécies receptoras foram mais sensíveis à fração acetato de etila, mas esta não influenciou o desenvolvimento da soja. Portanto, A. crassiflora apresenta potencial para o manejo de B. brizantha, E. heterophylla e I. grandifolia, em pós-emergência na cultura da soja