Synthesis and structural characterization of block and random low molecular weight copolymers composed of L-lactic acid and isosorbide succinate moieties

Isosorbide succinate moieties were incorporated into poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) backbone in order to obtain a new class of biodegradable polymer with enhanced properties. This paper describes the synthesis and characterization of four types of low molecular weight copolymers. Copolymer I was obtained from monomer mixtures of L-lactide, isosorbide, and succinic anhydride; II from oligo(L-lactide) (PLLA), isosorbide, and succinic anhydride; III from oligo(isosorbide succinate) (PIS) and L-lactide; and IV from transesterification reactions between PLLA and PIS. MALDI-TOFMS and 13C-NMR analyses gave evidence that co-oligomerization was successfully attained in all cases. The data suggested that the product I is a random co-oligomer and the products II-IV are block co-oligomers.Resíduos de succinato de isosorbídeo foram incorporados na cadeia principal de poli(L-lactídeo) (PLLA) visando a obtenção de uma nova classe de polímeros biodegradáveis com propriedades melhoradas. Este artigo descreve a síntese e caracterização de quatro tipos de copolímeros de baixa massa molar. O copolímero I foi obtido da mistura dos monômeros L-lactídeo, isosorbídeo e anidrido succínico; II do oligo(L-lactídeo) (PLLA), isosorbídeo e anidrido succínico; III do oligo(succinato de isosorbídeo) (PIS) e L-lactídeo; e IV de reações de transesterificação entre PLLA e PIS. Análises de MALDI-TOFMS e 13C-NMR apresentaram evidências de que cooligomerização foi alcançada em todos os casos. Os dados sugerem que o produto I é um cooligômero aleatório e que os produtos II-IV são cooligômeros em bloco.CNPqCoordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES)FAPES

Correlation techniques applied to antenna pattern measurement

A correlation processor based on the excellent periodic autocorrelation properties of maximal-length pseudorandom binary sequences has been used in antenna pattern measurements to resolve the direct (wanted) path from any unwanted multipath components. A simple implementation of the technique has been used to make measurements in a controlled environment; the results show that the multipath effects are almost completely eliminated and an accurate pattern measurement is obtained

Medical Ethnobiology and Ethnopharmacology in Latin America

Through their long exposure and experience with natural resources, many local communities in Latin America have developed health care practices. Thousands of years of observation and experimentation have helped in developing different empirical medical systems, as well as knowledge of plants, animals, and minerals. Such knowledge is the subject of medical ethnobiology and ethnopharmacology, disciplines that before being exclusive actually complemented each other. In the broadest sense, both medical ethnobiology and ethnopharmacology attempt to make sense and to understand traditional medical systems: the first from perceptions, healing strategies, natural resources used to fight diseases or maintain health; the second from traditional medicines, either plants, animals, or minerals. We can find new and different types of approaches and theoretical and methodological developments such as ethnopharmacological evaluations of traditional drugs unknown so far; the inclusion of historical perspective in ethnopharmacological studies; the migration influence on traditional medical systems both in industrialized countries and remote locations, or a greater focus on urban contexts in ethnopharmacology. Moreover, the integrative aspect is noteworthy; it includesmedical ethnobotany and zootherapy (the treatment of human diseases using drug-based therapies derived from animals).Fil: Albuquerque, Ulysses Paulino. Universidad Federal Rural Pernambuco; BrasilFil: Cooper, Edwin L.. University of California at Los Angeles; Estados UnidosFil: Trindade Medeiros, María Franco. Universidad Federal Rural Pernambuco; BrasilFil: Nóbrega Alves, Rómulo Romeu. Universidade Estadual da Paraíba; BrasilFil: Ladio, Ana Haydee. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universitario Bariloche. Laboratorio de Ecotono; Argentin

Hydrodynamic conditions affect the proteomic profile of marine biofilms formed by filamentous cyanobacterium

Proteomic studies on cyanobacterial biofilms can be an effective approach to unravel metabolic pathways involved in biofilm formation and, consequently, obtain more efficient biofouling control strategies. Biofilm development by the filamentous cyanobacterium Toxifilum sp. LEGE 06021 was evaluated on different surfaces, glass and perspex, and at two significant shear rates for marine environments (4 s(-1) and 40 s(-1)). Higher biofilm development was observed at 4 s(-1). Overall, about 1877 proteins were identified, and differences in proteome were more noticeable between hydrodynamic conditions than those found between surfaces. Twenty Differentially Expressed Proteins (DEPs) were found between 4 s(-1) vs. 40 s(-1). On glass, some of these DEPs include phage tail proteins, a carotenoid protein, cyanophynase glutathione-dependent formaldehyde dehydrogenase, and the MoaD/ThiS family protein, while on perspex, DEPs include transketolase, dihydroxy-acid dehydratase, iron ABC transporter substrate-binding protein and protein NusG. This study contributes to developing a standardized protocol for proteomic analysis of filamentous cyanobacterial biofilms. This kind of proteomic analysis can also be useful for different research fields, given the broad spectrum of promising secondary metabolites and added-value compounds produced by cyanobacteria, as well as for the development of new antibiofilm strategies

Problemas de calidad de energía causados por termitas en cables subterráneos de 138kv

Este artículo discute problemas encontrados en la operación de cables subterráneos en los sistemas de transmisión de CEMIG, con énfasis en las fallas de aislamiento causadas por las termitas. Problema que ha sido la fuente de muchas interrupciones programadas y no programadas en los últimos años, llevando a significantes costos de mantenimiento. Experiencias con las prácticas corrientes planeadas para detectar y prever este modo de falla esta descrito en este trabajo. Se establece que nuevos procedimientos son necesarios para mejorar durante el funcionamiento, la detección prefalla. La mejora de pruebas se espera que contribuya tanto a aumentar la vida útil de los cables subterráneos en operación, como a reducir los costos de mantenimiento.This paper discusses problems found in the operation of underground cables in the transmission system of CEMIG, with emphasis on insulation failures caused by termites. This problem has been the source of many scheduled and nonscheduled interruptions in later years, leading to significant maintenance costs. Experience with current practices designed to detect and prevent this failure mode is described. It is argued that new procedures are needed for improved on-line, pre-failure detection. Test improvement will hopefully contribute to increase the lifetime of underground cables currently in use, as well as to reduce maintenance costs

a critical review

The availability of wearable devices (WDs) to collect biometric information and their use during activities of daily living is significantly increasing in the general population. These small electronic devices, which record fitness and health-related outcomes, have been broadly utilized in industries such as medicine, healthcare, and fitness. Since they are simple to use and progressively cheaper, they have also been used for numerous research purposes. However, despite their increasing popularity, most of these WDs do not accurately measure the proclaimed outcomes. In fact, research is equivocal about whether they are valid and reliable methods to specifically evaluate physical activity and health-related outcomes in older adults, since they are mostly designed and produced considering younger subjects? physical and mental characteristics. Additionally, their constant evolution through continuous upgrades and redesigned versions, suggests the need for constant up-to-date reviews and research. Accordingly, this article aims to scrutinize the state-of-the-art scientific evidence about the usefulness of WDs, specifically on older adults, to monitor physical activity and health-related outcomes. This critical review not only aims to inform older consumers but also aid researchers in study design when selecting physical activity and healthcare monitoring devices for elderly people.DB19-D819-F720 | Carlos Eduardo da Silva TeixeiraN/

Osteosarcoma de tipo compuesto: relato de caso

  Osteosarcoma is considered the most common bone tumor in dogs, usually affecting the appendicular skeleton of animals adults or seniors with an average age of seven years. The etiology of canine appendicular osteosarcoma remains unknown. Some factors predispose the animals to the emergence of neoplasia, including: size, race and family. The tumor can be classified by macroscopic and radiological features in simple, compound, or pleomorphic. This article is a case report of osteosarcoma of the composite type with metastases in the pericardium, lung, pleura, intercostal muscles, liver and kidney in a dog breed Labrador Retriver. This presents the history of the animal, which together with the necropsy findings and histopathological examination confirmed the cause of death. We conclude that histopathological examination is an important tool for classify tumor depending on the cellular pattern and identifying the presence metastases in the different organs collected.El osteossarcoma es considerado el tumor óseo más común en perros, afecta principalmente el esqueleto apendicular de animales adultos o seniles, con edad media de siete años. La etiología del osteossarcoma apendicular canino aún permanece desconocida. Algunos factores predisponen al surgimiento de esta neoplasia, tales como: tamaño, raza y familia. La neoplasia puede ser clasificada por las características macroscópicas y radiológicas en simple, compuesta o pleomórfica. El presente artículo es un relato de caso de osteossarcoma de tipo compuesto con metástasis en pericardio, pulmón, pleura, músculos intercostales, hígado y riñones en una perra de raza Labrador Retriver. En este, se describe la historia clínica del animal, que junto con las alteraciones observadas en la necropsia y el examen histopatológico confirmaron la causa de la muerte. Se concluye que el examen histopatológico es importante para clasificar el tumor por su patrón celular e identificar la presencia de metástasis en los diferentes órganos colectados

GA design of small thin-wire antennas: comparison with Sierpinski-type prefractal antennas

A new set of genetically generated electrically small thin-wire antennas with a better performance than that of several families of Sierpinsky prefractal monopoles of the same electrical size at resonance is presentedPeer Reviewe

Three dimensional microfabricated broadband patch and multifunction reconfigurable antennae for 60 GHz applications

In this paper we present two antenna designs capable of covering the IEEE 802.11ad (WiGig) frequency band (57-66 GHz and 59-66 GHz respectively). The work below reports the design, microfabrication and characterization of a broadband patch antenna along with the design and microfabrication of multifunction reconfigurable antenna (MRA) in its static form excluding active switching. The first design is a patch antenna where the energy is coupled with a conductor-backed (CB) coplanar waveguide (CPW)-fed loop slot, resulting in a broad bandwidth. The feed circuitry along with the loop is formed on a quartz substrate (at 60 GHz), on top of which an SU-8-based three-dimensional (3D) structure with air cavities is microfabricated. The patch metallization is deposited on top of this structure. The second design is a CB CPW-fed loop slot coupled patch antenna with a parasitic layer on top. The feed circuitry along with the loop is formed on a quartz substrate. On top, the patch metallization is patterned on another quartz substrate. The parasitic pixels are deposited on top of these two quartz layers on top of an SU-8 based 3D structure with air cavities. © 2015 EurAAP