Antimycobacterial And Cytotoxicity Activities Of Free And Liposome-encapsulated 3-(4'-bromo[1,1'-biphenyl-4-yl)-3-(4-bromo-phenyl)-n,n- Dimethyl-2-propen-1-amine

The antimycobacterial activity of 3-(4'-bromo[1,1'-biphenyl-4-yl)-3-(4- bromo-phenyl)-N,N-dimethyl-2-propen-1-amine (BBAP), free or incorporated in preformed liposomes, on extracellular M. tuberculosis H37Rv was 8 and 25 μM (MIC), respectively. Extracellular antimycobacterial activity was not significantly improved by entrapment of BBAP in liposomes, but there was a 6.1-fold reduction of BBAP cytotoxicity on J774 macrophages. Liposomal BBAP or its free form showed IC50 values of 165 and 27 μM, resulting in a selectivity index (SI=IC50/MIC) of 3.4 and 6.6, respectively. Free BBAP in concentrations from 10 to 80 μM were quite effective in eliminating intracellular M. tuberculosis while liposomal formulation was less effective at these concentrations.334871874Corbett, E.L., Watt, C.J., Walker, N., Mayer, D.B.M., Willians, B.G., Raviglione, M.C., Dye, C., (2003) Arch. Intern. Med., 163, p. 1009Vynnycky, E., Fine, P.E., (1997) Epidemiol. Infec., 119, p. 183Pandey, R., Khuller, G.K., (2005) J. Antimicrob. Chemother., 55, p. 430De Souza, A.O., Aily D., C.G., Sato, D.N., Durán, N., (1998) J. Antimicrob. Chemother., 42, p. 407De Souza, A.O., Junior, R.R.S., Ferreira-Julio, J.F., Rodriguez, J.A., Melo, P.S., Haun, M., Sato, D.N., Durán, N., (2001) Eur. J. Med. Chem., 36, p. 843De Souza, A.O., Pereira, D.G., Durán, N., (2002) Ann. Rev. Biomed. Sci., 4, p. 53De Souza, A.O., Hemerly, F.P., Busollo, A.C., Melo, P.S., Machado, G.M.C., Miranda, C.C., Santa-Rita, R.M., Durán, N., (2002) J. Antimicrob. Chemother., 50, p. 629De Souza, A.O., Santos, R.R., Sato, D.N., De Azevedo, M.M.M., Ferreira, D.A., Melo, P.S., Haun, M., Durán, N., (2004) J. Braz. Chem. Soc., 15, p. 682De Souza, A.O., Alderete, J.B., Faljoni-Alario, A., Silva, C.L., Durán, N., (2005) J. Chil. Chem. Soc., 50, p. 591De Conti, R., Gimenez, S.M.M., Haun, M., Pilli, R.A., De Castro, S.L., Durán, N., (1996) Eur. J. Med. Chem., 31, p. 915Bangham, A.D., Standish, M.M., Watkins, J.C., (1965) J. Mol. Biol., 13, p. 238Chen, P.S., Toribara, T.Y., Warner, H., (1956) Anal. Chem., 28, p. 1756Oh, Y.K., Nix, D.E., Straubinger, R.M., (1995) Antimicrob. Agents Chemother., 39, p. 2104Collins, L.A., Franzblau, S.G., (1997) Antimicrob. Agents Chemother., 41, p. 1004Denizot, F., Lang, R., (1986) J. Immun. Methods, 89, p. 27

Maximally-localized Wannier functions for entangled energy bands

We present a method for obtaining well-localized Wannier-like functions (WFs) for energy bands that are attached to or mixed with other bands. The present scheme removes the limitation of the usual maximally-localized WFs method (N. Marzari and D. Vanderbilt, Phys. Rev. B 56, 12847 (1997)) that the bands of interest should form an isolated group, separated by gaps from higher and lower bands everywhere in the Brillouin zone. An energy window encompassing N bands of interest is specified by the user, and the algorithm then proceeds to disentangle these from the remaining bands inside the window by filtering out an optimally connected N-dimensional subspace. This is achieved by minimizing a functional that measures the subspace dispersion across the Brillouin zone. The maximally-localized WFs for the optimal subspace are then obtained via the algorithm of Marzari and Vanderbilt. The method, which functions as a postprocessing step using the output of conventional electronic-structure codes, is applied to the s and d bands of copper, and to the valence and low-lying conduction bands of silicon. For the low-lying nearly-free-electron bands of copper we find WFs which are centered at the tetrahedral interstitial sites, suggesting an alternative tight-binding parametrization.Comment: 13 pages, with 9 postscript figures embedded. Uses REVTEX and epsf macro

Multiple-photon Peak Generation Near The 10 M Range In Quantum Dot Infrared Photodetectors

We present results from simulations of the photocurrent observed in recently fabricated InAs quantum dot infrared photodetectors that respond with strong resonance peaks in the ∼ 10 m wavelength range. The results are in good agreement with experimental data generated earlier. Multiphoton scattering of electrons localized in the quantum dots are not only in accordance with the observed patterns, but are also necessary to explain the photocurrent spectrum obtained in the calculations. © 2011 American Institute of Physics.1096Martyniuk, P., Rogalski, A., (2008) Prog. Quantum Electron., 32, p. 89. , For a recent review, see, 10.1016/j.pquantelec.2008.07.001Chakrabarti, S., Stiff-Roberts, A.D., Su, X.H., Bhattacharya, P., Ariyawansa, G., Perera, A.G.U., High-performance mid-infrared quantum dot infrared photodetectors (2005) Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics, 38 (13), pp. 2135-2141. , DOI 10.1088/0022-3727/38/13/009, PII S002237270592069XLim, H., Zhang, W., Tsao, S., Sills, T., Szafraniec, J., Mi, K., Movaghar, B., Razeghi, M., Quantum dot infrared photodetectors: Comparison of experiment and theory (2005) Physical Review B - Condensed Matter and Materials Physics, 72 (8), p. 085332. , http://oai.aps.org/oai/?verb=ListRecords&metadataPrefix= oai_apsmeta_2&set=journal:PRB:72, DOI 10.1103/PhysRevB.72.085332Razeghi, M., Lim, H., Tsao, S., Szafraniec, J., Zhang, W., Mi, K., Movaghar, B., Transport and photodetection in self-assembled semiconductor quantum dots (2005) Nanotechnology, 16 (2), pp. 219-229. , DOI 10.1088/0957-4484/16/2/007Pal, D., Towe, E., (2006) Appl. Phys. Lett., 88, p. 153109. , 10.1063/1.2193466Bhattacharya, P., Su, X.H., Chakrabarti, S., Ariyawansa, G., Perera, A.G.U., Characteristics of a tunneling quantum-dot infrared photodetector operating at room temperature (2005) Applied Physics Letters, 86 (19), pp. 1-3. , DOI 10.1063/1.1923766, 191106Dupont, E., Corkum, P., Liu, H.C., Wilson, P.H., Buchanan, M., Wasilewski, Z.R., (1994) Appl. Phys. Lett., 65, p. 1560. , 10.1063/1.113004Maier, T., Schneider, H., Walther, M., Koidl, P., Liu, H.C., (2004) Appl. Phys. Lett., 84, p. 5162. , 10.1063/1.1763978Jiang, J., Fu, Y., Li, N., Chen, X.S., Zhen, H.L., Lu, W., Wang, M.K., Li, Y.G., (2004) Appl. Phys. Lett., 85, p. 3614. , 10.1063/1.1781732Aivaliotis, P., Zibik, E.A., Wilson, L.R., Cockburn, J.W., Hopkinson, M., Vinh, N.Q., (2008) Appl. Phys. Lett., 92, p. 023501. , 10.1063/1.2833691Sirtori, C., Capasso, F., Sivco, D.L., Cho, A.Y., (1992) Appl. Phys. Lett., 60, p. 2678. , 10.1063/1.106893Souza, P.L., Lopes, A.J., Gebhard, T., Unterrainer, K., Pires, M.P., Villas-Boas, J.M., Vieira, G.S., Studart, N., Quantum dot structures grown on Al containing quaternary material for infrared photodetection beyond 10 μm (2007) Applied Physics Letters, 90 (17), p. 173510. , DOI 10.1063/1.2733603Gebhard, T., Alvarenga, D., Souza, P.L., Guimares, P.S.S., Unterrainer, K., Pires, M.P., Vieira, G.S., Villas-Boas, J.M., (2008) Applied Phys. Lett., 93, p. 052103. , 10.1063/1.2965804Pryor, C.E., Pistol, M.-E., Band-edge diagrams for strained III-V semiconductor quantum wells, wires, and dots (2005) Physical Review B - Condensed Matter and Materials Physics, 72 (20), pp. 1-11. , http://oai.aps.org/oai/?verb=ListRecords&metadataPrefix= oai_apsmeta_2&set=journal:PRB:72, DOI 10.1103/PhysRevB.72.205311, 205311Degani, M.H., Maialle, M.Z., (2010) J. Comput. Theor. Nanosci., 7, p. 454. , 10.1166/jctn.2010.1380Feit, M.D., Fleck Jr., J.A., Steiger, A., (1982) J. Comput. Phys., 47, p. 412. , 10.1016/0021-9991(82)90091-2Degani, M.H., (1991) Appl. Phys. Lett., 59, p. 57(2002) Phys. Rev. B, 66, p. 23306. , 10.1063/1.105521Maialle, M.Z., Degani, M.H., Madureira, J.R., Farinas, P.F., (2009) J. Appl. Phys., 106, p. 123703. , 10.1063/1.3270263Fano, U., Cooper, J.W., (1968) Rev. Mod. Phys., 40, p. 441. , 10.1103/RevModPhys.40.441Tsolakidis, A., Snchez-Portal, D., Martin, R.M., (2002) Phys. Rev. B, 66, p. 235416. , 10.1103/PhysRevB.66.23541

Dependence of Variational Perturbation Expansions on Strong-Coupling Behavior. Inapplicability of delta-Expansion to Field Theory

We show that in applications of variational theory to quantum field theory it is essential to account for the correct Wegner exponent omega governing the approach to the strong-coupling, or scaling limit. Otherwise the procedure either does not converge at all or to the wrong limit. This invalidates all papers applying the so-called delta-expansion to quantum field theory.Comment: Author Information under http://www.physik.fu-berlin.de/~kleinert/institution.html . Latest update of paper (including all PS fonts) at http://www.physik.fu-berlin.de/~kleinert/34

Are the magnetic fields of millisecond pulsars ~ 10^8 G?

It is generally assumed that the magnetic fields of millisecond pulsars (MSPs) are $\sim 10^{8}$G. We argue that this may not be true and the fields may be appreciably greater. We present six evidences for this: (1) The $\sim 10^{8}$ G field estimate is based on magnetic dipole emission losses which is shown to be questionable; (2) The MSPs in low mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) are claimed to have $< 10^{11}$ G on the basis of a Rayleygh-Taylor instability accretion argument. We show that the accretion argument is questionable and the upper limit $10^{11}$ G may be much higher; (3) Low magnetic field neutron stars have difficulty being produced in LMXBs; (4) MSPs may still be accreting indicating a much higher magnetic field; (5) The data that predict $\sim 10^{8}$ G for MSPs also predict ages on the order of, and greater than, ten billion years, which is much greater than normal pulsars. If the predicted ages are wrong, most likely the predicted $\sim 10^{8}$ G fields of MSPs are wrong; (6) When magnetic fields are measured directly with cyclotron lines in X-ray binaries, fields $\gg 10^{8}$ G are indicated. Other scenarios should be investigated. One such scenario is the following. Over 85% of MSPs are confirmed members of a binary. It is possible that all MSPs are in large separation binaries having magnetic fields $> 10^{8}$ G with their magnetic dipole emission being balanced by low level accretion from their companions.Comment: 16 pages, accept for publication in Astrophysics and Space Scienc

Soil biochemistry and microbial activity in vineyards under conventional and organic management at Northeast Brazil.

The São Francisco Submedium Valley is located at the Brazilian semiarid region and is an important center for irrigated fruit growing. This region is responsible for 97% of the national exportation of table grapes, including seedless grapes. Based on the fact that orgThe São Francisco Submedium Valley is located at the Brazilian semiarid region and is an important center for irrigated fruit growing. This region is responsible for 97% of the national exportation of table grapes, including seedless grapes. Based on the fact that organic fertilization can improve soil quality, we compared the effects of conventional and organic soil management on microbial activity and mycorrhization of seedless grape crops. We measured glomerospores number, most probable number (MPN) of propagules, richness of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) species, AMF root colonization, EE-BRSP production, carbon microbial biomass (C-MB), microbial respiration, fluorescein diacetate hydrolytic activity (FDA) and metabolic coefficient (qCO2). The organic management led to an increase in all variables with the exception of EE-BRSP and qCO2. Mycorrhizal colonization increased from 4.7% in conventional crops to 15.9% in organic crops. Spore number ranged from 4.1 to 12.4 per 50 g-1 soil in both management systems. The most probable number of AMF propagules increased from 79 cm-3 soil in the conventional system to 110 cm-3 soil in the organic system. Microbial carbon, CO2 emission, and FDA activity were increased by 100 to 200% in the organic crop. Thirteen species of AMF were identified, the majority in the organic cultivation system. Acaulospora excavata, Entrophospora infrequens, Glomus sp.3 and Scutellospora sp. were found only in the organically managed crop. S. gregaria was found only in the conventional crop. Organically managed vineyards increased mycorrhization and general soil microbial activity

Indicadores De Desempenho Motor Como Preditores De Fragilidade Em Idosos Cadastrados Em Uma Unidade De Saúde Da Família

This study aimed to identify the motor performance tests more strongly associated with frailty and respective cut-off points and verify the best motor performance indicator as screening tool to discriminate frailty in elderly registered in Family Health Unit Participated in the study 139 elderly aged ≥60 years 105 women and 34 men The frailty was identified by the criteria of Fried et al (2001) The motor performance tests realized were: Handgrip strength (HS) sit-to-stand test walk test (WT) and pick up a pen test Logistic regression analysis was used to associate the motor performance tests and frailty The cutoff points were evaluated by parameters provided by Receiver Operating Characteristic curve (ROC) with significance level of 5% Data were analyzed using SPSS 210 and MedCalc The mean age was 7232 ± 84 The walk test was positively associated with frailty (OR 130; p <001) and handgrip strength in elderly women was inversely associated with frailty on feminine sex (OR 074; p <0001) The WT presented a cutoff 5s (sensitivity 889 and specificity 745%) and the handgrip in the women obtained a cutoff point 146 kgf (sensitivity 833 and specificity 790%) It was concluded that the walk test was the best screening indicator to discriminate the frailty in elderly both sexes registered in a Family Health Unit. © Edições Desafio Singular.122889