Attainment of hydrogel-thickened nanoemulsions with tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) and retinyl palmitate

We propose the development of hydrogel-thickned nanoemulsions (HTNs) with tea tree essential oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) and vitamin A palmitate (retinyl palmitate). Nanoemulsions and HTNs were produced by the use of phase inversion method, employing non-ionic surfactants. As surfactant phase were used sorbitan esters and hydrogenated/ethoxylated castor oil. HTNs with drops size ranging between 86 to 96 nm were obtained, depending on the polymer used, with increased viscosity. Rheological profile of developed HTNs was determined, showing the influence of the kind of polymer used, here all presented pseudo-plastic behaviour, with different viscosity measurement.Key words: Nanoemulsion, hydrogel-thickened nanoemulsion, essential oil, phase inversion, vitamin A, retinyl palmitate, tea tree oil

Comparison of protocols for genomic DNA extraction from ‘velame pimenta’ (Croton linearifolius), a native species to the Caatinga, Brazil

The Caatinga biome occupies some 12% of the Brazilian territory, which is present in at least nine states. The species that constitute its biodiversity have the potential to be used as natural resources, among them are approximately 700 species of the genus Croton. As an example of this potential, the Croton linearifolius specie is used by local communities as a natural insecticide. Associated with the economic potential of the Caatinga species, one must stress the risk of extinction or genetic erosion due to the growing deforestation of natural areas of this biome. These factors make it relevant in genetic studies in order to guide conservation strategies. Considering the lack of molecular studies involving C. linearifolius, we compared the efficiency of six protocols for genomic DNA extraction previously described in literature. The DNA extraction buffers [based on the use of Cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), mannitol and sorbitol] were different in their efficiency to obtaining the genomic DNA of C. linearifloius. In general, protocols using CTAB buffer were more efficient. The use of liquid nitrogen in the maceration process was also evaluated and its use was considered a no necessary factor in obtaining DNA in adequate quantity and quality for PCR platform procedures.Keywords: DNA Isolation, molecular markers, native species of CaatingaAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(30), pp. 4761-476

The Importance of Design in the Development of a Portable and Modular Iot-Based Detection Device for Clinical Applications

The integration of human factors engineering methods within the medical device design and development process has been highlighted by international standards organizations. Such methods are contributing to the development of safer medical devices, more suitable to users' needs. Errors during device operation might hamper effective patient diagnosis and treatment, or eventually lead to injury or death. Thus, the designing process of a medical device is indeed crucial to user experience and safety operation. This paper presents a human-centred design analysis of a novel IoT-based screening prototype (iLoF) based on Artificial Intelligence algorithms built-in in a patented-photonics system developed by a deep tech startup. The influence of the design process during the development of the prototype was addressed, based on a human-centred design methodology and considering the device's application environment. iLoF's prototype on-field applicability was evaluated considering a single case-study carried out at one of the main hospitals in Portugal through interviews to ten healthcare professionals with high experience in laboratorial testing. A benchmark assessment and a comparison matrix along with the market products are also presented to fully understand the technology state and to find new solutions that can influence iLoF's product development. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd

Mães adolescentes, autocuidado e cuidado infantil: validação de conteúdo de um calendário histórico de eventos

RESUMO Objetivo: Validar o conteúdo da ferramenta Event History Calendar Mãe Adolescente: fortalecendo o autocuidado e o cuidado da criança. Método: Estudo metodológico com a técnica Delphi, realizado em duas rodadas, envolvendo 37 especialistas de enfermagem. Na coleta de dados, de dezembro/2019 a agosto/2020, foi utilizado um questionário semiestruturado composto por 47 itens relacionados às duas dimensões da ferramenta: Autocuidado e Cuidado da criança. O Índice de Validade de Conteúdo ≥ 0,80 foi utilizado para avaliar a concordância entre os especialistas. Elementos qualitativos foram analisados quanto à clareza e abrangência do conteúdo. Resultados: Na primeira rodada, 46 itens apresentaram Índice de Validade de Conteúdo ≥ 0,80. Os elementos qualitativos apontaram necessidade de maior clareza para o público adolescente. Após as alterações, a ferramenta apresentou 30 itens. Na segunda rodada, os 30 itens avaliados alcançaram Índice de Validade de Conteúdo ≥ 0,80. As considerações qualitativas foram traduzidas em modificações no conteúdo e sequência na versão final da ferramenta. Conclusão: A ferramenta validada obteve avaliação adequada dos itens de cada dimensão, relacionados ao autocuidado da mãe adolescente e cuidado da criança, com alto grau de compreensibilidade.</jats:p

Adolescent mothers, self-care and childcare: content validation of an Event History Calendar

Objective: To validate the content of the tool Event History Calendar Adolescent Mother: strengthening self-care and child care. Method: Methodological study using the Delphi technique, conducted in two rounds, involving 37 nursing specialists. In data collection, from December/2019 to August/2020, a semi-structured questionnaire composed of 47 items related to the two dimensions of the tool: Self-care and Child Care was used. The Content Validity Index ≥ 0.80 was used to assess agreement among the experts. Qualitative elements were analyzed for clarity and comprehensiveness of content. Results: In the first round, 46 items showed Content Validity Index ≥ 0.80. The qualitative elements pointed out more clarity for the adolescent audience. After the changes, the tool presented 30 items. In the second round, the 30 items evaluated achieved Content Validity Index ≥ 0.80. The qualitative considerations were translated into modifications in the content and sequence in the final version of the tool. Conclusion: The validated tool obtained adequate evaluation of the items of each dimension, related to adolescent mother self-care and child care, with a high degree of comprehensibility

Engaging Undergraduates in Science Research: Not Just About Faculty Willingness.

Despite the many benefits of involving undergraduates in research and the growing number of undergraduate research programs, few scholars have investigated the factors that affect faculty members' decisions to involve undergraduates in their research projects. We investigated the individual factors and institutional contexts that predict faculty members' likelihood of engaging undergraduates in their research project(s). Using data from the Higher Education Research Institute's 2007-2008 Faculty Survey, we employ hierarchical generalized linear modeling to analyze data from 4,832 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) faculty across 194 institutions to examine how organizational citizenship behavior theory and social exchange theory relate to mentoring students in research. Key findings show that faculty who work in the life sciences and those who receive government funding for their research are more likely to involve undergraduates in their research project(s). In addition, faculty at liberal arts or historically Black colleges are significantly more likely to involve undergraduate students in research. Implications for advancing undergraduate research opportunities are discussed

Controlling competing interactions at oxide interfaces: Enhanced anisotropy in La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 films via interface engineering

We investigated thin La0.7Sr0.3MnO3-SrTiO3 heterostructures, where the band alignment is engineered by a variation of La/Sr stoichiometry only at the interface. In thin films, the engineered interface leads to an enhancement of the reversed spin configuration that mimics bulk behavior. Microscopically, this enhancement is closely connected with an increased magnetic anisotropy as well as intercoupling between an e(g) orbital reconstruction and a corresponding anisotropic lattice fluctuation. Furthermore, a reentrant-type behavior, triggered by this intercoupling, is observed in the remanent spin state. This microscopic perspective leads to insights on developing new strategies for maintaining bulk-like properties even in very thin La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 heterostructures.open11910Ysciescopu

Automation for monitoring of the refractive index profile of vapor-phase-deposited soot preforms for optical fiber

The vapor-phase axial deposition process is currently one of the most advantageous methods to produce preforms for optical fibers, due to its high efficiency and reduced production cost. However, this method has great difficulty in determining the refractive index profile, since it is influenced by too many process parameters. In this work, an automation system to determine the refractive index profile by monitoring the preform deposition surface profile during the soot preform deposition stage is presented. Based on a previous study that showed a strong correlation between these two profiles, an automation system was developed in LABVIEW to monitor the deposition surface profile during the preform deposition stage in order to estimate the preform germanium doping profile and refractive index profile, as well as a theoretical study to develop this system in order to minimize the performance impairment. As a result, not only preforms with a predetermined index profile were produced but also a reduction in production cost was obtained by decreasing the number of preform rejects. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.77