Distribution models for nitrophenols in a liquid-liquid system

The formation of nitrophenols by-products is still of major concern for the economics and environmental impact of the industrial process of benzene (Bz) nitration to mononitrobenzene (MNB) with mixed acid (sulphuric and nitric acids). The knowledge of nitrophenol (NP) distribution ratios in the liquid-liquid mixture (Dj,j={NP}) is desirable for process optimization and for understanding the reaction mechanisms behind nitrophenols formation. In this study, a data-driven approach was implemented to provide prediction models for Dj of 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) and of 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (TNP) in a biphasic liquid system with a composition representative of the industrial processes. In the first step, screening tests were performed to identify the main variables influencing the experimental equilibrium weight fractions of nitrophenols in the aqueous phase wj,eA. Subsequently two independent data sets were built for development and external validation of prediction multivariate linear regression (MLR) models, at 30°C. The fitting results (R2 and Rad2⩾0.90) and the prediction results (Rpred,DNP2=0.931,Rpred,TNP2=0.908) confirmed the quality of the wj,eA models. Statistical significant predictive MLR models were also developed for Dj (which is related with wj,eA), at 30°C, with DNP evidencing a higher affinity for the organic phase (i.e. DDNP≈2DTNP).publishe

Epidemiological Analysis On Acetabular Fractures [análise Epidemiológica Das Fraturas Acetabulares]

This aim of this work was to carry out an epidemiological study on acetabular fractures in the city of Campinas and surrounds, in view of the few published papers on this subject. Medical files with a diagnosis of acetabular fracture between the years 2004 and 2008 that were made available by the Medical Archiving Service of Hospital das Clínicas, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) were analyzed by six observers. Data on patients' ages, sex, side affected by the fracture, mechanism of injury, material used for synthesis, complications of the operation, associated fractures, length of hospitalization before and after the surgery, time of total internment and number of physiotherapy sessions before and after the surgery were gathered. It was observed in this population that the left side was more affected; the mechanism of injury that most often caused this type of fracture was automobile accidents; injuries to the sciatic nerve were the commonest surgical complications; and the synthesis material most used was reconstruction plates.4612326Beaule, P.E., Dorey, F.J., Matta, J.M., Letournel classification for acetabular fractures: Assessment of interobserver and intraobserver reliability (2003) Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery - Series A, 85 (9), pp. 1704-1709Barbosa, A.L.H., Schutz, P.C., Pavan, L., Tratamento cirúrgico das fraturas de acetábulo: Estudo retrospectivo de 48 casos (2000) Acta Ortop Bras, 8 (3), pp. 140-143Kumar, A., Shah, N.A., Kershaw, S.A., Clayson, A.D., Operative management of acetabular fractures: A review of 73 fractures (2005) Injury, 36 (5), pp. 605-612VanOpdorp, H., Van Lunen, B., Swanson, J., Fracture of the superomedial weight-bearing surface of the acetabulum in a Division I field-hockey player: A case study (2004) Journal of Sport Rehabilitation, 13 (4), pp. 343-352Lin, Y.C., Chen, C.H., Huang, H.T., Chen, J.C., Huang, P.J., Hung, S.H., Percutaneous antegrade screwing for anterior column fracture of acetabulum with fluoroscopicbased computerized navigation (2008) Arch Orthop Trauma Surg, 128 (2), pp. 223-226Standard, J.P., Riley, R.S., McClenney, M.D., Lopez-Ben, R.R., Volgas, D.A., Alonso, J.E., Mechanical prophylaxis against deep-vein thrombosis after pelvic and acetabular fractures (2001) Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery - Series A, 83 (7), pp. 1047-105

Chemical composition and antioxidant and antifungal properties of Mentha x piperita L. (peppermint) and Mentha arvensis L. (cornmint) samples

Essential oils and infusions from commercial peppermint sachets (CPS), and non-commercial genuine peppermint (NCP) and cornmint (NCC) samples were analyzed by GC/MS and LC/MS. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of mint oils against Fusarium moniliforme, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus fumigates was determined. Antioxidant potential was monitored by total phenolic content (TPC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and soybean oil oxidation tests. CPS and NCC oils had lower menthofuran content than NCP. Mint oils did not show a uniform standard of antifungal activity and they had the modest reducing ability. CPS and NCC infusions showed higher IC50 and lower TPC than NCP ones. In the soybean oxidation test, mint oils presented prooxidant behavior. CPS infusions showed antioxidant potential significantly (P<0.05, Tukey) lower than that from NCC and NCP infusions. NCP infusions were more efficient in delaying propagation reaction than NCC ones. This may be attributed to higher amount of rosmarinic acid and hesperidin in NCP

Are functional mobility tests responsive to group physical therapy intervention in individuals with Parkinson’s disease?

The Timed up and go test (TUG), the Five times sit-to-stand test (FTSTS) and the Bed Mobility test (BMT) are widely used in clinical practice for Parkinson Disease (PD). However, no reported studies have evaluated the responsiveness to group physical therapy intervention (GPTI). To verify if TUG, FTSTS and BMT were responsive to GPTI. Thirty individuals with PD were assessed prior to and after an 8-week evidence-based GPTI. Paired t test was used to determine statistically significant change pre-and post-intervention. Internal responsiveness (IR) was classified with the standardized response mean (SRM). A 5-point Likert scale assessed self-perceived performance by the subjects after the intervention. Analysis of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the accuracy and cut-off scores for identifying participants who had shown improvement. GPTI was efficient in improving real (p≤0.001) and self-perceived mobility performance in all measures. All tests were responsive to changes: the IR varied from medium to high (SRM = 0.7-1.5); the cut-off point for TUG test was >2.2 s, for FTSTS test was >2.5 s and for BM test >1.4 s. The TUG, FTSTS and BMT were responsive to the GPTI and accurately detected meaningful clinical changes. Our results provide an important information about the clinical application of these tests in PD individuals