Microphotonic parabolic light directors fabricated by two-photon lithography

We have fabricated microphotonic parabolic light directors using two-photon lithography, thin-film processing, and aperture formation by focused ion beam lithography. Optical transmission measurements through upright parabolic directors 22 μm high and 10 μm in diameter exhibit strong beam directivity with a beam divergence of 5.6°, in reasonable agreement with ray-tracing and full-field electromagnetic simulations. The results indicate the suitability of microphotonic parabolic light directors for producing collimated beams for applications in advanced solar cell and light-emitting diode designs

Persistência dos efeitos da escarificação sobre a compactação de Nitossolo sob plantio direto em região subtropical úmida.

Avalia a persistência dos efeitos da escarificação sobre a compactação de Nitossolo Vermelho, manejado sob plantio direto (PD), na região subtropical úmida do Brasil. O experimento foi realizado em blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições e seis tratamentos, constituídos pelo tempo de manutenção do solo sob PD após escarificação: PD contínuo por 24 meses após escarificação, realizada setembro de 2009; PD contínuo por 18 meses após escarificação, realizada em março de 2010; PD contínuo por 12 meses após escarificação, realizada em setembro de 2010; PD contínuo por seis meses após escarificação, realizada em março de 2011; plantio realizado em solo recém escarificado, em setembro de 2011; e PD contínuo e sem escarificação (testemunha). As espécies cultivadas na área foram: milho, safra 2009/2010; trigo, em 2010; soja, safra 2010/2011; centeio, em 2011; e milho, safra 2011/2012. Os efeitos dos tratamentos foram avaliados a partir de parâmetros físicos do solo e de parâmetros morfológicos e produtivos da cultura do milho, na safra 2011/2012. A escarificação do Nitossolo sob plantio direto, em região de clima subtropical úmido, não aumenta a produtividade de grãos de milho, e os seus efeitos sobre a estrutura do solo não persistem por mais de 18 meses

Propagation velocity measurement : Autocorrelation technique applied to the electromyogram

Muscle fibre conduction velocity is an important measurement in electrophysiology, both in the research laboratory and in clinical practice. It is usually measured by placing electrodes spaced at known distances and estimating the transit time of the action potential. The problem, common to all methods, is the estimation of this time delay. Several measurement procedures, in the time and frequency domains, have been proposed. Time-domain strategies usually require two acquisition channels, whereas some frequency-domain methods can be implemented using a single one. The method described operates in the time domain, making use of the autocorrelation function of the difference signal obtained from two needle electrodes and only one acquisition channel. Experimental results were obtained from the electromyogram of two biceps muscles (two adult male subjects, nine records each) under voluntary contraction, yielding an average of 3.58 m s−1 (SD=0.04 m s−1) and 3.37 m s−1 (SD=0.03 m s−1), respectively. Several tests showed that the proposed method works properly with electromyogram records as short as 0.3 s.Instituto de Investigaciones en Electrónica, Control y Procesamiento de Señale

A prolonged methoxymorpholino doxorubicin (PNU-152243 or MMRDX) infusion schedule in patients with solid tumours: a phase 1 and pharmacokinetic study

The aim of this phase I study was to assess feasibility, pharmacokinetics and toxicity of methoxymorpholino doxorubicin (MMRDX or PNU-152243) administered as a 3 h intravenous infusion once every 4 weeks. Fourteen patients with intrinsically anthracycline-resistant tumours received 37 cycles of MMRDX. The first cohort of patients was treated with 1 mg m−2of MMRDX. The next cohorts received 1.25 mg m−2and 1.5 mg m−2respectively. Common toxicity criteria (CTC) grade III/IV nausea and vomiting were observed in 1/18 cycles at 1.25 mg m−2and in 2/11 cycles at 1.5 mg m−2. Transient elevation in transaminases up to CTC grade III was observed in 2/16 cycles at 1.25 mg m−2and 4/11 cycles at 1.5 mg m−2. No cardiotoxicity was observed. At 1.25 mg m−2CTC grade IV neutropenia occurred in 1/17 cycles. At 1.5 mg m−2CTC grade III neutropenia was seen in 2/7 and grade IV in 3/7 evaluable cycles. Thrombocytopenia grade III was observed in 2/9 and grade IV in 1/9 evaluable cycles. One patient treated at 1.5 mg m−2died with neutropenic fever. Therefore, dose-limiting toxicity was reached and 1.25 mg m−2was considered the maximum tolerated dose for MMRDX as 3 h infusion. No tumour responses were observed. Pharmacokinetic parameters showed a rapid clearance of MMRDX from the circulation by an extensive tissue distribution. Renal excretion of the drug and its metabolite was negligible. In conclusion, prolongation of MMRDX infusion to 3 h does not improve the toxicity profile as compared with bolus administration. © 2000 Cancer Research Campaig

‘School, family and then hockey!’ Coaches’ views on dual career in ice hockey

Despite the extensive research into coaches’ roles in supporting athletic development and motivation for sport, few studies have examined coaches’ attitudes and practices towards athletes’ dual careers. The present study extends European research into athletes’ dual careers by examining Finnish ice hockey coaches’ attitudes and practices surrounding players’ education. Ten male coaches aged 27–52 participated in semi-structured interviews. The data were analysed with an existential-narrative theoretical framework and with thematic and structural narrative analysis. Three composite vignettes were created entitled ‘supporting athletic development and players in reaching their own goals’, ‘enjoyment and physically active lifestyle’ and ‘developing good persons’. The analysis revealed that although all coaches embraced the official rhetoric where school is a priority over ice hockey, most of them had few practical examples of how this view had informed their coaching practice. It is concluded that young players may be easily lured into dreams of professionalism, whereas coaches’ dominant narrative of education as a back-up may be ineffective to spark athletes’ interest and engagement with education. © 2017, © The Author(s) 2017

An assessment of microstructure and properties of laser clad coatings of ultrafine eutectic beta Ti-Fe-Nb-Sn composite for implants

[EN] High mechanical strength (1800¿2500 MPa), elastic modulus (50¿110 GPa) close to that of human bone and good corrosion resistance are some characteristics of ultrafine eutectic Ti-based nanocomposite alloys. This is explained due to a combination of soft ß-Ti (bcc) matrix and hard/refined TiFe and/or Ti3Sn intermetallic particles. The present study focuses on the production and characterization of Ti-Fe-Nb-Sn eutectic alloys using biocompatible ß-stabilizer elements, such as Nb, Fe and Sn. Different fabrication techniques based on rapid solidification may be highlighted considering the application of these alloys as implant materials. In the present investigation, the processing routes comprise single tracks and coatings (overlapped tracks) by laser melting of pre-alloyed powders of the Ti66Fe20Nb8Sn6 alloy deposited into a Ti substrate. To select this composition (i.e., the Ti66Fe20Nb8Sn6 alloy), three Ti-Fe-Nb based chemistries (Ti63Fe23Nb8Sn6, Ti60Fe23Nb8Sn9 and Ti66Fe20Nb8Sn6) were originally generated under bulk conditions by using a suction casting apparatus. These alloys were further evaluated. All samples were analyzed by metallography, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EBSD and SEM-EDS), microhardness, nanohardness and elastic modulus. The results showed that the proportions of the formed TiFe and Ti3Sn intermetallic particles dispersed within the soft ß-Ti matrix play a fundamental role on the final properties. Lower elastic modulus (E ~72 GPa) is associated with the Ti66Fe20Nb8Sn6 bulk alloy. The laser clad coatings showed a broad range of nanohardness (4.8¿8.0 GPa) and elastic modulus (98¿150 GPa) depending on the related laser power and scanning speeds.The authors acknowledge the financial supports provided by CNPq (National Council for Scientific and Technological Development - Universal Project # 473777/2011-8) and by FAPESP (Sao Paulo State Research Foundation - Thematic Project # 2013/05987-8). Furthermore, we are grateful for the Grants (#2015/17090-8 - BEPE of A.L.V. and # 2015/19978-6 - BPE of C.R.M.A.) provided by FAPESP.Afonso, CRM.; Vidilli, AL.; Spinelli, JE.; Riva, R.; Amigó, V.; Kiminami, CS. (2017). An assessment of microstructure and properties of laser clad coatings of ultrafine eutectic beta Ti-Fe-Nb-Sn composite for implants. Surface and Coatings Technology. 328:161-171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surfcoat.2017.08.035S16117132

Desarrollo de una interfaz gráfica para la búsqueda y recuperación de información automatizada y en tiempo real sobre el virus del papiloma humano y el cáncer de cuello uterino

El objetivo del presente trabajo es desarrollar una interfaz gráfica en forma de Aula Virtual que permita obtener en forma automatizada y en tiempo real información bibliográfica y de texto completo gratuito sobre temas relacionados con el Virus del Papiloma Humano, el Cáncer de Cuello Uterino y sus Vacunas. La interfaz se desarrolló y diseñó mediante lenguaje HTML. Para el contenido temático del aula se seleccionaron los correspondientes términos DeCS (Descriptores en Ciencias de la Salud) y su equivalente de la base de datos MeSH de MEDLINE/PubMed con la finalidad de resolver los problemas de sinonimia, polisemia y ambigüedad que comporta el lenguaje natural.Facultad de Ciencias Médica

Desarrollo de una interfaz gráfica para la búsqueda y recuperación de información automatizada y en tiempo real sobre el virus del papiloma humano y el cáncer de cuello uterino

El objetivo del presente trabajo es desarrollar una interfaz gráfica en forma de Aula Virtual que permita obtener en forma automatizada y en tiempo real información bibliográfica y de texto completo gratuito sobre temas relacionados con el Virus del Papiloma Humano, el Cáncer de Cuello Uterino y sus Vacunas. La interfaz se desarrolló y diseñó mediante lenguaje HTML. Para el contenido temático del aula se seleccionaron los correspondientes términos DeCS (Descriptores en Ciencias de la Salud) y su equivalente de la base de datos MeSH de MEDLINE/PubMed con la finalidad de resolver los problemas de sinonimia, polisemia y ambigüedad que comporta el lenguaje natural.Facultad de Ciencias Médica