Avaliação mecânica da mistura do agregado açobrita com o solo laterítico de Brasília aplicada a estruturas de pavimentos

Em todos os processos industriais siderúrgicos são gerados resíduos indesejáveis que acabam sendo descartados ou destinados a uma aplicação de reuso. No caso das aciarias, o mesmo ocorre com as escórias (subproduto de descarte produzidos durante as reduções do minério). Existem já algumas aplicações em obras rodoviárias, porém apresentam problemas devido a expansões excessivas do agregado implantado. Para fins de determinar uma alternativa ambiental viável nas estruturas de pavimentos e melhoramentos de solos, foi estudada a inserção do agregado açobrita granulometricamente estabilizado ao solo laterítico de Brasília em teores não muito grandes afim de amplificar nitidamente a resistência da mistura sem extrapolar os limites de expansões normatizados. Estudando a bibliografia, nota-se que aqueles que utilizaram um grãos mais grossos obtinham uma expansão elevada e/ou irregular. Com isto, o programa experimental baseou-se na utilização do material passante na peneira #10, adicionando-o em 5%, 10% e 15% a mistura solo-escória, sendo todo esse realizado nos laboratórios de mecânica dos solos dos campus Asa Norte e Taguatinga do Centro Universitário de Brasília (UniCEUB). A partir dos resultados comprovou-se que a adição do agregado apresenta resultados satisfatórios nos quesitos expansão e, principalmente, aumento de resistência, chegando até 639%, além de se encaixar nos parâmetros normatizados da NBR 16364 (ABNT, 2015), tornando as misturas aptas a serem executadas como sub base de pavimentos

Marine organism sulfated polysaccharides exhibiting significant antimalarial activity and inhibition of red blood cell invasion by Plasmodium

The antimalarial activity of heparin, against which there are no resistances known, has not been therapeutically exploited due to its potent anticoagulating activity. Here, we have explored the antiplasmodial capacity of heparin-like sulfated polysaccharides from the sea cucumbers Ludwigothurea grisea and Isostichopus badionotus, from the red alga Botryocladia occidentalis, and from the marine sponge Desmapsamma anchorata. In vitro experiments demonstrated for most compounds significant inhibition of Plasmodium falciparum growth at low-anticoagulant concentrations. This activity was found to operate through inhibition of erythrocyte invasion by Plasmodium, likely mediated by a coating of the parasite similar to that observed for heparin. In vivo four-day suppressive tests showed that several of the sulfated polysaccharides improved the survival of Plasmodium yoelii-infected mice. In one animal treated with I. badionotus fucan parasitemia was reduced from 10.4% to undetectable levels, and Western blot analysis revealed the presence of antibodies against P. yoelii antigens in its plasma. The retarded invasion mediated by sulfated polysaccharides, and the ensuing prolonged exposure of Plasmodium to the immune system, can be explored for the design of new therapeutic approaches against malaria where heparin-related polysaccharides of low anticoagulating activity could play a dual role as drugs and as potentiators of immune responses

Ônus da prova no âmbito das relações de consumo: momento processual para inversão do encargo probatório

The present work aims to study the institute of inversion of the burden of proof, notably, the appropriate moment for application of this device in the demands that involve legal consumer relations. To this end, the research addresses concepts and characteristics pertaining to consumer law and evidential activity in civil proceedings. It seeks to expose the different doctrinal and jurisprudential positions on the issue at hand, with a view to instilling debates regarding the controversial theme, which depends on the rule of law. Regarding the methodology, deductive, bibliographic and documentary methods were used, encompassing research in laws, doctrines and jurisprudence alluding to the topic addressed. Based on the analyzes developed, it appears that the reversal of the burden of proof must be assessed in the process of cleaning up the process, so that none of the litigating parties will be harmed by hasty or late judicial decisions. The present study is, in fact, relevant, since it is willing to contribute to the pacification of the matter, through rectifications in the legal provisions, in order to favor both the consumer and the operators of the law.O presente trabalho tem como propósito estudar o instituto da inversão do ônus da prova, notadamente, o instante adequado para aplicação deste dispositivo nas demandas que envolvam relações jurídicas de consumo. Para tanto, a pesquisa aborda conceitos e características atinentes ao direito do consumidor e atividade probatória no processo civil. Busca-se expor os distintos posicionamentos doutrinários e jurisprudenciais acerca da questão em tela, com vistas a incutir debates a respeito do controvertido tema, o qual pende de regramento pelo ordenamento jurídico. No que tange à metodologia, foram utilizados os métodos dedutivo, bibliográfico e documental, englobando pesquisas em leis, doutrinas e jurisprudências alusivas ao tema abordado. Com base nas análises desenvolvidas, depreende-se que a inversão do ônus da prova deverá ser apreciada na fase de saneamento do processo, de sorte que nenhuma das partes litigantes venha a ser prejudicada por decisões judiciais precipitadas ou tardias. O presente estudo mostra-se, de fato, relevante, eis que se dispõe a contribuir para a pacificação da matéria, através de retificações nos dispositivos legais, no sentido de favorecer tanto o consumidor quanto os operadores do direito

Production of a distilled spirit using cassava flour as raw material: chemical characterization and sensory profile

Cassava plays a key role in the food production and economies of several countries worldwide. Due to its starch content, alcoholic fermentation is a promising transformation process for adding value to cassava. However, most of the existing cassava beverages are from traditional origin, with the yields and quality often poorly known or controlled due to the use of artisanal production processes. This work aims at the application of easily implementable biotechnological tools for the production of cassava spirits, in order to add value to this raw material. Cassava flour was liquefied and saccharified using enzymatic cocktails, generating a fermentable broth with ~184 g L−1 of fermentable sugars. This was then fermented into an alcoholic product with ~10% ethanol by volume and distilled for spirit production. Cassava spirits with 40% ethanol by volume, with or without application of oak wood, were produced. For further valorization, volatile fractions of cassava spirits were characterized by gas chromatography–flame ionization detection (GC-FID) and GC–MS. These showed a predominance of yeast fermentation metabolites, complemented by wood extractives where oak chips were applied. Both produced spirits showed desirable sensory traits, receiving good acceptance by experienced tasters, demonstrating the feasibility of the proposed process to add value to cassava surplus.This study was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UIDB/04469/2020 unit and BioTecNorte operation (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000004) funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the scope of Norte2020 -Programa Operacional Regional do Norte.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Systematic approach for the development of fruit wines from industrially processed fruit concentrates, including optimization of fermentation parameters, chemical characterization and sensory evaluation

This work presents an optimized approach alongside with the mathematical models describing the production of fruit wines, using fruit concentrates as an alternative to attain the desired ethanol yields and enhance organoleptic and functional properties. Box-Behnken design was used for modeling and optimization of ethanol yield and productivity in banana, orange, cherry and mango concentrates fermentations. Optimization allowed ethanol yields of 72.3±2.08 g.L-1 in orange, 101±1.78 g.L-1 in mango, 66.1±4.02 g.L-1 in cherry and 98.2±7.88 g.L-1 in banana with maximal productivities of 0.4±0.0 g.L-1.h-1, 1.0±0.1 g.L-1.h-1, 1.7±0.2 g.L-1.h-1 and 1.0±0.1 g.L-1.h-1, respectively. Evaluation of total antioxidant activity by FRAP demonstrated fruit wines potential for the development of foods and formulations with functional properties, attaining 22.6±0.46 mmol.L-1 for orange, 7.14±0.77 mmol.L-1 for mango, 28.0±1.84 mmol.L-1 for cherry and 9.54±0.89 mmol.L-1 for banana wines. Characterization of aroma active compounds was performed by GC-MS and sensory evaluation by trained panelists. All fruit wines had good acceptance with cherry wine presenting the highest overall preference, followed by orange, mango and banana wines. Correlation between chemical and sensory properties was established with PLSR2 between analytical and sensory data, which allowed an insight of chemical composition impact in consumer perceived quality.FruitVinegarDRINK QREN Project (ref. 23209), Project “BioInd - Biotechnology and Bioengineering for improved Industrial and Agro-Food processes, REF. NORTE-07-0124-FEDER-000028” Cofunded by the Programa Operacional Regional do Norte (ON.2 e O Novo Norte), QREN, FEDER and the FCT Strategic Project Pest-OE/EQB/LA0023/2013

Dano moral e mero aborrecimento: uma contradição evidente nas ações indenizatórias baseadas no direito consumerista

Moral damage is a kind of indemnity, which has civil liability as its genus. With its characterization within a specific case, the injured party seeks reparation, in order to offer the closest to the reality prior to the harmful event that resulted in the responsible agent being held liable. Over time, mere annoyance became a present figure in decisions on the subject, being able to configure specific situations as mere daily annoyances, incapable of generating the duty to indemnify, on the part of the agent causing the harmful event. A bibliographical, qualitative, applied study with exploratory objective is presented. It focuses on the contextualization of moral damage and mere annoyance in consumer relations, especially in those judged resulting from indemnity actions. A historical analysis of the jurisprudence of the Superior Court of Justice on moral damage, especially in consumer claims, since the advent of the Consumer Code in 1990 was carried out. to the extent that the phenomenon of mere annoyance arose and began to gain strength in the jurisprudence, configuring specific situations within the consumerist field, as mere daily unpleasantness, not subject to indemnification.O dano moral é uma espécie de indenização, que tem como gênero a responsabilidade civil. Com sua caracterização dentro de um caso concreto, busca-se a reparação ao lesado, de modo que se ofereça o mais próximo da realidade anterior ao evento danoso que resultou na responsabilização do agente causador. Com o tempo, o mero aborrecimento passou a ser figura presente dentro das decisões sobre o tema, sendo capaz de configurar situações específicas como meros dissabores do cotidiano, incapazes de gerarem o dever de indenizar, por parte do agente causador do evento danoso. Apresenta-se um estudo bibliográfico, qualitativo, de natureza aplicada com objetivo exploratório. Enfoca-se na contextualização do dano moral e do mero aborrecimento nas relações de consumo, em especial nos julgados decorrentes de ações indenizatórias. Realizou-se uma análise histórica da jurisprudência do Superior Tribunal de Justiça acerca do dano moral, em especial nas demandas de consumo, desde o advento do Código Consumerista em 1990. Ao final, constatou-se que a caracterização do dano moral sofreu consubstancial relativização, na medida em que o fenômeno do mero aborrecimento surgiu e passou a ganhar força na jurisprudência, configurando situações específicas dentro da seara consumerista, como meros dissabores do cotidiano, não passíveis de indenização

Validation of a LLME/GC-MS methodology for quantification of volatile compounds in fermented beverages

Knowledge of composition of beverages volatile fraction is essential for understanding their sensory attributes. Analysis of volatile compounds predominantly resorts to gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GCMS). Often a previous concentration step is required to quantify compounds found at low concentrations. This work presents a liquidliquid microextraction method combined with GCMS (LLME/GCMS) for the analysis of compounds in fermented beverages and spirits. The method was validated for a set of compounds typically found in fermented beverages comprising alcohols, esters, volatile phenols, and monoterpenic alcohols. The key requirements for validity were observed, namely linearity, sensitivity in the studied range, accuracy, and precision within the required parameters. Robustness of the method was also evaluated with satisfactory results. Thus, the proposed LLME/GCMS method may be a useful tool for the analysis of several fermented beverages, which is easily implementable in a laboratory equipped with a GCMS.This study was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology(FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UIDB/04469/2020 unit and BioTecNorte operation (NORTE‐01‐0145‐FEDER‐ 000004) was funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the scope of Norte2020 – Programa Operacional Regional do Norte, and also by Xunta de Galicia (Plan Galego de Investigación, Desenvolvemento e Innovación Tecnolóxica – INCITE).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Distribuição das Esponjas (Porifera) na Reserva Biológica do Atol das Rocas, Nordeste do Brasil

Due to the richness and uniqueness of its fauna, Atol das Rocas harbours the first Marine Biological Reserve in Brazil, but only six species of sponges were previously recorded from the atoll. In the present study the structure of the sponge community in the Biological Reserve of Atol das Rocas is described through quali- and quantitative sampling in 18 collection sites. Thirty-six sponge species from 24 families were found, which summed with previous records makes a total of 39 species now known from the atoll. At least six species are new, and four (Plakortis sp.3, Clathrina sp., Holoxea violacea and Aplysina sp.) are provisionally endemic of Atol das Rocas. Total species diversity and evenness were moderately high (H=2.38, J=0.71), as well as total sponge abundance (14.2 ind.m-2). Spirastrella hartmani (5.4 ind.m-2) and Chondrilla aff. nucula (1.1 ind.m-2) were the most abundant sponge species in the atoll. Highest sponge diversity (H’= 2.13) and density (70.4 ind.m-2) were found at Fenda site, a cryptic environment with low water movement and 7m depth. The lowest diversity (H’= 0.22) and density (1.7 ind.m-2) were found at the shallow (10-30cm depth), exposed tide pools. Atol das Rocas shares several sponge species with Fernando de Noronha (13/39) and with the littoral of Pernambuco (12/39). The degree of endemism of the sponge community observed in the atoll was low (10%) if compared to New Caledonia reef for example (71%), but this number can increase with more collections and refinement of taxonomic studies.Devido à riqueza e à unicidade de sua fauna, o Atol das Rocas abriga a primeira Reserva Biológica Marinha do Brasil, mas apenas seis espécies de esponjas foram registradas anteriormente no local. Neste trabalho é descrita a estrutura da comunidade de Porifera da Reserva Biológica do Atol das Rocas, através de amostragens quali- e quantitativas em 18 estações de coleta. Foram encontradas 36 espécies de 24 famílias, que somadas aos registros anteriores perfazem 39 espécies conhecidas no atol. Provavelmente seis destas espécies são novas, e quatro (Plakortis sp.3, Clathrina sp., Holoxea violacea e Aplysina sp.) são provisoriamente endêmicas para o Atol das Rocas. A diversidade e a equitabilidade das espécies de esponjas foi moderadamente alta (H=2,38, J=0,71), assim como a abundância total de esponjas (14,2 ind.m-2). Spirastrella hartmani (5,4 ind.m-2) e Chondrilla aff. nucula (1,1 ind.m-2) são as espécies de Porifera mais abundantes na área. O local com a maior diversidade (H’= 2,2) e densidade (70,4 ind.m-2) de esponjas foi a Fenda, um ambiente críptico com baixo hidrodinamismo e 7m de profundidade. As Poças de Maré, rasas e expostas à luz e às ondas, apresentaram a menor diversidade (H’= 0,22) e densidade de esponjas (1,7 ind.m-2). O Atol das Rocas possui muitas espécies de esponjas em comum com Fernando de Noronha (13/39) e com o litoral pernambucano (12/39). O grau de endemismo de esponjas verificado no Atol das Rocas foi baixo (10%) quando comparado por exemplo com o Recife da Nova Caledônia (71%), mas esse número pode aumentar com mais coletas e o refinamento dos estudos taxonômicos

Potential of mannan or dextrin nanogels as vaccine carrier/adjuvant systems

Polymeric nanogels have been sophisticatedly designed promising a new generation of vaccine delivery/adjuvant systems capable of boosting immune response, a strategic priority in vaccine design. Here, nanogels made of mannan or dextrin were evaluated for their potential as carriers/adjuvants in vaccine formulations. Since lymph nodes are preferential target organs for vaccine delivery systems, nanogels were biotin-labeled, injected in the footpad of rats, and their presence in draining lymph nodes was assessed by immunofluorescence. Nanogels were detected in the popliteal and inguinal lymph nodes by 24h upon subcutaneous administration, indicating entrapment in lymphatic organs. Moreover, the model antigen ovalbumin was physically encapsulated within nanogels and physicochemically characterized concerning size, zeta potential, ovalbumin loading, and entrapment efficiency. The immunogenicity of these formulations was assessed in mice intradermally immunized with ovalbuminmannan or ovalbumindextrin by determining ovalbumin-specific antibody serum titers. Intradermal vaccination using ovalbuminmannan elicited a humoral immune response in which ovalbumin-specific IgG1 levels were significantly higher than those obtained with ovalbumin alone, indicating a TH2-type response. In contrast, dextrin nanogel did not show adjuvant potential. Altogether, these results indicate that mannan nanogel is a material that should be explored as a future antigen delivery system.The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This work is supported by the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) Portugal, post-doc grant SFRH/BPD/70524/2010 and the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), PhD grant. The authors thank the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UID/BIO/04469/2013 unit and COMPETE 2020 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006684). The authors also acknowledge the Project RECI/BBB-EBI/0179/2012 (FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-027462)