Gestão de projeto utilizando indicador-chave de desempenho (KPI) na simulação virtual do desenvolvimento de uma célula robotizada atuando em processos automotivos

A implantação de robôs nos processos de produção é primordial para a indústria automobilista e vem trazendo fortes desafios aos gestores desses projetos. Considerando que Simuladores Virtuais retroalimentados envolvendo robótica podem disponibilizar dados passiveis de serem aplicados em cálculos de Indicador-Chave de Desempenho (Key-Performance Indicator –KPI), apresenta-se neste artigo um método de utilizar essa ferramenta computacional para prever a eficiência de um projeto de célula robotizada com base em indicadores confiáveis para o seu acompanhamento nas etapas do desenvolvimento até que este alcance seu processo produtivo. Para detalhar os procedimentos apresenta-se a instalação de uma Célula Robotizada composta de dois braços robóticos atuando em conjunto no trabalho de estamparia de peças em indústria automobilística, onde, com o auxílio do software Plant Simulation 14, versão educacional, foi construído um pré-projeto e efetuadas simulações e obtidos valores para os ajustes e compatibilizações para as adequações baseados nas dimensões físicas das instalações reais. Os resultados obtidos por meio dos indicadores coletados utilizando o ambiente real e virtual indicam que esta técnica é bastante útil na elaboração deste tipo de projeto porque; permite otimizar a interatividade dos robôs com o processo produtivo extraindo o máximo desempenho de cada equipamento, documentar limites referenciais para futuras decisões e disponibilizá-los para a gestão nas etapas de seu desenvolvimento e ainda oferecer credibilidade aos financiadores através de indicadores de eficiência

Outcomes from elective colorectal cancer surgery during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

This study aimed to describe the change in surgical practice and the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on mortality after surgical resection of colorectal cancer during the initial phases of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Nanotechnology Potential in Seed Priming for Sustainable Agriculture

International audienceOur agriculture is threatened by climate change and the depletion of resources and biodiversity. A new agriculture revolution is needed in order to increase the production of crops and ensure the quality and safety of food, in a sustainable way. Nanotechnology can contribute to the sustainability of agriculture. Seed nano-priming is an efficient process that can change seed metabolism and signaling pathways, affecting not only germination and seedling establishment but also the entire plant lifecycle. Studies have shown various benefits of using seed nano-priming, such as improved plant growth and development, increased productivity, and a better nutritional quality of food. Nano-priming modulates biochemical pathways and the balance between reactive oxygen species and plant growth hormones, resulting in the promotion of stress and diseases resistance outcoming in the reduction of pesticides and fertilizers. The present review provides an overview of advances in the field, showing the challenges and possibilities concerning the use of nanotechnology in seed nano-priming, as a contribution to sustainable agricultural practices

Evaluation of Cyto- and Genotoxicity of Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) Nanoparticles

This work reports on an analysis of the cyto- and genotoxicity of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) polymer nanoparticles, in an attempt to evaluate their mutagenic effects. Fibroblast (3T3) and human lymphocyte cell cultures were exposed to solutions containing three different concentrations of nanoparticles (5.4, 54 and 540 mu g/mL, polymer mass/volume of solution). The nanoparticles were characterized in terms of their hydrodynamic diameters, zeta potentials and polydispersity indices. The morphology of the particles was determined by atomic force microscopy. The PLGA nanospheres presented a size of 95 nm, a zeta potential of -20 mV and a spherical morphology. Cellular viability assays using fibroblast cells showed no significant alterations compared with the negative control. A cytogenetic analysis of human lymphocyte cells showed no significant changes in the mitotic index in relation to the control, indicating that in the concentration range tested, the particles used in the experimental models did not present cyto- or genotoxicity. For the tests conducted in this work we can conclude that biodegradable and biocompatible PLGA nanospheres are not toxic in the cell cultures tested (fibroblast and lymphocyte cells) and in the range of concentrations employed. The results provide new information concerning the toxic effects of particles produced using PLGA.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Evaluation of the Genotoxicity of Chitosan Nanoparticles for Use in Food Packaging Films

The use of nanoparticles in food packaging has been proposed on the basis that it could improve protection of foods by, for example, reducing permeation of gases, minimizing odor loss, and increasing mechanical strength and thermal stability. Consequently, the impacts of such nanoparticles on organisms and on the environment need to be investigated to ensure their safe use. In an earlier study, Moura and others (2008a) described the effect of addition of chitosan (CS) and poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) nanoparticles on the mechanical properties, water vapor, and oxygen permeability of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose films used in food packaging. Here, the genotoxicity of different polymeric CS/PMAA nanoparticles (size 60, 82, and 111 nm) was evaluated at different concentration levels, using the Allium cepa chromosome damage test as well as cytogenetic tests employing human lymphocyte cultures. Test substrates were exposed to solutions containing nanoparticles at polymer mass concentrations of 1.8, 18, and 180 mg/L. Results showed no evidence of DNA damage caused by the nanoparticles (no significant numerical or structural changes were observed), however the 82 and 111 nm nanoparticles reduced mitotic index values at the highest concentration tested (180 mg/L), indicating that the nanoparticles were toxic to the cells used at this concentration. In the case of the 60 nm CS/PMAA nanoparticles, no significant changes in the mitotic index were observed at the concentration levels tested, indicating that these particles were not toxic. The techniques used show promising potential for application in tests of nanoparticle safety envisaging the future use of these materials in food packaging.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

Neuropathic-like symptoms and central sensitization related signs and symptoms negatively affect the functional performance of patients with knee osteoarthritis – a cross-sectional study

Objective: This study aimed to compare the functional performance among participants with a neuropathic-like symptoms (NS) and central sensitization related signs and symptoms (CS), and their knee osteoarthritis (OA) counterparts. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted with 125 participants with knee OA (94 females, mean age 63.1 ​± ​7.4 years). Participants completed a self-reported questionnaire with personal and clinical features and musculoskeletal pain characteristics, including NS (PainDETECT), CS (Central Sensitization Inventory, CSI), and conditioned pain modulation. Self-reported functional disability (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, WOMAC) and functional mobility (Timed Up and Go, TUG) were compared among patients with NS, CS, and their knee OA counterparts using the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: Thirty-three (26.4%) participants had NS and CS, eighteen (14.4%) had NS, twenty-seven (21.6%) participants had CS, and 47 (37.6%) had knee OA with no NS or CS. A one-way ANOVA revealed greater functional limitation in the group with NS and CS (mean ​= ​67.5 ​± ​12.0) or NS (mean ​= ​56.7 ​± ​17.5) than the group without these symptoms (mean ​= ​32.0 ​± ​20.7) with a statistical significance difference [F(3, 121) ​= ​29.434, p ​< ​0.001] in the WOMAC Total score. The group with NS and CS (mean ​= ​19.2 ​± ​7.4) or NS (mean ​= ​16.3 ​± ​6.3) had slower velocity than the group without these symptoms (mean ​= ​11.6 ​± ​3.5) with a statistical significance difference [F(3,121) ​= ​10.045, p ​< ​0.001] in the TUG test. Conclusion: Participants with knee osteoarthritis and NS or CS pain phenotype have greater functional limitations than their counterparts

Nanocarrier-Mediated Delivery of miRNA, RNAi, and CRISPR-Cas for Plant Protection: Current Trends and Future Directions

Funding Information: M.M. thanks the Biotechnology Institute of Ankara University and Bioproducts and Biosystems department, Aalto University for support during the study. L.F.F., J.L.O., and L.B.C. thank the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP, 2017/21004-5, 2018/21142-1, and 2018/23608-8). The authors are grateful for the financial support provided by CAPES (Project 88881.191767/2018-01). A.E.S.P. is grateful for a postdoctoral grant provided by CAPES-COFECUB (88887.363975/2010-00). In addition, L.F.F. thanks the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq). All authors are greatful to FinELib for the support to make this article open access. Publisher Copyright: © 2021 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.Current trends in plant genetic transformation technologies, i.e., designing and applying molecules like miRNA, RNAi, and CRISPR-Cas, largely enable researchers to target specific sites in the plant genome to avert the growing biotic and abiotic threats to plants. However, the delivery of these molecules through conventional techniques brings an array of drawbacks such as low efficiency due to the cell wall barrier, tissue damage that leads to browning or necrosis, degradation of these biomolecules by physiological conditions (high temperature, harsh pH, and light), and plant-specific protocols. The advancements in nanotechnology offer an excellent alternative for the safe and highly efficient delivery of biomolecules such as miRNA, CRISPR-Cas, and RNAi without damaging the plant tissues. Nanoparticle (polymeric, metallic, magnetic, silica, carbon, etc.)-based delivery of biomolecules can be efficiently utilized especially for plant protection applications. Herein, we present a comprehensive overview of current trends (with a focus on the previous five years) in nanoparticle-based delivery of miRNA, RNAi, CRISPR-Cas and simillar biomolecules for plant protection applications. In addition, a future perspective focuses on the research gaps and unexplored potentials of nanoparticles for the delivery of biomolecules.Peer reviewe

Anaphylaxis triggered by prick test with latex extract: a case report

<div><p>ABSTRACT CONTEXT: Adverse reactions associated with prick tests are rare but may be present as serious systemic reactions. CASE REPORT: A 38-year-old female nursing technician complained of three episodes of anaphylaxis in one year, all in the workplace. To investigate latex allergy, the patient underwent the prick test with latex, and immediately developed a rash, itchy skin, hoarseness, dyspnea and dry cough. Her condition improved promptly after appropriate measures were established for controlling her anaphylaxis. CONCLUSION: The skin test must be performed under medical supervision, since complications that can lead to life-threatening reactions, if support measures are not readily implemented, have been attributed to this test.</p></div

Controlled release system for ametryn using polymer microspheres: Preparation, characterization and release kinetics in water

The purpose of this work was to develop a modified release system for the herbicide ametryn by encapsulating the active substance in biodegradable polymer microparticles produced using the polymers poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) or poly(hydroxybutyrate-valerate) (PHBV), in order to both improve the herbicidal action and reduce environmental toxicity. PHB or PHBV microparticles containing ametryn were prepared and the efficiencies of herbicide association and loading were evaluated, presenting similar values of approximately 40%. The microparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which showed that the average sizes of the PHB and PHBV microparticles were 5.92 +/- 0.74 mu m and 5.63 +/- 0.68 mu m, respectively. The ametryn release profile was modified when it was encapsulated in the microparticles, with slower and more sustained release compared to the release profile of pure ametryn. When ametryn was associated with the PHB and PHBV microparticles, the amount of herbicide released in the same period of time was significantly reduced, declining to 75% and 87%, respectively. For both types of microparticle (PHB and PHBV) the release of ametryn was by diffusion processes due to anomalous transport (governed by diffusion and relaxation of the polymer chains), which did not follow Fick's laws of diffusion. The results presented in this paper are promising, in view of the successful encapsulation of ametryn in PHB or PHBV polymer microparticles, and indications that this system may help reduce the impacts caused by the herbicide, making it an environmentally safer alternative. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved