Pavement maintenance optimization strategies for national road network in Indonesia applying genetic algorithm

"6th International Workshop on Performance, Protection & Strengthening of Structures under Extreme Loading, PROTECT2017, 11-12 December 2017, Guangzhou (Canton), China"In Indonesia, the national road has an important role to increase the region's economy, the road has the function to preserve interprovincial or inter-provincial and regencies/cities. Road network in Indonesia has a significant length, of approximately 516,239 kilometers, where the majority presents lack of information related to monitoring data and evaluation. As a consequence, road maintenance is not appropriated. The objective of this paper is to describe the development of a Genetic Algorithm (GA) based on multi objectives programming of pavement and to investigate the optimal maintenance strategy options applied as function of road surface distress conditions. This is supported by database of an Integrated Road Management System (IRMS) and taking into account of both road network condition and agency costs. The optimization strategies provided by the developed soft computing tool can help solving agency problems; minimizing costs and maximizing road services.The Authors are grateful to the Lembaga Pengelola Dana Pendidikan (LPDP) for the financial support provided to this thesis through the grant financed by the Ministry of Finance Republic of Indonesia.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Dehydration of protein lactoferrin-glycomacropeptide nanohydrogels

Protein based nanohydrogels have recently gained interest due their high ability to carry and deliver active compounds. However, one of the limitations of using protein-based systems is their high sensitivity to physicochemical stresses during processing and storage. Protein-based formulations are commonly prepared as solid dosage forms once their stability can be achieved in the solid rather than in the liquid state. One of the methods to improve the stability of protein-based systems is drying, being freeze and spray drying the most popular methods. Nanohydrogels composed of lactoferrin and glycomacropeptide were developed by thermal gelation and dried using a freeze-dryer (CHRIST - Alpha 14 LD plus, Germany) and a nano spray dryer B-90 (BÜCHI Labortechnik AG, Switzerland). For nano spray-drying different experimental conditions were tested such as: the inlet temperature (80, 100 and 120°C) and the hole size of the vibrating membrane in the spray cap (4m and 7m), while for freeze drying the nanohydrogels where maintained at 40°C for a drying period of about 24h. The physicochemical properties of the resulting dried nanohydrogels were compared through different techniques: differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). DSC shows an endothermic peak ranging from 82 to 90°C, indicating that during the drying methodologies the second denaturation peak of lactoferrin (around 90°C) is maintained. No significant differences (p<0.05) for denaturation peak temperatures were observed when different inlet temperatures or spray cap size were applied during the nano spray-drying conditions. When compared with freeze-drying it is possible to observe that a denaturation peak around the same range of temperatures was detected, also indicating that this drying process did not affect the denaturation of the protein. XRD results of nanohydrogels dried by freeze-drying revealed that crystallinity is significantly higher when compared with spray-dried nanohydrogels, explaining the lower thermal degradation observed in TGA for freeze-dried nanohydrogels. Nanohydrogels morphology after the drying process was evaluated by SEM. Nanohydrogels obtained by nano spray dryer B-90 allowed identifying the presence of particles with spherical shape, while nanohydrogels obtained by freeze drying had a sponge-like appearance. This work shows the influence of the drying process of protein-based nanohydrogels in their physical-chemical properties, thus pointing at which will be the preferred technology to be used in a future industrial application.This study was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology under the scope of the strategic funding of UID/BIO/04469/2013 unit and COMPETE 2020 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006684) and BioTecNorte operation (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000004) funded by European Regional Development Fund under the scope of Norte2020 e Programa Operacional Regional do Norte.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Borbulhia: a enxertia econômica para o cajueiro.

bitstream/CNPAT-2010/11943/1/Cj-008.pd

Targeting of Aberrant αvβ6 Integrin Expression in Solid Tumors Using Chimeric Antigen Receptor-Engineered T Cells.

Expression of the αvβ6 integrin is upregulated in several solid tumors. In contrast, physiologic expression of this epithelial-specific integrin is restricted to development and epithelial re-modeling. Here, we describe, for the first time, the development of a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) that couples the recognition of this integrin to the delivery of potent therapeutic activity in a diverse repertoire of solid tumor models. Highly selective targeting αvβ6 was achieved using a foot and mouth disease virus-derived A20 peptide, coupled to a fused CD28+CD3 endodomain. To achieve selective expansion of CAR T cells ex vivo, an IL-4-responsive fusion gene (4αβ) was co-expressed, which delivers a selective mitogenic signal to engineered T cells only. In vivo efficacy was demonstrated in mice with established ovarian, breast, and pancreatic tumor xenografts, all of which express αvβ6 at intermediate to high levels. SCID beige mice were used for these studies because they are susceptible to cytokine release syndrome, unlike more immune-compromised strains. Nonetheless, although the CAR also engages mouse αvβ6, mild and reversible toxicity was only observed when supra-therapeutic doses of CAR T cells were administered parenterally. These data support the clinical evaluation of αvβ6 re-targeted CAR T cell immunotherapy in solid tumors that express this integrin

A secreted serine protease of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and its interactions with fungal proteins

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Paracoccidioides brasiliensis </it>is a thermodimorphic fungus, the causative agent of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM). Serine proteases are widely distributed and this class of peptidase has been related to pathogenesis and nitrogen starvation in pathogenic fungi.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A cDNA (<it>Pb</it>sp) encoding a secreted serine protease (<it>Pb</it>SP), was isolated from a cDNA library constructed with RNAs of fungal yeast cells recovered from liver of infected mice. Recombinant <it>Pb</it>SP was produced in <it>Escherichia coli</it>, and used to develop polyclonal antibodies that were able to detect a 66 kDa protein in the <it>P. brasiliensis </it>proteome. <it>In vitro </it>deglycosylation assays with endoglycosidase H demonstrated that <it>Pb</it>SP is a <it>N</it>-glycosylated molecule. The <it>Pb</it>sp transcript and the protein were induced during nitrogen starvation. The <it>Pb</it>sp transcript was also induced in yeast cells infecting murine macrophages. Interactions of <it>Pb</it>SP with <it>P. brasiliensis </it>proteins were evaluated by two-hybrid assay in the yeast <it>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</it>. <it>Pb</it>SP interacts with a peptidyl prolyl cis-trans isomerase, calnexin, HSP70 and a cell wall protein PWP2.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>A secreted subtilisin induced during nitrogen starvation was characterized indicating the possible role of this protein in the nitrogen acquisition. <it>Pb</it>SP interactions with other <it>P. brasiliensis </it>proteins were reported. Proteins interacting with <it>Pb</it>SP are related to folding process, protein trafficking and cytoskeleton reorganization.</p

Electrosprayed whey protein-based nanocapsules for beta-carotene encapsulation

Supplementary data to this article can be found online at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2019.126157.In this work an electrohydrodynamic process (electrospray) was used to produce beta-carotene loaded nanocapsules based on whey protein isolate (WPI). WPI solutions were prepared in aqueous solutions with different concentrations of ethanol (5, 10 and 15%) which were used for beta-carotene solubilization. Different electrospray conditions were tested and the morphology and molecular organization of the nanocapsules were studied on dried and hydrated state. The size of the dried nanocapsules ranged between 227 and 283nm. After hydration, there was a significant increase in the mean size of the nanocapsules, being the sizes higher for nanocapsules produced with increasing concentrations of ethanol. Results, obtained from the reactivity of free sulfhydryl groups and fluorescence analysis, showed that the increase of ethanol concentration had a destabilizing effect on the protein unfolding. Electrosprayed WPI-based nanocapsules can be used for the encapsulation of ?-carotene answering the industrial demand for novel encapsulation technologies to protect sensitive bioactive compounds.This work was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UIDB/04469/2020 unit and by BioTecNorte operation (NORTE-01-0145- FEDER-000004) funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the scope of Norte2020 – Programa Operacional Regional do Norte. The author Rui M. Rodrigues thanks to FCT the financial grant with SFRH/BD/110723/2015. This work was supported by the project ARMAdilhas seletivas para eliminação da VESPA velutina. Medida 6 – Investigação e Desenvolvimento (n° 5894057). Instituto de Financiamento de Agricultura e Pescas, I.P.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Development and evaluation of superabsorbent hydrogels based on natural polymers

Superabsorbent hydrogels (SAHs) are three dimensional networks formed by polymers that can absorb aqueous solution of over 100% of their initial weight. This work aimed to develop and characterize SAHs of Chitosan/Xanthan gum (CG), Chitosan/Alginate (CA) and controlled Chitosan (C), Xanthan gum (G), and Alginate (A) produced using “onion-like” methodology. The swelling performance, the morphological structure, the crystallinity, and the Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy characteristics of SAH were used for the characterization of polyelectrolytes complex. Swelling analysis showed that chitosan has a strong influence on the maintenance of hydrogels structure after swelling, mainly in the acid environment (pH=2). The chitosan hydrogel presented around 3000% of acidic fluid absorption after 24 h. The chitosan:xanthan gum (1:1 and 2:1 named as C1G1 and C2G1, respectively) hydrogels were the best combination regarding swelling performance in an acid environment, reaching 1665% and 2024%, respectively, as well at pH 7.0, presenting 1005% (C1G1) and 667% (C2G1). Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed samples with pores, and with different shapes. The X-ray diffraction showed the presence of a characteristic peak at 2θ=20° in all developed composition because of the crystalline nature of chitosan. This work shows the possibility of developing eco-friendly biopolymer-based SAHs at a low cost with a good swelling capacity and stability.The research was supported by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior(CAPES/Brazil), Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sergipe (FAPITEC, MS/CNPq/FAPITEC/SE/SESN◦06/2018) e do Conselho Nacional de Pesquisas (CNPq, Apoio a Projetos de Pesquisa/MCTI/CNPQ/Universal 14/2014) for supporting funds. EBS acknowledges the Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation (FCT) for the funded projects M-ERA-NET/0004/2015 (PAIRED) and UIDB/04469/2020 (strategic fund) financed from national funds, and cofinanced education (FCT/MEC) from national funds and FEDER, under the Partnership Agreement PT2020. J.J. acknowledges the Ministry of Science and Technical Development of the Republic of Serbia, through Contract Number 200051 172015 OI.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Seasonal pumped hydropower storage role in responding to climate change impacts on the Brazilian electrical sector

Since Brazil's major energy resources are renewable and directly related to climate factors, it is among the countries most likely of being affected by climate change. Given Brazil's high hydropower storage capacity and the strong seasonal patterns of its renewable resources, introducing Seasonal Pumped Hydropower Storage (SPHS) can help mitigate these challenges. To this end, a methodology is proposed that links the dynamic system-optimization model – MESSAGEix - to regional climate model simulations, called the Brazilian Electricity System MESSAGEix Model (BESMM). This model, with its detailed hydropower representation, is capable of integrating data from three climate change scenarios with the country's energy system. Climate change introduces a new dimension to this approach, as there is evidence of increasing the seasonal imbalance of variable renewable resources in Brazil. BESMM results suggest that SPHS can play a fundamental role in achieving a 100 % renewable matrix by 2100 in RCP 2.6 scenario, as well as enhancing the renewable energy endowment in scenarios RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5. A reduction of up to 68 % of CO2 emissions is predicted in scenarios incorporating SPHS, compared to scenarios without SPHS

Efeitos de conbinações hormonais e tipo de explante na indução de calos de maracujá amarelo (Passiflora edulis F. flavicarpa).

O objetivo deste trabalho foi testar o efeito de diferentes combinações hormonais e tipos de explantes na indução de calos

Calibration of the Logarithmic-Periodic Dipole Antenna (LPDA) Radio Stations at the Pierre Auger Observatory using an Octocopter

An in-situ calibration of a logarithmic periodic dipole antenna with a frequency coverage of 30 MHz to 80 MHz is performed. Such antennas are part of a radio station system used for detection of cosmic ray induced air showers at the Engineering Radio Array of the Pierre Auger Observatory, the so-called Auger Engineering Radio Array (AERA). The directional and frequency characteristics of the broadband antenna are investigated using a remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) carrying a small transmitting antenna. The antenna sensitivity is described by the vector effective length relating the measured voltage with the electric-field components perpendicular to the incoming signal direction. The horizontal and meridional components are determined with an overall uncertainty of 7.4^{+0.9}_{-0.3} % and 10.3^{+2.8}_{-1.7} % respectively. The measurement is used to correct a simulated response of the frequency and directional response of the antenna. In addition, the influence of the ground conductivity and permittivity on the antenna response is simulated. Both have a negligible influence given the ground conditions measured at the detector site. The overall uncertainties of the vector effective length components result in an uncertainty of 8.8^{+2.1}_{-1.3} % in the square root of the energy fluence for incoming signal directions with zenith angles smaller than 60{\deg}.Comment: Published version. Updated online abstract only. Manuscript is unchanged with respect to v2. 39 pages, 15 figures, 2 table