Inorganic Chemical Composition Analysis of 10 Different Types of Commercial Salt by Wavelength Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (WDXRF) Method

Salt is one of the most used seasoning in culinary with a great variety of them. Despite that, there is not a lot of published studies that analyses its compositions, differences and similarities between them. Thus, this research aims to determine the inorganic composition of table, light, pink and black Himalayan, Hawaii’s red, Persian blue, Mediterranean sea and three Argentinian gourmet salts by the Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (WDXRF) method in order to compare them using PCA and HCA analysis. Na and Cl were major elements found in all samples. As for trace elements: Al, Si, S and K in drastically different concentrations, due to conservation of nutrients from the soil, water or additives. These differences were used to distinct three groups showing that there is between 70 and 60% similarity among the nine samples, while the light salt does not have similarity to any other salt studied

GENERATING STRUT-AND-TIE MODELS USING CONTINUUM AND DISCRETE TOPOLOGY OPTIMIZATION

Abstract. Strut-and-tie models are largely used as an auxiliary tool in the design of reinforced concrete (RC) components with low shear span-to-depth ratio, such as deep beams, corbels,pile caps or joints. However, the generation of such models is still an open issue. This paperanalyses two optimization schemes, using the density and the discrete truss approaches. In both schemes, bi-linear models are used to represent the material behavior of the struts andthe steel reinforcing bars. Thus the separation of compressive and tensile load-carrying elements is achieved through an elastic model with a simple constitutive relationship for thecontinuum. Examples are provided demonstrating the potential value of the optimizationapproaches to RC design.Keywords: Strut-and-tie-models, reinforced concrete, topology optimization, density methods,ground structure

Structural features and pro-inflammatory effects of water-soluble organic matter in inhalable fine urban air particles

The impact of inhalable fine particulate matter (PM2.5, aerodynamic diameter < 2.5 µm) on public health is of great concern worldwide. Knowledge on their harmful effects are mainly due to studies carried out with whole air particles, being the contribution of their different fractions largely unknown. Herein, a set of urban PM2.5 samples were collected during day and nighttime periods in Autumn and Spring, aiming to address the seasonal and day-night variability of water-soluble organic matter (WSOM) composition. In vitro analysis of oxidative and pro-inflammatory potential of WSOM samples was carried out in both acute (24 h) and chronic (3 weeks) exposure setups using Raw264.7 macrophages as cell model. Findings revealed that the structural composition of WSOM samples differs between seasons and in a day-night cycle. Cells exposure resulted in an increase in the transcription of the cytoprotective Hmox1 and pro-inflammatory genes Il1b and Nos2, leading to a moderate pro-inflammatory status. These macrophages showed an impaired capacity to subsequently respond to a strong pro-inflammatory stimulus such as bacterial lipopolysaccharide, which may implicate a compromised capacity to manage harmful pathogens. Further investigation on aerosol WSOM could help to constrain the mechanisms of WSOM-induced respiratory diseases and contribute to PM2.5 regulations.publishe

OTIMIZAÇÃO DE TOPOLOGIA APLICADA A BLOCOS SOBRE ESTACAS

Abstract. O modelo de bielas e tirantes de blocos de fundações é encontrado na literatura para alguns casos particulares que não levam em consideração o recalque diferencial entre as estacas. A existência de momentos fletores, carregamentos horizontais e solos com um perfil heterogêneo tornam o problema ainda mais complexo. Neste trabalho, o modelo de bielas e tirantes de blocos de fundações foi determinado por meio do processo de otimizaçãode topologia. Foi utilizado uma metodologia hibrida para a representação das estacas e do solo como um meio elástico no qual o bloco se apoia. Foram estudados blocos sobre diferentes configurações do arranjo das estacas. Constatou-se a influência da rigidez do solo no comportamento do bloco e do modelo de bielas e tirantes resultante.Keywords: Otimização de Topologia, Modelo de Bielas e Tirantes, Blocos de Fundaçã

Lactate and base deficit are predictors of mortality in critically ill patients with cancer

Cancer patients frequently require admission to intensive care unit. However, there are a few data regarding predictive factors for mortality in this group of patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether arterial lactate or standard base deficit on admission and after 24 hours can predict mortality for patients with cancer.Journal ArticleSCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Effect of eggplant on plasma lipid levels, lipidic peroxidation and reversion of endothelial dysfunction in experimental hypercholesterolemia

PURPOSE: To study the effect of egg plant on endothelium-dependent relaxation, and plasma lipids in hypercholesterolemic rabbits, and to assess influence of this plant on the malondialdehyde (MDA) content of LDL particles and the arterial wall. METHODS: Thirteen male rabbits were randomly assigned to control (C), hypercholesterolemic (H) and egg plant (E) treated groups (n=10 each). The H and E rabbits were fed a diet supplemented with cholesterol (0.5%) and coconut oil (10%) for 4 weeks. In addition, group E received 10mL of the fruit juice/day during the last 2 weeks.The animals were killed and the aorta removed to measure MDA content and the endothelium dependent relaxation responses. Total plasma cholesterol, VLDL, LDL, HDL and triglyceride levels were determined using commercial kits. MDA was quantified in native and oxidized LDL and in the arterial wall. RESULTS: After 4 weeks, the E group rabbits had a significantly lower weight , plasma cholesterol, LDL, triglyceride and aortic cholesterol contentthan group H(p<0.05). The MDA content that was significantly increased in the LDL particles and in the arterial wall of H rabbits was reduced in the E group (p<0.05). Endothelium-dependent relaxation were significantly higher in the E group compared H group rabbits (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: In hypercholesterolemic rabbits egg plant juice significantly reduced weight, plasma cholesterol levels, aortic cholesterol content and the MDA concentrations in native-oxidized LDL and in the arterial wall and increased the endothelium-dependent relaxations.Estudar o efeito do suco da berinjela sobre os lípides plasmáticos, o colesterol tecidual, a peroxidação lipídica das LDL nativas, oxidadas e da parede arterial e o relaxamento dependente do endotélio, em coelhos hipercolesterolêmicos. Coelhos foram separados em grupos controle (GC), hipercolesterolêmico (GH) e berinjela (GB), (n=10). Os animais do GC foram alimentados com ração normal, o GH e o GB com ração acrescentada de colesterol (0,5%) e gordura de babaçu (10%) durante 30 dias. Ao GB acrescentou-se suco de berinjela, nos últimos 15 dias do experimento. Os lípides plasmáticos foram medidos através de kits enzimáticos, a peroxidação lipídica pela dosagem do malondialdeído (MDA) e o relaxamento dependente do endotélio, por curvas de concentração efeito pela acetilcolina e nitroprussiato. O peso dos animais foi menor no GB em relação ao GC e GH (p<0,05). O colesterol total plasmático, as LDL e os triglicérides que se elevaram no GH, reduziram-se em 19%, 29% e 38%, respectivamente no GB (p<0,05). O colesterol tecidual foi menor no GB (50%) em relação ao GH (p<0,05). Nos animais do GB ocorreu redução significante do teor de MDA nas LDL nativas (56%) e oxidadas (22%), assim como na parede arterial (30%) (p<0,05). O relaxamento máximo dependente do endotélio, , elevou-se significantemente em 28% no GB em relação ao GH (p<0,05). O suco de berinjela administrado a coelhos hipercolesterolêmicos reduziu significantemente o peso corpóreo, o colesterol total, as LDL plasmáticas, os triglicérides, o colesterol tecidual, a peroxidação lipídica das LDL nativas, oxidadas e da parede arterial, assim como aumentou o relaxamento dependente do endotélio.7028791To study the effect of egg plant on endothelium-dependent relaxation, and plasma lipids in hypercholesterolemic rabbits, and to assess influence of this plant on the malondialdehyde (MDA) content of LDL particles and the arterial wall. Thirteen male rabbits were randomly assigned to control (C), hypercholesterolemic (H) and egg plant (E) treated groups (n=10 each). The H and E rabbits were fed a diet supplemented with cholesterol (0.5%) and coconut oil (10%) for 4 weeks. In addition, group E received 10mL of the fruit juice/day during the last 2 weeks.The animals were killed and the aorta removed to measure MDA content and the endothelium dependent relaxation responses. Total plasma cholesterol, VLDL, LDL, HDL and triglyceride levels were determined using commercial kits. MDA was quantified in native and oxidized LDL and in the arterial wall. After 4 weeks, the E group rabbits had a significantly lower weight , plasma cholesterol, LDL, triglyceride and aortic cholesterol contentthan group H(p<0.05). The MDA content that was significantly increased in the LDL particles and in the arterial wall of H rabbits was reduced in the E group (p<0.05). Endothelium-dependent relaxation were significantly higher in the E group compared H group rabbits (p<0.05). In hypercholesterolemic rabbits egg plant juice significantly reduced weight, plasma cholesterol levels, aortic cholesterol content and the MDA concentrations in native-oxidized LDL and in the arterial wall and increased the endothelium-dependent relaxations

MODELAGEM HÍBRIDA EM TRÊS ESCALAS PARA O CRESCIMENTO TUMORAL

O crescimento tumoral é resultado de uma série de complexos fenômenos que ocorrem em múltiplas escalas de tempo e espaço. Neste trabalho, desenvolvemos um modelo híbrido que representa fenômenos do crescimento tumoral avascular que ocorrem nas escalas tecidual, celular e sub-celular. A dispersão de nutrientes e de fatores de crescimento ocorrem na escala do tecido. Na escala da célula, destacam-se as interações mecânicas entre células e entre os componentes do microambiente. Na escala sub-celular ocorre uma variedade de cascatas de reações moleculares que regulam as atividades celulares. Eventos que ocorrem em distintas escalas se inter-relacionam, de modo que o entendimento destes mecanismos é fundamental para a compreensão da doença e para o desenvolvimento de terapias. Experimentos computacionais são realizados para demonstrar o potencial uso da metodologia desenvolvida

Effect of eggplant on plasma lipid levels, lipidic peroxidation and reversion of endothelial dysfunction in experimental hypercholesterolemia

Estudar o efeito do suco da berinjela sobre os lípides plasmáticos, o colesterol tecidual, a peroxidação lipídica das LDL nativas, oxidadas e da parede arterial e o relaxamento dependente do endotélio, em coelhos hipercolesterolêmicos. MÉTODOS: Coelhos foram separados em grupos controle (GC), hipercolesterolêmico (GH) e berinjela (GB), (n=10). Os animais do GC foram alimentados com ração normal, o GH e o GB com ração acrescentada de colesterol (0,5%) e gordura de babaçu (10%) durante 30 dias. Ao GB acrescentou-se suco de berinjela, nos últimos 15 dias do experimento. Os lípides plasmáticos foram medidos através de kits enzimáticos, a peroxidação lipídica pela dosagem do malondialdeído (MDA) e o relaxamento dependente do endotélio, por curvas de concentração efeito pela acetilcolina e nitroprussiato. RESULTADOS: O peso dos animais foi menor no GB em relação ao GC e GH (p<0,05). O colesterol total plasmático, as LDL e os triglicérides que se elevaram no GH, reduziram-se em 19%, 29% e 38%, respectivamente no GB (p<0,05). O colesterol tecidual foi menor no GB (50%) em relação ao GH (p<0,05). Nos animais do GB ocorreu redução significante do teor de MDA nas LDL nativas (56%) e oxidadas (22%), assim como na parede arterial (30%) (p<0,05). O relaxamento máximo dependente do endotélio, , elevou-se significantemente em 28% no GB em relação ao GH (p<0,05). CONCLUSÃO: O suco de berinjela administrado a coelhos hipercolesterolêmicos reduziu significantemente o peso corpóreo, o colesterol total, as LDL plasmáticas, os triglicérides, o colesterol tecidual, a peroxidação lipídica das LDL nativas, oxidadas e da parede arterial, assim como aumentou o relaxamento dependente do endotélio7028791To study the effect of egg plant on endothelium-dependent relaxation, and plasma lipids in hypercholesterolemic rabbits, and to assess influence of this plant on the malondialdehyde (MDA) content of LDL particles and the arterial wall. METHODS: Thirteen male rabbits were randomly assigned to control (C), hypercholesterolemic (H) and egg plant (E) treated groups (n=10 each). The H and E rabbits were fed a diet supplemented with cholesterol (0.5%) and coconut oil (10%) for 4 weeks. In addition, group E received 10mL of the fruit juice/day during the last 2 weeks.The animals were killed and the aorta removed to measure MDA content and the endothelium dependent relaxation responses. Total plasma cholesterol, VLDL, LDL, HDL and triglyceride levels were determined using commercial kits. MDA was quantified in native and oxidized LDL and in the arterial wall. RESULTS: After 4 weeks, the E group rabbits had a significantly lower weight , plasma cholesterol, LDL, triglyceride and aortic cholesterol contentthan group H(p<0.05). The MDA content that was significantly increased in the LDL particles and in the arterial wall of H rabbits was reduced in the E group (p<0.05). Endothelium-dependent relaxation were significantly higher in the E group compared H group rabbits (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: In hypercholesterolemic rabbits egg plant juice significantly reduced weight, plasma cholesterol levels, aortic cholesterol content and the MDA concentrations in native-oxidized LDL and in the arterial wall and increased the endothelium-dependent relaxation

Effect of pruning strategy on 'Syrah' bud necrosis and fruitfulness in Brazilian subtropical Southeast

The change of wine grape harvest from wet season (summer) to dry season (winter) by changing the pruning management has improved quality of wines produced in the Brazilian Southeast. However, the vines need to be spur pruned twice a year, i.e. with a 1st pruning in August (winter pruning) for a vegetative cycle during the hot and wet summer, and a 2nd pruning in January (summer pruning) for a productive cycle during the cold and dry season. This double pruning strategy is made necessary by the fact that latent buds developed during the dry season cycle are not fruitful to support a productive cycle in the following year. This histological study, performed in the South of Minas Gerais State (Brazil), showed that annual single pruning done in the wet season (in January) displayed a high rate of necrosis on primary and secondary buds (bud necrosis – BN). In April, 99 days after summer pruning (DASP), the rates of BN were 40 % and 50 % at basal and apical node positions, respectively, reaching 80&nbsp;% of BN in December (322 DASP). As a consequence of BN, bud potential fertility was drastically reduced from 0.5 inflorescence primordial (IP) per bud (in July) to 0.06 (in December) and bud burst in the next cycle from secondary and tertiary bud axes. Vines managed by double pruning system (submitted to summer and winter pruning) displayed a much higher fruitfulness potential, i.e. 1.46 IP per bud in December (112&nbsp;days after winter pruning) and limited BN occurrence (20&nbsp;%). On single pruned vines, we also observed a significant decrease of starch content in canes, trunks and roots. Internal bud anatomy showed that a random cell breakdown started 70 days DASP. At 211 DASP, all buds showed a large starch granule concentration, raphides and crystals of calcium oxalate inside idioblasts of leaf primordia and also in cortical parenchyma of the vegetative axis. The bud starch content was increased and a positive correlation between necrosis and starch accumulation was observed. The impact of carbohydrate availability on bud necrosis development was discussed. This study showed that the necrosis development towards secondary and tertiary axis of the dry season buds is the main reason of unfruitfulness in the vineyards managed by single pruning in the wet season, making the double pruning compulsory