Co-delivery of two anti-HIV drug nanocrystals from electrospun nanofibers

TRUVADA is the only medication approved by FDA for pre-exposure prophylaxis of the HIV infection. They are tablets with fixed dosages of two antiretroviral compounds for daily oral uptake: Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and Emtricitabine (EMT) that are reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Objectives: Incorporate TDF and EMT drugs in polymeric nanofibers produced by electrospinning; chosen polymers were polyoxyethilene (PEO) and polycaprolactone (PCL). Characterize the nanofibers and study the in vitro release profile of the drugs. Evaluate the possibility of a topical administration of the loaded fibers , by rectal or genital route, for HIV infection prophylaxis.: We thank PARALAB for the SEM analysis and Dr. A. S. Azevedo for the X-ray analysis. This work was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) in the framework of the Strategic Funding UID/FIS/04650/2013, and Programa Gilead GÉNESE, Portugal (ref. PGG/046/2015). Marlene Lúcio acknowledges the exploratory project funded by FCT with the reference IF/00498/2012. José das Neves acknowledges FCT for financial support (grant SFRH/BPD/92934/2013).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Experimental neutron capture data of 58Ni from the CERN n_TOF facility

CGS15 – Capture Gamma-Ray Spectroscopy and Related TopicsThe neutron capture cross section of 58Ni was measured at the neutron time of flight facility n_TOF at CERN, from 27 meV to 400 keV neutron energy. Special care has been taken to identify all the possible sources of background, with the so-called neutron background obtained for the first time using high-precision GEANT4 simulations. The energy range up to 122 keV was treated as the resolved resonance region, where 51 resonances were identified and analyzed by a multilevel R-matrix code SAMMY. Above 122 keV the code SESH was used in analyzing the unresolved resonance region of the capture yield. Maxwellian averaged cross sections were calculated in the temperature range of kT = 5 – 100 keV, and their astrophysical implications were investigate

Control release of acyclovir nanocristals from electrospun nanofibers: comparison of two polymeric matrices

The objective of this study is to develop a novel system for cutaneous application of ACV that is capable of a controlled release of the drug overcoming the limitations of the conventional topical formulations.We are thankful to Labesfal Genericos, S.A. for kindly providing acyclovir. We also thank PARALAB for the SEM-EDS analysis and Dr. A. S. Azevedo for the X-ray analysis. This work was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) in the framework of the Strategic Funding UID/FIS/04650/2013. Marlene Lúcio acknowledges the exploratory project funded by FCT with the reference IF/00498/2012.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Autonomous RPCs for a Cosmic Ray ground array

We report on the behaviour of Resistive Plate Chambers (RPC) developed for muon detection in ultra-high energy cosmic ray (UHECR) experiments. The RPCs were developed for the MARTA project and were tested on field conditions. These RPCs cover an area of $1.5 \times 1.2\,{m^2}$ and are instrumented with 64 pickup electrodes providing a segmentation better than $20\,$cm. By shielding the detector units with enough slant mass to absorb the electromagnetic component in the air showers, a clean measurement of the muon content is allowed, a concept to be implemented in a next generation of UHECR experiments. The operation of a ground array detector poses challenging demands, as the RPC must operate remotely under extreme environmental conditions, with limited budgets for power and minimal maintenance. The RPC, DAQ, High Voltage and monitoring systems are enclosed in an aluminium-sealed case, providing a compact and robust unit suited for outdoor environments, which can be easily deployed and connected. The RPCs developed at LIP-Coimbra are able to operate using a very low gas flux, which allows running them for few years with a small gas reservoir. Several prototypes have already been built and tested both in the laboratory and outdoors. We report on the most recent tests done in the field that show that the developed RPCs have operated in a stable way for more than 2 years in field conditions.Comment: To appear in the proceedings of the 35th International Cosmic Ray Conference (ICRC2017), Busan, South Korea. Presented by R. Concei\c{c}\~{a}o. 8 page

Systematic Observation of Corner Kick Strategies in Portuguese Football Players

Set pieces are important for the success of football teams, with the corner kick being one of the most game defining events. The aim of this research was twofold: (1) to analyze the corner kicks of a senior football amateur team, and (2) to compare the corner kicks of successful and unsuccessful teams (of the 2020/21 sporting season). In total, 500 corners were observed using a bespoke notational analysis tool, using a specific observational instrument tool (8 criteria; 25 categories). Out of the 500 corner kicks, 6% resulted in a goal. A greater number of direct corners using inswing trajectories were performed (n = 54%). Corners were delivered to central and front post areas most frequently (n = 79%). Five attackers were most predominantly used for offensive corners (n = 58%), but defenders won the ball more frequently (n = 44%). Attempts at goal occurred following a corner most commonly from outside of the box (n = 7%). Goals were scored most frequently with the foot (n = 16%) and head (n = 15%). Successful teams are more effective at reaching the attackers and score more goals directly from corners. Unsuccessful teams deliver more corner kicks out of play, the first touch is more frequently from the opposition defenders, and fewe goals are scored from corner kicks. The study provides an insight into the determining factors and patterns that influence corner kicks and success in football matches. This information should be used by coaches to prepare teams for both offensive and defensive corner kicks to increase team success and match outcomes.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

CONTABILIZAÇÃO E EVIDENCIAÇÃO DOS CRÉDITOS DE CARBONO: UM ESTUDO DE CASO NA EMPRESA SUZANO PAPEL E CELULOSE S.A.

Currently society is more present in subjects related environmental and socio-environmental issues, requiring of the government and organizations, cleaner politics, creative methods that reduce the impacts to the environment, since the business environment is seen as primarily responsible for these impacts, releasing through their activities gases that contribute to air pollution and exacerbate the greenhouse effect, such as carbon dioxide (CO2 ), raising the temperature of the planet. The principal objective of this work was to detect and calculate the carbon credits generated by the reforestation activity of the company Suzano Papel e Celulose S/A, using a quantitative method for estimating CO2 emissions avoided. In the methodological procedures used a descriptive study with a hypothetical deductive method, and a quantitative and qualitative approach to nature. Based on sustainability reporting, the data needed to obtain the results were documented. It was also possible horizontally and vertically analyze the main environmental indicators, verifying an increase in the indicator of emissions of greenhouse gases, and a reduction in harmful hazardous waste indicator. As for carbon credits, it can be affirmed that the company studied had thousands of eligible credits trading on the stock exchange in the years 2010, 2011 and 2012, but did not recognize these credits on their statements, failing to raise millions of dollars that could be invested in other social and environmental projects. Therefore, it is perceived by the results obtained, that this theme about carbon credits is of great importance and should be discussed in greater breadth and depth, both the government and regulatory bodies of accounting, should seek a parsimonious treatment that facilitates implementation of CDM and carbon credit transactions on the stock exchange.Atualmente a sociedade está mais presente nos assuntos relacionados as questões ambientais e socioambientais, exigindo do governo e das organizações, políticas mais limpas, métodos criativos que diminuam os impactos causados ao meio ambiente, visto que o meio empresarial é tido como principal responsável por esses impactos, liberando por meio de suas atividades gases que contribuem com a poluição atmosférica e  agravam o efeito estufa, como o dióxido de carbono (CO2), elevando a temperatura do planeta. O objetivo principal desse trabalho foi evidenciar e calcular os créditos de carbono gerados pela atividade de reflorestamento da empresa Suzano Papel e Celulose S/A, utilizando um método quantitativo para estimar as emissões de CO2 evitadas. Nos procedimentos metodológicos utilizou-se um estudo do tipo descritivo, com um método hipotético dedutivo, e com uma abordagem de natureza quantitativa e qualitativa. Com base nos relatórios de sustentabilidade, foram levantados os dados necessários para a obtenção dos resultados. Também foi possível analisar horizontalmente e verticalmente os principais indicadores ambientais, verificando-se um aumento no indicador de emissões de gases de efeito estufa, e uma redução no indicador de resíduos perigosos nocivos. Quanto aos créditos de carbono, pode-se afirmar que empresa estudada possuía milhares de créditos aptos a negociação na bolsa de valores nos anos de 2010, 2011 e 2012, porém não reconhecia esses créditos em seus demonstrativos, deixando de arrecadar milhões de dólares que poderiam ser investidos em outros projetos sociais e ambientais. Portanto, percebe-se mediante os resultados obtidos, que essa temática sobre créditos de carbono é de grande importância e deve ser discutida com mais abrangência e profundidade, tanto o governo quanto os órgãos regulamentadores de contabilidade, deveriam buscar um tratamento parcimonioso, que facilitasse a implementação de MDL e as operações com credito de carbono na bolsa de valores

Azimuthal Asymmetry in the Risetime of the Surface Detector Signals of the Pierre Auger Observatory

The azimuthal asymmetry in the risetime of signals in Auger surface detector stations is a source of information on shower development. The azimuthal asymmetry is due to a combination of the longitudinal evolution of the shower and geometrical effects related to the angles of incidence of the particles into the detectors. The magnitude of the effect depends upon the zenith angle and state of development of the shower and thus provides a novel observable, (secθ)max, sensitive to the mass composition of cosmic rays above 3×1018  eV. By comparing measurements with predictions from shower simulations, we find for both of our adopted models of hadronic physics (QGSJETII-04 and EPOS-LHC) an indication that the mean cosmic-ray mass increases slowly with energy, as has been inferred from other studies. However, the mass estimates are dependent on the shower model and on the range of distance from the shower core selected. Thus the method has uncovered further deficiencies in our understanding of shower modeling that must be resolved before the mass composition can be inferred from (secθ)max.Peer Reviewe

Testing Hadronic Interactions at Ultrahigh Energies with Air Showers Measured by the Pierre Auger Observatory

Ultrahigh energy cosmic ray air showers probe particle physics at energies beyond the reach of accelerators. Here we introduce a new method to test hadronic interaction models without relying on the absolute energy calibration, and apply it to events with primary energy 6-16 EeV (E_CM = 110-170 TeV), whose longitudinal development and lateral distribution were simultaneously measured by the Pierre Auger Observatory. The average hadronic shower is 1.33 +- 0.16 (1.61 +- 0.21) times larger than predicted using the leading LHC-tuned models EPOS-LHC (QGSJetII-04), with a corresponding excess of muons.Peer Reviewe

Evidence for a mixed mass composition at the ‘ankle’ in the cosmic-ray spectrum

We report a first measurement for ultrahigh energy cosmic rays of the correlation between the depth of shower maximum and the signal in the water Cherenkov stations of air-showers registered simultaneously by the fluorescence and the surface detectors of the Pierre Auger Observatory. Such a correlation measurement is a unique feature of a hybrid air-shower observatory with sensitivity to both the electromagnetic and muonic components. It allows an accurate determination of the spread of primary masses in the cosmic-ray flux. Up till now, constraints on the spread of primary masses have been dominated by systematic uncertainties. The present correlation measurement is not affected by systematics in the measurement of the depth of shower maximum or the signal in the water Cherenkov stations. The analysis relies on general characteristics of air showers and is thus robust also with respect to uncertainties in hadronic event generators. The observed correlation in the energy range around the ‘ankle’ at lg⁡(E/eV)=18.5–19.0 differs significantly from expectations for pure primary cosmic-ray compositions. A light composition made up of proton and helium only is equally inconsistent with observations. The data are explained well by a mixed composition including nuclei with mass A>4 . Scenarios such as the proton dip model, with almost pure compositions, are thus disfavored as the sole explanation of the ultrahigh-energy cosmic-ray flux at Earth.Peer Reviewe

Improved limit to the diffuse flux of ultrahigh energy neutrinos from the Pierre Auger Observatory

Neutrinos in the cosmic ray flux with energies near 1 EeV and above are detectable with the Surface Detector array (SD) of the Pierre Auger Observatory. We report here on searches through Auger data from 1 January 2004 until 20 June 2013. No neutrino candidates were found, yielding a limit to the diffuse flux of ultrahigh energy neutrinos that challenges the Waxman-Bahcall bound predictions. Neutrino identification is attempted using the broad time structure of the signals expected in the SD stations, and is efficiently done for neutrinos of all flavors interacting in the atmosphere at large zenith angles, as well as for “Earth-skimming” neutrino interactions in the case of tau neutrinos. In this paper the searches for downward-going neutrinos in the zenith angle bins 60°–75° and 75°–90° as well as for upward-going neutrinos, are combined to give a single limit. The 90% C.L. single-flavor limit to the diffuse flux of ultrahigh energy neutrinos with an E-2 spectrum in the energy range 1.0×1017  eV–2.5×1019  eV is Eν2dNν/dEν<6.4×10−9  GeV cm−2 s−1 sr−1.Peer Reviewe