Detecting charge noise with a Josephson junction: A problem of thermal escape in presence of non-Gaussian fluctuations

Motivated by several experimental activities to detect charge noise produced by a mesoscopic conductor with a Josephson junction as on-chip detector, the switching rate out of its zero-voltage state is studied. This process is related to the fundamental problem of thermal escape in presence of non-Gaussian fluctuations. In the relevant case of weak higher than second order cumulants, an effective Fokker-Planck equation is derived, which is then used to obtain an explicit expression for the escape rate. Specific results for the rate asymmetry due to the third moment of current noise allow to analyse experimental data and to optimize detection circuits.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure; minor typos corrected, some revisions in the tex

Social and environmental aspects of pequi marketing in Goiás

O pequizeiro fornece frutos tradicionalmente utilizados na culinária goiana e regiões do bioma Cerrado. Partindo da análise da comercialização de pequi na Central de Abastecimento de Goiás S/A (Ceasa - GO) e em feiras locais (Ipameri e Pires do Rio - GO), o presente estudo avalia a importância da espécie e ameaças relacionadas ao extrativismo. Os dados revelaram 12 microrregiões produtoras de pequi no estado, sendo comercializados 5,5 mil toneladas de pequi em 2011, com o preço da caixa variando de 25 a 40 reais. Nas feiras, o preço pago por litro em 2010 foi de cinco reais, com um percentual crescente de interessados na venda desse produto não madeireiro. Chama atenção a variação no preço pago ao pequi e mudanças nas regiões produtoras em Goiás, além da aquisição desse produto de outros estados. Para suprir a demanda crescente de pequi, sugere-se, além do extrativismo responsável, o plantio da espécie no Cerrado, em pomares ou sistemas agroflorestais.The pequizeiro provides fruits traditionally used in cooking Goiás and regions of the Cerrado biome. Based on the pequi marketing analysis in CEASA-GO and local fairs (Ipameri and Pires do Rio, GO), this study assesses the importance of the species and threats related to extraction. The data revealed 12 micro-regions producing pequi in the state, being sold 5500 tons of pequi in 2011, with the box price ranging from 25 to 40 reais. The price paid in the fairs per liter in 2010 was five Brazilian Reais, with an increasing percentage of interested in the sale of non-timber product. The variation in the price paid to the pequi and changes producing regions in Goiás is noteworthy, in addition to the purchase of this product from other states. To meet the growing demand of pequi, it is suggested, besides the responsible extraction, planting the species in the cerrado, in orchards or agroforestry systems

Physicochemical and microbiological characteristics of Italian salami made of lamb and enriched with pequi (Caryocar brasiliense, Cambess)

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the inclusion of different levels of pequi (Caryocar Brasiliense, Cambess) pulp in the processing of Italian salami made of lamb for the evaluation of their physicochemical and microbiological characteristics. Six formulations of Italian salamis were processed: no pequi pulp (control - treatment 1); 4% pequi pulp (treatment 2); 8% pequi pulp (treatment 3), 12% pequi pulp (Treatment 4), 16% pequi pulp (treatment 5) and 20% pequi pulp (treatment 6). During the maturation period, all Italian salamis made of lamb enriched with pequi presented similar behaviors; and acidity (pH) and water activity (aw) results showed stable end values. For protein, the Italian salami made of lamb without pequi pump presented a higher content. For one of the lowest contents of fat, treatment 3 showed the highest content of humidity. The contents of fat and ashes did not present any significant difference when comparing the Italian salami formulations. A color tending to dark, yellowish and reddish shades was observed in the Italian salamis made of lamb and enriched with pequi. All Italian salamis were microbiologically satisfactory, showing ideal sanitary conditions for consumption. Pequi is a typical fruit from the Brazilian cerrado region, with characteristic color, odor and flavor, and it is an option for inclusion in Italian salamis, but additional studies should be conducted to inspect the sensory acceptability of these products.Keywords: Cerrado fruit, fermented stuffed meat sausages, physicochemical parameters, microbiological parameters

Dietary carotenoid-rich oil supplementation improves exercise-induced anisocytosis in runners: influences of haptoglobin, MnSOD (Val9Ala), CAT (21A/T) and GPX1 (Pro198Leu) gene polymorphisms in dilutional pseudoanemia (sports anemia)

Physical training induces beneficial adaptation, whereas exhaustive exercises increase reactive oxygen-species generation, thereby causing oxidative damage in plasma and erythrocytes, fractions susceptible to lipid peroxidation. Pequi (Caryocar brasiliense Camb.) is a Brazilian Cerrado fruit containing a carotenoid-rich oil. The aim was to investigate the effects of pequi-oil on exercise-induced oxidative damage in plasma and erythrocytes, after running in the same environment and undergoing weekly training under the same conditions as to type, intensity and length. Evaluations were accomplished after outdoor running on flat land before and after ingestion of 400 mg pequi-oil capsules for 14 days. Blood samples were taken after running and submitted to TBARS assay and erythrogram analysis. Haptoglobin, MnSOD (Val9Ala), CAT (21A/T) and GPX1 (Pro198Leu) gene polymorphisms were priorly investigated, so as to estimate genetic influence The reduction in erythrocytes, hemoglobin and hematocrit after pequi-oil treatment was notably associated with higher plasma expansion. Except for MCHC (mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration) and RDW (red cell distribution width), the results were influenced by the polymorphisms studied. The best response to pequi-oil was presented by MnSOD Val/Val, CAT AA or AT genotypes and the GPX1 Pro allele. The significantly lower RDW and higher MHCH values were related to pequi-oil protective effects. Pequi oil, besides possessing other nutritional properties, showed protective blood effects

Pequi oil.

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Physico-chemical properties of different formulations of pequi pulp with milk

The objective of this work was to perform the physical-chemical characterization of different formulations of the pequi pulp with the addition of different concentrations of whole milk, in order to identify promising products for commercial use. Three formulations of pequi pulp with whole milk were prepared: PL1- 90% pequi pulp and 10% milk, PL2 - 70% pequi pulp and 30% milk, PL3 - 50% pequi pulp and 50% milk. The formulations were evaluated for physical and physical-chemical parameters of color, water activity, water content, ash, total soluble solids (SST), pH, total titratable acidity (ATT), SST/ATT ratio, ascorbic acid, proteins, lipids, total, reducing and non-reducing sugars. The data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and comparison between means by the Tukey test at 5% probability. Among the three tested formulations, the best results were obtained for PL3, where it presented lower total titratable acidity, water activity, red intensity, yellow intensity and chromaticity, however, higher content of total soluble solids, ratio SST/ATT, ash, lipids, sugars (total, dimmer and non-dimmer), luminosity and tint angle. The inclusion of milk in the pequi pulp changed the physical and physical-chemical characteristics of the pulp, and it can be an alternative to add nutritional value to the fruit and consequently a promising product for the market.The objective of this work was to perform the physical-chemical characterization of different formulations of the pequi pulp with the addition of different concentrations of whole milk, in order to identify promising products for commercial use. Three formulations of pequi pulp with whole milk were prepared: PL1- 90% pequi pulp and 10% milk, PL2 - 70% pequi pulp and 30% milk, PL3 - 50% pequi pulp and 50% milk. The formulations were evaluated for physical and physical-chemical parameters of color, water activity, water content, ash, total soluble solids (SST), pH, total titratable acidity (ATT), SST/ATT ratio, ascorbic acid, proteins, lipids, total, reducing and non-reducing sugars. The data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and comparison between means by the Tukey test at 5% probability. Among the three tested formulations, the best results were obtained for PL3, where it presented lower total titratable acidity, water activity, red intensity, yellow intensity and chromaticity, however, higher content of total soluble solids, ratio SST/ATT, ash, lipids, sugars (total, dimmer and non-dimmer), luminosity and tint angle. The inclusion of milk in the pequi pulp changed the physical and physical-chemical characteristics of the pulp, and it can be an alternative to add nutritional value to the fruit and consequently a promising product for the market

Moisturizing effect of a cosmetic formulation containing pequi oil (Caryocar brasiliense) from the Brazilian cerrado biome

Caryocar brasiliense, popularly known in Brazil as “pequi”, is a species widely distributed in the Brazilian Cerrado. The seeds are surrounded by a woody endocarp coated with a yellow fleshy mesocarp rich in oil and vitamin A, whose oil has a useful role in the treatment of skin aging and protection of human skin against UV-induced damage and skin hydration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of cosmetic formulations containing pequi oil (Caryocar brasiliense) on skin hydration, after a single application. Hydration effect assessment was performed by applying the formulations under study (Control – no formulation, vehicle, and vehicle + pequi oil) onto forearm skin of 30 human volunteers. Skin capacitance and Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL) measurements were analyzed before, and at 1, 2 and 3 hours after, a single application. Evaluation results of a single application of the vehicle containing pequi oil showed an increase in stratum corneum water content, indicating a skin moisturizing effect. Results of the evaluation of immediate effects of TEWL demonstrated that the vehicle containing pequi oil significantly increased skin moisture during the 3 h evaluation period. The formulations containing pequi oil showed clinical efficacy, increasing stratum corneum water content and enhancing skin barrier function.Caryocar brasiliense, popularmente conhecido como “Pequi”, é uma espécie amplamente distribuída no Cerrado Brasileiro. O fruto é composto por sementes com endocarpo rígido e lenhoso, recoberto pelo mesocarpo carnoso, amarelado, rico em óleos e vitamina A, útil na proteção da pele contra raios UV, no tratamento das marcas senis da pele, bem como na hidratação cutânea. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito cosmético de formulações contendo óleo de pequi (Caryocar brasiliense) na hidratação cutânea, após uma única aplicação. Este efeito foi avaliado instrumentalmente através de medidas da capacitância da pele e pela perda de água transepidérmica após 1, 2 e 3 horas de uma única aplicação das formulações em estudo (controle, veículo e veículo + óleo de pequi) na pele do antebraço de 30 voluntários. Por meio das avaliações, a formulação contendo óleo de pequi aumentou o conteúdo de água no estrato córneo após 1, 2 e 3 horas, além de diminuir a perda de água transepidérmica, aumentando, significativamente, a hidratação cutânea durante as 3 horas de avaliação. A formulação contendo óleo de pequi apresentou eficácia clínica, aumentando o conteúdo aquoso do estrato córneo, bem como promovendo o efeito barreira na pele

Identification of expressed genes in early maturated fruit of pequi (Caryocar brasiliense Cambess.)

The pequi (Caryocar brasiliense Cambess.) is a species native to the Brazilian Cerrado and plays an important social and nutritional role for the population of the region. It is a species that is traditionally gathered and today is seen as a source for the production of biodiesel. The objective of this study was to identify sequences from a cDNA library that are involved in the metabolic pathways in early maturated fruit stage of pequi. To do so, a cDNA library was created and the clones were cloned and sequenced. These identified sequences were deposited in GenBank. Most of the sequences found using the Blastn and tBlastx tools are associated with protection against oxidative stress in plants, some are transcription factors and others provide structural and pathogenic resistance. The transcriptome of pequi is an effective method of identifying genes and proteins responsible for important biological characteristics of the plant, thus laying the groundwork for new studies aimed at developing a full understanding of the genomic structure ofthe pequi.Keywords: Pequi. Caryocar brasiliense. ESTs. Molecular biology

Conhecimento Tradicional E Usos De Caryocar Brasiliense Cambess. (pequi) Por Quilombolas De Minas Gerais, Brasil: Subsídios Para O Manejo Sustentável

Local knowledge of biodiversity has been applied in support of research focused on utilizing and management of natural resources and promotion of conservation. Among these resources, Pequi (Caryocar brasiliense Cambess.) is important as a source of income and food for communities living in the Cerrado biome. In Pontinha, a “quilombola” community, which is located in the central region of State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, an ethnoecological study about Pequi was conducted to support initiatives for generating income for this community. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and crossing. The most relevant uses of Pequi were family food (97%), soap production (67%), oil production (37%), medical treatments (17%), and trade (3%). Bees were the floral visitors with the highest Salience Index (S=0.639). Among frugivores that feed on unfallen fruits, birds showed a higher Salience (S=0.359) and among frugivores who use fallen fruits insects were the most important (S=0.574). Borers (folivorous caterpillars) that attack trunks and roots were the most common pests cited. According to the respondents, young individuals of Pequi are the most affected by fire due to their smaller size and thinner bark. Recognition of the cultural and ecological importance of Pequi has mobilized the community, which has shown interest in incorporating this species as an alternative source of income. © 2016, Instituto Internacional de Ecologia. All rights reserved.762511519FAPEMIG, Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerai