Lipid bilayer pre-transition as the beginning of the melting process

We investigate the bilayer pre-transition exhibited by some lipids at temperatures below their main phase transition, and which is generally associated to the formation of periodic ripples in the membrane. Experimentally we focus on the anionic lipid dipalmytoylphosphatidylglycerol (DPPG) at different ionic strengths, and on the neutral lipid dipalmytoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC). From the analysis of differential scanning calorimetry traces of the two lipids we find that both pre- and main transitions are part of the same melting process. Electron spin resonance of spin labels and excitation generalized polarization of Laurdan reveal the coexistence of gel and fluid domains at temperatures between the pre- and main transitions of both lipids, reinforcing the first finding. Also, the melting process of DPPG at low ionic strength is found to be less cooperative than that of DPPC. From the theoretical side, we introduce a statistical model in which a next-nearest-neighbor competing interaction is added to the usual two-state model. For the first time, modulated phases (ordered and disordered lipids periodically aligned) emerge between the gel and fluid phases as a natural consequence of the competition between lipid-lipid interactions. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

On the interaction of the anthraquinone barbaloin with negatively charged DMPG bilayers

Barbaloin is a bioactive glycosilated 1,8-dihydroxyanthraquinone present in several exudates from plants, Such as Aloe vera, which are used for cosmetic or food purposes. It has been shown that barbaloin interacts with DMPG (dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol) model membranes, altering the bilayer structure (Alves, D. S.; Perez-Fons, L.; Estepa, A.; Micol, V. Biochem. Pharm. 2004, 68, 549). Considering that ESR (electron spin resonance) of spin labels is one of the best techniques to monitor structural properties at the molecular level, the alterations caused by the anthraquinone barbaloin on phospholipid bilayers will be discussed here via the ESR signal of phospholipid spin probes intercalated into the membranes. In DMPG at high ionic strength (10 mM Hepes pH 7.4 + 100 mM NaCl), a system that presents a gel-fluid transition around 23 degrees C, 20 mol % barbaloin turns the gel phase more rigid, does not alter much the fluid phase packing, but makes the lipid thermal transition less sharp. However, in a low-salt DMPG dispersion (10 mM Hepes pH 7.4 + 2 mM NaCl), which presents a rather complex gel-fluid thermal transition (Lamy-Freund, M. T.; Riske, K. A. Chem. Phys. Lipids 2003, 122, 19), barbaloin strongly affects bilayer structural properties, both in the gel and fluid phases, extending the transition region to much higher temperature values. The position of barbaloin in DMPG bilayers will be discussed on the basis of ESR results, in parallel with data from sample viscosity, DSC (differential scanning calorimetry), and SAXS (small-angle X-ray scattering).

Unraveling an antique subduction process from metamorphic basement around Medellin city, Central Cordillera of Colombian Andes

In the surroundings of Caldas and El Retiro cities (Colombia) metamorphic rocks derived from basic and pelitic protoliths comprise the Caldas amphibole schist and the Ancon schist respectively. Subordinated metamorphosed granite bodies (La Miel gneiss) are associated to these units, and The El Retiro amphibolites, migmatites and granulites crops out eastwards of these units, separated by shear zones. The Caldas amphibole schist and the Ancon schist protoliths could have been formed in a distal marine reduced environment and amalgamated to the South American continent in an apparent Triassic subduction event. The El Retiro rocks are akin to a continental basement and possible include impure metasediments of continental margin, whose metamorphism originated granulite facies rocks and migmatites as a result of the anatexis of quartz-feldspathic rocks. The metamorphism was accompanied by intense deformation, which has juxtaposed both migmatites and granulite blocks. Afterward, heat and fluid circulation associated with the emplacement of minor igneous intrusions resulted in intense fluid-rock interaction, variations in the grain size of the minerals and, especially, intense retrograde metamorphic re-equilibrium. Thermobarometric estimations for the Caldas amphibole schist indicate metamorphism in the Barrovian amphibolite fades. The metamorphic path is counter-clockwise, but retrograde evolution could not be precisely defined. The pressures of the metamorphism in these rocks range from 6.3 to 13.5 kbar, with narrow temperature ranging from 550 to 630 degrees C. For the Ancon schist metapelites the P-T path is also counter-clockwise, with a temperature increase evidenced by the occurrence of sillimanite and the cooling by later kyanite. The progressive metamorphism event occurred at pressures of 7.6-7.2 kbar and temperatures of 645-635 degrees C for one sample and temperature between 500 and 600 degrees C under constant pressure of 6 kbar. The temperature estimated for these rocks varies between 400 and 555 degrees C at pressures of 5-6 kbar in the retrograde metamorphic path. The El Retiro rocks evidence strong decompression with narrow variation in temperature, showing pressure values between 8.7 and 2.7 kbar at temperatures of 740-633 degrees C. These metamorphic fragments of the basement in the Central Cordillera of the Colombian Andes could represent a close relationship with an antique subduction zone. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The influence of immobilized biomass and particle size on the fluid dynamics of an anaerobic fluidized bed reactor

Fluid dynamic analysis is an important branch of several chemical engineering related areas, such as drying processes and chemical reactors. However, aspects concerning fluid dynamics in wastewater treatment bioreactors still require further investigation, as they highly influence process efficiency. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate the influence of biofilm on the reactor fluid dynamic behavior, through the analysis of a few important parameters, such as minimum fluidization velocity, bed expansion and porosity, and particle terminal velocity. The main objective of the present work was to investigate the fluid dynamics of an anaerobic fluidized bed reactor, having activated carbon particles as support media for biomass immobilization. Reactor performance was tested using synthetic residual water, which was prepared using the solution employed in BOD determination. The results showed that the presence of immobilized biomass increased particle density and altered the main fluid dynamic parameters investigated.

Methylprednisolone improves lung mechanics and reduces the inflammatory response in pulmonary but not in extrapulmonary mild acute lung injury in mice

Objective: Gorticosteroids have been proposed to be effective in modulating the inflammatory response and pulmonary tissue remodeling in acute lung injury (ALI). We hypothesized that steroid treatment might act differently in models of pulmonary (p) or extrapulmonary (exp) ALI with similar mechanical compromise. Design: Prospective, randomized, controlled experimental study. Setting: University research laboratory. Subjects: One hundred twenty-eight BALB/c mice (20-25 g). Interventions: Mice were divided into six groups. In control animals sterile saline solution was intratracheally (0.05 mL, Cp) or intraperitoneally (0.5 mL, Gexp) injected, whereas ALI animals received Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide intratracheally (10 mu g, ALIp) or intraperitoneally (125 mu g, ALIexp). Six hours after lipopolysaccharide administration, ALIp and ALlexp animals were further randomized into subgroups receiving saline (0.1 mL intravenously) or methylprednisolone (2 mg/kg intravenously, Mp and Mexp, respectively). Measurements and Main Results: At 24 hrs, lung state elastance, resistive and viscoelastic pressures, lung morphometry, and collagen fiber content were similar in both ALI groups. KC, interieukin-6, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta levels in bronchoatveolar lavage fluid, as well as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, migration inhibitory factor (MIF), interferon (IFN)-gamma, TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 2 messenger RNA expression in lung tissue were higher in ALIp than in ALIexp animals. Methylprednisolone attenuated mechanical and morphometric changes, cytokine levels, and TNF-alpha, MIF, IFN gamma, and TGF-beta 2 messenger RNA expression only in ALIp animals, but prevented any changes in collagen fiber content in both ALI groups. Conclusions. Methylprednisolone is effective to inhibit fibrogenesis independent of the etiology of ALI, but its ability to attenuate inflammatory responses and lung mechanical changes varies according to the cause of ALI.

Central nitrergic system regulation of neuroendocrine secretion, fluid intake and blood pressure induced by angiotensin-II

Background: Nitric oxide (NO) synthesis has been described in several circumventricular and hypothalamic structures in the central nervous system that are implicated in mediating central angiotensin-II (ANG-II) actions during water deprivation and hypovolemia. Neuroendocrine and cardiovascular responses, drinking behavior, and urinary excretions were examined following central angiotensinergic stimulation in awake freely-moving rats pretreated with intracerebroventricular injections of N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 40 mu g), an inhibitor of NO synthase, and L-arginine (20 ug), a precursor of NO. Results: Injections of L-NAME or ANG-II produced an increase in plasma vasopressin (VP), oxytocin (OT) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) levels, an increase in water and sodium intake, mean arterial blood pressure and sodium excretion, and a reduction of urinary volume. L-NAME pretreatment enhanced the ANG-II response, while L-arginine attenuated VP and OT release, thirst, appetite for sodium, antidiuresis, and natriuresis, as well as pressor responses induced by ANG-II. Discussion and conclusion: Thus, the central nitrergic system participates in the angiotensinergic responses evoked by water deprivation and hypovolemia to refrain neurohypophysial secretion, hydromineral balance, and blood pressure homeostasis.

Multiple classical limits in relativistic and nonrelativistic quantum mechanics

The existence of a classical limit describing the interacting particles in a second-quantized theory of identical particles with bosonic symmetry is proved. This limit exists in addition to the previously established classical limit with a classical field behavior, showing that the limit h -> 0 of the theory is not unique. An analogous result is valid for a free massive scalar field: two distinct classical limits are proved to exist, describing a system of particles or a classical field. The introduction of local operators in order to represent kinematical properties of interest is shown to break the permutation symmetry under some localizability conditions, allowing the study of individual particle properties.

Association of Trypanosoma vivax in extracellular sites with central nervous system lesions and changes in cerebrospinal fluid in experimentally infected goats

Changes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and anatomical and histopathological central nervous system (CNS) lesions were evaluated, and the presence of Trypanosoma vivax in CNS tissues was investigated through PCR. Twelve adult male goats were divided into three groups (G): G1, infected with T. vivax and evaluated during the acute phase; G2, infected goats evaluated during the chronic phase; and G3, consisting of non-infected goats. Each goat from G1 and G2 was infected with 1.25 x 10(5) trypomastigotes. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis and investigation of T. vivax was performed at the 15(th) day post-infection (dpi) in G1 goats and on the fifth day after the manifestation of nervous system infection signs in G2 goats. All goats were necropsied, and CNS fragments from G1 and G2 goats were evaluated by PCR for the determination of T. vivax. Hyperthermia, anemia and parasitemia were observed from the fifth dpi for G1 and G2, with the highest parasitemia peak between the seventh and 21(st) dpi. Nervous system infection signs were observed in three G2 goats between the 30(th) and 35(th) dpi. CSF analysis revealed the presence of T. vivax for G2. Meningitis and meningoencephalitis were diagnosed in G2. PCR were positive for T. vivax in all the samples tested. In conclusion, T. vivax may reach the nervous tissue resulting in immune response from the host, which is the cause of progressive clinical and pathological manifestations of the CNS in experimentally infected goats.

Elastic Maier-Saupe-Zwanzig model and some properties of nematic elastomers

We introduce a simple mean-field lattice model to describe the behavior of nematic elastomers. This model combines the Maier-Saupe-Zwanzig approach to liquid crystals and an extension to lattice systems of the Warner-Terentjev theory of elasticity, with the addition of quenched random fields. We use standard techniques of statistical mechanics to obtain analytic solutions for the full range of parameters. Among other results, we show the existence of a stress-strain coexistence curve below a freezing temperature, analogous to the P-V diagram of a simple fluid, with the disorder strength playing the role of temperature. Below a critical value of disorder, the tie lines in this diagram resemble the experimental stress-strain plateau and may be interpreted as signatures of the characteristic polydomain-monodomain transition. Also, in the monodomain case, we show that random fields may soften the first-order transition between nematic and isotropic phases, provided the samples are formed in the nematic state.

On the accuracy of two-fluid model predictions for a particular gas-solid riser flow

Literature presents a huge number of different simulations of gas-solid flows in risers applying two-fluid modeling. In spite of that, the related quantitative accuracy issue remains mostly untouched. This state of affairs seems to be mainly a consequence of modeling shortcomings, notably regarding the lack of realistic closures. In this article predictions from a two-fluid model are compared to other published two-fluid model predictions applying the same Closures, and to experimental data. A particular matter of concern is whether the predictions are generated or not inside the statistical steady state regime that characterizes the riser flows. The present simulation was performed inside the statistical steady state regime. Time-averaged results are presented for different time-averaging intervals of 5, 10, 15 and 20 s inside the statistical steady state regime. The independence of the averaged results regarding the time-averaging interval is addressed and the results averaged over the intervals of 10 and 20 s are compared to both experiment and other two-fluid predictions. It is concluded that the two-fluid model used is still very crude, and cannot provide quantitative accurate results, at least for the particular case that was considered. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

AnSBBR Applied to the Treatment of Metalworking Fluid Wastewater: Effect of Organic and Shock Load

An investigation was performed regarding the application of a mechanically stirred anaerobic sequencing batch biofilm reactor containing immobilized biomass on inert polyurethane foam (AnSBBR) to the treatment of soluble metalworking fluids to remove organic matter and produce methane. The effect of increasing organic matter and reactor fill time, as well as shock load, on reactor stability and efficiency have been analyzed. The 5-L AnSBBR was operated at 30 A degrees C in 8-h cycles, agitation of 400 rpm, and treated 2.0 L effluent per cycle. Organic matter was increased by increasing the influent concentration (500, 1,000, 2,000, and 3,000 mg chemical oxygen demand (COD)/L). Fill times investigated were in the batch mode (fill time 10 min) and fed-batch followed by batch (fill time 4 h). In the batch mode, organic matter removal efficiencies were 87%, 86%, and 80% for influent concentrations of 500, 1,000, and 2,000 mgCOD/L (1.50, 3.12, and 6.08 gCOD/L.d), respectively. At 3,000 mgCOD/L (9.38 gCOD/L.d), operational stability could not be achieved. The reactor managed to maintain stability when a shock load twice as high the feed concentration was applied, evidencing the robustness of the reactor to potential concentration variations in the wastewater being treated. Increasing the fill time to 4 h did not improve removal efficiency, which was 72% for 2,000 mgCOD/L. Thus, gradual feeding did not improve organic matter removal. The concentration of methane formed at 6.08 gCOD/L was 5.20 mmolCH(4), which corresponded to 78% of the biogas composition. The behavior of the reactor during batch and fed-batch feeding could be explained by a kinetic model that considers organic matter consumption, production, and consumption of total volatile acids and methane production.

Numerical prediction of gas concentrations and fluctuations above a triangular hill within a turbulent boundary layer

The objective of the present work is to propose a numerical and statistical approach, using computational fluid dynamics, for the study of the atmospheric pollutant dispersion. Modifications in the standard k-epsilon turbulence model and additional equations for the calculation of the variance of concentration are introduced to enhance the prediction of the flow field and scalar quantities. The flow field, the mean concentration and the variance of a flow over a two-dimensional triangular hill, with a finite-size point pollutant source, are calculated by a finite volume code and compared with published experimental results. A modified low Reynolds k-epsilon turbulence model was employed in this work, using the constant of the k-epsilon model C(mu)=0.03 to take into account the inactive atmospheric turbulence. The numerical results for the velocity profiles and the position of the reattachment point are in good agreement with the experimental results. The results for the mean and the variance of the concentration are also in good agreement with experimental results from the literature. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Flow Visualization in Arteriovenous Fistula and Aneurysm Using Computational Fluid Dynamics

The arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is characterized by enhanced blood flow and is the most widely used vascular access for chronic haemodialysis (Sivanesan et al., 1998). A large proportion of the AVF late failures are related to local haemodynamics (Sivanesan et al., 1999a). As in AVF, blood flow dynamics plays an important role in growth, rupture, and surgical treatment of aneurysm. Several techniques have been used to study the flow patterns in simplified models of vascular anastomose and aneurysm. In the present investigation, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is used to analyze the flow patterns in AVF and aneurysm through the velocity waveform obtained from experimental surgeries in dogs (Galego et al., 2000), as well as intra-operative blood flow recordings of patients with radiocephalic AVF ( Sivanesan et al., 1999b) and physiological pulses (Aires, 1991), respectively. The flow patterns in AVF for dog and patient surgeries data are qualitatively similar. Perturbation, recirculation and separation zones appeared during cardiac cycle, and these were intensified in the diastole phase for the AVF and aneurysm models. The values of wall shear stress presented in this investigation of AVF and aneurysm models oscillated in the range that can both cause damage to endothelial cells and develop atherosclerosis.

Investigation of the residence time distribution in a plate heat exchanger with series and parallel arrangements using a non-ideal tracer detection technique

The objective was to study the flow pattern in a plate heat exchanger (PHE) through residence time distribution (RTD) experiments. The tested PHE had flat plates and it was part of a laboratory scale pasteurization unit. Series flow and parallel flow configurations were tested with a variable number of passes and channels per pass. Owing to the small scale of the equipment and the short residence times, it was necessary to take into account the influence of the tracer detection unit on the RID data. Four theoretical RID models were adjusted: combined, series combined, generalized convection and axial dispersion. The combined model provided the best fit and it was useful to quantify the active and dead space volumes of the PHE and their dependence on its configuration. Results suggest that the axial dispersion model would present good results for a larger number of passes because of the turbulence associated with the changes of pass. This type of study can be useful to compare the hydraulic performance of different plates or to provide data for the evaluation of heat-induced changes that occur in the processing of heat-sensitive products. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum) Extracts Obtained by Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE): Global Yields, Chemical Composition, Antioxidant Activity, and Estimation of the Cost of Manufacturing

In this work, supercritical technology was used to obtain extracts from Ocimum basilicum (sweet basil) with CO(2) and the cosolvent H(2)O at 1, 10, and 20% (w/w). The raw material was obtained from hydroponic cultivation. The extract`s global yield isotherms, chemical compositions, antioxidant activity, and cost of manufacturing were determined. The extraction assays were done for pressures of 10 to 30 MPa at 303 to 323 K. The identification of the compounds present in the extracts was made by GC-MS and ESI-MS. The antioxidant activity of extracts was determined using the coupled reaction of beta-carotene and linolenic acid. At 1% of cosolvent, the largest global yield was obtained at 10 MPa and 303 K (2%, dry basis-d.b.); at 10% of cosolvent the largest global yield was obtained at 10 and 15 MPa (11%, d.b.), and at 20% of cosolvent the largest global yield was detected at 30 MPa and 303 K (24%, d.b.). The main components identified in the extracts were eugenol, germacrene-D, epi-alpha-cadinol, malic acid, tartaric acid, ramnose, caffeic acid, quinic acid, kaempferol, caffeoylquinic acid, and kaempferol 3-O-glucoside. Sweet basil extracts exhibited high antioxidant activity compared to beta-carotene. Three types of SFE extracts from sweet basil were produced, for which the estimated cost of manufacturing (class 5 type) varied from US$ 47.96 to US$ 1,049.58 per kilogram of dry extract.