Process Capability Indexes Determination on Tabletting Performance during the Process Validation for Metamizol Tablets

The aim of the present study was to provide a numerical measure, through the process capability indexes (PCIs), C(p) and C(pk), on whether or not the manufacturing process can be considered capable of producing metamizol (500 mg) tablets. They were also used as statistical tool in order to prove the consistency of the tabletting process, making sure that the tablet weight and the content uniformity of metamizol are able to comply with the preset requirements. Besides that, the ANOVA, the t-test and the test for equal variances were applied to this study, allowing additional knowledge of the tabletting phase. Therefore, the proposed statistical approach intended to assure more safety, precision and accuracy on the process validation analysis.

Inspeção sanitária em creches: uma proposta de roteiro de inspeção

O trabalho apresenta um projeto de intervenção na realidade concreta das ações de Vigilância Sanitária, através da proposição de um roteiro para inspeção destinado a creches. Os objetivos específicos foram identificar os fundamentos jurídicos, técnico-científicos e sanitários que possam nortear a prática de inspeções sanitárias em creches; elaborar uma proposta de roteiro que permita um processo de análise mais explícito, objetivo e homogêneo e discutir a contribuição do instrumento proposto para a atividade de Vigilância Sanitária, com base na literatura científica pesquisada. Para a realização do trabalho foi feita uma revisão fundamentada em textos didáticos e normativos das áreas de educação e saúde, legislação sobre Vigilância Sanitária e Educação Infantil, outros roteiros já existentes e artigos da literatura científica sobre agravos à saúde em crianças que frequentam creches. O trabalho focaliza o conteúdo da legislação específica vigente e sua aplicabilidade na prática da inspeção sanitária em creches e baseia-se na Portaria - MS n. 321 de 26.05.1988. Este estudo apresenta um instrumento para avaliar a qualidade do atendimento nas creches sob o aspecto da promoção da saúde e sugere estudos posteriores de validação para o contexto, com a possível inclusão de um sistema de classificação para os padrões de conformidade, por meio de uma metodologia estatística

Identification and Phylogenetic Analysis of Heme Synthesis Genes in Trypanosomatids and Their Bacterial Endosymbionts

It has been known for decades that some insect-infecting trypanosomatids can survive in culture without heme supplementation while others cannot, and that this capability is associated with the presence of a betaproteobacterial endosymbiont in the flagellate's cytoplasm. However, the specific mechanisms involved in this process remained obscure. In this work, we sequence and phylogenetically analyze the heme pathway genes from the symbionts and from their hosts, as well as from a number of heme synthesis-deficient Kinetoplastida. Our results show that the enzymes responsible for synthesis of heme are encoded on the symbiont genomes and produced in close cooperation with the flagellate host. Our evidence suggests that this synergistic relationship is the end result of a history of extensive gene loss and multiple lateral gene transfer events in different branches of the phylogeny of the Trypanosomatidae.

Dynamic behavior analysis of drill-threading process when machining AISI Al-Si-Cu(4) alloy

Conventional threading operations involve two distinct machining processes: drilling and threading. Therefore, it is time consuming for the tools must be changed and the workpiece has to be moved to another machine. This paper presents an analysis of the combined process (drilling followed by threading) using a single tool for both operations: the tap-milling tool. Before presenting the methodology used to evaluate this hybrid tool, the ODS (operating deflection shapes) basics is shortly described. ODS and finite element modeling (FEM) were used during this research to optimize the process aiming to achieve higher stable machining conditions and increasing the tool life. Both methods allowed the determination of the natural frequencies and displacements of the machining center and optimize the workpiece fixture system. The results showed that there is an excellent correlation between the dynamic stability of the machining center-tool holder and the tool life, avoiding a tool premature catastrophic failure. Nevertheless, evidence showed that the tool is very sensitive to work conditions. Undoubtedly, the use of ODS and FEM eliminate empiric decisions concerning the optimization of machining conditions and increase drastically the tool life. After the ODS and FEM studies, it was possible to optimize the process and work material fixture system and machine more than 30,000 threaded holes without reaching the tool life limit and catastrophic fail.

Ethanol production process from banana fruit and its lignocellulosic residues: Energy analysis

Tropical countries, such as Brazil and Colombia, have the possibility of using agricultural lands for growing biomass to produce bio-fuels such as biodiesel and ethanol. This study applies an energy analysis to the production process of anhydrous ethanol obtained from the hydrolysis of starch and cellulosic and hemicellulosic material present in the banana fruit and its residual biomass. Four different production routes were analyzed: acid hydrolysis of amylaceous material (banana pulp and banana fruit) and enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulosic material (flower stalk and banana skin). The analysis considered banana plant cultivation, feedstock transport, hydrolysis, fermentation, distillation, dehydration, residue treatment and utility plant. The best indexes were obtained for amylaceous material for which mass performance varied from 346.5 L/t to 388.7 L/t, Net Energy Value (NEV) ranged from 9.86 MJ/L to 9.94 MJ/L and the energy ratio was 1.9 MJ/MJ. For lignocellulosic materials, the figures were less favorable: mass performance varied from 86.1 to 123.5 L/t, NEV from 5.24 10 8.79 MJ/L and energy ratio from 1.3 to 1.6 MJ/MJ. The analysis showed, however, that both processes can be considered energetically feasible. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Energy and exergy analysis of ethanol production process from banana fruit

An alternative for ethanol production, is the use of vegetable waste, such as excess of banana production, that are evaluated in 2,400,000 t/year, which includes: residual banana fruit and lignocellulosic material. This paper analyzes the energetic and exergetic behavior to carry the process developed at laboratory scale to a plant processing of banana for the ethanol production, involving: growing and transport of the vegetable material, hydrolysis of banana fruit, sugar fermentation, ethanol distillation and utility plant. Finally, energy and exergy indicators are obtained. The results show a positive energy balance when banana fruit is used for ethanol production, but some process modification must be done looking for improving the exergetic efficiency in ethanol production.

Masticatory process in individuals with maxillary and mandibular osteoporosis: electromyographic analysis

The masseter and temporal muscles of patients with maxillary and mandibular osteoporosis were submitted to electromyographic analysis and compared with a control group. In conclusion, individuals with osteoporosis did not show significantly lower masticatory cycle performance and efficiency compared to the control group during the proposal mastications. This study aimed to examine electromyographically the masseter and temporal muscles of patients with maxillary and mandibular osteoporosis and compare these patients with control patients. Sixty individuals of both genders with an average age of 53.0 +/- 5 years took part in the study, distributed in two groups with 30 individuals each: (1) individuals with osteoporosis; (2) control patients during the habitual and non-habitual mastication. The electromyographic apparel used was a Myosystem-BR1-DataHomins Technology Ltda., with five channels of acquisition and electrodes active differentials. Statistical analysis of the results was performed using SPSS version 15.0 (Chicago, IL, USA). The result of the Student`s t test indicated no significant differences (p > 0.05) between the normalized values of the ensemble average obtained in masticatory cycles in both groups. Based on the results of this study, it was concluded that individuals with osteoporosis did not show significantly lower masticatory cycle performance and efficiency compared to control subjects during the habitual and non-habitual mastications. This result is very important because it demonstrates the functionality of the complex physiological process of mastication in individuals with osteoporosis at the bones that compose the face.

Response surface methodology applied to the analysis of rice bran oil extraction process with ethanol

P>Vegetable oils can be extracted using ethanol as solvent. The main goal of this work was to evaluate the ethanol performance on the extraction process of rice bran oil. The influence of process variables, solvent hydration and temperature was evaluated using the response surface methodology, aiming to maximise the soluble substances and gamma-oryzanol transfer and minimise the free fatty acids extraction and the liquid content in the underflow solid. It can be noted that oil solubility in ethanol was highly affected by the water content. The free fatty acids extraction is improved by increasing the moisture content in the solvent. Regarding the gamma-oryzanol, it can be observed that its extraction is affected by temperature when low level of water is added to ethanol. On the other hand, the influence of temperature is minimised with high levels of water in the ethanol.

Thermodynamic and statistical analysis of soybean oil extraction process using renewable solvent

The main goal of this work was to evaluate thermodynamic parameters of the soybean oil extraction process using ethanol as solvent. The experimental treatments were as follows: aqueous solvents with water contents varying from 0 to 13% (mass basis) and extraction temperature varying from 50 to 100 degrees C. The distribution coefficients of oil at equilibrium have been used to calculate enthalpy, entropy and free energy changes. The results indicate that oil extraction process with ethanol is feasible and spontaneous, mainly under higher temperature. Also, the influence of water level in the solvent and temperature were analysed using the response surface methodology (RSM). It can be noted that the extraction yield was highly affected by both independent variables. A joint analysis of thermodynamic and RSM indicates the optimal level of solvent hydration and temperature to perform the extraction process.

Analysis of experimental interlocking blocks of concrete with addition of residues of process the tires retreading production

Analysis of experimental interlocking blocks of concrete with addition of residues of process the tires retreading production. With the population growth in recent years, industry in general has adjusted itself to resulting demand. the industry of tire retreading generates residues that have been discarded without any control. this adds to environmental pollution and promotes the proliferation of vectors harmful to health, aiming to find an application for this type of residues, this study presents experimental results to interlocking concrete block pavements, with addition of residues tires, interlocking blocks were built up and we determined, through laboratory tests, the need to set the mark that provide greater return regarding analyzed characteristics, there are four types of dosage of concrete with residues tires. We accomplished tests of compression strength, water absorption and resistance to impact. Through the preliminary results, we verified that are satisfactory, confirming the possibility of applying this type of interlocking block in environments with low demand, which would bring the economy of natural sources of aggregates, beyond ecological benefits through the reuse of residues from retreading of tires.

Flow injection analysis of ethyl xanthate by gas diffusion and UV detection as CS(2) for process monitoring of sulfide ore flotation

A sensitive and robust analytical method for spectrophotometric determination of ethyl xanthate, CH(3)CH(2)OCS(2)(-) at trace concentrations in pulp solutions from froth flotation process is proposed. The analytical method is based on the decomposition of ethyl xanthate. EtX(-), with 2.0 mol L(-1) HCl generating ethanol and carbon disulfide. CS(2). A gas diffusion cell assures that only the volatile compounds diffuse through a PTFE membrane towards an acceptor stream of deionized water, thus avoiding the interferences of non-volatile compounds and suspended particles. The CS(2) is selectively detected by UV absorbance at 206 nm (epsilon = 65,000 L mol(-1) cm(-1)). The measured absorbance is directly proportional to EtX(-) concentration present in the sample solutions. The Beer`s law is obeyed in a 1 x 10(-6) to 2 x 10(-4) mol L(-1) concentration range of ethyl xanthate in the pulp with an excellent correlation coefficient (r = 0.999) and a detection limit of 3.1 x 10(-7) mol L(-1), corresponding to 38 mu g L. At flow rates of 200 mu L min(-1) of the donor stream and 100 mu L min(-1) of the acceptor channel a sampling rate of 15 injections per hour could be achieved with RSD < 2.3% (n = 10, 300 mu L injections of 1 x 10(-5) mol L(-1) EtX(-)). Two practical applications demonstrate the versatility of the FIA method: (i) evaluation the free EtX(-) concentration during a laboratory study of the EtX(-) adsorption capacity on pulverized sulfide ore (pyrite) and (ii) monitoring of EtX(-) at different stages (from starting load to washing effluents) of a flotation pilot plant processing a Cu-Zn sulfide ore. (C) 2010 Elsevier By. All rights reserved.

Influence of specimens' design and manufacturing process on microtensile bond strength to enamel: laboratory and FEA comparison

This study evaluated the effect of specimens' design and manufacturing process on microtensile bond strength, internal stress distributions (Finite Element Analysis - FEA) and specimens' integrity by means of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy (LCM). Excite was applied to flat enamel surface and a resin composite build-ups were made incrementally with 1-mm increments of Tetric Ceram. Teeth were cut using a diamond disc or a diamond wire, obtaining 0.8 mm² stick-shaped specimens, or were shaped with a Micro Specimen Former, obtaining dumbbell-shaped specimens (n = 10). Samples were randomly selected for SEM and LCM analysis. Remaining samples underwent microtensile test, and results were analyzed with ANOVA and Tukey test. FEA dumbbell-shaped model resulted in a more homogeneous stress distribution. Nonetheless, they failed under lower bond strengths (21.83 ± 5.44 MPa)c than stick-shaped specimens (sectioned with wire: 42.93 ± 4.77 MPaª; sectioned with disc: 36.62 ± 3.63 MPa b), due to geometric irregularities related to manufacturing process, as noted in microscopic analyzes. It could be concluded that stick-shaped, nontrimmed specimens, sectioned with diamond wire, are preferred for enamel specimens as they can be prepared in a less destructive, easier, and more precise way.

Effect of nitric oxide inhibitor and donor substances on the infammatory process caused by endodontic irrigants

Nitric oxide (NO) has been considered a key molecule in infammation. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of treatment with L-NAME and sodium nitroprussiate, substances that inhibit and release NO, respectively, on tissue tolerance to endodontic irrigants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The vital dye exudation method was used in a rat subcutaneous tissue model. Injections of 2% Evans blue were administered intravenously into the dorsal penial vein of 14 male rats (200-300 g). The NO inhibitor and donor substances were injected into the subcutaneous tissue in the dorsal region, forming two groups of animals: G1 was inoculated with L-NAME and G2 with sodium nitroprussiate. Both groups received injections of the test endodontic irrigants: acetic acid, 15% citric acid, 17% EDTA-T and saline (control). After 30 min, analysis of the extravasated dye was performed by light absorption spectrophotometry (620 nm). RESULTS: There was statistically signifcant difference (p<0.05) between groups 1 and 2 for all irrigants. L-NAME produced a less intense infammatory reaction and nitroprussiate intensifed this process. CONCLUSIONS: Independently of the administration of NO inhibitors and donors, EDTA-T produced the highest irritating potential in vital tissue among the tested irrigating solutions.

Cytogenetic analysis of Astylus antis (Perty, 1830) (Coleoptera, Melyridae): Karyotype, heterochromatin and location of ribosomal genes

Cytogenetic analysis of Astylus antis using mitotic and meiotic cells was performed to characterize the haploid and diploid numbers, sex determination system, chromosome morphology, constitutive heterochromatin distribution pattern and chromosomes carrying nucleolus organizer regions (NORs). Analysis of spermatogonial metaphase cells revealed the diploid number 2n = 18, with mostly metacentric chromosomes. Metaphase I cells exhibited 2n = 8II+Xyp and a parachute configuration of the sex chromosomes. Spermatogonial metaphase cells submitted to C-banding showed the presence of small dots of constitutive heterochromatin in the centromeric regions of nearly all the autosomes and on the short arm of the X chromosome (Xp), as well as an additional band on one of the arms of pair 1. Mitotic cells submitted to double staining with base-specific fluorochromes (DAPI-CMA3) revealed no regions rich in A+T or G+C sequences. Analysis of spermatogonial mitotic cells after sequential Giemsa/AgNO3 staining did not reveal any specific mark on the chromosomes. Meiotic metaphase I cells stained with silver nitrate revealed a strong impregnation associated to the sex chromosomes, and in situ hybridization with an 18S rDNA probe showed ribosomal cistrons in an autosomal bivalent.

Physical analysis of compost from composting plants in Brazil

Nowadays the composting process has shown itself to be an alternative in the treatment of municipal solid wastes by composting plants. However, although more than 50% of the waste generated by the Brazilian population is composed of matter susceptible to organic composting, this process is, still today, insufficiently developed in Brazil, due to low compost quality and lack of investments in the sector. The objective of this work was to use physical analyses to evaluate the quality of the compost produced at 14 operative composting plants in the Sao Paulo State in Brazil. For this purpose, size distribution and total inert content tests were done. The results were analyzed by grouping the plants according to their productive processes: plants with a rotating drum, plants with shredders or mills, and plants without treatment after the sorting conveyor belt. Compost quality was analyzed considering the limits imposed by the Brazilian Legislation and the European standards for inert contents. The size distribution tests showed the influence of the machinery after the sorting conveyer on the granule sizes as well as the inert content, which contributes to the presence of materials that reduce the quality of the final product