Gauge formulation for higher order gravity

This work is an application of the second order gauge theory for the Lorentz group, where a description of the gravitational interaction is obtained that includes derivatives of the curvature. We analyze the form of the second field strength, G=partial derivative F+fAF, in terms of geometrical variables. All possible independent Lagrangians constructed with quadratic contractions of F and quadratic contractions of G are analyzed. The equations of motion for a particular Lagrangian, which is analogous to Podolsky's term of his generalized electrodynamics, are calculated. The static isotropic solution in the linear approximation was found, exhibiting the regular Newtonian behavior at short distances as well as a meso-large distance modification.

Self-dual hopfions

We construct static and time-dependent exact soliton solutions with nontrivial Hopf topological charge for a field theory in 3 + 1 dimensions with the target space being the two dimensional sphere S(2). The model considered is a reduction of the so-called extended Skyrme-Faddeev theory by the removal of the quadratic term in derivatives of the fields. The solutions are constructed using an ansatz based on the conformal and target space symmetries. The solutions are said self-dual because they solve first order differential equations which together with some conditions on the coupling constants, imply the second order equations of motion. The solutions belong to a sub-sector of the theory with an infinite number of local conserved currents. The equation for the profile function of the ansatz corresponds to the Bogomolny equation for the sine-Gordon model.

Strontium zirconate heterogeneous catalyst for biodiesel production: Synthesis, characterization and catalytic activity evaluation

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Estudo comparativo entre alguns benzalpiruvatos-fenil substituído de lantanídeos e ítrio no estado sólido.

In the present work, the thermal decomposition step of some lanthanides and yttrium compounds involving different ligand phenyl-substituted derivatives of benzylidenepyruvate was appraised by thermogravimetry (TG). A correlation about the metal ions content was made by comparison of the results obtained by TG and EDTA complexometry.

A NOVEL SYNTHETIC ROUTE FOR SUPPORTING RUTHENIUM COMPLEXES ON FUNCTIONALIZED SILICA-GEL

The immobilization of the ruthenium moiety Ru(NH3)4SO3 by reaction of trans-[Ru(NH3)4SO2(H2O)]2+ with silica gel functionalized with 3-(1-imidazolyl)propyl groups is reported. A 60% surface coverage was obtained in the proportion of the resulting material [=Si(CH2)3imN-Ru(NH3)4SO3]. The anchored Ru(II) complex was characterized and its reactivity investigated. Derivatives of CO, pyrazine, and isonicotinamide have been prepared and characterized by electronic and vibrational spectroscopies, as well as by chemical means. The [=Si(CH2)3imN-Ru(NH3)4SO4]Cl, obtained through oxidation of the corresponding ruthenium(II) sulfite species, has been characterized and the aquo and the oxalate derivative have been synthesized.

Avaliação da variabilidade genética em quatro gerações de Eucalyptus urophylla S.T. Blake por meio do marcador molecular RAPD

Molecular markers have gradually replaced morphological markers in population studies. The advantages of molecular markers are the speed and precision of evaluations, mainly for long cycle cultures, where determinate traits can take years to manifest. The principle objectives of this research were to assess variability and genetic distances in four generations of Eucalyptus urophylla and provide data that help with the continued improvement of these materials. The populations can be found at the Experimental Forestry Sciences Station, Anhembi, SP, belonging to the College of Agriculture Luiz de Queiroz of São Paulo University. The initial base population was introduced by seeds collected in indonesia and designated P0 generation. The subsequent segregated generations, derivatives of recombination starting with open pollination, were designated P1, P2, and P3. One hundred and seventy four individual trees representing the four generations were analysed. The RAPD technique allowed the identification of 86 loci that were analysed with the Jaccard Coefficient, generating a genetic similarity matrix, permitting the estimation of genetic distances. The genetic distance of generation PO was 0.3338333, P1 was 0.336824, P2 was 0.40000, and P3 was 0.381093. In percentage terms the genetic distances between individuals grew in relation to base population, being 0.15% for generation P1, 18.93% for P2, and 13.31% for P3. This shows an increase in genetic variability with the advance of the program, despite the selective processes. From this came the belief that the initial base population was resulting from seed collection from isolated trees. These populations, although going through successive selections, had a high cross efficiency through satisfactory pollination, which then permitted genetic variation to increase, the outcome of effective recombination between individuals. Generations P2 and P3 gave a better perspective for the continuance of the improvement program due to the high number of different groups with standard genetic distances of 35%. The selections made between the diverse genetic groups allowed the efficient use of genetic variability evaluation.

Saponinas triterpênicas de Tocoyena brasiliensis Mart. (Rubiaceae)

The present communication reports the isolation and identification of four triterpenoid saponins from the chloroform extract of the leaves of Tocoyena brasiliensis: 3-O-β-D-quinovopyranosyl quinovic acid, 3-O-β-D- quinovopyranosyl cincholic acid, 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl quinovic acid and the 28-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester derivative of quinovic acid as binary mixtures, respectively. From the ethanol extract a flavonoid identified as ramnazin-3-O-rutinoside was obtained. The structures of these compounds were assigned by data analysis of ID and 2D NMR spectrometry and comparison with data recorded in the literature for these compounds.

Planejamento, síntese e avaliação farmacológica de compostos híbridos potencialmente ativos para o tratamento da anemia falciforme

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a hereditary hemolytic anemia caused by the inheritance of one S hemoglobin gene from each ancestor. Patients with SCD present increased circulating levels of cytokines, including TNF-alpha (TNF-α). Hydroxyurea (HU) is the available therapeutically strategy for treatment; it acts as a source of nitric oxide and benefits patients by increasing the levels of fetal hemoglobin (HbF). Thus, within one research line that aims at finding new drugs, a series of compounds with TNF-α inhibition and nitric oxide donation properties have been synthesized in order to explore possible synergism of actions beneficial in the treatment of the disease. Six compounds were synthesized: five derivatives of organic nitrates and one of sulfonamide. The compounds, (1,3-dioxo-1,3-dihydro-2Hisoindol-2-yl) methyl nitrate (compound I); (1,3-dioxo-1,3-dihydro-2H-isoindol-2-yl) ethyl nitrate (compound II); 3-(1,3-dioxo-1,3-dihydro-2H-isoindol-2-yl) benzyl nitrate (compound III);4-(1,3-dioxo-1,3-dihydro-2H-isoindol-2-yl)-N-hydroxybenzenesulfonamide (compound IV); 4-(1,3-dioxo-1,3-dihydro-2H-isoindol-2-yl) benzyl nitrate (compound V) and 2-[4-(1,3-dioxo-1,3-dihydro-2H-isoindol-2-yl) phenyl]ethyl nitrate (compound VI), were synthesized using linear synthetic methodology, with excellent overall yields. All compounds showed anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects with a reduction in 43%-65% of ear edema in mice and a reduction of 25%-42% of writhing induced by acetic acid. All compounds showed comparable reductions in the leukocyte infiltration capacity and ability to generate nitric oxide. The aryl compounds (III, IV and V) presented less mutagenic activity compared to compounds I, II and VI according to the salmonella mutagenicity assay (Ames test). Compounds IV and VI showed activity in K562 culture cells, with increases in gamma globin gene expression to levels higher than with hydroxyurea suggesting a potential to increase fetal hemoglobin. This data set characterizes new potentially useful drug candidates for the treatment of symptoms of sickle cell anemia.

Toxicogenetic monitoring in urban cities exposed to different airborne contaminants

Microparticles found in the air may be associated with organic matter that contains several compounds, such as Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and nitro-PAHs, and may pose a significant risk to human health, possibly leading to DNA mutations and cancers. This study associated genotoxicity assays for evaluating human exposure with the atmospheric air of two urban areas in southern Brazil, that received different atmospheric contributions. Site 1 was under urban-industrial influence and the other was a non-industrial reference, Site 2. Organic extracts from the airborne particulate matter were tested for mutagenicity via the Salmonella/microsome assay and analyzed for PAH composition. Cells samples of people residing in these two cities were evaluated using the comet and micronucleus assay (MN).Concentrations of the individual PAHs ranged from 0.01ng/m3 (benzo[a]anthracene) to 5.08ng/m3 (benzo[ghi]perylene). As to mutagenicity analysis of airborne, Site 1 presented all the mutagenic responses, which varied from 3.2±1.22rev/m3 (TA98 no S9) to 32.6±2.05rev/m3 (TA98, S9), while Site 2 ranged from negative to minimal responses. Site 1 presented a high quantity of nitro and amino derivatives of PAHs, and peaked at 56.0±3.68rev/μg (YG1024 strain). The two groups presented very low DNA damage levels without intergroup difference. Although Site 1 presented high mutagenic responses in the air samples, high PAH levels, healthy people exposed to this environment did not show significative damage in their genetic material. However, the evaluation of different environmental and genetic damage in such population is necessary to monitor possible damages. © 2013 Elsevier Inc.

Pesquisa e desenvovimento de novos materiais microporosos e mesoporosos para uso em ressonância magnética nuclear por imagem como agentes de contraste

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Sistemas drug delivery aplicados a novos inibidores de topoisomerases estruturalmente derivados de toxinas bacterianas

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Peptídeos inibidores de topoisomerases bacterianas: síntese e estudos de transporte através da membrana celular empregando moléculas peptídicas carreadoras

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Imobilização de invertase comercial e de Saccharomyces cerevisiae em sabugo de milho e bagaço de cana-de-açúcar

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Estudo da atividade antidermatofitica de Protocatecuatos contra T. rubrum e T. interdigitale

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Avaliação do potencial tripanocida de diaminas, diaminas de ferroceno e derivados de 1,4-naftoquinonas em cepas de Trypanosoma brucei

Pós-graduação em Biotecnologia - IQ