Chemical stability and electrical properties of Nb doped BaCe 0.9Y 0.1O 3-δ as a high temperature proton conducting electrolyte for IT-SOFC

BaCe 0.9-xNb xY 0.1O 3-δ (where x=0, 0.01, 0.03 and 0.05) powders were synthesized by solid-state reaction to investigate the influence of Nb concentration on chemical stability and electrical properties of the sintered samples. The dense electrolyte pellets were formed from the powders after being uniaxially pressed and sintered at 1550 °C. The electrical conductivities determined by impedance measurements in temperature range of 550-750 °C in different atmospheres (dry argon and wet hydrogen) showed a decreasing trend with an increase of Nb content. For all samples higher conductivities were observed in the wet hydrogen than in dry argon atmosphere. The chemical stability was enhanced with increasing of Nb concentration. It was found that BaCe 0.87Nb 0.03Y 0.1O 3-δ is the optimal composition that satisfies the opposite demands for electrical conductivity and chemical stability, reaching 0.8×10 -2 S cm -1 in wet hydrogen at 650 °C compared to 1.01×10 -2 S cm -1 for undoped electrolyte. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l.

Bioactive substance contents and antioxidant capacity of the lipid fraction of Annona crassiflora Mart. seeds

Annona crassiflora Mart. is a typical fruit of the Brazilian cerrado, considered to be a species of economic interest, mainly for its use in cooking, which is widespread among the inhabitants of that region, and can be found in many typical local dishes, especially sweets, jellies, liqueurs, soft drinks, ice creams and juices. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the bioactive substance contents and the antioxidant capacity of the lipid fraction of A. crassiflora Mart. seeds in the interest of better identifying the quality of this raw material from the Brazilian cerrado. After the receipt of the fruits, the seeds were removed manually and, then, the lipid fraction was obtained by cold extraction with chloroform:methanol:water (2:1:0.8, v/v/v) and analyzed for the composition of phytosterols, tocopherols, fatty acids, total carotenoids, antioxidant activity and oxidative stability index. The lipid fraction showed significant quantity of bioactive substances, especially phytosterols, tocopherols and unsaturated fatty acids, as well as significant antioxidant capacity and oxidative stability, influenced by the content of phytosterols and the composition of fatty acids present in the analyzed fraction. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.

Hybrid nanocomposites containing carboxymethylcellulose and silver nanoparticles

Silver nanoparticles have high temperature stability and low volatility, and at the nanoscale are known to be an effective antifungal and antimicrobial agent. The present investigation involves the synthesis of silver nanoparticle/carboxymethylcellulose nanocomposites. The nanoparticles synthesised in this study had sizes in the range of 100 and 40 nm. The nanocomposites formed by a combination of metallic nanoparticles and carboxymethylcellulose were characterised by contact angle measurements, solubility tests, thermal and mechanical analyses, and morphological images. Improvements in the hydrophobic properties were observed with inclusion of the nanoparticles in the nanocomposites, with the best results occurring after the addition of 40 nm nanoparticles in a carboxymethylcellulose matrix. The silver nanoparticles tend to occupy the empty spaces in the pores of the carboxymethylcellulose matrix, inducing the collapse of these pores and thereby improving the tensile and barrier properties of the film. Copyright © 2013 American Scientific Publishers All rights reserved.

Synthesis, thermal behavior and spectroscopic study of trivalentlanthanide and yttrium(III) α-hydroxyisobutyrates, in solid state

Thermal and spectroscopic studies on solid trivalent lanthanides and yttrium(III) α-hydroxyisobutyrates, Ln(C4H7O 3)3·nH2O were investigated employing simultaneous thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), elemental analysis, X-ray diffractometry, complexometry, experimental and theoretical infrared spectroscopy and TG-DSC coupled to FTIR. The dehydration of lanthanum to neodymium and terbium to thulium and yttrium compounds occurs in a single step while for samarium, europium and gadolinium ones it occurs in three consecutives steps. Ytterbium and lutetium compounds were obtained in the anhydrous state. The thermal decomposition of the anhydrous compounds occursin two consecutives steps, except lanthanum (five steps) and cerium (single step), with formation of the respective oxides CeO2, Pr6O 11, Tb4O7 and Ln2O3 (Ln = La, Nd to Lu and Y), as final residue. The resultsalso provided information concerning the composition, thermal behavior, crystallinity and gaseous products evolved during the thermal decomposition. The theoretical and experimental spectroscopic data suggested the possible modes of coordination of the ligand with the lanthanides.© 2013 Elsevier B.V.

Surfactant-cosurfactant interactions and process parameters involved in the formulation of stable and small droplet-sized benznidazole-loaded soybean O/W emulsions

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Development and Validation of A Stability-Indicating Mekc Method for Determination of Flucloxacillin Sodium in Capsules

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Stability, characterization and functionality of proton conducting NiO-BaCe0.85-xNbxY0.15O3-delta cermet anodes for IT-SOFC application

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Stability at different temperatures of turmeric oleoresin encapsulated in maltodextrin/gelatin matrices by freeze-drying

Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), which has been used for long time as a spice, food preservative and coloring agent, is a rich source of beneficial phenolic compounds identified as curcuminoids. These phenolic compounds are known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimutagenic properties, among others. On the other hand, they are very susceptible to oxidation, requiring protection against oxygen, light and heat. This protection can be achieved by microencapsulation. In this work, the characteristics and the stability of turmeric oleoresin encapsulated by freeze-drying using mixtures of maltodextrin and gelatin as wall materials were studied. Encapsulated turmeric oleoresin was stored at –20, 25 and 60 °C, in the absence of light, and analyzed over a period of 35 days for curcumin and total phenolic contents and color. Results showed that the samples produced with 26% maltodextrin/0.6% gelatin and 22% maltodextrin/3% gelatin presented good encapsulation efficiencies and solubility. In general, the method of encapsulation employed originated products with satisfactory thermal stability, although the encapsulated materials with a higher proportion of maltodextrin in relation to gelatin had better stabilities, especially at –20 and 25 °C temperatures.

Effects of immersion media and repolishing on color stability and superficial morphology of nanofilled composite resin

This study evaluated the influence of fluoride mouth rinses and repolishing on the superficial morphology and color stability of nanofilled resin. About 150 specimens were prepared and polished using aluminum oxide discs for 15 s with a pressure of 2 kg. The experimental groups were divided according to the immersion medium (artificial saliva, 0.5% sodium fluoride, Fluordent Reach, Oral B, Fluorgard) and repolishing procedure (without and with). The specimens were continuously immersed for 1 week. Thereafter, half of each sample was repolished. A color reading was performed after 24 h of immersion in the artificial saliva baseline, after continuous immersion, and after repolishing. The superficial morphology was examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in a qualitative way. Color change (∆E) data were submitted to a mixed analysis of variance using a Shapiro-Wilk test (p>0.05 for the different immersion media) and Sidak's test (p<0.05 for the differences between groups). In the interaction between the repolishing and the immersion media, Fluorgard showed a statistical difference between the ∆E values with and without repolishing (p<0.0001). On the SEM observations, both Fluordent Reach and Fluorgard caused degradation of the superficial resinous matrix of the composite after continuous immersion. This matrix was removed after repolishing.

Anthocyanin incorporated dental copolymer: bacterial growth inhibition, mechanical properties, and compound release rates and stability by (1)h NMR

Objective. To evaluate bacterial growth inhibition, mechanical properties, and compound release rate and stability of copolymers incorporated with anthocyanin (ACY; Vaccinium macrocarpon). Methods. Resin samples were prepared (Bis-GMA/TEGDMA at 70/30 mol%) and incorporated with 2 w/w% of either ACY or chlorhexidine (CHX), except for the control group. Samples were individually immersed in a bacterial culture (Streptococcus mutans) for 24 h. Cell viability (n = 3) was assessed by counting the number of colony forming units on replica agar plates. Flexural strength (FS) and elastic modulus (E) were tested on a universal testing machine (n = 8). Compound release and chemical stability were evaluated by UV spectrophotometry and (1)H NMR (n = 3). Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey's test ( α = 0.05). Results. Both compounds inhibited S. mutans growth, with CHX being most effective (P < 0.05). Control resin had the lowest FS and E values, followed by ACY and CHX, with statistical difference between control and CHX groups for both mechanical properties (P < 0.05). The 24 h compound release rates were ACY: 1.33 μg/mL and CHX: 1.92 μg/mL. (1)H NMR spectra suggests that both compounds remained stable after being released in water. Conclusion. The present findings indicate that anthocyanins might be used as a natural antibacterial agent in resin based materials.

Validation of mechanical, electrical and thermal nociceptive stimulation methods in horses

To validate a model for investigating the effects of analgesic drugs on mechanical, thermal and electrical stimulation testing. To investigate repeatability, sensitivity and specificity of nociceptive tests. Randomised experiment with 2 observers in 2 phases. Mechanical (M), thermal (TL) and electrical (E) stimuli were applied to the dorsal metacarpus (M-left and TL-right) and coronary band of the left thoracic limb (E) and a thoracic thermal stimulus (TT) was applied caudal to the withers in 8 horses (405 ± 43 kg). Stimuli intensities were increased until a clear avoidance response was detected without exceeding 20 N (M), 60°C (TL and TT) and 15 V (E). For each set of tests, 3 real stimuli and one sham stimulus were applied (32 per animal) using a blinded, randomised, crossover design repeated after 6 months. A distribution frequency and, for each stimulus, Chi-square and McNemar tests compared both the proportion of positive responses detected by 2 observers and the 2 study phases. The κ coefficients estimated interobserver agreement in determining endpoints. Sensitivity (384 tests) and specificity (128 tests) were evaluated for each nociceptive stimulus to assess the evaluators' accuracy in detecting real and sham stimuli. Nociceptive thresholds were 3.1 ± 2 N (M), 8.1 ± 3.8 V (E), 51.4 ± 5.5°C (TL) and 55.2 ± 5.3°C (TT). The level of agreement after all tests, M, E, TL and TT, was 90, 100, 84, 98 and 75%, respectively. Sensitivity was 89, 100, 89, 98 and 70% and specificity 92, 97, 88, 91 and 94%, respectively. The high interobserver agreement, sensitivity and specificity suggest that M, E and TL tests are valid for pain studies in horses and are suitable tools for investigating antinociceptive effects of analgesics in horses.

Stability study of fluconazole applying validated bioassay and stability-indicating LC methods

Chemical degradation of drugs may result in altered therapeutic efficacy and even toxic effects. Therefore, understanding the factors that change the stability of pharmaceuticals and identifying ways to guarantee their stability are important. In this work stability-indicating Liquid Chromatographic (LC) and bioassay methods were validated and employed in the fluconazole stability studies. The correlation of sample results from both methods was evaluated. Fluconazole raw material stability was investigated in aqueous, acid (0.1 M HCl), alkaline (0.1 M NaOH) and oxidative (3% v/v H2O2) reflux for 6 hours, by LC method. Fluconazole capsules were exposed to UVC (254 nm, 66 and 180 days), climatic chamber (40°C, 75% RH, 90 days) and oven (60°C, 60 days), these samples were analyzed by LC and bioassay methods It was found that the drug is degraded (10% decrease) with arising of a possible degradation product in an oxidative medium and UVC exposure, in all the others conditions fluconazole remained chemically stable (higher than 98%) when analyzed by LC. However when the capsules stressed samples were evaluated through bioassay very low antifungal activity was found (about 30%). Fluconazole showed to be an unstable drug and it indicates that special care must be taken during the handling, storage and quality control using appropriated methods to analyze this therapeutic agent. This work suggests monitoring the fluconazole stability by bioassay and the stability-indicating LC methods.

A stability-indicating LC method for difloxacin in the presence of degradation products

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)