Comparative study of analytical methods by direct and first-derivative UV spectrophotometry for evaluation of losartan potassium in capsules

O losartano potássico é um agente anti-hipertensivo não peptídico, que exerce sua ação por bloqueio específico dos receptores da angiotensina II. Este trabalho propôs a validação e aplicação de métodos analíticos orientados ao controle de qualidade de losartano potássico 50 mg na forma farmacêutica cápsula, utilizando a espectrofotometria direta e derivada de primeira ordem na região do UV. Baseado nas características espectrofotométricas de losartano potássico, um sinal a 205 nm do espectro de ordem zero e um sinal a 234 nm do espectro de primeira derivada foram adequados para a quantificação. Os resultados foram usados para comparar essas duas técnicas instrumentais. O coeficiente de correlação entre as respostas e as concentrações de losartano potássico na faixa de 3,0-7,0 mg L-1 e 6,0-14,0 mg L-1 para espectrofotometria direta e derivada de primeira ordem em solução aquosa, respectivamente, foi de (r) of 0,9999 para ambos os casos. Os métodos foram aplicados para quantificação de losartano potássico em cápsulas obtidas de farmácias de manipulação locais e demonstraram ser eficientes, fáceis de aplicar e de baixo custo. Além disso, não necessitam de reagentes poluentes e requerem equipamentos economicamente viáveis.

Proportional controllers: Direct method for stability analysis and MATLAB implementation

In most cases, the cost of a control system increases based on its complexity. Proportional (P) controller is the simplest and most intuitive structure for the implementation of linear control systems. The difficulty to find the stability range of feedback systems with P controllers, using the Routh-Hurwitz criterion, increases with the order of the plant. For high order plants, the stability range cannot be easily obtained from the investigation of the coefficient signs in the first column of the Routh's array. A direct method for the determination of the stability range is presented. The method is easy to understand, to compute, and to offer the students a better comprehension on this subject. A program in MATLAB language, based on the proposed method, design examples, and class assessments, is provided in order to help the pedagogical issues. The method and the program enable the user to specify a decay rate and also extend to proportional-integral (PI), proportional-derivative (PD), and proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controllers.

A high dynamic range method for the direct readout of a dynamic phase change in homodyne interferometers

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

Care cost for pregnant and parturient women with diabetes and mild hyperglycemia

OBJETIVO: Comparar custos de hospitalização e de atenção ambulatorial em gestantes/parturientes diabéticas e com hiperglicemia leve. MÉTODOS: Estudo observacional, prospectivo, quantitativo descritivo realizado em centro de diabete perinatal em Botucatu, SP, entre 2007 e 2008. Foram estimados os custos por absorção diretos e indiretos disponíveis na instituição e os custos específicos para a doença (medicamentos e exames). As 30 gestantes diabéticas tratadas com dieta foram acompanhadas em ambulatório e 20 tratadas com dieta mais insulina foram hospitalizadas. RESULTADOS: O custo da doença diabete (para a assistência pré-natal e parto) foi de US$ 3,311.84 para as gestantes hospitalizadas e de US$ 1,366.04 para as acompanhadas em ambulatório. CONCLUSÕES: Os custos diretos e indiretos e o custo total da assistência pré-natal foram mais elevados nas gestantes diabéticas hospitalizadas enquanto os custos da assistência ao parto e hospitalização para parto e puerpério foram semelhantes. Os custos da assistência pré-natal como no parto/puerpério foram superiores aos valores pagos pelo Sistema Único de Saúde.

Cost-benefit of hospitalization compared with outpatient care for pregnant women with pregestational and gestational diabetes or with mild hyperglycemia, in Brazil

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: Gestações complicadas pelo diabetes estão associadas com aumento de complicações maternas e neonatais. Os custos hospitalares aumentam de acordo com a assistência prestada. O objetivo foi calcular o custo-benefício e a taxa de rentabilidade social da hospitalização comparada ao atendimento ambulatorial em gestantes com diabetes ou com hiperglicemia leve. DESENHO do ESTUDO: Estudo prospectivo, observacional, quantitativo, realizado em hospital universitário, sendo incluídas todas as gestantes com diabetes pregestacional e gestacional ou com hiperglicemia leve que não desenvolveram intercorrências clínicas na gestação e que tiveram parto no Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista (HC-FMB-Unesp). MÉTODOS: Trinta gestantes tratadas com dieta foram acompanhadas em ambulatório e 20 tratadas com dieta e insulina foram abordadas com hospitalizações curtas e frequentes. Foram obtidos custos diretos (pessoal, material e exames) e indiretos (despesas gerais) a partir de dados contidos no prontuário e no sistema de custo por absorção do hospital e posteriormente calculado o custo-benefício. RESULTADOS: O sucesso do tratamento das gestantes diabéticas evitou o gasto de US$ 1.517,97 e US$ 1.127,43 para pacientes hospitalizadas e ambulatoriais, respectivamente. O custo-benefício da atenção hospitalizada foi US$ 143.719,16 e ambulatorial, US$ 253.267,22, com rentabilidade social 1,87 e 5,35 respectivamente. CONCLUSÃO: A análise árvore de decisão confirma que o sucesso dos tratamentos elimina custos no hospital. A relação custo-benefício indicou que o tratamento ambulatorial é economicamente mais vantajoso do que a hospitalização. A rentabilidade social de ambos os tratamentos foi maior que 1, indicando que ambos os tipos de atendimento à gestante diabética têm benefício positivo.

Numerical study of low-cost alternative orbits around the Moon

In this paper, we have investigated a region of direct stable orbits around the Moon, whose stability is related to the H2 Family of periodic orbits and to the quasi-periodic orbits that oscillate around them. The stability criteria adopted was that the path did not escape from the Moon during an integration period of 1000 days (remaining with negative two-body Moon-probe orbital energy during this period). Considering the three-dimensional four-body Sun-Earth-Moon-probe problem, we investigated the evolution of the size of the stability region, taking into account the eccentricity of the Earth's orbit, the eccentricity and inclination of the Moon's orbit, and the solar radiation pressure on the probe. We also investigated the evolution of the region's size and its location by varying the inclination of the probe's initial osculating orbit relative to the Moon's orbital plane between 0 degrees and 180 degrees. The size of the stability region diminishes; nevertheless, it remains significant for 0 <= i <= 25 degrees and 35 degrees <= i <= 45 degrees. The orbits of this region could be useful for missions by space vehicles that must remain in orbit around the Moon for periods of up to 1000 days, requiring low maintenance costs. (c) 2005 COSPAR. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

High-yield direct synthesis of Mg 2FeH 6 from the elements by reactive milling

Magnesium complex hydrides as Mg 2FeH 6 are interesting phases for hydrogen storage in the solid state, mainly due to its high gravimetric and volumetric densities of H2. However, the synthesis of this hydride is not trivial because the intermetallic phase Mg2Fe does not exist and Mg and Fe are virtually immiscible under equilibrium conditions. In this study, we have systematically studied the influence of the most important processing parameters in reactive milling under hydrogen (RM) for Mg 2FeH 6 synthesis: milling time, ball-to-powder weight ratio (BPR), hydrogen pressure and type of mill. Low cost 2Mg-Fe mixtures were used as raw materials. An important control of the Mg 2FeH 6 direct synthesis by RM was attained. In optimized combinations of the processing parameters, very high proportions of the complex hydride could be obtained. © (2011) Trans Tech Publications.

Effect of light curing modes on mechanical properties of direct and indirect composites

Objective. To evaluate the degree of conversion (DC), flexural strength (FS) and Knoop microhardness (KHN) of direct and indirect composite resins polymerized with different curing systems. Materials and methods. Specimens of direct (Z250, 3M/Espe) and indirect (Sinfony, 3M/Espe) restorative materials were made and polymerized using two light curing units: XL2500 (3M/Espe) and Visio system (3M/Espe). Absorption spectra of both composites were obtained on a FTIR spectrometer in order to calculate the DC. FS was evaluated in a universal testing machine and surface microhardness was performed in a microhardness tester (50gf/15s). DC, FS and KHN data were submitted to two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (α = 0.05). Results. Z250 showed higher DC, FS and KHN compared with Sinfony when the polymerization was carried out with XL2500 (p < 0.05). However, there is no statistical difference in DC between the materials when Visio was used (p > 0.05). Visio showed higher DC and KHN for Z250 and Sinfony than the values obtained using XL2500 light curing (p < 0.05). For FS, no significant difference between curing units was found (p > 0.05). Conclusion. Even though the Visio system could increase DC and KHN for some direct and indirect composites, compared with the conventional halogen curing unit, a high number of monomers did not undergo conversion during the polymerization. © 2013 Informa Healthcare.

Design and development of a low-cost solar tracker

To become competitive, ultimately, photovoltaics should have its costs reduced and use photovoltaic systems of greater efficiency. The main steps in this direction are the use of new materials, the improvement in the manufacture of modules and the adoption of techniques of maximum power point tracking and of solar tracking. This article aims at presenting the project and development of an azimuth and elevation solar tracker, based on a new conception of the positioning sensor, composed of an array of four photoresistors. The two direct current motors that operate in the vertical and horizontal axes are controlled by a proportional-integral microcontroller. The conditions of the project were low cost, small energy consumption and versatility. The microcontroller can also incorporate a maximum power point tracking algorithm. The performance of solar tracker prototype in the initial phase of field tests can be considered appropriate. © Institution of Engineers Australia, 2013.

Bioremediation of direct dyes in simulated textile effluents by paramorphogenic form of Aspergillus oryzae

Azo dyes are extensively used for coloring textiles, paper, food, leather, drink, pharmaceutical products, cosmetics and inks. The textile industry consumes the largest amount of azo dyes, and it is estimated that approximately 10 - 15% of dyes used for coloring textiles might be lost in waste streams. Almost all azo dyes are synthetic and resist biodegradation, however, they can be readly reduced by a number of chemical and biological reducing systems. Biological treatment is advantageous over physical and chemical method as result of its low cost and little disturbance to the environment. This research focuses on the utilization of Aspergillus oryzae, to remove some kinds of azo dyes from aqueous solutions. The fungi, physically induced in its paramorphogenic form (called, pellets), were used in the dyes biosorption studies with both non autoclave and autoclaved hyphas, at differents pH values. Thus the goals are the removal of dyes by biosorption and the decrease of its toxicity.

Physical inactivity of adults and 1-year health care expenditures in Brazil

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Direct restorative treatment of dental erosion caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease associated with bruxism: a case report

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a gastrointestinal disorder in which stomach acids are chronically regurgitated into the esophagus and oral cavity. Continual exposure of the teeth to these acids can cause severe tooth wear. Dentists are often the first healthcare professionals to diagnose dental erosion in patients with GERD. This article presents a case report of a 27-year-old male smoker with tooth wear and dentin sensitivity caused by GERD associated with bruxism. After diagnosis, a multidisciplinary treatment plan was established. The initial treatment approach consisted of medical follow-up with counseling on dietary and smoking habits, as well as management of the gastric disorders with medication. GERD management and the dental treatment performed for the eroded dentition are described, including diagnosis, treatment planning, and restorative therapy.

Early correction of malocclusion using planas direct tracks

The correction of functional posterior crossbite through Planas Direct Tracks has many characteristics that can become advantages. The aim of this study was to present a clinical case showing how to use this procedure for early correction with resources available through public health services. The patient, a 4-year-old girl, arrived to receive treatment due to a functional unilateral crossbite. When the mandible was moved to the centric position, it was observed that the teeth had occlusal trauma. An occlusal adjustment was performed. The adjustment was not sufficient to promote functional equilibrium; thus, Planas Direct Tracks were made, resulting in functional equilibrium and correction of the malocclusion. As shown in the case report, the Planas Direct Tracks were effective for the correction of the posterior crossbite. If malocclusion is considered a public health problem, implementation of low-cost and easy-to-execute techniques is needed.

A label-free impedimetric immunosensor for direct determination of the textile dye Disperse Orange 1

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