Supressão das anomalias de fase e batimentos laterais em espectros de RMN 13c obtidos com a sequência de precessão livre no estado estacionário

The Steady-State Free Precession (SSFP) sequence has been widely used in low-field and low-resolution imaging NMR experiments to increase the signal-to-noise ratio (s/n) of the signals. Here, we analyzed the Scrambled Steady State - SSS and Unscrambled Steady State - USS sequences to suppress phase anomalies and sidebands of the 13C NMR spectrum acquired in the SSFP regime. The results showed that the application of the USS sequence allowed a uniform distribution of the time interval between pulses (Tp), in the established time range, allowing a greater suppression of phase anomalies and sidebands, when compared with the SSS sequence.

Set-up of a method using LC-UV to assay mometasone furoate in pharmaceutical dosage forms

A reliable method using LC-UV to assay mometasone furoate (MF) in creams or nasal sprays using the same chromatographic conditions was set up. Methanol:water 80:20 (v/v) (1.0 mL min-1) was used as mobile phase. MF was detected at 248 nm and analyzed in a concentration range from 1.0 to 20.0 µg mL-1. The method provided acceptable theoretical plates, peak simmetry, peak tailing factor and peak resolution a short run (5 min). The method showed specificity, good linearity (r = 0.9999) and the quantification limit was 0.379 µg mL-1. Furthermore, the method was precise (RSD < 2.0%), accurate (recovery > 97%) and robust.

Mapping of summer crops in the State of Paraná, Brazil, through the 10-day spot vegetation NDVI composites

The search for low subjectivity area estimates has increased the use of remote sensing for agricultural monitoring and crop yield prediction, leading to more flexibility in data acquisition and lower costs comparing to traditional methods such as census and surveys. Low spatial resolution satellite images with higher frequency in image acquisition have shown to be adequate for cropland mapping and monitoring in large areas. The main goal of this study was to map the Summer crops in the State of Paraná, Brazil, using 10-day composition of NDVI SPOT Vegetation data for 2005/2006, 2006/2007 and 2007/2008 cropping seasons. For this, a supervised digital classification method with Parallelepiped algorithm in multitemporal RGB image composites was used, in order to generate masks of Summer cultures for each 10-day composition. Accuracy assessment was performed using Kappa index, overall accuracy and Willmott's concordance index, resulting in good levels of accuracy. This methodology allowed the accomplishment, with free and low resolution data, of the mapping of Summer cultures at State level.

Novas técnicas ambulatoriais para avaliação da motilidade esofágica e sua aplicação no estudo do megaesôfago

Brazilian surgeons deal routinely with esophageal motility disorders, because achalasia is highly prevalent in Brazil due to Chagas' disease. In the last years new technologies for the evaluation of esophageal motility became available. High resolution manometry and the combination of barometric parameters and intraluminal impedance are the new frontiers on this topic. The authors reviewed current, national and international, literature about achalasia with multichannel intraluminal impedance and high resolution manometry studies. The new technologies described are promising, however few studies have been published and further studies are still expected for achalasia patients.

Typing class I HLA-A gene using a nested PCR-RFLP procedure

In order to detect several new HLA-A class I alleles that have been described since 1998, the original PCR-RFLP method developed to identify the 78 alleles recognized at that time at high resolution level was adapted by us for low and medium resolution levels using a nested PCR-RFLP approach. The results obtained from blood samples of 23 subjects using both the PCR-RFLP method and a commercial kit (MicroSSP1A®, One Lambda Inc.) showed an agreement higher than 95%. The PCR-RFLP adapted method was effective in low and medium resolution histocompatibility evaluations.

Banco Nacional: jogo de Ponzi, PROER e FCVS

Banco Nacional: Ponzi game, PROER and FCVS. This paper analyses the causes of the failure of Banco Nacional and the resolution method adopted by the Brazilian central bank. The program (PROER) designed by the central bank and its legal framework allowed the failed bank to buy " defaulted securities" , financed by the central bank, and to use them as borrowing collateral. The paper also analyses the private and social costs of this bank failure.