A cellulosic liquid crystal pool for cellulose nanocrystals: structure and molecular dynamics at high shear rates

Cellulose and its derivatives, such as hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) have been studied for a long time but they are still not well understood particularly in liquid crystalline solutions. These systems can be at the origin of networks with properties similar to liquid crystalline (LC) elastomers. The films produced from LC solutions can be manipulated by the action of moisture allowing for instance the development of a soft motor (Geng et al., 2013) driven by humidity. Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), which combine cellulose properties with the specific characteristics of nanoscale materials, have been mainly studied for their potential as a reinforcing agent. Suspensions of CNC can also self-order originating a liquid-crystalline chiral nematic phases. Considering the liquid crystalline features that both LC-HPC and CNC can acquire, we prepared LC-HPC/CNC solutions with different CNC contents (1,2 and 5 wt.%). The effect of the CNC into the LC-HPC matrix was determined by coupling rheology and NMR spectroscopy - Rheo-NMR a technique tailored to analyse orientational order in sheared systems. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Rheo-optical characterization of liquid crystalline acetoxypropylcellulose melt undergoing large shear flow and relaxation after flow cessation

The rheological and structural characteristics of acetoxypropylcellulose (APC) nematic melt are studied at shear rates ranging from 10 s(-1) to 1000 s(-1) which are relevant to extrusion based processes. APC shows a monotonic shear thinning behavior over the range of shear rates tested. The negative extrudate-swell shows a minimum when a critical shear rate (gamma) over dot(c) is reached. For shear rates smaller than (gamma) over dot(c), the flow-induced texture consists of two set of bands aligned parallel and normal to the flow direction. At shear rates larger than (gamma) over dot(c), the flow induced texture is reminiscent of a 2 fluids structure. Close to the shearing walls, domains elongated along the flow direction and stacked along the vorticity are imaged with POM, whereas SALS patterns indicate that the bulk of the sheared APC is made of elliptical domains oriented along the vorticity. No full nematic alignment is achieved at the largest shear rate tested. Below (gamma) over dot(c), the stress relaxation is described by a stretched exponential. Above (gamma) over dot(c), the stress relaxation is described by a fast and a slow process. The latter coincides with the growth of normal bands thicknesses, as the APC texture after flow cessation consists of two types of bands with parallel and normal orientations relative to the flow direction. Both bands thicknesses do not depend on the applied shear rate, in contrast to their orientation. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Elspot: Nord Pool Spot Integration in MASCEM Electricity Market Simulator

The energy sector in industrialized countries has been restructured in the last years, with the purpose of decreasing electricity prices through the increase in competition, and facilitating the integration of distributed energy resources. However, the restructuring process increased the complexity in market players' interactions and generated emerging problems and new issues to be addressed. In order to provide players with competitive advantage in the market, decision support tools that facilitate the study and understanding of these markets become extremely useful. In this context arises MASCEM (Multi-Agent Simulator of Competitive Electricity Markets), a multi-agent based simulator that models real electricity markets. To reinforce MASCEM with the capability of recreating the electricity markets reality in the fullest possible extent, it is crucial to make it able to simulate as many market models and player types as possible. This paper presents a new negotiation model implemented in MASCEM based on the negotiation model used in day-ahead market (Elspot) of Nord Pool. This is a key module to study competitive electricity markets, as it presents well defined and distinct characteristics from the already implemented markets, and it is a reference electricity market in Europe (the one with the larger amount of traded power).

Dissecting neuronal development deficits by inflammation: from morphology to cytoskeleton dynamics

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Genética Molecular e Biomedicina

Comparative morphometry and morphology of Anopheles aconitus Form B and C eggs under scanning electron microscope

Comparative morphometric and morphological studies of eggs under scanning electron microscope (SEM) were undertaken in the three strains of two karyotypic forms of Anopheles aconitus, i.e., Form B (Chiang Mai and Phet Buri strains) and Form C (Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son strains). Morphometric examination revealed the intraspecific variation with respect to the float width [36.77 ± 2.30 µm (Form C: Chiang Mai strain) = 38.49 ± 2.78 µm (Form B: Chiang Mai strain) = 39.06 ± 2.37 µm (Form B: Phet Buri strain) > 32.40 ± 3.52 µm (Form C: Mae Hong Son strain)] and number of posterior tubercles on deck [2.40 ± 0.52 (Form B: Phet Buri strain) = 2.70 ± 0.82 (Form B: Chiang Mai strain) < 3.10 ± 0.32 (Form C: Chiang Mai strain) = 3.20 ± 0.42 (Form C: Mae Hong Son strain)], whereas the surface topography of eggs among the three strains of two karyotypic forms were morphologically similar.

Stochastic simulation of the morphology of fluvial sand channels reservoirs

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Engenharia Geológica (Georrecursos)

Brachial Plexus Morphology and Vascular Supply in the Wistar Rat

Introduction: The rat is probably the animal species most widely used in experimental studies on nerve repair. The aim of this work was to contribute to a better understanding of the morphology and blood supply of the rat brachial plexus. Material and Methods: Thirty adult rats were studied regarding brachial plexus morphology and blood supply. Intravascular injection and dissection under an operating microscope, as well as light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy techniques were used to define the microanatomy of the rat brachial plexus and its vessels. Results: The rat brachial plexus was slightly different from the human brachial plexus. The arterial and venous supply to the brachial plexus plexus was derived directly or indirectly from neighboring vessels. These vessels formed dense and interconnected plexuses in the epineurium, perineurium, and endoneurium. Several brachial plexus components were accompanied for a relatively long portion of their length by large and constant blood vessels that supplied their epineural plexus, making it possible to raise these nerves as flaps. Discussion: The blood supply to the rat brachial plexus is not very different from that reported in humans, making the rat a useful animal model for the experimental study of peripheral nerve pathophysiology and treatment. Conclusion: Our results support the homology between the rat and the human brachial plexus in terms of morphology and blood supply. This work suggests that several components of the rat brachial plexus can be used as nerve flaps, including predominantly motor, sensory or mixed nerve fibers. This information may facilitate new experimental procedures in this animal model.

DISTINCT CELLULAR MIGRATION INDUCED BY Leishmania infantum chagasi AND SALIVA FROM Lutzomyia longipalpis IN A HEMORRHAGIC POOL MODEL

Recruitment of a specific cell population after Leishmania infection can influence the outcome of the disease. Cellular migration in response to Leishmania or vector saliva has been reported in air pouch model, however, cellular migration induced by Leishmania associated with host's blood and vector saliva in this model has not been described. Herein we investigated cellular migration into air pouch of hamster after stimulation with combination of L. chagasi and host's blood and Lutzomyia longipalpis saliva. Migration induced by saliva was 3-fold more than those induced by L. chagasi alone. Additionally, L. chagasi associated with blood and saliva induced significantly even more leukocytes into air pouch than Leishmania alone. L. chagasi recruited a diverse cell population; however, most of these cells seem to have not migrated to the inflammatory exudate, remaining in the pouch lining tissue. These results indicate that L. chagasi can reduce leukocyte accumulation to the initial site of infection, and when associated with vector saliva in the presence of blood components, increase the influx of more neutrophils than macrophages, suggesting that the parasite has developed a strategy to minimize the initial inflammatory response, allowing an unlimited progression within the host. This work reinforces the importance of studies on the salivary components of sand fly vectors of leishmaniasis in the transmission process and the establishment of the infection.

Pesquisa de anticorpos contra o vírus da hepatite C em pool de 5 soros: sua utilização em inquéritos soroepidemiológicos

Para avaliar redução de custo da pesquisa de anticorpos contra hepatite C, por ELISA, em pool de cinco soros, realizou-se o teste em grupos de baixo e alto risco. Dois terços dos conjuntos de alto risco tiveram que ser repetidos. A redução do gasto de reagente foi de 80% na população de baixo risco e de 13% na amostra de alto risco. Estes dados sugerem que a pesquisa do anti-VHC em pool reduz o custo do procedimento em populações de baixo risco.

How to create a relevant pool of users for Mobitto

A Work Project, presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree in Management from the NOVA – School of Business and Economics

DISTINGUISHING Campa guianensis Aubl. FROM Campa procera D.C. (MELIACEAE) BY MORPHOLOGY OF YOUNG SEEDLINGS

Seedling morphology was studied in Campa guianensisAubl. and Carapa proceraD. C. from germination to 90 days age. In both species germination is hypogeal and cryptocotylar. Both have rare albino seedlings. Though both species have compound leaves when adult, C, proceraputs out an average total of six simple leaves at germination, while leaves of C. guianensisare compound at all stages. This is the best diagnostic character for separation of the two species at the young seedling stage. Not diagnostic, but none the less useful, is the fact, that polyembryonic seeds are often found in C. procera,but not observed in C guianensis.

Surface morphology of some Amphistomes (Trematoda) of Amazonian Fishes and the description of a new genus and species

The surface morphology of specimens from ten different genera of amphistomes (Trematoda, Cladorchiidae) from Amazonian fishes is described and illustrated. The importance of body shape as a generic character is considered. Morphological changes as a result of growth are shown and explained in relation to the species Dadaytrema oxycephala. Additionally, Doradamphistoma bacuensis gen. et sp. n. is described from the catfish, Megalodoras irwini Eigenmann, 1925.The new genus and species is elongate and flattened, with external pharyngeal pouches, an esophageal bulb, a spherical cirrus sac, a post-bifurcal genital pore and pre-equatorial testes.