The percutaneous absorption of ionisable compounds

The effects of ionisation on transdermal drug delivery using excised human epidermis (HS) and silastic rubber (SR) as model permeation barriers were investigated in vitro using Franz-type absorption cells. Suspensions and solutions of salicylic acid (SA), the model ionogenic permeant, were used as donors and the variables studied were vehicle pH and trans-membrane pH-gradients. For solutions, the pH effect was related to the level of ionisation of the drug and the degree of saturation of the solution. With suspensions, the observed permeation rate was unaffected by pH. The penetration profiles through HS and SR were similar, although the overall flux through HS was about 70% of that observed through SR. Pretreatment of the membranes with various enhancer regimens, including oleic acid, Azone and N, N-dimethylamides in propylene glycol (PG) and isopropyl myristate (IPM) promoted the penetration of SA. SR was not a suitable model for enhancer pretreatment using IPM as a vehicle as the membrane was significantly disrupted by this vehicle. The results from comparable experiments with and without a trans-membrane pH-gradient did not have a significant effect upon flux or flux enhancement after pretreatment with the above enhancers. A theoretical model for the extraction coefficients of weak acids was derived using the partition coefficients of the ionised and unionised species, pH and pKa. This model was shown to account for the variation in overall partition of salicylic acid dependent upon pH and pKa. This model was shown to account for the variation in overall partition of salicylic acid dependent upon pH and pKa. The distribution of this solute between aqueous and oily phases, with and without added enhancer, was measured as a function of pH. The extraction coefficients determined were consistent with the model and showed that the behaviour of the system can be explained without referral to ion-pair mechanisms. Phosphonoacetate is an effective antiviral agent. However, as it is charged at physiological pH, its permeation across cell membranes is limited. To assess the improvement of the transport properties of this molecule, mono-, di- and tri-ester prodrugs were examined. These were assessed for stability and subsequent breakdown with respect to pH by HPLC. In vitro percutaneous absorption was observed using the triester, but not the ionic mono- or di-esters. The triester absorption could be potentiated using a range of enhancers with oleic acid being the most effective. Cyclodextrins (CD) have a role as absorption enhancers for peptide compounds across nasal epithelium. One potential mode of action is that CDs include these compounds, protect them from enzymic attack and thereby increase their residence time in the nasal epithelium. This study investigated the potential of CDs to protect ester prodrugs from enzymatic breakdown and prevent production of poorly transportable ionic species. Using a range of CD to ester molar ratios (10:1 to 2500:1) a small, but measurable, protection for the model esters (parabens) against esterase attack was observed. Possible mechanisms for this phenomenon are that CDs include the ester, making it unavailable for hydrolysis, the CDs may also affect the esterase in some way preventing access for the ester into the active site.

The Eccentric Connectivity Polynomial of some Graph Operations

The eccentric connectivity index of a graph G, ξ^C, was proposed by Sharma, Goswami and Madan. It is defined as ξ^C(G) = ∑ u ∈ V(G) degG(u)εG(u), where degG(u) denotes the degree of the vertex x in G and εG(u) = Max{d(u, x) | x ∈ V (G)}. The eccentric connectivity polynomial is a polynomial version of this topological index. In this paper, exact formulas for the eccentric connectivity polynomial of Cartesian product, symmetric difference, disjunction and join of graphs are presented.

Las potencias subregionales en el sistema internacional de posguerra fría: ¿nuevos actores en la política internacional?

En trabajos anteriores, hemos avanzado en la identificación y diferenciación de tres categorías de potencias: potencias mundiales, potencias medias y potencias regionales. Pero, más allá de las potencias mundiales y las potencias medias que se encuentran en el centro del sistema-mundial, y las potencias regionales que se ubican en la semiperiferia, ¿es posible hablar de potencias que se encuentren en la periferia? Como se trata de Estados periféricos, ¿pueden ser calificados como “potencias”? ¿En qué radicaría su relevancia y envergadura? Dichas “potencias” ¿pueden ser agrupadas en una nueva categoría? De ser así ¿qué características compartirían? El objetivo de este documento es proponer una nueva  categoría de potencias en el sistema internacional: las potencias subregionales.

Optimal day-ahead scheduling of integrated urban energy systems

An optimal day-ahead scheduling method (ODSM) for the integrated urban energy system (IUES) is introduced, which considers the reconfigurable capability of an electric distribution network. The hourly topology of a distribution network, a natural gas network, the energy centers including the combined heat and power (CHP) units, different energy conversion devices and demand responsive loads (DRLs), are optimized to minimize the day-ahead operation cost of the IUES. The hourly reconfigurable capability of the electric distribution network utilizing remotely controlled switches (RCSs) is explored and discussed. The operational constraints from the unbalanced three-phase electric distribution network, the natural gas network, and the energy centers are considered. The interactions between the electric distribution network and the natural gas network take place through conversion of energy among different energy vectors in the energy centers. An energy conversion analysis model for the energy center was developed based on the energy hub model. A hybrid optimization method based on genetic algorithm (GA) and a nonlinear interior point method (IPM) is utilized to solve the ODSM model. Numerical studies demonstrate that the proposed ODSM is able to provide the IUES with an effective and economical day-ahead scheduling scheme and reduce the operational cost of the IUES.

Delivering Regional Extension in Qld Farming Systems - Central Queensland

The CQ Cotton Regional Extension project has been a key to the delivery of emerging, cutting edge research information and knowledge to the Central Queensland cotton industry. The direct relevance of southern research to cotton production under the conditions experienced in CQ always has been an issue which could be addressed through regional assessment and adaptation. The project links the national research to the region through development and extension, with a strong focus on the major industry production issues including but not limited to disease, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), soils, nutrition and integrated weed management. Susan Mass has supported the implementation of national industry-wide programs particularly the industry Best Management Practices program (myBMP). This project has successfully transitioned to a focus on delivering national outcomes in target lead areas as part of National Development and Delivery Team established by Cotton CRC, CRDC and Cotton Australia, while maintaining a regional extension presence for Central Queensland cotton & grain farming systems. Susan Mass has very effectively merged and integrated strong regional extension support to cotton growers in Central Queensland with delivery of industry extension priorities across the entire industry in the Development and Delivery Team model. Susan is the target lead for disease and farm hygiene. Recognising the challenges of having regionally relevant research in Central Queensland, this project has facilitated locally based research including boll rot, Bt cotton resistance management, and mealybug biology through strong collaborations. This collaborative approach has included linkage to Department of Environment and Resource Managmeent (DERM) groups and myBMP programs resulting in a high uptake in CQ.

Avaliação das constantes térmicas das fases de desenvolvimento do Psilídeo-de-concha Glycaspis brimblecombei em laboratório.

A infuência da temperatura no desenvolvimento dos insetos é fundamental para a tomada de decisão relacionada à estratégia de controle biológico de pragas. Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a necessidades de graus-dias acumulados entre a oviposição e a eclosão de adultos do psilídeo-de-concha Glycaspis brimblecombei (Hemiptera: Psillydae) em resposta às temperaturas máxima e mínima diárias, observadas em condições de sala de criação do Laboratório de Quarentena ?Costa Lima? da Embrapa Meio Ambiente, em Jaguariúna-SP. Três gaiolas com a mesma quantidade inicial de adultos (preservadas a razão fêmea: macho de 1,06) foram monitoradas até o aparecimento da primeira geração e mortalidade total dos adultos introduzidos. Durante todo o período foram registradas as temperaturas máxima e mínima (em ºC) e a umidade relativa (em %) diárias. Posteriormente foram realizados os cálculos dos graus-dias pelo método da senóide horizontal, considerando a temperatura base de desenvolvimento do inseto de 9,26 ºC . Os cálculos foram realizados utilizando programa eletrônico da Universidade da Califórnia - Davis (UC-IPM). Como resultado, obteve-se uma necessidade média de 377,49 ± 16,09 GD acumulados entre a oviposição e a eclosão de adultos do inseto, bem como de 350,40 ± 18,62 GD para atingir a morte total de todos os adultos introduzidos.

Avaliação da potencial migração de Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) por massas de ar para áreas produtoras de cultivos hospedeiros do Estado de São Paulo.

Resumo Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner, 1808) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) é um inseto exótico, altamente polífago, que foi detectado no Brasil em 2013 causando sérios danos em cultivos de soja, milho e algodão, localizados em áreas estaduais específicas das regiões Nordeste e Centro-Oeste com a presença do bioma Cerrado. Após o período de um ano o inseto foi identificado em várias regiões do País. A literatura indica que o inseto adulto apresenta características físicas que favorecem sua grande capacidade de voo, tanto em distância (100-1000 km) quanto a elevadas altitudes (maiores que 1,5 km acima do nível do solo), aumentando o seu potencial para dispersão de longo alcance, principalmente por voos migratórios das áreas já atacadas. Por essa razão, as massas de ar brasileiras podem atuar como potenciais facilitadoras à atividade migratória do inseto a longas distâncias para as áreas de maior concentração de seus cultivos hospedeiros preferenciais, resultante da atração natural do inseto aos fatores químicos delas decorrentes. Desse modo, devem ser consideradas em avaliações de áreas mais propícias à presença de H. armigera para orientar monitoramentos e estratégias de manejo locais. Este trabalho avaliou a potencial migração de H. armigera por massas de ar para áreas produtoras de cultivos hospedeiros do estado de São Paulo, considerando seus municípios produtores de algodão, soja, milho, tomate, feijão, café e laranja; as principais massas de ar brasileiras; a presença de grandes áreas com cultivos de eucalipto e pinus (outras potenciais barreiras físicas ao inseto); e a localização do bioma Cerrado paulista. Informações das áreas produtoras e das áreas plantadas por município de 2008, 2012 e 2014, disponibilizadas pelo IBGE, foram utilizadas em planos de informação georreferenciados, elaborados em ArcGis 10.3, para identificar a localização de suas respectivas grandes áreas em cada ano. O cruzamento georreferenciado também resultou mapas das áreas plantadas em 2014 com todos os cultivos citados, indicando as de maior potencial de infestação/reinfestações de H. armigera no estado de São Paulo, para orientar monitoramentos e estratégias de Manejo Integrado de Pragas - MIP locais. Abstract Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner, 1808) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is an exotic insect highly polyphagous, which was detected in Brazil in 2013 causing serious damage to soybean, corn and cotton crops located in specific state areas in the northeast and center-west regions with the presence of Cerrado Biome (similar to the Savannah). After a oneyear period, the insect was detected in several regions of the country. Foreign literature indicates that the adult phase of the insect shows certain physical characteristics which favor its great flight capacity, even related to reach long distances (100-1000 Km) as many as to reach high altitudes (overtaken 1.5 Km above the ground level), increasing its potential of farthest dispersion, mainly by migratory flights from the areas already attacked. Therefore, the Brazilian air masses may act as potentially enhance the insect's farthest migratory activity to areas of greater concentration of its preferential host crops due to the insect's natural attraction to their chemical factors. Thus, migration potential of H. armigera by air masses toward preferential host crop areas must be considered in evaluations of most favorable areas to the presence of the insect to guide monitoring and local management strategies. The present work evaluated the H. armigera migration potential by air masses toward producing areas of host crops in São Paulo state, Brazil, considering its municipalities producing cotton, soybean, corn, tomato, bean, coffee, orange, eucalyptus and pine trees, as well as the main Brazilian air masses and the presence of Cerrado Biome in the state. Information of producing and of planting areas with the annual crops by municipalities in 2008, 2012 and 2014, provided by IBGE, were used in cross-maps made using ArcGis 10.3, in order to identify the location of their respective greater areas in each year. Cross-maps also provided results indicating the planting areas in 2014 with all crops already mentioned, as well as the potential areas to infestation/reinfestations of H. armigera in São Paulo State, in order to guide monitoring and local strategies of IPM.

Quarantine facilities and legal issues of the use of biocontrol agents in Brazil.

The objective of this work was to address the classical biological control of pests in Brazil, regarding procedures to import and export native biological material. A brief introduction will be given on the current legal issues on the use of biocontrol agents, as well as some considerations on the existing quarantine pests and actions already carried out in the country. The safety in the introduction of exotic organisms is important for Brazilian phytosanitary defense and for a higher adoption of classical biocontrol, making it available for integrated pest management (IPM). Legal and normative aspects establish the procedures that must to be adopted, not only to protect bioprospecting and native organisms, but also to minimize risks to the national genetic patrimony associated with the introduction of exotic organisms. Furthermore, the import/export procedures adopted for vegetal and useful organisms for pest biological control and for other genetic material must be subjected to phytosanitary measures performed in government?certified quarantine facilities and diagnostic laboratories. Finally, the quarantine activities listed here are strategic for safeguarding the country from potential problems arising from border transit of living organisms.

ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING: tecnologia innovativa per l'ottimizzazione di macchine elettriche

Lo scopo di questa tesi è quello di mostrare le potenzialità e le possibili soluzioni dell’Additive Manufacturing per l’ottimizzazione di macchine elettriche in risposta al problema delle terre rare. Nel primo capitolo viene presentato lo stato dell’arte dell’Additive Manufacturing mostrando una rapida panoramica delle sue caratteristiche principali, le potenzialità future e i settori di utilizzo. Il secondo capitolo propone le principali tecniche di Stampa 3D per la realizzazione di oggetti evidenziando di ognuna i pregi e i difetti. All’interno del terzo capitolo, viene illustrata la struttura di una macchina elettrica mostrando le varie componenti e presentando delle possibili ottimizzazioni realizzate tramite Additive Manufacturing. Nel quarto capitolo vengono presentati esempi di macchine elettriche complete realizzate attraverso le tecniche dell’Additive Manufacturing. Nel quinto capitolo vengono confrontati un Interior Permanent Magnets motor e un Synchronous Relectance Machine.

Design and Implementation of Single phase 230V to Three Phase Inverter Based on the Embedded System STM-32 Applied to motor control

In the field of Power Electronics, several types of motor control systems have been developed using STM microcontroller and power boards. In both industrial power applications and domestic appliances, power electronic inverters are widely used. Inverters are used to control the torque, speed, and position of the rotor in AC motor drives. An inverter delivers constant-voltage and constant-frequency power in uninterruptible power sources. Because inverter power supplies have a high-power consumption and low transfer efficiency rate, a three-phase sine wave AC power supply was created using the embedded system STM32, which has low power consumption and efficient speed. It has the capacity of output frequency of 50 Hz and the RMS of line voltage. STM32 embedded based Inverter is a power supply that integrates, reduced, and optimized the power electronics application that require hardware system, software, and application solution, including power architecture, techniques, and tools, approaches capable of performance on devices and equipment. Power inverters are currently used and implemented in green energy power system with low energy system such as sensors or microcontroller to perform the operating function of motors and pumps. STM based power inverter is efficient, less cost and reliable. My thesis work was based on STM motor drives and control system which can be implemented in a gas analyser for operating the pumps and motors. It has been widely applied in various engineering sectors due to its ability to respond to adverse structural changes and improved structural reliability. The present research was designed to use STM Inverter board on low power MCU such as NUCLEO with some practical examples such as Blinking LED, and PWM. Then we have implemented a three phase Inverter model with Steval-IPM08B board, which converter single phase 230V AC input to three phase 380 V AC output, the output will be useful for operating the induction motor.