Simple, Direct and Simultaneous Stripping Voltammetric Determination of Lead and Copper in Gasoline Using an In Situ Mercury Film Electrode

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

3D stability orbits close to 433 Eros using an effective polyhedral model method

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Analysis of Structural Integrity Using an ARTMAP-Fuzzy Artificial Neural Network

This paper presents the application of artificial neural networks in the analysis of the structural integrity of a building. The main objective is to apply an artificial neural network based on adaptive resonance theory, called ARTMAP-Fuzzy neural network and apply it to the identification and characterization of structural failure. This methodology can help professionals in the inspection of structures, to identify and characterize flaws in order to conduct preventative maintenance to ensure the integrity of the structure and decision-making. In order to validate the methodology was modeled a building of two walk, and from this model were simulated various situations (base-line condition and improper conditions), resulting in a database of signs, which were used as input data for ARTMAP-Fuzzy network. The results show efficiency, robustness and accuracy.

Determination of sulfate in ethanol fuel using an electrode chemically modified with polypyrrole by flow injection analysis

In this work, an electrode chemically modified with polypyrrole (PCME) was employed for determination of sulfate in ethanol fuel using a FIA system. The PCME was prepared by polymerization of pyrrole at a glassy carbon electrode by means of cyclic voltammetry technique. An analytical curve from 1.0 x 10−5 to 8.0 x 10−5 mol L−1 was obtained in flow injection system based on the PCME. An amperometric sensibility of 2.3 x 10−3 A mol−1 L and a detection limit of 2.5 x 10−6 mol L−1 were achieved. The proposed method was employed for determination of sulfate ions in commercial samples of ethanol fuel. The results were in good agreement with those obtained by the ionic chromatographic method.

Treatment of condylar fractures with an intraoral approach using an angulated screwdriver: Results of a multicentre study

Background This multicentre study aimed to investigate long-term radiographic and functional results following the treatment of condylar fractures using an angulated screwdriver system and open rigid internal fixation with an intraoral surgical approach. Methods Twenty-nine patients with a total of 32 condylar fractures were evaluated. The patients were investigated prospectively based on the following variables: age, sex, aetiology, side, location and classification of the fracture, degree of displacement, associated fractures, surgical approach, oral health status, type of osteosynthesis plate, duration of surgery, mouth-opening, complications, and duration of follow-up. Results The fractures were classified as subcondylar (n = 25) or condylar neck (n = 7). Mean patient age was 36.38 ± 16.60 years. The median duration of postoperative follow-up was 24.39 ± 13.94 months. No joint noise, weakness of the facial nerve, joint pain, or muscle pain was observed. An additional retromandibular approach was necessary to enable the treatment of one subcondylar fracture with medial displacement. Conclusion Subcondylar or condylar neck fractures with medial or lateral displacement can be treated using an intraoral approach with satisfactory results with the advantages of the absence of visible scarring, the avoidance of facial nerve injury, and the ability to obtain rapid access to the fracture.

Treatment of condylar fractures with an intraoral approach using an angulated screwdriver: Results of a multicentre study

Background: This multicentre study aimed to investigate long-term radiographic and functional results following the treatment of condylar fractures using an angulated screwdriver system and open rigid internal fixation with an intraoral surgical approach.Methods: Twenty-nine patients with a total of 32 condylar fractures were evaluated. The patients were investigated prospectively based on the following variables: age, sex, aetiology, side, location and classification of the fracture, degree of displacement, associated fractures, surgical approach, oral health status, type of osteosynthesis plate, duration of surgery, mouth-opening, complications, and duration of follow-up.Results: The fractures were classified as subcondylar (n = 25) or condylar neck (n = 7). Mean patient age was 36.38 +/- 16.60 years. The median duration of postoperative follow-up was 24.39 +/- 13.94 months. No joint noise, weakness of the facial nerve, joint pain, or muscle pain was observed. An additional retromandibular approach was necessary to enable the treatment of one subcondylar fracture with medial displacement.Conclusion: Subcondylar or condylar neck fractures with medial or lateral displacement can be treated using an intraoral approach with satisfactory results with the advantages of the absence of visible scarring, the avoidance of facial nerve injury, and the ability to obtain rapid access to the fracture. (C) 2014 European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Determination of uronic acids in sugarcane bagasse by anion-exchange chromatography using an electrode modified with copper nanoparticles

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

Mapping surface deformation in open pit iron mines of Carajas Province (Amazon Region) using an integrated SAR analysis

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

Determination of salicylate in blood serum using an amperometric biosensor based on salicylate hydroxylase immobilized in a polypyrrole-glutaraldehyde matrix

The use of an amperometric biosensor for the salicylate determination in blood serum is described. The biosensor is based on salicylate hydroxylase (EC 1.14.13.1) electropolymerized onto a glassy carbon-working electrode with polypyrrole and glutaraldehyde, to improve the biosensor lifetime. The hexacyanoferrate (II) was also incorporated to work as a redox mediator to minimize possible interferences. The salicylate is enzymatically converted to catechol, which is monitored amperometrically by its electrooxidation at +0.170 V versus SCE (saturated calomel electrode). Salicylate determination was carried out maintaining the ratio between β-NADH and salicylate at 4:1 (30°C). The amperometric response of the biosensor was linearly proportional to the salicylate concentration between 2.3 x 10-6 and 1.4 x 10-5 mol l- 1, in 0.1 mol l-1 phosphate buffer (pH 7.8), containing 0.1 mol l-1 KCl and 5.0 x 10-4 mol l-1 Na2H2EDTA, as supporting electrolyte. The recovery studies, in the presence of several interfering compounds, showed recoveries between 96.4 and 104.8%. The useful lifetime of the biosensor in the concentration range evaluated was at least 40 days, in continuous use. Blood serum samples analyzed by this biosensor showed a good correlation compared to the spectrophotometric method (Trinder) used as reference, presenting relative deviations lower than 7.0%. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V.

Production of recombinant EMA-1 protein and its application for the diagnosis of Theileria equi using an enzyme immuno assay in horses from São Paulo State, Brazil

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

Comparison of Celsior and Perfadex lung preservation solutions in rat lungs subjected to 6 and 12 hours of ischemia using an ex-vivo lung perfusion system

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the performance of lungs that were preserved with different solutions (Celsior, Perfadex or saline) in an ex vivo rat lung perfusion system. METHODS: Sixty Wistar rats were anesthetized, anticoagulated and randomized into three groups (n = 20). The rats were subjected to antegrade perfusion via the pulmonary artery with Perfadex, Celsior, or saline, followed by 6 or 12 hours of ischemia (4 degrees C, n = 10 in each group). Respiratory mechanics, gas exchange and hemodynamics were measured at 10-minute intervals during the reperfusion of heart-lung blocks in an ex vivo system (IL2-Isolated Perfused Rat or Guinea Pig Lung System, Harvard Apparatus, Holliston, Massachusetts, USA; Hugo Sachs Elektronik, Germany) for 60 minutes. The lungs were prepared for histopathology and evaluated for edema following reperfusion. Group comparisons were performed using ANOVA and the Kruskal-Wallis test with a 5% level of significance. RESULTS: Gas exchange was not significantly different between lungs perfused with either Perfadex or Celsior at the same ischemic times, but it was very low in lungs that were preserved with saline. Airway resistance was greater in the lungs that were preserved for 12 hours. Celsior lungs that were preserved for 6 and 12 hours exhibited lower airway resistance (p = 0.01) compared to Perfadex lungs. Pulmonary artery pressure was not different between the groups, and no significant differences in histopathology and apoptosis were observed between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Lungs that were preserved with Celsior or Perfadex exhibited similar gas exchange and histopathological findings. Airway resistance was slightly lower in the Celsior-preserved lungs compared with the Perfadex-preserved lungs.

Improving the performance of a glucose biosensor using an ionic liquid for enzyme immobilization. On the chemical interaction between the biomolecule, the ionic liquid and the cross-linking agent

The effect of the room temperature ionic liquid (1-butyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMMI][BF4])) on the immobilization of glucose oxidase (GOx) was studied. The electrochemical performance of biosensors prepared following different protocols indicated a beneficial effect of the ionic liquid on the analytical parameters. The chemical interaction between GOx, [BMMI][BF4] and glutaraldehyde was investigated using UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis) and circular dichroism (CD). Structural changes of the biomolecule were observed to depend on the method used for the immobilization. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of Substrate Concentration on Dark Fermentation Hydrogen Production Using an Anaerobic Fluidized Bed Reactor

The effect of substrate (glucose) concentration on the stability and yield of a continuous fermentative process that produces hydrogen was studied. Four anaerobic fluidized bed reactors (AFBRs) were operated with a hydraulic retention time (HRT) from 1 to 8 h and an influent glucose concentration from 2 to 25 gL(-1). The reactors were inoculated with thermally pre-treated anaerobic sludge and operated at a temperature of 30 degrees C with an influent pH around 5.5 and an effluent pH of about 3.5. The AFBRs with a HRT of 2 h and a feed strength of 2, 4, and 10 gL(-1) showed satisfactory H-2 production performance, but the reactor fed with 25 gL(-1) of glucose did not. The highest hydrogen yield value was obtained in the reactor with a glucose concentration of 2 gL(-1) when it was operated at a HRT of 2 h. The maximum hydrogen production rate value was achieved in the reactor with a HRT of 1 h and a feed strength of 10 gL(-1). The AFBRs operated with glucose concentrations of 2 and 4 gL(-1) produced greater amounts of acetic and butyric acids, while AFBRs with higher glucose concentrations produced a greater amount of solvents.

Comparison of lung preservation solutions in human lungs using an ex vivo lung perfusion experimental model

OBJECTIVE: Experimental studies on lung preservation have always been performed using animal models. We present ex vivo lung perfusion as a new model for the study of lung preservation. Using human lungs instead of animal models may bring the results of experimental studies closer to what could be expected in clinical practice. METHOD: Brain-dead donors whose lungs had been declined by transplantation teams were used. The cases were randomized into two groups. In Group 1, Perfadex (R) was used for pulmonary preservation, and in Group 2, LPDnac, a solution manufactured in Brazil, was used. An ex vivo lung perfusion system was used, and the lungs were ventilated and perfused after 10 hours of cold ischemia. The extent of ischemic-reperfusion injury was measured using functional and histological parameters. RESULTS: After reperfusion, the mean oxygenation capacity was 405.3 mmHg in Group 1 and 406.0 mmHg in Group 2 (p=0.98). The mean pulmonary vascular resistance values were 697.6 and 378.3 dyn.s.cm(-5), respectively (p=0.035). The mean pulmonary compliance was 46.8 cm H2O in Group 1 and 49.3 ml/cm H2O in Group 2 (p=0.816). The mean wet/dry weight ratios were 2.06 and 2.02, respectively (p=0.87). The mean Lung Injury Scores for the biopsy performed after reperfusion were 4.37 and 4.37 in Groups 1 and 2, respectively (p=1.0), and the apoptotic cell counts were 118.75/mm(2) and 137.50/mm(2), respectively (p=0.71). CONCLUSION: The locally produced preservation solution proved to be as good as Perfadex (R). The clinical use of LPDnac may reduce costs in our centers. Therefore, it is important to develop new models to study lung preservation.

Endovascular repair of a traumatic arteriovenous fistula involving the iliac bifurcation using an iliac branch device

Endovascular techniques have shown to be useful in the management of vascular injuries because they transform a complex and potentially dangerous procedure into a safe one. We present the case of a 39-year-old man with congestive heart failure and abdominal bruit 11 years after an abdominal gunshot wound. Imaging studies revealed an arteriovenous fistula involving the left iliac artery bifurcation, and an iliac branch device was used to treat it. Symptoms resolved, and follow-up imaging showed patency of the graft and closure of the arteriovenous communication. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a nonaneurysmal disease treated with this device. (J Vasc Surg 2012;55:1474-6.)