A theoretical analysis on the intramolecular proton transfer of alpha-alanine in an aqueous medium

Intramolecular proton transfer from oxygen to nitrogen atoms in the alpha-alanine amino acid has been studied by ab initio methods at the HF/6-31G*, HF/6-31 ++ G** and MP2/6-31 ++ G** levels of calculation including the solvent effects by means of self-consistent reaction field theory. An analysis of the results based on the natural bond orbital charges shows that the transition structure presents an imbalance in the sense that the charge shift lags behind the proton transfer and that the bond formation is always in advance with respect to the bond cleavage. All calculation levels show that the barrier height associated with the conformational change on alpha-alanine is larger than the proton transfer process. (C) 1998 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Best site for embryo transfer: the upper or lower half of endometrial cavity?

BACKGROUND: the objective of the present study was to determine the importance of the site of embryo transfer (upper or lower half endometrial cavity) on implantation and clinical pregnancy rates. METHODS: A total of 400 transfers guided by ultrasound were randomly assigned to two groups according to the distance between the uterine fundus and the catheter tip at the time of embryo placement. Group I (n=200) consisted of transfers corresponding to a distance of <50% of the endometrial cavity length (ECL), i.e. transfer in upper half of the cavity; and group II (n=200) consisted of transfers corresponding to a distance of greater than or equal to50%, of the ECL, i.e. transfer in lower half of cavity. The Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney test and Fisher's exact test were used where appropriate. RESULTS: the general characteristics of the study population and the main transfer cycle characteristics had an equal distribution (P>0.05) between groups I and II. No significant difference in implantation or pregnancy rates was observed between groups I and II. CONCLUSION: the implantation or pregnancy rates were similar whether the embryos were deposited in the upper or lower half of the endometrial cavity.

Single-embryo transfer reduces clinical pregnancy rates and live births in fresh IVF and Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) cycles: a meta-analysis

Background: It has become an accepted procedure to transfer more than one embryo to the patient to achieve acceptable ongoing pregnancy rates. However, transfers of more than a single embryo increase the probability of establishing a multiple gestation. Single-embryo transfer can minimize twin pregnancies but may also lower live birth rates. This meta-analysis aimed to compare current data on single-embryo versus double-embryo transfer in fresh IVF/ICSI cycles with respect to implantation, ongoing pregnancy and live birth rates.Methods: Search strategies included on-line surveys of databases from 1995 to 2008. Data management and analysis were conducted using the Stats Direct statistical software. The fixed-effect model was used for odds ratio (OR). Fixed-effect effectiveness was evaluated by the Mantel Haenszel method. Seven trials fulfilled the inclusion criteria.Results: When pooling results under the fixed-effect model, the implantation rate was not significantly different between double-embryo transfer (34.5%) and single-embryo transfer group (34.7%) (P = 0.96; OR = 0.99, 95% CI 0.78, 1.25). on the other hand, double-embryo transfer produced a statistically significantly higher ongoing clinical pregnancy rate (44.5%) than single-embryo transfer (28.3%) (P < 0.0001; OR: 2.06, 95% CI = 1.64,2.60). At the same time, pooling results presented a significantly higher live birth rate when double-embryo transfer (42.5%) (P < 0.001; OR: 1.87, 95% CI = 1.44,2.42) was compared with single-embryo transfer (28.4%).Conclusion: Meta-analysis with 95% confidence showed that, despite similar implantation rates, fresh double-embryo transfer had a 1.64 to 2.60 times greater ongoing pregnancy rate and 1.44 to 2.42 times greater live birth rate than single-embryo transfer in a population suitable for ART treatment.

Prosthetic transfer impression accuracy evaluation for osseointegrated implants

Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare 3 impression techniques for osseointegrated implant transfer procedures.Materials and Methods: (1) Group Splinted with Acrylic Resin (SAR), impression with square copings splinted with prefabricated autopolymerizing acrylic resin bar; (2) Group Splinted with Light-Curing Resin (SLR), impression, with square copings splinted with prefabricated light-curing composite resin bar; (3). Group Independent Air-abraded (IAA), impression with independent square coping aluminum oxide air-abraded. Impression procedures were performed with polyether material, and the data obtained was compared with a control group. These were characterized by metal matrix (MM) measurement values of the implants inclination positions at 90 and 05 degrees in relation to the matrix surface. Readings of analogs and implant inclinations were assessed randomly through graphic computation AutoCAD software. Experimental groups angular deviation with MM were submitted to analysis of variance and means were compared through Tukey's test (P < 0.05).Results: There was no statistical significant difference between SAR and SLR experimental groups and MM for vertical and angulated implants. Group IAA presented a statistically significant difference for angulated implants.Conclusion: It was concluded within the limitations of this study, that SAR and SLR produced more accurate casts than IAA technique, which presented inferior results.

A Strain Gauge Analysis of Microstrain Induced by Various Splinting Methods and Acrylic Resin Types for Implant Impressions

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the level of microstrain that is exerted during polymerization of acrylic resins used for splinting during implant impressions. Material and Methods: Two acrylic resins (GC Pattern Resin, Duralay II) and square transfer coping splinting methods were evaluated by means of strain gauge analysis. Two implants were embedded in a polyurethane block, and the abutments were positioned. Sixty specimens were prepared using two square transfer Copings that were rigidly connected to each other using the acrylic resins. The specimens were randomly divided into three groups of 20 each for the splinting methods: Method 1 was a one-piece method; in method 2, the splint was separated and reconnected after 17 minutes; and in method 3, the splint was separated and reconnected after 24 hours. In each group, half the specimens were splinted with GC Pattern Resin and the other half were splinted with Duralay II. Three microstrain measurements were performed by four strain gauges placed on the upper surface of the polyurethane blocks at 5 hours after resin polymerization for all groups. The data were analyzed statistically. Results: Both resin type and splinting method significantly affected microstrain. interaction terms were also significant. Method 1 in combination with Duralay II produced significantly higher microstrain (1,962.1 mu epsilon) than the other methods with this material (method 2: 241.1 mu epsilon; method 3: 181.5 mu epsilon). No significant difference was found between splinting methods in combination with GC Pattern Resin (method 1: 173.8 mu epsilon; method 2: 112.6 mu epsilon; method 3: 105.4 mu epsilon). Conclusions: Because of the high microstrain generated, Duralay II should not be used for one-piece acrylic resin splinting, and separation and reconnection are suggested. For GC Pattern Resin, variations in splinting methods did not significantly affect the microstrain created. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants 2012;27:341-345

Spectrophotometric Determination of Captopril Through Charge Transfer Complex Formation Using Fractional Factorial and Central Composite Design

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Evaluation of different electrochemical methods on the oxidation and degradation of Reactive Blue 4 in aqueous solution

The oxidation of a reactive dye, Reactive Blue 4, RB4, (C.I. 61205), widely used in the textile industries to color natural fibers, was studied by electrochemical techniques. The oxidation on glassy carbon electrode and reticulated vitreous carbon electrode occurs in only one step at 2.0 < PH < 12 involving a two-electron transfer to the amine group leading to the imide derivative. Dye solution was not decolorized effectively in this electrolysis process. Nevertheless, the oxidation of this dye on Ti/SnO2/SbOx (3% mol)/RuO2 (1% mol) electrode showed 100% of decolorization and 60% of total organic carbon removal in Na2SO4 0.2 M at PH 2.2 and potential of +2.4 V. Experiments on degradation photoelectrocatalytic were also carried out for RB4 degradation in Na2SO4 0.1 K PH 12, using a Ti/TiO2 photoanode biased at +1.0 V and UV light. After 1 h of electrolysis the results indicated total color removal and 37% of mineralization. (c) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Electroluminescence of zinc oxide thin-films prepared via polymeric precursor and via sol-gel methods

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is an electroluminescent (EL) material that can emit light in different regions of electromagnetic spectrum when electrically excited. Since ZnO is chemically stable, inexpensive and environmentally friendly material, its EL property can be useful to construct solid-state lamps for illumination or as UV emitter. We present here two wet chemical methods to prepare ZnO thin-films: the Pechini method and the sol-gel method, with both methods resulting in crystalline and transparent films with transmittance > 85% at 550 nm. These films were used to make thin-film electroluminescent devices (TFELD) using two different insulator layers: lithium fluoride (LiF) or silica (SiO2). All the devices exhibit at least two wide emission bands in the visible range centered at 420 nm and at 380 nm attributed to the electronic defects in the ZnO optical band gap. Besides these two bands, the device using SiO2 and ZnO film obtained via sol-gel exhibits an additional band in the UV range centered at 350 nm which can be attributed to excitonic emission. These emission bands of ZnO can transfer their energy when a proper dopant is present. For the devices produced the voltage-current characteristics were measured in a specific range of applied voltage. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

THE USE OF PHOTOACOUSTIC - SPECTROSCOPY TO DETERMINE THE CRITICAL DISTANCE FOR ELECTRON-TRANSFER

Photoacoustic spectroscopy was used to determine the critical distance for electron transfer from porphyrin to quinone molecules randomly dispersed in a polymeric matrix. An enhancement of the porphyrin signal was observed as the quinone concentration was increased. The data was analyzed according to the Perrin model [1] and it was found that the electron transfer occurred if the prophyrin-quinone distance was less than 33 Angstrom. To confirm the validity of the method, the fluorescence quenching was also measured for the samples. In this case, the same critical distance was obtained.

Comparison of embryo yield and pregnancy rate between in vivo and in vitro methods in the same Nelore (Bos indicus) donor cows

To investigate why the preferred means to produce bovine embryos in Brazil has changed from in vivo to in vitro, we compared these two approaches in the same Nelore cows (n = 30) and assessed total embryo production and pregnancy rates. Without a specific schedule, all cows were subjected to ultrasound-guided ovum pick up (OPU)/in vitro production (IVP) and MOET, with intervals ranging from 15 to 45 d between procedures, respectively. To produce in vivo embryos, cows were superovulated and embryos were recovered nonsurgically from 1 to 3 times (1.4 +/- 0.6). whereas OPU/IVP was repeated from 1 to 5 times (3.2 +/- 1.2) in each donor cow during a 12-mo interval. Embryos obtained from both methods were transferred to crossbred heifers. on average. 25.6 +/- 15.3 immature oocytes were collected per OPU attempt. The average number of embryos produced by OPU/IVP (9.4 +/- 5.3) was higher (P < 0.05) than the MOET method (6.7 +/- 3.7). However, pregnancy rates were lower (P < 0.05) following transfer of IVP (33.5%) versus in vivo-derived embryos (41.5%) embryos. Embryonic losses between Days 30 and 60 and fetal sex ratio were similar (P > 0.05) between in vivo and in vitro-derived embryos. We concluded that in Nelore cows, with an interval of 15 d between OPU procedures, it was possible to produce more embryos and pregnancies compared to conventional MOET. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Revisiting horizontal transfer of transposable elements in Drosophila

Horizontal transfer ( HT), defined as the transfer of genetic material between species, is considered to be an essential step in the 'life cycle' of transposable elements. We present a broad overview of suspected cases of HT of transposable elements in Drosophila. Hundred-one putative events of HT have been proposed in Drosophila for 21 different elements (5.0% refer to non-long terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposons, 42.6% to LTR retrotransposons and 52.4% to DNA transposons). We discuss the methods used to infer HT, their limits and the putative vectors of transposable elements. We outline all the alternative hypotheses and ask how we can be almost certain that phylogenetic inconsistencies are due to HT.

Two thermal methods to measure the energy fluence of a brief exposure of diagnostic x rays

This paper describes two simple thermal methods for measuring the energy fluence in J/cm 2 from a diagnostic x-ray exposure. Both detectors absorb essentially 100% of the radiation and give a signal that is directly proportional to the energy fluence of the x-ray beam. One detector measures the thermal effect when a pulse of x rays is totally absorbed in the pyroelectric detector of lead-zirconium-titanate (PZT). The other detector measures the expansion of a gas surrounding a lead disk detector in a photoacoustic chamber. The increased pressure of the gas is transmitted through a 1-mm duct to a sensitive microphone. Both detectors have previously been used to measure the energy fluence rate of continuous x-ray beams in the same energy region using a chopped beam and a lock-in amplifier. Measurement of the energy fluence of a pulse of radiation eliminates the need for the beam chopper and lock-in amplifier and results in a simple, rugged, and inexpensive dosimeter. Either method can be combined with the area of the beam to give an estimate of the imparted energy to the patient from a diagnostic x-ray exposure.

Influence of the supply of reactive power in the calculation of the transfer capability

This paper presents some initial concepts for including reactive power in linear methods for computing Available Transfer Capability (ATC). It is proposed an approximation for the reactive power flows computation that uses the exact circle equations for the transmission line complex flow, and then it is determined the ATC using active power distribution factors. The transfer capability can be increased using the sensitivities of flow that show the best group of buses which can have their reactive power injection modified in order to remove the overload in the transmission lines. The results of the ATC computation and of the use of the sensitivities of flow are presented using the Cigré 32-bus system. © 2004 IEEE.

Accuracy of impression techniques for implants. Part 1 - Influence of transfer copings surface abrasion

Purpose: This study evaluated the influence of surface abrasion of transfer copings to obtain a precise master cast for a partially edentulous restoration with different inclinations. Materials and Methods: Replicas (N = 30) of a metal matrix (control group) containing two implants at 90° and 65° in relation to the benchtop were obtained using a polyether impression material and three impression techniques: square impression copings splint with dental floss and autopolymerizing acrylic resin (TRS), square impression copings abraded with aluminum oxide (TA), and square impression copings abraded with aluminum oxide and adhesive-coated (TAA). The replicas obtained in type V stone were digitalized, and the images were exported to AutoCAD software to perform the readings of possible degree alterations in implant inclinations. The results were submitted to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey test (α < 0.05). Results: Comparing the techniques with regard to the 90° implant inclination, no statistical difference was observed between the three techniques and the control group. Analyzing the three techniques with regard to the 65° implant inclination, no significant difference was seen between technique TA and the control group. Conclusions: Technique TA presented more accurate master casts than TRS and TAA techniques. The angulated implant (65°) tended to generate more imprecise master casts than implants perpendicular to the surface. © 2008 by The American College of Prosthodontists.

Optimal contract pricing of distributed generation under a competitive framework

A bilevel programming approach for the optimal contract pricing of distributed generation (DG) in distribution networks is presented. The outer optimization problem corresponds to the owner of the DG who must decide the contract price that would maximize his profits. The inner optimization problem corresponds to the distribution company (DisCo), which procures the minimization of the payments incurred in attending the expected demand while satisfying network constraints. The meet the expected demand the DisCo can purchase energy either form the transmission network through the substations or form the DG units within its network. The inner optimization problem is substituted by its Karush- Kuhn-Tucker optimality conditions, turning the bilevel programming problem into an equivalent single-level nonlinear programming problem which is solved using commercially available software. © 2010 IEEE.