A theoretical characterization of scaling properties in a bouncing ball system

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Rn-222, Ra-226 and hydrochemistry in the Bauru Aquifer System, Sao Jose do Rio Preto (SP), Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

A new closed-vessel conductively heated digestion system: fostering plant analysis by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy

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

High-throughput sugarcane leaf analysis using a low cost closed-vessel conductively heated digestion system and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy

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

Nonlinear dynamics and control strategies: On a energy harvester vibrating system with a linear form to non-ideal motor torque

In this paper, we deal with the research of a vibrating model of an energy harvester device, including the nonlinearities in the model of the piezoelectric coupling and the non-ideal excitation. We show, using numerical simulations, in the analysis of the dynamic responses, that the harvested power is influenced by non-linear vibrations of the structure. Chaotic behavior was also observed, causing of the loss of energy throughout the simulation time. Using a perturbation technique, we find an approximate analytical solution for the non-ideal system. Then, we apply both two control techniques, to keep the considered system, into a stable condition. Both the State Dependent Ricatti Equation (SDRE) control as the feedback control by changing the energy of the oscillator, were efficient in controlling of the considered non-ideal system.

Determination of tetramethylthiuram disulfide (thiram) for residual analysis in food using spectrophotometry coupled with a solid-phase reactor (SPR) in a flow system

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

Regionalization of health in Brazil: an analytical perspective

This article aims to contribute to the debate on the SUS regionalization policy and the establishment of health regions in Brazil. Understanding them require to recognize the dichotomy between public health and individual health - which marks the history of Brazilian public health - and identify the different rationalities that lead this process. Such rationalities allow not only to consider the legacy of municipalization in the current regionalization process, as well as to establish links between the two fields of fundamental knowledge to the debate, epidemiology and geography. Clinical epidemiology, privileging individual health, gives basis to a healthcare model that prioritizes the optimization of resources. The recognition of health in its broader concept, in the social epidemiology, bases an attention model aimed at social determinants. With geography, functional regions can be formulated, based on Christaller's theory, or lablachianas regions which recognize the social loco / regional structure, allowing intervention in determining or conditioning the way of illness and death of populations.

Incorporating priorities for waiting customers in the hypercube queuing model with application to an emergency medical service system in Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Doxycycline hyclate: a review of properties, applications and analytical methods

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

A novel HS-SBSE system coupled with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry for the analysis of organochlorine pesticides in water samples

A methodology to analyze organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in water samples has been accomplished by using headspace stir bar sorptive extraction (HS-SBSE). The bars were in house coated with a thick film of PDMS in order to properly work in the headspace mode. Sampling was done by a novel HS-SBSE system whereas the analysis was performed by capillary GC coupled mass spectrometric detection (HS-SBSE-GC-MS). The extraction optimization, using different experimental parameters has been established by a standard equilibrium time of 120 min at 85 degrees C. A mixture of ACN/toluene as back extraction solvent promoted a good performance to remove the OCPs sorbed in the bar. Reproducibility between 2.1 and 14.8% and linearity between 0.96 and 1.0 were obtained for pesticides spiked in a linear range between 5 and 17 ng/g in water samples during the bar evaluation.

The chemiluminescent peroxyoxalate system: state of the art almost 50 years from its discovery

Almost fifty years after the discovery of the peroxyoxalate reaction by E. A. Chandross in the early nineteen sixties, this review article intends to give a general overview on mechanistic aspects of this system and to describe the principles of its analytical application. After a short general introduction on the principles of chemiluminescence and the history of peroxyoxalate discovery, mechanistic aspects of high-energy intermediate formation, its structure and its reaction with an activator in the peroxyoxalate system are discussed. Finally, analytical applications of peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence are exemplified using representative recent examples, including oxalic acid detection in biological samples.

Essential steps to providing reliable results using the Analytical Quality Assurance Cycle

Considering how demand for quality assurance (QA) has grown in analytical laboratories, we show the trends in analytical science, illustrated through international standard ISO/IEC 17025, validation, measurements of uncertainty, and quality-control (QC) measures. A detailed review of the history of analytical chemistry indicates that these concepts are consistently used in laboratories to demonstrate their traceabilities and competences to provide reliable results. We propose a new approach for laboratory QA, which also develops a diagram to support routine laboratories (which generally apply a quality system, such as ISO/IEC 17025) or research laboratories (that have some difficult applying this international standard). This approach, called the Analytical Quality Assurance Cycle (AQAC), presents the major QA concepts and the relationships between these concepts in order to provide traceability and reliable results. The AQAC is a practical tool to support the trend towards QA in analytical laboratories. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Quality characteristics and fertilizing ability of ram sperm subpopulations separated by partition in an aqueous two-phase system

Centrifugal countercurrent distribution (CCCD) in an aqueous two-phase system (TPS) is a resolute technique revealing sperm heterogeneity and for the estimation of the fertilizing potential of a given semen sample. However, separated sperm subpopulations have never been tested for their fertilizing ability yet. Here, we have compared sperm quality parameters and the fertilizing ability of sperm subpopulations separated by the CCCD process from ram semen samples maintained at 20 degrees C or cooled down to 5 degrees C. Total and progressive sperm motility was evaluated by computer-assisted analysis using a CASA system and membrane integrity was evaluated by flow cytometry by staining with CFDA/Pl. The capacitation state, staining with chlortetracycline, and apoptosis-related markers, such as phosphatidylserine (PS) translocation detected with Annexin V. and DNA damage detected by the TUNEL assay, were determined by fluorescence microscopy. Additionally, the fertilizing ability of the fractionated subpopulations was comparative assessed by zona binding assay (ZBA). CCCD analysis revealed that the number of spermatozoa displaying membrane and DNA alterations was higher in samples chilled at 5 degrees C than at 20 degrees C. which can be reflected in the displacement to the left of the CCCD profiles. The spermatozoa located in the central and right chambers (more hydrophobic) presented higher values (P<0.01) of membrane integrity, lower PS translocation (P<0.05) and DNA damage (P<0.001) than those in the left part of the profile, where apoptotic markers were significantly increased and the proportion of viable non-capacitated sperm was reduced. We have developed a new protocol to recover spermatozoa from the CCCD fractions and we proved that these differences were related with the fertilizing ability determined by ZBA, because we found that the number of spermatozoa attached per oocyte was significantly higher for spermatozoa recovered from the central and right chambers, in both types of samples. This is the first time, to our knowledge that sperm recovered from a two-phase partition procedure are used for fertilization assays. These results open up new possibilities for using specific subpopulations of sperm for artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization, not only regarding better sperm quality but also certain characteristics such as subpopulations enriched in spermatozoa bearing X or Y chromosome that we have already isolated or any other feature. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Interference of some aqueous two-phase system phase-forming components in protein determination by the Bradford method

The interference of some specific aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) phase-forming components in bovine serum albumin (BSA) determination by the Bradford method was investigated. For this purpose, calibration curves were obtained for BSA in the presence of different concentrations of salts and polymers. A total of 19 salts [Na2SO4, (NH4)(2)SO4, MgSO4, LiSO4, Na2HPO4, sodium phosphate buffer (pH 7.0), NaH2PO4, K2HPO4, potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7.0), KH2PO4, C6H8O7, Na3C6HSO7, KCHO2, NaCHO2, NaCO3, NaHCO3, C2H4O2, sodium acetate buffer (pH 4.5), and NaC2H3O2] and 7 polymers [PEG 4000, PEG 8000, PEG 20000, UCON 3900, Ficoll 70000, PES 100000, and PVP 40000] were tested, and each calibration curve was compared with the one obtained for BSA in water. Some concentrations of salts and polymers had considerable effect in the BSA calibration curve. Carbonate salts were responsible for the highest salt interference, whereas citric and acetic acids did not produce interference even in the maximum concentration level tested (5 wt%). Among the polymers, UCON gave the highest interference, whereas Ficoll did not produce interference when used in concentrations up to 10 wt%. It was concluded that a convenient dilution of the samples prior to the protein quantification is needed to ensure no significant interference from ATPS phase-forming constituents. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Paper-Based Analytical Device for Electrochemical Flow-Injection Analysis of Glucose in Urine

This article describes a new design for a paper-based electrochemical system for flow injection analysis. Capillary wicking facilitates a gravity-driven flow of buffer solution continuously through paper and nitrocellulose, from a buffer reservoir at one end of the device to a sink at the other. A difference in height between the reservoir and the sink leads to a continuous and constant flow. The nitrocellulose lies horizontally on a working electrode, which consists of a thin platinum layer deposited on a solid support. The counter and reference electrodes are strategically positioned upstream in the buffer reservoir. A simple pipetting device was developed for reliable application of (sub)microliter volumes of sample without the need of commercial micropipets; this device did not damage the nitrocellulose membrane. Demonstration of the system for the determination of the concentration of glucose in urine resulted in a noninvasive, quantitative assay that could be used for diagnosis and monitoring of diabetes. This method does not require disposable test strips, with enzyme and electrodes, that are thrown away after each measurement Because of its low cost, this system could be used in medical environments that are resource-limited.