A simple spectrophotometric method for the determination of methyldopa using p-chloranil in the presence of Hydrogen Peroxide

A simple, rapid and sensitive spectrophotometric method has been developed for the determination of methyldopa in pharmaceutical formulations. The method is based on the reaction between tetrachloro-p-benzoquinone (p-chloranil) and methyldopa, accelerated by hydrogen peroxide (H 2O 2), producing a violet-red compound (λmax = 535 nm) at ambient temperature (25.0 ± 0.2°C). Experimental design methodologies were used to optimize the measurement conditions. Beer's law is obeyed in a concentration range from 2.10 × 10 -4 to 2.48 × 10 -3 mol L -1 (r = 0.9997). The limit of detection was 7.55 × 10 -6 mol L -1 and the limit of quantification was 2.52 × 10 -5 mol L -1. The intraday precision and interday precision were studied for 10 replicate analyses of 1.59 × 10 -3 mol L -1 methyldopa solution and the respective coefficients of variation were 0.7 and 1.1%. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of methyldopa in commercial brands of pharmaceuticals. No interferences were observed from the common excipients in the formulations. The results obtained by the proposed method were favorably compared with those given by the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia procedure at 95% confidence level.

Microbial distribution in the root canal system after periapical lesion induction using different methods

The aim of this study was to evaluate the microbial distribution in the root canal system after periapical lesion induction in dogs' teeth using different methods. Fifty-two root canals were assigned to 4 groups (n=13). Groups I and II: root canals were exposed to the oral cavity for 180 days; groups III and IV: root canals were exposed for 7 days and then the coronal openings were sealed for 53 days. The root apices of groups I and III were perforated, while those of groups II and IV remained intact. After the experimental periods, the animals were euthanized and the anatomic pieces containing the roots were processed and stained with the Brown & Brenn method to assess the presence and distribution of microorganisms. The incidence of microorganisms at different sites of the roots and periapical lesions was analyzed statistically by the chi-square test at 5% significance level. All groups presented microorganisms in the entire root canal system. A larger number of microorganisms was observed on the root canal walls, apical delta and dentinal tubules (p<0.05), followed by cementum and cemental resorption areas. In spite of the different periods of exposure to the oral environment, the methods used for induction of periapical periodontitis yielded similar distribution of microorganisms in the root canal system.

Precise mapping of the magnetic field in the CMS barrel yoke using cosmic rays

The CMS detector is designed around a large 4 T superconducting solenoid, enclosed in a 12 000-tonne steel return yoke. A detailed map of the magnetic field is required for the accurate simulation and reconstruction of physics events in the CMS detector, not only in the inner tracking region inside the solenoid but also in the large and complex structure of the steel yoke, which is instrumented with muon chambers. Using a large sample of cosmic muon events collected by CMS in 2008, the field in the steel of the barrel yoke has been determined with a precision of 3 to 8% depending on the location. © 2010 IOP Publishing Ltd and SISSA.

Integrating interaction resources in the graphics clusters

This paper aims to describe the basic concepts and necessary for Java programs can invoke libraries of programming language C/C ++, through the JNA API. We used a library developed in C/C ++ called Glass [8], which offers a solution for viewing 3D graphics, using graphics clusters, reducing the cost of viewing. The purpose of the work is to interact with the humanoid developed using Java, which makes movements of LIBRAS language for the deaf, as Glass's, so that through this they can view the information using stereoscopic multi-view in full size. ©2010 IEEE.

Efficiency evaluation of ZrB2 incorporation in the MgB 2 matrix phase using high-energy milling

The present study suggests the use of high energy ball milling to mix (to dope) the phase MgB2 with the AlB2 crystalline structure compound, ZrB2, with the same C32 hexagonal structure than MgB 2, in different concentrations, enabling the maintenance of the crystalline phase structures practically unaffected and the efficient mixture with the dopant. The high energy ball milling was performed with different ball-to-powder ratios. The analysis of the transformation and formation of phases was accomplished by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), using the Rietveld method, and scanning electron microscopy. As the high energy ball milling reduced the crystallinity of the milled compounds, also reducing the size of the particles, the XRD analysis were influenced, and they could be used as comparative and control method of the milling. Aiming the recovery of crystallinity, homogenization and final phase formation, heat treatments were performed, enabling that crystalline phases, changed during milling, could be obtained again in the final product. © (2010) Trans Tech Publications.

Multimedia selection: Allowing educators to act critically and independently

In Brazil, important portals like the Portal do Professor, or Teacher's Portal, from the Ministry of Education, offer multimedia products like audios, videos, games, animations, simulations and others with an accompanying teacher's guide. These guides in general suggest ways to prepare the students to use the products while offering indications on how to practice that knowledge after using the products in the classrooom. Despite this, portals with huge repositories that receive new products every week don't present to teachers a solution for a problem: How to select the appropriate products to use in the classroom and how to assess their use after teaching in order to check if the learning was meaningful? In this way, this paper discusses multimedia selection for meaningful learning while considering concept mapping and abstraction classification. The development of multimedia repositories has created both opportunities for easy access to digital content and areas of serious concerns since the misuse of products by teachers may lead to different problems.

Water productivity assessment by using MODIS images and agrometeorological data in the Petrolina municipality, Brazil

The municipality of Petrolina, located in the semi-arid region of Brazil, is highlighted as an important agricultural growing region, however the irrigated areas have cleared natural vegetation inducing a loss of biodiversity. To analyze the contrast between these two ecosystems the large scale values of biomass production (BIO), evapotranspiration (ET) and water productivity (WP) were quantified. Monteithś equation was applied for estimating the absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (APAR), while the new SAFER (Simple Algorithm For Evapotranspiration Retrieving) algorithm was used to retrieve ET. The water productivity (WP) was analysed by the ratio of BIO by ET at monthly time scale with four bands of MODIS satellite images together with agrometeorological data for the year of 2011. The period with the highest water productivity values were from March to April in the rainy period for both irrigated and not irrigated conditions. However the largest ET rates were in November for irrigated crops and April for natural vegetation. More uniformity of the vegetation and water variables occurs in natural vegetation, evidenced by the lower values of standard deviation when comparing to irrigated crops, due to the different crop stages, cultural and irrigation managements. The models applied with MODIS satellite images on a large scale are considered to be suitable for water productivity assessments and for quantifying the effects of increasing irrigated areas over natural vegetation on regional water consumption in situations of quick changing land use pattern. © 2012 SPIE.

Study of thermal comfort in the city of são paulo using ENVI-met model

This study is aimed to analyze the thermal comfort in different areas in the city of São Paulo. Two different areas were selected, a densely built (Consolação district) and the other was Fontes do Ipiranga State Park (FISP), an area with only a few buildings and reduced impermeability. A micro-climatic ENVImet was used to simulate the interaction surface-atmosphere in the urban environment. The model resolution is between 0.5 and 10m. This model was developed by Bruse and Fleer (1998) and Bruse (2004). Through the thermal comfort index PMV (predicted mean vote) and MRT (mean radiant temperature) provided by the model, it revealed that the State Park displays PMV values close to comfortable compared to the other studied area. The analysis of thermal comfort index and the Wind flow showed the influence of high buildings in the local climatic environment.

Comparative study of the healing process when using Vicryl®, Vicryl Rapid®, Vicryl Plus®, and Monocryl® sutures in the rat dermal tissue

Introduction: Various types of sutures are available in the market with different constitutions. However, there is a lack of research to assess and quantify the behavior of these materials. Resources and materials: This study comes benchmark wires polyglactin 910 (Vicryl ®), irradiated polyglactin 910 (Vicryl Rapid ®), polyglactin 910 treated with triclosan (Vicryl Plus ®), and poliglecaprone 25 (Monocryl ®). For this, we used 40 rats that were divided into two groups, underwent two skin incisions longitudinal 2-cm long. In Group A, simple interrupted sutures using irradiated polyglactin 910 on the right and left side of polyglactin 910, and in group B, polyglactin 910 with triclosan on the right and the left poliglecaprone 25 were made. At 2, 7, 14, and 28 days after surgery, the ten animals were killed per period, and the samples were processed for histomorphologic and histometric analysis. Conclusions: The results demonstrated that the wire poliglecaprone 25 showed better biological response, with less inflammatory infiltrates and rapid organization of connective tissue. © 2012 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

A prospective study on implants installed with flapless-guided surgery using the all-on-four concept in the mandible

Aim: Clinical data are scarce on flapless-guided surgery in the mandible using the all-on-four concept. In addition, limited documentation exists on the latter under immediate loading conditions with a pre-fabricated implant bridge. The aim was to provide detailed documentation focusing on clinical and radiographic outcome and complications. Material and methods: Sixteen systemically healthy non-smoking patients (10 women, 6 men, average age 59 years) with sufficient bone volume in the mandible were operated via flapless-guided surgery using the all-on-four concept. Clinical and radiographic data and complications were registered at 3, 6 and 12 months. Results: The overall implant survival rate was 90% with a trend for higher failure of short implants (P = 0.098). The mean bone level after 12 months of function was 0.83 mm with a maximum of 1.07 mm. Technical complications were common (15/16 patients). These mainly related to a misfit between the pre-fabricated prosthesis and abutment(s) (13/16 patients). Conclusion: If immediate loading of implants is pursued fabrication of the implant bridge should be based on actual impression of the implants at the time of surgery and not on their virtual position. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Fetal-Maternal Interactions in the Synepitheliochorial Placenta Using the eGFP Cloned Cattle Model

Background: To investigate mechanisms of fetal-maternal cell interactions in the bovine placenta, we developed a model of transgenic enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (t-eGFP) expressing bovine embryos produced by nuclear transfer (NT) to assess the distribution of fetal-derived products in the bovine placenta. In addition, we searched for male specific DNA in the blood of females carrying in vitro produced male embryos. Our hypothesis is that the bovine placenta is more permeable to fetal-derived products than described elsewhere. Methodology/Principal Findings: Samples of placentomes, chorion, endometrium, maternal peripheral blood leukocytes and blood plasma were collected during early gestation and processed for nested-PCR for eGFP and testis-specific Y-encoded protein (TSPY), western blotting and immunohistochemistry for eGFP detection, as well as transmission electron microscopy to verify the level of interaction between maternal and fetal cells. TSPY and eGFP DNA were present in the blood of cows carrying male pregnancies at day 60 of pregnancy. Protein and mRNA of eGFP were observed in the trophoblast and uterine tissues. In the placentomes, the protein expression was weak in the syncytial regions, but intense in neighboring cells on both sides of the fetal-maternal interface. Ultrastructurally, our samples from t-eGFP expressing NT pregnancies showed to be normal, such as the presence of interdigitating structures between fetal and maternal cells. In addition, channels-like structures were present in the trophoblast cells. Conclusions/Significance: Data suggested that there is a delivery of fetal contents to the maternal system on both systemic and local levels that involved nuclear acids and proteins. It not clear the mechanisms involved in the transfer of fetal-derived molecules to the maternal system. This delivery may occur through nonclassical protein secretion; throughout transtrophoblastic-like channels and/or by apoptotic processes previously described. In conclusion, the bovine synepitheliochorial placenta displays an intimate fetal-maternal interaction, similar to other placental types for instance human and mouse. © 2013 Pereira et al.

Using baseline methods to identify non-technical losses in the context of smart grids

Demand response has gained increasing importance in the context of competitive electricity markets and smart grid environments. In addition to the importance that has been given to the development of business models for integrating demand response, several methods have been developed to evaluate the consumers' performance after the participation in a demand response event. The present paper uses those performance evaluation methods, namely customer baseline load calculation methods, to determine the expected consumption in each period of the consumer historic data. In the cases in which there is a certain difference between the actual consumption and the estimated consumption, the consumer is identified as a potential cause of non-technical losses. A case study demonstrates the application of the proposed method to real consumption data. © 2013 IEEE.

The application of a surface response methodology in the solar/UV-induced degradation of dairy wastewater using immobilized ZnO as a semiconductor

An Advanced Oxidation Process (AOPs) was carried out in this study with the use of immobilized ZnO and solar/UV as an energy source to degrade dairy wastewater. The semibatch reactor system consisted of metal plate of 800 × 250 mm and a glass tank. The reaction time was of 3 h for 3 L of dairy wastewater. Experiments were performed based on a surface response methodology in order to optimize the photocatalytic process. Degradation was measured in percentage terms by total organic carbon (TOC). The entry variables were ZnO coating thickness and pH, using three levels of each variable. The optimized results showed a TOC degradation of 31.7%. Optimal parameters were metal-plate coating of 100 m of ZnO and pH of 8.0. Since solar/UV is a constant and free energy source in most tropical countries, this process tends to suggest an interesting contribution in dairy wastewater treatment, especially as a pretreatment and the optimal conditions to guarantee a better efficiency of the process. © 2013 Gisella R. Lamas Samanamud et al.

Mandibular growth and dentoalveolar development in the treatment of Class II, division 1, malocclusion using Balters Bionator according to the skeletal maturation

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the influence of the skeletal maturation in the mandibular and dentoalveolar growth and development during the Class II, division 1, malocclusion correction with Balters bionator. METHODS: Three groups of children with Class II, division 1, malocclusion were evaluated. Two of them were treated for one year with the bionator of Balters appliance in different skeletal ages (Group 1: 6 children, 7 to 8 years old and Group 2: 10 children, 9 to 10 years old) and the other one was followed without treatment (Control Group: 7 children, 8 to 9 years old). Lateral 45 degree cephalometric radiographs were used for the evaluation of the mandibular growth and dentoalveolar development. Tantalum metallic implants were used as fixed and stable references for radiograph superimposition and data acquisition. Student's t test was used in the statistical analysis of the displacement of the points in the condyle, ramus, mandibular base and dental points. Analysis of variance one-fixed criteria was used to evaluate group differences (95% of level of significance). RESULTS: The intragroup evaluation showed that all groups present significant skeletal growth for all points analyzed (1.2 to 3.7 mm), but in an intergroup comparison, the increment of the mandibular growth in the condyle, ramus and mandibular base were not statically different. For the dentoalveolar modifications, the less mature children showed greater labial inclination of the lower incisors (1.86 mm) and the most mature children showed greater first permanent molar extrusion (4.8 mm).