Factors which affect the catalytic activity of iron(III) meso tetrakis(2,6-dichlorophenyl)porphyrin chloride in homogeneous system

An optimization study of the reaction conditions of Fe(TDCPP)Cl when it is used as catalyst in the hydroxylation of cyclohexane by iodosylbenzene (PhIO) has been carried out, It was found that Fe(TDCPP)Cl follows the classical PhIO mechanism described for Fe(TPP)Cl, which involves the monomeric active species Fe-IV(O)P-+. (I). In the optimized condition ([Fe(TDCPP) = 3.0 X 10(-4) mol l(-1) in 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE); ultrasound stirring at 0 degrees C; PhIO/FeP molar ratio = 100), this FeP led to a yield of cyclohexanol (C-ol) of 96% and a turnover number of 96, Therefore, Fe(TDCPP)Cl may be considered a good biomimetic model and a very stable, resistant and selective catalyst, which yields C-ol as the sole product. DCE showed to be a better solvent than dichloromethane (DCM), 1 DCE:1 MeOH mixture or acetonitrile (ACN). Since the Fe-IV(O)P-+. is capable of abstracting hydrogen atom from DCM, MeOH or ACN, the solvent competes with the substrate. Presence of O-2 lowers the yield of C-ol, as it can further oxidize this alcohol to carboxylic acid in the presence of radicals, Presence of H2O also causes a decrease in the yield, since it converts the active species I into Fe-IV(OH)P, which cannot oxidize cyclohexane. Addition of excess imidazole or OH- to the system results in a decrease in the yield of C-ol, due to the formation of the hexacoordinated complexes Fe(TDCPP)Im(2)(+) (low-spin, beta(2) = 2.5 X 10(8) mol(-2) l(2)) and Fe(TDCPP)(OH)(2)(-) (high-spin, beta(2) = 6.3 X 10(7) mol(-2) l(2)), the formation of both Fe(TDCPP)Im(2)(+) and Fe(TDCPP)(OH)(2)(-) complexes were confirmed by EPR studies. The catalytic activities of Fe(TDCPP)C and Fe(TFPP)Cl were compared, the unusually high yields of C-ol with Fe(TFPP)Cl obtained when ultrasound, DCM and O-2 atmosphere were used, suggest that a parallel mechanism involving the mu-oxo dimer form, O-2 and radicals may also be occurring with this FeP, besides the PhIO mechanism.

Product development process: Using real options for assessments and to support the decision-making at decision gates

Enterprises need continuous product development activities to remain competitive in the marketplace. Their product development process (PDP) must manage stakeholders' needs - technical, financial, legal, and environmental aspects, customer requirements, Corporate strategy, etc. -, being a multidisciplinary and strategic issue. An approach to use real option to support the decision-making process at PDP phases in taken. The real option valuation method is often presented as an alternative to the conventional net present value (NPV) approach. It is based on the same principals of financial options: the right to buy or sell financial values (mostly stocks) at a predetermined price, with no obligation to do so. In PDP, a multi-period approach that takes into account the flexibility of, for instance, being able to postpone prototyping and design decisions, waiting for more information about technologies, customer acceptance, funding, etc. In the present article, the state of the art of real options theory is prospected and a model to use the real options in PDP is proposed, so that financial aspects can be properly considered at each project phase of the product development. Conclusion is that such model can provide more robustness to the decisions processes within PDP.

Effectiveness and safety of a new vaginal misoprostol product specifically labeled for cervical ripening and labor induction

Objective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of misoprostol in two different formulations: vaginal tablets of 25 mu g and one-eighth of a 200-mu g oral tablet, also administered intravaginally, for cervical ripening and labor induction of term pregnancies with an indication for that. Methods. A single-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial was carried out in 120 pregnant women who randomly received one of the two formulations. The main dependent variables were mode of delivery, need for additional oxytocin, time between beginning of induction and delivery, perinatal results, complications, and maternal side effects. Student's t, Mann-Whitney, chi(2), Fisher's Exact, Wilcoxon and Kolmogorov-Smirnoff tests, as well as survival analysis, were used in the data analysis. Results. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of general characteristics, uterine contractility, and fetal well-being during labor, cesarean section rates, perinatal outcomes, or maternal adverse events. The mean time between the beginning of cervical ripening and delivery was 31.3 h in the vaginal tablet group and 30.1 h in the oral tablet group, a difference that was not statistically significant. Conclusion. The results showed that the 25-mu g vaginal tablets of misoprostol were as effective and safe for cervical ripening and labor induction as the dose-equivalent fraction of 200-mu g oral tablets.

Determination of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and its major transformation product in soil samples by liquid chromatographic analysis

The 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is one of the most applied herbicides around the world to control broad leave herbs in many crops: In this study, a method was developed for simultaneous extraction and determination of 2,4D and its major transformation product, i.e., the 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP), in soil samples. The herbicide and its degradation product were extracted twice from soil samples, after acidification, by dichloromethane on ultrasound system for 1 h. Both extracts were combined and filtrated in qualitative filter paper and Celitee. The total extract was concentrated in rotatory evaporator, dried under N-2 and finally dissolved in 1 ml of methanol. High Performance Liquid Chromatography with UV detection at 230 nm was used for analysis. Recoveries were obtained from soil samples fortified at 0.1, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 mg kg(-1) levels and the results varied from 85 to 111% (for 2,4-D) and from 95 to 98% (for 2,4-DCP). For both compounds, the limits of quantification were 0.1 mg kg(-1), which were the loss level at which the accuracy and the precision were studied. Nevertheless, the limits of detection, calculated by considering the blank standard deviation and the minimum concentration level, were 0.03 and 0.02 mg kg for 2,4-D and 2,4-DCP, respectively. This proposed method was applied to soil samples of eucalyptus crops, which was previously treated with the herbicide. Despite that, neither 2,4-D nor its degradation product were detected 30 days after the herbicide application. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Analytic hierarchy prioritisation of new product development activities for electronics manufacturing

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Cassava bagasse as a dietary food product

Cassava bagasse, the solid residue of the starch industry, was studied as a potential ingredient in high-fibre dietary products. The bagasse contained 80% of starch, 11.5% fibre, 1.14% ash and 0.85% of protein, and it had a pH of 5.8. Glucose was the major sugar and the hemicellulose content was 22.31%. Microscopic analysis of the bagasse revealed a large number of starch granules inside the parenchyma cells and fibres, as well as outside the cells. The bagasse may be used in high-fibre products, and total or partial hydrolysis of its starch content might increase its commercial value.

Development of a novel fermented soymilk product with potential probiotic properties

The study was carried out to test the ability of Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. jugurti, Streptococcus thermophilus and L. delbrueckii ssp bulgaricus to decrease cholesterol in vitro and to grow in the presence of bile salts. Both properties were dependent on the species under study. The cultures were also inoculated into soymilk fortified with dry milk whey powder as single or mixed starters. The physicochemical and sensory evaluations of the fermented products showed that E. faecium plus L. jugurti (ratio 1:1) is the best combination, and this mixture also produces a 43% decrease in cholesterol. © Springer-Verlag 1999.

Fermented soy product supplemented with isoflavones affected fat depots in juvenile rats

Objectives: This study investigated the effects of soy product fermented by Enterococcus faecium and Lactobacillus jugurti supplemented with isoflavones on adipose tissue, blood lipid, and glucose levels on juvenile rats. Methods: Rats were fed a cholesterol-enriched diet for 3 wk as a preliminary treatment to create hypercholesterolemia. They were then fed a chow diet (HC), a chow diet plus fermented soy product supplemented with isoflavones (HCFI), a chow diet plus placebo (HCP), or a chow diet plus placebo supplemented with isoflavones (HCPI), respectively, for an additional 3 wk. Results: The beneficial effects of fermented soy product supplemented with isoflavones on epididymal (EPI) and retroperitoneal (RET) fat pads was likely due to isoflavones because adipocyte circumference (micrometers) in the HC group was significantly larger (EPI: 105.66 ± 13.36; RET: 134.95 ± 25.40) than that in the HCFI group (EPI: 93.17 ± 12.80; RET: 108.62 ± 15.50) and HCPI group (EPI: 93.06 ± 15.10; RET: 112.34 ± 18.21). The probiotic micro-organism accentuated the antilipogenic effect of isoflavones on RET (HCFI: 108.62 ± 15.50 micrometers versus HCPI: 112.34 ± 18.21 micrometers). Moreover, the fermented product increased glucose concentration similar to that in the chow group but did not change blood lipids. Conclusion: This product may offer new approaches to obesity prevention. © 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Studies on carbon-13 turnover in eggs and blood of commercial layers

This paper aimed at evaluating the influence of diets containing different isotopic values of carbon-13 turnover on the half-life of egg (yolk + albumen), yolk and albumen individually, and blood of poultry using δ‰ 13C isotopic variation. Commercial layers fed four experimental isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets (RC 4, RC 3, RMC 4 and RMC 3) containing different isotopic values, during an experimental period of 56 days. Turnover of the studied tissues was influenced by the experimental diets. Blood and albumen were more influenced by dietary treatments as compared to egg and yolk. The RMC 3 diet induced better performance (better feed intake and higher egg production) due faster rate of carbon substitution than the RC 4 diet, and lower half-life for egg (yolk + albumen), yolk, and albumen.

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus latency-associated nuclear antigen 1 mimics Epstein-Barr virus EBNA1 immune evasion through central repeat domain effects on protein processing

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV/human herpesvirus 8 [HHV8]) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV/HHV4) are distantly related gammaherpesviruses causing tumors in humans. KSHV latency-associated nuclear antigen 1 (LANA1) is functionally similar to the EBV nuclear antigen-1 (EBNA1) protein expressed during viral latency, although they have no amino acid similarities. EBNA1 escapes cytotoxic lymphocyte (CTL) antigen processing by inhibiting its own proteosomal degradation and retarding its own synthesis to reduce defective ribosomal product processing. We show here that the LANA1 QED-rich central repeat (CR) region, particularly the CR2CR3 subdomain, also retards LANA1 synthesis and markedly enhances LANA1 stability in vitro and in vivo. LANA1 isoforms have half-lives greater than 24 h, and fusion of the LANA1 CR2CR3 domain to a destabilized heterologous protein markedly decreases protein turnover. Unlike EBNA1, the LANA1 CR2CR3 subdomain retards translation regardless of whether it is fused to the 5′ or 3′ end of a heterologous gene construct. Manipulation of sequence order, orientation, and composition of the CR2 and CR3 subdomains suggests that specific peptide sequences rather than RNA structures are responsible for synthesis retardation. Although mechanistic differences exist between LANA1 and EBNA1, the primary structures of both proteins have evolved to minimize provoking CTL immune responses. Simple strategies to eliminate these viral inhibitory regions may markedly improve vaccine effectiveness by maximizing CTL responses. Copyright © 2007, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Integration in new product development: Case study in a large Brazilian high-technology company

Proficiency in management activities undertaken in product development processes is regarded as a key competitive advantage for companies, particularly for high-tech industrial firms, which benefit from the important competitiveness factor of launching products with a differentiated technological content. This paper's objective was to identify, through case study, practices for integration between the roles of R & D with others involved in product development in a large Brazilian company of industrial automation. The results suggest some management practices to improve the integration in new products development, such as the use of employees from marketing with knowledge and experience previously gained from R & D activities and uses the heavyweight product manager to solve synchronization problems between product and technology development. © Universidad Alberto Hurtado, Facultad de Economía y Negocios.

Formation of silver chloride nanocrystals as a corrosion product of silver in H2SO4 solution

The purpose of this study is to characterize the corrosion product on the surface of silver, employing H2SO4 (0.5M) as electrolyte. The electrochemical parameters, Ecor, Icor, V cor and Rp were obtained after analyzing the potentiodynamic polarization curve in which two peaks were observed. The smallest (passive region) is attributed to the Cl- traces from the reference electrode, with micro-cracks. The second peak (in the transpassivation region) corresponds to the polarization curve of silver in H2SO 4 without contaminants. SEM images and EDS analysis reveal images of a surface layer on silver, consisting of structures containing sulfur, oxygen, silver and chloride, as the corrosion product. On this layer silver sulfate crystals were observed, which occurs during the formation of silver chloride nanocrystals with different morphologies, when chloride ions were added to the electrolyte medium. ©The Electrochemical Society.

Regions as the product of social construction

Includes bibliography

Peru: integration, sectoral specialization and synchronization with international gross domestic product cycles

Includes bibliography