Sequential injection analysis system with spectrophotometric detection for determination of norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin in pharmaceutical formulations

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

A pH optode based on thymol blue: application to determination of CO2 using flow injection analysis system

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

Shear bond strengths of a ceramic system to alternative metal alloys

Statement of problem. The success of metal-ceramic restorations is influenced by the compatibility between base metal alloys and porcelains. Although porcelain manufacturers recommend their own metal systems as the most compatible for fabricating metal-ceramic prostheses, a number of alloys have been used.Purpose. This study evaluated the shear bond strength between a porcelain system and 4 alternative alloys.Material and methods. Two Ni-Cr alloys: 4 ALL and Wiron 99, and 2 Co-Cr alloys: IPS d.SIGN 20 and Argeloy NP were selected for this study. The porcelain (IPS d.Sign porcelain system) portion of the cylindrical inetal-ceramic specimens was 4 mm thick and 4 mm high; the metal portion was machined to 4 x 4 mm, with a base that was 5 nun thick and 1 mm high. Forty-four specimens were prepared (n=11). Ten specimens from each group were subjected to a shear load oil a universal testing machine using a 1 min/min crosshead speed. One specimen from each group was observed with a scanning electron microscope. Stress at failure (MPa) was determined. The data were analyzed with a 1-way analysis of variance (alpha=.05).Results. The groups, all including IPS d.Sign porcelain, presented the following mean bond strengths (+/-SD) in MPa: 4 ALL, 54.0 +/- 20.0; Wiron, 63.0 +/- 13.5; IPS d.SIGN 20, 71.7 +/- 19.2; Argeloy NP, 55.2 +/- 13.5. No significant differences were found among the shear bond strength values for the metal-ceramic specimens tested.Conclusion. None of the base metal alloys studied demonstrated superior bond strength to the porcelain tested.

A flow-injection-ICP system sequential multielemental analysis with simultaneously mercury(II) preconcentration step

A flow-injection system for multielemental analysis with a mercury(II) preconcentration step using a resin Chelite-S(R)(Serva Feinbiochemica Heidelberg, Part No. 41709) packed minicolumn by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy is described. A mercury reductive elution procedure with a mixture of SnCl2/HCl was used, which allows use of 6 mol/L HCl solution instead of concentrated hydrochoric acid. The main parameters related to ICP operation, such as radio frequency power (950-1750 W), auxiliary argon flow (0.0-1.5 L/min) and spray chamber nebulizer pressure (15-35 psi), were studied. Optimization of the FIA system was reached by defining the best eluent carrier stream (1.4-2.8 mL/min), Hgdegrees carrier stream (10-40 mL min(-1)), loading time (0.5-4.0 min), sample flow rate (1.25-10.0 mL/min), temperature of reactor gas liquid separator (GLS) (25-75 degreesC) and eluent volume (50-350 muL). Throughput is around 30 samples per hour for analytical solutions within the range 50-2500 ng Hg(II)/L. Results from certified material showed good precision (RSD < 3%, n = 12) and no statistical difference was observed for real samples analyzed by AAS and by the proposed system.

Thermodynamic analysis of the cogeneration system expansion in a sugar-alcohol factory

In this work it was performed energetic and exergetic analyses of three thermal plants to assessment a cogeneration system in expansion of a sugar-alcohol factory. The initial configuration considered is constituted by a low pressure steam generator, single stage steam turbines for electricity generation and crusher, shredder and mills with mechanical driving. In the intermediary configuration, the low pressure steam generator was substituted by another which generates steam at higher pressure and higher temperature, the steam turbines for electricity generation were substituted by a multiple stages extraction-condensation turbine and the other steam turbines were maintained. The final configuration consists in the substitution of these last turbines by electrical motors. Thermodynamic analyses were performed to evaluate the equipment and the overall plants efficiencies to permit a comparison among the plants. Besides of this, some important parameters of the sugar-alcohol factories were calculated.

Effects of selective logging on the mating system and pollen dispersal of Hymenaea courbaril L. (Leguminosae) in the Eastern Brazilian Amazon as revealed by microsatellite analysis

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Power analysis applying the instantaneous complex power analytical expressions on a RL symmetrical three-phase system

This paper enhances some concepts of the Instantaneous Complex Power Theory by analyzing the analytical expressions for voltages, currents and powers developed on a symmetrical RL three-phase system, during the transient caused by a sinusoidal voltage excitation. The powers delivered to an ideal inductor will be interpreted, allowing a deep insight in the power phenomenon by analyzing the voltages in each element of the circuit. The results can be applied to the understanding of non-linear systems subject to sinusoidal voltage excitation and distorted currents.

Cytogenetic analysis of Epicauta atomaria (Meloidae) and Palembus dermestoides (Tenebrionidae) with Xyp sex determination system using standard staining, C-bands, NOR and synaptonemal complex microspreading techniques

The mitotic and meiotic chromosomes of the beetles Epicauta atomaria (Meloidae) and Palembus dermestoides (Tenebrionidae) were analysed using standard staining, C-banding and silver impregnation techniques. We determine the diploid and haploid chromosome numbers, the sex determination system and describe the chromosomal morphology, the C-banding pattern and the chromosome(s) bearing NORs (nucleolar organizer regions). Both species shown 2n = 20 chromosomes, the chromosomal meioformula 9 + Xyp, and regular chromosome segregation during anaphases I and II. The chromosomes of E. atomaria are basically metacentric or submetacentric and P. dermestoides chromosomes are submetacentric or subtelocentric. In both beetles the constitutive heterochromatin is located in the pericentromeric region in all autosomes and in the Xp chromosome; additional C-bands were observed in telomeric region of the short arm in some autosomes in P. dermestoides. The yp chromosome did not show typical C-bands in these species. As for the synaptonemal complex, the nucleolar material is associated to the 7th bivalent in E. atomaria and 3rd and 7th bivalents in P. dermestoides. Strong silver impregnated material was observed in association with Xyp in light and electron microscopy preparations in these species and this material was interpreted to be related to nucleolar material.

The silent period in patients with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis

Silent period was evaluated in 20 adult male patients with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis. Readings were obtained by supramaximal stimulus to the median nerve, during maximum isometric effort of the abductor pollicis brevis muscle against resistance. Two types of abnormalities were observed, motor neuron hypoexcitability with elongated silent period, and motor neuron hyperexcitability with reduction or absence of silent period. Some abnormalities are probably linked with dialysis duration, but show no correlation to presence or absence of peripheral neuropathy. The silent period alterations described in this study could possibly correlate with some other clinical feature frequently seen in patients with chronic renal failure such as hypereflexia of the deep tendon reflexes.

Thermoeconomic analysis of a cogeneration system of a university campus

In this paper, a thermoeconomic analysis method based on the First and the Second Law of Thermodynamics and applied to analyse the replacement of an equipment of a cogeneration system is presented. The cogeneration system consists of a gas turbine linked to a waste boiler. The electrical demand of the campus is approximately 9 MW but the cogen system generates approximately one third of the university requirement as well as 1.764 kg/s of saturated steam (at 0.861 MPa), approximately, from a single fuel source. The energy-economic study showed that the best system, based on pay-back period and based on the maximum savings (in 10 years), was the system that used the gas turbine M1T-06 of Kawasaki Heavy Industries and the system that used the gas turbine CCS7 of Hitachi Zosen, respectively. The exergy-economic study showed that the best system, which has the lowest EMC, was the system that used the gas turbine ASE50 of Allied Signal. © 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

A techno-economic analysis for MCFC cogeneration system

In this paper, a methodology for the study of a fuel cell cogeneration system and applied to a university campus is developed. The cogeneration system consists of a molten carbonate fuel cell associated to an absorption refrigeration system. The electrical and cold-water demands of the campus are about 1,000 kW and 1,840 kW (at 7°C), respectively. The energy, exergy and economic analyses are presented. This system uses natural gas as the fuel and operates on electric parity. In conclusion, the fuel cell cogeneration system may have an excellent opportunity to strengthen the decentralized energy production in the Brazilian tertiary sector.

Behavioural Analysis of a Nonlinear Mechanical System Using Transient Trajectories

This work aims at a better comprehension of the features of the solution surface of a dynamical system presenting a numerical procedure based on transient trajectories. For a given set of initial conditions an analysis is made, similar to that of a return map, looking for the new configuration of this set in the first Poincaré sections. The mentioned set of I.C. will result in a curve that can be fitted by a polynomial, i.e. an analytical expression that will be called initial function in the undamped case and transient function in the damped situation. Thus, it is possible to identify using analytical methods the main stable regions of the phase portrait without a long computational time, making easier a global comprehension of the nonlinear dynamics and the corresponding stability analysis of its solutions. This strategy allows foreseeing the dynamic behavior of the system close to the region of fundamental resonance, providing a better visualization of the structure of its phase portrait. The application chosen to present this methodology is a mechanical pendulum driven through a crankshaft that moves horizontally its suspension point.

Stability analysis of power system including facts (TCSC) effects by direct method approach

The problem of power system stability including the effects of a flexible alternating current transmission system (FACTS) is approached. First, the controlled series compensation is considered in the machine against infinite bar system and its effects are taken into account by means of construction of a Lyapunov function (LF). This simple system is helpful in order to understand the form the device affects dynamic and transient performance of the power system. After, the multimachine case is considered and it is shown that the single-machine results apply to multimachine systems. An energy-form Lyapunov function is derived for the power system including the FACTS device and it is used to analyse damping and synchronizing effects due to the FACTS device in single-machine as well as in multimachine power systems. © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.