Evaluation of the beta-glucanolytic enzyme complex of Trichoderma harzianum Rifai for the production of gluco-oligosaccharide fragments by enzymatic hydrolysis of 1,3;1,6-beta-D-glucans

Botryosphaeran, a new exopolysaccharide from the endophytic fungus Botryosphaeria rhodina MAMB-05, and algal laminarin were hydrolyzed by partially-fractionated enzymes of the beta-glucanolytic complex from Trichoderma harzianum Rifai. beta-Glucanase fractions (F-I and F-II) separated by gel permeation chromatography presented different modes of attack on botryosphaeran and laminarin. Botryosphaeran was hydrolyzed to the extent of 66% (F-I) and 98% (F-II) within 30 min, and its main hydrolysis products were gluco-oligosaccharides of DP >= 4, with lesser amounts of glucose, di- and tri-saccharides. The action of enzyme fractions I and II on laminarin resulted in 15% conversion to glucose, while the percentage of saccharification was radically different (70% for F-I and 25% for F-II). The different product arrays within the polysaccharide hydrolysates can be explained by the difference in the enzymes' specificities within each enzyme fraction, and the molecular structures of the polysaccharides and their complexity.

Search for supersymmetry in di-photon final states at root s=1.96 TeV

We report results of a search for supersymmetry (SUSY) with gauge-mediated symmetry breaking in di-photon events collected by the do experiment at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider in 2002-2006. In 1.1 fb(-1) of data, we find no significant excess beyond the background expected from the standard model and set the most stringent lower limits to date for a standard benchmark model on the lightest neutralino and chargino masses of 125 GeV and 229 GeV, respectively, at 95% confidence. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Optical Fiber Relative Humidity Sensor Based on a FBG with a Di-Ureasil Coating

In this work we proposed a relative humidity (RH) sensor based on a Bragg grating written in an optical fiber, associated with a coating of organo-silica hybrid material prepared by the sol-gel method. The organo-silica-based coating has a strong adhesion to the optical fiber and its expansion is reversibly affected by the change in the RH values (15.0-95.0%) of the surrounding environment, allowing an increased sensitivity (22.2 pm/%RH) and durability due to the presence of a siliceous-based inorganic component. The developed sensor was tested in a real structure health monitoring essay, in which the RH inside two concrete blocks with different porosity values was measured over 1 year. The results demonstrated the potential of the proposed optical sensor in the monitoring of civil engineering structures.

1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of CS2 to the coordinated azide in the cyclopalladated [Pd(bzan)(mu-N-3)](2). Crystal and molecular structure of di(mu-N,S-1,2,3,4-thiatriazole-5-thiolate)bis[(benzylideneaniline-C-2,N)palladium(II)]

The compound [Pd(bzan)(mu -N-3)](2) 1, bzan = benzylideneaniline, was prepared from [Pd(bzan) (mu -OOCCH3)](2) by an anion exchange reaction. The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of carbon disulfide to the bridged coordinated azide in the cyclometallated compound I was investigated. The species resulting from this reaction, di(mu -N,S-1,2,3,4-thiatriazol-5-thiolate)bis[(benzylideneaniline)palladium(II)] 2, was characterized by IR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The compound 2 is a dimer containing two [Pd(benzylideneaniline)] moieties connected by two vicinal bridging N,S-1,2,3,4-thiatriazole-5-thiolate anions in a square-planar coordination geometry for the palladium atoms.

Structure, genomic DNA typing, and kinetic characterization of the D allozyme of placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP/ALPP)

The D allozyme of placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) displays enzymatic properties at variance with those of the common PLAP allozymes. We have deduced the amino acid sequence of the PLAP D allele by PCR cloning of its gene, ALPP Two coding substitutions were found in comparison With the cDNA of the common PLAP F allele, i.e., 692C>G and 1352A>G, which translate into a P209R and E429G substitution. A single nucleotide primer extension (SNuPE) assay was developed using PCR primers that enable the amplification of a 1.9 kb PLAP fragment. Extension primers were then used on this PCR fragment to detect the 692C>G and 1352A>G substitution. The SNuPE assay on these two nucleotide substitutions enabled us to distinguish the PLAP F and D alleles from the PLAP S/I alleles. Functional studies on the D allozyme were made possible by constructing and expressing a PLAP D cDNA, i.e., [Arg209, Gly429] PLAP, into wildtype Chinese hamster ovary cells. We determined the k(cat) and K-m, of the PLAP S, F. and D allozymes using the non,physiological substrate p-nitrophenylphosphate at an optimal pH (9.8) as well as two physiological substrates, i.e., pyridoxal-5'-phosphate and inorganic pyrophosphate at physiological pH (7.5). We found that the biochemical properties of the D allozyme of PLAP are significantly different from those of the common PLAP allozymes. These biochemical findings suggest that a suboptimal enzymatic function by the PLAP D allozyme may be the basis for the apparent negative selective pressure of the PLAP D allele. The development of the SNuPE assay will enable us to test the hypothesis that the PLAP D allele is subjected to intrauterine selection by examining genomic DNA from statistically informative population samples. Hum Mutat 19:258-267, 2002. (C) 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Structure of luminescent mono and di-urethanesil nanocomposites doped with Eu3+ ions

A structure modeling of two families of sol-gel derived Eu3+-doped organic/inorganic hybrids based on the results of small-angle X-ray scattering experiments is reported. The materials are composed of poly(oxyethylene) chains grafted at one or both ends to siloxane groups and are called mono- and di-urethanesils, respectively. A theoretical function corresponding to a two-level hierarchical structure model fits well the experimental Scattering curves. The first level corresponds to small siloxane clusters embedded in a polymeric matrix. The secondary level is associated to the existence of siloxane cluster rich domains surrounded by a cluster-depleted polymeric matrix. Results show that increasing europium doping favors the growth of the secondary domains. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Enhanced emission from Eu(III) beta-diketone complex combined with ether-type oxygen atoms of di-ureasil organic-inorganic hybrids

Organic-inorganic hybrids, named di-ureasils and described by polyether-based chains grafted to both ends to a siliceous backbone through urea cross linkages, were used as hosts for incorporation of the well-known coordination complex of trivalent europium (Eu3+) ions described by the formula [Eu(TTA)(3)(H2O)(2)] (where TTA stands for thenoyltrifluoroacetone). By comparing with Eu3+-doped di-ureasil without complex form the new materials prepared here enhanced the quantum efficiency for photoemission of Eu3+ ions. The enhancement can be explained by the coordination ability of the organic counterpart of the host structure which is strong enough to displace water molecules in [Eu(TTA)(3)(H2O)(2)] from the rare earth neighbourhood after the incorporation process. High intensity of Eu3+ emission was observed with a low non-radiative decay rate under ultraviolet excitation. The quantum efficiency calculated from the decay of D-5(0) emission was 74%, which in the same range of values previously obtained for the most efficient Eu3+ coordination compounds reported in literature. Luminescence, X-ray absorption and infrared absorption results considered together leads to a picture where the first coordination shell of Eu3+ is composed of the 6 oxygen atoms of the 3 beta-diketonate ligands and 2 ether-like oxygen atoms of the host. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Photopatternable di-ureasil-zirconium oxocluster organic-inorganic hybrids as cost effective integrated optical substrates

Organic-inorganic hybrids containing methacrylic acid (McOH, CH(2)= C(CH(3))COOH)) modified zirconium tetrapropoxide, Zr(OPr(n))(4), classed as di-ureasil-zirconium oxo-cluster hybrids, have been prepared and structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and Raman (FT-Raman) spectroscopies, Si and C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). XRD and SAXS results have pointed out the presence of Si- and Zr-based nanobuilding blocks (NBBs) dispersed into the organic phase. Inter-NBBs correlation distances have been estimated for the pure di-ureasil and a model compound obtained. by hydrolysis/condensation of Zr(OPr(n))(4):McOH (molar ratio 1: 1): d(Si) approximate to 26 +/- 1 angstrom and d(Zr) approximate to 16 +/- 1 angstrom, respectively. In the case of the di-ureasil-zirconium oxo-cluster hybrids, these distances depend on the Zr relative molar percentage (rel. mol. Zr %) (d(Si) ranges from 18 to 25 angstrom and d(Zr) from 14 to 23 angstrom, as the rel. mol. Zr % increases from 5 to 75), suggesting that the Si- and Zr-based clusters are interconstrained. Complementary data from FT-IR, FT-Raman, (29)Si and (13)C NMR, and AFM support to a structural model where McOH-modified Zr-based NBBs (Zr-OMc) are present over the whole range of composition. At low Zr-OMc contents (rel. mol. Zr % <30) the clusters are well-dispersed within the di-ureasil host, whereas segregation occurs at the 0.1 mu m scale at high Zr-OMc concentration (rel. mol. Zr % = 50). No Zr-O-Si heterocondensation has been discerned. Monomode waveguides, diffractions gratings, and Fabry-Perot cavities have been written through the exposure of the hybrid monoliths to UV light. FT-Raman has shown that the chemical process that takes place under illumination is the polymerization of the methacrylate groups of the Zr-OMc NBBs. The guidance region in patterned channels is a Gaussian section located below the exposed surface with typical dimensions of 320 mu m wide and 88 mu m deep. The effective refractive index is 1.5162 (maximum index contrast on the order of 1 x 10(-4)) and the reflection coeficient of the Fabry-Perot cavity (formed by a grating patterned into a 0.278 cm channel) is 0.042 with a free spectral range value of 35.6 GHz.

Enhanced photoluminescence features of Eu3+-modified di-ureasil-zirconium oxocluster organic-inorganic hybrids

In this work, a series of transparent di-ureasil hybrids containing different amounts of methacrylic acid modified zirconium tetrapropoxide (ZrMcOH) nanoclusters (5-85 mol%) and incorporating EuCl3 and [Eu(tta)(3)(H2O)(2)](tta = thenoyltrifluoroacetonate) complex were prepared. These hybrids are multi-wave-length emitters due to the convolution of the host intrinsic emission (electron-hole recombinations occurring in siliceous and urea cross-linkages) Eu3+ intra-4f(6) transitions. The ZrMcOH incorporation deviates the maximum excitation wavelength of the hybrid host intrinsic emission from the UV (365 nm) to the blue (420 nm) and enhances the absolute emission quantum yield from 6.0 +/- 0.6% to 9.0 +/- 0.9%, and contributes to an increase in the D-5(0) lifetime values, quantum efficiency due to a decrease in the non-radiative transition probability and OH groups coordinated to the Eu3+ ions. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A description of ligand field effects in the Di-μ-Azido-Bis [{Azido(N,N-diethylethylenediamine)}Copper(II)] compound by the simple overlap model

We present a theoretical description of ligand field effects in the di-μ-azido- bis[{azido(N,N-diethylethylenediamine)} copper(II)] compound by the Simple Overlap Model. The ligand field Hamiltonian is expressed in terms of irreducible tensor operators for an assumed D3h site symmetry occupied by the copper ion. The ligand field parameters, calculated from the available structural data, indicate that the copper ion is under the influence of a very strong ligand field. The energy of the d-d absorption band is well reproduced phenomenologically by the model.

Short-chain di-ureasil ormolytes doped with potassium triflate: Phase diagram and conductivity behavior

Di-urea cross-linked poly(oxyethylene)/siloxane hybrids, synthesized by the sol-gel process and containing a wide concentration range of potassium triflate, KCF3SO3, have been analyzed by x-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry. The pseudo-phase diagram proposed has been taken into account in the interpretation of the complex impedance measurements. The xerogels prepared are obtained as transparent, thin monoliths. At room temperature the highest conductivity found was 2 × 10-6 Ω-1 cm-1.

Fator de crescimento nervoso em cola de fibrina no reparo término-lateral de nervos em ratos

Purpose: To determine the effects of end-to-side nerve repair performed only with fibrin glue containing nerve growth in rats. Methods: Seventy two Wistar rats were divided into six equal groups: group A was not submitted to nerve section; group B was submitted to nerve fibular section only. The others groups had the nerve fibular sectioned and then repaired in the lateral surface of an intact tibial nerve, with different procedures: group C: ETS with sutures; group D: ETS with sutures and NGF; group E: ETS with FG only; group F: ETS with FG containing NGF. The motor function was accompanied and the tibial muscle mass, the number and diameter of muscular fibers and regenerated axons were measured. Results: All the analyzed variables did not show any differences among the four operated groups (p>0.05), which were statistically superior to group B (p<0.05), but inferior to group A (p>0.05). Conclusion: The end-to-side nerve repair presented the same recovery pattern, independent from the repair used, showing that the addition of nerve growth factor in fibrin glue was not enough for the results potentiating.

Teorias duais massivas de spin-2 em D=2+1 via ação mestra e imersão de Noether

Pós-graduação em Física - FEG

O discurso literário e cinematográfico: simetrias e assimetrias em O Leopardo, Guisseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa X Luchino Visconti

Este trabalho trata de duas artes, Literatura e Cinema. Embora autônomas e específicas, traduzem-se em textos distintos, relações de identificação e ao mesmo tempo afastamento de uma obra em relação à outra. Nossa abordagem tem, como ponto de partida, o texto literário "O Leopardo", do escritor italiano Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa e, como ponto de chegada, a obra cinematográfica homônima do cineasta, também italiano, Luchino Visconti. Lampedusa produziu uma obra que só ganharia reconhecimento postumamente. Nela, criou um discurso narrativo através do qual põe em destaque a História e a representação da sociedade. Apesar de ter nos legado uma obra pequena, caracteriza-se por apresentar um estilo próprio, marcado por requintes de liberdade e recriação da palavra. Luchino Visconti, o mais requintado criador da sétima arte de seu tempo, transpôs, com rigor, para a tela, importantes obras de renomados escritores. Seus filmes traduzem uma precisa visão histórica e aristocrática. A narrativa cinematográfica mescla ousadia e criatividade, desafiando a escritura ao arquitetá-la em magníficas imagens, cumprindo com o (quase) intuito da fidelidade a abstração da imagem literária.

Spectrophotometric determination of arsenic in soil samples using 2-(5-bromo-2-pyridylazo)-5-di-ethylaminophenol (Br-PADAP)

Um novo método, simples e sensível para a determinação de arsênio em solo é proposto neste trabalho. Este método é baseado na redução de prata (I) e ferro (III) pela arsina seguida da reação de complexação do ferro (II) com o reagente espectrofotométrico 2-(5-bromo-2-piridilazo)-5-di-etilaminofenol (Br-PADAP). A determinação de arsênio apresentou uma sensitividade de Sandell de 3.1x10^-4 cm^-2, foi linear na faixa de 0.1 µg ml^-1 to 2.0 µg ml^-1 (r₅₆₀ = 0.9995), apresentou uma absortividade molar de 2.45x10⁵ l mol^-1 cm^-1 e um limite de detecção de 1.4 ng ml^-1 (3s) estes dados foram obtidos para 10 ml de amostra. A seletividade foi melhorada com o uso de EDTA com agente mascarante. O método proposto foi aplicado na determinação do arsênio na presença de outros íons e em amostras de solo. Os resultados revelaram que antimônio (III), mercúrio (II), germânio (IV), platina (IV) interferem na análise em todas as proporções analisadas. As interferências podem ser facilmente removidas pelo uso do EDTA. A precisão e a exatidão deram resultados satisfatórios, com desvio padrão relativo abaixo de 5%. As recuperações de arsênio em solo variaram de 95,55 a 102,70% com uma média de 99,63%. Estes resultados demonstraram que o método proposto é aplicável para a análise do arsênio em diferentes amostras de solo.