Characterization of micro-bubble size distribution and flow configuration in DAF contact zone by a non-intrusive image analysis system and tracer tests

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

WC-CoCr coatings sprayed by high velocity oxygen-fuel (HVOF) flame on AA7050 aluminum alloy: electrochemical behavior in 3.5% NaCl solution

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

Liofilização de fatias de abacaxi: avaliação da cinética de secagem e da qualidade do produto

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a cinética de secagem e os parâmetros de qualidade - conteúdo de vitamina C, reidratação e textura - de fatias de abacaxi liofilizadas em função da espessura e da temperatura de congelamento. Abacaxis do tipo Havaí, variedade Smooth Cayenne, foram fatiados transversalmente em espessuras de 0,5, 1,0 e 1,5 cm. As fatias foram congeladas nas temperaturas de -14, -24 e -34 °C, sendo, em seguida, conduzidas ao liofilizador. Uma parcela das amostras era destinada ao estudo da cinética de secagem pela pesagem periódica das mesmas, enquanto outra foi reservada para os testes de qualidade. O teor de vitamina C foi quantificado por adição de ácido oxálico na amostra e titulado com 2,6-diclorofenolindofenol. O parâmetro de textura avaliado foi a dureza, por testes de compressão em texturômetro, enquanto a reidratação foi obtida pela pesagem das amostras antes e após a imersão em água destilada por 5 min. Os resultados do presente trabalho mostraram que existe uma forte dependência da cinética de secagem e dos atributos de qualidade de fatias de abacaxi liofilizadas em função das condições utilizadas durante a etapa de congelamento, mesmo sendo este classificado como congelamento lento. Por outro lado, a taxa de congelamento não é a única variável que tem influência sobre a cinética de secagem e os atributos de qualidade. A combinação de temperatura e umidade, tanto durante a liofilização propriamente dita, quanto durante a etapa de reidratação, tem influência sobre a transição vítrea do material que, por sua vez, afeta a extensão do colapso estrutural sofrido pelo produto.

Accuracy of simple urine tests for diagnosis of urinary tract infections in low-risk pregnant women

Alterações anatômicas e fisiológicas da gravidez predispõem gestantes a infecções do trato urinário (ITU). O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar a acurácia do exame de urina simples para diagnóstico de ITU em gestantes de baixo risco. Fez-se uso do estudo de desempenho de teste diagnóstico realizado em Botucatu, SP, com 230 gestantes, entre 2006 e 2008. Os resultados mostram que a prevalência de ITU foi de 10%. A sensibilidade foi 95,6%, especificidade 63,3% e acurácia 66,5% do exame de urina simples, em relação ao diagnóstico de ITU. A análise dos valores preditivos positivo e negativo (VPP e VPN) mostrou que, na vigência de exame de urina simples normal, a chance de haver ITU foi pequena (VPN 99,2%). Frente ao resultado alterado desse exame, a probabilidade de haver ITU foi baixa (VPP 22,4%). Conclui-se que a acurácia do exame de urina simples como meio diagnóstico de ITU foi baixa, sendo indispensável a realização de urocultura para o diagnóstico.

Influência da energia de soldagem em uniões de lâminas finas através de laser pulsado de Nd:YAG

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Evaluation of extracts from Coccoloba mollis using the Salmonella/microsome system and in vivo tests

The common everyday use of medicinal plants is an ancient, and still very widespread practice, whereby the need for studies on their possible toxicity and mutagenic properties. The species Coccoloba mollis has been much used in phytotherapy, mainly in cases involving loss of memory and stress. In order to investigate its genotoxic and mutagenic potential, ethanolic extracts from the leaves and roots underwent Salmonella/microsome assaying (TA98 and TA100 strains, with and without exogenous metabolism - S9), besides comet and micronucleus tests in vivo.There was no significant increase in the number of revertants/plate of Salmonella strains in any of the analyzed root-extract concentrations, although the extract itself was extremely toxic to the Salmonella TA98 strain in the tests carried out with S9 (doses varying from 0.005 to 0.5 µg/plate). on the other hand, the leaf-extract induced mutations in the TA98 strain in the absence of S9 in the highest concentration evaluated, although at very low mutagenic potency (0.004 rev/µg). Furthermore, there was no statistically significant increase in the number of comets and micronuclei, in treatments involving Swiss mice. It was obvious that extracts of Coccoloba mollis, under the described experimental conditions, are not mutagenic.

Si3N4 ceramic cutting tool sintered with CeO2 and Al2O3 additives with AlCrN coating

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

Tests to determine LC50 and discriminating doses for macrocyclic lactones against the cattle tick, Boophilus microplus

Laboratory tests were carried out on larvae and adults of the cattle tick Boophilus microplus to determine the toxicity of macrocyclic lactone acaricides (MLs). Technical and commercial MLs were used in larval packet test (LPT), larval immersion test (LIT) and adult immersion test (AIT). Tn LIT and AIT the toxicity of MLs was much higher than for LPT. In the AIT, diluting the injectable formulation of MLs in water was as effective as dilution in ethanol + Triton X-100. LC50, LC99.9 and 95% confidence limits were determined so that a discriminating dose (DD) could be set for larval and adult tests in order to diagnose potential resistance to MLs in field samples of the tick. These DDs are for Australian strains of B. microplus and may not be suitable for other strains until further work is carried out.The value of these diagnostic tests can only be verified if or when resistance to MLs emerges in ticks. (C) 2001 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Knoop hardness of dental resin cements: Effect of veneering material and light curing methods

This study evaluated the Knoop hardness of one resin cement (dual-cure mode or light-cure mode) when illuminated directly or through restorative materials-ceramic (HeraCeram) or composite (Artglass)-by two light curing units. Light curing was carried out using a conventional quartz tungsten halogen (QTH) light source (XL2500) for 40 s, and a light emitting diodes (LED) light source (Ultrablue Is) for 40 s. Bovine incisors had their buccal faces flattened and hybridised. on these surfaces, a mould was seated and filled with cement. A disc of the veneering material (1.5 mm thickness) was positioned over this set for light curing. After storage (24 h/37 degrees C), samples (n = 10) were sectioned for hardness (KHN) measurements. Data were submitted to ANOVA and to Tukey's test (alpha = 0.05). In general, light curing with LED resulted in higher hardness values than QTH. Distinct cement behaviour was observed with different veneering material in association with different light curing units (LCUs). (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Blood glucose responses in humans mirror lactate responses for individual anaerobic threshold and for lactate minimum in track tests

The equilibrium point between blood lactate production and removal (La-min(-)) and the individual anaerobic threshold (IAT) protocols have been used to evaluate exercise. During progressive exercise, blood lactate [La-](b), catecholamine and cortisol concentrations, show exponential increases at upper anaerobic threshold intensities. Since these hormones enhance blood glucose concentrations [Glc](b), this study investigated the [Glc] and [La-](b) responses during incremental tests and the possibility of considering the individual glucose threshold (IGT) and glucose minimum;(Glc(min)) in addition to IAT and La-min(-) in evaluating exercise. A group of 15 male endurance runners ran in four tests on the track 3000 m run (v(3km)); IAT and IGT- 8 x 800 m runs at velocities between 84% and 102% of v(3km); La-min(-) and Glc(min) - after lactic acidosis induced by a 500-m sprint, the subjects ran 8 x 800 m at intensities between 87% and 97% of v(3km); endurance test (ET)- 30 min at the velocity of IAT. Capillary blood (25 mu l) was collected for [La-](b) and [Glc](b) measurements. The TAT and IGT were determined by [La-](b) and [Glc](b) kinetics during the second test. The La-min(-) and Glc(min) were determined considering the lowest [La-] and [Glc](b) during the third test. No differences were observed (P < 0.05) and high correlations were obtained between the velocities at IAT [283 (SD 19) and IGT 281 (SD 21)m. min(-1); r = 0.096; P < 0.001] and between La,, [285 (SD 21)] and Glc(min) [287 (SD 20) m. min(-1) = 0.77; P < 0.05]. During ET, the [La-](b) reached 5.0 (SD 1.1) and 5.3 (SD 1.0) mmol 1(-1) at 20 and 30 min, respectively (P > 0.05). We concluded that for these subjects it was possible to evaluate the aerobic capacity by IGT and Glc(min), as well as by IAT and La-min(-).

Serial Mitsuda tests for identification of reactional tuberculoid and reactional borderline leprosy forms

The authors studied the Mitsuda reaction in 37 leprosy patients (18 reactional tuberculoid, 19 reactional borderline cases) and compared the results with clinical findings, histopathology and bacilloscopy. Evaluation of the Mitsuda reaction was carried out on days 30, 60, 90 and 120. Most of the reactional tuberculoid patients showed a Mitsuda reaction of +++ in opposition to the reactional borderline patients who showed only +. Bacilloscopic analysis revealed that in 75% of the reactional tuberculoid cases there were rare or no bacilli; bacilli were present in 95% of the reactional borderline cases. The authors conclude that reactional tuberculoid cases have a greater ability to clear bacilli than reactional borderline cases, and that the Mitsuda reaction is a useful tool for the differentiation between these two types of leprosy.