The type and quantity of dietary fat and carbohydrate alter faecal microbiome and short-chain fatty acid excretion in a metabolic syndrome ‘at-risk’ population syndrome.

An obese-type human microbiota with an increased Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes ratio has been described that may link the gut microbiome with obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) development. Dietary fat and carbohydrate are modifiable risk factors that may impact on MetS by altering the human microbiome composition. We determined the effect of the amount and type of dietary fat and carbohydrate on faecal bacteria and short chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations in people ‘at risk’ of MetS.

Liquid-vapour homogenisation of fluid inclusions in stalagmites: Evaluation of a new thermometer for paleoclimate research

We present a new approach to determine palaeotemperatures (mean annual surface temperatures) based on measurements of the liquid–vapour homogenisation temperature of fluid inclusions in stalagmites. The aim of this study is to explore the potential and the limitations of this new palaeothermometer and to develop a reliable methodology for routine applications in palaeoclimate research. Therefore, we have investigated recent fluid inclusions from the top part of actively growing stalagmites that have formed at temperatures close to the present-day cave air temperature. A precondition for measuring homogenisation temperatures of originally monophase inclusions is the nucleation of a vapour bubble by means of single ultra-short laser pulses. Based on the observed homogenisation temperatures (Th(obs)) and measurements of the vapour bubble diameter at a known temperature, we calculated stalagmite formation temperatures (Tf) by applying a thermodynamic model that takes into account the effect of surface tension on liquid–vapour homogenisation. Results from recent stalagmite samples demonstrate that calculated stalagmite formation temperatures match the present-day cave air temperature within ± 0.2 °C. To avoid artificially induced changes of the fluid density we defined specific demands on the selection, handling and preparation of the stalagmite samples. Application of the method is restricted to stalagmites that formed at cave temperatures greater than ~ 9–11 °C.

Influence of Fluid Concentration on the Elevation of Boiling Point of Blackberry Juice

The rise in boiling point of blackberry juice was experimentally measured at soluble solids concentrations in the range of 9.4 to 58.4Brix and pressures between 4.9 103 and 9.0 104 Pa (abs.). Different approaches to representing experimental data, including the Duhring`s rule, a model similar to Antoine equation and other empirical models proposed in the literature were tested. In the range of 9.4 to 33.6Brix, the rise in boiling point was nearly independent of pressure, varying only with juice concentration. Considerable deviations of this behavior began to occur at concentrations higher than 39.1Brix. Experimental data could be best predicted by adjusting an empirical model, which consists of a single equation that takes into account the dependence of rise in boiling point on pressure and concentration.

Influência na qualidade final de metais retificados através da variação da velocidade de mergulho

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

Influência da lubrirrefrigeração na qualidade superficial de metais retificados

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

A continuously differentiable upwinding scheme for the simulation of fluid flow problems

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

Cerâmicas avançadas no processo de retificação cilíndrica externa de mergulho utilizando a técnica da mínima quantidade de lubrificação (MQL) com rebolos diamantados

Nas últimas duas décadas, as cerâmicas avançadas têm sido exaustivamente utilizadas em aplicações na indústria devido às suas propriedades de elevada resistência ao desgaste e dureza. Entretanto, ainda se tem um alto custo agregado ao acabamento da peça. Esse acabamento geralmente é feito pelo processo de retificação, único processo economicamente viável que produz superfícies de elevada qualidade e precisão geométrica. Nesse contexto, as empresas vêm buscando a otimização no processo de retificação como, por exemplo, a redução do fluxo de fluido de corte utilizado, o que também visa atender exigências mundiais de preservação ambiental. Desta forma, este projeto pretendeu explorar a técnica da Mínima Quantidade de Lubrificação (MQL) na retificação cilíndrica externa de mergulho em cerâmicas com rebolos diamantados. Foram utilizados dois métodos de refrigeração: o convencional e o MQL, com três avanços de corte para cada caso. Foram usados um bocal convencional e um bocal para o MQL, tendo este um uniformizador de saída do jato. Foram analisadas como variáveis de saída: a emissão acústica, relação G, aspecto da superfície via microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), rugosidade e circularidade. Assim, embora a refrigeração convencional ainda apresente os melhores resultados em comparação com a refrigeração com MQL, esta última pode atender os requisitos necessários para diversas aplicações, em especial quando utilizadas baixas espessuras equivalentes de corte (h eq). Além disso, a técnica de MQL possui a vantagem de gerar um menor impacto ambiental em comparação com a lubrificação convencional, devido ao uso mínimo de fluido de corte cujo descarte é cada vez mais regulamentado e custoso.

Cerâmicas avançadas no processo de retificação cilíndrica externa de mergulho com rebolos diamantados com a técnica da mímima quantidade de lubrificação e refrigeração otimizada

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

Retificação da alumina com rebolo diamantado utilizando-se diferentes métodos de lubri-refrigeração

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

Retificação de cerâmica de alumina relacionada com diferentes técnicas de lubri-refrigeração: convencional e mínima quantidade de lubrificação

Atualmente a preocupação ambiental está fazendo com que as empresas busquem diminuir os impactos ambientais por elas causados, ao mesmo tempo em que melhoram a qualidade do produto e processos de fabricação. Logo, muitas pesquisas estão sendo desenvolvidas na área de usinagem para se analisar o real dano ao meio ambiente quando usados diferentes métodos de lubri-refrigeração. Este trabalho teve como objetivo analisar a qualidade da peça produzida e o desgaste do ferramental de corte de uma retificadora plana ao se usinar cerâmica de alumina com dois métodos distintos de aplicação de fluido de corte: método convencional com vazão de 458,3 mL/h e o método da mínima quantidade de lubrificação (MQL) com 100 mL/h. A partir dos resultados obtidos pode-se constatar que para os mesmos parâmetros de usinagem a técnica do MQL utilizou uma quantidade muito menor de fluido e garantiu bons resultados de desgaste diametral do rebolo. No entanto, a qualidade da peça foi bem pior para o método do MQL em relação a técnica de refrigeração convencional. Estes resultados mostraram que se utilizando formas alternativas de lubrificação para reduzir o uso do fluido de corte, são possíveis dependendo de quais fatores são mais importantes para o processo que se deseja. Nesse sentido, se o método do MQL fosse adotado pelas empresas dependentes da retificação, certamente iria trazer, de um lado, benefícios quanto a problemas de descarte e reciclagem de fluido de corte, mas por outro lado, levaria a uma menor qualidade superficial das peças.

Thorax ultrasound in the management of pediatric pneumonias complicated with empyema

The aim of this work is to prospectively study the value of thoracic ultrasound (US) before pleural drainage in children with parapneumonic effusion (PPE). All children hospitalized for PPE, identified by thoracic radiography, underwent US to assess pleural loculation, echogenicity, and pleural fluid quantity. From August 2001 to July 2003, 52 children were examined. US was performed on 48 of these children, of whom 35 received chest tube drainage and 13 only received clinical treatment. US identified 38 patients with free flowing and 10 with loculated pleural fluid. About 25 of the free flowing (65.8%) and 10 (100%) of the loculated patients received chest tube drainage. Echogenicity was anechoic in 13, echoic without septations in 17 and echoic with septations in 18. Chest tube drainage was required in 6 anechoic (46.15%), 14 echoic without septations (82.35%), and 15 echoic with septations (83.33%). Quantity of fluid estimated by US varied from 20 to 860 ml. Effusion volume was higher in patients that were echoic with septations and loculated effusions. Pleural glucose and pH were lower, and LDH was higher in loculated PPE patients. In conclusion, US is an auxiliary exam for determining whether thoracic drainage is needed in parapneumonic effusion; loculated or echoic effusion should be drained, and free anechoic fluid needs further investigation.

Influence of fluid volume variations on the calculated value of the left ventricular mass measured by echocardiogram in patients submitted to hemodialysis

The left ventricular mass (LVM) measurement is of major importance for renal patients, as ventricular hypertrophy is an important prognostic index. The echo-cardiogram of the ventricular mass is larger before than it is after hemodialysis, which can confuse data interpretation. The aim of this work is to study the influence of alterations in fluid volume on the variations in measurements of ventricular mass observed during the course of a hemodialysis. Sixteen patients with chronic renal insufficiency in hemodialysis were evaluated at the Dialysis Unit of the University Hospital-UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo State. The left ventricular mass was calculated from echocardiograms taken before and after hemodialysis and simultaneous ultra-filtration (12 patients: UF GROUP) and before and after hemodialysis isovolemic phase with sequential ultra-filtration (10 patients: ISO GROUP). Six of these patients were submitted to measurements of left ventricular mass before and after hemodialysis in both isovolemic and simultaneous ultra-filtration procedures. In the UF group, there was significant reduction in the following parameters before and after dialysis: diastolic diameter from 54.0 +/- 6.0 mm to 45.6 +/- 7.6 mm; left ventricular mass from 342 +/- 114 g to 265 +/- 117 g; and its respective index (IMVE) from 214 +/- 68 g/m(2) to 168 +/- 71 g/m(2). The ISO group showed no statistically significant variation. The behavior of the variables of six patients submitted to both observations confirm these results. In conclusion, the variations in echocardiogram measurements of the left ventricular mass relating to hemodialysis appear to be induced by alterations of the volemic condition.

Effect of fluid resins on the surface roughness and topography of resin composite restorations analyzed by atomic force microscope

The aim of the study was to verify the influence of surface sealants on the surface roughness of resin composite restorations before and after mechanical toothbrushing, and evaluate the superficial topography using atomic force microscope. Five surface sealers were used: Single Bond, Opti Bond Solo Plus, Fortify, Fortify Plus and control, without any sealer agent. The lowest values of surface roughness were obtained for control, Single Bond and Fortify groups before toothbrushing. Fortify and Fortify Plus were the sealer agents that support the abrasive action caused by the toothbrushing although Fortify Plus group remained with high values of surface roughness. The application of specific surface sealants could be a useful clinical procedure to maintain the quality of resin-based composite restorations. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Determination of the optimal quantity of crop residues for energy in sugarcane crop management using linear programming in variety selection and planting strategy

The aim of this work was to present organizational models for optimizing the reduction of crop residue generated by the sugarcane culture. The first model consisted of the selection of varieties of sugarcane to be planted meeting the mill requirements and, at the same time, to minimize the quantity of residue produced. The second model discussed the use of residue to produce energy. This is related to the selection of variety and quantity to be planted, in order to meet the requirements of the mill, to reduce the quantity of residue, and to maximize as much as possible the energy production. The use of linear programming was proposed. The two models presented similar results in this study, and both may be used to define the varieties and areas to be cultivated. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier B.V. Ltd.