K-shell X-ray production cross sections of Ti, Cr, Ni and Zn induced by chlorine ions.

In this work we report on the results of the total K-shell X-ray production cross sections of Ti, Cr, Ni and Zn induced by Cl4+ and Cl5+ ions with energies ranging from 4 MeV to 10 MeV. The experimental results were compared with Atomic Orbitals Coupled-Channels (CC) calculations based on the independent electron model. The experimental X-ray production cross sections vary from about 10-2 barns for Zn up to 102 barns for Ti. The results obtained for Ti indicate that the present CC calculations underestimate the experimental cross sections up to two orders of magnitude at 10 MeV chlorine bombarding energy. However, the discrepancy between CC calculations and experimental results decreases as both bombarding energy and the atomic number of the target species increase. The dependency of the experiment-theory agreement on the asymmetry and adiabaticity parameters α and η respectively is discussed.

The potential of accelerator-based techniques as an analytical tool for forensics: The case of coffee.

We discuss how different accelerator-based techniques can be employed synergistically as a powerful analytical tool for forensic studies of foodstuff. Brazilian and Jamaican coffees were chosen as a showcase due to its popularity and potential risk of adulteration and/or falsification. Comprehensive characterization of major and trace elements, age since production and compound contents were achieved using different techniques, including PIXE (Particle-Induced X-ray Emission), FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared), and AMS-14C (Accelerator Mass Spectrometry - Radiocarbon Analysis). While PIXE provides information on the elements present in the samples, FTIR probes the types of compounds through their vibrational spectra. Finally, AMS-14C is capable of dating organic samples regarding their harvesting time. Five different laboratories from research institutions around the world took part in the experiments. The integration of the results obtained with different techniques provided multifaceted perspectives on the coffee under study, thus allowing a direct assessment of the material for forensic purposes such as authentication, determination of provenance, and combat counterfeiting.

Atividade alelopática dos lixiviados de Asemeia extraaxillaris (Polygalaceae) sobre o crescimento de Ipomoea cordifolia / Allelopathic activity of leachates from Asemeia extraaxillaris (Polygalaceae) on the growth of Ipomoea cordifolia

RESUMO O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar a atividade alelopática dos lixiviados das raízes e folhas secas de Asemeia extraaxillaris sobre o crescimento de corda de viola Ipomoea cordifolia em casa de vegetação, para avaliação dos efeitos sobre o estresse oxidativo. Nos bioensaios foram utilizadas três concentrações (0,25 - 5,00 e 10,00 g) e um controle, com quatro repetições de 10 plantas, cultivadas em solo durante 30 dias. Os lixiviados possuem ação alelopática e o maior efeito foi verificado para o pó das raizes. O efeito inibitório foi dose-dependente e o aumento do estresse oxidativo foi observado pelos níveis da catalase, peroxidase, superóxido dismutase, glutationa redutase, peroxidação lipídica e síntese de formazan. Concluiu-se que A. extraaxillaris possui substâncias capazes de afetar a emergência, o crescimento e o estresse oxidativo de I. cordifolia.

ABSTRACT The purpose of this article is to assess the allelopathic activity of leachates from the roots and dried leaves of Asemeia extraaxillaris on the germination and growth of corda de viola (Ipomoea cordifolia) in a greenhouse, and evaluate its effect on oxidative stress. For the bioassays, three concentrations (0.25, 5.00, and 10.00 g) and one control were used, with four replications of 10 plants, cultivated in soil for 30 days. The leachates exhibited allelopathic action, and the greatest effect was found in the root powder. The inhibitory effect was dose-dependent and the increase in oxidative stress was observed by the levels of catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, lipid peroxidation, and formazan synthesis. It was affirmed that A. extraaxillaris contains substances capable of affecting seedling emergence, growth, and oxidative stress in I. cordifolia.

The presence of Microlobius foetidus cause changes in the antioxidant defense of Urochloa decumbens?

Urochloa decumbens (Stapf) R. D. Webster (Poaceae) is an exotic species with has spread rapidly through the Cerrado area of Pantanal, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. It has covered the soil aggressively turning it into cultivated pastures. Thus, it has become a challenge to protect native areas due its capacity of exclusion of native species. It has been observed that Microlobius foetidus (Jacq.) M.Sousa & G.Andrade species (Fabaceae) shows a dominant pattern over the development of U. decumbens. This work shows that M. foetidus interfere on the natural growth of U. decumbens within 10 m ratio. Between 15 and 20 m, it was observed an increase of Importance Value index (IVI) and Relative cover (RC) values. It was also observed a variation on the antioxidant defense system of U. decumbens within 10m ratio from M. foetidus. The enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase present higher levels of activity then those found for glutathione reductase. This data indicates that M. foetidus may have an effect on U. decumbens, increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes. This effect probably happens as means to neutralize the toxic effects of the oxygen generated due to the presence of allelochemicals, which increases oxidative stress.

Drop evaporation on superhydrophobic PTFE surfaces driven by contact line dynamics.

In the present study, we experimentally study the evaporation modes and kinetics of sessile drops of water on highly hydrophobic surfaces (contact angle ∼160°), heated to temperatures ranging between 40° and 70 °C. These surfaces were initially constructed by means of controlled tailoring of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) substrates. The evaporation of droplets was observed to occur in three distinct phases, which were the same for the different substrate temperatures. The drops started to evaporate in the constant contact radius (CCR) mode, then switched to a more complex mode characterized by a set of stick-slip events accompanied by a decrease in contact angle, and finally shifted to a mixed mode in which the contact radius and contact angle decreased simultaneously until the drops had completely evaporated. It is shown that in the case of superhydrophobic surfaces, the energy barriers (per unit length) associated with the stick-slip motion of a drop ranges in the nJ m(-1) scale. Furthermore, analysis of the evaporation rates, determined from experimental data show that, even in the CCR mode, a linear relationship between V(2/3) and the evaporation time is verified. The values of the evaporation rate constants are found to be higher in the pinned contact line regime (the CCR mode) than in the moving contact line regime. This behavior is attributed to the drop's higher surface to volume ratio in the CCR mode.

Avaliação da atividade antioxidante e alelopática do extrato etanólico e frações das cascas do caule de Zanthoxylum rhoifolium Lam., Rutaceae / Assessment of antioxidant and allelopathic activities of ethanolic extract and solvent fractions from stem bark of Zanthoxylum rhoifolium Lam. (Rutaceae)

The purpose of this study was to test for antioxidantand allelopathic activities in stem bark of Zanthoxylum rhoifolium Lam., Rutaceae, with the eventual aim of discovering biologically active substances. The plant material was subjected to ethanolic extraction and this extract was partitioned, yielding hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and hydroalcoholic fractions. Antioxidant activity was estimated by the reduction of phosphomolybdenum complex, of DPPH. and of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS). To detect allelopathy, the samples were tested, at four concentrations, on the germination and development of the radicle and hypocotyl of L. sativa seeds. The samples showed significant antioxidant activity against the reduction of the phosphomolybdenum complex, as compared to rutin, and reduction of TBARS, ascompared to BHT, as well as allelopathic activity, since they stimulated growth and seed germination. The chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions showed the best antioxidant potentials, with 204.17% and 127.11% compared to rutin, in the reduction of phosphomolybdenum complex, as did the crude ethanolic extract and hexane fraction, with 64.2% and 60.9% compared to BHT, in the TBARS method. In the allelopathic assay, the chloroform fraction stood out as the only sample that stimulated the growth of both the radicle and hypocotyl at most concentrations, ranging from 41 to 144%, while the ethyl acetate fraction achieved the greatest stimulus in this bioassay, increasing the growth of the hypocotyl by 274%. This is the first study that demonstrates the antioxidant and allelopathic activities of the species Z. rhoifolium...

Este trabalho teve como objetivo o estudo das atividades antioxidante e alelopática das cascas do caule de Zanthoxylum rhoifolium Lam., Rutaceae, de modo a conduzir à descoberta de substâncias biologicamente ativas. O material vegetal foi submetido à extração etanólica e este extrato foi fracionado obtendo as frações (hexano, clorofórmio, acetato de etila e hidroalcoólica). Para a avaliação da atividade antioxidante, empregaram-se os métodos de redução do complexo fosfomolibdênio, de redução do radical DPPH e das substâncias reativas ao acido tiobarbitúrico (TBARS). Quanto à alelopatia, as amostras foram testadas em quatro concentrações sobre a germinação e o desenvolvimento de radícula e hipocótilo das sementes de Lactuca sativa. As amostras evidenciaram atividade antioxidante significativa frente ao método de redução do complexo fosfomolibdênio quando comparada à rutina, e do TBARS quando comparado ao BHT, assim como a atividade alelopática, uma vez que estimularam tanto a germinação como o crescimento das sementes. A fração clorofórmica e acetato de etila demonstraram melhor potencial antioxidante com 204,17% e 127,11% em relação à rutina no método de formação do complexo fosfomolibdênio, e o extrato bruto e a fração hexano com 64,2% e 60,9%, em relação ao BHT, no método TBARS. No ensaio alelopático, destaca-se a fração clorofórmica, pois foi a única amostra que estimulou o crescimento do hipocótilo e radícula na maioria das concentrações, variando de 41 a 144%, e a fração acetato de etila que apresentou a maior porcentagem de estímulo nesse bioensaio, demonstrando estímulo de 274% do crescimento do hipocótilo. Este é o primeiro trabalho que demonstra a atividade antioxidante e alelopática de Z. rhoifolium...

Identificação de δ tocotrienol e de ácidos graxos no óleo fixo de urucum (Bixa orellana Linné) / Identification of δ tocotrienols and fatty acids in fixed oil of annatto (Bixa orellana Linné)

Bixa orellana é uma planta nativa do Brasil, conhecida popularmente como urucum. O objetivo desse estudo foi extrair o óleo das sementes de B. orellana e, a partir dele, isolar e identificar o tocotrienol e quantificar seus ácidos graxos. A extração do óleo realizou-se em aparelho Soxhlet utilizando hexano como solvente extrator. O tocotrienol foi isolado por meio de métodos cromatográficos e identificado por espectrometria de ressonância magnética nuclear RMN 1H e RMN 13C. Os ácidos graxos foram quantificados por cromatografia gasosa acoplada ao espectrômetro de massa. Os resultados demonstraram a presença de δ -tocotrienol e, dentre os ácidos graxos, a ocorrência do ácido aracdônico, que até o presente momento não havia sido relatada na espécie em estudo.

Bixa orellana is a native plant of Brazil, popularly known as annatto. The purpose of this study was to isolate the oil from the seeds of B. orellana and from it, identify the antioxidant tocotrienol and quantify its fatty acids. The extraction of the oil was performed in a Soxhlet apparatus using hexane as solvent. The tocotrienol was isolated by chromatographic methods and identified by spectrometric methods NMR 1H and 13C. The fatty acids present in the oil were quantified by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Results demonstrated the presence of δ-tocotrienol and among the fatty acids, the arachidonic acid was present, a substance which so far had not been previously reported.

Mineral content is related to antioxidant and antimutagenic properties of grape juice.

Grape juices are an important source of food antioxidants. Unfortunately, there is little data about the mineral composition and the antioxidant, mutagenic and antimutagenic activities of grape juice in eukaryote cells. We evaluated the mineral contents (Mg, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Si, S, Cl) of grape juices, the antioxidant, mutagenic and/or antimutagenic activities of the juices in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and looked for a possible association between mineral content and antioxidant, mutagenic and/or antimutagenic activities of juice samples. Eight commercial grape juices, four purple (Bordo variety) and four white (Niagara variety), were evaluated. Most of the minerals were in similar concentrations in purple and white grape juices, except for calcium and copper; purple grapes had more calcium content and white grapes had more copper content. All grape juices had important antioxidant and antimutagenic activities in S. cerevisiae and prevented the oxidative damage provoked by hydrogen peroxide (P < 0.05). Positive correlations (P < 0.05) were observed between antioxidant and antimutagenic activities and mineral content. In this context, we concluded that the grape juices, white and purple, are an important mineral source, and these contents explain, in part, the important antioxidant and antimutagenic activities.

Occurrence, distribution and abundance of Halobates micans Eschscholtz, 1822 (Heteroptera, Gerridae) along the southeastern Brazilian coast.

Data collected during an oceanographic cruise along the southeastern Brazilian coast from Cape Frio (22 degrees 58' S) and Paraná (27 degrees 50' S) in March 1982 showed that the marine insect Halobates micans occurred along the Southeastern Brazilian Bight, but in lower abundance in low-temperature areas due to the intrusion and upwelling of South Atlantic Central Water, and in low-salinity areas in Coastal Water. Insect capture was higher at night and in the oligotrophic Tropical Water. The number of nymphs and adult females was higher, probably because of an active breeding season during the austral summer. Adult sex ratio was 1.3:1.0 (F:M). Floating gas vesicles of benthic Sargassum spp. and petroleum lumps were used by females for egg-laying.

Occurrence, distribution and abundance of Halobates micans Eschscholtz, 1822 (Heteroptera, Gerridae) along the southeastern Brazilian coast / Ocorrência, distribuição e abundância de Halobates micans Eschscholtz, 1822 (Heteroptera, Gerridae) na costa sudeste do Brasil

Data collected during an oceanographic cruise along the southeastern Brazilian coast from Cape Frio (22° 58' S) and Paraná (27° 50' S) in March 1982 showed that the marine insect Halobates micans occurred along the Southeastern Brazilian Bight, but in lower abundance in low-temperature areas due to the intrusion and upwelling of South Atlantic Central Water, and in low-salinity areas in Coastal Water. Insect capture was higher at night and in the oligotrophic Tropical Water. The number of nymphs and adult females was higher, probably because of an active breeding season during the austral summer. Adult sex ratio was 1.3:1.0 (F:M). Floating gas vesicles of benthic Sargassum spp. and petroleum lumps were used by females for egg-laying.

Dados coletados em um cruzeiro oceanográfico ao longo da costa sudeste do Brasil, entre o cabo Frio (22° 58' S) e o Paraná (27° 50' S), em março de 1982, mostram que o inseto marinho Halobates micans ocorreu no embaiamento sudeste do Brasil, em baixa abundância em locais de baixas temperaturas superficiais, devido à penetração e ressurgência da Água Central do Atlântico Sul, e em locais com salinidade mais baixa devido à presença da Água Costeira. A captura do inseto foi maior durante a noite e na Água Tropical oligotrófica. O número de ninfas e fêmeas adultas foi mais alto, provavelmente por um ativo período reprodutivo no verão austral. As proporções sexuais dos adultos foram 1,3:1,0 (F:M). Vesículas flutuantes de Sargassum spp. e grumos de petróleo (pixe) foram usados pelas fêmeas para oviposição.

Contribuição ao estudo alelopático de Maytenus ilicifolia Mart. ex Reiss., Celastraceae / Contribution to the allelophatic study of Maytenus ilicifolia Mart. ex Reiss., Celastraceae

Utilizando-se extratos etanólicos de Maytenus ilicifolia obtidos com material vegetal seco em diferentes temperaturas, fez-se ensaio alelopático utilizando sementes de Lactuca sativa. Observou-se que a temperatura de secagem do material vegetal é um agente modificador de atividade alelopática.

Ethanol extracts of Maytenus ilicifolia, obtained from vegetable material dried at different temperatures, were used to perform allelophatic assays using seeds of Lactuca sativa. It was observed that the drying temperature of the vegetable material is a modifier agent of allelophatic activity.

Giant Barkas effect observed for light ions channeling in Si.

Measurements of the electronic energy loss are presented for (4)He and (7)Li ions channeling along the Si main axial directions at intermediate to high projectile energies. The Barkas effect, an energy-loss enhancement proportional to the third power of the projectile charge at high energies, is clearly separated from other processes. It reaches about 50% for Li ions channeling along the Si [110] direction. The observed Barkas contribution from the valence-electron gas is in fair agreement with the Lindhard model.

Traumas oculares por acidentes do trabalho / Ocular injuries by labor accidents

Estudamos 137 casos de traumatismos oculares por acidentes de trabalho, atendidos no Serviço de Emergência Oftalmológica do Hospital Municipal Souza Aguiar. A pesquisa foi feita em dois período com intervalo de 10 anos, sendo primeiro no ano de 1976 e o segundo em 1986. Os pacientes responderam a um questionário contendo identificaçäo, profissäo com endereço do empregador, agente causal, circunstâncias do trauma e uso de equipamento de segurança no trabalho. O diagnóstico predominante foi o de corpo estranho de córnea com 48,8% no primeiro período de 51,8% no segundo período. O agente causal mais freqüente foi o fragmento de ferro com uma incidência de 56,8% no ano de 1976 e 56,0% em 1986. O sexo masculino com 100,0% de casos no primeiro período e 99,0% no segundo. Também em ambos os período a terceira década de vida e a profissäo de Serralheiro foram as de maior incidência. O conhecimento do agente causal, relacionando-o ao diagnóstico e a profissäo é fundamental para a elaboraçäo de medidas preventivas, que evitem alteraçöes as mais diversas do órgäo visual e o afastamento do trabalho. Esse aspecto é discutido, juntamente com uma análise sumária da reabilitaçäo dos deficientes visuais, nos centros de reabilitaçäo profissional

Perfuracoes oculares causadas por explosoes de garrafas com bebidas caseificadas. / Ocular perforations caused by explosions of bottles with gasified beverages

Um estudo foi realizado em 16 pacientes com perfuracoes de globo ocular causados por explosoes de garrafas de bebidas gaseificadas alcoolicas e nao alcoolicas sem gelo. Essas explosoes sao rotina para todos que trabalham neste ramo em climas quentes, causando numerosos acidentes de trabalho. A grande incidencia ocorreu nos meses de maior calor do ano com os pacientes que seguravam as garrafas. Acreditamos que um melhor controle de qualidade na fabricacao dos vidros e talvez uma menor pressao do gas no interior das garrafas, possam concorrer para diminuir a incidencia dessas explosoes, contribuindo assim para a prevencao da cegueira

Traumas oculares por acidentes de transito. / Ocular injuries in traffic accidents

Foram estudados 55 pacientes com traumatismos oculares por acidentes de transito, num periodo de 15 meses. Esses pacientes responderam a um questionario sobre as suas localizacoes no interior de veiculo a marca ou o tipo do veiculo, se faziam uso de cinto de seguranca e uso de oculos ou lente de contato na ocasiao do acidente.Consideracoes sobre o diagnostico e avaliacao funcional da visao sao comentados, assim como as medidas preventivas dos traumatismos oculares

Traumas oculares causados por agressoes em 70 pacientes. / Ocular traumas caused by personal attack in 70 patients

Num estudo realizado em 307 pacientes com traumatismos oculares, internados no servico de oftalmologia do Hospital Municipal Souza Aguiar no periodo de 15 meses, foram registrados 70 casos de agressoes. O agente causal mais frequente do trauma ocular foi a pedrada seguida do projetil da arma de fogo (PAF), ocasionando graves ferimentos perfurantes de globo ocular. O estudo das causas que levam a agressao implica numa profunda analise do comportamento humano e social, nao sendo esse o nosso proposito. Consideracoes sobre alguns aspectos estatisticos sao aqui abordados visando possiveis medidas preventivas, que possam contribuir para diminuir as agressoes ou os seus efeitos

Associacao de diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidos e atrofia do nervo optico em dois irmaos gemeos. / Association of diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus and optic nerve atrophy in twin brothers

Os autores observaram dois irmaos gemeos que apresentam associacao dos quadros de diabetes mellitus insulino-dependente, diabetes insipidus sensivel a vasopressina e atrofia primaria do nervo optico. A instalacao foi progressiva e quase concomitante a partir dos cinco anos de idade.Ambos apresentaram quadros graves de convulsoes generalizadas (com eletroencefalogramas anormais), que diminuiram de numero e intensidade com anticonvulsivantes, e deficit de aprendizado escolar. Audiometria recente mostrou discreta diminuicao na audicao de sons de alta frequencia em um deles. Justifica-se a apresentacao dos presentes casos em face da raridade da sindrome de Wolfram, bem como das dificuldades diagnosticas, implicacoes etiopatogenicas e terapeuticas. Em revisao bibliografica recente (1977), Cremers e col. estimaram em 88 os casos relatados desta sindrome, e descreveram tres novos casos

Capacitive blood pressure transducer.

A capacitive transducer was developed to measure blood pressure using a catheter interfaced to the body. The transducer was made of fused quartz in order to achieve a low temperature coefficient and it consists of a circular body and a 1.25 mm thick sensing diaphragm that mates concentrically with the body. The body of the transducer has a 10 micron deep circular cavity, plasma etched into it. One of the electrodes of the sensing capacitor is vacuum deposited in the etched cavity and the other, which is an oversized electrode, is similarly deposited on the underside of the diaphragm. To obtain a stable reference capacitor, a ring electrode is also deposited in the cavity that forms a capacitor with the oversized electrode. The diaphragm and body are brazed together using a tin-gold alloy. A typical transducer has a full scale of 300 mm of Hg with an overpressure capacity of 3000 mm; a TC sensitivity of 0.015% of FS/degrees C; a thermal zero drift of 0.01% of FS/degrees C; linearity and hysteresis of 0.5% of FS; a volume displacement of 0.02 mm3/100 mm Hg. The pressure module is 29.3 mm in diameter and 7.6 mm high.