The energetic characterization of pineapple crown leaves.

Energetic characterization of biomass allows for assessing its energy potential for application in different conversion processes into energy. The objective of this study is to physicochemically characterize pineapple crown leaves (PC) for their application in energy conversion processes. PC was characterized according to ASTM E871-82, E1755-01, and E873-82 for determination of moisture, ash, and volatile matter, respectively; the fixed carbon was calculated by difference.

Long-term follow up of revascularization using platelet-rich fibrin.

Introduction: Trauma is one of the primary causes of tooth loss and pulpal injury in adolescents and children. Prior to regenerative endodontics, treatment of necrotic, immature teeth with open apices was limited to long-term calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2 ) apexification and subsequent root canal therapy or extraction. Through revascularization, retention of these teeth can be achieved and the elimination of patient symptoms and the radiographic appearance of continued root development were obtained.

A Scientific Software Product Line for the Bioinformatics domain.

Context: Most specialized users (scientists) that use bioinformatics applications do not have suitable training on software development. Software Product Line (SPL) employs the concept of reuse considering that it is defined as a set of systems that are developed from a common set of base artifacts. In some contexts, such as in bioinformatics applications, it is advantageous to develop a collection of related software products, using SPL approach.

Development of the Corticospinal and Callosal Tracts from Extremely Premature Birth up to 2 Years of Age.

White matter tracts mature asymmetrically during development, and this development can be studied using diffusion magnetic resonance imaging. The aims of this study were i. to generate dynamic population-averaged white matter registration templates covering in detail the period from 25 weeks gestational age to term, and extending to 2 years of age based on DTI and fractional anisotropy, ii.

Echoes of the Brain: Local-Scale Representation of Whole-Brain Functional Networks within Transmodal Cortex.

Transmodal (nonsensory-specific) regions sit at the confluence of different information streams, and play an important role in cognition. These regions are thought to receive and integrate information from multiple functional networks. However, little is known about (1) how transmodal cortices are functionally organized and (2) how this organization might facilitate information processing.

Mechanical properties and ion release from bioactive restorative composites containing glass fillers and calcium phosphate nano-structured particles.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of the replacement of barium glass by dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD) particles on the mechanical properties and degree of conversion (DC) of composites. Additionally, calcium and hydrogen phosphate (HPO4(2-)) release were followed for 28 days.

Methods: Nine composites containing equal parts (in mols) of BisGMA and TEGDMA and 40, 50 or 60 vol% of total filler were manipulated.

Clinical strategies to accelerate recovery after surgery orthopedic femur in elderly patients.

Background: The prevalence of hip fracture is increasing with the continued aging of the population. The aim of this study was to compare the results after implementing the project accelerated post-operative recovery after surgery femur in patients aged over 60 years.

Methods: Patients were observed during two distinct periods: Before implantation and after the implementation of the project Acerto.

[Hyperalgesic effect of subarachnoid administration of phentolamine in mice].

Background And Objectives: Painful phenomenon is one of the most important and complex experiences. Phentolamine is a non-selective alpha-adrenergic antagonist. The objective of this study was to compare the effect of increasing doses of phentolamine into subarachnoid space in rats in the modulation of painful phenomenon.

Calcium and phosphate release from resin-based materials containing different calcium orthophosphate nanoparticles.

The study compared ion release from resin-based materials containing calcium orthophosphates. Amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP), dicalcium phosphate anhydrous (DCPA), dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD), and tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and surface area (nitrogen adsorption isotherms, BET method). Nanoparticles were added to a dimethacrylate-based resin and materials were tested for degree of conversion (DC) and calcium/phosphate release up to 28 days under pH 5.

Neural Systems Involved When Attending to a Speaker.

Remembering what a speaker said depends on attention. During conversational speech, the emphasis is on working memory, but listening to a lecture encourages episodic memory encoding. With simultaneous interference from background speech, the need for auditory vigilance increases.

In silico repositioning-chemogenomics strategy identifies new drugs with potential activity against multiple life stages of Schistosoma mansoni.

Morbidity and mortality caused by schistosomiasis are serious public health problems in developing countries. Because praziquantel is the only drug in therapeutic use, the risk of drug resistance is a concern. In the search for new schistosomicidal drugs, we performed a target-based chemogenomics screen of a dataset of 2,114 proteins to identify drugs that are approved for clinical use in humans that may be active against multiple life stages of Schistosoma mansoni.

Solid residues from Italian municipal solid waste incinerators: A source for "critical" raw materials.

The incineration of municipal solid wastes is an important part of the waste management system along with recycling and waste disposal, and the solid residues produced after the thermal process have received attention for environmental concerns and the recovery of valuable metals. This study focuses on the Critical Raw Materials (CRM) content in solid residues from two Italian municipal waste incinerator (MSWI) plants. We sampled untreated bottom ash and fly ash residues, i.

Calcium phosphate nanoparticles functionalized with a dimethacrylate monomer.

The synthesis of calcium phosphate nanoparticles may include modifying agents to tailor particle size, reduce agglomeration and add specific functionalities. This study describes the synthesis of dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD) nanoparticles functionalized with triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA), added to one of the reacting solutions, with the purpose of reducing agglomeration and improving the compatibility with vinyl-based resin matrices. The nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), transmission electronic microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and surface area (BET).

Carnivorous diving beetles of the genus Desmopachria (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) from Brazil: new species, new records, and a checklist.

Eight new species of Desmopachria Babington, 1841 are described and illustrated from Brazil: D. dicrophallica sp nov., D.

Virtual screening strategies in medicinal chemistry: the state of the art and current challenges.

Virtual screening (VS) techniques are well-established tools in the modern drug discovery process, mainly used for hit finding in drug discovery. The availability of knowledge of structural information, which includes an increasing number of 3D protein structures and the readiness of free databases of commercially available smallmolecules, provides a broad platform for VS. This review summarizes the current developments in VS regarding chemical databases and highlights the achievements as well as the challenges with an emphasis on a recent example of the successful application for the identification of new hits for sterol 14α-demethylase (CYP51) of Trypanosoma cruzi.

Mapping camphorquinone consumption, conversion and mechanical properties in methacrylates with systematically varied CQ/amine compositions.

Objectives: To evaluate conversion, bulk mechanical properties and camphorquinone (CQ) consumption in methacrylate resins, comprising a range of overall initiator concentrations and CQ/amine ratios.

Methods: BisGMA (Bisphenol-A glycidyl dimethacrylate), TEGDMA (triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate) and UDMA (urethane dimethacrylate) were mixed at a 1:1:1 molar ratio. CQ was used as the visible light photosensitizer, in combination with EDMAB (Ethyl p-dimethylamino benzoate), at 3:1, 2:1, 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3 weight ratios, at 0.

In silico prediction of drug metabolism by P450.

In the drug discovery cascade, metabolism studies should be performed as early as possible to allow an early evaluation of the metabolism profiles of drug candidates. To help design new drug candidates with improved pharmacokinetics, the knowledge of the site of metabolism is necessary. Computational or in silico metabolism approaches can be broadly classified into (i) ligand-based methods, and (ii) structure-based methods.

Electroconvulsive therapy augmentation in clozapine-resistant schizophrenia: a prospective, randomized study.

Objective: Up to 70% of patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia do not respond to clozapine. Pharmacological augmentation to clozapine has been studied with unimpressive results. The authors examined the use of ECT as an augmentation to clozapine for treatment-refractory schizophrenia.

Micro-CT evaluation of calcium hydroxide removal through passive ultrasonic irrigation associated with or without an additional instrument.

Aim: To use computerized microtomography (micro-CT) to evaluate the efficacy of passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI), with or without an additional file (F5), in removing calcium hydroxide medication.

Methodology: The root canals of single-rooted human teeth were prepared with a ProTaper(®) F4 file (Dentsply Maillefer) and filled with calcium hydroxide/propylene glycol 400 paste. After 30 days of storage under 100% humidity, the teeth were divided into four groups (n = 8) according to the removal technique: passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) only, additional file only (file F5), PUI + additional file and master apical file only (F4, control).

Affective temperaments and neurocognitive functioning in bipolar disorder.

Background: There is evidence that patients with bipolar disorder (BD) score higher on affective temperament ratings compared to healthy controls (HCs). Moreover, unaffected relatives demonstrate similar patterns as BD patients suggesting that such temperaments are related to the genetic risk for BD and may serve as endophenotypes for the disorder. It is unknown whether affective temperaments are associated with other core features of BD, such as impairments in neurocognition.

Implementation of a perioperative management protocol for patients undergoing orthopedic surgery.

Objective: To evaluate the initial results after the implementation of perioperative protocol in patients over 60 years of age undergoing surgical treatment for femur fractures.

Methods: We conducted a prospective study of patients older than 60 years who were hospitalized with femur fracture. They were operated under spinal anesthesia and analgesia by lumbar plexus blockade.

Damage to the Salience Network and interactions with the Default Mode Network.

Interactions between the Salience Network (SN) and the Default Mode Network (DMN) are thought to be important for cognitive control. However, evidence for a causal relationship between the networks is limited. Previously, we have reported that traumatic damage to white matter tracts within the SN predicts abnormal DMN function.

Empirical evidence for discrete neurocognitive subgroups in bipolar disorder: clinical implications.

Background: Recent data suggest trait-like neurocognitive impairments in bipolar disorder (BPD), with deficits about 1 s.d. below average, less severe than deficits noted in schizophrenia.

Electrical activity of extrinsic laryngeal muscles in subjects with and without dysphonia.

Objective: To compare dysphonic individuals to nondysphonic with regards to electrical activity of extrinsic laryngeal muscles related to perceptual and acoustic vocal parameters.

Hypothesis: Dysphonic individuals have higher electrical activity in the supra and infrahyoid muscles than those nondysphonic.

Study Design: Prospective, cross-sectional, case series study.

Correlation between polymerization stress and interfacial integrity of composites restorations assessed by different in vitro tests.

Objective: to correlate polymerization stress data obtained under two compliance conditions with those from different interfacial quality tests.

Methods: Six commercial composites were tested (Filtek Z250/3M ESPE, Heliomolar/Ivoclar Vivadent, Aelite LS Posterior/Bisco, Filtek Supreme/3M ESPE, ELS/Saremco and Venus Diamond/Heraeus Kulzer). Bond strength (BS) was evaluated by push-out test on slices of bovine dentin (2-mm thick) with tapered cavities.