Use of ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry associated with artificial neural networks as an alternative for determining the water quality index.

The water quality index (WQI) is an important tool for water resource management and planning. However, it has major disadvantages: the generation of chemical waste, is costly, and time-consuming. In order to overcome these drawbacks, we propose to simplify this index determination by replacing traditional analytical methods with ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometry associated with artificial neural network (ANN).

A new experimental model of cigarette smoke-induced emphysema in Wistar rats.

Objective: To describe a new murine model of cigarette smoke-induced emphysema.

Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into two groups: the cigarette smoke group, comprising 12 rats exposed to smoke from 12 commercial filter cigarettes three times a day (a total of 36 cigarettes per day) every day for 30 weeks; and the control group, comprising 12 rats exposed to room air three times a day every day for 30 weeks. Lung function was assessed by mechanical ventilation, and emphysema was morphometrically assessed by measurement of the mean linear intercept (Lm).