Sensorless Speed Estimation of Induction Motors through Signal Analysis Based on Chaos Using Density of Maxima.

Three-phase induction motors are widely used in various industrial sectors and are responsible for a significant portion of the total electrical energy consumed. To ensure their efficient operation, it is necessary to apply control systems with specific algorithms able to estimate rotation speed accurately and with an adequate response time. However, the angular speed sensors used in induction motors are generally expensive and unreliable, and they may be unsuitable for use in hostile environments.

First X-ray spectral ptychography and resonant ptychographic computed tomography experiments at the SWING beamline from Synchrotron SOLEIL.

X-ray ptychography and ptychographic computed tomography have seen a rapid rise since the advent of fourth-generation synchrotrons with a high degree of coherent radiation. In addition to quantitative multiscale structural analysis, ptychography with spectral capabilities has been developed, allowing for spatial-localized multiscale structural and spectral information of samples. The SWING beamline of Synchrotron SOLEIL has recently developed a nanoprobe setup where the endstation's first spectral and resonant ptychographic measurements have been successfully conducted.

ProSPyX: software for post-processing images of X-ray ptychography with spectral capabilities.

X-ray ptychography is a coherent diffraction imaging technique based on acquiring multiple diffraction patterns obtained through the illumination of the sample at different partially overlapping probe positions. The diffraction patterns collected are used to retrieve the complex transmittivity function of the sample and the probe using a phase retrieval algorithm. Absorption or phase contrast images of the sample as well as the real and imaginary parts of the probe function can be obtained.

Leptin favors imbalance of antigen-specific CD4 T-cells associated with severity of cat allergy.

Introduction: Obesity can complicate IgE-mediated allergic diseases. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the ability of obesity-related concentrations of leptin to modulate the effector and regulatory Fel d1-specific CD4 T-cell subsets in patients allergic to cat, considered the third most common cause of respiratory allergy in humans.

Methods: For this study, plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 30 cat-allergic patients with mild, moderate and severe respiratory symptoms were obtained.

Integrating a Bacillus-based product with fungicides by foliar application to protect soybean: a sustainable approach to avoid exclusive use of chemicals.

Background: Biological control is widely applied against soybean (Glycine max L.) soil-borne pathogens by furrow or seed treatments. The efficiency of bioproducts and timing of application by foliar sprays against soybean pathogens needs to be more fully understood.

Effect of extreme mechanical densification on the electrical properties of carbon nanotube micro-yarns.

We have explored the effect of high pressure post-treatment in optimizing the properties of carbon nanotube yarns and found that the application of dry hydrostatic pressure reduces porosity and enhances electrical properties. The CNT yarns were prepared by the dry-spinning method directly from CNT arrays made by the hot filament chemical vapour deposition (HF-CVD) process. Mechanical hydrostatic pressure up to 360 MPa induces a decrease in yarn resistivity between 3% and 35%, associated with the sample's permanent densification, with CNT yarn diameter reduction of 10%-25%.

Epidemiological features and geographical expansion of sporotrichosis in the state of Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil.

Cases of sporotrichosis are emerging in several states of Brazil, especially in the southeast. Recently, sporotrichosis has been reported in the state of Pernambuco in the northeastern region. The goal of this study was to shed new light on sporotrichosis in terms of the geographic distribution of human cases and provide an overview of sporotrichosis associated with zoonotic transmission.

The combination of two Bacillus strains suppresses Meloidogyne incognita and fungal pathogens, but does not enhance plant growth.

Background: The combination of biocontrol agents is a desirable strategy to improve control efficacy against the root-knot nematode (RKN) Meloidogyne incognita under field conditions. However, strains compatibility is generally tested in vitro and incompatible combinations are normally not further examined in experiments in planta. Therefore, there is virtually no information on the performance of incompatible strains.

Hierarchical Structure of NiMo Hydrodesulfurization Catalysts Determined by Ptychographic X-Ray Computed Tomography.

Hydrodesulphurization, the removal of sulphur from crude oils, is an essential catalytic process in the petroleum industry safeguarding the production of clean hydrocarbons. Sulphur removal is critical for the functionality of downstream processes and vital to the elimination of environmental pollutants. The effectiveness of such an endeavour is among other factors determined by the structural arrangement of the heterogeneous catalyst.

Nanoscopic X-ray imaging and quantification of the iron cellular architecture within single fibroblasts of Friedreich's ataxia patients.

Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by an increase in intracytoplasmic iron concentration. Here the nanoscale iron distribution within single fibroblasts from FRDA patients was investigated using synchrotron-radiation-based nanoscopic X-ray fluorescence and X-ray in-line holography at the ID16A nano-imaging beamline of the ESRF. This unique probe was deployed to uncover the iron cellular two-dimensional architecture of freeze-dried FRDA fibroblasts.

A hierarchical approach for modeling X-ray beamlines: application to a coherent beamline.

Different approaches to simulate a modern X-ray beamline are considered. Several methodologies with increasing complexity are applied to discuss the relevant parameters that quantify the beamline performance. Parameters such as flux, dimensions and intensity distribution of the focused beam, and coherence properties are obtained from simple analytical calculations to sophisticated computer simulations using ray-tracing and wave optics techniques.

Overcoming the challenges of high-energy X-ray ptychography.

X-ray ptychography is a coherent diffraction imaging technique with a high resolving power and excellent quantitative capabilities. Although very popular in synchrotron facilities nowadays, its implementation with X-ray energies above 15 keV is very rare due to the challenges imposed by the high energies. Here, the implementation of high-energy X-ray ptychography at 17 and 33.

Intracellular Localization of an Osmocenyl-Tamoxifen Derivative in Breast Cancer Cells Revealed by Synchrotron Radiation X-ray Fluorescence Nanoimaging.

A series of tamoxifen-like metallocifens of the group-8 metals (Fe, Ru, and Os) has strong antiproliferative activity on the triple-negative breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231). To shed light on the mechanism of action of these molecules, synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence nanoimaging studies were performed on cells exposed to osmocenyl-tamoxifen (Oc-OH-Tam) to disclose its intracellular distribution. High-resolution mapping of the lipophilic Oc-OH-Tam in cells revealed its preferential accumulation in the endomembrane system.

Micro-costing analysis of guideline-based treatment by direct-acting agents: the real-life case of hepatitis C management in Brazil.

Background: Eradication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) using direct-acting agents (DAA) has been associated with a financial burden to health authorities worldwide. We aimed to evaluate the guideline-based treatment costs by DAAs from the perspective of the Brazilian Ministry of Health (BMoH).

Methods: The activity based costing method was used to estimate the cost for monitoring/treatment of genotype-1 (GT1) HCV patients by the following strategies: peg-interferon (PEG-IFN)/ribavirin (RBV) for 48 weeks, PEG-IFN/RBV plus boceprevir (BOC) or telaprevir (TEL) for 48 weeks, and sofosbuvir (SOF) plus daclastavir (DCV) or simeprevir (SIM) for 12 weeks.

Inducing Stable α + β Microstructures during Selective Laser Melting of Ti-6Al-4V Using Intensified Intrinsic Heat Treatments.

Selective laser melting is a promising powder-bed-based additive manufacturing technique for titanium alloys: near net-shaped metallic components can be produced with high resource-efficiency and cost savings [...

Impact of the Molecular Environment on Thiol-Ene Coupling For Biofunctionalization and Conjugation.

Thiol-ene radical coupling is increasingly used for the biofunctionalization of biomaterials and the formation of 3D hydrogels enabling cell encapsulation. Indeed, thiol-ene chemistry presents interesting features that are particularly attractive for platforms requiring specific reactions of peptides or proteins, in particular, in situ, during cell culture or encapsulation. Despite such interest, little is known about the factors impacting thiol-ene chemistry in situ, under biologically relevant conditions.

Quadriceps and hamstring muscle activity during cycling as measured with intramuscular electromyography.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe thigh muscle activation during cycling using intramuscular electromyographic recordings of eight thigh muscles, including the biceps femoris short head (BFS) and the vastus intermedius (Vint).

Methods: Nine experienced cyclists performed an incremental test (start at 170 W and increased by 20 W every 2 min) on a bicycle ergometer either for a maximum of 20 min or to fatigue. Intramuscular electromyography (EMG) of eight muscles and kinematic data of the right lower limb were recorded during the last 20 s in the second workload (190 W).

Which Are the Most Reliable Methods of Predicting the Meniscal Size for Transplantation?

Background: Although the size of the meniscal allograft is crucial during meniscal transplantation, the accuracy of meniscal measurement methods is still under debate. A number of methods based on radiographic and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data as well as on anthropometric data have been proposed, but their reproducibility and reliability are still unclear.

Purpose: To compare meniscal length and width as measured by different techniques (anthropometric and plain radiographic) to establish which of these 2 methods is more reliable and cost-effective for determining the meniscal size in comparison to MRI.

Phosphorane lifetime and stereo-electronic effects along the alkaline hydrolysis of phosphate esters.

Hybrid quantum mechanical/effective fragment potential (QM/EFP) calculations, in conjunction with the quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) and energy decomposition analysis (EDA), were employed to investigate the reaction mechanism and stereo-electronic effects along the alkaline hydrolysis of the monoethyl phosphate dianion (MEP) and the diethylphosphate monoanion (DEP). Reactions proceed through a synchronous bimolecular ANDN mechanism for MEP and a stepwise (AN + DN) mechanism for DEP, with the formation of a phosphorane intermediate, having an overall reaction free energy and barrier of 11.5 and 43.

Factors associated with the deaths of men poisoned by carbamato ("chumbinho").

Objective To determine the factors associated with death in poisoning victims by carbamate ("Chumbinho"). Method Retrospective study, epidemiological case-control based on poisoning reporting forms, a poison control center located in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro. We used 24 notification forms of poisoning in men aged 20 to 59 years with poisoning by carbamate history from 2005 to 2009.

Single-Amino Acid Modifications Reveal Additional Controls on the Proton Pathway of [FeFe]-Hydrogenase.

The proton pathway of [FeFe]-hydrogenase is essential for enzymatic H2 production and oxidation and is composed of four residues and a water molecule. A computational analysis of this pathway in the [FeFe]-hydrogenase from Clostridium pasteurianum revealed that the solvent-exposed residue of the pathway (Glu282) forms hydrogen bonds to two residues outside of the pathway (Arg286 and Ser320), implying that these residues could function in regulating proton transfer. In this study, we show that substituting Arg286 with leucine eliminates hydrogen bonding with Glu282 and results in an ∼3-fold enhancement of H2 production activity when methyl viologen is used as an electron donor, suggesting that Arg286 may help control the rate of proton delivery.

Optimization of Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Cr, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb from Sediment, Followed by FAAS and GFAAS Analysis.

An ultrasound method for simultaneous extraction of Cr, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb from sediment, and determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) was proposed. The experimental results obtained using analytical curves and the method of standard additions agreed at a confidence level of 95% for all the analytes, as determined by FAAS and GFAAS, indicating no significant matrix effects. Recoveries ranged from 80.

Elementary signals in ptychography.

Ptychographic imaging has gained popularity for its high resolving power and sensitivity as well as for its ability to map simultaneously the sample's complex-valued refractive index and the illumination. Yet, despite significant progress that allows for reliable practical implementation, some of the technique's fundamentals remain poorly understood, and oftentimes successful data acquisition is either overly conservative or relies more on experimenters experience than on rational data acquisition strategies. Here, we propose a theoretical framework of ptychography, which is based on Gabor's notion of decomposition into elementary signals and the concept of frames.

A radical rebound mechanism for the methane oxidation reaction promoted by the dicopper center of a pMMO enzyme: a computational perspective.

In this article, we investigated the hydroxylation of methane catalyzed by the binuclear copper site of a pMMO enzyme, through a radical rebound mechanism. All intermediates and transition states along the reaction coordinate were located and the energies involved in the mechanism calculated using the B3LYP functional including dispersion effects. Our B3LYP-D2 results show that the singlet state of the (μ-1,2-peroxo)Cu(II)2 complex plays an important role as the lowest energy species prior to C-H bond activation.