Publications by authors named "Marina Antonio"

Background: Across numerous investigations delved into second- and higher-order data, an undoubted finding emerges: models based on such data can effectively exploit the second-order advantage. However, whether further benefits can be achieved by modeling data of higher dimensions remains a subject of inquiry. In this regard, a prevailing question emerges in third-order data-based applications regarding the fundamental need to increase the data dimension and, hence, the data analysis complexity.

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Article Synopsis
  • The use of agrochemicals in citrus fruits boosts crop quality, increases yield, and extends shelf-life, but can be toxic to humans and the environment due to their stability and potential to accumulate.
  • Traditional methods for detecting pesticide residues involve complex chromatographic techniques, but there's a rising demand for less environmentally harmful alternatives, like sensors and biosensors, which enable real-time detection.
  • This review discusses the evolution of analytical methods for pesticide detection in citrus since 2015, highlighting their limitations and suggesting future improvements to minimize environmental impact.
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In this work, a four-way multivariate calibration method for the simultaneous determination of four pesticides - carbendazim (CBZ), thiabendazole (TBZ), pirimiphos-methyl (PMM), and clothianidin (CLT) - in lemon juice is presented. Third-order data were acquired by registering the photoinduced fluorescence of the analytes as excitation-emission matrices at different times of UV-light irradiation, in the presence of organized media (direct micelles) as fluorescence enhancers. The optimal experimental conditions (pH 11.

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First-line tuberculostatic agents, Rifampicin (RIF), Isoniazid (ISH), Ethambutol (ETB), and Pyrazinamide (PZA) are generally administered as a fixed-dose combination (FDC) for improving patient adherence. The major quality challenge of these FDC products is their variable bioavailability, where RIF and its solid state are key factors. In this work, the analysis of the impact of the polymorphism in the performance of RIF in RIF-ISH and PZA-RIF-ISH combined products was carried out by an overall approach that included the development and validation of two methodologies combining near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and partial least squares (PLS) to the further evaluation of commercial products.

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Meloxicam (MLX) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, extensively used for inflammatory diseases and pain treatments, which exhibits five known solids forms. Form IV of MLX, a zwitterionic monohydrate (MH), is an emblematic hydrate case with promissory dissolution properties in a poorly soluble drug. However, the lack of information about MH stability regarding the dehydration process and phase transition impedes the development of further stability studies.

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Pyrazinamide (PZA), Rifampicin (RIF), Isoniazid (ISH) and Ethambutol (ETB) form the core for the treatment of Tuberculosis, today a devastating disease in low-income populations around the world. These drugs are usually administrated by fixed-dose combination (FDC) products, to favour the patient compliance and prevent bacterial resistance. PZA exists in four enantiotropically-related polymorphs (Forms α, δ, β and γ), but only Form α is considered suitable for pharmaceutical products due to its stability and bioavailability properties.

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The assessment of polymorphism is a problematical issue for regulatory agencies, because variations among crystalline forms of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) can lead to changes in the efficacy and safety of formulated product. Such conversions are very hard to be detected, thus, the development of techniques for the identification, characterization and quantification of polymorphs results essential in all stages of the manufacturing process. The presence of excipients in formulated products may change the crystal stability of an API, by catalyzing a polymorphic transformation or stabilizing the less stable form.

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Nimodipine (NIM) is a calcium channel-blocking agent, which in the solid state exhibits two crystalline modifications, Mode I and Mode II. The first one is a racemic mixture, while the second is a conglomerate. Because the drug has poor aqueous solubility and Mode I is twice as soluble as Mode II, the former is widely preferred for the development of pharmaceutical forms.

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Mefenamic Acid (MFA) is a widely-used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. MFA presents four possible crystal forms; Form I and Form II being the only two pure crystals that have been isolated and fully characterized. Both Form I and Form II were prepared following the literature and completely characterized by middle (MIR) and near (NIR) infrared spectroscopy, digital optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, melting point and dissolution properties.

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The presence of microbialite structures in a freshwater, dimictic mid-latitudelake and their establishment after the last ice age about 10,000 years ago is puzzling.Freshwater calcite microbialites at Pavilion Lake, British Columbia, Canada, consist of acomplex community of microorganisms that collectively form large, ordered structuredaggregates. This distinctive assemblage of freshwater calcite microbialites was studied through standard microbial methods, morphological observations, phospholipid fatty acid(PLFA) analysis, DNA sequencing and the identification of quorum sensing molecules.

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Article Synopsis
  • The number of catalogued exoplanets is expected to reach the thousands, enabling better evaluation of their potential for habitability and astrobiological research.
  • A two-tiered classification scheme is proposed, featuring an Earth Similarity Index (ESI) to compare exoplanets to Earth and a Planetary Habitability Index (PHI) to assess conditions necessary for life, even under unusual circumstances.
  • Future missions, like the Terrestrial Planet Finder, will enhance our understanding of exoplanets, and initial applications of these indices show that some planets in the Gliese 581 system might be as habitable as Mars or even have conditions similar to moons like Europa and Enceladus.
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