Recent Biophysical Issues About the Preparation of Solute-Filled Lipid Vesicles

Here we report some recent biophysical issues on the preparation of solute-filled lipid vesicles and their relevance to the construction of “synthetic cells.” First, we introduce the “semi-synthetic minimal cells” as the liposome-based cell-like systems, which contain a minimal number of biomolecules required to display simple and complex biological functions. Next, we focus on recent aspects related to the construction of synthetic cells. Emphasis is given to the interplay between the methods of synthetic cell preparation and the physics of solute encapsulation. We briefly introduce the notion of structural and compositional “diversity” in synthetic cell populations.     

Preparation and characterization of chitosan‐based dispersions

Complexation of chitosan in aqueous solutions by low molecular weight electrolytes is one of the simplest methods for the preparation of aqueous chitosan dispersions. In this work, the influence of storage time, sulfate concentration, method of preparation and surfactant content on some properties of the resultant chitosan dispersions (turbidity, viscosity and zeta potential) was analyzed. Turbidimetry was adequate to monitor the formation of particles, while viscometry was suitable to monitor changes in the dispersing phase. An analysis of the properties of these systems, mainly in terms of particle–particle and macromolecule–macromolecule interactions was carried out. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Study of the nozzle flow in a cross-flow turbine

An investigation of the flow inside the nozzle of a Cross-Flow turbine, which is a hydraulic turbine where the rectangular water jet issuing from the nozzle crosses the rotor blades twice, is presented here. Part of the investigation consisted in the experimental measurement of the static pressure distribution on the inside walls of two different nozzle configurations, both with the nozzle mounted alone and in the presence of a rotor. The tests performed in the presence of a rotor included the measurement of efficiency and covered a wide range of working conditions around the best efficiency point. The analysis of the results obtained in this way give us an indication of the influence of the turbine non-dimensional volume flow rate on the flow inside the nozzle and the way it affects the reaction degree of the machine and its efficiency level. Although most of the tests were carried out with a 25-blade rotor, one of the analysed nozzle configurations (that with an inside vane) was also tested with a 10-blade rotor, permitting the assessment of the effect the number of blades has on the flow in the nozzle.The flow inside the nozzle with no inside vane was numerically analysed using a method based on a Schwarz-Christoffel conformal transformation of variables. The numerical results show a fair agreement with the experimental data collected when the rotor was not present. A qualitative discussion of some of the losses occurring in the nozzle is advanced based on the computer results, and its conclusions are used for explaining the poor performance of the nozzle with no inside vane.     

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and hemolytic uremic syndrome (TTP/HUS). Description of a series of 35 patients

Subsequent to the implementation of a severity marker stamp in case notes, an audit was performed in 86 admissions with acute asthma to a specialist centre over a 12 month period. Compared to previous audit the documentation of severity markers was significantly better (PEFR: 52% vs 83% p = 0.001, Respiratory rate: 44% vs 81% p = 0.001, ABG: 72% vs 80% p = 0.04, air entry: 58% vs 86% p = 0.001, speech: 27% vs 86% p = 0.001, exhaustion: 4% vs 86% p = 0.001). In contrast to the previous audit where no patient received FiO2 > 0.35, 66% of the cases in the repeat audit received FiO2 0.60 (p = 0.001). The mean duration of admission was five days and showed highest partial correlation (r = 0.6) to the time in hours for the pulse to fall to 80/min. Multiple linear regression showed that this was the only variable best predicting the duration of admission (R2 = 0.3). Admission pulse rate (p = 0.04) and serum K+ (p = 0.04) best discriminated between patients admitted for over and under five days. Logistic regression identified only the admission pulse as significant in calculating the odds of the patient staying in the hospital for > 5 days.     

Electric field effects on roto-vibrational transitions of13CD3OH1

We used a Stark-Optoacoustic cell and hybrid waveguide resonators to perform an Infrared and Far Infrared Stark Spectroscopy study on some transitions of¹³CD₃OH. Different behaviours of the transitions in the presence of a d.c. electric field were observed. The Stark splittings of six FIR laser lines ranging from 34 to 136 MHz/kVcm^?1 were determined. The analysis of the behaviour of the IR and FIR transitions in the presence of the external electric fields gives important and exclusive information on the levels involved in the transitions.     

The role of hydrodynamic stress on the phenotypic characteristics of single and binary biofilms of Pseudomonas fluorescens.

This study investigates the phenotype of turbulent (Re = 5,200) and laminar (Re = 2,000) flow-generated Pseudomonas fluorescens biofilms. Three P. fluorescens strains, the type strain ATCC 13525 and two strains isolated from an industrial processing plant, D3-348 and D3-350, were used throughout this study. The isolated strains were used to form single and binary biofilms. The biofilm physiology (metabolic activity, cellular density, mass, extracellular polymeric substances, structural characteristics and outer membrane proteins [OMP] expression) was compared. The results indicate that, for every situation, turbulent flow-generated biofilms were more active (p < 0.05), had more mass per cm(2) (p < 0.05), a higher cellular density (p < 0.05), distinct morphology, similar matrix proteins (p > 0.1) and identical (isolated strains -single and binary biofilms) and higher (type strain) matrix polysaccharides contents (p < 0.05) than laminar flow-generated biofilms. Flow-generated biofilms formed by the type strain revealed a considerably higher cellular density and amount of matrix polysaccharides than single and binary biofilms formed by the isolated strains (p < 0.05). Similar OMP expression was detected for the several single strains and for the binary situation, not dependent on the hydrodynamic conditions. Binary biofilms revealed an equal coexistence of the isolated strains with apparent neutral interactions. In summary, the biofilms formed by the type strain represent, apparently, the worst situation in a context of control. The results obtained clearly illustrate the importance of considering strain variation and hydrodynamics in biofilm development, and complement previous studies which have focused on physical aspects of structural and density differences.     

Development and evaluation of antimicrobial natamycin‐incorporated film in gorgonzola cheese conservation

Conservation of food products depends on product quality and packaging suitability. The objective of this work was to develop and evaluate the antimicrobial efficiency of natamycin‐incorporated film in the production process of Gorgonzola cheese. It aims to optimize the production process and increase shelf‐life and food safety for the consumer. Films with different concentrations of natamycin were produced and tested in Gorgonzola cheeses to evaluate its efficiency against Penicillium roqueforti on the cheese surface. Films with 2 and 4% natamycin presented satisfactory results for fungus inhibition and the amount of natamycin released to the cheese was below that allowed by the legislation. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Energy efficiency, carbon emissions and economic development in Venezuela

Venezuela's vast natural resource base has largely shaped the nation's economic and energy-use patterns. Major opportunities exist for improving the efficiency of energy use in Venezuela and, consequently, restraining the growth of energy-related carbon emissions. This paper presents a detailed report of one potential development path for Venezuela and estimates the ensuing levels of energy demand and CO₂ emissions associated with pursuing this path through the year 2025. The results indicate that by adopting a development strategy that incorporates structural changes in the economy, fuel-switching measures and improved end-use efficiencies, Venezuela can introduce energy efficiency and carbon restraints as part of its economic development process.     

Crosslinking of tissue-derived biomaterials in 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide (EDC)

In contrast to bifunctional reagents such as glutaraldehyde or polyfunctional reagents such as polyepoxides, carbodiimides belong to the class of zero-length crosslinkers which modify amino acid side-groups to permit crosslink formation, but do not remain as part of that linkage. The authors have compared the effects of 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide (EDC) and glutaraldehyde (the de facto industrial standard crosslinker) on the hydrothermal, biochemical, and uniaxial mechanical properties of bovine pericardium. EDC crosslinking was optimized for maximum increase in collagen denaturation temperature using variables of pH, concentration, and ratio of EDC to N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS): a reagent for formation of activated esters. EDC and glutaraldehyde crosslinked materials were subjected to hydrothermal denaturation tests, biochemical degradation by enzymes (collagenase, trypsin) and CNBr, amino acid analysis for unreacted lysine, and to high strain rate mechanical tests including: large deformation stress-strain studies (0.1 to 10 Hz), stress relaxation experiments (loading time 0.1 s) and small deformation forced vibration (1 and 10 Hz). A protocol for EDC crosslinking was developed which used 1.15% EDC (2:1 EDC:NHS) at pH 5.5 for 24 h. The increase in denaturation temperature for EDC (from 69.7±1.2°C to 86.0±0.3°C) was equivalent to that produced by glutaraldehyde (85.3±0.4°C). Both treatments equivalently increased resistance to collagenase and CNBr degradation; however, after denaturation, the EDC-treated tissue was slightly more resistant to collagenase, and markedly more resistant to trypsin. EDC-treated materials were more extensible and more elastic than glutaraldehyde-treated materials. Despite the differences in crosslinking mechanism, EDC and glutaraldehyde-treated materials are very similar. Subtle but intriguing differences in biochemical structure remain to be investigated.     

The formal-CAFE methodology and model checking patterns in the specification of e-commerce systems

Electronic commerce is an important application that has evolved significantly recently. However, electronic commerce systems are complex and difficult to be correctly designed. Guaranteeing the correctness of an e-commerce system is not an easy task due to the great amount of scenarios where errors occur, many of them very subtle. In this work we presents a methodology that uses formal-method techniques, specifically symbolic model checking, to design electronic commerce applications and to automatically verify them. Also, a model checking pattern hierarchy has been developed—it specifies patterns to construct and verify the formal model of e-commerce systems. We consider this research the first step to the development of a framework, which will integrate the methodology, an e-commerce specification language based on business rules, and a model checker. Adriano Pereira received the B.S. and M.S. degrees in computer science in 2000 and 2002, respectively, and he is currently pursuing the Ph.D. degree in computer science from the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. His current interests are on performance analysis and modeling of e-business and distributed systems, and formal methods. Mark Song received the B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in computer science from the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. His current interests are on distributed systems and formal methods – especially BMC (Bounded Model Checking). Gustavo Franco received the B.S. and M.S. degrees in computer science in 2001 and 2004, respectively, from the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. His research was on modeling the user behavior of e-business and distributed systems, and formal methods. Actually his current interests are on software engeneering and project management of IT projects.