Evaluating Lipschitz Constants for Functions Given by Algorithms

This paper describes an efficient method (O(n)) to evaluate the Lipschitz constant for functions described in some algorithmic language. Considering arithmetical operations as the basis of the algorithmic language and supported by control structures, the rules to evaluate such Lipschitz constants are presented and their correctness is proved. An extension of the method to evaluate Lipschitz constants over interval domains is also presented. Examples are presented, but the effectiveness of the method is doubtful when compared to other approaches, and effective enhancements based on slope evaluations are also explored.     

Effect of Bauhinia monandra Kurz Leaf Preparations on Embryonic Stages and Adult Snails of Biomphalaria glabrata (Say, 1818), Schistosoma mansoni Cercariae and Toxicity in Artemia salina

Biomphalaria glabrata snails constitute the main vector of schistosomiasis in Brazil, and Bauhinia monandra Kurz, the leaves of which contain BmoLL lectin with biocidal action, is a plant widely found on continents in which the disease is endemic. This work describes the composition of B. monandra preparations and the effect on embryos and adult snails, their reproduction parameters and hemocytes. We also describe the results of a comet assay after B. glabrata exposure to sublethal concentrations of the preparations. Additionally, the effects of the preparations on S. mansoni cercariae and environmental monitoring with Artemia salina are described. In the chemical evaluation, cinnamic, flavonoid and saponin derivatives were detected in the two preparations assessed, namely the saline extract and the fraction. Both preparations were toxic to embryos in the blastula, gastrula, trochophore, veliger and hippo stages (LC₅₀ of 0.042 and 0.0478; 0.0417 and 0.0419; 0.0897 and 0.1582; 0.3734 and 0.0974; 0.397 and 0.0970 mg/mL, respectively) and to adult snails (LC₅₀ of 6.6 and 0.87 mg/mL, respectively), which were reproductively affected with decreased egg deposition. In blood cell analysis, characteristic cells for apoptosis, micronucleus and binucleation were detected, while for comet analysis, different degrees of nuclear damage were detected. The fraction was able to cause total mortality of the cercariae and did not present environmental toxicity. Therefore, B. monandra preparations are promising in combating schistosomiasis since they can control both the intermediate host and eliminate the infectious agent, besides being safe to the environment.     

Synthesis,characterization, X-ray structure and preliminary in vitro antitumor activity of the nitrosyl complex fac-[RuCl3(NO)(dppf)], dppf = 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphine)ferrocene

The reaction of RuCl₃NO · 2H₂O with stoichiometric amount of dppf, 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene, afforded the new neutral nitrosyl complex fac-[RuCl₃(NO)(dppf)] which was characterized by spectroscopical, electrochemical and X-ray crystallography techniques as well as elemental analysis. The ν_NO band in the IR spectrum is at 1860 cm⁻¹ (CH₂Cl₂ solution) and in the cyclic voltammogram an irreversible wave was observed at −1.35 V, both are characteristics of a nitrosonium (NO⁺) character for the coordinated NO. Additionally, preliminary in vitro antitumor activity against the MDA-MB-231 breast tumor cell line was carried out for the new complex. The initial results indicated an important activity for fac-[RuCl₃(NO)(dppf)] (IC₅₀ = 10 ± 3 μM ). The complex has a higher cytotoxicity than the precursor complex RuCl₃NO · 2H₂O, the free dppf ligand as well as the reference metallodrug cisplatin.     

Vegetable proteins and milk puddings

In recent years, interest in animal free foods has increased tremendously due to factors like BSE crisis, rise of nutritionally dependent illnesses, like diabetes type II, cardiovascular and digestive diseases, along with ethic orientations of denying animal intakes of any kind. The use of proteins from leguminous seeds as an alternative to the animal proteins in dairy desserts was studied. Lupin, pea and soya protein isolates were used in combination with κ-carrageenan, gellan and xanthan gum, in order to obtain a synergistic effect. Milk puddings were also produced for comparison. Texture studies suggested that mixed protein–polysaccharide systems, with vegetable proteins and κ-carrageenan or gellan gum, would be good systems to develop vegetable gelled desserts. Rheological oscillatory measurements were carried out to clarify the kinetics of gelation and characterise the microstructure of the best performing products. Results from time sweep tests showed that formulations with gellan gum present an industrial advantage over formulations with κ-carrageenan, since the maturation time for gellan gels is of the order of 5–10 h compared with 4–6 days in the case of κ-carrageenan. All the mixed gels presented the typical weak gel structure; therefore, it was possible to perform steady-state measurements, which allowed the observation of a shear-thinning behaviour for all gels.     

Highly stereoselective one-pot procedure to prepare bis- and tris-chalcogenide alkenes via addition of disulfides and diselenides to terminal alkynes

We present here the reaction of diorganoyl dichalcogenides with terminal alkynes under catalyst-free conditions, by a one-pot procedure, to prepare bis- and tris-chalcogenide alkenes selectively, avoiding the previous preparation of chalcogen alkynes. The reaction proceeded cleanly under mild reaction conditions, and the addition of dichalcogenides to alkynes occurred stereoselectively to give exclusively the corresponding Z isomers. We observed that the selectivity control was governed by the effective participation of the hydroxyl group from propargyl alcohols. In addition, the bis-chalcogenide alkenes were exclusively obtained with propargyl alcohol having the acidic hydroxyl group proton. Conversely, the alkynes with no potentially acidic hydroxyl group proton, at propargyl positions, gave exclusively the tris-chalcogenide alkenes.     

Elemental characterization of edible plants and soils in an abandoned mining region: assessment of environmental risk

The chemical concentrations of 11 elements in 6 species of edible plants grown in 7 soils, developed in different gossanous materials of the abandoned mine area of Sao Domingos, in southern Portugal, was measured by energy dispersive X‐ray fluorescence. The total fraction of elements in the soils from which the plants were sampled, was measured, using wavelength dispersive X‐ray fluorescence. The elemental content in bioavailable fraction was obtained by using three different leaching tests: DIN 38414‐S4, 1 M ammonium acetate and 0.005 M DTPA. Leachates were analyzed by Induced Coupled Plasma—Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP‐OES) and Induced Coupled Plasma—Mass Spectrometer (ICP‐MS). The mineralogy of the same soils was evaluated by X‐ray diffraction to identify the species present. The results show that levels in plants can be hazardous especially for Pb and As. Important concentrations of Fe and K were also observed. A different uptake was observed in the several plants for the different elements. The highest assimilation of metals was observed in sampling points containing soluble sulfate salts. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Methane activation on PdMn/C-ITO electrocatalysts using a reactor-type PEMFC

Various palladium and manganese supported in a mix of carbon and indium thin oxide (PdMn/C-ITO) compositions were synthesized by a sodium borohydride reduction process for methane activation at low temperatures in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) reactor. These electrocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy XPS, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry ICP-MS, attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and a PEMFC reactor. The diffractograms of PdMn/C-ITO electrocatalysts revealed the face-centered cubic structure of palladium and the bixbyite cubic structure of In₂O₃. TEM experiments showed mean nanoparticle sizes between 4.7 and 5.2 nm for all electrocatalysts. XPS results showed the presence of palladium and manganese oxides, as well as Pd⁰ species. Cyclic voltammograms of PdMn/C-ITO electrocatalysts showed an increase in current density values after the methane adsorption, this result is related to formation of methanol or formic acidic. Polarization curves at 80 °C acquired in a PEMFC reactor showed that PdMn(70:30)/C-ITO and PdMn(50:50)/C-ITO have superior performance when compared to Pd/C-ITO indicating the beneficial effect of adding Mn, this behavior can be attributed to the bifunctional mechanism or to the electronic effect of support.