Series representations for densities functions of a family of distributions—Application to sums of independent random variables

Series representations for several density functions are obtained as mixtures of generalized gamma distributions with discrete mass probability weights, by using the exponential expansion and the binomial theorem. Based on these results, approximations based on mixtures of generalized gamma distributions are proposed to approximate the distribution of the sum of independent random variables, which may not be identically distributed. The applicability of the proposed approximations are illustrated for the sum of independent Rayleigh random variables, the sum of independent gamma random variables, and the sum of independent Weibull random variables. Numerical studies are presented to assess the precision of these approximations.     

Trans polyunsaturated fatty acid contents in Brazilian refined soybean oil.

This study examined the concentration (mg/g) of trans polyunsaturated fatty acid (TPFA) in five soybean oil brands by gas-liquid chromatography. Tricosanoic acid methyl ester was used as the internal standard. All samples analyzed presented trans 18:2 fatty and trans 18:3 acids in detectable amounts. The concentration of TPFA ranged from 5.8 to 30.2 mg/g, with a mean concentration value of 18.4 mg/g. Trans 18:3 fatty acids had the highest TPFA group concentrations, which ranged from 3.9 to 16.3 mg/g. The main isomer of this group presented the 9c, 12c, 15t configuration. For trans 18:2 fatty acids, concentrations ranged from 1.9 to 14.0 mg/g with a mean value of 8.1 mg/g. Alpha-linolenic acid (all cis) concentrations ranged from 30.7 to 60.6 mg/g and their degree of isomerization ranged from 6.0 to 31.5, indicating that the deodorization process varies from one producer to another. From per capita consumption of soybean oil brands in Brazil and their TPFA concentrations, it is possible to conclude that their contribution to the average TPFA intake per person in Brazil is 0.4 g/d.     

Spectroscopic alterations on enamel and dentin after nanosecond Nd:YAG laser irradiation

Laser irradiation on hard tissue has produced a resistant surface that is likely to prevent caries. In this study, human enamel and dentine were exposed to nanosecond pulsed Nd:YAG laser with energy densities of 20-40 J/cm(2) and pulse width of 6 ns inducing chemical changes in these tissues. Infrared analysis of human dental enamel and dentine was performed using the KBr method (2mg sample/300 mg KBr). A correlation between non-lased and lased spectra was performed that gives an indication of the changes in organic and inorganic compounds after laser-tissue interaction. Spectra of teeth simultaneously show the inorganic and organic parts of the tissue. The principal bands: amide bands A, I, II, and III from the collagen-matrix, phosphate from the mineral content, and carbonate bands were identified. The normalized area of peak versus peak position was determined. Changes of the bands attributed to the collagen matrix were verified after Nd:YAG irradiation. The present results suggest a chemical modification of organic and mineral compounds by laser. The spectral results indicated an alteration in the absorption bands relative to, essentially, organic compounds.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of 1- and 2-substituted indazoles: ester and carboxylic acid derivatives

A series of indazoles substituted at the N-1 and N-2 positions with ester-containing side chains -(CH2)(n)CO2R of different lengths (n = 0-6, 9, 10) are described.Nucleophilic substitution reactions on halo esters (X(CH2)(n)CO2R) by 1H-indazole inalkaline solution lead to mixtures of N-1 and N-2 isomers, in which the N-1 isomer predominates. Basic hydrolysis of the ester derivatives allowed the synthesis of the corresponding indazole carboxylic acids. All compounds were fully characterised by multinuclear NMR and IR spectroscopies, MS spectrometry and elemental analysis; the NMR spectroscopic data were used for structural assignment of the N-1 and N-2 isomers.The molecular structure of indazol-2-yl-acetic acid (5b) was determined by X-ray diffraction, which shows a supramolecular architecture involving O2-H...N1 intermolecular hydrogen bonds.     

Periodic problem for a nonlinear‐damped wave equation on the boundary

In this work we investigate the existence of periodic solutions in t for the following problem: We employ elliptic regularization and monotone method. We consider $\mbox{\boldmath{$\Omega$}}\mbox{\boldmath{$\subset$}}{\mathbb{R}}^{{{n}}} \ (n\geqslant 1)$ an open bounded set that has regular boundary Γ and Q=Ω ×(0,T), T>0, a cylinder of ${\mathbb{R}}^{n+1}$ with lateral boundary Σ = Γ × (0,T). Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Conformally flat sources for the Linet–Tian spacetime

We investigate the matching, across cylindrical surfaces, of static cylindrically symmetric conformally flat spacetimes with a cosmological constant $\Lambda $ , satisfying regularity conditions at the axis, to an exterior Linet–Tian spacetime. We prove that for $\Lambda \le 0$ such matching is impossible. On the other hand, we show through simple examples that the matching is possible for $\Lambda >0$ . We suggest a physical argument that might explain these results.     

A class on non-local linear operators for vorticity waves

A steady longitudinal current in the nearshore can, in some conditions, support oscillations known as vorticity waves or shear waves. In this article, we consider a family of nonlinear evolution equations derived by Shrira and Voronovitch to describe the dynamics of vorticity waves near the coastal line and make the study of the dispersion and smoothing properties of the associated nonlocal free problems. More precisely, after establishing long and short time uniform estimates for a certain class of oscillatory integrals, we derive “L ^p ?L ^q ” and Strichartz-type estimates for the solutions of the linearized equations.     

Development of Chitosan-Based Surfaces to Prevent Single- and Dual-Species Biofilms of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Implantable medical devices (IMDs) are susceptible to microbial adhesion and biofilm formation, which lead to several clinical complications, including the occurrence of implant-associated infections. Polylactic acid (PLA) and its composites are currently used for the construction of IMDs. In addition, chitosan (CS) is a natural polymer that has been widely used in the medical field due to its antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties, which can be dependent on molecular weight (Mw). The present study aims to evaluate the performance of CS-based surfaces of different Mw to inhibit bacterial biofilm formation. For this purpose, CS-based surfaces were produced by dip-coating and the presence of CS and its derivatives onto PLA films, as well surface homogeneity were confirmed by contact angle measurements, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The antimicrobial activity of the functionalized surfaces was evaluated against single- and dual-species biofilms of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Chitosan-based surfaces were able to inhibit the development of single- and dual-species biofilms by reducing the number of total, viable, culturable, and viable but nonculturable cells up to 79%, 90%, 81%, and 96%, respectively, being their activity dependent on chitosan Mw. The effect of CS-based surfaces on the inhibition of biofilm formation was corroborated by biofilm structure analysis using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), which revealed a decrease in the biovolume and thickness of the biofilm formed on CS-based surfaces compared to PLA. Overall, these results support the potential of low Mw CS for coating polymeric devices such as IMDs where the two bacteria tested are common colonizers and reduce their biofilm formation.     

Exposure risk assessment of uranium intake of the milk products from the region of Pernambuco,Brazil

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - Haloperidol (HP) is a dopamine blocking agent. HP was radiolabeled with 125I using direct electrophilic substitution. Different HP formulations...     

Magnetic properties of Mn-substituted GdCoxMn1−xO3 and LaCoxMn1−xO3

Partial substitution of manganese by cobalt in rare-earth perovskites REMnO₃ leads to unusual magnetic phenomena because of the simultaneous presence of Mn³⁺, Mn⁴⁺, Co²⁺ and Co³⁺ species. The magnetic nature of the RE cation plays a fundamental role in the magnetic properties. We present herein two specific families: for RE=La the magnetic behavior of the |Co+Mn| network is observed, while for Gd its strong magnetic moment interacts with the transition metals, leading to a spin reversal state. Magnetic interactions are maximized at x=0.50, as if two regimes exist: for x<0.5 Co substitutes Mn in the REMnO₃ manganite, and for x>0.5 Mn substitutes Co in the RECoO₃ cobaltite.