On Kaluza-Klein relativity

Starting with the hypothesis that space-time is locally embedded in a (4+n)-dimensiorial flat spaceM _4+n, a geometric Kaluza-Klein theory is derived withSO(10) gauge symmetry and an additional spin-2 field represented by the second fundamental formb _ij . This quadratic form imposes a natural boundary on the complementary subspace orthogonal to the space-time, regarded as the internal space. The Gauss-Coddazi-Ricci equations are combined to produce low-energy field equations whereb _i enters as a source field. High-energy dynamics are described by a continuum of space-time perturbations inM _{4+ n} induced byb _ij , satisfying Einstein-Yang-Mills equations. The spaceM _4+n is regarded as a particular space representing the ground state of a more general theory yet to be constructed.Research supported in part by the CNPq (Brazil).     

The transmission of meningococcal infection: a mathematical study

The most common type of bacterial meningitis in the developed countries is caused by Neisseria meningitidis bacteria, which cause meningococcal meningitis. Case fatality rate can be between 3% and 10% in developed countries and as high as 20% in African countries. During epidemics in sub-Saharan countries, the so-called meningitis belt, the case fatality rate can peak to 70% or higher. Some people who have bacterial meningitis experience some form of after effects: epilepsy, damaged eyesight, hearing loss, brain damage. There is no immunity after infection. Approximately on average 10% of the population at any time carry the germs for days, weeks, or months. Carriers can infect other individuals by close contacts, even though they do not become ill themselves. An age-structured mathematical model is formulated that enables the understanding of the dynamics of the infection transmission. The model is used to study the conditions for the stability of the disease-free steady state (which imply extinction of the disease) and the existence of an endemic state (which leads to persistence of the disease in the population). The results of the model are applied to identify the contribution of the carriers to the transmission of the disease. Final epidemiological conclusions are given.     

Geometric Phase in Quaternionic Quantum Mechanics

Quaternion quantum mechanics is examined at the level of unbroken SU(2) gauge symmetry. A general quaternionic phase expression is derived from formal properties of the quaternion algebra.     

Linear and non-linear dynamics of entangled linear polymer melts by modified tunable coarse-grained level dissipative particle dynamics

Dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) is a well-known simulation method for soft materials and has been applied to a variety of systems. However, doubts have been cast recently on its adequacy because of upper coarse-graining limitations, which could prevent the method from being applicable to the whole mesoscopic range. This paper proposes a modified coarse-grained level tunable DPD method and demonstrates its performance for linear polymeric systems. The method can reproduce both static and dynamic properties of entangled linear polymer systems well. Linear and non-linear viscoelastic properties were predicted and despite being a mesoscale technique, the code is able to capture the transition from the plateau regime to the terminal zone with decreasing angular frequency, the transition from the Rouse to the entangled regime with increasing molecular weight and the overshoots in both shear stress and normal-stress differences upon start-up of steady shear.     

Use of different techniques in the evaluation of the oxidative stability of poultry fat biodiesel

The poultry fat methylic (BMF) and ethylic (BEF) biodiesels were synthesized through transesterification by homogeneous basic catalysis. The chromatographic analyses showed the palmitic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic esters as majority components. Owing to its considerable amount of polyunsaturated fat acids, poultry fat usually leads to a biodiesel with low oxidative stability. In this study, the oxidation of their ethylic and methylic biodiesels was evaluated by Rancimat, PDSC, and PetroOxy. The OSI (Rancimat) was of 0.47 and 0.40 h for the ethylic and methylic biodiesel, respectively. In PDSC, both fuels presented an OT of about 120–123 °C. PetroOxy analysis indicated an OxyStab of 11 min for BEF and higher than 11 min for BMF. There was no correspondence among the oxidative stabilities of the employed techniques [OT(BEF) ≈ OT(BMF), OSI(BEF) > OSI(BMF), and OxyStab(BEF) < OxyStab(BMF)]. The discussion of these results was based on the indicator measured by each technique: enthalpic events are observed by PDSC; conductivity of volatile secondary oxidation products is measured by Rancimat; reduction of the oxygen pressure is determined by PetroOxy. This discussion showed that these different indicators do not reflect the same stage of the oxidative process as energy is release at the beginning of the propagation step, oxygen pressure decreases during the propagation step, and oxidation products are formed during the termination step.     

Antioxidant capacity and larvicidal and antifungal activities of essential oils and extracts from Piper krukoffii

The leaves and twigs of Piper krukoffii, collected in the Carajás National Forest, north Brazil, yielded essential oils (2.0% and 0.8%), the main constituents of which were myristicin (40.3% and 26.7%), apiole (25.4% and 34.1%) and elemicin (2.8% and 3.0%). The antioxidant activities of the oils, methanol extract and its sub-fractions were evaluated. The DPPH EC50 values varied from the ethyl acetate sub-fraction (73.4 +/- 3.7 microg/mL) to the methanol extract (24.9 +/- 0.8 microg/mL), and the ABTS TEAC values ranged in the same order from 265.7 to 349.2 microMol TE/g. These results indicated a significant antioxidant activity for the plant. The lignans (-)-kusunokin, yatein, (-)-hinokin and cubebin were identified in the methanol extract. The hydro-methanolic sub-fraction showed a high value for total phenol content (106.5 +/- 0.7 mg GAE/g), as well as 1H NMR signals for sugar moieties. Crude extracts and sub-fractions were also able to inhibit beta-carotene bleaching, varying from 22.4 to 47.1%. The oils from the leaves and twigs showed strong larvicidal (21.4 and 3.6 microg/mL) and fungicide (0.5 and 0.1 microg/mL) activities.     

Sign-changing Solutions for a Schrödinger Equation with Saturable Nonlinearity

We consider the nonlinear Schrödinger equation

$-\Delta{u} + V (x)u = K(x)u^3/(1 + u^2)$

in \({\mathbb {R}^N}\) , and assume that V and K are invariant under an orthogonal involution. Moreover, V and K converge to positive constants V _∞ and K _∞, as |x| → ∞. We present some results on the existence of a particular type of sign changing solution, which changes sign exactly once. The basic tool employed here is the Concentration–Compactness Principle and the interaction between translated solutions of the corresponding autonomous problem.

     

Variability in the Chemical Composition of Myrcia sylvatica (G. Mey) DC. Essential Oils Growing in the Brazilian Amazon

Myrcia sylvatica (G. Mey) DC. is known as “insulin plant” because local communities use the infusions of various organs empirically to treat diabetes. The leaves of seven specimens of Myrcia sylvatica (Msy-01 to Msy-07) were collected in the Brazilian Amazon. Furthermore, the essential oils were extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, and their chemical compositions were submitted to multivariate analysis (Principal Component Analysis and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis). The multivariate analysis displayed the formation of four chemical profiles (chemotypes), described for the first time as follows: chemotype I (specimen Msy-01) was characterized by germacrene B (24.5%), γ-elemene (12.5%), and β-caryophyllene (10.0%); chemotype II (specimens Msy-03, -06 and -07) by spathulenol (11.1–16.0%), germacrene B (7.8–20.7%), and γ-elemene (2.9–7.6%); chemotype III (Msy-04 and -05) by spathulenol (9.8–10.1%), β-caryophyllene (2.5–10.1%), and δ-cadinene (4.8-5.6%); and chemotype IV, (Msy-02) by spathulenol (13.4%), caryophyllene oxide (15.0%), and α-cadinol (8.9%). There is a chemical variability in the essential oils of Myrcia sylvatica occurring in the Amazon region.     

GC-MS Chemical Characterization and Antibacterial Effect of the Essential oil of Piper mosenii

Commercialized mouthwashes are generally expensive for the most financially vulnerable populations. Thus, several studies evaluate the antimicrobial potential of herbal products, such as essential oils, to reduce the activity of microorganisms in the mouth. The objective of this research was to carry out the chemical characterization and antibacterial activity of the essential oil of Piper mosenii (EOPm), providing data that enable the development of a low-cost mouthwash formulation aimed at vulnerable communities. The analysis of the antibacterial potential and modulator of bacterial resistance was verified by the microdilution method to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration-MIC. The chemical components were characterized by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, where 23 chemical constituents were detected, with α-pinene, being the major compound. The EOPm showed a MIC ≥ 1024 µg/mL for all bacterial strains used in the tests. When the EOPm modulating activity was evaluated together with chlorhexidine, mouthwash and antibiotics against bacterial resistance, the oil showed a significant synergistic effect, reducing the MIC of the products tested in combination, in percentages between 20.6% to 96.3%. Therefore, it is recommended to expand the tests with greater variation of EOPm concentration and the products used in this research, in addition to the evaluation of toxicity and in vivo tests, seeking the development of a possible formulation of mouthwash accessible to the vulnerable population.     

Bioactive Compounds from Pale Ale Beer Powder Attenuate Experimental Colitis in BALB/c Mice

Phenolic compounds (PCs) present in foods are associated with a decreased risk of developing inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to extract and characterize PCs from craft beer powder and evaluate their potential benefits in an experimental model of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). PCs were extracted and quantified from pure beer samples. BALB/c mice received either the beer phenolic extract (BPE) or beer powder fortified with phenolic extract (BPFPE) of PCs daily for 20 days by gavage. Colon samples were collected for histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses. Dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced mice lost more weight, had reduced colon length, and developed more inflammatory changes compared with DSS-induced mice treated with either BPE or BPFPE. In addition, in DSS-induced mice, the densities of CD4- and CD11b-positive cells, apoptotic rates, and activation of NF-κB and p-ERK1/2 MAPK intracellular signaling pathways were higher in those treated with BPE and BPFPE than in those not treated. Pretreatment with the phenolic extract and BPFPE remarkably attenuated DSS-induced colitis. The protective effect of PCs supports further investigation and development of therapies for human IBD.