Interpolation of Ideal Measures by Abstract K and J Spaces

We work with the abstract K and J interpolation method generated by a sequence lattice Г. We investigate the deviation of an interpolated operator from a given operator ideal by establishing formulae for the ideal measure of the interpolated operator in terms of the ideal measures of restrictions of the operator. Formulae are given in terms of the norms of the shift operators on Г.     

Graph products of monoids

The main aim of this paper is to characterize the Green relations in the graph product of monoids. Necessary and sufficient conditions for an element in a graph product of monoids to be idempotent, regular or completely regular, are established. These characterizations immediately lead to decidability results. A new proof for the word problem is also presented. May 22, 2000     

Two-Dimensional Anisotropic Random Walks: Fixed Versus Random Column Configurations for Transport Phenomena

We consider random walks on the square lattice of the plane along the lines of Heyde (J Stat Phys 27:721–730, 1982, Stochastic processes, Springer, New York, 1993) and den Hollander (J Stat Phys 75:891–918, 1994), whose studies have in part been inspired by the so-called transport phenomena of statistical physics. Two-dimensional anisotropic random walks with anisotropic density conditions á  la Heyde (J Stat Phys 27:721–730, 1982, Stochastic processes, Springer, New York, 1993) yield fixed column configurations and nearest-neighbour random walks in a random environment on the square lattice of the plane as in den Hollander (J Stat Phys 75:891–918, 1994) result in random column configurations. In both cases we conclude simultaneous weak Donsker and strong Strassen type invariance principles in terms of appropriately constructed anisotropic Brownian motions on the plane, with self-contained proofs in both cases. The style of presentation throughout will be that of a semi-expository survey of related results in a historical context.     

A Boundary Meshless Method for Solving Heat Transfer Problems Using the Fourier Transform

Fourier transform is applied to remove the time-dependent variable in the diffusion equation. Under non-harmonic initial conditions this gives rise to a non-homogeneous Helmholtz equation, which is solved by the method of fundamental solutions and the method of particular solutions. The particular solution of Helmholtz equation is available as shown in [4, 15]. The approximate solution in frequency domain is then inverted numerically using the inverse Fourier transform algorithm. Complex frequencies are used in order to avoid aliasing phenomena and to allow the computation of the static response. Two numerical examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach for solving 2-D diffusion equations.     

Development of empirical correlations to predict the secondary droplet size of impacting droplets onto heated surfaces

The present article reports an experimental analysis of the mechanisms of secondary atomization which occur at the impact of individual droplets onto heated targets. The experiments follow those reported in a previous article (Moreira et al. 2007) and encompass the use of different liquids and impact conditions. An image analysis system is combined with a phase Doppler interferometer to measure extended size distributions, which cover the full range of diameters generated at all heat transfer regimes. The results evidence that disintegration mechanisms depend on the heat transfer regimes; therefore, a universal relation cannot be devised for the outcome of droplet impact. Analysis shows that droplets impacting within the nucleate-boiling regime break-up by a thermal-induced mechanism associated with the vapour pressure at bubble nucleation sites, combined with liquid surface tension. On the other hand, within the film-boiling regime, disintegration is associated with radial disruption of the rim at the early instants after impact, as in non-heated targets, and with the rupture of the ligaments of the cellular structures. Functional relations available at the literature, mostly developed for impacts onto non-heated surfaces, are well fitted to the experimental results obtained within the film-boiling regime, since the break-up mechanisms are qualitatively similar. On the other hand, such relations cannot predict the secondary atomization occurring within the nucleate-boiling regime, as the break-up mechanisms within this regime have significantly different characteristics. In this context, the present article recognizes the relevance of the relations devised for ‘cold impacts’, to fit the size of secondary droplets within the film-boiling regime, as the correlation formulated here has a similar form: SMD/D ₀ = f(We, Re) ~ A ₁ We _N ^?0.6 Re ^?0.23 and proposes a new correlation for impacts within the nucleate-boiling regime: SMD/D ₀ = f(We, Re, Ja) ~ A ₂ We _N ^?0.14 Re ^?011 Ja ^?03. These correlations are observed to hold for impacts onto rough surfaces with dimensionless roughness R _a/D ₀ smaller than 2E-3, but not for larger roughness amplitudes, for which the data are quite scattered.     

In vitro antibacterial and time-kill assay of ethanolic extract of Davilla nitida bark on multidrug resistant bacteria isolated from diabetic foot lesions

This study reported the antimicrobial activity of the bark extract of Davilla nitida on multidrug resistant bacteria isolated from Diabetic Foot Infections. Antibacterial activity of the bark extract was evaluated by agar Disk-Diffusion (DD), Broth Dilution (BD), Checkerboard and Time-kill methods. The extract showed a significant antibacterial activity against all groups of bacteria tested. BD was more sensitive for determining the antibacterial activity of the bark extract than the DD method. The bark extract inhibited the growth of bacteria with high-levels of antibiotic-resistance, such as Pseudomonas spp. (100.0%), Enterobacer spp. (88.89%), Staphylococcus aureus (54.55%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (75.0%), Staphylococcus saprophyticus (92.86%). The combination of extract with antibiotics resulted in an additive effect against most of the strains tested. Time-kill kinetics profiles of bark extract showed bactericidal and time-dependent properties. Our results suggest that the bark extract of Davilla nitida is a source of bioactive compounds, which may be useful against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.     

Effect of Diets,Familial History,and Alternative Therapies on Genomic Instability of Breast Cancer Patients

This study evaluates a correlation between family history, micronutrients intake, and alternative therapies with genetic instability, before and during breast cancer treatment. For this study, a total of 150 women were selected. Among those, 50 women were breast cancer patients on chemotherapy, while 50 breast cancer patients were on radiotherapy, and 50 were healthy females. All the participants signed the informed consent form and answered the public health questionnaire. Samples of buccal epithelial and peripheral blood cells were collected and analyzed through micronucleus and comet assays. The cells were evaluated for apoptosis and DNA damage. Results showed the association of patients’ family history with an increase in toxicogenetic damage before and during cancer therapy. On the other hand, patients with late-onset cancer also presented genetic instability before and during therapy, along with those who did not take sufficient vegetables and alternative therapies. A positive correlation was observed between the genetic instability and alternative therapies, while inverse correlation was recorded with the vegetable consumption. Results clearly explain that the nutritional aspects and alternative therapies influence the genetic instability before and during cancer therapies especially in radiotherapy treated patients. Our data could be used for the monitoring therapies and management of breast cancer patients.

     

C-H...O hydrogen bonding in 4-phenyl-benzaldehyde: a comprehensive crystallographic, spectroscopic and computational study

The crystal structure of 4-phenyl-benzaldehyde reveals the presence of a dimer linked by the C=O and C9-H groups of adjacent molecules. In the liquid phase, the presence of C-H...O bonded forms is revealed by both vibrational and NMR spectroscopy. A DeltaH value of -8.2 +/- 0.5 kJ mol(-1) for the dimerisation equilibrium is established from the temperature-dependent intensities of the bands assigned to the carbonyl-stretching modes. The NMR data suggest the preferential engagement of the C(2,6)-H and C(10/12)/C(11)-H groups as hydrogen bond donors, instead of the C(9)-H group. While ab initio calculations for the isolated dimers are unable to corroborate these NMR results, the radial distribution functions obtained from molecular dynamics simulations show a preference for C(2,6)-H and C(10/12)/C(11)-H...O contacts relative to the C(9)-H...O ones.     

Controlled delivery achieved with bi-layer matrix devices produced by co-injection moulding

The aim of this study was to design new soy protein-based bi-layered co-injection moulded matrix systems aimed to achieve controlled drug delivery. The devices consisted of a drug-free outer layer (skin) and a drug-containing core. The systems overcame the inherent disadvantage of non-linear release associated with diffusion-controlled single-layer matrix devices by providing additional releasing area with time to compensate for the decreasing release rate. As expected, the bi-layer devices presented a significant decrease in drug release rate when compared with a correspondent single layer matrix system. The skin thickness and the degree of crosslinking of the core appeared to be very important tools to tailor the release patterns. Furthermore, due to the amphoteric nature of the soy protein, the developed devices evidenced a pH-dependent behaviour. The mechanisms of drug release were also elucidated at two different pH values: i) pH 5.0, near the isoelectric point of soy (low matrix solubility); and ii) pH 7.4, physiological pH (high matrix solubility). Consequently, changing the release medium from pH 5.0 to pH 7.4 after two hours, led to an abrupt increase in drug release and the devices presented a typical controlled drug delivery profile: slow release/fast release. These evidences may provide for the development of individual systems with different release onsets that in combination may exhibit drug releases at predetermined times in a pre-programmed way. Another possibility is the production of three-layer devices presenting bimodal release profiles (fast release/slow release/fast release) by similar technologies. Scanning electron micrograph of a developed bi-layer device.