Biomarkers in Catfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sciades herzbergii</Emphasis> (Teleostei: Ariidae) from Polluted and Non-polluted Areas (São Marcos’ Bay,Northeastern Brazil)

Biomarkers based on specific enzyme activities and histological alterations are useful tools for evaluating toxicological effects of xenobiotics in wild fish. In this work, an experimental system of biomarkers with enzyme glutathione S-transferase (GST) and branchial lesions in catfish (Sciades herzbergii) was mathematically modeled. The fish were collected along known pollution gradients (S1) and from areas regarded relatively free of anthropogenic input (S2) in São Marcos’ Bay, Brazil. GST was measured spectrophotometrically, and branchial lesions were examined by light microscope. The databases from this analysis were compiled, and non-linear models were used to analyze the dependence of the enzyme activity on the areas of sampling and on selected biological parameters of the fish. Fish weight, length, and somatic indices (gonadosomatic index) were significant in the model of GST activity only in A2. Brachial lesions were significant in the model of GST activity only in A1. The obtained model indicates that when the GST ceases to act, serious branchial lesions are observed in the fish of the contaminated regions.     

Phase transition in tumor growth: I avascular development

We propose a mechanism for avascular tumor growth based on a simple chemical network. This model presents a logistic behavior and shows a “second order” phase transition. We prove the fractal origin of the empirical logistics and Gompertz constant and its relation to mitosis and apoptosis rate. Finally, the thermodynamics framework developed demonstrates the entropy production rate as a Lyapunov function during avascular tumor growth.     

Quantification of ampicillin in bovine milk by coupled‐column ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry

This work reports the use of two‐dimensional (2D) liquid chromatography system coupled with a tandem mass spectrometry for the quantification of ampicillin in bovine milk. A restrict access media column (RAM‐BSA C₈, 50 × 2.1 mm, Luna, 10 μm, 100 Å) was used in the first dimension in order to exclude macromolecules, while an ACQUITY UPLC BEH C₁₈ (50 × 2.1 mm, 1.7 μm) column was used in the second dimension. Three different channels of selected reaction monitoring (SRM) were used: 350 > 106 m/z, 350 > 160 m/z, and 350 > 192 m/z. The first transition was used for the quantification (higher intensity), and latter two for confirmation. The developed method is simple and requires a total analysis time of only 14 min/sample. The sample treatment involved only a centrifugation step for 20 min. The validated method has been successfully applied to monitor AMP residues in raw milk samples. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report the use of ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) in 2D configuration.     

Synthesis of 1,8–Naphthyridines and Their Application in the Development of Anionic Fluorogenic Chemosensors

Two 1,8-naphthyridines were synthesized and found to be fluorescent in solution. These compounds were studied in the presence of Cu(+) and Cu(2+) ions and it was verified that the metal causes the quenching of their fluorescence emission, due to the formation of complexes between the naphthyridine and the metal. A displacement assay was carried out in a DMSO-water mixture with the addition of various anions to the solutions of the complexes, and it was observed that these systems have a high capacity to selectively detect cyanide.     

Complex Dynamics in Pendulum-Type Equations with Variable Length

We prove the existence of complex dynamics for a generalized pendulum type equation with variable length. The solutions we find switch from an oscillatory behavior around the stable vertical position to a rotational type behavior crossing the unstable position with positive or negative velocity following any prescribed two-sided sequence of symbols. Moreover, to any periodic sequence of symbols corresponds a periodic solution of the equation. The proof is based on a topological approach and the results are robust with respect to small perturbations. In particular a small friction term can be added to the equation.     

Can one have significant deviations from leptonic 3 $$\times $$ 3 unitarity in the framework of type I seesaw mechanism?

We address the question of deviations from \(3\times 3\) unitarity of the leptonic mixing matrix showing that, in the framework of type I seesaw mechanism, one may have significant deviations from unitarity that can be detected at the next round of experiments while some of the heavy neutrino masses are sufficiently low to become within experimental reach. For that purpose we introduce a specially useful parametrisation that enables to control all deviations of unitarity through a single \(3 \times 3\) matrix, which we denote by X and which connects the mixing of the light and heavy neutrinos in the context of type I seesaw. We show that there is no need for the Yukawa couplings to be extremely suppressed. We present specific examples where deviations from \(3\times 3\) unitarity are sufficiently small to conform to all the present stringent experimental bounds.     

Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography as a Powerful Strategy for the Exploration of Broas Volatile Composition

Broa is a Portuguese maize bread with characteristic sensory attributes that can only be achieved using traditional maize varieties. This study intends to disclose the volatile compounds that are mainly associated with the baking process of broas, which can be important contributors to their aroma. Twelve broas were prepared from twelve maize flours (eleven traditional maize varieties and one commercial hybrid). Their volatile compounds were analyzed by GC×GC–ToFMS (two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry) for an untargeted screening of the chemical compounds mainly formed during baking. It was possible to identify 128 volatiles that belonged to the main chemical families formed during this stage. Among these, only 16 had been previously detected in broas. The most abundant were furans, furanones, and pyranones, but the most relevant for the aroma of broas were ascribed to sulfur-containing compounds, in particular dimethyl trisulfide and methanethiol. Pyrazines might contribute negatively to the aroma of broas since they were present in higher amounts in the commercial broa. This work constitutes the most detailed study of the characterization of broas volatile compounds, particularly those formed during the Maillard reaction. These findings may contribute to the characterization of other maize-based foodstuffs, ultimately improving the production of foods with better sensory features.     

Membrane osmometer for use at moderate applied pressures

A membrane osmometer designed for use at pressures greater than 0.1 MPa and less than 6 MPa was employed to determine the pressure coefficient of the equilibrium osmotic pressure (?π/?P) of a dilute polystyrene/toluene solution. The pressure coefficient of the second virial coefficient (?A₂/?P), calculated from ?π/?P, was 6 (±4) × 10^?5 cm³ mol g^?2 MPa^?1, which was in reasonable agreement with the value obtained from pressure‐dependent light scattering. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 3064–3069, 2003