Abstract Hydrogels are interesting for use in the treatment of topical wounds due to their virtually zero toxicity, and capacity for extended release of pharmaceuticals. Silver sulfadiazine (SSDZ) is the drug of choice in the treatment of skin burns. The aim of the study was to determine cytotoxicity, antimicrobial activity and stability of a PVA hydrogel with integrated silver sulfadiazine. SSDZ-hydrogels were prepared using 10% (w/w) PVA (either 89% or 99% hydrolyzed) and 1% (w/w) silver sulfadiazine. Cellular viability was assessed via MTS assays, antimicrobial activity via disk-diffusion and accelerated stability tests were carried out with analysis at 0, 30, 60, 90 and 180 days of storage at 40 ± 2 °C and a relative humidity of 75 ± 5%. The parameters evaluated included organoleptic characteristics, moisture, swelling ability, mechanical strength, FTIR, XRD, TGA and DSC, and silver release patterns via XRD and potentiometry. Cell viability tests indicated some cytotoxicity, although within acceptable levels. After 90 days of storage, SSDZ hydrogel samples exhibited a brown coloration, probably due to the formation of Ag or Ag2O nanoparticles. The SSDZ-loaded hydrogels suffered visual and physical changes; however, these changes did not compromise its use as occlusive wound dressings or its antimicrobial properties.

Resumo Neste trabalho explora-se o movimento pendular amortecido por atrito seco. O atrito seco (ou coulombiano) difere do atrito viscoso pelas seguintes características: a) a amplitude de oscilação decai linearmente, enquanto que o atrito viscoso resulta em decaimento exponencial; b) a frequência do movimento é igual ao pêndulo não amortecido, sendo que, no amortecimento viscoso, a frequência “natural” de oscilação diminui com o fator de amortecimento. Foram realizados experimentos com uma ripa de madeira suspensa oscilando em contato lateral com uma placa lisa e um DVD oscilando suspenso pela borda, onde o atrito estava no eixo que o suspendia. Os movimentos foram gravados e analisados com o software Tracker. Foi possível obter os parâmetros de decaimento e a força de atrito em cada caso. Foi também calculada a força de arrasto devida ao ar, mostrando que esta era desprezível em relação à força de atrito seco.

Abstract In this work, pendular movement damped by dry friction was studied. Dry friction differs from viscous friction by: a) the amplitude of oscillation linearly decays, whereas in the viscous damping the oscillation decays exponentially; b) the frequency of oscillation is keeping in presence of dry friction, however, the frequency of oscillation is reduced due to damping factor in viscous case. Some experiments were performed using a wood clapboard suspended and oscillating in lateral contact with a flat plate and using a DVD suspended by an axis stuck on its edge, where the friction was in this axis. The movements were recorded an analyzed with aid of software Tracker. It was possible to obtain decay parameters and friction force in both cases. Also, viscous damping forces were calculated due to drag from the air and showed to be negligible with respect to dry friction.

Neste trabalho pretende-se analisar elementos elásticos com respostas linear e não linear. Foi realizado o estudo comparativo entre três molas helicoidais, sendo uma linear e duas não lineares, e um tubo de látex. O estudo envolveu o levantamento das curvas de força versus distância e seus respectivos ajustes matemáticos para cada elemento elástico. A proposta é apresentar diferentes formas de abordar o tema elasticidade nas aulas de física, visando chamar a atenção do aluno de que a linearidade que trata a lei de Hooke aplica-se apenas para uma pequena faixa de valores de força e que em várias situações os elementos elásticos tem um comportamento não linear, sendo necessário lançar mão de outras relações matemáticas que se ajustem aos dados experimentais.

This paper aims to analyze elastic elements with linear and nonlinear responses. A comparative study was conducted of three helical springs, one linear and two nonlinear, and a latex tourniquet. The study involved a survey of force versus distance curves and their mathematical adjustments for each elastic element. The proposal is to present different ways of approaching the subject elasticity in physics classes, aiming to draw the attention of the student that the linearity is Hooke's law applies only to a small band of force values and that in many situations the elastic elements have a non-linear behavior, being necessary to use other mathematical relationships that fit the experimental data.

This paper describes a project, construction and test of a low cost air pycnometer, developed to be used preferentially in pharmaceutical research. A complete discussion of the construction, test and calibration of this equipment is presented and some measurements are made using pharmaceutical powders and dry granulations. The equipment performance has been estimated through its calibration curve, and the obtained value to its volume resolution is about 1%. This equipment is accomplished at the Applied Nuclear Physics Laboratory of University of Sorocaba (LAFINAU) in Sorocaba, SP, Brazil and it was denominated "Picnômetro a Ar Uniso - PICNAU".