Compararam-se as técnicas de impregnação para glóbulos segundo o Manual de Normas Técnicas para Farmácias Homeopáticas (MNTFH) da Associação Brasileira de Farmacêuticos Homeopatas (ABFH), Farmacopeia Homeopática Brasileira (FHB) e variações destas técnicas. As variáveis avaliadas neste processo foram: três tamanhos diferentes de glóbulos (n.º 3, 5 e 7); a solução hidroalcóolica a 70% (v/v) de minoxidil a 2% (p/v) foi utilizada para impregnar os glóbulos nas concentrações de 2, 3, 4, 5% (v/p) e na impregnação a 10% (v/p) utilizaram-se as soluções hidroalcóolicas a 70, 80 e 90% (v/v); e quatro técnicas de impregnação diferentes ( A -vidro, B -papel, C -copo e D -FHB). A impregnação foi validada através da uniformidade de dose por conteúdo, sendo o minoxidil a substância quantificada. Como os resultados da uniformidade de dose por conteúdo não demonstraram distribuição normal, utilizaram-se o One way ANOVA e um modelo estatístico não paramétrico para sua avaliação. Considerando-se a média, o desvio padrão (DP), a variância individual de cada grupo e os gráficos de análise de componentes principais (ACP), observou-se que a impregnação que utilizou o glóbulo nº5, a concentração para impregnação de 5% (v/p), graduação alcoólica de 70% (v/v) e técnica “A” apresentou a melhor uniformidade de dose. Quanto à secagem, verificou-se a necessidade do uso de uma fonte de calor.

We compared the impregnation techniques for globules according to the Manual of Technical Norms for Homeopathic Pharmacies (MNTFH) of the Association of Homeopathic Pharmacists (ABFH), Brazilian Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia (FHB) and variations of these techniques. The variables were evaluated in this procedure, three different sizes of globules (N o . 3, 5 and 7), the hydroalcoholic solution of 70% (v/v) Minoxidil 2% (w/v) was used to impregnate the globules in concentrations of 2, 3, 4, 5% (v/w) and the impregnation at 10 %(v/w) was used hydroalcoholic solutions at 70, 80 and 90% (v/v), and four impregnation techniques various ( A -glass, B -paper, C -cup and D -FHB). As the results of content uniformity did not demonstrate a normal distribution, the one way ANOVA and a nonparametric statistical model were used for evaluation. Considering the average, the standard deviation (SD), the individual variance of each group and the principal components analysis graphs (PCA), it was observed that the “A” impregnation of globules technique, with 5% (v/w) of the impregnation concentrations and the No.5 globule presented the best uniformity of dose. As to the drying, there was a need to use a heat source.

Analytical curves are normally obtained from discrete data by least squares regression. The least squares regression of data involving significant error in both x and y values should not be implemented by ordinary least squares (OLS). In this work, the use of orthogonal distance regression (ODR) is discussed as an alternative approach in order to take into account the error in the x variable. Four examples are presented to illustrate deviation between the results from both regression methods. The examples studied show that, in some situations, ODR coefficients must substitute for those of OLS, and, in other situations, the difference is not significant.

The evaluation of uncertainty associated with an analytic result is an essential part of the measurement process. Recently, several approaches to evaluate the uncertainty in measurement have been developed. Here, the gas chromatography assay uncertainty for natural gas is compared by some of these approaches: the guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement (GUM) approach, top-down approach (reproducibility estimate from an inter-laboratory study), Barwick & Ellison (data from validation), study of variability and fuzzy approach. The comparison shows that GUM, Barwick & Ellison and fuzzy approaches lead to comparable uncertainty evaluations, which does not happen with the top-down approach and study of variability by the absence of data normality.

The most widespread literature for the evaluation of uncertainty - GUM and Eurachem - does not describe explicitly how to deal with uncertainty of the concentration coming from non-linear calibration curves. This work had the objective of describing and validating a methodology, as recommended by the recent GUM Supplement approach, to evaluate the uncertainty through polynomial models of the second order. In the uncertainty determination of the concentration of benzatone (C) by chromatography, it is observed that the uncertainty of measurement between the methodology proposed and Monte Carlo Simulation, does not diverge by more than 0.0005 unit, thus validating the model proposed for one significant digit.

Considered the best substitute for diesel, biodiesel can be blended with diesel in any ratio, bringing lots of environmental, economic and social advantages. Brazilian law Nº 11097/2005, proposes the introduction of biodiesel in to the Brazilian energy matrix, mixed with diesel at a minimum percentage of 2%. For consumers and sellers to be sure that the commercialized mixture of biodiesel:diesel contains the correct percentage, it is necessary to develop analytical methodologies to quantify the amount of biodiesel added. This work presents a fast, low-cost and simple methodology to determine the biodiesel proportion in mixtures of biodiesel:diesel, based on infrared spectroscopy.

Synthetic porous ceramics can be used as three-dimensional scaffolds for bone repair. The aim of this work is to correlate process parameters with scaffolds structural characteristics. The factorial 2 level experimental design was chosen to study the effect of the Ca/P ratio (1.58 or 1.67), calcination temperature (1000 or 1150 °C) and porogen content (20 or 40%) on the calcium phosphate samples characteristics. The influence of such parameters was determined by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy and image analysis. It was observed that phase composition was basically a function of the Ca/P ratio of the raw material. The use of the porogen did not alter the hydroxyapatite (HA)/tricalcium phosphate (TCP) content, but induced changes in the relative content of TCP phase (alpha or beta). It is possible to design a porous sample with defined characteristics, and the model herein used can be considered as having a good predictive power.