Croton zehntneri Pax et Hoffm. is a plant from Northeastern Brazil, whose main component of its essential oil is estragole. Its thermal instability and low aqueous solubility prevent its technological application. This study aimed to prepare and characterize the Croton zehntneri essential oil (CZEO) complexed with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), and to evaluate antioxidant activity of free and complexed-CZEO in vitro systems by the elimination of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals (DPPH•), 2,2’-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS•+), hydroxyl and nitric oxide, as well as their ability to transfer electrons by the reducing potential. The infrared spectroscopy and thermal techniques demonstrated the formation of the inclusion complex (Est/β-CD) obtained by spray drying method. The free CZEO and its Est/β-CD at 0.9, 1.8, 3.6, 7.2, 14.4 and 28.8 µg mL-1 showed the ability to remove DPPH• (EC50 (half maximal effective concentration) 26.06 and 9.46 µg mL-1, respectively) and ABTS•+ (EC50 22.73 and 4.47 µg mL-1, respectively), nitric oxide inhibition (EC50 17.65 and 2.68 µg mL-1, respectively), hydroxyl radical sequestration (EC50 23.42 and 2.34 µg mL-1, respectively) and reducing potential (EC50 46.48 and 12.47 µg mL-1, respectively). The formation of the inclusion complex significantly increases its antioxidant potential.

Abstract Welded joints for subsea systems are usually buttered with a nickel alloy, heat-treated and then joined together. Although the majority of these joints have been successful throughout their service, some have suffered catastrophic failure, leading to investigations into the possible causes. The use of heat treatment has been considered the primary cause for failure in this type of joint. The main objective of this article is, with background on the methodology used on Double-Layer Controlled Deposition Technique – DL-CDT, along with the LPTS decision diagrams, to determine the relations between the buttering parameters that allow the welding of subaquatic joints, and the low need for heat treatment. MIG single-bead-on-plate welding was executed on samples of AISI 8630M steel. The welded samples were submitted to metallographic analyses of their geometric and microstructural characteristics and the confection of decision diagrams. Among the 200 possible relationships between the buttering parameters, only one presented positive gaps over all criteria. Grain refinements were observed in the HAZ of joints buttered for the parameters approved by the decision diagrams, while for the joints submitted to the Post Welding Heat Treatment (PWHT) peaks of microhardness on the buttering interface were found, which may result in fragilization of that region.

Abstract Background: Despite the criteria already established for the classification of knee osteoarthritis (OA), a radiographic and/or clinical knee OA diagnosis usually occurs in cases of fully manifest or more advanced disease, which can make health promotion, prevention, and functional rehabilitation in more advanced stages of the disease less effective. In addition, radiographic knee OA can generate more financial costs for health services. Therefore, developing and validating screening instruments to assess the probability of development and progression of knee OA would be of great value for both clinical practice and science. Objective: To cross-culturally adapt and investigate the measurement properties of the Knee OA Pre-screening Questionnaire Brazilian version. Methods: A total of 250 individuals of both sexes aged between 35 and 92 years [(mean (standard deviation): 63 (11) years old; 74.1 (15.1) kg; 1.59 (0.09) m; 29.38 (5.44) kg/m2] participated in this study. The cross-cultural adaptation and analyses of the measurement properties of the KOPS Brazilian version included: (1) assessment of conceptual and item equivalence; (2) assessment of semantic equivalence; (3) assessment of operational equivalence; and (4) assessment of measurement equivalence, reliability, and validity. Results: Cronbach's alpha for the internal consistency among the six components of the KOPS Brazilian version was 0.71. The test-retest 72 h apart for each component resulted in a coefficient correlation intraclass ranging from 0.74 to 1.00. The probability of an individual randomly chosen from the population having KL ≥ 1 and KOPS Brazilian version ≥ 21 points was 0.74 (area under the curve of the Receiver Operating Characteristic – AUC of ROC); furthermore, the AUC for KL ≥ 2 and the KOPS Brazilian version ≥ 23 points was 0.77. Conclusion: The KOPS Brazilian version is a reliable and valid instrument for early screening of knee OA in individuals aged 35 years and over in the Brazilian context.

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the pulp tissue of rat molars after pulpotomies with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), BiodentineTM (BDT) and calcium hydroxide (CH) mixed with sterile saline solution (24 hours, 72 hours, 7 days and 15 days), through correlating MPO activity with active neutrophils and MMP8 activity with tissue remodeling. Material and Methods: Thirty-eight Wistar rats were randomly distributed into groups (control, I (MTA gray), II (BDT), and III (CH)) and subdivided according to the study period of 24 hours, 72 hours, 7 days or 15 days after pulpotomy. MMP8 activity was assessed through fluorescence technique, and MPO activity was determined using the MPO assay. Results: A gradual decrease of MPO and MM8 activity occurred in the group MTA over the experimental periods (p<0.05). Groups BDT and CH exhibited an increase in the activity at 7 and 15 days (p<0.05). Conclusion: MTA demonstrated a decrease in the values of MPO e MMP8. BDT and CH showed high neutrophilic and collagenase activity over the experimental periods.

Abstract The prey of a recent described characid fish, so far endemic of the small lake Pratinha (Iraquara, Bahia, Brazil), a small (~2.5 mm) lentic gastropod, revealed to be a new (possible endemic) species. It is herein formally described as Heleobia brucutu sp. nov. The description includes anatomical features, revealing interesting idiosyncrasies such as egg laying attached to shell, and penis lacking glands, but with terminal papilla. The new species appears to be endemic of that small lake as much as its fish predator. As the species is now formally described and named, protective efforts must be implemented.

α-amylase is a key enzyme in the production of beer due to the breakdown of starch into fermentable sugars. During the preparation of the brewing mash, the enzyme can be affected by polyphenols present in the mixture. Our aim was to evaluate the kinetics and equilibrium of the interaction of α-amylase with some polyphenols (chlorogenic, caffeic, ferulic acids and quercetin) present in beer in the usual range of mashing temperatures (40 - 80 °C), and to treat the results with integrated Michaelis-Menten and Stern-Volmer equations. The results showed a competitive inhibition model for all compounds with Ki values around 30 umol.L-1. The binding constants (Kb) revealed increasing values with temperature up to 323 K, corroborating the enzymatic data. Values for ΔH and ΔS revealed an entropy-driven association mechanism. Structure-activity relationships demonstrated a positive correlation between the biological activity of α-amylase and the polar nature descriptors of the polyphenols. Binding assays of the enzyme with chlorogenic acid at different pH and ionic strength support the structure-activity and thermodynamic data and suggest a plausible interaction of the carboxylate ion of the ligand with basic groups in the vicinity of the catalytic site of the enzyme.

A energia de soldagem pode ser ajustada tanto por meio do controle da potência (tensão e corrente de soldagem) quanto por meio da velocidade de soldagem. Tais formas de ajustes modificam os efeitos da energia de soldagem sobre a junta, o que pode influenciar de forma distinta as tensões residuais resultantes na mesma. Desta forma, o objetivo deste trabalho é avaliar o efeito da energia de soldagem, considerando seu ajuste através da alteração individual e independente da corrente e da velocidade de soldagem, sobre as tensões residuais resultantes em juntas soldadas com multipasse. Foram empregadas amostras de aço estrutural chanfradas em meio-v e soldadas utilizando eletrodo revestido. Aplicaram-se três energias de soldagem obtidas por meio de três níveis distintos de corrente e de velocidade de soldagem. As amostras foram levadas a um difratômetro de raios-x portátil onde foram levantados os perfis de tensões residuais na superfície das mesmas. Uma verificação importante foi que diferentes parâmetros de soldagem que resultam em aportes térmicos "iguais", geram níveis diferentes de tensões residuais, ou seja, a energia de soldagem não pode ser considerada de forma isolada em análises de níveis de tensões residuais resultantes da soldagem multipasse.

The energy input in welding can be adjusted by either control of welding power (voltage and welding current) or welding speed. These different ways of changing can result in different residual stress profiles in the welded joint. Then, the aim of this work is to evaluate, in an independent way, the welding energy input, current and speed effect on the final residual stresses of a multipass joint. Semi-v chamfered samples of structural steel and SMAW process was used. Three different levels of welding current and speed was employed in order to get three levels of energy input. The residual stress measurement was accomplished through X-ray diffraction, using a minidiffractometer for measurement in field. The energy input showed a non-linear relationship with the residual stresses and it was observed that the most influential parameter was the welding speed, what can be a trouble, since this parameter is the less controlled in manual welding.

Os flavonóides 5,3’,4’-triidroxi-7-metoxiflavona, 5,3’-diidroxi-7-4’-dimetoxiflavona, 5,4’-diidroxi-7-metoxiflavona e uma mistura de esteróides (β-sitosterol e estigmasterol) foram isoladas das partes aιreas de Piper carniconnectivumC.DC, Piperaceae. As estruturas desses compostos foram estabelecidas por análises espectroscópicas de UV, IV e RMN de ¹H e 13C, incluindo técnicas uni e bidimensionais.

The flavonoids 5,3’,4’-trihydroxy-7-methoxyflavone, 5,3’-dihydroxy-7-4’-dimethoxyflavone, 5,4’-dihydroxy-7-methoxyflavone and steroids mixture (β-sitosterol and stigmasterol) were isolated from the dried aerials parts of Piper carniconnectivumC.DC. Their structures were established by spectroscopic analyses (UV, IV and ¹H, 13C NMR, including 1D and 2D NMR).

O objetivo desse trabalho é avaliar o efeito da soldagem TIG orbital sobre o nível de tensões residuais da junta, sobre a microestrutura resultante e sobre o aspecto superficial do cordão de solda, considerando os efeitos da energia de soldagem, do número de passes e do tipo de pulsação (corrente e rotação) em tubos de pequeno diâmetro e contribuir para a análise de decisões de se aplicar ou não testes hidrostáticos ou TTPS. Os corpos de prova soldados com diferentes níveis de energia, pulsação e número de passes foram submetidos à medição de tensões residuais em um difratômetro de Raios-X. As amostras também foram submetidas a análises metalográficas. Conclui-se que as tensões residuais na superfície externa dos tubos são de caráter compressivo. O nível de tensões residuais nos tubos cai com o aumento da energia de soldagem e é menor para tubos soldados utilizando pulsação do que com os soldados sem pulsação e, para esse trabalho, não foi influenciado substancialmente pelo número de passes. As amostras analisadas apresentaram microestruturas convencionais para o aço empregado.

This work aims in evaluate the effect of orbital TIG welding on the joint's residual stress level, the final microstructure and the superficial aspect of the weld filet, observing the welding energy, number of passes and the type of pulsation effects in small diameter pipes. The test specimens were welded with different energy, pulsation and number of passes levels and after that it were submitted to residual stress measurement in a X-Ray diffractometer, samples were extracted from the test specimens and it were submitted to metallographic analysis. The ending of this work is that: residual stress in the pipes outer surface are compressive, residual stress level in pipes goes down with increasing welding energy, it is smaller for pipes welded with pulsation and in this work it were not effectively influenced by number of passes. Metallographic analyses have shown expected microstructures for the employed material.