12/02/2024


Until recently, the amount of solar irradiance reaching the Earth surface was considered to be a steady value over the years. However, there is increasing observational evidence showing that this quantity undergoes substantial variations over time, which need to be addressed in different scenarios ranging from climate change to solar energy applications. With the growing interest in developing solar energy technology with enhanced efficiency and optimized management, the monitoring of solar irradiance at the ground level is now considered to be a fundamental input in the pursuit of that goal. Here, we propose the first fiber-based distributed sensor able of monitoring ground solar irradiance in real time, with meter scale spatial resolutions over distances of several tens of kilometers (up to 100 km). The technique is based on an optical fiber reflectometry technique (CP-ϕOTDR), which enables real time and long-range high-sensitivity bolometric measurements of solar radiance with a single optical fiber cable and a single interrogator unit. The method is explained and analyzed theoretically. A validation of the method is proposed using a solar simulator irradiating standard optical fibers, where we demonstrate the ability to detect and quantify solar irradiance with less than a 0.1 W/m2 resolution.The present work was aimed for the preparation of a stable nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) system for the delivery of N-palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) to the back of the eye. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/Elesclomol.html PEA is an interesting natural compound showing anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective activities. The limits of PEA (poor solubility and high instability) justify its nanoencapsulation into drug delivery systems. Two different well-known techniques were compared to formulate NLC the high shear homogenization technique (HSH) and the method based on a combination of HSH technique and ultrasonication (HSH/US). Nanoparticles were evaluated in relation to mean size, homogeneity, surface charge, and physical stability by Turbiscan technology. Retinal distribution of PEA was carried out in a rat eye after single instillation of PEA-NLC ophthalmic formulation. The novel formulation delivered remarkable levels of PEA to the retina. Lastly, topical administration of PEA-NLC ophthalmic formulation was able to significantly inhibits retinal tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The present findings suggest that the novel ophthalmic formulation may be useful for the treatment of retinal diseases such as diabetic retinopathy. Clinical studies are in progress to evaluate this possibility.In this study, a redox-sensitive chitosan derivative with modifications by cholesterol, sulfhydryl, and mPEG (mPEG-CS(SH)-CHO) was successfully synthesized and characterized. Due to its amphiphilicity, the conjugate could spontaneously form micelles in an aqueous environment. The optimized paclitaxel (PTX)-loaded mPEG-CS(SH)-CHO micelles, with a mean diameter of 158 nm, zeta potential of +26.9 mV, drug loading of 11.7%, and entrapment efficiency of 88.3%, were successfully prepared. The results of an XRD study demonstrated that PTX was loaded in the core of the micelles in a non-crystalline state. Inspiringly, the PTX-loaded micelles possessed excellent anticancer effect but low toxicity to the body. It can be concluded that the mPEG-CS(SH)-CHO micellar system is a promising drug delivery carrier for the controlled release of PTX.Dynamic fracture and fragmentation characteristics of explosively driven rings and cylinders are important issues in the field of weapon effectiveness and protection. However, the comparison of fracture characteristics between metal cylinder and rings, and the fracture characteristics of the metal shells at different axial positions, are rarely touched. In the present work, a recovery tank was used to collect fragments, and witness plates were used to investigate the fragment spatial distributions. Before the test, the representative positions of metal shells were plated with copper layers to locate the original position of the recovered fragments. After the test, scanning electron microscopy and optical microscope were used for characterizing the microstructure of the recovered fragments from different positions. Then, the recovered fragments were weighed and measured to investigate their mass and size characteristics. In addition, numerical simulation was used to further investigate the fracture mechanisms metal rings were much larger than those of the metal cylinder.Epidemiological inquiries study and evaluate the health status of the population. For dental caries, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the DMFT and DMFS indexes, which represent the sum of the decayed, missing and filled teeth, divided by the population studied. Traditionally these surveys are conducted using cellulose paper sheet. This study describes the development and presents the field performance of NutriOdonto, a software created for an Oral Health Survey carried out in 2018 and 2019 involving 2578 students from the municipal schools of Palmas/TO, located in the Brazilian Amazon region. This is a descriptive, applied research on the development of a software for the collecting, analysis, management and reproducibility of oral health epidemiological research. A software applied to the collecting, analysis and formation of the database was developed through the information obtained from the questionnaires applied to the participants of the study and the completion of the electronic oral examination form. Recent Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are intelligently configured to create models and mobile applications (Apps) that can be useful to manage health issues, thus broadening the perspective of service provision in this sector. Some of these mobile devices, tablets and smartphones are being developed to generate information, for collection, recording, storage and analysis of oral health epidemiological research data. NutriOdonto contributed to the rapid collection, recording and storage of information, in the construction of the database and its analysis. Replacing paper forms with electronic forms minimized possible typos, reduced the use of cellulose paper and the financial costs, among other things. This software can contribute to decision making by managers and professionals and to improving the planning and implementation of actions in health promotion and oral disease prevention.