This Letter reports on the photometric detection of transits of the Neptune-mass planet orbiting the nearby M-dwarf star GJ 436. It is by far the closest, smallest, and least massive transiting ...planet detected so far. Its mass is slightly larger than Neptune's at $M = 22.6 \pm 1.9~M_\oplus $. The shape and depth of the transit lightcurves show that it is crossing the host star disc near its limb (impact parameter $0.84 \pm 0.03$) and that the planet size is comparable to that of Uranus and Neptune, $R = 25\,200 \pm 2200$ km = $3.95 \pm 0.35~R_\oplus$. Its main constituant is therefore very likely to be water ice. If the current planet structure models are correct, an outer layer of H/He constituting up to ten percent in mass is probably needed on top of the ice to account for the observed radius.
We present Spitzer Space Telescope infrared photometry of a secondary eclipse of the hot Neptune GJ 436 b. The observations were obtained using the 8-μm band of the InfraRed Array Camera (IRAC). The ...data spanning the predicted time of secondary eclipse show a clear flux decrement with the expected shape and duration. The observed eclipse depth of 0.58 mmag allows us to estimate a blackbody brightness temperature of Tp = 717 ± 35 K at 8 μm. We compare this infrared flux measurement to a model of the planetary thermal emission, and show that this model reproduces properly the observed flux decrement. The timing of the secondary eclipse confirms the non-zero orbital eccentricity of the planet, while also increasing its precision (e = 0.14 ± 0.01). Additional new spectroscopic and photometric observations allow us to estimate the rotational period of the star and to assess the potential presence of another planet.
Germination causes several changes in wheat grains that are necessary for growth, one of which is starch characteristics. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of laboratory‐induced ...wheat germination and pre‐harvest sprouting on starch properties, as well as to examine the application of extracted starch in films. Starch is extracted from non‐germinated wheat samples; pre‐harvest sprouting and germination are induced for 24, 48, and 72 h. Starch is characterized for chemical composition, flour yield, enzymatic activity, morphology, solubility, swelling power, pasting properties, and relative crystallinity. Subsequently, films of germinated and non‐germinated wheat starch are characterized by mechanical properties, thickness, opacity, water solubility, and water vapor permeability. Wheat germination is found to increase enzymatic activity, swelling power, solubility, and relative crystallinity of starch. A significant increase in film elongation is correlated with increased wheat germination time. These results indicate that germination of wheat alters starch properties and promotes production of films with attractive characteristics for future applications.
The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of laboratory‐induced wheat germination and pre‐harvest sprouting on starch properties, as well as to examine the application of extracted starch in films. Germinated wheat starch films are found to show a significant increase in tensile strength and elongation.
Predicting the transfer of contaminants in soils is often hampered by lacking validation of mathematical models. Here, we applied Hydrus-2D software to three agricultural soils for simulating the ...1900–2005 changes of zinc and lead concentration profiles derived from industrial atmospheric deposition, to validate the tested models with plausible assumptions on past metal inputs to reach the 2005 situation. The models were set with data from previous studies on the geochemical background, estimated temporal metal deposition, and the 2005 metal distributions. Different hypotheses of chemical reactions of metals with the soil solution were examined: 100% equilibrium or partial equilibrium, parameterized following kinetic chemical extractions. Finally, a two-site model with kinetic constant values adjusted at 1% of EDTA extraction parameters satisfactory predicted changes in metal concentration profiles for two arable soils. For a grassland soil however, this model showed limited applicability by ignoring the role of earthworm activity in metal incorporation.
► We modeled 100-year changes of Zn and Pb in agricultural soils with Hydrus-2D. ► Different hypotheses of chemical reactions of metals – soil solution were tested. ► We used a two-site model with kinetic constants adjusted to 1% of EDTA extractions. ► Satisfactory prediction in arable soils; earthworm activity ignored under grassland. ► Land use must be considered consider when modeling metal pollutant transfer in soils.
Hydrus simulates Zn and Pb distributions in soils horizons of arable land, when a two-site model with adjusted kinetic parameters is used
The levels of various ions (Na^sup +^, Cl^sup -^, Ca^sup 2+^, Mg^sup 2+^, K^sup +^) in the fluid phase of the gastrointestinal contents and of the plasma were determined in four teleosts with ...different feeding habits: traira (Hoplias malabaricus), hassar (Hoplosternum littorale), silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen), and grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). The results showed that most ionic levels in the fluid phase of the gastrointestinal tract seem to be affected by feeding habit and that these levels can be different from those found in the plasma. In practical terms, these results suggest that ionic levels of the gastrointestinal contents should be considered when preparing solutions for studies of intestinal absorption in fishes.PUBLICATION ABSTRACT
Background: If not diagnosed earlier, chromoblastomycosis has a chronic evolutional course that may cause several problems, such as difficulty in managing therapy because of the recrudescent ...character of the disease, potential association with the growth of epidermoid carcinoma in affected regions, and poor quality of life and work incapacity to the patient. Although infrequent, new cases are reported in the state of Rio Grande do Sul every year, ratifying the necessity for further studies on this disease. Objective: The purpose of this study was to review clinical features and response to therapy in patients with chromoblastomycosis and present data on the demography and history of this disease in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Methods: We reviewed case records of 100 patients with skin lesions caused by chromoblastomycosis, who were treated between 1963 and 1998. The cases were confirmed by the histopathologic and mycologic analyses made by the Dermatology Service of the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul at the Santa Casa de Misericórdia Hospital. Results: There was a predominance of male patients (4:1) and of white farmers whose ages ranged from 50 to 59 years, with lesions on their lower limbs. Most of them were from the northern regions of the state. The average time between the appearance of the disease and medical diagnosis was 14 years. The verrucous type proved to be the most frequently reported lesion (53%). Thorn wounds were associated with the disease in 16% of the cases. Lesions uncommon to some parts of the body were also reported. In two of the cases, cutaneous lesions caused by paracoccidioidomycosis and chromoblastomycosis were found in the same patient. Epidermoid carcinoma was found in the same parts of the body affected by chromoblastomycosis. Eumycotic mycetoma and chromoblastomycosis were associated. Fonsecaea pedrosoi was found in 96% of the cases, and Phialophora verrucosa in 4% of the cases. Conclusion: In our study, we observed a predominance of cases in the regions of Missões and Alto Uruguay, followed by the upper and lower northeastern slopes and the lowlands. Severe cases of chromoblastomycosis with intense skin involvement (eg, lesions with carcinoma) were observed. Statistical analysis showed recrudescence of the disease in 43% of cases despite the treatment used. (J Am Acad Dermatol 2001;44:585-92.)
Early identification of patients who need hospitalization or patients who should be discharged would be helpful for the management of acute asthma in the emergency room. The objective of the present ...study was to examine the clinical and pulmonary functional measures used during the first hour of assessment of acute asthma in the emergency room in order to predict the outcome. We evaluated 88 patients. The inclusion criteria were age between 12 and 55 years, forced expiratory volume in the first second below 50% of predicted value, and no history of chronic disease or pregnancy. After baseline evaluation, all patients were treated with 2.5 mg albuterol delivered by nebulization every 20 min in the first hour and 60 mg of intravenous methylprednisolone. Patients were reevaluated after 60 min of treatment. Sixty-five patients (73.9%) were successfully treated and discharged from the emergency room (good responders), and 23 (26.1%) were hospitalized or were treated and discharged with relapse within 10 days (poor responders). A predictive index was developed: peak expiratory flow rates after 1 h < or =0% of predicted values and accessory muscle use after 1 h. The index ranged from 0 to 2. An index of 1 or higher presented a sensitivity of 74.0, a specificity of 69.0, a positive predictive value of 46.0, and a negative predictive value of 88.0. It was possible to predict outcome in the first hour of management of acute asthma in the emergency room when the index score was 0 or 2.
Objetivo: os profissionais da área da odontologia, em sua prática, estão ligados ao risco de deparar-se com ocorrências como emergências médicas. Mesmo não sendo comuns, podem ocorrer em ambiente ...odontológico, acometendo qualquer indivíduo antes, durante ou após uma intervenção. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o grau de conhecimento dos cirurgiões dentistas da cidade de Passo Fundo quanto a sua conduta para suporte básico de vida em um quadro de emergências médicas em consultório odontológico. Metodologia: o estudo teve um delineamento quantitativo e epidemiológico, sendo os dados coletados através de um questionário elaborado pela equipe como único instrumento para coleta de dados com o objetivo de mensurar o nível de conhecimento dos cirurgiões dentistas. Resultados e Conclusão: concluiu-se que é significativo o percentual dos cirurgiões-dentistas da cidade de Passo Fundo/RS que não possuem conhecimentos em manobras de suporte básico de vida bem como de atendimento de situações de urgência e/ou emergência em consultório odontológico, sugerindo então, que, nos Estados Unidos e outros países europeus, deveria ser incluído na formação acadêmica e obrigatória sua renovação e reciclagem a cada dois anos pelos cirurgiões-dentistas com cursos de atualização e comprovação no Conselho Regional de Odontologia para ter autorização de exercer a profissão.
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