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We use multi-object near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy with VLT/KMOS to investigate the role of the environment in the evolution of the ionized gas properties of narrow-band selected H$\alpha$ emitters (HAEs) in the Spiderweb protocluster at $z=2.16$. Based on rest-frame optical emission lines, H$\alpha$ and [NII]$\lambda$6584, we confirm the cluster membership of 39 of our targets (i.e. 93% success rate), and measure their star-formation rates (SFR), gas-phase oxygen abundances and effective radius. We parametrize the environment where our targets reside by using local and global density indicators based on previous samples of spectroscopic and narrow-band cluster members. We find that star-forming galaxies embedded in the Spiderweb protocluster display SFRs compatible with those of the main sequence and morphologies comparable to those of late-type galaxies at $z=2.2$ in the field. We also report a mild gas-phase metallicity enhancement ($0.6\pm0.3$ dex) at intermediate stellar masses. Furthermore, we identify two UVJ-selected quiescent galaxies with residual H$\alpha$-based star formation and find signs of extreme dust obscuration in a small sample of SMGs based on their FIR and H$\alpha$ emission. Interestingly, the spatial distribution of these objects differs from the rest of HAEs, avoiding the protocluster core. Finally, we explore the gas fraction-gas metallicity diagram for 7 galaxies with molecular gas masses measured by ATCA using CO(1-0). In the context of the gas-regulator model, our objects are consistent with relatively low mass-loading factors, suggesting lower outflow activity than field samples at the cosmic noon and thus, hinting at the onset of environmental effects in this massive protocluster., Comment: 29 pages, 15 figures. Accepted for publication in MNRAS

The quest for edible oleogels mimicking the functionality of commercial plastic fats has been an active research topic over the last decade. Plastic fats are used to shorten the crumb in baked goods, entrap air in whipped creams, disperse and immobilize solids in confections, enhance lubrication and spreading in margarine, among other applications. These functions are based on the rheological properties of plastic fats. Thus, the replacement of this type of fats with edible oleogels implies matching their rheological behavior under processing, storage, and consumption conditions. This chapter discusses the impact of compositional changes, thermal history, and shearing on the rheological properties of edible oleogels structured with wax, ethylcellulose, monoglycerols, fatty acids, and fatty alcohols. In the same way we discuss strategies to modulate oleogel elasticity and mechanical recovery (i.e., thixotropy) to improve the performance of oleogels in foods.

In order to understand the role of the different processes that drive galaxy evolution in clusters, we need comprehensive studies that simultaneously examine several of the most important characteristics of galaxies. In this work we examine the physical properties of cluster galaxies at z=0.45 attending to the degree of distortion of their rotation curves. Regular rotating galaxies were included in our Tully-Fisher analysis while the distorted ones were used to study the role of cluster-specific interactions with respect to star formation and AGN activity. We report a higher fraction of galaxies with irregular gas kinematics in the cluster environment than in the field. Cluster galaxies with regular rotation display a moderate brightening in the B-band Tully-Fisher relation compatible with the gradual evolution of the stellar populations with lookback time, and no significant evolution in the stellar-mass Tully-Fisher relation, in line with previous studies at similar redshift. Average specific star formation rate (sSFR) values are slightly lower in our cluster sample (-0.15 dex) with respect to the main sequence of star-forming galaxies, confirming the role of the environment in the early quenching of star formation in clusters. Finally, we carried out an exploratory observational study on the stellar-to-halo mass relation finding that cluster galaxies tend to have slightly lower stellar mass values for a fixed halo mass compared to their field counterparts., 25 pages, 11 figures. Accepted for publication in A&A (06.02.2020)

Phase diagrams are powerful tools for studying the mechanisms and the dynamics involved during molecular self-assembly in the development of gels, and for comparing the efficiency of gelators. Phase diagrams, complemented with microstructural analysis, can be used to engineer molecular gels with particular physical properties. In this chapter, we present fundamental and practical information associated with thermodynamic concepts involved in the sol–gel transition of gelator molecules. We also discuss the best techniques available to evaluate the development of molecular gels, and the thermodynamic conditions and parameters required to construct reliable phase diagrams.

Laurel wilt is caused by Raffaelea lauricola, a nutritional symbiont of an Asian ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus glabratus. American members of the Lauraceae plant family are most susceptible and 300 million trees have been killed by the disease in the southeastern USA since 2003. Recently, commercial production of an important crop in the laurel family, avocado (Persea americana), has been affected in southern Florida. We summarize studies in which diverse measures were tested for managing the disease. In all studies, trees were treated with potential laurel wilt control measures and subsequently inoculated with R. lauricola. On potted plants in greenhouse experiments, commercial nutritional products (Greenstim and Keyplex 350) and SAR products (Agri-Fos and Nutri-Phite), when applied as soil drenches or foliar sprays, had either no impact on, or increased laurel wilt symptom development compared to non-treated control treatments. Bark applications of Tilt (a propiconazole fungicide for which emergency registration had been obtained in 2010) in a surfactant (Pentrabark) enabled significant laurel wilt protection in greenhouse studies on small potted plants, but Pentrabark and other surfactants moved little propiconazole into the xylem of fruit-bearing trees in field studies. In efficacy studies in the field, Propiconazole Pro (an injectable formulation of propiconazole), Tilt, and two experimental formulations of another triazole fungicide, tebuconazole, decreased the development of laurel wilt compared to nontreated control trees when applied as undiluted injections into branches and scaffold limbs (microinjection), or injection of dilute fungicide into tree flare roots (macroinfusion). However, symptoms developed in all treated trees by 10–11 months after inoculation with R. lauricola, indicating that trees would need to be re-treated at least on an annual basis. Regardless of how fungicides were applied, insignificant levels of different active ingredients entered fruit. Although fungicide treatment of fruit-bearing avocado trees is not a concern for food safety and several triazole and DMI fungicides can protect avocado trees from laurel wilt, cost-effective measures with which the xylem could be loaded with and protected by these products remains a challenge. Management of laurel wilt in commercial avocado production areas is discussed.

Un portafolio de inversión se define como una colección de instrumentos bursátiles, en los cuales entidades físicas o morales realizan una determinada inversión. Los porcentajes que se invierten en este tipo de instrumentos pueden calcularse por medio de modelo matemático determinado por la relación ganancia-riesgo, susceptible a ser conceptualizada como un problema de optimización numérica solucionable por medio de algoritmos evolutivos. En esta propuesta se presenta un método de solución basado en un Algoritmo de Evolución Diferencial desarrollado por Price en 1994. El caso de estudio implementado fue desarrollado a partir de acciones de la Bolsa Mexicana de Valores, los resultados permiten inferir que este tipo de técnica es una alternativa aceptable de diseño a otras heurísticas.

29 referencias., The increased detection of pharmaceuticals in finished drinking water has become a growing cause of concern in recent years. The removal of atenolol, ranitidine, and carbamazepine by sepiolite, following functionalization of its surface by organosilane grafting, constituted the subject of this investigation. Silylated surfaces include octyl, γ-aminopropyl, 3-chloropropyl, and triphenyl moieties. The sorption of atenolol and ranitidine was higher on sepiolite functionalized with 3-chloropropyl, while carbamazepine showed a higher sorption on sepiolite with triphenyl groups. Filtration experiments of both ranitidine and carbamazepine on octyl- and triphenyl-sepiolite, respectively, showed a higher retention of ranitidine in comparison to carbamazepine, in spite of the fact that the number of sorption sites was lower due to its higher binding rate., This research was supported by the MEC projects CTM2013-42306-R and CTM2016-77168-R. Both projects received funding from the European Social Fund.

9 páginas.- 7 figuras.- 4 tablas.- 42 referencias.- Supplementary data to this article can be found online at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.117964, Cyanobacterial blooming episodes in surface waters used for drinking purposes are increasing due to eutrophication of water ecosystems. Water treatments should be optimised to remove phytoplankton cells as well as their associated toxins. The performance of a multicell electrocoagulation reactor operating under a continuous flow and coupled with flocculation for cyanobacteria removal was examined. Electrocoagulation of a suspension of the unicellular cyanobacteria Microcystis aeruginosa and its related toxin microcystin-LR, as a model of toxic cyanobacterium and cyanotoxin, respectively, showed that cell removal occurred through charge neutralisation with the Al hydroxides generated in the system, whereas the toxin did not undergo electrolytical processes. Cell inactivation was a function of the charge loading and the cell population. Inactivation of a 105 cells/mL suspension was 34% for a charge loading of 50 C/L whereas only 3% was achieved by increasing cyanobacteria concentration by one-order of magnitude. Flocculation of the electrocoagulated suspensions with anionic polyelectrolytes revealed a bridging mechanism, whereas an electrostatic patch aggregation was involved with cationic flocculants. Electrocoagulation/flocculation of a cyanobacterial blooming surface water (about 106 cells/mL) showed quite good concordance of cell inactivation values (9.7–10.7%) with those detected previously with Microcystis aeruginosa (5.4%). However, the performance of the flocculants was slightly worse as determined from the residual turbidity values (17% vs. 7% in pure cultures of M. aeruginosa) due to the different compositions of the extracellular organic matter. © 2019 Elsevier Ltd, Financial support was received by the grant CTM2016-77168-R from the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities supported by the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) . The authors also acknowledge the Services of the University of Seville (CITIUS) of Biology for flow cytometer analysis, and Microanalysis and Functional Characterisation Services for determination of zeta potentials and floc sizes. The authors also thank Dr. González-Grau for his assistance in the analysis of cyanobacteria genera. Cyclus ID (Moron de la Frontera, Spain) is acknowledged by its assistance in the construction of the EC equipment. Appendix A

The design and construction of a 13.56-MHz RF power amplifier has been carried out on the basis of a modified resonant LC circuit in parallel regarding to the classic E-class amplifier LC series resonant circuit; this was done in order to take advantage of the operation characteristics of the resonant capacitor as a bidirectional voltage source. Therefore, the parallel LC circuit amplifies the voltage signals which can be applied to resistive or capacitive-resistive loads without the need for an impedance matching network, conventionally used with plasma generators. The main achievement of the described instrumentation lays in its constant response under a wide interval of load impedance. This facility has been applied to the generation of steady discharges in plasma needle appliances and both parallel plate and coaxial dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactors. Some relevant results of the DBD sterilization of four different kinds of microorganisms are included, showing the feasibility of the technique within reduced processing times, under 80 s in all the cases.

Raw and cooked (boiled and grilled) Poblano, Bell, Chilaca, Caribe, Jalapeno, Serrano, Habanero, and Manzano peppers were evaluated for tristimulus colour, capsaicinoids (capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin, nordihydrocapscapsaicin), and total phenolic contents. Boiling (96 °C) and grilling (210 °C) was performed under household conditions according to typical procedures of the Mexican cuisine. Contents of capsaicin (0.6–913.8 μg/g), dihydrocapsaicin (0–756.9 μg/g), nordihydrocapsaicin (0–68.2 μg/g), and total phenolics (1150.5–2190.0 μg of gallic acid equivalents/g) in raw peppers varied widely between types of peppers. Moderate losses (1.1–28.1%) in capsaicinoids were induced by boiling while grilling caused a significant increase (2.6–924.9%) in the content of these compounds. Proportion of individual capsaicinoids was similar in raw and cooked peppers. Boiling and grilling sequentially increased (7.4–137.0%) the total phenolic content in pungent peppers. Total phenolic content in non-pungent Bell peppers was reduced by cooking (1.6–26.9%). Boiling induced smaller changes in colour values ( L *, a *, and b *) compared to grilling. The results demonstrated that Mexican raw peppers are rich in capsaicinoids and phenolic compounds. Household cooking can cause either decreases or increases in the content of such compounds in peppers.

A new RF power supply intended for low-power plasma torches is presented. It is based on a class-E amplifier, modified on the principle of a parallel LC resonant circuit, and is used here to supply the so-called 'plasma needle'. The latter is matched with a shunt inductor, and both are connected in parallel to the resonant capacitor C. This configuration is particularly useful for the control of stable discharge characteristics, for example, to resist naturally occurring variations in the load impedance, by providing the high voltage necessary to ignite and maintain the plasma. The overall system has been tested at atmospheric pressure by producing glow discharges in flows of helium and argon. We present early results that describe the device's characteristics.

Introduccion La osteoporosis es una enfermedad cronica que afecta en Espana a mas de dos millones de mujeres. En su abordaje terapeutico, ademas de un tratamiento antirresortivo, se debe garantizar un adecuado aporte de calico y vitamina D, y cuando la paciente no alcanza un minimo diario de estos elementos se debe proceder a su administracion de forma exogena mediante la recomendacion de suplementos. En nuestro entorno no se conoce cual es la realidad de la prescripcion y grado de cumplimiento desde la practica clinica en Atencion Primaria de los suplementos de calico y vitamina D para el tratamiento concomitante de la osteoporosis, por lo que nos hemos planteado realizar un studio de indole pragmatica que permita aclarar estos interrogantes. Material y metodos Estudio transversal utilizando un cuestionario ad hoc a partir del objetivo del estudio, que fue administrado durante los meses de marzo y abril de 2006, por 49 medicos de Atencion Primaria de los 32 distritos sanitarios de Andalucia, elegidos mediante muestreo no probabilistico a criterio, siendo el criterio de seleccion la condicion de experto en osteoporosis. Cada uno de estos investigadores se responsabilizo de contactar con al menos 10 medicos que debian ejercer su actividad profesional en el ambito de la asistencia primaria, de cara a poder administrarles el cuestionario. Resultados Respondieron el cuestionario un total de 749 medicos de Atencion Primaria correspondientes a todos los distritos sanitarios de Andalucia. Se ha recogido infor-macion de 3.745 pacientes ya que cada medico debia reviser 5 historias de pacientes en tratamiento para la osteoporosis. El 31% de los encuestados reconocia que no asocia calcio y vitamina D junto al tratamiento antirresortivo, o lo hacia en menos del 50% de las veces. El 52% de los encuestados reconocio que la tolerancia a los suplementos de calcio y vitamina D era regular, mala o muy mala, y hasta un 62% de los medicos encuestados afirmaron que la mitad de sus pacientes abandonaba los suplementos a los tres meses por intolerancia o efectos secundarios. La mitad de los medicos reconocia no estar preocupado por el aporte de vitamina D en estos pacientes, dado que consideraban que en Espana, por su clima soleado, el deficit de vitamina D era una situacion infrecuente. Conclusiones La mayoria de los medicos de Atencion Primaria de Andalucia opinan que el cumplimiento de los suplementos de calcio y vitamina D para el tratamiento concomitante de la osteoporosis es bastante deficiente, por lo que el abordaje terapeutico integral de la osteoporosis es inadecuado, debiendose insistir en la importancia de garantizar una adecuada ingesta de calcio y vitamina D. Existe un alto porcentaje de abandono de los suplementos por efectos secundarios e intolerancia. Hay una falsa asociacion entre clima soleado y niveles adecuados de vitamina D.

Microplasmas represent, by their physical nature, a considerable potential for medical applications given their highly accurate action and extremely controllable penetration on the surface of biological tissue. This plasma modality is today a powerful tool in practical applications such as the elimination of necrotic cells or the sterilization of dental cavities. As we start up a research line into this technology, we have constructed a plasma needle capable of producing non thermal plasmas, within a 1 mm radius, produced by a typical 13.56 MHz RF generator. The plasma is developed out of helium and argon. Initial electrical tests show that the plasma needle can operate at comparatively low voltages (peak to peak 100–250 V) and low power consumption. With a view to optimizing the medical applicability of the system, a study of the effects of plasma temperature and power variation at different distances is presented.

We took spatially resolved slit FORS2 spectra of 19 cluster galaxies at z=1.4, and 8 additional field galaxies at 1, Comment: Accepted for publication in A&A. 14 pages, 6 figures

The pesticide norfluazon has been microencapsulated using ethyl cellulose to develop controlled-release formulations that decrease its mobility through the soil and protect it from photodegradation. Ethyl cellulose microspheres loaded with norfluazon were prepared by the solvent-evaporation method. To obtain the microspheres, certain conditions (pesticide/polymer ratio, percentage of emulsifying agent and solvent) were varied. The shape and size of the microspheres obtained were studied by scanning electron microscopy. Other parameters, such as solids recovery, encapsulation efficiency and pesticide loading, were also studied. The release rate of norfluazon from the different microspheres was slower than that of pure norfluazon. In particular, microspheres obtained with o-xylene, which provided the largest diameter, retarded the initial release of the pesticide relative to microspheres obtained with chloroform, or to pure norfluazon. Moreover, the studies showed that the pesticide/polymer ratio controlled the release of norfluazon, which was slower when this ratio was low. Release rates conformed to a generalised kinetic equation for a diffusion-controlled release mechanism, and the time taken for 50% of the active ingredient to be released into water, t50, was calculated. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry

In the present paper the complexation of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and a partially methylated-β-Cyclodextrin (PM-β-CD) has been studied in solution, being determined from the phase solubility diagram an apparent stability constant of 359.0 M−1 for the complex. Solid complexes were also obtained by different processing methods being investigated the inclusion process by scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, hot stage microscopy and x-ray diffractometry. Dissolution rate studies of the non-complexed and complexed pesticide were carried out. In all the cases the complex formation improved the dissolution rate. 2,4-D / PM-β-CD complexes may find use in pesticide formulations since they present important advantages.

Inclusion complex formation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) has been proposed as a way of modifying the behaviour of the pesticide in the soil environment. The present study assesses the effect of complex formation on 2,4-D physicochemical properties (aqueous solubility, crystallinity and dissolution rate) and its behaviour on soils. The solid complexes were prepared using different methods (spray drying, kneading and heating in a sealed container). To confirm the complex formation in the solid state differential scanning calorimetry, hot stage microscopy and x-ray diffraction techniques were employed. Complex formation in solution was studied by phase solubility. The presence of HP-β-CD increased the 2,4-D solubility nine times approximately. The apparent stability constant was determined as 98.6 M -1 . The dissolution rates of the 2,4-D/HP-β-CD complexes were examined and compared with that of the pure pesticide. The results indicated that the complex may have great utility as a rapid way of dissolving the pesticide. Batch experiments were performed to study the adsorption-desorption of 2,4-D on soils and the influence of the HP-β-CD over these processes. The results showed that HP-β-CD could increase the desorption of 2,4-D previously adsorbed on soils.

The interaction in solution between2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid with α- andβ-cyclodextrins was evaluated by phasesolubility studies. Association constants werecalculated by this technique. The stoichiometries were1 : 2 and 1 : 1 for the α- and β-cyclodextrincomplexes, respectively. In order to corroborate thecomplexation and the knowledge of structural aspectsof the host : guest interaction, proton nuclearmagnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopy wasemployed. The application of the continuous variationtechnique corroborated the calculated complexstoichiometries by solubility assays. ComplementaryNOE studies were applied in order to corroborate theproposed complex structures.

Gliclazide/β-CD systems were prepared by various techniques: kneading, co-grinding, spray-drying, coprecipitation and neutralization. The thermal behaviour of these systems was studied by using DSC and TG, in order to find occurrence of the occurrence of solid-state inclusion complexation. The use of a complementary technique, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), was intended to resolve possible ambiguous conclusions from the thermal study. Both studies demonstrated the existence of inclusion complexation in all cases except the kneading technique, which does not lead to a true inclusion complex.

Publisher Summary This chapter explains that although cocoa butter is used as the main lipid phase in chocolate manufacture, due to cost or technical limitations, cocoa butter is also used in combination with other vegetable oils, such as hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated soybean oil and palm oil in the elaboration of compound coatings used in confectionery products. In some cases, fully refined vegetable oils and fats might be blended with cocoa butter, particularly in the development of low-trans or trans-free chocolate fillings and coatings. The results obtained in simple and complex model systems showed that in cocoa butter-vegetable oil blends, the molecular interactions occurring among TAG families determine the thermodynamic conditions that drive the formation of a solid in a liquid phase and the phase behavior of the solid phase. The molecular interactions occurring between TAGS in cocoa butter-vegetable oil blends determine crystal habit, crystallization kinetics, rate of polymorphic transitions, microstructure, and the mechanical properties that in turn determine the functionality of trans-free fillings and coatings.

Publisher Summary Candelilla Wax (CW) is a wax obtained from the leaves of a small shrub native to northern Mexico and the southwestern United States, Euphorbia cerifera and Euphorbia antisyphilitica, from the family Euphorbiaceae. CW is a globally recognized food additive approved by the FDA, used mainly as a glazing agent and binder for chewing gums. It is also used in the manufacture of lip balms and lotion bars, and in the paint industry to make varnishes. Additionally, CW can be used as a substitute for carnauba wax and beeswax in different food systems. A typical composition of a micronized high purity CW used as additive by the food industry shows hentriacontane as the main component. Since CW has as its major component hentriacontane and as minor components other n-alkanes with odd number of carbons, this creates the possibility of using CW to develop edible organogels using vegetable oils as the liquid apolar phase. This chapter discusses the information generated mainly in the laboratory of the authors of the chapter, associated with the development of CW organogels using vegetable oils as the liquid apolar phase. It also discusses the thermal, rheological, and structural characteristics of CW organogels and organogels formed by mixtures of Tripalmitin (TP) and CW developed under static conditions or with the application of a controlled shear rate at particular stages during cooling. The chapter reviews the results associated to the few investigations regarding the use of CW as coating barrier in food products, either as crystal-line dispersion in water or dispersed in a bio-polymer matrix.

A non‐thermal atmospheric‐like plasma source able to operate at room temperature represents, by its physical nature, a considerable potential for biological applications, given its highly accurate action and extremely controllable penetration on the surface of biological tissue. As we start up a research line into this technology, we report the electrical characterization of a room pressure plasma discharge by means of a coupling network model. The discharge is produced by a 13.56MHz commercial generator. As it is impossible to measure directly its state variables (voltage and current intensity) due to the considerable perturbation created by introducing a low impedance at the system output, then an indirect estimation of such variables is achieved from experimental diagnostics at the input, so to validate the proposed electrical model.

The interaction of norflurazon with α- and γ-cyclodextrins (CDs) yielded the formation of inclusion complexes at a 1:1 stoichiometric ratio in solution and in the solid state. Apparent stability constants of 50.7 ± 1.6 and 37 ± 1.7 M-1 and an increase in herbicide solubility by up to five and fourfold for α- and γ-CD, respectively, were determined from the phase solubility diagrams at 25°C in water. Three processing methods (kneading, spray-drying and vacuum evaporation) were used to prepare norflurazon-CD solid inclusion complexes, which were characterised by infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscopy. A high increase in the norflurazon dissolution rate was obtained with all the solid complexes with γ-CD, but when α-CD was used, only the solid system obtained after the vacuum evaporation process showed a higher dissolution rate. This finding is a first step in the development of new, environmentally sound formulations of norflurazon (NFL), due to the capacity for increasing its dissolution rate and hydrosolubility, and thus diminishing the use of organic solvents. On the other hand, the effect of α- and γ-cyclodextrin on the solubility of norflurazon in solution was also considered as a way of modifying its behaviour in the soil environment. Desorption studies of NFL from soils in the presence of α- and γ-cyclodextrin were carried out using a batch equilibration method. The results obtained showed that α- and γ-cyclodextrin greatly increased the removal of norflurazon previously adsorbed, proving the potential use of these CDs for in situ remediation of pesticide-contaminated soils.

A number of systems were prepared at five compositions (5, 10, 20, 30 and 40% w/w) of diclofenac/N-(2-hydroxyethyl) pyrrolidine salt and acidic diclofenac in PEG6000 and Gelucire 50/13, as physical mixtures and as solid dispersions. Powder X-ray diffractograms for the systems examined show shifted and normal peaks, suggesting that the drug is present inside the samples in different physical states. Differential scanning calorimetry does not offer important information, since drug solubility into the carriers increases with temperature and thermograms show only the melting point peak of the carriers. Hot-stage microscopy examination explains that, in high concentration samples, the drug is present either dissolved into the carriers, or precipitated as microcrystals, or undissolved crystals of larger size. Gelucire 50/13 allows the formation of larger crystals than PEG, using both the chemical forms of the drug. The release percentage of the drug from PEG6000/acidic diclofenac reaches 50% after few minutes in the most favourable case and appears to be dependent on the composition of the samples: the more diclofenac is present as dissolved in the pre-treated samples, the higher is the release. The optimum composition was found in the range of 5-10% w/w.

The pesticide norfluazon has been microencapsulated using ethyl cellulose to develop controlled-release formulations that decrease its mobility through the soil and protect it from photodegradation. Ethyl cellulose microspheres loaded with norfluazon were prepared by the solvent-evaporation method. To obtain the microspheres, certain conditions (pesticide/polymer ratio, percentage of emulsifying agent and solvent) were varied. The shape and size of the microspheres obtained were studied by scanning electron microscopy. Other parameters, such as solids recovery, encapsulation efficiency and pesticide loading, were also studied. The release rate of norfluazon from the different microspheres was slower than that of pure norfluazon. In particular, microspheres obtained with o-xylene, which provided the largest diameter, retarded the initial release of the pesticide relative to microspheres obtained with chloroform, or to pure norfluazon. Moreover, the studies showed that the pesticide/polymer ratio controlled the release of norfluazon, which was slower when this ratio was low. Release rates conformed to a generalised kinetic equation for a diffusion-controlled release mechanism, and the time taken for 50% of the active ingredient to be released into water, t50, was calculated.

A new oral dosage form for controlled and complete release of drug after a predetermined lag time is described. The system, designed to exploit the relatively constant small intestine transit time, consists of a drug-containing core coated with a polymeric matrix formed by a channeling agent (NaCl, mannitol, and Emdex) and an inert polymer (Eudragit RS100). The lag time was found to be dependent on type and particle size of the channeling substances used. Also, rheological properties of the binary mixtures (channeling substance--polymer) can affect the lag time periods. On the other hand, the release kinetics were found to be influenced significantly by excipient type and particle size. Results obtained from in vitro dissolution testing demonstrated that this device potentially could be used to deliver drugs orally for up to once-a-day dosing at controllable rates.

This study reports on the effect of the presence of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) on the adsorption and mobility of the pesticide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) through soil columns. The previous application of β-CD to the soil produced a retarded leaching of 2,4-D through the soil column, due probably to herbicide adsorption on the soil through β-CD adsorbed. However, the application of β-CD solution to the soil column where 2,4-D had been previously adsorbed, led to the complete desorption of the herbicide, due to the formation of water-soluble 1:1 inclusion complexes between 2,4-D and β-CD. β-CD can be viewed as a microscopic organic-phase extractant. It can be an advantage to remove from soil pesticides which are able to form inclusion complexes with cyclodextrins, making them possible candidates for use in in situ remediation efforts.

The herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and the β-Cyclodextrin (β-CD) interact to obtain an inclusion compound in solution and in solid state. The effect of the presence of β-CD on the adsorption-desorption behaviour of the pesticide 2,4-D on soil has been studied by batch equilibration experiments. The removal of 2,4-D previously adsorbed on soil has been improved using β-CD solutions, due to the enhancement of 2,4-D solubility as a consequence of formation of water soluble 1:1 inclusion compounds 2,4-D-β-CD. The high complexing capacity of β-CD towards 2,4-D has been demonstrated. On the contrary, the treatment of the soil with β-CD solution before 2,4-D application increases the adsorption capacity of the soil.

Inclusion complexes of pesticides with cyclodextrins (CDs) frequently results in advantageous modification of chemical and physical properties of these compounds. Some papers have been published about these aspects: Kamiya et al.(1) have demonstrated that the inclusion effects of β-CD inhibits the photodegradation rate of paration but promotes that of paraoxon; the complexation of the herbicide 2,4-D with β-CD produces a new inclusion compound in solution and in solid state, improving the solubility and dissolution rate of this pesticide (2); the enhanced transport of low polarity compounds as p,p′-DDT by CDs has been proposed as a method for cleanup of contaminated soils (3).

The interaction of the herbicide 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) with β-Cyclodextrin produces the formation of a new inclusion compound in solution and in solid state. XRD, FTIR, DSC and SEM techniques have allowed to investigate the inclusion process of the three processing methods (co-precipitation, spray-drying and kneading) under test. Inclusion of 2,4-D in β-CD in solution was also studied by phase solubility, being determined for the complex an apparent stability constant of 336 M-1. At the solid state, co-precipitation and spray-drying were found to yield an inclusion complex in 1:1 stoichiometry. From these systems, it was attained an increase of 2,4-D aqueous dissolution rate as compared with the uncomplexed herbicide, the spray-dried outcomed being the most effective one. This finding would allow a more rational application of 2,4-D and thus diminish its risks as potential pollutant of ground waters and soils.

The study of complexation between GL and s-CD in liquid medium has been carried out by phase-solubility, 1H and 13C NMR studies. A formation complex is observed from the phase solubility diagram, being the average association constant of 1094 M−1. The NMR studies revealed the preferent complexation of the aliphatic moiety of GL. The aromatic moiety is also entrapped, but in minor extent, by the CD molecules.

Solubilisation of six polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (acenaphthene, anthracene, fluoranthene, fluorene, phenanthrene and pyrene) by three synthetic cyclodextrins (CDs) (2-hydroxypropyl-β-CD, hydroxypropyl-γ-CD and ramdomly methylated-β-CD) was investigated in order to select the CD which presents the greatest increase in solubility and better complexation parameters for its use in contaminated scenarios. The presence of the three cyclodextrins greatly enhanced the apparent water solubility of all the PAHs through the formation of inclusion complexes of 1:1 stoichiometry. Anthracene, fluoranthene, fluorene and phenanthrene clearly presented a higher solubility when β-CD derivatives were used, and especially the complexes with the ramdomly methylated-β-CD were favoured. On the contrary, pyrene presented its best solubility results when using 2-hydroxypropyl-γ-CD, but for acenaphthene the use of any of the three CDs gave the same results. Complementary to experimental phase-solubility studies, a more in-depth estimation of the inclusion process for the different complexes was carried out using molecular modelling in order to find a correlation between the degree of solubilisation and the fit of PAH molecules within the cavity of the different CDs and to know the predominant driving forces of the complexation.

Microplasmas are nowadays a powerful tool with multiple practical applications. The performance of a specific instrumentation for a plasma needle capable of producing non-thermal plasmas and a DBD reactor able to produce atmospheric pressure plasmas, both of them designed and already constructed, is reported. These devices operate at 13.56 MHz and are driven by a specifically built radio frequency (RF) resonant converter. The reactors, which operate at atmospheric pressure in a He-air gas mixture at a 1.5 SLPM flow, have been successfully applied to eliminate E. coli bacteria. In the needle case, bacterial samples were submitted typically to a 500 V peak voltage plasma discharge for 120 s. In the DBD treatment, the samples were processed with typical 750 V peak voltage plasma discharges for 80 s. The sample pH was used as a criterion to measure the effectiveness of the plasma treatment, in such a way that the return to the basal pH value after the treatment can be assumed as the validation of the complete bacterial elimination.

We analyzed accuracy and reproducibility of a radiographic method for calculation of total lung capacity (TLC) from the sum of pulmonary area. Pulmonary area from a routine postero-anterior and lateral chest radiography was measured by two methods: using a planimeter (standard) and with a virgin radiographic plaque with lines separating squares of 1cm per side. Plethismographic TLC was obtained adding the functional residual capacity to inspiratory capacity. We studied 13 healthy subjects (mean age of 30 years, eight males), 13 with interstitial lung disease (mean age of 45 years, two males) and 12 with chronic bronchitis or emphysema (mean age of 63 years, three males). Measured TLC varied from 1.9 to 7.2 liters. The linear regression equation found was: TLC = 0.007 total lung area (cm2) 0.572, R = 0.906, P less than 0.001 which is very similar to that reported by Harris et al.8 Interobserver variability in the measurement was very small taking into account that no efforts were made to uniformize the observers. Main interobserver differences were in the tracing of the lung limits, and not in the actual measurement of the lung area. We found no differences between the two methods for measuring lung area except that the planimeter is faster and more reproducible. Radiographic method for measuring TLC is accurate and available in most places.

The design and construction of a simple inductive plasma source is described as constituted by an evacuated Pyrex glass cylinder reactor with 190 mm inner diameter and 500 mm length. This discharge vessel is coaxially surrounded by a cylindrically wound antenna, 240 mm in diameter, made of 3.2 mm wide copper wire. The antenna is supplied by a 13.56 MHz RF generator whose resulting electric field is able to create the plasma. When nitrogen is admitted to the vessel, the plasma generation takes place within the 0.1–50 Pa work pressure and 300–600 W RF power. The plasma density has been established by double Langmuir probes between 3.2 × 1015 and 2.4 × 1018 m−3. This inductive plasma set up is meant to modify the surface of AISI-304 stainless steel by means of ion deposition, thanks to the sample bias provided by an external - 400 V dc supply, in order to improve the steel hardness without compromising its corrosion resistance. Once accelerated by the negative bias, the plasma ions impinge on the sample nitriding it by diffusion. The treated samples were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD) indicating the formation of the expanded gamma phase, by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) providing the atomic percentages of nitrogen, and by microhardness (HV) measurement.

The formation of the gliclazide-beta-cyclodextrin (GL-beta-CD) inclusion compound has been studied in the liquid state by phase solubility techniques and by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. From the initial straight portion of the solubility curve (Bs type), the value of the apparent stability constant (Kc) was calculated as 1094 M(-1). The nuclear magnetic resonance studies confirm that GL yields a complex with beta-CD in aqueous medium, which is mainly due to the penetration of the azabicyclooctyl group of GL into the cavity of beta-CD. The study of the monodimensional nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE) of the H3 proton of CD has shown that the tolyl group also interacts with CD, but to a lesser extent than the azabicyclooctyl moiety. Finally, the application of the continous variation technique confirmed the 1:2 drug:CD stoichiometry of the complex.

In this paper, we illustrate the usefulness of spray-drying as a resourceful procedure for preparing solid dispersions. The study in the solid state of the triamterene-D-mannitol system from 10 to 40% w/w drug included scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (DRX) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The main finding arising from the former studies was that a strong drug-carrier interaction existed in the systems prepared by spray-drying. In contrast, solid dispersions prepared by the melting carrier method showed only weak interactions between triamterene and D-mannitol. This observation helps to explain the much better dissolution rates obtained for the spray-dried outputs.

Chemical analysis, DSC and solubility determinations have been applied to the study of solid inclusion complexes of a pesticide, 2,4-dichlorofenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) as guest, and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) as host, in order to produce experimental evidence of the inclusion process and of the stoichiometry of the inclusion compound. Three processing methods have been studied and compared: physical (mechanical) mixing; kneading; and spray-drying. The phase-solubility diagram of complex formation in solution has been also established. The stoichiometric ratio of the complexes was found to be 1 : 1 by solubility and DSC, being confirmed by chemical analysis. Spray-drying was found to be most suitable method for preparing the complexes.

The aqueous solubility of the pesticide 2,4-D was improved by inclusion complexation with α-CD. The formation of such inclusion compounds was studied via the phase-solubility diagram (solution state) and by DSC and HSM (solid state). 2,4-D presented a typical Bs Higuchi solubility curve, coprecipitating a 1:2 pesticide-α-CD complex. In order to obtain solid complexes, three processing methods were checked: kneading, coprecipitation and spray-drying. DSC and HSM showed that only the last two of these yielded true inclusion compounds. Chemical analysis also revealed that the stoichiometry of such solid complexes corresponds to a 2,4-D-α-CD ratio of 1:2.