Abstract in English:

Abstract In the production of kale, nitrogen is one of the nutrients that the plant needs in greater quantity. Its application must be divided throughout the cycle, due to the loss by leaching. The objective of the research was to evaluate the effect of splitting organic fertilizers in topdressing on the production of kale. The experimental design was randomized blocks, with four replications, with seven treatments being evaluated in a 2 x 3 + 1 factorial scheme, the first factor was the fertilizers (castor bean cake and bokashi) and the second the application intervals (7; 14 and 21 days), in addition to the control without topdressing fertilization. The amount of each fertilizer was calculated to provide the same dose of N (40 kg ha-1) every 21 days. The following characteristics were evaluated: plant height (PH), stem diameter (SD), number of leaves per plant (NLP), leaf fresh matter mass (LFMM), leaf length at the beginning (LLB), middle (LLMe) and end (LLE) of the cycle and “SPAD” index. There was no interaction between the factors, for any characteristic evaluated. For all traits, the values observed in control was lower than treatments with topdressing. The increases of treatments of factorial in relation to the control were 37.8% (plant height); 31.8% (SD); 157.1% (NLP); 213.5% (MLFMM); 7.6% (LLB); 80.2% (LLMe) and 126.6% for the “SPAD” index. It is recommended to use castor bean cake and split it every 21 days as it results in less labor for application.

Abstract in English:

Abstract Fungal enzymes have potential applicability in plant biomass deconstruction, such as in sugarcane bagasse hydrolysis for biorefinery application. Due to biomass complexity it is necessary to use a set of enzymes in addition to cellulolytic enzymes extracts to hydrolyze the hemicellulose and cellulose efficiently, such as β-glucosidase and pectinases. In this way, this work aimed to study the influence of inoculum in pectinase and β-glucosidase production of Annulohypoxylon stygium DR47 and evaluated culture media components in enzymatic production. Initially, mycelia fragmentation and the carbon source were tested in enzymatic production. The best production occurred with a pre-inoculum, incubated for 48 h, with blender fragmented mycelia cultivated in fructose (20 g∙L-1), as carbon source. Subsequently, tests containing agro-industrial residues (20 g∙L-1) were done to determine the best source for β-glucosidase and pectinases production in the enzyme production medium. Citrus bagasse (CB) was the substrate that induces higher titration of both enzymes (2.36 Upectinase∙mL-1; 1.82 Uβ-glucosidase∙mL-1). In this way, Plackett & Burman experimental design was performed with CB (20 g∙L) as the only carbon source to determine the influence of media components in enzyme production. The pectinase production was negatively affected by ZnSO4 and positively affect by urea, (NH4)2SO4, and MnSO4. Besides significant differences in β-glucosidase production were observed, with a positive effect on urea and peptone addition. In this way, further studies considering C/N ratios and consequently different nitrogen concentrations should be done to better understand the fungus physiology.

Abstract in English:

Abstract The active ingredients used in the phytosanitary management of bean crops have a residual power which results in contamination of the entire production chain. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Calcarea carbonica, Calcarea phosphorica, Hepar Sulphur, and shell limestone on disease management and the development of bean plants. The experiments were carried out at Experimental Station of Epagri, Lages, SC, Brazil, and conducted in a randomized block design with six replications and two cultivars in three growing cycles. Distilled water and an untreated plot were the controls. Treatments were applied by spraying in three phenological stages. Following the appearance of initial symptoms, the incidence and severity of anthracnose, powdery mildew, and angular spot were assessed. At harvest, plant weight, thousand grain weight, number of pods per plant, and number of grains per pod were assessed. The data analysis of variance and Tukey’s test at 5% using the R software. The high-dynamized dilutions of Calcarea phosphorica in the first, shell limestone in the second and Hepar sulphur in the third cycle, increased grains/plant in Perola. By contrast, was an increase in the number of grains in Campeiro when Hepar sulphur, shell limestone and distilled water were applied in the first, second and third cycles, respectively. The application of Calcarea carbonica and Calcarea phosphorica reduced the severity of anthracnose, angular spot and powdery mildew. It can be concluded that high-dynamized dilutions have the potential to reduce the intensity of diseases in bean plants as well as increase grain production.

Abstract in English:

Abstract Among the most cultivated vegetables, brassicas stand out for their economic and social importance, but they also stand out for their requirement for micronutrients, especially cauliflower. In view of the importance of micronutrients in the development of cauliflower, the objective was to study the effect of treating cauliflower seeds with molybdenum (Mo) through film coating and pelleting techniques on physiological quality and field development and production under different managements. For physiological and seedling quality, twelve treatments were evaluated, in a 2x5+2 factorial scheme: two technologies (film coating and pelleting), five doses (0.5; 1.5; 2.5; 3.5 and 4.5 g of Mo kg-1 of seeds) and two controls (technology without nutrient and untreated seed), with four replications, in a completely randomized design for tests conducted in the laboratory and in randomized blocks for tests in the nursery. For the field, ten treatments were evaluated in a 2x2x2+2 factorial scheme: two seed treatment technologies (film coating and pelleting); two Mo doses (0.5 and 4.5 g kg-1 of seeds), two fertilization managements (as recommended by Trani and coauthors (2022) [4] and fertilization without a Mo source) and two control treatments (untreated seed, one in each management), in a randomized block design, with six replications. The treatment of seeds with Mo did not harm the physiological quality in both film coating and pelleting technologies. However, in the experiment in a protected environment, supplementation with this micronutrient by seeds proved to be unnecessary, as no plants with deficiency symptoms were observed and it did not affect production.

Abstract in English:

Abstract Drying agricultural products is a crucial step in maintaining post-harvest quality. Understanding the use of equilibrium moisture content is essential in grain processing, as it is an inherent property of grains. The objective of this study was to assess the number of hours suitable for maintenance aeration, cooling, and low temperature drying, while also evaluating the risks of over-drying the product or the humidification of intergranular air. This study focused on soybeans and corn stored in Unaí, located in the Northwest Mesoregion of Minas Gerais, with a moisture content of 13.0 % (wet basis). Meteorological data were collected from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2022, using weather stations operated by the Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia (INMET). The historical series from INMET provided daily meteorological data over the studied period, including collection hour, temperature, and relative humidity values. The results revealed that throughout the year, the air blown into the grain mass for both corn and soybeans-maintained conditions conducive to achieving a moisture content of 13% (on a wet basis). For corn, the months with the highest number of hours suitable for hygroscopic equilibrium were January, April, and June in 2020; May, June, and November in 2021; and April, May, and July in 2022. For soybeans, the months with the most hours suitable for hygroscopic equilibrium were May, June, and November in 2020; April, May, and November in 2021; and March, June, and December in 2022.

Abstract in English:

Abstract Biopesticides have shown high potential in controlling insect pests, including Diatraea saccharalis Fabr. (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). From that perspective, this study evaluated lethal concentrations of the product Fitoneem®, which has Azadirachtin A and B, and its impact on the mortality pattern of D. saccharalis. Fitoneem® was diluted in distilled water at concentrations of 5000 ppm, 10000 ppm, 20000 ppm, 30000 ppm, and 50000 ppm. The larvae were exposed to the product through the following exposure routes: (1) topical spray, applying the product directly to the larvae's prothorax; (2) ingestion, exposing the larvae through inoculation of the product in the artificial diet; and (3) spraying the entire body of the insect, using a manual spray bottle. After exposure, mortality was assessed at 24 intervals for six consecutive days. According to the concentrations studied of Fitoneem®, larvae exposed via spraying all over the body showed LC50 of 18500 ppm and LC90 of 55100 ppm; via topical application, the LC50 was 15700 ppm and LC90 of 17400 ppm, and via ingestion, LC50 of 22500 ppm and LC90 of 70400 ppm. The median lethal time ranged from 96 to 144 hours. Therefore, Fitoneem® in low concentrations promotes high mortality levels in D. saccharalis. Hence, our results show the potential of using Azadirachtin A and B to manage this crucial pest in sugarcane and information that can contribute to understanding its action mode in the insect.

Abstract in English:

Abstract Plants need boron (B) in low concentrations to carry out structural and metabolic functions. However, excess B in the soil can cause problems in plant emergence and development. This study aimed to evaluate the emergence responses and production of nitrogen compounds of herbaceous cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.R. latifolium Hutch) germinated in soil with high concentrations of B. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, under a completely randomized design, using different concentrations of B, at concentrations 0.5 (control), 30, 60, and 120 mg B dm-3 soil. Plants were cultivated for 15 days, for evaluation of emergence parameters, and reserves partition and allocation. There was a significant effect of the B application on the emergence velocity index (EVI), emergence percentage, and shoot length. We observed a decrease in the shoot dry mass production and a significant increase in photosynthetic pigments; the concentrations of total soluble amino acids in stems, leaves, and cotyledons, as well as the concentrations of total soluble protein in cotyledons and the concentrations of starch present in all organs, were affected. G. hirsutum showed signs of phytotoxicity in the treatment of 120 mg B dm-3, for all evaluated parameters.

Abstract in English:

Abstract This study aimed to develop a bromelain-based gel and evaluate its effects in a ligature-induced periodontitis model in rats. The bromelain-based gel was formulated in two concentrations (1% and 10%). Ten animals were used per group: Control, Periodontitis, Periodontitis + Neutral Gel, Periodontitis + 1% Bromelain Gel, Periodontitis + 10% Bromelain Gel and Periodontitis + 2% Chlorhexidine Gel. The clinical parameters of tooth mobility (TM), gingival bleeding index (GBI) and probing pocket depth (PPD) were evaluated and, after euthanasia, gingival and liver tissue were collected by biopsy for biochemical evaluation of myeloperoxidase (MPO), malonaldehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) and from the jaws for morphometric analysis of alveolar bone height. The clinical parameters of MT, GBI and PPD of the groups treated with bromelain gel showed a significant reduction (MT = 67.04%, GBI = 67.72% and PPD = 41.22%) compared to the group with periodontitis. The results for MPO dosage in the gingival tissue showed statistically significant differences between the groups when compared to the group with periodontitis, MDA and GSH showed promising results in the groups treated with gels in the dosages of gingival and liver tissue. The results for ABL showed significant differences when compared to the groups that received gel treatment. Therefore, the bromelain orabase gel evaluated in periodontitis showed a positive response for the following parameters TM, GBI and PPD, MPO, MDA and ABL of the oral tissues, preventing alveolar bone resorption caused by the disease, highlighting the potential as an adjuvant treatment of periodontitis, in addition to reducing the systemic effects on the liver tissue.

Abstract in English:

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-biofilm activity of two essential oils from Varronia curassavica Jaq. Two genotypes (VCUR-202 and VCUR-302), previously identified as exhibiting high antimicrobial activity against Xanthomonas campestris, were selected for this study. Use of Crystal Violet (CV) and Phenol Red (PR) staining of biofilm biomass demonstrated that both Essential Oils (EOs) had strong effect on both biofilm formation and preformed biofilm. The EOs effects on biofilm was confirmed with scanning electron microscopy where the changes in biofilm structure were noticed. Furthermore, results obtained show that sub-inhibitory concentrations of EOs were able to inhibit biofilm formation. Our findings show that EOs from V. curassavica exhibit strong anti-biofilm activity and might be used as a potential agent to controlX. campestris biofilm. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study provides useful information for the development of natural treatments for black rot caused by X.campestris. Studies on the cellular mechanisms involved in antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities are ongoing. These steps are essential for future in vivo tests using these essential oils to control black rot caused by Xcc.

Abstract in English:

Abstract This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a new formulation containing melatonin precursors in patients with sleep disorders. Thirty-six individuals were divided into two groups: one receiving the new formulation and the other a placebo, for 30 days. Sleep quality was evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire before and after intervention. It showed significant improvements in sleep quality, including reduced time to fall asleep, fewer nighttime awakenings, and higher overall satisfaction, in the group receiving the new formulation. However, some aspects, such as difficulty staying awake during the day, did not show significant differences. Comparison between groups revealed initial disparities in sleep-related aspects, which narrowed after intervention in the formulation supplement group. These findings suggest that the new formulation may effectively improve sleep quality, emphasizing the need for further research to comprehensively understand its impact on sleep and overall health.

Abstract in English:

Abstract HIV-1 exhibits tropism for the CCR5 and/or CXCR4 receptors, which are essential for viral entry into CD4 cells. With the advent of coreceptor antagonists, understanding HIV-1 tropism has become crucial for patient management. The V3 loop, a highly variable region of approximately 35 amino acids, plays a key role in determining tropism. Due to the genetic diversity of HIV-1 subtypes, V3 loop sequences may vary in amino acid composition depending on tropism and subtype. This study aimed to identify critical positions within the V3 loop for defining CCR5, CXCR4, and R5X4 tropisms based on HIV-1 subtype. The random forest algorithm was employed to assess variable importance. CCR5 tropism was predominant, accounting for 80.06% of the sample, while 15% exhibited dual-tropism (R5X4) and 6.37% had CXCR4 tropism. The most prevalent subtype was B, representing 54.45% of the sample. Random forest analysis identified positions 2, 5, 8, 11, 12, 13, 18, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 32, and 34 as crucial for HIV-1 tropism. Most of these positions aligned with previous findings. Interestingly, the widely cited 11/25 rule was not universally applicable across subtypes, as recombinant forms exhibited different key positions. Position 25 was important across all subtypes, whereas position 11 ranked among the top five only in subtype B. The random forest algorithm effectively identified key positions for tropism characterization.

Abstract in English:

Abstract Inositol hexakisphosphate (InsP6) requires relatively high concentrations to induce apoptosis of cancer cells, which can possibly cause apoptosis of normal cells. Anticancer ability of InsP6 could be preserved by combining with histone, so InsP6 can be used at low concentrations. The effect of InsP6 and histone combination has not been investigated on nasopharyngeal cancer cells. The current study elucidated the effect of InsP6 and its combination with histone on the apoptosis of HONE-1 cells. The most effective concentration and the cellular mechanisms by which this combination exerts its anticancer effects were also investigated. HONE-1 and NIH3T3 cells (as normal control cells) were treated with InsP6 and/or histone in different concentrations. Apoptosis percentages of the treated cells were measured with sub-G1 assay. Nuclear fragmentation and mitochondrial membrane potential (∆Ψm) reduction in the treated HONE-1 cells were confirmed with 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining and ∆Ψm assay, respectively. The combination of 10 μM InsP6 and 10 μg/mL histone had the optimal ability to induce the apoptosis of HONE-1 cells. This combination did not induce apoptosis of NIH3T3 cells. The apoptosis-inducing ability of this combination was higher than that of 10 μM InsP6 merely. The ability of InsP6 to induce apoptosis of HONE-1 cells could be enhanced by histone application. Combination of 10 μM InsP6 and 10 μg/mL histone might be the optimal concentrations for inducing apoptosis in HONE-1 cells.

Abstract in English:

Abstract Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune and idiopathic disorder that inflames joint synovial tissue, cartilage, bone and lowers the quality of life. Many studies link RA to leukocyte-mediated inflammation and oxidative damage along with the liberation of many inflammatory cells, degradative enzymes, cytokines and chemokines. Linalool is the primary ingredient of some essential oils derived from aromatic plants containing antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antirheumatic effect of Linalool through invitro, insilico and Complete Freund's adjuvant induced arthritic rat model. Antioxidant activity was measured by 2, 2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, Nitric oxide, Superoxide, and Hydroxyl radical scavenging assay, and anti-inflammatory activity by Human Red Blood Cell stabilization and Protein denaturation inhibition assay. Rats were stimulated with Complete Freund's adjuvant, type II collagen, and Lipopolysaccharide to develop arthritis and evaluated for biochemical and arthritic markers. Linalool exhibits concentration dependent inhibition in both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory assays at concentrations ranging from 25 to 250 µg/mL. Subsequently, both 100 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of Linalool managed all the arthritic parameters (body weight, paw volume, splenic index, and arthritic index) effectively, including Tumor Necrosis Factor- α, Interleukin-6, Lymphocytes and Neutrophils. The insilico analysis shows a favourable protein-ligand interaction for the identified proteins. Linalool was effective in reducing inflammation, prevents joint and cartilage damage, and modulates immunological responses, suggesting it might be helpful in RA. Further research and clinical trials are needed to validate these results and explore Linalool's potential as a viable treatment option for patients suffering from this debilitating autoimmune disease.

Abstract in English:

Abstract Z. kleinii is an endemic species in Brazil. No reports of popular use, regarding its chemical composition or biological activities were reported to date. The study aimed to investigated the chemical composition of the essential oil of Zanthoxylum kleinii leaves and evaluate its antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. The essential oil was extracted from fresh leaves by hydrodistillation method, using a Clevenger apparatus, having a yield of 0.12% (v/m) volume of essential oil in relation to the amount of plant material. Quantitative analysis was performed by GC-MS and the results showed that the essential oil contains 30 compounds. The major compounds are monoterpene hydrocarbons, including β-phellandrene (37.80%), α-pinene (13.32%) and myrcene (10.05%). The essential oil showed no antibacterial activity against the strains tested (E. coli, P. aeruginosa, E. faecalis and S. aureus).

Abstract in English:

Abstract This work reports a real-time PCR assay to specifically detect the presence of gluten in complex food matrices and to carry out an in-silico prospection of primers used in scientific research. The primers used were “tritprglut” and “Planta 18S” (reference gene), which had mean quantification cycle values (Cq) of 34.30 and 16.98, respectively. The real-time PCR protocol was validated in different meats (beef, chicken, pork, horse and lamb) with an average Cq of 25.69. Tests to verify fraud in industrialized foods were carried out with the following products: cereal bars, chocolate, crackers and two types of snacks. All foods complied with the information contained on the label, except for the cereal bar that was identified as “may contain gluten” and had a “high content” concentration (1,925 mg/kg). The LD value was 36 cycles and the LQ was 60 mg/kg, being within the “low content” classification range. The in-silico tests were performed using two software, MFE and NETprimer, and the content parameters GC, Tm (°C), ∆G (kcal/mol), dimer formation and hairpins. The “Wheat-w-Gliadin” primer showed the best average parameters: size= 24 bp; GC= 44%; Tm = 62.5 °C; ∆G= -32.25 kcal/mol; no dimer or hairpin formation; and a maximum primer rating (100). There were differences in results between the software used. The results highlight the potential of the real-time PCR technique in detecting gluten and/or allergens in foods with a complex matrix, such as chocolate and cereal bars tested in this study, proving to be sensitive and robust to detect the presence of potentially high gluten concentrations. harmful for celiac consumers.

Abstract in English:

Abstract Heat treatment used in milk powder processing cannot always inactivate spore-forming microorganisms. Toxin deterioration and production by some species are significant concerns for the dairy industry, making the identification of these microorganisms essential for solving problems with the quality of the products. Given this scenario, this study sought to quantify and identify the predominant species in milk powder, aiming to know the isolated genetic varieties. Fourteen samples were analyzed for aerobic/anaerobic, mesophilic, and thermophilic bacterial spore presence, totaling 52 analyses. Spore contamination was verified in all samples analyzed, and the thermophilic spores had the highest contamination levels. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed 47 isolates: Weizmannia coagulans (21%), Anoxybacillus flavithermus (5.3%), Clostridium butyricum (5.3%), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (2.6%), Geobacillus stearothermophilus (2.6%), Clostridium pabulibutyricum (2.6%), Clostridium sporosphaeroides (2.6%), Bacillus licheniformis (2.6%), Bacillus sp. (34%), Geobacillus sp. (15.8%), and Clostridium sp. (5.3%). The results indicate the need to establish control measures to improve the hygiene and processing conditions of powdered milk, thereby ensuring product quality and consumer safety.

Abstract in English:

Abstract Glioma brain tumors have similar textural patterns to other tumors, making their detection and segmentation a challenging process. The approach of the Modified Tumor Detection System (MTDS) is presented in this study to identify and categorize brain images of gliomas from images of healthy brains. The Spatial Gabor Transform (SGT), feature calculations, and deep learning structure comprise the training work flow of the suggested MTDS technique. The features are computed from the glioma brain image dataset images and the normal brain image dataset images and these features are fed into the classification architecture. In this paper, the proposed IVGG architecture is derived from the existing Visual Geometry Group (VGG) architecture to improve the detection rate of the proposed system and to decrease the computational time complexity. The testing work flow of the proposed system is also consist of SGT, feature computation and the IVGG architecture to produce the classification result of the source brain images into either normal or glioma. Furthermore, the Morphological Segmentation technique has been used to find the tumor locations in this glioma image. Two separate brain imaging datasets have been used in this study to evaluate and validate the suggested MTDS's performance efficiency. BRATS Imaging 2020 (BI20) and Kaggle Brain Imaging (KBI) are the datasets. Analysis of the performance efficiency has been done in relation to the Jaccard index, recall, precision, and detection rate.

Abstract in English:

Abstract To ensure the quality of the energy in distribution networks, configurations of voltage regulators (VRs) and Shunt Capacitor Banks (BCshunts) are traditionally used along the feeders. Series Capacitors Bank (BCseries) along the feeders can also help to improve the power quality. In this paper, a strategy is proposed based on a mathematical formulation for an optimization problem where the aim is to allocate and size BCshunts and VRs (as traditionally implemented in the electricity sector) together with BCseries in distribution networks. These devices are allocated using Genetic Algorithm together with Multiperiod Optimal Power Flow. Using the proposed strategy, it is analyzed the network performance by studying: (i) the allocation of VRs and BCshunts simultaneously, and (ii) the allocation of VRs, BCshunts and BCseries simultaneously. The objective function is based on the minimization of active power loss costs, penalties for voltage violations, and equipment costs. Results are presented for a 90-bus radial distribution system which show that the use of BCseries is suitable for feeders with abrupt load variations, and that this approach competes positively with the simultaneous allocation of VR and BCshunt devices, with shorter investment amortization times and improved quality indices.

Abstract in English:

Abstract Parkinson's disease (PD), the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer's disease, affects approximately 10 million individuals worldwide. The disease is characterized by both motor and non-motor symptoms, and clinical aspects are pivotal for diagnosis. Vocal abnormalities can be identified in about 90% of PD patients in the early stages of the condition. Machine Learning (ML), a prominent subfield of Artificial Intelligence (AI), holds significant promise in the medical domain, particularly for early disease detection, enabling effective preventive measures and treatments. In this paper, we considered the unique characteristics of each ML algorithm. Seventeen ML algorithms were applied to a dataset of voice recordings from Healthy Control and PD individuals, sourced from a publicly available repository. We leveraged the PyCaret Python library's ML algorithms and functions, which were introduced in this article, to demonstrate their simplicity and effectiveness in dealing with real-world data. Among these algorithms, Extra Trees Classifier (ETC), Gradient Boosting Classifier (GBC), and K Neighbors Classifier (KNN) exhibited the best performance for the given dataset. Furthermore, to enhance the models' performance, we employed various techniques, including Synthetic Minority Over-sampling Technique (SMOTE) to address class imbalance, feature selection based on correlation, and hyperparameter tuning. Our findings highlight the potential of the PyCaret ML library demonstrated in this article as a valuable tool for applying ML to the classification of Parkinson's disease through voice analysis. The application of ML in this context can greatly support clinical decision-making, leading to more informed and precise interventions.

Abstract in English:

Abstract A new method is proposed for the intelligent down-sampling of digital curves that provides efficient compression. The proposed down-sampling is non-uniform and is based on the spatial distribution of points on the digital curve (line diagram). The down-sampled points form a polyline or polygon which is an approximate representation of the input digital curve. The down-sampled points are determined using an optimization solver, such that the differential area between the original digital curve and the optimally generated down-sampled polyline or polygon, is minimal. The mean percentage execution time saved by our proposed method, compared to its nearest competitor, is found to be about 18%.

Abstract in English:

Abstract Energy losses in transmission lines can be aggravated by contact deterioration and corrosion, posing significant challenges to the reliability of energy distribution. Those conditions can be quickly identified using thermography, a popular non-invasive inspection method mandatory in many countries, with a minimum frequency determined by legislation. While recent advancements have focused on automating this process using artificial intelligence, working directly on the infrared domain remains a challenging task; not only assembling an infrared dataset requires specialists to properly annotate the images, making the task harder and more expensive, mainstream object detectors, made for the visible light domain, require modifications to work correctly on the infrared domain. Our proposed method allows using an object detector with results comparable to other works that performed detection directly on the infrared domain while requiring no significant changes to the model architecture. By employing stereo cameras, capable of collecting both the visible light spectrum and infrared, we can perform the detection on the visible light images and then transfer the box coordinates to the paired infrared image after rectifying the image pair to match.

Abstract in English:

Abstract Calcium hydroxyapatite (HAp) is widely used in medical and aesthetic fields for bone repair and dermal applications. Luteolin (LUT), a flavonoid with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, may enhance the therapeutic potential of HAp for collagen production into the skin. The main aim of this paper was to develop and validate a simple and reliable RP-HPLC/DAD method for quantifying LUT in HAp nanocomposites. The synthesis of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (n-HAp) was performed via precipitation method. To obtain the novel nanocomposites, n-HAp was associated with LUT by the wet method using ethanol into a SpeedMixer®, followed by drying into an oven at 35ºC for 48 hours. The RP-HPLC/DAD method was developed for quantifying the LUT incorporation efficiency. The validation parameters assessed included selectivity, linearity, limits of quantification (LOQ) and detection (LOD), precision, accuracy, robustness, and sample stability. The novel nanocomposites n-Hap-LUT were successfully prepared using the proposed method. The incorporation efficiency demonstrated high values of 82.90% and 95.16% for nHAp-LUT samples. Thus, the RP-HPLC/DAD method was appropriate for quantifying LUT in novel dermal aesthetic products for collagen production and may be further used for design and quality control of novel collagen biostimulation technologies.

Abstract in English:

Abstract In the present study, a cost-effective and eco-friendly approach is being explored to remove the harmful dye Congo red from synthetic wastewater, using an equatorial strain of Rhodococcus biphenylivorans. The immobilized cells’ Congo red-decolorizing activity in calcium alginate showed an increase of 217% compared to the free cells. By improving the alginate concentration to 4% (w/v), the bead diameter to 3 mm and using 50 beads, a 67% decrease in the time required for complete decolorization was accomplished. Both free and immobilized cells followed first-order kinetics for the elimination of Congo red, with immobilized cells displaying a decolorization rate 3.2 times greater than that of free cells, resulting in an 84% reduction in half-life. The immobilized cells displayed the capability to remove 0.10 g/L Congo red without any significant decline in their efficiency for up to twelve cycles, offering an economic advantage due to their reusability. Examining the decolorized products of Congo red showed no hindrance in the germination of Triticum aestivum and Vigna radiata, indicating the effective removal of all toxic components from the original dye via the biological method. Therefore, this strain has significant potential as a biological agent to eliminate wastewater contaminated with Congo red efficiently.