cometadata/datacite-titles-descriptions-related-identifiers huggingface dataset:
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.11966127
title: Chronic aerobic exercise associated to low-dose L-NAME improves contractility without changing calcium handling in rat cardiomyocytes

description: Nitric oxide (NO) inhibition by high-dose NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) is associated with several detrimental effects on the cardiovascular system. However, low-dose L-NAME increases NO synthesis, which in turn induces physiological cardiovascular benefits, probably by activating a protective negative feedback mechanism. Aerobic exercise, likewise, improves several cardiovascular functions in healthy hearts, but its effects are not known when chronically associated with low-dose L-NAME. Thus, we tested whether the association between low-dose L-NAME administration and chronic aerobic exercise promotes beneficial effects to the cardiovascular system, evaluating the cardiac remodeling process. Male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to control (C), L-NAME (L), chronic aerobic exercise (Ex), and chronic aerobic exercise associated to L-NAME (ExL). Aerobic training was performed with progressive intensity for 12 weeks; L-NAME (1.5 mg·kg-1·day-1) was administered by orogastric gavage. Low-dose L-NAME alone did not change systolic blood pressure (SBP), but ExL significantly increased SBP at week 8 with normalization after 12 weeks. Furthermore, ExL promoted the elevation of left ventricle (LV) end-diastolic pressure without the presence of cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. Time to 50% shortening and relaxation were reduced in ExL, suggesting a cardiomyocyte contractile improvement. In addition, the time to 50% Ca2+ peak was increased without alterations in Ca2+ amplitude and time to 50% Ca2+ decay. In conclusion, the association of chronic aerobic exercise and low-dose L-NAME prevented cardiac pathological remodeling and induced cardiomyocyte contractile function improvement; however, it did not alter myocyte affinity and sensitivity to intracellular Ca2+ handling.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.11966121
title: Inter-eye osmolarity differences in patients with symptomatic and non-symptomatic dry eyes

description: ABSTRACT Purpose: To analyze whether inter-eye osmo larity differences were related to dry eye symptomatology. Methods: A total of 135 participants were randomly recruited from those who visited in the Optometry Clinic of the Optometry Faculty (Universidade de Santiago de Compostela). In a single scheduled session after the recruitment, Ocular Surface Disease Index was filled out following the standard instructions and TearLab measurements were made in both the participants’ eyes (10-15 min lapse). Osmolarity values were compared between the right and left eyes and the absolute inter-ocular difference (|OD-OS|) correlated with the Ocular Surface Disease Index score for the whole sample. Based on the Ocular Surface Disease Index score, the sample was divided into four symptomatic subgroups, and differences in the |OD-OS| values were calculated. Results: The whole sample showed a statistically significant inter-eye osmolarity difference (p=0.025; |OD-OS| = 9.2 ± 9.3 mOsm/l) and the correlation between Ocular Surface Disease Index and |OD-OS| (r=0.369; p&lt;0.001). A statistically significant difference was found in the |OD-OS| value between symptomatic subgroups (Kruskal-Wallis, p=0.003). Mann-Whitney U test showed a significant difference between asymptomatic vs. moderate (p=0.006) vs. severe symp tomatic patients (p=0.001) and between mild vs. severe symptomatic patients (p=0.045), whereas no difference on |OD-OS| was found between participants with contiguous symptomatic subgroups (all p³0.174). Conclusion: Tear film inter-eye osmolarity differences are significantly higher in severe dry eye disease symptoms.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.11966127.v1
title: Chronic aerobic exercise associated to low-dose L-NAME improves contractility without changing calcium handling in rat cardiomyocytes

description: Nitric oxide (NO) inhibition by high-dose NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) is associated with several detrimental effects on the cardiovascular system. However, low-dose L-NAME increases NO synthesis, which in turn induces physiological cardiovascular benefits, probably by activating a protective negative feedback mechanism. Aerobic exercise, likewise, improves several cardiovascular functions in healthy hearts, but its effects are not known when chronically associated with low-dose L-NAME. Thus, we tested whether the association between low-dose L-NAME administration and chronic aerobic exercise promotes beneficial effects to the cardiovascular system, evaluating the cardiac remodeling process. Male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to control (C), L-NAME (L), chronic aerobic exercise (Ex), and chronic aerobic exercise associated to L-NAME (ExL). Aerobic training was performed with progressive intensity for 12 weeks; L-NAME (1.5 mg·kg-1·day-1) was administered by orogastric gavage. Low-dose L-NAME alone did not change systolic blood pressure (SBP), but ExL significantly increased SBP at week 8 with normalization after 12 weeks. Furthermore, ExL promoted the elevation of left ventricle (LV) end-diastolic pressure without the presence of cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. Time to 50% shortening and relaxation were reduced in ExL, suggesting a cardiomyocyte contractile improvement. In addition, the time to 50% Ca2+ peak was increased without alterations in Ca2+ amplitude and time to 50% Ca2+ decay. In conclusion, the association of chronic aerobic exercise and low-dose L-NAME prevented cardiac pathological remodeling and induced cardiomyocyte contractile function improvement; however, it did not alter myocyte affinity and sensitivity to intracellular Ca2+ handling.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.11966118
title: Thermal Stability of High Density Polyethylene-Clay Nanocomposites Produced by in situ Solvent Polymerization

description: High density polyethylene and high density polyethylene-clay nanocomposites were produced using direct solvent polymerization and a Ziegler catalyst system (TiCl4 and triethylaluminum in hexane). The produced polymer has a high average molecular weight and a multimodal molecular weight distribution composed of four distributions including a very high molecular weight component. The laboratory polymer has a thermal stability in inert atmosphere similar to the commercial high density polyethylene produced by Braskem. In oxidant atmosphere the produced polymer presents three thermal oxidation events above 400ºC due to the combustion of low, medium and high molecular weight molecules. The thermal oxidation of the nanocomposites is shifted and reduced for high temperatures indicating an improvement in the thermal stability of the polymeric matrix due to the clay barrier effect for gases and volatile compounds.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.11966118.v1
title: Thermal Stability of High Density Polyethylene-Clay Nanocomposites Produced by in situ Solvent Polymerization

description: High density polyethylene and high density polyethylene-clay nanocomposites were produced using direct solvent polymerization and a Ziegler catalyst system (TiCl4 and triethylaluminum in hexane). The produced polymer has a high average molecular weight and a multimodal molecular weight distribution composed of four distributions including a very high molecular weight component. The laboratory polymer has a thermal stability in inert atmosphere similar to the commercial high density polyethylene produced by Braskem. In oxidant atmosphere the produced polymer presents three thermal oxidation events above 400ºC due to the combustion of low, medium and high molecular weight molecules. The thermal oxidation of the nanocomposites is shifted and reduced for high temperatures indicating an improvement in the thermal stability of the polymeric matrix due to the clay barrier effect for gases and volatile compounds.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.11966121.v1
title: Inter-eye osmolarity differences in patients with symptomatic and non-symptomatic dry eyes

description: ABSTRACT Purpose: To analyze whether inter-eye osmo larity differences were related to dry eye symptomatology. Methods: A total of 135 participants were randomly recruited from those who visited in the Optometry Clinic of the Optometry Faculty (Universidade de Santiago de Compostela). In a single scheduled session after the recruitment, Ocular Surface Disease Index was filled out following the standard instructions and TearLab measurements were made in both the participants’ eyes (10-15 min lapse). Osmolarity values were compared between the right and left eyes and the absolute inter-ocular difference (|OD-OS|) correlated with the Ocular Surface Disease Index score for the whole sample. Based on the Ocular Surface Disease Index score, the sample was divided into four symptomatic subgroups, and differences in the |OD-OS| values were calculated. Results: The whole sample showed a statistically significant inter-eye osmolarity difference (p=0.025; |OD-OS| = 9.2 ± 9.3 mOsm/l) and the correlation between Ocular Surface Disease Index and |OD-OS| (r=0.369; p&lt;0.001). A statistically significant difference was found in the |OD-OS| value between symptomatic subgroups (Kruskal-Wallis, p=0.003). Mann-Whitney U test showed a significant difference between asymptomatic vs. moderate (p=0.006) vs. severe symp tomatic patients (p=0.001) and between mild vs. severe symptomatic patients (p=0.045), whereas no difference on |OD-OS| was found between participants with contiguous symptomatic subgroups (all p³0.174). Conclusion: Tear film inter-eye osmolarity differences are significantly higher in severe dry eye disease symptoms.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.11966109
title: Superhydrophobic Surfaces on 5052 Aluminum Alloy Obtained from LDH Film Modified with Stearic Acid for Enhanced Corrosion Protection

description: This paper aimed to develop and characterize superhydrophobic surfaces with anticorrosive properties obtained by the chemical modification of the 5052 aluminum alloy with variation of acid etching time, formation of lamellar double hydroxides (LDH) film and immersion in stearic acid. The specimens were etched in HCl (2M) at 5, 10 and 30 min. The aluminum plates were treated with aqueous solution of zinc nitrate (0.1 M) in the presence of ammonia and then immersed in a stearic acid and ethanol solution (1% w/w) to reduce surface energy. Contact angles (CA) were determined. Surface morphology and composition were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS), respectively. Linear polarization tests were performed to analyze corrosion resistance. The optimal superhydrophobic performance was obtained with a contact angle of 154º for 30 min of acid etching. This condition also showed higher corrosion resistance, obtaining higher values of Ecorr and lower values of corrosion current density.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.11966109.v1
title: Superhydrophobic Surfaces on 5052 Aluminum Alloy Obtained from LDH Film Modified with Stearic Acid for Enhanced Corrosion Protection

description: This paper aimed to develop and characterize superhydrophobic surfaces with anticorrosive properties obtained by the chemical modification of the 5052 aluminum alloy with variation of acid etching time, formation of lamellar double hydroxides (LDH) film and immersion in stearic acid. The specimens were etched in HCl (2M) at 5, 10 and 30 min. The aluminum plates were treated with aqueous solution of zinc nitrate (0.1 M) in the presence of ammonia and then immersed in a stearic acid and ethanol solution (1% w/w) to reduce surface energy. Contact angles (CA) were determined. Surface morphology and composition were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS), respectively. Linear polarization tests were performed to analyze corrosion resistance. The optimal superhydrophobic performance was obtained with a contact angle of 154º for 30 min of acid etching. This condition also showed higher corrosion resistance, obtaining higher values of Ecorr and lower values of corrosion current density.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.11966100
title: Ocular surface changes in the treatment of rosacea: comparison between low-dose oral isotretinoin and doxycycline

description: ABSTRACT Purpose: To compare the impact of ocular changes between systemic treatment with doxycycline and low-dose oral isotretinoin in patients with moderate-to-severe papulopustular rosacea. Methods: Patients were randomized to receive either isotretinoin 0.3-0.4 mg/kg (group A) or doxycycline 100 mg/day (group B) for 16 weeks. Ocular symptoms were searched and evaluated, including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), Schirmer test, breakup time, rose bengal staining score, and meibomian gland dysfunction grading. The patients were retested at the end of treatment. Results: The present study included 39 patients (30 females and 9 males). Best-corrected visual acuity was &gt; 20/30 in &gt;90% of patients in both groups and did not change after treatment. After treatment, improvement in ocular symptoms and meibomian gland dysfunction was more pronounced in group B (p&lt;0.05); the other parameters did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion: Doxycycline improved meibomian gland dysfunction, ocular symptoms, and ocular surface in patients with rosacea. Even though some patients experienced worsening meibomian gland dysfunction and symptoms, no subject experienced any serious complications after administration of low-dose isotretinoin.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.11966100.v1
title: Ocular surface changes in the treatment of rosacea: comparison between low-dose oral isotretinoin and doxycycline

description: ABSTRACT Purpose: To compare the impact of ocular changes between systemic treatment with doxycycline and low-dose oral isotretinoin in patients with moderate-to-severe papulopustular rosacea. Methods: Patients were randomized to receive either isotretinoin 0.3-0.4 mg/kg (group A) or doxycycline 100 mg/day (group B) for 16 weeks. Ocular symptoms were searched and evaluated, including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), Schirmer test, breakup time, rose bengal staining score, and meibomian gland dysfunction grading. The patients were retested at the end of treatment. Results: The present study included 39 patients (30 females and 9 males). Best-corrected visual acuity was &gt; 20/30 in &gt;90% of patients in both groups and did not change after treatment. After treatment, improvement in ocular symptoms and meibomian gland dysfunction was more pronounced in group B (p&lt;0.05); the other parameters did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion: Doxycycline improved meibomian gland dysfunction, ocular symptoms, and ocular surface in patients with rosacea. Even though some patients experienced worsening meibomian gland dysfunction and symptoms, no subject experienced any serious complications after administration of low-dose isotretinoin.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.11966091
title: Scale-up in the synthesis of nanoparticles for encapsulation of agroindustrial active principles

description: ABSTRACT Given the potentiality of nanoparticles (NP) to load substances as active principle of drugs, cosmetics and food, there is interest in increasing its production. Particularly in the agroindustrial area, the byproducts are source of functional compounds that must be stabilized by encapsulation, for example, to allow its application. Considering the amount of generated byproducts, it is necessary to understand the encapsulation synthesis in a high scale dimension. In this way, the active compounds vitamin C (from the byproduct of the acerola processing) and polyphenols (from the byproduct of grape processing) were nanoencapsulated into chitosan NP at three reactional volumes: 0.1; 1.0 and 10.0 dm3. The NP were characterized for yield, particle size, morphology, encapsulation efficiency and release profile. In general, the increase in scale did not influence these parameters. It is found a close similarity for NP size value between the 0.1 and 10.0 dm3 reactional volumes. For example, for the blank control, the size was 155±6 and 227±118 nm respectively for 0.1 and 10.0 dm3 reactional volumes. Similarly for the encapsulated acerola byproduct extract (373±44 and 400±83 nm) and ascorbic acid (279±29 and 217±29 nm). For the encapsulated skin grape extract, the size decreased sharply from 1040 to 308 nm. The yield per volume ratio was about 1.3 mg cm-3. Additional analysis for NP with encapsulated skin grape extract, by Scanning Electronic Microscopy, showed uniformly distributed spherical structures and the release profile was similar for all reactional volumes. Thus, the system is suitable for scale-up for NP production.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.11966094
title: Public sector accounting reform in Latin America and Epistemic Communities: an institutional approach

description: Abstract Latin American countries have undergone a growing interest in international accounting standards. Several countries are making progress in the adoption of international standards driven by different internal factors as well as external dynamics. The role of experts in the design of public policies associated with international standards has been studied by the epistemic community theory, which is the theoretical framework used in this study to address the influence of different international organizations on the adoption of IPSAS in Brazil and Colombia. This paper discusses the isomorphic institutional pressure exerted over the governments of these two countries in order to meet an international standard considered to be adequate. Meanwhile, the emerging trend towards the adoption of IPSAS in Latin America continues to grow, although some obstacles to achieving the goals defined in the reform arise.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.11966097
title: The roots of budgetary and financial accounting in Brazil

description: Abstract This article presents evidence of Italian influences on the Brazilian Public Sector Accounting in the early twentieth century, using the analytically structured history approach and the institutional theory. The study presents the institutional work developed by accountant Carlos de Carvalho in employing a new accounting methodology at the time. The article proposes a new perspective on the literature on the history of accounting in Brazil, suggesting that the emergence of budgetary and financial accounting was due to the innovation of local practices in a municipality of the state of São Paulo, and then expanded to the entire state, influenced by the Italian legal doctrine. Therefore, the use of dual accounting in Brazil during the early twentieth century was first disseminated in practice and transformed into legislation afterward. The Italian roots that influenced this movement are present in the current model, which is being reviewed by the current process of convergence to international IPSAS standards.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.11966097.v1
title: The roots of budgetary and financial accounting in Brazil

description: Abstract This article presents evidence of Italian influences on the Brazilian Public Sector Accounting in the early twentieth century, using the analytically structured history approach and the institutional theory. The study presents the institutional work developed by accountant Carlos de Carvalho in employing a new accounting methodology at the time. The article proposes a new perspective on the literature on the history of accounting in Brazil, suggesting that the emergence of budgetary and financial accounting was due to the innovation of local practices in a municipality of the state of São Paulo, and then expanded to the entire state, influenced by the Italian legal doctrine. Therefore, the use of dual accounting in Brazil during the early twentieth century was first disseminated in practice and transformed into legislation afterward. The Italian roots that influenced this movement are present in the current model, which is being reviewed by the current process of convergence to international IPSAS standards.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.11966094.v1
title: Public sector accounting reform in Latin America and Epistemic Communities: an institutional approach

description: Abstract Latin American countries have undergone a growing interest in international accounting standards. Several countries are making progress in the adoption of international standards driven by different internal factors as well as external dynamics. The role of experts in the design of public policies associated with international standards has been studied by the epistemic community theory, which is the theoretical framework used in this study to address the influence of different international organizations on the adoption of IPSAS in Brazil and Colombia. This paper discusses the isomorphic institutional pressure exerted over the governments of these two countries in order to meet an international standard considered to be adequate. Meanwhile, the emerging trend towards the adoption of IPSAS in Latin America continues to grow, although some obstacles to achieving the goals defined in the reform arise.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.11966088
title: Supply shocks and monetary policy in the Brazilian economy: an analysis of the impact of commodity prices on inflation between 2002 and 2014

description: Abstract This study investigates how the supply shocks, originated by commodity prices, have impacted on the Brazilian inflation, the way, and how efficiently monetary policy of the country has reacted. To this purpose, a semi-structural model containing a Phillips curve, an IS curve, and two versions of the Central Bank's reaction function were estimated. The method of estimation used was the autoregression with Vector Error Correction (VEC) in its structural version. The results suggest that the Brazilian inflation rate has an important index component, but it is also affected by the expectation that the market shows about the inflation, and by the price behavior on the supply side. They both have some impact on inflation expectations.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.11966091.v1
title: Scale-up in the synthesis of nanoparticles for encapsulation of agroindustrial active principles

description: ABSTRACT Given the potentiality of nanoparticles (NP) to load substances as active principle of drugs, cosmetics and food, there is interest in increasing its production. Particularly in the agroindustrial area, the byproducts are source of functional compounds that must be stabilized by encapsulation, for example, to allow its application. Considering the amount of generated byproducts, it is necessary to understand the encapsulation synthesis in a high scale dimension. In this way, the active compounds vitamin C (from the byproduct of the acerola processing) and polyphenols (from the byproduct of grape processing) were nanoencapsulated into chitosan NP at three reactional volumes: 0.1; 1.0 and 10.0 dm3. The NP were characterized for yield, particle size, morphology, encapsulation efficiency and release profile. In general, the increase in scale did not influence these parameters. It is found a close similarity for NP size value between the 0.1 and 10.0 dm3 reactional volumes. For example, for the blank control, the size was 155±6 and 227±118 nm respectively for 0.1 and 10.0 dm3 reactional volumes. Similarly for the encapsulated acerola byproduct extract (373±44 and 400±83 nm) and ascorbic acid (279±29 and 217±29 nm). For the encapsulated skin grape extract, the size decreased sharply from 1040 to 308 nm. The yield per volume ratio was about 1.3 mg cm-3. Additional analysis for NP with encapsulated skin grape extract, by Scanning Electronic Microscopy, showed uniformly distributed spherical structures and the release profile was similar for all reactional volumes. Thus, the system is suitable for scale-up for NP production.