The problem of pattern formation in thin liquid films with insoluble surfactants under attractive and repulsive forces is addressed. A thin fluid film bounded by a wall is modeled by a set of two nonlinear evolution equations for the film thickness and surfactant concentration on the free interface. We perform a bifurcation analysis valid for the general case of apolar and polar forces and predict a supercritical bifurcation to new stationary and periodic structures. Numerical simulations for the particular case of a negative apolar spreading coefficient (attractive van der Waals forces) and a positive polar spreading coefficient (repulsive hydration pressure) are discussed in terms of the analytical predictions. Nonlinearities in the competition between attractive and repulsive forces can lead to formation of periodic patterns for the film thickness with homogeneously distributed surfactants. Due to diffusion and Marangoni effects, insoluble surfactants alter the time required for pattern formation but do not alter the final pattern profile itself. Bifurcation analysis allows us then to predict the ranges of film parameters in which pattern formation, rupture, or total film spreading is possible.

Erythrocyte membrane surface or suspending phase properties can be experimentally modified to give either spatially periodic local contacts or continuous contact along the seams of interacting membranes. Here, for cells suspended in a solution of the uncharged polysaccharide dextran, the average lateral separation between localized contacts in spatially periodic seams at eight ionic strengths, decreasing from 0.15 to 0.065, increased from 0.65 to 3.4 micrometers. The interacting membranes and intermembrane aqueous layer were modeled as a fluid film, submitted to a disjoining pressure, responding to a displacement perturbation either through wave growth resulting in spatially periodic contacts or in perturbation decay, to give a plane continuous film. Measured changes of lateral contact separations with ionic strength change were quantitatively consistent with analytical predictions of linear theory for an instability mechanism dependent on the membrane bending modulus. Introduction of a nonlinear approach established the consequences of the changing interaction potential experienced by different parts of the membrane as the disturbance grew. Numerical solutions of the full nonlinear governing equations correctly identified the ionic strength at which the bifurcation from continuous seam to a stationary periodic contact pattern occurred and showed a decrease in lateral contact and wave crest separation with increasing ionic strength. The nonlinear approach has the potential to recognize the role of nonspecific interactions in initiating the localized approach of membranes, and then incorporate the contribution of specific molecular interactions, of too short a range to influence the beginning of perturbation growth. This new approach can be applied to other biological processes such as neural cell adhesion, phagocytosis, and the acrosome reaction.

<p>O presente artigo traz uma visão analítica e comparativa da proteção da copaíba, elemento importante da biodiversidade brasileira, nas bases de patentes do Instituto Nacional de Propriedade Industrial (INPI), do Escritório Europeu de Patentes (European Patent Office, ESPACENET) e do software ORBIT®, revelando qual a concepção estratégica das empresas e ICTs nacionais e internacionais quanto à necessidade e relevância da proteção de ativos de propriedade intelectual.</p>

We have used docking techniques in order to propose potential inhibitors to the enzymes adenosine phosphosulfate reductase and adenosine triphosphate sulfurylase that are responsible, among other deleterious effects, for causing souring of oil and gas reservoirs. Three candidates selected through molecular docking revealed new and improved polar and hydrophobic interactions with the above-mentioned enzymes. Microbiological laboratory assays performed subsequently corroborated the results of computer modelling that the three compounds can efficiently control the biogenic sulfide production.

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