Analysis of Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms in the crt-o and mdr1 Genes of Plasmodium vivax among Chloroquine-Resistant Isolates from the Brazilian Amazon Region

Plasmodium vivax parasites with chloroquine resistance (CQR) are already circulating in the Brazilian Amazon. Complete single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analyses of coding and noncoding sequences of the pvmdr1 and pvcrt-o genes revealed no associations with CQR, even if some mutations had not been randomly selected. In addition, striking differences in the topologies and numbers of SNPs in these transporter genes between P. vivax and P. falciparum reinforce the idea that mechanisms other than mutations may explain this virulent phenotype in P. vivax.

Determination of nutritional and toxic elements in pasteurized bovine milk from Vale do Paraiba region (Brazil)

Throughout the year of 2004, 54 samples (I L each) were collected from commercial sources in the Vale do Paraiba region (eastern portion of Sao Paulo State, Brazil). The concentrations of (Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Se, Zn, Cd and Pb) in these samples were analyzed by two atomic-absorption spectroscopy (AAS) methods. Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg and Zn were determined by flame atomic-absorption spectroscopy (FAAS) and (Cd, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb and Se) were determined by electrothermal atomic-absorption spectroscopy (ETAAS). Tests to determine and quantify essential, nonessential and toxic elements present in bovine milk are rare in Brazil, especially so for Vale do Paraiba region. Tests were performed on standard NIST-certified milk-powder to validate the reliability of subsequently collected analytical data. Ca presented a lower recovery value (85.3%). The finding for Ca macro-nutrient was found to be below recommended international standards (1300 mg/L) for all samples possibly due to milk heterogeneity and losses in the pasteurization process. Significant results for Pb were found in all milk samples with average values at 0.230 mg/L from a minimum of 0.062 mg/L and maximum of 0.476 mg/L (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Stability region bifurcations of nonlinear autonomous dynamical systems: Type-zero saddle-node bifurcations

The behavior of stability regions of nonlinear autonomous dynamical systems subjected to parameter variation is studied in this paper. In particular, the behavior of stability regions and stability boundaries when the system undergoes a type-zero sadle-node bifurcation on the stability boundary is investigated in this paper. It is shown that the stability regions suffer drastic changes with parameter variation if type-zero saddle-node bifurcations occur on the stability boundary. A complete characterization of these changes in the neighborhood of a type-zero saddle-node bifurcation value is presented in this paper. Copyright (C) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Power imbalance application region method for distributed synchronous generator anti-islanding protection design and evaluation

This paper presents a novel graphical approach to adjust and evaluate frequency-based relays employed in anti-islanding protection schemes of distributed synchronous generators, in order to meet the anti-islanding and abnormal frequency variation requirements, simultaneously. The proposed method defines a region in the power mismatch space, inside which the relay non-detection zone should be located, if the above-mentioned requirements must be met. Such region is called power imbalance application region. Results show that this method can help protection engineers to adjust frequency-based relays to improve the anti-islanding capability and to minimize false operation occurrences, keeping the abnormal frequency variation utility requirements satisfied. Moreover, the proposed method can be employed to coordinate different types of frequency-based relays, aiming at improving overall performance of the distributed generator frequency protection scheme. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

An alternative multi-region BEM technique for three-dimensional elastic problems

The main objective of this work is to present an alternative boundary element method (BEM) formulation for the static analysis of three-dimensional non-homogeneous isotropic solids. These problems can be solved using the classical boundary element formulation, analyzing each subregion separately and then joining them together by introducing equilibrium and displacements compatibility. Establishing relations between the displacement fundamental solutions of the different domains, the alternative technique proposed in this paper allows analyzing all the domains as one unique solid, not requiring equilibrium or compatibility equations. This formulation also leads to a smaller system of equations when compared to the usual subregion technique, and the results obtained are even more accurate. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Sorption aspects for unconsolidated materials of the Sao Carlos region (SP), Brazil

The transport of liquid and gaseous pollutants through porous geological media depends on the physical and chemical characteristics of the unconsolidated material, rocks and water associated with the characteristics of the pollutants. Of these characteristics, the sorption aspect is of fundamental importance and is a function of the mineral proportions, pH, Eh and void aspects encountered in the porous media. In the Sao Carlos region, located in the eastern-central part of the 9 ate of Sao Paulo, Brazil, there are basically two types of unconsolidated materials: the first is a residual from sandstones cemented with fines and the secondarily composed of claystones, siltstones and conglomerates from the Cretaceous Period that constitute the Itaqueri Formation; the second is a sandy sediment of the Tertiary Period. These geological conditions are found in areas where chemical products are disposed of characterized as either diffuse or point pollutions sources. Because of this situation, a study was developed to evaluate the sorption aspects of some inorganic cations that are frequently found in these sources, in varied concentrations. Taken into consideration were their physical/chemical properties, such as: specific weight, grain size, mineralogy, cationic exchange capacity, pH, hydraulic conductivity. Batch tests were run using solutions of KCl, ZnCl(2) and CuCl center dot H(2)O at three different pH values, and then with a combined solution (KCl + ZnCl(2) + CuCl center dot H(2)O), also at three different pH values.

No relationship found between point heteroplasmy in mitochondrial DNA control region and age range, sex and haplogroup in human hairs

The analysis of heteroplasmy (presence of more than one type of mitochondrial DNA in an individual) is used as a tool in human identification studies, anthropology, and most currently in studies that relate heteroplasmy with longevity. The frequency of heteroplasmy and its correlation with age has been analyzed using different tissues such as blood, muscle, heart, bone and brain and in different regions of mitochondrial DNA, but this analysis had never been performed using hair samples. In this study, samples of hair were sequenced in order to ascertain whether the presence or not of heteroplasmy varied according to age, sex and origin of haplogroup individuals. The samples were grouped by age (3 groups), gender (male and female) and haplogroup of origin (European, African and Native American), and analyzed using the chi-square statistical test (chi(2)). Based in statistical results obtained, we conclude that there is no relationship between heteroplasmy and sex, age and haplogroup origin using hair samples.

Collapse behavior of soil in a Brazilian region affected by a rising water table

Collapsible soils are usually nonsaturated, low density, and metastable-structured soils that are known to exhibit a volume reduction following an episode of moisture increase or suction reduction. This paper describes the collapsible behavior of clayey sand based on controlled soil suction tests carried out on undisturbed samples from the city of Pereira Barreto, in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Foundation settlements due to soil collapse are common in this region and occurred during the filling of the reservoir of the Tres Irmaos Dam, which induced the elevation of the groundwater table in different parts of Pereira Barreto. This paper shows that collapse strains depend on the stress and soil suction acting in the sample and that saturation is not necessary for a collapse to occur. The influence of soil suction, gradual wetting, and the wetting and drying cycle on the collapsible behavior of the soil is also shown and discussed.

Evaluation of the geotechnical properties of MSW in two Brazilian landfills

The characteristics of municipal solid waste (MSW) play a key role in many aspects of waste disposal facilities and landfills. Because most of a landfill is made up of MSW, the overall stability of the landfill slopes are governed by the strength parameters and physical properties of the MSW. These parameters are also important in interactions involving the waste body and the landfill structures: cover liner, leachate and gas collection systems. On the other hand, the composition of the waste, which affects the geotechnical behavior of the MSW, is dependent on a variety of factors such as climate, disposal technology, the culture and habits of the local community. It is therefore essential that the design and stability evaluations of landfills in each region be performed based on the local conditions and the geotechnical characteristic of the MSW. The Bandeirantes Landfill, BL, in Sao Paulo and the Metropolitan Center Landfill, MCL, in Salvador, are among the biggest landfills in Brazil. These two disposal facilities have been used for the development of research involving waste mechanics in recent years. Considerable work has been made in the laboratory and in the field to evaluate parameters such as water and organic contents, composition, permeability, and shear strength. This paper shows and analyzes the results of tests performed on these two landfills. The authors believe that these results could be a good reference for certain aspects and geotechnical properties of MSW materials in countries with similar conditions. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Functionality of the approach of hierarchical analysis in the full cost accounting in the IRP of a metropolitan airport

This work shows the application of the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) in the full cost accounting (FCA) within the integrated resource planning (IRP) process. For this purpose, a pioneer case was developed and different energy solutions of supply and demand for a metropolitan airport (Congonhas) were considered [Moreira, E.M., 2005. Modelamento energetico para o desenvolvimento limpo de aeroporto metropolitano baseado na filosofia do PIR-O caso da metropole de Sao Paulo. Dissertacao de mestrado, GEPEA/USP]. These solutions were compared and analyzed utilizing the software solution ""Decision Lens"" that implements the AHP. The final part of this work has a classification of resources that can be considered to be the initial target as energy resources, thus facilitating the restraints of the IRP of the airport and setting parameters aiming at sustainable development. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Characterization of the elastic-plastic region in AISI/SAE 1070 steel by the magnetic barkhausen noise

The magnetic Barkhausen energy in the rolling and transversal directions of AISI/SAE 1070 annealed surfaces is studied. The measurements were made in the samples under applied tension in the elastic-plastic region for different angular directions. The outcomes evidence that the magnetic anisotropy coefficient can be used to characterize the linear and nonlinear elastic limits of the material tinder tensile tresses. The results also show that the area of the curve corresponding to the angular dependence of the number of Barkhausen jumps with average energy presents a maximum value that corresponds to the elastic limit of the sample. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Palynological and physicochemical characterization of Apis mellifera L. bee pollen in the Southern region of Brazil

Bee pollen has been used for many years in both traditional medicine and supplementary nutrition, as well as in alternative diets, mainly due to its nutritional properties and health benefits. Bee pollen production is a recent activity in Brazil, having begun in the late 1980s. However, the country has the potential of being a large world producer of high quality pollen, particularly because of the great diversity of tropical flora and the resistance of the Brazilian Apis mellifera bee races. Thirty-six samples of bee pollen from the Southern region of Brazil were analyzed regarding pollen types and physicochemical and nutritional composition. Only one sample was considered monofloral, which was exclusively composed by pollen from the Asteraceae family). The State of Parana showed a greater variety of pollen types, 18 in total, representing 82% of the total number identified in this study. The bee pollen in the States of Rio Grande do Sul and Parana showed a higher number of samples with humidity content above the standard permitted by the Brazilian legislation, i.e. over 4%. The bee pollen was characterized by its high protein content with average values of 20.47%. The analysis regarding humidity, lipids and sugar showed no statistical differences among the samples (p<0.05). The pollen samples had a high concentration of reducible sugars (48%). The predominant minerals in the samples PR, SC and RS were phosphorus (7102.29, 6873.40, 6661.73 mg/kg of pollen), followed by potassium (5383.73, 4997.77, 4773.26 mg/kg of pollen), calcium (1179.05, 961.93, 848.36 mg/kg of pollen) and magnesium (818.02, 679.01, 725.89 mg/kg of pollen). Statistical analysis (Tukey test) demonstrated no significant difference between the contents of calcium, copper, iron, phosphorus and sodium in the pollen samples of the South of Brazil. However, the samples from the State of Parana contained the highest contents of potassium and differed statistically from the samples of the State of Rio Grande do Sul.

Multivariate analysis of sensory characteristics of coffee grains (Coffea arabica L.) in the region of upper Paranaiba

This study aimed to examine the sensory characteristics of the grains of 21 cultivars of Coffea arabica L. and Coffea canephora Pierre from the essays of genetic improvement of EPAMIG, located in Patrocinio Municipality, Minas Gerais State, where they were collected through cloths stripping method and washed. Subsequently to dry (11 to 12% moisture b.u.), we obtained the coffee designated as natural. The evaluated varieties were: Acaia Cerrado MG 1474; Bourbon Vermelho DATERRA; Catigua MG 1; Catigua MG 2; Catual Amarelo IAC 62; Catuai Vermelho IAC 15; H 419-3-1-4-2; H 419-6-2 -5-2; H 419-6-2-5-3; H 419-6-2-7-3 Vermelho; H 493-1-2-10; H 514-7-10-1 Vermelho; H 514-7-10-6; H 515-4-2-2; H 518-3-6-1; Icatu Amarelo IAC 3282; Mundo Novo 379-19; Mundo Novo TAO 376-4; Rubi MG 1192; Sacramento MG 1 and Topazio MG 1190, from 2005/2006 and 2006/2007 seasons. The cultivars according to the first principal component with notes above 80 points, regarded as superior drink according to attributes with the highest scores (flavor, sweetness, balance, acidity, clean drink, and aspect) were: Catigua MG2, Rubi MG 1192, 514-7-10-6 H, H 419-3-1-4-2, H 419-6-2-5-2, 493-1-2-10 H, H 514-7-10-1 Vermelho, Catigua MG1, Sacramento MG1, 419-6-2-5-3 H, H 515-9-2-2 and Catuai Amarelo IAC 62.

A new species of Gamasiphis (Acari: Ologamasidae) from Brazil, with a key to species from the Neotropical Region

Gamasiphis paulista n. sp. is described based on specimens representing all postembryonic stages, collected from litter and soil in Piracicaba, State of Sao Paulo. This is the first species of Gamasiphis described from Brazil. A key is provided for the separation of species of this genus known from the Neotropical Region.

PCJ River Basins` Water Availability Caused by Water Diversion Scenarios to Supply Metropolitan Areas of So Paulo

A dynamic systems simulation model of water resources was developed as a tool to help analyze alternatives to water resources management for the Piracicaba, Capivari and Jundiai River Water Basins (RB-PCJ), and used to run six 50-year simulations from 2004 to 2054. The model estimates water supply and demand, as well as contamination load by several consumers. Six runs were performed using a constant mean precipitation value, changing water supply and demand and different volumes diverted from RB-PCJ to RB-Alto Tiet. For the Business as Usual scenario, the Sustainability Index went from 0.44 in 2004 to 0.20 by 2054. The Water Sustainability Index changed from 74% in 2004 to 131% by 2054. The Falkenmark Index changed from 1,403 m(3) person (-aEuro parts per thousand 1) year (-aEuro parts per thousand 1) in 2004 to 734 m(3) person (-aEuro parts per thousand 1) year (-aEuro parts per thousand 1) by 2054. We concluded that sanitation is one of the major problems for the PCJ River Basins.