Alteração da qualidade do solo em zona ripária sob diferentes usos: potencial de poluição para um manancial tropical

The demographic growth press environments that are more susceptible to perturbations, like riparian areas, without knowing about the effects of replacing these natural environments by different land uses on soil quality and, consequently, on watershed. The study of soil quality has evolved as an important tool for soil sustainable management of this component of the biosphere that affects aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems functions. Thus, physical and chemical soil proprieties were measured to assess soil quality under different land uses (agricultural, pasture, urban, industrial and natural vegetation,) in the riparian zone of Extremoz Lake, an important human water source, evaluating whether the soil offers potential risk to water pollution. Data were subjected to descriptive statistics and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The results showed negative changes in soil quality such as alkalinization and increase in P, Pb, Mn and Zn contents in most anthropized areas. The sandy texture and low organic matter content in all soils showed the fragility of the soil to erosion and leaching of elements in excess to water bodies, evidencing that this soils has potential to diffuse contaminants. Conservative management of soil is necessary to provide an adequate ecological state in riparian zones of the Extremoz Lake, thus allowing controlling and buffering diffuse sources of pollution to this important water supply source

Estratégias baseadas em aprendizado para coordenação de uma frota de robôs em tarefas cooperativas

In multi-robot systems, both control architecture and work strategy represent a challenge for researchers. It is important to have a robust architecture that can be easily adapted to requirement changes. It is also important that work strategy allows robots to complete tasks efficiently, considering that robots interact directly in environments with humans. In this context, this work explores two approaches for robot soccer team coordination for cooperative tasks development. Both approaches are based on a combination of imitation learning and reinforcement learning. Thus, in the first approach was developed a control architecture, a fuzzy inference engine for recognizing situations in robot soccer games, a software for narration of robot soccer games based on the inference engine and the implementation of learning by imitation from observation and analysis of others robotic teams. Moreover, state abstraction was efficiently implemented in reinforcement learning applied to the robot soccer standard problem. Finally, reinforcement learning was implemented in a form where actions are explored only in some states (for example, states where an specialist robot system used them) differently to the traditional form, where actions have to be tested in all states. In the second approach reinforcement learning was implemented with function approximation, for which an algorithm called RBF-Sarsa($lambda$) was created. In both approaches batch reinforcement learning algorithms were implemented and imitation learning was used as a seed for reinforcement learning. Moreover, learning from robotic teams controlled by humans was explored. The proposal in this work had revealed efficient in the robot soccer standard problem and, when implemented in other robotics systems, they will allow that these robotics systems can efficiently and effectively develop assigned tasks. These approaches will give high adaptation capabilities to requirements and environment changes.

Estudo das interações polifenol-proteína e das reações de escurecimento não-enzimático para o processamento de cajuína

The cashew, a fruit from Brazilian Northeast is used to produce juice due to its flavor and vitamin C richness. However, its acceptance is limited due to its astringency. Cajuína is a derivate product appreciated by its characteristic flavor, freshness and lack of astringency, due to tannin removal. Cajuína is a light yellow beverage made from clarified cashew juice and sterilized after bottling. It differs from the integral and concentrated juice by the clarification and thermal treatment steps. Many problems such as haze and excessive browning could appear if these steps are not controlled. The objective of this work was divided into two stages with the aim to supply process information in order to obtain a good quality product with uniform characteristics (sensory and nutritional). Polyphenol-protein interaction was studied at the clarification step, which is an empirical process, to provide values on the amount of clarifying solution (gelatin) that must be added to achieve a complete juice clarification. Clarification essays were performed with juice dilutions of 1:2 and 1:10 and the effect of metabissulfite and tannic acid addition was evaluated. It was not possible to establish a clarification point. Metabissulfite did not influenced the clarification process however tannic acid addition displaced the clarification point, showing the difficulty visual monitoring of the process. Thermal treatment of clarified juice was studied at 88, 100, 111 e 121 °C. To evaluate the non-enzymatic browning, vitamin C, 5-hidroximetilfurfural (5-HMF) and sugar variation were correlated with color parameters (reflectance spectra, color difference and CIELAB). Kinetic models were obtained for reflectance spectra, ascorbic acid and 5-HMF. It was observed that 5-HMF introduction followed a first order kinetic rate at the beginning of the thermal treatment and a zero order kinetic at later process stages. An inverse correlation was observed between absorbance at 420 nm and ascorbic acid degradation, which indicates that ascorbic acid might be the principal factor on cajuína non-enzymatic browning. Constant sugar concentration showed that this parameter did not contribute directly to the nonenzymatic browning. Optimization techniques showed showed that to obtain a high vitamin C and a low 5-HMF content, the process must be done at 120 ºC. With the water-bath thermal treatment, the 90 °C temperature promoted a lower ascorbic acid degradation at the expense of a higher 5-HMF level

Análise do uso e ocupação do solo das margens de um reservatório e a sua influência na qualidade da água

The building of water reservoirs has become a solution for water scarcity of the semiarid regions, however, the land use and occupation near the margins of the reservoirs have been causing serious damage to water quality, harming their use. This paper aims to analyze the land use and occupation in the margins of the Northeast reservoir and evaluate their influence on the water quality, to identify the areas and activities that represent an higher risk of contamination to the reservoir. The study was conducted at the reservoir Dourado, located in the city of Currais Novos - RN, during the period from August 2012 to February 2013. Were defined six areas regarding the land use and occupation, then, Water samples were collected from the margins in these areas for the characterization of water quality. The results showed that almost all Permanent Preservation Areas (PPA) from the reservoir is degraded, increasing the susceptibility of large input of nutrients and contaminants loads. The water reservoir showed low quality, being with strong evidence of eutrophication due to the nutrient accumulation arising from the activities surrounding the reservoir, mainly from agriculture and Livestock. The Areas 1 and 2 are the areas that present a greater risk of reservoir degradation, because are the possible major sources of nutrients (phosphorus total, orthophosphate and nitrate), however, due to the small size of the reservoir, any compound that reaches its margins ultimately affects the water quality of the same

Influência do uso e ocupação de solo na qualidade de água de um reservatório mesotrófico na região semiárida tropiocal

In the semiarid region of northeastern of Brazil, the reservoirs are vulnerable to water level seasonal fluctuations, they re related to the hydrological cycle. The rain periods are irregular and there are long periods of drought that increases eutrophication process. That happens because of the water level s reduction and nutrient concentration. The Boqueirao, located in northeastern Brazil , is a mesotrophic reservoir. The reservoir is naturally susceptible to deterioration of water quality. This happens because of the potential diffuse sources arising from the use and occupation of the basin, associated with shallow soil caatinga biome and highly vulnerable to erosion. This study aimed to analyze the influence of the use and occupation of the area around and the water quality of the watershed. A study of the area around the Boqueirão was performed, taking the potentially polluting activities. Limnological variables were monitored monthly in 3 points of the reservoir to assess the water quality. Was evidenced an event of prolonged drought, with rainfall below the historical average for the year of study. By the index of water quality, the watershed was classified as " good " during the whole year of 2012. According to the trophic index adopted the reservoir is characterized as mesotrophic. The main anthropogenic impacts identified in the soil were arboreal selective logging, mining, diffuse contribution of residues from agricultural and livestock activities. The lack of precipitation and the degradation of the surrounding area, affect negatively the water quality, requiring immediate control to prevent degradation of the watershed . Although there wasn t a majority polluting activity in the region. The total of several impacting activities, the high susceptibility of the soil and the selective clearing of caatinga vegetation can accelerate the natural process of eutrophication in the water body

Caracterização espacial de reservatórios do semiárido em função da qualidade da água através do uso de componentes principais

A região semiárida sofre escassez hídrica. A fim de regularizar a disponibilidade hídrica nos períodos de estiagem, são construídas barragens. No entanto, a qualidade da água armazenada tem sofrido os efeitos do descarte irregular de resíduos no meio ambiente e das atividades antrópicas exercidas nas bacias hidrográficas. A degradação hídrica pode ser constatada a partir do monitoramento dos parâmetros de qualidade da água. Estes dados podem ser analisados através de métodos estatísticos tais como a Análise de Componentes Principais e a análise de agrupamento, que seleciona indivíduos com características semelhantes. O objetivo deste trabalho é realizar oagrupamento dos reservatórios do Rio Grande do Norte, com base nos parâmetros de qualidade da água, para a identificação de grupos homogêneos de reservatórios em termos de fontes de poluição. Serão objeto desse estudo as bacias Piranhas-Açu, Apodi-Mossoró, Trairí, Potengi e Ceará-Mirim. Os parâmetros mercúrio, chumbo, cromo, fósforo total, nitrogênio total e zinco contribuíram para a formação da primeira componente principal, que pode indicar poluição por metais pesados; sólidos totais, DBO, OD e cobre, para a segunda componente, que pode ser indicativo de poluição por matéria orgânica e atividades antrópicas; e clorofila a , cádmio e níquel, para a terceira componente, que pode indicar eutrofização e poluição por metais pesados. De posse das componentes principais se procedeu o agrupamento dos reservatórios, formando-se quatro grupos distintos. Os grupos 1 e 2 são constituídos por reservatórios da Bacia Piranhas-Açu, que apresentou maiores valores de metais pesados. O grupo 3, constituído por reservatórios das bacias Ceará-Mirim, Potengi e Trairí, apresentou maiores valores de DBO e sólidostotais e o grupo 4 é formado por reservatórios da Bacia Apodi-Mossoró. Nas Bacias do Trarí e Piranhas-Açu deve ser coibido o lançamento desordenado de efluentes e fontes de poluição difusas, e implantado um sistema de coleta de esgoto para minimizar a poluição por matéria orgânica

Espectro de polariton de plasmons e propriedades ópitcas de super-redes tipo cantor

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico

Imunoexpressão das claudinas -1 e -7 em ameloblastomas e germes dentais humanos

We investigated the immunohistochemistry expression of claudins -1 and -7 in ameloblastoma and in human dental germs on the pattern of distribution (focal, regional or diffuse), the cells that expressed (if central or peripheral) and the location of that expression in the cell components recital membrane, cytoplasm and nucleus. Among the 29 cases of ameloblastoma, 24 were type solid and 6 unicystic. In 7 mandibular specimens of human fetuses found dental germs from the stage of bud to the crown. We note that the pattern of expression in the dental germs was variable for claudinas studied according to the cell type and stage of differentiation and was invariate only in the cells of stellate reticulum. In epithelium internal of enamel organ, claudin-1 has been decreasing with the progression of differentiation as to claudina-7 that was found in the cells of the peripheral papilla. For ameloblastoma the expression was more significant than that observed in dental germs. Fisher s exact test no found association between the expression of claudinas cells in central and peripheral and the type of ameloblastoma (solid or unicystic). Thus, in general the claudin-1 was positive in the central cell of 93,1% of the cases and in peripheral cells of 51,7%. The claudin-7 was expressed in the cells of all cases central and peripheral cells from 89,7%. For both claudins the distribution was predominantly diffuse cells both in central and peripheral cells. Given our findings it is suggested that the expression of claudins may be indicative of the involvement of these molecules in morphogenetics events culminating with the dental development and that possibly influence the development of neoplastic ameloblastoma

Estudo clínico-patológico do carcinoma epidermóide de língua e imunoistoquímico das proteínas BMP-2, BMPR-IA, BMPR-II e endoglina

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are cytokines involved in proliferation and angiogenesis of many kind of human cancer. The present study analyzed the immunohistochemical expression of BMP-2, BMPR-II, BMPR-IA and endoglin (CD105) and their relationship with the biological behavior and local angiogenesis in tongue oral squamous cells carcinoma (SCC). The sample consisted of 25 cases of tongue SCC without metastasis, 25 tongue SCC with metastasis and 25 cases of Inflamatory Fibrous Hyperplasia (IFH).The histological grade of malignancy proposed by Bryne (1998), adapted by Miranda (2002) was used to classify all tongue SCC cases. Score 0 was attributed to absent-weak immunoexpression and score 1 for strong immunostaning and pattern of distribution was focal or diffuse. Microvessel counts (MVC) was established for CD105. Most of the patients with tongue SCC was male. The principal age in tongue SCC without metastasis was over 65 years and in tongue SCC with metastasis was between 45-65 years. There were predominance of stage II in TNM and in the specimens with high-grade, independent of studied group. For BMP-2, 56% of tongue SCC without metastasis and 72% tongue SCC with metastasis exhibited score 1 while the IFH showed secore 0 in 72% of the cases, with statistical association (p=0,007). Considering the BMPR-II, 52% of tongue SCC without metastasis exhibited score 0; 56% tongue SCC with metastasis and 60% IFH showed score 1. The majority cases of BMPR-IA demonstrated score 1 and 100% of CD105 exhibited strong immunoexpression in tongue SCC. Regarding the pattern distribution, it was noted a tendency to diffuse pattern for the proteins in all groups. The means of MVC were similar in tongue SCC without metastasis (32,91) and in tongue SCC with metastasis (32,05), however existed statistical difference with IFH (p<0,001). There was statistical association of BMP-2 expression with BMPR-II (p=0,008), BMPR-IA (p=0,006) and CD105 (p=0,046). An association between TNM and BMP-2 immunoexpression and their receptors was not detected, nevertheless this association was found with MVC (p=0,047) whose averages were higher for the stages II (35,97) e IV (35,69). No association between histological grading and these proteins was observed. This study suggests that the superexpression of BMP-2 signaling pathways acts on cell proliferation in tongue SCC and can be implicated with more invasive potential. Additionaly, the CD105 is a potent biological marker of neovascularization in this neoplasm and their association with BMP-2 and BMPR-IA receptor, showed that this type of cancer in BMP-2 is presented as pro-angiogenic in the metastatic process

Avaliação da expressão imuno-histoquímica de marcadores de hipóxia em carcinoma epidermóide de língua

The tumor hypoxia modulates a series of genetic changes related to adaptive development, invasion and metastasis of various human cancers, among which squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue (SCCT). The objective of this study was to analyze clinical, morphological and immunohistochemical expression by HIF-1α, GLUT-1 and CA-IX in 57 cases of CEL and correlated this expression to clinical parameters and morphological. After a descriptive analysis of data on gender, age, race, and habits of patients, it was found that the results were consistent with the literature. The clinical and morphological parameters analyzed and the expression of these markers of hypoxia were subjected to statistical analysis (Qui2 test), verifying that they can be used as indicators of the biological behavior of CEL. Among the results of this study, we observed that the intensity of expression for HIF-1α, in most cases located in the cytoplasm and nucleus, statistically correlated with clinical staging (p = 0.011) and histological grading (p = 0.002). As for the relationship between the distribution of labeling for HIF-1α and metastasis, the chi-square (Qui2) showed that there was statistically significant differences between the groups (p = 0.040). 75.8% of the sample who had metastases, there was the predominance of diffuse marking. The immunoexpression cytoplasmic/membrane GLUT-1 showed a statistically significant correlation with the clinical stage (p = 0.002) and histological grading (p = 0.000). Concerning the location of markings for GLUT-1 tumor on the island, there was a predominance of peripheral marking specimens in most low-grade (78.6%). In the sample of high-grade, prevailed the location center/periphery (55.8%). According to the chi-square (Qui2), the location on the island of the tumor (p = 0.025) showed statistically significant difference in histological grading. The immunoreactivity of CA-IX, in most cases located in the membrane and cytoplasm, exhibited a statistically significant correlation with histological grading (p = 0.005). Based on these results, we can conclude a broad participation of these markers of hypoxia in oral carcinogenesis and its possible use as markers of biological behavior and tumor progression in CEL

Expressão imuno-histoquímica das integrinas α2ß1, α3ß1, e α5ß1, em mucosa oral normal, hiperplasia fibroepitelial inflamatória oral e displasia epitelial oral

The objective of this study was perform by the streptoavidin-biotin technique an immunohistochemical analysis of α2β1, α3β1e α5β1 integrins in 11 normal oral mucosa (NOM), 16 oral inflammatory fibroepithelial hyperplasia (OIFH) and 25 oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) (16 mild, 2 moderates and 7 severe), to determine if exists qualitative alteration in the expression of these integrins and if this guard relation with the oral epithelial modifications. It was observed that for the α2β1 integrin the majority of the sample showed a predominantly intense labeling diffusely distributed in the intercellular contacts and the cytoplasm of cells of the basal and suprabasal layers, without difference of this profile between the different types of specimens, however with a trend to weak or loss of expression in 21.1% of the OEDs, being all the specimens that had not expressed this heterodimer, severe OEDs. For the α3β1 integrin the majority of the sample showed a weak or absent labeling in basal layer. The α5β1 integrin showed a predominant strong diffuse labeling in the intercellular contacts and cytoplasm in the suprabasal layer, with difference only in the labeling intensity between the types of specimens, inhabiting this difference in the OEDs, where 12 (48%) specimens had shown a weak labeling. It was concluded that the evaluated integrins can be involved in the cell-cell, cell-ECM interactions modulating the cellular differentiation and maintenance of the epithelial structural arrangement. The variable expression of the α5β1 integrin in the OEDs, could suggest, respectively, a role of this molecule in the cellular survival, with intention to perpetuate the modified phenotype in these lesions, or a suppressor role on the modified phenotype due to lack of interaction of this molecule with the fibronectina of the MEC

Expressão imuno-histoquímica das integrinas α2ß1, α3ß, e α5ß1, em carcinoma epidermóide de lábio inferior e língua

The unpredictable biologic behavior of the oral squamous cells carcinoma has determined extensive research on the evolution of such tumor. Due to the existing relation between the outer cell matrix and the tumor cells, the integrins have been used as markers in the predictive study of the cell behavior. This study aims to analyze immunohistochemically the expression of the integrin α2β1, α3β1, and α5β1 connections for the collagen, the laminin and the fibronectin respectively in 15 cases of squamous cells carcinoma from the lower lip and 15 from the tongue, with different scores of malignance grading. A predominantly diffuse, cytoplasm and granular immunological marking was observed in the majority of the analyzed cases. According to the marking intensity, integrin α2β1 appeared positive in 80% of the lip and in 93,3% of the tongue cases. The immunological reactivity of integrin α3β1 was classified as positive in 60% of both the tongue and lip cases. For this integrin, 20% and 33.3% of the tongue and lip cases, respectively, were negative. In relation to integrin α5β1 the intensity was classified as positive in 53,3% of the cases and strongly positive in 46,7% of those located in the lip. In the tongue carcinomas, the intensity was positive in 46,7% of the cases and strongly positive in 53,3%. The statistic analysis did not show any significant differences or correlation of expression between these integrins nor between the anatomical sites or between different scores of malignancy grading. The expressive immunological marking of the integrins, α2β1, α3β1, and α5β1 in the studied cases of squamous cell carcinomas leads us to think of a great participation of these proteins in oral carcinogenesis; however, our results do not allow us to correlate its expression as an indicator of variations in the biological behavior of this neoplasia

Interações físicas e psicossociais em mulheres com fibromialgia

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a non-inflammatory rheumatic syndrome of unknown etiology, with symptoms of diffuse musculoskeletal pain and presence of specific anatomic sites called tender points. The symptoms are often associated with fatigue, sleep disturbances, morning stiffness, alterations in pain perception, anxiety and depression. Fibromyalgia exhibits a correlation between physical and behavioral symptoms, which have a negative influence on the quality of life of patients. Emotional skills are important factors since they are related to subjective well-being, personal productivity, social interaction and interpersonal relationships. We aim to describe the physical and psychosocial interactions in women with FM, showing the association between perceived social support and affect with symptoms of pain, functionality and mood. We will also describe a body representation of pain in women with FM. Data were collected over 3 years and the sample size ranged between studies. This is an exploratory cross-sectional study conducted with a convenience sample of 63 women with FM and 42 healthy women as a control group (CT), aged 20-76 years, recruited through spontaneous demand at Onofre Lopes University Hospital (HUOL) and the Clinical School of Physiotherapy of Universidade Potiguar (UNP). The Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Social Support Scale (MOS), Hamilton Anxiety Scale and Scale of Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), in addition to pressure algometry were used. For data analysis, we used parametric and non-parametric tests and a general linear model with adjustment variables and analysis of variance. A significant difference was found between pain threshold and tolerance, functionality, depression, anxiety, social support, and positive and negative affect between the groups. Affective states and social support were associated with anxiety, depression and functionality. A body was drawn representing pain with higher incidences in trapeze, supraspinatus and second ribs. The reason for studying sensory aspects, affective behavior and social support in FM patients opens perspectives for scientific and clinical research of this syndrome. Women with chronic pain such as FM appear to have altered mood states, less social support and affective dysfunctions, influencing the other symptoms of the syndrome

Boto cinza (Sotalia guianensis, Van Benédén, 1864) (Cetacea, Delphinidae): Atividade aérea, forrageio e interações inter-específicas, na Praia de Pipa (Tibau do Sul RN) e estudo comparativo entre duas populações do Nordeste do Brasil

Sotalia guianensis is a small cetacean of the Delphinidae family, with coastal habits and whose area of distribution ranges from Florianópolis (27º35'S, 48º34'W), in Brazil, to Honduras (15º58'N, 85º42'W). At Pipa beach, on the south coast of RN state, in Brazil, the species occur throughout the year. The present study was carried out in two bays, which are bordered by cliffs. The animals were monitored from vantage points, using the "Ad libitum" and "all the occurrences" methods; during the years of 1999 and 2004. The study was divided in 4 chapters: Behavioral standards of two populations of gray dolphin, (Sotalia guianensis, Van Benédén, 1864) in the northeast of Brazil; Aerial activity of the gray dolphin: its possible function and the influence of environmental and behavioral factors; The influence of daily and monthly variation of the tides, of the period of the day and group size on the gray dolphin forage activity; kleptoparasitism interactions of frigatebird (Fregata magnificens, Mattheus, 1914) during the gray dolphin forage activity. The results have shown that the gray dolphin has a varied and complex behavioral repertoire. The leap is the most frequent behavior; the aerial activity is diffuse during daylight and is influenced by some factors, such as the level of the tide and social factors. The gray dolphin, when in the bay, most frequently feeds isolate or in small groups. The forage is diffuse during daylight; however, being more frequent in the morning and is influenced by the daily and monthly variation of the tide. At Pipa beach, kleptoparasitarian interactions were registered between the gray dolphin and the frigatebird (Fregata magnificens). The frigatebird forage strategy consists basically of two ways: to fly over great extensions searching for dead fish and to steal food (kleptoparasitism). These interactions were predominantly carried out between immature and female adult birds and adult and immature dolphins, and occurred during daylight. The present study can be considered an initial landmark to a better knowledge on the gray dolphin surface behavior, especially regarding the aerial behavioral repertoire and forage strategy of this species. However, it is necessary to continue these studies, so that we can understand better the complex social life of these animals and thus create effective measures for its conservation

Avaliação do cortisol, dehidroepiandrosterona sulfato e dos perfis lipídico e imunológico e suas correlações com a sensibilidade dolorosa, depressão e funcionalidade em mulheres com fibromialgia na pós-menopausa

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a non-inflammatory rheumatic syndrome characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain with palpable tender points, muscle stiffness, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. Patients with FM have hormonal changes that are directly correlated with symptoms of the syndrome. The neuroendocrine regulation may be impaired, with abnormalities in the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis with various hormones showing changes in their levels. In women in fertile period, various gonadal hormones are associated with symptoms of the syndrome, but studies focusing only a population of women in post-menopausal period who do not use hormone replacement are rare. We developed an analytical cross sectional study to assess the plasma levels of cortisol and dehidroepiandrosterona sulfate (DHEA-S) with quimioluminescence method in a group of 17 women with FM and 19 healthy women in post-menopause who do not use hormone replacement and observe the correlation with the symptoms of pain through algometry, depression and physical functional capacity measured from the Beck Depression Index (BDI) and the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ). Three blood samples were collected in the morning (between 8:00 9:30) with an interval of 24 hours for the measurements of hormonal levels and biochemical profile. There were no immunological or lipid changes in patients with FM. Comparing the two groups, there is no difference in levels of cortisol and a tangential effect for DHEA-S (p=0,094) with the lowest levels in the FM. DHEA-S also correlated with pain threshold (r=0,7) and tolerance (r=0,65) in group FM. We found the presence of depressive state and low physical functional capacity in FM. It was also evident that women in post-menopausal period, DHEA-S should influence the symptoms of increased sensitivity to pain, but not the presence of depressive status and low physical functional