Levantamento cariotípico em espécies de peixes marinhos costeiros de fundo arenoso (Osteichthypes, Perciformes)

Cytogenetics analyses in fish are important because they compose a private group among the vertebrates, occupying a central position in the animal evolution. The Perciforms Order, dominant in the marine and freshwater environment, it constitutes a model potentially useful in the genetic evaluation of populations, as well as in the understanding of its evolutionary processes. In spite of this, cytogenetics studies in this great group is scarce, above all for the inhabitants of sandy bottom and pelagics habits. The present work proposed to contribute for the cytogenetic characterization of nine species of fish marine of sandy bottom of the coast of Rio Grande do Norte (Brazil), identifying the evolutionary patterns related to the karyotype in these species and the existence of filogenetics affinities between them and other Perciformes. The animals were collected in the beaches of the Redinha, Ponta Negra and Búzios (Coast of Rio Grande do Norte) and in Saint Peter and Saint Paul Archipelago. Later on they were submitted to the cytogenetics technical that consist of mitotic estimulation, obtaining of mitotics chromosomes, proceeded by techniques of conventional coloration (Giemsa) and chromosomic bands (Ag-RONs and C band). Diploid number and fundamental number equal to 48 were observed in most of the species: Menticirrhus americanus, Ophioscion punctatissimus, Pareques acuminatus (Sciaenidae); Chloroscombrus chrysurus (Carangidae); Echeneis sp. 2 (Echeneidae); Archosargus probatocephalus (Sparidae) and Orthopristis ruber (Haemulidae). Trachinotus goodei (NF=52) (Carangidae) and Echeneis sp. 1 (Echeneidae) (NF=54) presented variation in NF, staying constant a diploid number equal to 48. RONs was situated in pericentromeric position in whole the scianids, and in the species Echeneis sp. 2 (22° pair), O. ruber and A. probatocephalus (1° pair), coinciding with great heterocromatics blocks in M. americanus (1° pair), P. acuminatus (2° pairl) and O. ruber (1° pair). RONs was also located in the telomeric area of the short arm of the 5° and 11° acrocentrics pairs in T. goodei, 4° and 19° pairs of C. chrysurus, 1° pair (sm) of Echeneis sp. 1. The C band detected centromeric blocks in most of the chromosomes of the species of Sciaenidae, Carangidae and Echeneidae, with great blocks in A. probatocephalus (4° pair). Heterocromatic blocks in telomeric areas in submetacentrics of Echeneis sp. 1, and pericentromerics in M. americanus (1° and 8° pairs), O. punctatissimus (1° pair) and P. acuminatus (2° pair) were also observed. It is noticed a marked conservatism cromossomic in the species of the family Scianidae and Haemulidae in what says respect to the number of acrocentrics chromosomes and the location of RONs. Even so it is outstanding the presence of heterocromatinization events during the karyotypic evolution of this family. Already in the families Sparidae and Carangidae, the obtained results reaffirm examples of small variations structural resultants of inversion and translocation Robertsonian, as important mechanisms of diversification karyotipical, as well as a pattern numerical evolutionary conserved, also observed in representatives of Echeneidae of Atlantic in relation to Pacific. The presence of RONs multiple, observed in the species T. goodei and C. chrysurus seems to represent a character derived in the family Carangidae. The results for the species O. ruber and A. probatocephalus suggest the presence of possible geographical or climatic barriers among populations of NE of Brazil in relationship the one of the SE

Determinação de haplótipos do gene βs em portadores de anemia falcifome

Haplotypes linked to the βS gene represent patterns of DNA polymorphisms along chromosome 11 of individuals bearing the βS gene. Analysis of haplotypes, in addition to serving as an important source for anthropological studies about the ethnic origin of a population, contributes to a better understanding of the variations in clinical severity of sickle cell anemia. The aim of the present study was to determine βS gene haplotypes in a group of patients with sickle cell anemia treated at the Dalton Barbosa Cunha Hematology Center (Hemonorte) in Natal, Brazil and the Oncology and Hematology Center in Mossoró, Brazil. Blood samples were obtained from 53 non-related patients (27 males and 26 females), aged between 3 months and 61 years (mean age: 16.9 ± 12.1 years). Laboratory analyses consisted of the following: erythrogram, reticulocyte count, hemoglobin electrophoresis at alkaline pH, measurement of hemoglobin A2 and Fetal hemoglobin, solubility test and molecular analysis to determine βS gene haplotypes. DNA samples were extracted by illustra blood genomicPrep Mini Spin kit and βS gene haplotypes were determined by PCR-RFLP, using Xmn I, Hind III, Hinc II and Hinf I restriction enzymes for analysis of six polymorphic restriction sites in the beta cluster. Of 106 βS chromosomes studied, 75.5% were Central African Republic (CAR) haplotype, 11.3% Benin (BEN) and 6.6% Cameroon (CAM). The atypical haplotypes had a frequency of 6.6%. More than half the patients (58.5%) were identified as CAR/CAR genotype carriers, 16.9% heterozygous CAR/BEN, 13.2% CAR/CAM and 1.9% BEN/BEN. Patients with atypical haplotype in one or two chromosomes accounted for 9.5% (CAR/Atp, BEN/Atp and Atp/Atp). The genotype groups showed no statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) in their laboratory parameters. This is the first study related to βS haplotypes conducted in state of Rio Grande do Norte and the higher frequency of Cameroon halotype found, compared to other Brazilian states, suggests the existence of a peculiarity of African origin

Influência do número de refundições da liga Ni-Cr-Mo-Ti sobre as propriedades de próteses metalocerâmicas

A frequently encountered difficulty in oral prosthetics is associated with the loss of metallic alloys during the melting stage of the production of metal-ceramic replacement systems. Remelting such materials could impar their use in oral rehabilitation due to loss in esthetics, as well as in the chemical, physical, electrochemical and mechanical properties. Nowadays, the Ni-Cr-Mo-Ti alloy is widely used in metal-ceramic systems. Manufacturers state that this material can be remelted without significant alterations in its behavior, however little has been established as to the changes in the performance of this alloy after successive remelting, which is common practice in oral prosthetics. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate possible changes in the esthetics and associated properties of metalceramic samples consisting of Ni-Cr-Mo-Ti and dental porcelain. Three to five remelting steps were carried out. The results revealed that Ni-Cr-Mo-Ti can be safely used even after three remelting steps. Further remelting significantly affect the characteristics of the alloys and should not be recommended for the manufacture of metal-ceramic systems

Processos carioevolutivos na ordem tetraodontiformes: uma visão através de suas diferentes linhagens

Given the great diversity of fishes, the Order Tetraodontiformes stands to show genetic and morphological characteristics enough singular. The fishes of this order have a compact DNA which favors molecular studies, as well as comparisons with more basal species. Model of genome evolution, there are still many gaps in knowledge about their chromosomal patterns and how evolutionary rearrangements influence the marked variation in DNA content of this order. In view of this, we present cytogenetic analyzes of the species Acanthostracion quadricornis (Ostraciidae), A. polygonius (Ostraciidae) Melichthys niger (Balistidae) Cantherhines macrocerus (Monacanthidae) and C. pullus (Monacanthidae), Lagocephalus laevigatus, Colomesus psittacus and Canthigaster figueiredoi (Tetraodontidae), to contribute with cytogenetic data for this group. The analysis was performed by C-banding, Ag-RONs, coloring with base-specific fluorochromes DAPI-CMA3, restriction enzymes AluI, EcoRI, TaqI, PstI and HinfI and in situ hybridization with probes for ribosomal DNA 18S and 5S. The heterochromatic ultrastructure of A. quadricornis and A. polygonius revealed a outstanding heterochromatin content, which may indicate that the accumulation or loss of extensive heterochromatin content could be responsible for large variations in genomic content displayed in different Tetraodontiformes families. The species Cantherhines macrocerus, C. pullus (Monacanthidae) and Melichthys niger (Balistidae) shows a huge karyotypic similarity both numerically and structural. L. laevigatus showed similar cytogenetic features (2n = 44 and single RONs) to the species of the genus Takifugu, which reinforces the idea of their phylogenetic relationships. C. psittacus presented the highest diploid number described for the family (2n = 56) and large amount of HC, features that related with its sister family Diodontidae. Cytogenetic analysis in C. figueiredoi revealed heterochromatic polymorphisms, RONs multiple and Bs chromosomes. These events are rare in marine fishes, and are possibly associated with the strong restructuring and genomic reduction that this family has been suffered. These features, plus the morphological and molecular data suggests that these species share the same ancestral branch, with a possible monophyletic origin. In this study, new contributions to the knowledge of evolutionary patterns facing by Tetraodontiformes are provided and discussed under cytotaxonomyc, genomic and evolutionary perspectives.

Contribuição à citogenética de testudines e análise de assimetria flutuante em Eretmochelys imbricata, Cheloniidae

This work has contributed to knowledge of the order Testudines from cytogenetic and morphological point of view. With regard to the aspects proposed cytogenetic characterization of the species Mesoclemmys tuberculata (n = 5), endemic to the Caatinga biomes, through conventional techniques of cytogenetics and molecular levels. This species presented 2n = 58, NF = 64, the first submetacentric pair, the second metacentric and third subtelocentric, and the other microchromosome telocentric. This species showed a nucleolar bearing pair, coincident with the 18S ribosomal rDNA and that proved to be heterochromatic. Small heterochromatic blocks were also found in the centromeres of the largest chromosomes, as well as terminal regions in most other chromosomes of the complement, that were GC +. Telomeric sequences showed variable patterns of signal intensity, with some repeats more intense in microchromosomes and subtly in the larger ones. When compared with other species of the genus, the G-banding patterns showed a marked similarity between them. The first karyotypic description of the species will aid in future studies and the understanding of evolutionary aspects of this family. From the morphological point of view, we carried out studies of fluctuating asymmetry in sea turtle Eretmochelys imbricata, using methods of benchmarking between hatchlings and adults and their implications for natural selection. Data were collected at two different times: first during the spawning female and the second during the outbreak and birth of the nest. The analyzed characteristics consisted of measurements of length and width of front and rear flippers (CANT, LANT, CPOS and LPOS) also collected data on the number of hull plates, side plates (NPL), the surrounding plates (NPCIRC), and plastron; plates power plants (NPP), inframarginais plates (NPIM). With the values of asymmetry we calculated the value of strict heritability for these traits, the calculation was based on only one parent. A nonparametric analysis Mann-Whitneywas performed to compare the groups (females X hatchlings, newborn hatchlings X dead hatchlings). Adult females showed no bilateral fluctuating asymmetry (FA = 0) on the number plates of the hull and plastron, while offspring, living and dead, showed a greater level of variation in these meristic parameters. In the analysis of females x hatchlings we found a significant difference between the levels of asymmetry in hoof plates (p=0.006) an the width of hindlimbs (p=0.001). Levels of FA suggest an accurate indicator as to the viability or maintenance of the individual to the reproductive phase. The coefficient of heritability (h2) of FA , obtained from the regression analysis, showed that both have low and not statistically significant values(p> 0.1). In the case of exclusion of the effective role of genetics in the generation of FA, reproductive strategies based on high number of subsidiaries products, such as those observed in E. imbricata seems to implicate the production of individuals with high level of developmental instability

Controle on-line do número de não-conformidades por itens em uma produção finita

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior

Controle on-line por atributos para o número de não-conformidades no item inspecionado com base em uma sequência de inspeção

This paper proposes a procedure to control on-line processes for attributes, using an Shewhart control chart with two control limits (warning limit and control limit) and will be based on a sequence of inspection (h). The inspection procedure is based on Taguchi et al. (1989), in which to inspect the item, if the number of non-conformities is higher than an upper control limit, the process needs to be stopped and some adjustment is required; and, if the last inspection h, from all items inspected present a number of non-conformities between the control limit and warning limit. The items inspected will suffer destructive inspection, being discarded after inspection. Properties of an ergodic Markov chain are used to get the expression of average cost per item and the aim was the determination of four optimized parameters: the sampling interval of the inspections (m); the constant W to draw the warning limit (W); the constant C to draw the control limit (C), where W £ C, and the length of sequence of inspections (h). Numerical examples illustrate the proposed procedure

Metodologia estatística na solução do problema do caixeiro viajante e na avaliação de algoritmos : um estudo aplicado à transgenética computacional

The problems of combinatory optimization have involved a large number of researchers in search of approximative solutions for them, since it is generally accepted that they are unsolvable in polynomial time. Initially, these solutions were focused on heuristics. Currently, metaheuristics are used more for this task, especially those based on evolutionary algorithms. The two main contributions of this work are: the creation of what is called an -Operon- heuristic, for the construction of the information chains necessary for the implementation of transgenetic (evolutionary) algorithms, mainly using statistical methodology - the Cluster Analysis and the Principal Component Analysis; and the utilization of statistical analyses that are adequate for the evaluation of the performance of the algorithms that are developed to solve these problems. The aim of the Operon is to construct good quality dynamic information chains to promote an -intelligent- search in the space of solutions. The Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP) is intended for applications based on a transgenetic algorithmic known as ProtoG. A strategy is also proposed for the renovation of part of the chromosome population indicated by adopting a minimum limit in the coefficient of variation of the adequation function of the individuals, with calculations based on the population. Statistical methodology is used for the evaluation of the performance of four algorithms, as follows: the proposed ProtoG, two memetic algorithms and a Simulated Annealing algorithm. Three performance analyses of these algorithms are proposed. The first is accomplished through the Logistic Regression, based on the probability of finding an optimal solution for a TSP instance by the algorithm being tested. The second is accomplished through Survival Analysis, based on a probability of the time observed for its execution until an optimal solution is achieved. The third is accomplished by means of a non-parametric Analysis of Variance, considering the Percent Error of the Solution (PES) obtained by the percentage in which the solution found exceeds the best solution available in the literature. Six experiments have been conducted applied to sixty-one instances of Euclidean TSP with sizes of up to 1,655 cities. The first two experiments deal with the adjustments of four parameters used in the ProtoG algorithm in an attempt to improve its performance. The last four have been undertaken to evaluate the performance of the ProtoG in comparison to the three algorithms adopted. For these sixty-one instances, it has been concluded on the grounds of statistical tests that there is evidence that the ProtoG performs better than these three algorithms in fifty instances. In addition, for the thirty-six instances considered in the last three trials in which the performance of the algorithms was evaluated through PES, it was observed that the PES average obtained with the ProtoG was less than 1% in almost half of these instances, having reached the greatest average for one instance of 1,173 cities, with an PES average equal to 3.52%. Therefore, the ProtoG can be considered a competitive algorithm for solving the TSP, since it is not rare in the literature find PESs averages greater than 10% to be reported for instances of this size.

A Compreensão da idéia do número racional e suas operações na EJA: uma forma de inclusão em sala de aula

The awareness of the difficulty which pupils, in general have in understanding the concept and operations with Rational numbers, it made to develop this study which searches to collaborate for such understanding. Our intuition was to do with that the pupils of the Education of Young and Adults, with difficulty in understanding the Rational numbers, feel included in the learning-teaching process of mathematics. It deals with a classroom research in a qualitative approach with analysis of the activities resolved for a group of pupils in classroom of a municipal school of Natal. For us elaborate such activities we accomplished the survey difficulties and obstacles that the pupils experience, when inserted in the learning-teaching process of the Rational numbers. The results indicate that the sequence of activities applied in classroom collaborated so that the pupils to overcome some impediments in the learning of this numbers

Padrões cariotípicos em tetraodontiformes (Osteichthypes) :redução genômica e mecanismos de diversificação

The Tetraodontiformes order is composed for about 400 species of fish, distributed in ten families, with circuntropical distribution. The morphologic diversity of each family reflects in, part, the different levels of specialization. This group represents an ancestry after-Perciformes and constitutes the last branch of the diffusion of the Teleósteos, occupying a position of prominence. The phylogenetics relationships of the Tetraodontiformes exist diverse works examining and, in all, these families are recognized as groups brothers, being Diodontidae next to Tetraodontidae and Balistidae next to Monacanthidae. Although it possesss a representative number of species, the works involving of the families Balistidae and Monacanthidae are few exemplary, especially species of oceanic islands. In this work cytogenetic studies in five species had been analyzed Cantherhines macrocerus, Cantherhines pullus (Monacanthidae), Melichthys niger (Balistidae), Sphoeroides testudíneus (Tetraodontidae) and Chilomycterus antennatus (Diodontidae); through conventional coloration, Ag-NORs and C banding. Ahead of the different karyological trends of evolution presented by the Tetraodontiformes, the present work also searched to verify the relation existence enters the total size of the chromosomes with the amount of DNA in these groups of Tetraodontiformes. For such, they had been correlated the total size of the chromosomes of these species, with values of content of available DNA in literature. The cytogenetics analyses for the species C.macrocerusJ C.pullus (Monacanthidae) and M.niger (Balistidae), had disclosed 40 chromosomes, all acrocentrics. All possess only one pair of NORs and pericentromeric heterochromatin. For S.testudíneus the found dyploid number was equal 2n=46, with NF=78 (16m+18sm+8st+4a), while that for C.antennatus it possesss 2n=50, with NF=76 (4m+22st+24a). Both species possess simple NORs and pericentromeric heterochromatin blocks. In M.niger, the presence of positive marking (heterochromatin and NOR) in the secondary constriction in the second chromosomic pair suggesting the occurrence of a rearrangement, possibly a fusing involving these homologous ones, indicating that these events had been important for the establishment of the karyological history of this group. A maintenance of the chromosomic constancy found in the populations of C.macrocerus (Monacanthidae) and S.testudineus (Tetraodontidae) perhaps if must for the aiding of the gene flow through oceanic chains. These data contrast with the differentiated kinds of chromosomes of C.antennatus between the Northeast coast and Southeastern, suggesting that the ecological standards of each species, added to the conditions of the marine environment, can be responsible for the karyological delineation of each species. The found characteristics for the species C.macrocerus, C.pullus, M.niger, S.testudineus and C.antennatus add it the available data for other species of Tetraodontiformes. From the data gotten in the present study, it can be inferred that the DNA content possesss direct relation with the total length of the chromosomes

Avaliação da genotoxicidade das águas do lençol freático sob a Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte

The groundwater represents the most important freshwater supply of planet. Dailly, in all world a great amount of toxic and genotoxic material reaches the aquatic systems, mainly the aquifers. The Barreiras aquifer through of five water wells is responsible for the supplying of Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN). All water wells are polluted with nitrate and some heavy metals, two of them were disabled. The genotoxicity of groundwater samples from Barreiras Aquifer in UFRN was assessed using the Allium cepa test, the Ames test and the Salmonella typhymurium microsuspension test (Kado test). For the Allium cepa test the influence of the groundwater samples collected on macroscopic (root length, colour and form) and microscopic (root tip mitotic index, chromosome aberrations and micronucleus) parameters was examined. All water samples caused a significant increase of the chromosome and mitotic aberration frequency and reduction on the rooth growth compared to negative control. Bridges and chromosome stickness were the most frequent kind of aberration in dividing cells. Furthermore, breaks were also observed. No significant increase in the number of micronuclei was found in relation to the negative controls. For Ames test were used the Salmonella typhymurium strains TA98 and TA100 without metabolic activation, applying the direct method. Prior to the Kado test, organic fractions from the water samples were obtained through XAD resin concentration. The mutagenicity organic extracts were evaluated by Kado test using TA98 and TA100 strains, in the absence and presence of S9 mix (metabolic activation). The concentrations of seven heavy metal ions were measured in water samples, but only Ni, Cu and Cr levels exceeded the permissible maximum concentration for the natural reservoirs. The results obtained for mutagenic activity using the Ames test were negative in all raw water samples analyzed. Positive results in XAD4 extracts of water samples were obtained for TA98 in the presence of S9 mix for two stations. Concentrations of heavy metals and nitrate can be correlated with the toxicity and genotoxicity of water analyzed. The mutagenic effect detected with TA98 strain suggested that organic compounds (after metabolization) are involved with the mutagenicity detected in the samples analyzed. The data set obtained in this work indicated the presence of at least two classes of mutagens: organic and inorganic compounds

Controle on-line para o número de não-conformidades em um ítem inspecionado

The on-line processes control for attributes consists of inspecting a single item at every m produced ones. If the examined item is conforming, the production continues; otherwise, the process stops for adjustment. However, in many practical situations, the interest consist of monitoring the number of non-conformities among the examined items. In this case, if the number of non-conformities is higher than an upper control limit, the process needs to be stopped and some adjustment is required. The contribution of this paper is to propose a control system for the number of nonconforming of the inspected item. Employing properties of an ergodic Markov chain, an expression for the expected cost per item of the control system was obtained and it will be minimized by two parameters: the sampling interval and the upper limit control of the non-conformities of the examined item. Numerical examples illustrate the proposed procedure

Ajuste preventivo versus ajuste corretivo no controle on-line de processo do número de não-conformidades num item inspecionado

In production lines, the entire process is bound to unexpected happenings which may cost losing the production quality. Thus, it means losses to the manufacturer. Identify such causes and remove them is the task of the processing management. The on-line control system consists of periodic inspection of every month produced item. Once any of those items is quali ed as not t, it is admitted that a change in the fraction of the items occurred, and then the process is stopped for adjustments. This work is an extension of Quinino & Ho (2010) and has as objective main to make the monitoramento in a process through the control on-line of quality for the number of non-conformities about the inspected item. The strategy of decision to verify if the process is under control, is directly associated to the limits of the graphic control of non-conformities of the process. A policy of preventive adjustments is incorporated in order to enlarge the conforming fraction of the process. With the help of the R software, a sensibility analysis of the proposed model is done showing in which situations it is most interesting to execute the preventive adjustment