Estudos ecogenômicos e bioprospectivos de Shewanella ssp

Bacteria trom Shewanella and Geobacter ganera are the most studied iron-reducing microorganisms particularly due to their electron transport systems and contribution to some industrial and environmental problems, including steel corrosion, bioenergy and bioremediation of petroleum-impacted sites. The present study was focused in two ways: the first is an in silico comparative ecogenomic study of Shewanella spp. with sequenced genomes, and the second is an experimental metagenomic work to detect iron-reducing Shewanella through PCR-DGGE of a metabolic gene. The in silico study resulted in positive correIation between copy number of 16S rDNA and genome size in Shewanella spp., with clusters of rrn near lhe origin of replication. This way, the genus is inferred as opportunist. There are no compact genomes and their sequences length varied, ranging from 4306142 nt in S. amazonensis SB2B to 5935403 nt in S. woodyi ATCC 51908, without correIation to temperature range characteristic of each specie. Intragenomic 16S rDNA sequences possess little divergence, but reasonable to resuIt in different phyIogenetic trees, depending on the sequence that is chosen to compare. For moIecuIar detection of iron-reducing Shewanella, it is proposed the mtrB gene as new biomarker. because it codes to a fundamental protein at Fe (III)-reduction. The specific primers were designed and evaluated in silico and resulted in a fragment of 360 pb. In the second study, these primers were tested in a genomic sample from S. oneidensis MR-1, amplifying the expected region. After this successfuI resuIt, the primer set was used as a tool to assess the iron-reducing communities of ShewaneIla genus under an environmental stress, i.e. crude oil contamination in mangrove sediment in Rio Grande do Norte State (Brazil). The primers presented high specificity and the reactions performed resulted in one single band of ampIification in the metagenomic samples. The fingerprinting obtained at DGGE reveaIed temporal variation of Shewanella spp. in analyzed samples. The resuIts presented show the detection of a biotechnological important group of microorganisms, the iron-reducing Shewanella spp. using a metabolic gane as target. It is concluded there are eight or more 16S rDNA sequences in Shewanella genus, with little divergence among them that affects the phylogeny; the pair of primers designed to ampIify mtrB sequences is a viable alternative to detect iron-reducing ShewanelIa in metagenomic approaches; such bacteria are present in the mangrove sediment anaIyzed, with temporal variations in the samples. This is the first experimental study that screened the iron-reducing Shewanella genus in a metagenomic experiment of mangrove sediments subjected to oil contamination through a key metabolic gene

Síntese e caracterização estrutural, magnética e térmica da hidroxiapatita dopada com ferro

In this work, composites were prepared using high energy mechanical milling from the precursors hydroxyapatite - HAp (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2) and metallic iron ( -Fe ). The main goal here is to study composites in order to employ them in magnetic hyperthermia for cancer therapy. The produced samples were characterized by X-ray di raction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), magnetization curves as a function of applied eld (MxH), and nally measurements of magnetic hyperthermia. The XRD patterns of the milled samples HAp/Fe revealed only the presence of precursor materials. The SEM showed clusters with irregular shapes. The magnetization curves indicated typical cases of weak ferromagnetic behavior. For samples submitted to grinding and annealing, the identi ed phases were: HAp (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2), hematite (Fe2O3) and Calcium Iron Phosphate (Ca9Fe(PO4)7). Analyzing the results of MxH, there was a reduction of the saturation magnetization, given that the Fe was incorporated into HAp. Hysteresis curves obtained at 300 K are characteristics of samples possessing over a phase. At 77 K, the behavior of the hysteresis curve is in uenced by the presence of hematite, which is antiferromagnetic. Already at T = 4.2 K, it is observed a weak ferromagnetic behavior. Furthermore, there is the e ect of exchange bias. Regarding the magnetic hyperthermia, the results of temperature measurements as a function of the alternating eld are promising for applications in magnetic hyperthermia and other biomedical applications.

Estudo da redução de arrasto induzido por polímeros em escoamentos internos turbulentos em dutos

The flows turbulent and laminar are present in various applications of engineering and one of the villain of energy loss big is the surface friction. Currently, there are several research aimed for the study of reducing drag (DR) with the objective of developing effective methods to reduce the friction. Regardless of numerous research carried out until today, the phenomenon DR still remains in study not it is fully understood. This paper studied the drag reduction by polymer induction in turbulent internal flows in ducts. We constructed a testing bench to perform the analysis of drag reduction, the bench has basically two manometers with a 8.5 psi full scale, a peripheral pump 0.5 HP, an acrylic tank, valves and tubes pvc and is situated in the Laboratory Fluid Mechanics UFRN. Were used as polymer additives to polyethylene glycol 4000, the Polyox WSR N60K, Polyox WSR 301 and Polyox WSR 205. The rationale for the choice of these polymers is their wide application in situations requiring greater energy efficiency, such as the addition reducing polymers for the jet used by the fire department to achieve greater distances. The induced drag reduction polymers is investigated from the turbulent flow analysis, with Reynolds number in a range between 2×104

Estudo da redução de arrasto induzido por polímeros em escoamentos internos turbulentos em dutos

The flows turbulent and laminar are present in various applications of engineering and one of the villain of energy loss big is the surface friction. Currently, there are several research aimed for the study of reducing drag (DR) with the objective of developing effective methods to reduce the friction. Regardless of numerous research carried out until today, the phenomenon DR still remains in study not it is fully understood. This paper studied the drag reduction by polymer induction in turbulent internal flows in ducts. We constructed a testing bench to perform the analysis of drag reduction, the bench has basically two manometers with a 8.5 psi full scale, a peripheral pump 0.5 HP, an acrylic tank, valves and tubes pvc and is situated in the Laboratory Fluid Mechanics UFRN. Were used as polymer additives to polyethylene glycol 4000, the Polyox WSR N60K, Polyox WSR 301 and Polyox WSR 205. The rationale for the choice of these polymers is their wide application in situations requiring greater energy efficiency, such as the addition reducing polymers for the jet used by the fire department to achieve greater distances. The induced drag reduction polymers is investigated from the turbulent flow analysis, with Reynolds number in a range between 2×104

Dos caminhos de água aos caminhos de ferro: a construção da hegemonia de Natal através das vias de transporte (1820-1920)

At a time of changes on the territory during the 19th century, the political and socioeconomic elites of the province and later State of Rio Grande do Norte evolved a discourse in order to justify the permanence of Natal as a city holding a status of capital. In this work we analyze the means employed by the ruling classes to impose their wish to raise Natal to an outstanding position among the existing cities by intervening on the territory during a period of one hundred years (1820-1920). During that time, which was characterized by changing commercial flows and technological development, the elites interventions were essentially directed to the implementation of modes of transportation, especially the railway. We try to understand the reinforcement of Natal as a capital city not only in political and administrative terms, but mainly in a commercial and symbolic manner, through the discourse and interventions undertaken by the local administrative elites, who stimulated the creation of a set of relations on the territory that also imprinted visible marks in the capital s urban fabric. These interventions were based upon the establishment of an infrastructure for exporting the State s production, firstly through and despite the Potengi River, and later on by the construction of railways. Although the project of Natal s hegemony had been outlined before the establishment of the railway network, in both cases the ultimate objective was to reinforce and develop the capital city as a commercial urban center to the detriment of other cities

Utilização da macroalga Ulva lactuca linnaeus na redução de nutrientes (NH4+,NO3- e PO4-2) provenientes da carcinicultura

Dentre as macroalgas capazes de absorver altas concentrações de N e P dissolvidos na água, destaca-se a Chlorophyta Ulva lactuca, bastante adaptável e resistente às adversidades ambientais, como grandes variações de temperatura, salinidade, matéria orgânica e metais pesados. Trata-se também de uma espécie bastante comum nas áreas intertidais do litoral norte-riograndense. Devido a suas características ecológicas, fisiológicas e nutricionais, foi avaliado nesse estudo, o seu potencial como biofiltro na redução de NH4+, NO3- e PO4-2, tanto em condições controladas como também em um viveiro de camarão. No experimento laboratorial, foram utilizados quatro aquários de vidro de 30 x 20 x 20cm com 10L de água, sendo três aquários experimentais contendo 20g de U. lactuca e um controle. O acréscimo de biomassa foi de 2,92g (22,92 ± 6,29g; p < 0,05) em relação ao inóculo inicial de 20g, sob temperatura (28,50 ± 0,58ºC), salinidade (35,00 ± 0,00 ), pH (8,26 ± 0,02) e luz constante (250 μmol.m2s-1). O crescimento positivo (1,78 ± 4,38%dia-1; p < 0,05), juntamente com a alta eficiência de absorção de amônio (83%; p < 0,001), nitrato (83%; p < 0,001) e ortofosfato (53%; p < 0,001), demonstrou que, nessas condições, a Ulva lactuca absorveu os nutrientes e aumentou sua biomassa. Já no experimento de campo, realizado na fazenda TECNARÃO, situada no município de Arez/RN (06° 11 40 Latitude Sul, e 35º 09 37 Longitude Oeste), foram utilizadas três gaiolas de PVC, posicionadas a 12cm da superfície da água, cada uma com dimensões de aproximadamente 59 x 59 x 15cm, onde foram colocadas 200g de U. lactuca. O ganho de biomassa de 3g (203,00 ± 41,02g; p < 0,001) foi muito semelhante às condições controladas, demonstrando a adaptabilidade da espécie em condições ambientais variáveis, onde, apesar da temperatura pouco variável (27,45 ± 0,64ºC), houve progressiva diminuição de salinidade (25 - 15 ), devido ao período de fortes chuvas (34,70 ± 23,78mm). Somado a isso, foram observados vários fatores biológicos interferindo no viveiro, como a presença de epífitas, organismos endofíticos, fouling e a herbivoria por parte dos próprios camarões. Houve aumento nas concentrações de NH4+ (4,36 ± 1,69 μmol.L-1), NO3- (0,17 ± 0,25μmol.L-1) e PO4-2 (0,41 ± 0,13μmol.L-1), coincidindo com o crescimento da espécie até a terceira semana. Todos os parâmetros ambientais analisados, assim como a biomassa e a Taxa de Crescimento Relativo (TCR), obtidos no campo, apresentaram variações altamente significativas (p < 0,001). As correlações observadas entre biomasa e NH4+ (r = 0,82; p < 0,001) e entre biomassa e PO4-2 (r = 0,87; p < 0,001), indicam que esta espécie é capaz de ter um crescimento satisfatório nas condições eutróficas de um viveiro de camarão, sendo possível seu uso como biofiltro.

O papel modulatório do ferro sobre a resposta imune na Leishmaniose Visceral

Iron is an essential element for many cellular functions, including the immune response against intracellular pathogens. In this study, we aimed evaluate the effect of iron on IRP2, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, MIG and IP10 expression in PBMC and assess the effect of the spleen parasite load on the expression of these genes in the spleen of L. infantum naturally infected dogs. Blood sample from 7 DTH+ donor was collected and PBMC was obtained. The cells were cultivated in absence (iron chelator desferroximane, DFO 10 μM supplemented media) or in presence of iron (hemin 6 mM) for 1 h, followed by stimulation with Leishmania infatum antigen for 4 h. 44 dog spleen samples were obtained and parasite load in this organ was determinate by qPCR. Gene expression was analyzed by qPCR and cytokine production quantified by flow cytometry. In antigen stimulated cells, genes involved in immune response are significantly more expressed in presence of iron. T CD4+ and TCD8+ lymphocytes produces IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-10 possibly in iron dependent pathway. Monocytes antigen stimulated reduced TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10 production in presence of iron. We found spleen of infected dogs IRP2 expression increases according to parasite load in that organ, while an inverse profile was found for IFN-γ, TNF-α e IL-10 expression. These results suggest that T lymphocytes depends on iron to produce IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-10, while iron seems to inhibit cytokine production in monocytes. So, we propose an immunoregulatory mechanism carried out by iron during L. infantum infection in humans and dogs

Resposta de Chromobacterium Violaceum cultivada em alta concentração de ferro

The Chromobacterium violaceum is a β-proteobacterium Gram-negative widely found in tropical and subtropical regions, whose genome was sequenced in 2003 showing great metabolic versatility and biotechnological and pharmaceutical potential. Given the large number of ORFs related to iron metabolism described in the genome of C. violaceum, the importance of this metal for various biological processes and due to lack of data about the consequences of excess of iron in free-living organisms, it is important to study the response mechanism of this bacterium in a culture filled with iron. Previous work showed that C. violaceum is resistant to high concentrations of this metal, but has not yet been described the mechanism which is used to this survival. Thus, to elucidate the response of C. violaceum cultured in high concentrations of iron and expecting to obtain candidate genes for use in bioremediation processes, this study used a shotgun proteomics approach and systems biology to assess the response of C. violaceum grown in the presence and absence of 9 mM of iron. The analysis identified 531 proteins, being 71 exclusively expressed by the bacteria grown in the presence of the metal and 100 just in the control condition. The increase in expression of proteins related to the TCA cycle possibly represents a metabolic reprogramming of the bacteria caused by high concentration of iron in the medium. Moreover, we observed an increase in the activity assay of superoxide dismutase and catalase as well as in Total Antioxidant Activity assay, suggesting that the metal is inducing oxidative stress in C. violaceum that increases the levels of violacein and antioxidant enzymes to better adapt to the emerging conditions. Are also part of the adaptive response changes in expression of proteins related to transport, including iron, as well as an increased expression of proteins related to chemotaxis response, which would lead the bacteria to change the direction of its movement away from the metal. Systems Biology results, also suggest a metabolic reprogramming with mechanisms coordinated by bottleneck proteins involved in transcription (GreA), energy metabolism (Rpe and TpiA) and methylation (AhcY)

Obtenção e caracterização de nanopartículas de argilominerais

Natural nanoclays are of great interest particularly for the production of polymer-based nanocomposites. In this work, kaolinite clays from two natural deposits in the State of the Rio Grande do Norte and Paraiba were purified with thermal treatment and chemical treatments, and characterized. Front to the gotten data, had been proposals methodologies for elimination or reduction of coarse particle texts, oxide of iron and organic substance. These methodologies had consisted of the combination of operations with thermal treatments, carried through in electric oven, and acid chemical attacks with and hydrogen peroxide. The Analyzers Thermogravimetric was used to examine the thermal stability of the nanoclays. The analysis indicated weight losses at temperatures under 110 ºC and over the temperature range of 350 to 550 ºC. Based on the thermal analysis data, the samples were submitted to a thermal treatment at 500 °C, for 8 h, to remove organic components. The X-ray diffraction patterns indicated that thermal treatment under 500 °C affect the basic structure of kaolinite. The BET surface area measurements ranged from 32 to 38 m2/g for clay samples with thermal treatment and from 36 to 53 m2/g for chemically treated samples. Thus, although the thermal treatment increased the surface area, through the removal of organic components, the effect was not significant and chemical treatment is more efficient, not affect the basic structure of kaolinite, to improve particle dispersion. SEM analysis confirms that the clay is agglomerated forming micron-size particles

Estudo da adição do resíduo proveniente da extração de minério de ferro em argilas do Rio Grande do Norte

The mining industry is responsible for the generation of waste from their natural process of extraction. The mining impacts in urban areas are of special importance due to the high urban occupation, which are exacerbated due to the proximity of the mined areas and populated areas. Some solutions to wastedisposal have the potential to significantly reduce the environmental risks and liabilities, but represent higher costs in the stages of deployment and operation. The addition of mining waste as raw material in the development of commercial products reduces the environmental impacts, transforming the waste into a positive element in the generation of employment and income. This thesis studies the incorporation of waste iron ore in two clays, one from the ceramic industry of the City of Natal and the other from the ceramic industry of the Seridó Region, both in the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Percentages of iron ore waste of 5%, 10% , 15%, 20%, 25% and 30% were used in the tested ceramic matrix. The two clays and the iron ore waste used as part of this investigation were characterized by X-ray diffraction tests, X-ray fluorescence tests, differential thermal analysis, thermogravimetric analysis and dilatometric analysis. The samples were sintered under temperatures of 850 °C, 950 °C and 1050°C at a heating rate of 5 °C/min with isotherms of two hours. The following tests were performed with the samples: linear shrinkage, water absorption, apparent porosity, apparent density, mass loss in fire and bending resistance in order to obtain their physical and mechanical properties. An amount of 5% of waste iron ore in the matrix clay at a temperature of 850 0C resulted in na increase of about 65% in the tensile strength of the clay samples from the Natal ceramic industry. A linear shrinkage of only 0.12% was observed for the samples, which indicates that the physical properties of the final product were not influenced by the addition of the waste

Estudo do efeito da adição da escória de aciaria no processamento e propriedades finais de telhas cerâmicas

This research presents an overview of the addition steelwork dust of ceramic shingles in order to contribute to the utilization use of such residue. The ceramic industry perspective in the Brazilian State of Piauí is quite promising. Unlike other productive sectors, the ceramic industry uses basically natural raw materials. Its final products are, in short, the result of transforming clay compounds. These raw materials are composed primarily of aluminum oxide, silicon, iron, sodium, magnesium, end calcium, among others. It was verified that steelwork dust is composed primarily of these same oxides, so that its incorporation in to structural ceramics is a very reasonable idea. Both clay and steelwork powder were characterized by AG, XRF, XRD, TGA and DTA. In addition, steelwork dust samples containing (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25%) were extruded and burned at 800°C, 850°C, 900°C and 950°C. Then t echnological tests of linear shrinkage, water uptake, apparent porosity, apparent density and flexural strengthwere carried at. The results showed the possibility of using steelwork powder in ceramic shingles until 15% significant improvement in physical and mechanical properties. This behavior shows the possibility of burning at temperatures lower than 850ºC, thus promoting a product final cost reduction

Estudo sobre a redução aluminotérmica de Ta2O5 e TiO2 usando descarga de cátodo oco

In this study it was used two metallic oxides, Ta2O5 and TiO2, in order to obtain metallic powders of Ta and Ti through aluminothermic reduction ignited by plasma. Ta2O5 and TiO2 powders were mixed with Al in a planetary mill, using different milling times. A thermal analysis study (DTA and TG) was carried out, in order to know the temperature to react both the mixtures. Then, these mixtures were submitted to a hollow cathode discharge, where they were reacted using aluminothermic reduction ignited by plasma. The product obtained was characterized by XRD and SEM, where it was proven the possibility of producing these metallic particles, different from the conventional process, where metallic ingots are obtained. It was verified that the aluminothermic reduction ignited by plasma is able to produce metallic powders of Ta and Ti, and a higher efficiency was observed to the process with Ta2O5-Al mixtures. Among different microstructural aspects observed, it can be noted the presence of metallic nanoparticles trapped into an Al2O3 matrix, besides acicular structures (titanium) and dendritic structures (tantalum), which are a product characteristic from a fast cooling

Impregnação de metais em xisto retortado para uso como adsorventes

Concern with the environment has lead to an increase in the research for new adsorption techniques, low cost adsorvent materials and with high availability. Many works search the development of higher selectivity modified adsorvents. The Brazil has the second world reserve of oiled shale, because of it, the use of that reject is of great interest. This study has the goal of characterize and analyze the retorted shale, reject of the pirobetuminous shale pyrolysis, and the retorted shale modified through the humid impregnation method, wich the precursors were the metals nitrates ( Cobalt, Nickel and Copper), to the usage has adsorvent materials. The samples were characterized chemically, textually and structurally by the X ray fluorescence (XRF), BET, X ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) techniques. The impregnated samples showed a reduction in the superficial area and in the pore volume when compared with the retorted shale. Besides that, diffractions referred to the impregnated metals where observed in the XRD analysis, wich were the same metals detected in the XRF and SEM analysis. The materials showed homogeneity in it s composition. The results shows that the materials presents adequate adsorption characteristics

Obtenção de pós de tântalo metálico a partir da redução aluminotérmica com ignição a plasma

Metallic tantalum has a high commercial value due to intrinsic properties like excellent ductility, corrosion resistance, high melt and boiling points and good electrical and thermal conductivities. Nowadays, it is mostly used in the manufacture of capacitors, due to excellent dielectric properties of its oxides. In the nature, tantalum occurs in the form of oxide and it is extracted mainly from tantalite-columbite ores. The tantalum is usually produced by the reduction of its oxide, using reductants like carbon, silicon, calcium, magnesium and aluminum. Among these techniques, the aluminothermic reduction has been used as the industrial method to produce niobium, tantalum and their alloys, due to the easy removal of the Al and Al2O3 of the system, easing further refining. In conventional aluminothermic reduction an electrical resistance is used to trigger the reaction. This reaction self-propagates for all the volume of material. In this work, we have developed a novel technique of aluminothermic reduction that uses the hydrogen plasma to trigger the reaction. The results obtained by XRD, SEM and EDS show that is possible to obtain a compound rich in tantalum through this technique of aluminothermic reduction in the plasma reactor

Redução aluminotérmica do óxido de tântalo usando uma tocha de plasma como ignitor

In this work was used a plasma torch of non transferred arc with argon as work gas, using a power supply with maximum DC current of 250 A and voltage of 30 V to activate the plasma and keep it switched on. The flame temperature was characterized by optical emission spectroscopy, through Boltzmann-plot-method. The torch has been used like igniter in the aluminothermic reduction of the mixture tantalum oxide and aluminum, seeking to obtain metallic tantalum. In heating of the reagents only one particle will be considered to study interactions between plasma-particle, seeking to determinate its fusion and residence time. The early powders were characterized by laser granulometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction analysis. The final product of this reaction was characterized by SEM and X-ray diffraction. Crystallite size was calculated by the Scherrer equation and microdeformation was determined using Willamsom-Hall graph. With Rietveld method was possible to quantify the percentile in weight of the products obtained in the aluminothermic reaction. Semi-quantitative chemical analysis (EDS) confirmed the presence of metallic tantalum and Al2O3 as products of the reduction. As was waited the particle size of the metallic tantalum produced, presents values in nanometric scale due the short cooling time of those particles during the process