Análise de fatores genéticos e ambientais que afetam a infestação de fêmeas bovinas da raça Caracu por carrapatos (Boophilus microplus)

Este trabalho foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito de fatores de meio sobre a infestação de bovinos Caracu pelo carrapato Boophilus microplus (Canestrini, 1887) e estimar parâmetros genéticos do grau de infestação por esse ectoparasita. Foram realizadas contagens em fêmeas de dois rebanhos, nas quatro estações, por dois anos consecutivos (setembro/1998 a julho/2000). Contou-se o número de carrapatos (NC) em um dos lados do animal e atribuiu-se escore visual (EC) de acordo com a quantidade de carrapatos no animal. Foram feitas de uma a oito avaliações, totalizando-se 4.079 e 3.994 observações de NC e EC, respectivamente, em 718 animais. Os dados foram analisados pelo método dos quadrados mínimos com um modelo que incluiu efeitos de rebanho (R), cor do animal (C), R x C, animal dentro de R x C como erro a, ano e estação da avaliação, espessura de pelame e idade do animal como covariável. As estimativas dos componentes de variância foram obtidas pelo método da máxima verossimilhança restrita livre de derivadas, utilizando-se um modelo que incluiu os efeitos fixos de grupo de contemporâneos (fazenda-ano-época), espessura do pelame e idade do animal como covariável e os efeitos aleatórios aditivos diretos e de ambiente permanente. Antes das análises, a variável NC foi transformada para log10 (n + 1) e EC para (x + 0,5)½, em que n é o número de carrapatos contados no animal e x, o escore (0 a 4). A incidência de carrapatos foi maior no verão e, quanto maior a espessura do pelame, maior o nível de infestação. As estimativas de herdabilidade e repetibilidade foram, respectivamente, 0,22 e 0,29 para NC e 0,15 e 0,21 para EC; a correlação genética entre NC e EC foi igual a 1,00. Os resultados sugerem que é possível obter progresso genético para resistência a carrapato pela seleção.

Herdabilidades e correlações genéticas de características de machos e fêmeas, em um rebanho bovino da raça Canchim

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estimar as herdabilidades e as correlações genéticas do peso (P12) e do perímetro escrotal (PE12) de machos aos 12 meses de idade, da idade de descarte (TPR, tempo de permanência no rebanho) de fêmeas e do número (ND10) e de quilogramas (QD10) de bezerros desmamados pelas fêmeas em até dez anos de idade, em um rebanho da raça Canchim. Foram utilizadas 1.370, 826, 826, 2.726 e 1.051 observações de TPR, ND10, QD10, P12 e PE12, respectivamente. As estimativas dos componentes de (co)variância foram obtidas pelo método bayesiano, para todas as características em questão, P12, PE12, TPR, ND10 e QD10. O modelo estatístico incluiu, além dos efeitos aleatórios genético aditivo direto e residual, os efeitos fixos de ano de nascimento do animal para todas as características, de mês de nascimento para P12 e PE12 e da covariável idade do animal para PE12. As estimativas de herdabilidade, obtidas pelas análises unicaráter foram iguais a 0,38; 0,52; 0,24; 0,33 e 0,34 para P12, PE12, TPR, ND10 e QD10, respectivamente, indicando que as características possuem variação genética aditiva suficiente para apresentar boa resposta à seleção. As correlações genéticas de TPR (0,33 e 0,33, respectivamente), ND10 (0,38 e 0,30, respectivamente) e QD10 (0,61 e 0,41, respectivamente) com P12 e PE12, obtidas pelas análises bicaráter, sugerem que a seleção com base no peso e no perímetro escrotal dos machos não deve resultar em decréscimo no tempo de permanência das fêmeas no rebanho e no número e quilogramas de bezerros produzidos pelas fêmeas em até dez anos de idade.

Cathodic stripping voltammetric determination of ceftazidime in urine at a hanging mercury drop electrode

A method was developed for the differential-pulse cathodic stripping voltammetric determination of ceftazidime with a hanging mercury drop electrode using its reduction peak at -0.43 V in Britton-Robinson buffer pH 4.0. The optimum accumulation potential and time were -0.15 V and up to 60 s, respectively. Linear calibration graphs were obtained from 1 x 10(-8) M and 1.5 x 10(-7) M. The limit of determination was calculated to be 5 x 10(-9) M. The coefficient of variation was 4% (n = 7) at 1 x 10(-7) M ceftazidime. The effect of various components of urine on the voltammetric response was studied, and creatinine, uric acid, urea, and glucose were shown to interfere in the method. Ceftazidime bound to human albumin gives a unique stripping peak at -0.48 V. Recoveries of 87% +/- 2% of the ceftazidime (n = 5) were obtained from urine spiked with 1.27 mu g ml(-1) using C-18 solid phase extraction cartridges. (C) 1997 Academic Press.

Optical modeling of aspherical lenses: a human eye study

We have been developing a computational code to project optical lenses, with low aberration effects. Our main interest is model the human eye, particularly, project special corrective lenses. As the lens shape is the focus of the optimization, we have coupled a ray tracing method with Monte Carlo techniques. The initial results indicated that the algorithm must be improved in terms of resolution and reliability.

Study of alternative schemes for the parameterization step of the continuation power flow method based on physical parameters, part II: Performance evaluation

New parameterization schemes have been proposed by the authors in Part I of this paper. In this part these new options for the parameterization of power flow equations are tested, namely, the total power losses (real and reactive), the power at the slack bus (real or reactive), the reactive power at generation buses, and the transmission line power losses (real and reactive). These different parameterization schemes can be used to obtain the maximum loading point without ill-conditioning problems, once the singularity of Jacobian matrix is avoided. The results obtained with the new approach for the IEEE test systems (14, 30, 57, and 118 buses) show that the characteristics of the conventional method are not only preserved but also improved. In addition, it is shown that the proposed method and the conventional one can be switched during the tracing of PV curves to determine, with few iterations, all points of the PV curve. Several tests were also carried out to compare the performance of the proposed parameterization schemes for the continuation power flow method with the use of both the secant and tangent predictors.

Effect of thermocycling on bond strength and elasticity of 4 long-term soft denture liners

Statement of problem. Two problems found in prostheses with soft liners are bond failure to the acrylic resin base and loss of elasticity due to material aging.Purpose. This in vitro study evaluated the effect of thermocycling on the bond strength and elasticity of 4 long-term soft denture liners to acrylic resin bases.Material and methods. Four soft lining materials (Molloplast-B, Flexor, Permasoft, and Pro Tech) and 2 acrylic resins (Classico, and Lucitone 199) were processed for testing according to manufacturers' instructions. Twenty rectangular specimens (10 X 10-mm(2) cross-sectional area) and twenty cylinder specimens (12.7-mm diameter X 19.0-mm height) for each liner/resin combination were used for the tensile and deformation tests, respectively. Specimen shape and liner thickness were standardized. Samples were divided into a test group that was thermocycled 3000 times and a control group that was stored for 24 hours in water at 37degreesC. Mean bond strength, expressed in megapascals (Wa), was determined in the tensile test with the use of a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 5 mm/min. Elasticity, expressed as percent of permanent deformation, was calculated with an instrument for measuring permanent deformation described in ADA/ANSI specification 18. Data from both tests were examined with 1-way analysis of variance and a Tukey test, with calculation of a Scheffe interval at a 95% confidence level.Results. In the tensile test under control conditions, Molloplast-B (1.51 +/- 0.28 MPa [mean SD]) and Pro Tech (1.44 +/- 0.27 MPa) liners had higher bond strength values than the others (P < .05). With regard to the permanent deformation test, the lowest values were observed for Molloplast-B (0.48% +/- 0.19%) and Flexor (0.44% +/- 0.14%) (P < .05). Under thermocycling conditions, the highest bond strength occurred with Molloplast-B (1.37 +/- 0.24 MPa) (P < .05) With regard to the deformation test, Flexor (0.46% +/- 0.13%) and Molloplast-B (0.44% +/- 0.17%) liners had lower deformation values than the others (P < .05).Conclusion. The results of this in vitro study indicated that bond strength and permanent deformity values of the 4 soft denture liners tested varied according to their chemical composition. These tests are not completely valid for application to dental restorations because the forces they encounter are more closely related to shear and tear. However, the above protocol serves as a good method of investigation to evaluate differences between thermocycled and control groups.

The influence of the thickness on the functional properties of cassava starch edible films

The properties of edible films are influenced by several factors, including thickness. The purpose of this paper was to study the influence of thickness on the viscoelasticity properties, water vapor permeability, color and opacity of cassava starch edible films. These films were prepared by a casting technique, the film-forming solutions were 1, 2, 3 and 4% (w/v) of starch, heated to 70degreesC. Different thicknesses were obtained by putting 15 to 70 g of each solution on plexiglass plates. After drying at 30degreesC and ambient relative humidity, these samples were placed for 6 days at RH of 75%, at 22degreesC. The sample thicknesses were determined by a digital micrometer (+/-0.001 mm), as the average of nine different points. The viscoelasticity properties were determined by stress relaxation tests with a texture analyser TA.XT2i (SMS), being applied the Burgers model of four parameters. The water vapor permeability was determined with a gravimetric method, and color and opacity were determined using a Miniscan XE colorimeter, operated according to the Hunterlab method. All the tests were carried out in duplicate at 22degreesC. Practically, the four visco-elasticity properties calculated by the Burgers model had the same behavior, increasing with the thickness of all films, according to a power law model. The water vapor permeability and the color difference increased linearly with the thickness (0.013-0.144 mm) of all films prepared with solution of 1 to 4% of starch. on the other hand, the effect of the variation of the thickness over the opacity, was more important in the films with 1 and 2% of starch. It can be concluded that the control of the thickness in the elaboration of starch films by the casting technique is of extreme importance.

SAXS study of crotapotin at low pH

The structure of crotapotin, a protein extracted from the venom of the Crotalus durissus terrificus, in solution at pH = 1.5, was studied by SAXS. The experimental results yield structural parameter values of the molecular radius of gyration R(g) = 13.6 angstrom, volume v = 16.2 x 10(3) angstrom3 and maximal dimension D(max) = 46 angstrom. The distance distribution function deduced from the scattering measurements is consistent with an overall molecular shape of an oblate ellipsoid of revolution with assymetry parameter nu = 0.45.

Intestinal starch disappearance increased in steers abomasally infused with starch and protein

Steers (379 +/- 10 kg) with ruminal, duodenal, and ileal cannulas were used in a 5 x 5 Latin square digestion trial to quantify and evaluate the relationship between intestinal protein supply and intestinal starch disappearance. Treatments were infusions of 0, 50, 100, 150, or 200 g/d of casein along with 1,042 g/d of raw cornstarch. Abomasal infusions were accomplished by passing tubing and a pliable retaining washer through the reticular-omasal orifice into the abomasum. Steers were fed a 93% corn silage, 7% supplement diet that contained 12% crude protein at 1.65% body weight in 12 equal portions/d. Periods lasted 17 d (12 d for adaptation, 2 d of collections, and 3 d of rest). The quantity and percentage of organic matter and protein disappearance from the small intestine increased linearly (P < 0.03) with infused casein. Greater quantities of starch disappeared with increased casein infusion (P < 0.01). The infusion of 200 g/d of casein increased small intestinal starch disappearance by 226 g/d over the control. Casein infusion did not affect the quantity or percent of organic matter, starch, or protein disappearance in the large intestine. Treatments did not change ruminal ammonia N, ruminal pH, or plasma glucose concentrations. Starch disappearance from the small intestine was increased with greater protein flow to the duodenum of steers.

A theoretical analysis of the TiO2/Sn doped (110) surface properties

We have used the periodic quantum-mechanical method with density functional theory at the B3LYP level in order to study TiO2/Sn doped (1 1 0) surfaces and have investigated the structural, electronic and energy band properties of these oxides. Our calculated relaxation directions for TiO2 is the experimental one and is also in agreement with other theoretical results. We also observe for the doped systems relaxation of lattice positions of the atoms. Modification of Sri, O and Ti charges depend on the planes and positions of the substituted atoms. Doping can modify the Fermi levels, energy gaps as well as the localization and composition of both valence and conduction band main components. Doping can also modify the chemical, electronic and optical properties of these oxides surfaces increasing their suitability for use as gas sensors and optoelectronic devices. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Lignin from sugar cane bagasse: Extraction, fabrication of nanostructured films, and application

Four lignin samples were extracted from sugar cane bagasse using four different alcohols (methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, and 1-butanol) via the organosolv-CO2 supercritical pulping process. Langmuir films were characterized by surface pressure vs mean molecular area (Pi-A) isotherms to exploit information at the molecular level carrying out stability tests, cycles of compression/expansion (hysteresis), subphase temperature variations, and metallic ions dissolved into the water subphase at different concentrations. Briefly, it was observed that these lignins are relatively stable on the water surface when compared to those obtained via different extraction processes. Besides, the Pi-A isotherms are shifted to smaller molecular areas at higher subphase temperatures and to larger molecular areas when the metallic ions are dissolved into the subphase. The results are related to the formation of stable aggregates (domains) onto the water subphase by these lignins, as shown in the Pi-A isotherms. It was found as well that the most stable lignin monolayer onto the water subphase is that extracted with 1-butanol. Homogeneous Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films of this lignin could be produced as confirmed by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy and the cumulative transfer parameter. In addition, FTIR analysis showed that this lignin LB film is structured in a way that the phenyl groups are organized preferentially parallel to the substrate surface. Further, these LB films were deposited onto gold interdigitated electrodes and ITO and applied in studies involving the detection of Cd+2 ions in aqueous solutions at low concentration levels throughimpedance spectroscopy and electrochemical measurements. FTIR spectroscopy was carried out before and after soaking the thin films into Cd+2 aqueous solutions, revealing a possible physical interaction between the lignin phenyl groups and the heavy metal ions. The importance of using nanostructured systems is demonstrated as well by comparing both LB and cast films.

Analytical and Monte Carlo approaches to evaluate probability distributions of interruption duration

Regulatory authorities in many countries, in order to maintain an acceptable balance between appropriate customer service qualities and costs, are introducing a performance-based regulation. These regulations impose penalties-and, in some cases, rewards-that introduce a component of financial risk to an electric power utility due to the uncertainty associated with preserving a specific level of system reliability. In Brazil, for instance, one of the reliability indices receiving special attention by the utilities is the maximum continuous interruption duration (MCID) per customer.This parameter is responsible for the majority of penalties in many electric distribution utilities. This paper describes analytical and Monte Carlo simulation approaches to evaluate probability distributions of interruption duration indices. More emphasis will be given to the development of an analytical method to assess the probability distribution associated with the parameter MCID and the correspond ng penalties. Case studies on a simple distribution network and on a real Brazilian distribution system are presented and discussed.

Dermal mast cell counts in F2 Holstein x Gir crossbred cattle artificially infested with the tick Boophilus microplus (Acari : Ixodidae)

The role of dermal mast cells (DMC) in the host resistance to ticks has been studied but it is not totally explained yet. Studies have proposed that zebuine cattle breeds, known as highly resistant to ticks, have more DMC than taurine breeds. In the present study, we compared the number of adult female ticks Boophilus microplus and the mast cells' countings in the skin of F-2 crossbred Gir x Holstein cattle, before and after tick infestation. F-2 crossbred cattle (n = 148) were divided into seven groups and artificially infested with 1.0 x 10(4) B. nticroplus larvae and, 21 days afterwards, adult female-fed ticks attached to the skin were counted. Skin biopsies were taken and examined under light microscopy with a square-lined ocular reticulum in a total area of 0.0625 mm(2) in both the superficial and deep dermis. Results demonstrated that infested F-2 crossbred cattle acquired resistance against the cattle-tick B. microplus probably associated to an increase in the dermal mast cell number. It is concluded that the tick infestation may lead to an environmental modification in the dermis of parasitized hosts due to the massive migration of mast cells or their local proliferation.

Determination of the betaine content of feed ingredients using high-performance liquid chromatography

A series of studies was conducted to establish a methodology for the accurate and efficient determination of betaine in different feed ingredients. The final methodology involves an extraction step in which the feed sample is heated for 3h in a methanolic KOH solution using a Goldfisch apparatus. Impurities are removed by the addition of activated charcoal and concentrated (36%) HCl. After centrifugation the extractant is passed through a strong cation exchange resin (Dowex 50W-X12, H+). The betaine retained in the column is eluted with 1.5 N HCl. A 2 nil aliquot of the elute is air dried and reconstituted with 1 ml of deionised water. HPLC separation with a cation exchange column (Partisil SCX-10) is used for the separation of betaine from other compounds. The mobile phase is kept constant at 50mm KH2PO4 in water, and eluted compounds are detected by UV absorbance (200nm). The flow rate is maintained at 1.5ml min(-1). This assay is very accurate over the range of betaine concentrations from 15 to 650 mug ml(-1), with a lower detection limit in feeds of approximately 500 mug g(-1) when 4g of sample is extracted. Recovery assays done with standard betaine hydrochloride and hard red wheat resulted in a consistent recovery of 80%. Betaine content was quantified in several feed ingredients, including alfalfa (1.77 mg kg(-1)), wheat (3.96 mg kg(-1)), wheat middlings (4.98 mg kg(-1)) and poultry meal (0.77 mg kg(-1)). Betaine in corn and soybean meal was not detectable by this method, even when 16g of sample was used (<125 mg kg(-1)). Betaine present in several feed ingredients should influence choline supplementation to animal feeds and may have implications for human health. (C) 2002 Society of Chemical Industry.

3D hydrogen-bonded network built from copper(II) complexes of 1,3-propanediamine

The reaction of Cu(NO3)(2).3H(2)O with 1,3-propanediamine (pn), in the presence of NaN3, afforded a 1:1 co-crystal formed by [Cu(NO3)(2)(pn)(2)] and [Cu(N-3)(NO3)(pn)(2)] (1 and 2), which were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffraction. In both compounds, the copper(II) centers are in a distorted octahedral environment, formed by four N atoms of two bidentate pn ligands in the basal plane, whereas the axial bonds are formed by two O atoms from the nitrate ligands in 1 and one O atom from the nitrate ligand and one N atom from the azide ion in 2. The asymmetric unit of the crystal consists of two crystallographically independent 1 and 2 complexes, which are held together in a 3D network by a series of N - H center dot center dot center dot O and N - H center dot center dot center dot N hydrogen bonds, as well C - H center dot center dot center dot O interactions. New supramolecular synthons are identified by the occurrence of two geometrically distinct molecular recognition patterns involving the NO3- ion and amino groups from pn ligands.