Optical properties of the MoO3-TiO2 particulate system and its use as a ceramic pigment

Mo-doped TiO2 powders were prepared using a dry mixture of TiO2 and MoO3 oxides with several compositions, followed by a calcination step at several temperatures. The resulting oxide system develops yellow and green tones. The XRD patterns showed only traces of MoO 3; however, EDS results, combined with TG/DTA data, confirmed the presence of molybdenum ions, suggesting that the changes in optical properties of the oxide system is due to the incorporation of Mo ions into the TiO 2 matrix, substituting Ti+4 with Mo+6 ions. The band gap decreased with increasing of MoO3 content; on the other hand, the band gap reached a maximum value at about 850°C to 910°C when plotted as a function of the calcination temperature. The glazes produced showed that the oxide system under study is a potential material for use as abinary ceramic pigment. Copyright © 2013 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Aquatic Exercise is as Effective as dry Land Training to Blood Pressure Reduction in Postmenopausal Hypertensive Women

Background and Purpose: The evidence of the benefits from regular physical activity to hypertensives is based on dry land training studies. Therefore, the aim of this study is to compare the effect of aquatic exercise with dry land training on hypertensive women. Methods: This is a randomized controlled study with 52 post-menopausal hypertensive women. The patients were randomly allocated in three groups: water aerobic training group (n=19), dry land aerobic training group (n=19) and a non-intervention control group (n=14). The training protocol was performed by 12weeks. Results: There were no differences among the three groups concerning basal blood pressure (BP) and biochemical variables. In water group, there was a statistically significant reduction of systolic BP from 136±16mmHg at zero week to 124±18mm Hg at 11th week and 124±15mmHg at 12th week. In dry land training group, there was a statistically significant reduction of systolic BP from 138±15mmHg at zero week to 125±10mmHg at 7th week, 127±10mmHg at 10th week and 126±9mmHg at 12th week. The control group presented no change in any of the assessed variables. No changes were carried out in any antihypertensive medications during study. Discussion: This is a randomized controlled study that demonstrates the antihypertensive efficacy of aerobic aquatic exercise. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Disponibilidade de fósforo em função da aplicação de calcário e silicatos em solos oxídicos

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

A ressonância magnética no estudo da desintegração de comprimidos marcados com açaí (Euterpe oleracea)

Pós-graduação em Biologia Geral e Aplicada - IBB

Reimplante de dentes de ratos após uso do leite em pó como meio de conservação

Pós-graduação em Odontologia - FOA

Avaliação da conversão da resina composta polimerizada com luz halógena e LED com espectometria do infravermelho

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Construção e desenvolvimento de um secador de leito pulso-fluidizado para secagem de pastas e polpas

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Contribuição para a otimização de traços de concreto utilizados na produção de blocos estruturais

Pós-graduação em Engenharia Civil - FEIS

Fabricação e caracterização de fios supercondutores do sistema BSCCO pelo método Powder-In-Tube (PIT)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Desenvolvimento de larenjeira 'Pera' Citrus Sinensis (L.) Osbeck enxertada em limoeiro 'Cravo' (Citrus Limonia) e cultivada em pó de balsalto

Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Botânica) - IBB

Avaliação agronômica de fontes e doses de fósforo para o capim-Tifton 85

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Produção Vegetal) - FCAV

Papel protetor da laringe e da traquéia proximal na prevenção de lesões epiteliais causadas pela inalação de gases condicionados: estudo experimental em cães

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Bromophenol blue discoloration using peroxidase immobilized on highly activated corncob powder

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of peroxidase immobilized on corncob powder for the discoloration of dye. Peroxidase was extracted from soybean seed coat, followed by amination of the surface of the tertiary structure. The aminated peroxidase was immobilized on highly activated corncob powder and employed for the discoloration of bromophenol blue. Amination was performed with 10 or 50 mmol.L-1carbodiimide and 1 mol.L-1ethylenediamine. The amount of protein in the extract was 0.235 ± 0.011 mg.mL-1and specific peroxidase activity was 86.06 ± 1.52 µmol min-1.mg-1, using 1 mmol.L-1ABTS as substrate. Ten mmol.L-1and 50 mmol.L-1 aminated peroxidase retained 88 and 100% of the initial activity. Following covalent immobilization on a corncob powder-glyoxyl support, 10 and 50 mmol.L-1aminated peroxidase retained 74 and 86% of activity, respectively. Derivatives were used for the discoloration of 0.02 mmol.L-1bromophenol blue solution. After 30 min, 93 and 89% discoloration was achieved with the 10 mmol.L-1and 50 mmol.L-1derivatives, respectively. Moreover, these derivatives retained 60% of the catalytic properties when used three times. Peroxidase extracted from soybean seed coat immobilized on a low-cost corncob powder support exhibited improved thermal stability. Keywords: Peroxidases. Multipoint immobilization of enzymes. Aminated enzymes. Corncob powder. RESUMO Descoloração de azul de bromofenol utilizando peroxidase imobilizada em pó de sabugo de milho altamente ativado Nesta pesquisa a enzima peroxidase foi extraída do tegumento de sementes de soja, e a superfície da estrutura terciária foi aminada. A peroxidase aminada foi imobilizada em suporte pó de sabugo de milho altamente ativado e utilizado na descoloração de azul de bromofenol. A aminação da peroxidase foi realizada com carbodiimida em concentrações de 10 e 50 mmol.L-1, e 1 mol.L-1de etilenodiamina. A quantidade de proteínas no extrato foi de 0,235 ± 0,011 mg.mL-1, e a atividade específica da peroxidase foi 86,06 ± 1,52 µmol min-1.mg-1, usando 1 mmol.L-1de ABTS como substrato. A peroxidase aminada a 10 mmol.L-1reteve 88% e a aminada a 50 mmol.L-1reteve 100% da atividade inicial. As peroxidases aminadas a 10 ou 50 mmol.L-1foram covalentemente imobilizadas em suporte glioxil-pó de sabugo de milho com atividade recuperada de 74% e 86%, respectivamente. Os derivados obtidos foram utilizados na descoloração de solução de azul de bromofenol 0,02 mmol.L-1. Após 30 min 93% de descoloração foram alcançados com o derivado glioxil-pó de sabugo de milho com a peroxidase aminada 10 mmol.L-1e 89% com a aminada 50 mmol.L-1. Estes derivados mantiveram 60% das propriedades catalíticas, quando utilizado por três vezes. A peroxidase extraída do tegumento da semente de soja imobilizada em suporte de baixo custo pó de sabugo de milho apresentou melhoria na estabilidade térmica da enzima. Palavras-chave: Peroxidases. Imobilização multipontual de enzimas. Aminação de enzimas. Pó de sabugo de milho.

Accumulation of dry mass and macronutrients by sourgrass plants

The experiment was carried out aiming to analyze the dry mass production and distribution and the content and accumulation of macronutrients in sourgrass (Digitaria insularis) plants cultivated under mineral nutrition standard conditions. Plants grew in 7-liter pots filled with sand substrate and daily irrigated with nutrient solution, being maintained under greenhouse conditions. Treatments consisted of times of evaluation (21, 35, 49, 63, 77, 91, 105, 119, and 133 days after emergence - DAE) and were arranged in a completely randomized design with four replicates. Sourgrass showed small accumulation of dry mass (0.3 g per plant) and macronutrients (3.7 mg of N per plant, 0.4 mg of P per plant, 5.6 mg of K per plant, 0.9 mg of Ca per plant, 0.7 mg of Mg per plant, and 0.3 mg of S per plant) at vegetative growth stage (< 49 DAE). Those accumulations increased mainly after 77 DAE, reaching the maximum theoretical value at 143, 135, 141, 129, 125, 120, and 128 DAE, for dry mass (12.4 g per plant), N (163.2 mg per plant), P (27.1 mg per plant), K (260.5 mg per plant), Ca (47.6 mg per plant), Mg (30.9 mg per plant), and S (13.7 mg per plant), respectively. K and N were found with higher rates and, as a consequence, they were required and accumulated in greater amounts in plant tissues of sourgrass.

Alternative substrates in the production of lettuce seedlings and their productivity in the field

Based on the hypothesis that alternative substrates should improve the yield of lettuce crops by producing better quality seedlings, the objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of different substrates on the production of seedlings of this species, and their growth in the field. The study was in two stages. The first consisted of the production of lettuce seedlings, and the second assessed their development in the field. Four alternative substrates were tested, obtained by mixing together a sieved vermicompost from which all clumps had been removed, sterilized sand, charred rice husks and basalt powder. The commercial substrate, Plantmax HA®, was also tested. In the first phase, which was conducted in a completely randomised design with four replications, the height, root length, number of leaves, leaf area and dry weight of the seedlings were all evaluated 28 days after sowing. In the second phase, which was carried out in the field in a randomised block design with four replications, the plants were harvested 50 days after transplanting and the head diameter, fresh weight, number of leaves and leaf and stem dry weight were evaluated. The alternative substrates produced larger seedlings in less time than the commercial substrate, resulting in a reduction of 10 days in the total crop cycle. The reduction in the time between sowing and harvesting, together with those aspects relating to sustainability, are the main advantages of the use of alternative substrates, since in the field crop production did not differ between treatments.