Estudos estruturais por difração de raios X de fosfolipases A2 em presença de íons com importância funcional

Snakes from Bothrops genus are responsible for more than 90% of the ophidian accidents in Brazil. One of the main complications from this kind of accident is muscular necrosis, which is related to the action of phospholipases A2 and metalloproteases, two groups of enzymes found in the venom of these animals. Although this complication cannot be solved by serum therapy administration, a great number of studies have been performed with the attempt to know the pharmacological sites of these toxins aiming, in the future, the development of complementary treatments to serum therapy. This work proposes structural studies of bothropic phospholipases A2 (PLA2s) in the presence of ions relevant to their activity, using the X-ray crystallography technique. Recently, it was demonstrated ions, as manganese, calcium and others, interfere in the biological activity of the PLA2s. Particularly, Lys49-PLA2s in the presence of manganese ions have miotoxicity reduced. Asp49-PLA2s show catalytic activity dependent of calcium, although structural studies with a miotoxic Asp49-PLA2, BthTX-II, suggest a possible catalytic mechanism independent of calcium. Therefore, co-crystallization of BthTX-II in the presence of calcium ions and of PrTX-I in the presence of manganese ions were performed. Comparative structural studies among obtained results and others already published in the literature were performed aiming a better understanding of the structure-function relationship of these toxins. The BthTX-II with the presence of calcium do not show this ion in the loop of coordination of calcium, presence necessary to develop the catalyses. After comparison of this model with the native one, only one distortion was found, but no apparent relationship with the residues responsible for its activity. In the PrTX-I structure, regions candidates of manganese ions were also found... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Transportador de correia: componentes e cálculos básicos para seu dimensionamento

Increasingly, people searches for an efficient and economic way for transporting bulk materials. Transport through belts is now the most widely used mean for transporting bulk materials, used by companies from various sectors such as mining, quarrying, agribusiness, etc. There are many advantages of using a conveyor belt as compared to rail or by truck. Trucks needs a driver, have a high risk of accidents as well as a high cost for maintenance and as well as trains, after making the downloading of the material, return empty to the next load. The cost for the construction of a railway is very high, making it often impossible. The conveyor belt have a high cost of installation, but it works 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The upper side of the belt is always loaded, the maintenance cost is average and the risk of accidents is low, causing it to be the ideal way to transport bulk materials. This monography aims to interest the reader about what is a conveyor belt, what are its main components and demonstrate the basic calculations for their sizing and selection of components. Throughout the work, scaled a belt conveyor for use in the mining sector, but the concepts demonstrated apply to the transport of any material

Análise de métodos de mapeamento de perigo: uma proposta de elaboração de mapeamento de perigo de escorregamento planar de solo via utilização do método participativo

This final assignment aimed to promote a critical analysis of methods of preparation mappings danger of landslide and presentation of proposed development from the use of participative method, as an instrument to facilitate the identification of adverse geological processes. There search was executed from literature review about concept associated with geological dangers theme and the typology and characteristics of gravitational mass movements. We analyzed particularly the so-called methods of mapping danger tradicional/classic and alternative. It is believed, that integrating the work of specialists with the participation of involvedagents (local community and stake holders). This literature review and proposed work do noted in itself. You need the continuing advance in the discussion, debates and research on this topic as well as public policies that act on problems identified more concretely

Análise proteômica do veneno da vespa social Polistes lanio lanio (Hymenoptera; vespidae)

Os venenos dos insetos da ordem Hymenoptera (abelhas, vespas e formigas) são responsáveis por um grande número de acidentes causados por ferroadas. Estes acidentes podem produzir uma série de reações, variando desde uma reação local, até uma reação sistêmica e anafilaxia. Estudos mostraram que 0,8% a 5% da população mundial sofrem de reações sistêmicas generalizadas após ferroadas de insetos pertencentes à ordem Hymenoptera. As espécies pertencentes ao gênero Polistes são tipicamente encontradas no sudeste do Brasil, causando muitos acidentes por ferroadas devido principalmente à proximidade dos ninhos destes insetos das habitações humanas. P.lanio lanio é uma das vespas sociais que mais causam acidentes no Estado de São Paulo e pouco se sabe sobre a composição de seu veneno. As vespas do gênero Polistes são capazes de ferroar múltiplas vezes e causar reações alérgicas severas. Dessa forma, a identificação das proteínas mais abundantes do veneno da vespa social Polistes lanio lanio por uma abordagem proteômica, se faz necessária para uma melhor compreensão dos mecanismos de ação desse veneno. A identificação de várias proteínas do veneno de P. l. lanio, revelou importantes aspectos sobre o processo de envenenamento por vespas do gênero Polistes, os quais podem ajudar no melhor entendimento dos mecanismos de ação destes venenos. A compreensão dos principais alérgenos é uma etapa importante para o desenvolvimento de novos extratos específicos para diagnósticos de alergia e imunoterapia de pacientes sensíveis ao veneno de vespas.

Levantamento de animais silvestres atropelados em rodovias da região de Ribeirão Preto-SP nos anos de 2004 a 2006

Não disponível

Avaliação do efeito do tratamento com surfactante químico e Pseudomonas aeruginosa LBI na toxicidade de solo contaminado com óleo lubrificante usado

Petroleum and its subproducts are considered a treat for the environmental quality because of the many environmental accidents that may occur during exploitation, transport and storage. A common remediation technique used in the contaminated areas is based on the use of surfactants, mainly the chemical ones, because they have low production costs. In the other hand, some microorganisms have indicate capacities of producing surfactants that emulsify substances and as result, offer a bigger contact surface for the microbiota degradation. This biossurfactants stand out in comparison with the chemical surfactants because they present lower micelar concentration values, are more tolerant for temperature and pH variation, because they are biodegradable, have low toxicity, higher emulsification and hydrocarbon solubilization index. In this way, after the surfactant application, a toxicity evaluation have to be made to identify the treatment effects. In soil, the activity of some microbial enzymes can show the environmental behavior of the contaminant under different treatment conditions. Dehydrogenase is one example of those enzymes that can demonstrate indirectly the effect of the pollutant on the soil microorganisms. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the toxicity after the addition of a surfactant and/or Pseudomonas aeruginosa LBI in soil contaminated by a mineral automotive lubricant. The previous mentioned bacteria are a potential biossurfactant (rhamnolipid) producer. In order to evaluate the toxicity, the dehydrogenase test was run. In this test, trifeniltetrazolium compound (TTC) after utilized as an electron acceptor, turns into trifenil formazan (TPF), that can be indirectly quantified using the absorbance measured by the spectrophotometer UV-visible. In this way, it was possible to quantify the dehydrogenase activity from the contaminated soil samples... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Os ventos e seus impactos na área urbana de Rio Claro (SP) entre 2005 e 2010: um análise através dos jornais e dos boletins de ocorrência

The intensive development in the urbanization process implied a series of economic, social, and gradually, environmental transformations, essentially, since its intensification, which took place from the Industrial Revolution in Europe and North America. In Latin American countries, including Brazil, there was such acceleration in urban sprawl, only in the middle of the twentieth century, fomented by a peculiar industrialization, coming from the scientific-technical revolution, which occurred in developing countries. In this context, and with a lack of planning and an effective organization, cities of the dependent countries face an inordinate population growth and an unprecedented industrial swelling. Brazil, following this trend, presents several issues regarding the gaps in the provision of necessary infrastructure to meet the most basic needs of its population and the intense activity and anthropogenic effects on the environment. In this sense, environmental problems, related to air and water pollution, degradation and contamination of soil, paving roads, reduction of green areas, urban heat island, among others, reaching ever deeper into the Brazilian urban areas. It is important the analysis in this final project, the weather events related to episodes of strong winds and the events and the impacts to the population of Rio Claro (SP) in the period 2005 to 2010, basing themselves in Geographical Climatology and Urban climate studies. In this scenario, we found the prevalence of occurrences linked to falling trees in the study area, connected, at the same time, to the occurrence and to the absence of episodes of extreme events, with measurements of strong winds, showing a connection between the events and external facts to episodes of winds

Estudo de repelência com diversos produtos de origem natural em operárias de Apis mellifera em semi-campo

Accidents involving insects of the Hymenoptera order occur very often with both human beings and domestic pets and, in Brazil, they include aggravated cases with Africanized bees (Apis mellifera). The aggravation of deforestation and the lack of awareness regarding the subject are factors that contribute to the rise of the number of bees in the urban environment. This fact has been causing several derangements among the population because, once these insects are bothered, they become very aggressive. Considering the risks to population and the great amount of accidents that could be avoided, the development of researches with the goal of determining repelling substances is rather important. Therefore, this research evaluated the repelling action of essential natural oils obtained from rosemary (Rosmarinus oficinalis), lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus), thyme (Thymus vulgaris), cedar (Juniperus virginiana), clove (Syzygium aromaticum) and mint (Mentha piperita) on A. mellifera Africanized worker bees in both semi-field and aggressiveness tests. Among the evaluated composites, the lemongrass, mint and clove essential natural oils presented a grater repelling effect, inhibiting the bees’ visitation to the managed feeders almost completely. The cedar essential natural oil was the least effective composite, and the rest of the tested oils presented satisfactory repellency, which became less effective over time, according to non-parametric Mann-Whitney test. However, further tests showed that only the lemongrass essential natural oil caused a less aggressive response from the bees, which can confirm the repelling power of this composite. This way, according to the results obtained through this research, lemongrass presents a greater potential to the development of effective repelling formulas against Africanized bees (Apis mellifera)

Projeto de um transdutor binocular utilizando extensometria e aplicação na pesagem rodoviária

With the passage of time, the variety of companies from each branch has gradually grown throughout the country. As a consequence, the logistics to attend to such demand has grown in the same proportion. One factor to highlight about this rapid growth is the increase of freight vehicles roaming the roads, often carrying loads over the limit established by law. At first it may seem that this would not bring any problem, however, note that an excessive number of overloads ends up deteriorating the asphalt, causing ondulations, potholes and other imperfections on the roads, which can cause accidents. In addition, the money spent for the maintenance of the roads is high. Thinking about it, it was established by law a regulation that restricts the weight limit for these vehicles, through axle weighing, subject to a fine. With this control the road floor is preserved for longer, requiring less maintenance expenses. The weighing stations use load cells to display the inferred weight, these cells use strain gages in its construction. The following work presents a methodology to dimension a binocular load cell, its main elements and its dimensioning. Showing how different materials can affect the dimensioning, so that can work satisfactorily. It also presents an overview of how are the parameters for weighing, and fines

Implementação de um sistema de informação para cartas de sensibilidade ambiental a derrames de óleo e elaboração de mapas de vulnerabilidade ambiental a derrames de óleo para o município de Caraguatatuba-SP

Fossil fuels are the main energy sources of the modern industrial age. Very sophisticated processes have been developed to extract these resources, due to increased demand on a global scale, as the extraction of oil. However, the complexity of these processes can cause accidents such as the release of oil to seas and oceans. In this context, this study proposes to carry out the implementation of a system of information to charts of environmental sensitivity to oil and prepare maps of vulnerability to oil for the city of Caraguatatuba-SP. The implementation of the database with geographical information of coastal environments was appropriate to be provided by the Internet, allowing wide access of data. The maps of vulnerability are important tool developed for the Individual Emergency Plans, because they were developed in operational scale, appropriate to actions to combat oil.

Criopreservação de sêmen de epidídimo de garanhões

It is a fact that Brasil has a featured position in the equine market due to the size and the high quality of its squad. To keep the competitivity, the reproduction biotechnologies have a big and important role. The cryopreservation of stallion semen, for example, generates innumerous advantages, which includes: larger number of obtained doses, storing genetic material for undetermined time, using the semen of a good stallion even after its dead or any other event that makes both semen collection and mating impossible, etc. In this context, the cryopreservation of epididymal sperm, has been seen as a promising technique in equine reproduction. The epididymal cauda has a significant quantity of fertile spermatozoa and this ensures a huge store of cells in cases of unexpected accidents, which can early interrupt with the reproductive life of a stallion. Lots of studies are being developed using the cryopreservation of stallion epididymal sperm. These studies permit the propagation of high quality genetic material and make possible for the stallion owner to opt for a final semen collect in unexpected circumstances

Avaliação do ciclo de vida dos tubos de PVC produzidos no Brasil

Naturally characterizes the human being the interference in the environment to ensure their survival and also convenience. After numerous environmental accidents caused by unbridled pursuit of this goal, the concern about providing for current needs without compromising the ability of the future generations to supply their own, gained space. In order to contribute to sustainable development the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was implemented. This tool is based on the concept that if the environmental impacts of a product or service are known, it is possible to take better decisions concerning its environmental aspects. The purpose of this research is to conduct the LCA of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), the world’s second most consumed thermoplastic. The methodology described in NBR ISO 14040 and NBR ISO 14044 was followed. As a result, the LCA of polyvinyl chloride produced in Brazil was obtained, and, therefore, the inventory of the product in question adapted to Brazilian reality. The research can be applied to various studies considering that actions were taken to ensure that it represents the Brazilian reality. Moreover, the procedures were described to guarantee the greatest transparency possible

Uso do modelo de simulação 'ABC 6' para avaliação de áreas sujeitas à ocorrência de ondas de cheia e corridas de massa/detritos: estudo de caso na bacia do Ribeirão da Prata (SP)

Pipelines are linear engineering works, designed mostly for transporting oil and its derivatives for long distances, furnishing even the farthermost zones of the country. Due to oil sector needs to ensure for the safety and conservation of its properties, several geotechnical studies are being held at the pipelines field, in order to preserve this important transportation, and also to prevent accidents, which might seriously compromise the environment and the population who lives around it. The OSBRA pipeline, who connects the city of Paulínia to the capital Brasília, is one of these engineering works that deserves to be pointed out. This research, performed at the Ribeirão da Prata Basin, was a pilot study conducted with the main objective of testing the current methodology efficiency, for future applications in the closest watersheds to the OSBRA pipeline. The objective of this research is to analyze flood wave and debris flow processes in a non-fictional watershed, by comparing two different kinds of methods: the first one based on simulation models (software ‘ABC 6’), and the other one by flood wave and debris flow susceptibility mapping. The results from the hydrological modeling were both hydrographs and ietographs that estimated values of outputs and infiltration. To construct the susceptibility maps were necessary three other maps: ground use and occupation maps, divided according to the different protection degrees that were offered to the ground; maps of dam locations in the area and physiographic compartimentation maps, divided according to the local geology. To complete the methodology, the results were collected from both methods for comparison. The obtained product for this methodology was series of data whose different susceptibility degrees to flood wave and debris flow could define the safest route for a pipeline crossing in this watershed...

Diagnóstico geoambiental e avaliação de risco à saúde humana para uma área industrial contaminada por hidrocarbonetos localizada no município de Paulínia (SP)

This paper deals with a case study of assessing risk to human health, with the study area of an industrial site in the city of Paulinia (SP) contaminated by oil, which is disturbing situation that occurs in the state of Sao Paulo, which represents risks for human health, as toxic and carcinogenic potential of petroleum products. As an essential foundation for risk assessment, a Geo-environmental diagnosis of the region was made, posing as historical information of the area and accidents, regional geology and hydrogeology, characterization of contaminants and affected media, contaminant transport and data on potential receptors and pathways. Because of the detection of contaminants above the intervention values CETESB (2005) it was possible to proceeded to quantify risks to human health and the determination of maximum acceptable concentrations for no damage to health, using the methodology and software RBCA Tier 2 (ASTM , 1998) and Spreadsheet Risk Assessment recently published by CETESB. The results showed the risk to the health of industrial workers and regular employees of civil works (both on site) for ingestion of groundwater and inhalation of vapors indoors.

Implementação de um tuboexpansor na refinaria do Planalto Paulista – REPLAN com objetivo do aproveitamento da energia contida nos gases residuais do FCC – Fluid Catalytic Cracking na geração de energia elétrica

The steel type AISI 4130 (ultra-high strength steel) is an alloy of low carbon and its main alloying elements are chromium and molybdenum, which improves the toughness of the weld metal. It has numerous applications, especially where the need for high mechanical strength. It is widely used in equipment used by the aviation industry, such as cradle-tomotor, and this is the motivation for this study. Cots are of fundamental importance, because the engine supports and maintains balance in the fixed landing gear. This equipment is subjected to intense loading cycles, whose fractures caused by fatigue are constantly observed. Will be determined the effects caused by re-welding the structure of aeronautical equipment, and will also study the microstructure of the metal without welding. The studies will be done on materials used in aircraft, which was given to study. The results provide knowledge of microstructure to evaluate any type of fracture that maybe caused by fatigue. Fatigue is a major cause of aircraft accidents and incidents occurred, which makes the study of the microstructure of the metal, weld and re-solder the knowledge essential to the life of the material. The prevention and control of the process of fatigue in aircraft are critical, since the components are subjected to greater responsibility cyclic loading