Variation of the Equator due to a Highly Inclined and Eccentric Disturber

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

Electrochemical reduction and cathodic stripping voltammetric determination of clotrimazole

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

Direct and Simultaneous Determination of Cd Cu, and Se in Blood Samples by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

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

Soil remediation using a coupled process: soil washing with surfactant followed by photo-Fenton oxidation

In the present work the use of a coupled process, soil washing and photo-Fenton oxidation, was investigated for remediation of a soil contaminated with p.p'-DDT (DDT) and p.p'-DDE (DDE), and a soil artificially contaminated with diesel. In the soil washing experiments,Triton X-100(TX-100) aqueous solutions were used at different concentrations to obtain wastewaters with different compositions. Removal efficiencies of 66% (DDT). 80% (DDE) and 100% (diesel) were achieved for three sequential washings using a TX-100 solution strength equivalent to 12 times the effective critical micelle concentration of the surfactant (12 CMC(eff)). The wastewater obtained was then treated using a solar photo-Fenton process. After 6 h irradiation, 99, 95 and 100% degradation efficiencies were achieved for DDT, DDE and diesel, respectively. In all experiments, the concentration of dissolved organic carbon decreased by at least 95%, indicating that residual concentration of contaminants and/or TX-100 in the wastewater was very low. The co-extraction of metals was also evaluated. Among the metals analyzed (Pb, Cr, Ni, Cu. Cd, Mn and Co), only Cr and Mn were detected in the wastewater at concentrations above the maximum value permitted by current Brazilian legislation. The effective removal of contaminants from soil by the TX-100 washing process, together with the high degradation efficiency of the solar photo-Fenton process, suggests that this procedure could be a useful option for soil remediation. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Contaminação ambiental por compostos organoestânicos

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

Nitrate reductase activity in leaves and stems of tanner grass (Brachiaria radicans Napper)

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

Descrição de um surto de lepidopterismo (dermatite associada ao contato com mariposas) entre marinheiros, ocorrido em Salvador, Estado da Bahia

A ocorrência uma dermatite pápulo-pruriginosa em toda a tripulação de um navio comercial filipino em Salvador, BA, foi associada ao contato com mariposas do gênero Hylesia. Esta enfermidade insólita é causada por cerdas corporais das mariposas (flechettes). O relato dos casos serve como alerta para possíveis situações semelhantes.

Tests to determine LC50 and discriminating doses for macrocyclic lactones against the cattle tick, Boophilus microplus

Laboratory tests were carried out on larvae and adults of the cattle tick Boophilus microplus to determine the toxicity of macrocyclic lactone acaricides (MLs). Technical and commercial MLs were used in larval packet test (LPT), larval immersion test (LIT) and adult immersion test (AIT). Tn LIT and AIT the toxicity of MLs was much higher than for LPT. In the AIT, diluting the injectable formulation of MLs in water was as effective as dilution in ethanol + Triton X-100. LC50, LC99.9 and 95% confidence limits were determined so that a discriminating dose (DD) could be set for larval and adult tests in order to diagnose potential resistance to MLs in field samples of the tick. These DDs are for Australian strains of B. microplus and may not be suitable for other strains until further work is carried out.The value of these diagnostic tests can only be verified if or when resistance to MLs emerges in ticks. (C) 2001 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Silver as internal standard for simultaneous determination of Cd and Pb in whole blood by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

The use of internal standardization for simultaneous atomic absorption spectrometry (SIMAAS) was investigated for Cd and Pb determination in whole blood. The comparison of thermochemical and physicochemical parameters allowed the selection of Ag, Bi, and Tl as internal standard candidates. Correlation graphs, plotted from the normalized absorbance signals (n = 20) of internal standard (axis y) versus analyte ( axis x), precision and accuracy were used to select Ag as the most appropriate internal standard. Blood samples were diluted (1 + 9) with 0.11% (m/v) Triton X-100 + 1.1% (v/v) HNO3 + 0.28% (m/v) NH4H2PO4 + 10 mug L-1 Ag+. Pyrolysis and atomization temperatures for the optimized heating program were 550 and 1700 degreesC, respectively. Characteristic masses based on integrated absorbance were 1.68 +/- 0.01 pg for Cd and 30.3 +/- 0.1 pg for Pb. The detection limits (DL) were 0.095 +/- 0.001 mug L-1 and 0.86 +/- 0.01 mug L-1 for Cd and Pb, respectively. The mean RSD for all determinations was the same for Cd (13 +/- 9%) with or without Ag as internal standard ( IS). on the other hand, the use of Ag as IS improved the RSD for Pb from 3.6 +/- 4.0% to 2.2 +/- 2.0%. An effective contribution of the internal standard Ag was verified in the recoveries of spiked samples (0.5 mug L-1 Cd2+ and 5.0 mug L-1 Pb2+). The mean recoveries were 81 +/- 8% and 91 +/- 4% for Cd, and 80 +/- 11% and 93 +/- 6% for Pb without and with IS correction, respectively. This is the first application of IS for a simultaneous determination by SIMAAS.

Effect of modifiers on thermal behaviour of Se in acid digestates and slurries of vegetables by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

The influence of sample preparation strategy of vegetables on the electrothermal behaviour of Se without and with chemical modifiers such as Pd(NO3)(2), Pd(NO3)(2) + Mg(NO3)(2), Pd(NO3)(2) + Cd(NO3)(2), pre-reduced Pd, Mg(NO3)(2), and Ni(NO3)(2) was investigated. Acid digestates and slurries of vegetables (0.1% m/v in 1% m/v HNO3 + 0.005% v/v of Triton X-100) were used to prepare reference solutions or slurries. For 10 mul of each modifier tested, pyrolysis and atomization temperatures were evaluated using pyrolysis and atomization curves, respectively. Best conditions, such as thermal stability, signal profile, repeatability and sensitivity were attained using Pd(NO3)(2) as chemical modifier. The following heating program (temperature, ramp/hold time) of the graphite tube of the Varian SpectrAA-800Z atomic absorption spectrometer was used: dry step (85 degreesC, 5/0 s; 95 degreesC, 40/0 s; 120 degreesC, 10/.5 s); pyrolysis step (1400 degreesC, 10/3s); atomization step (2200 degreesC, 1/2 s); clean step (2600 degreesC, 2/0 s). This pyrolysis temperature is 800 degreesC higher than when measuring without any modifier. For 20 muL sample volume and 10 mug Pd(NO3)(2), analytical curves in the 3.0-30 mug Se 1(-1) range were obtained. The method was applied for Se determination in acid digestates and slurries of 10 vegetable samples and one standard reference material (rice flower) and results were in agreement at 95% confidence level. Recoveries varied from 89 to 95% for spiked samples. The lifetime of the graphite tube was ca. 250 firings and the relative standard deviations (n = 12) for a typical acid digestate and slurry containing 20 mug Se 1(-1) were 3.8% and 8.3%, respectively. The limits of detection were 2.0 mug Se 1(-1) and 0.6 mug Se 1(-1) Se for digestates and slurries, respectively. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. Ltd. All rights reserved.

RELATIVISTIC 3-PARTICLE DYNAMICAL EQUATIONS .2. APPLICATION TO THE TRINUCLEON SYSTEM

We calculate the contribution of relativistic dynamics on the neutron-deutron scattering length and triton binding energy employing five sets trinucleon potential models and four types of three-dimensional relativistic three-body equations suggested in the preceding paper. The relativistic correction to binding energy may vary a lot and even change sign depending on the relativistic formulation employed. The deviations of these observables from those obtained in nonrelativistic models follow the general universal trend of deviations introduced by off- and on-shell variations of two- and three-nucleon potentials in a nonrelativistic model calculation. Consequently, it will be difficult to separate unambiguously the effect of off- and on-shell variations of two- and three-nucleon potentials on low-energy three-nucleon observables from the effect of relativistic dynamics. (C) 1994 Academic Press, Inc.

Determination of butyltin compounds in surface sediments from the São Paulo State coast (Brazil) by gas chromatography-pulsed flame photometric detection

Occurrence and the effects of butyltin compounds (BTs) have been studied for some years, mainly in countries of the Northern Hemisphere. Due to widespread use of tributyltin compounds (TBTs) and considering their deleterious effects, it is necessary to conduct studies on its occurrence, especially in the marine environment because of its excessive use in coatings of ship hulls to prevent fouling. Moreover, it was important to extend the evaluation to areas where there is no current information about their occurrence. The present work reports the occurrence of BTs in marine sediments of São Paulo state, Brazil. Commercial and leisure harbor sampling sites were selected because these areas are potentially exposed to BTs from antifouling paints used on ship hulls. Analytical conditions for organotin analysis in marine sediments were optimized for GC with pulsed flame photometric detection. Detection limits ranged from 8.4 to 66.3 ng g(-1) using a 610-nm filter, and the linearity range was 20-500 ng g(-1). Concentration levels of BTs were highest in Santos harbor (360 ng g(-1) TBT in average) and Guaruja marina (670 ng g(-1) TBT in average), which seems to be related to intensive boat traffic. Lower levels of BTs were observed in Cananeia, where only fishing boats are present (50 ng g(-1) TBT in average). (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

MODEL FOR ASYMPTOTIC D-STATE PARAMETERS OF LIGHT-NUCLEI - APPLICATION TO HE-4

A simple method for calculating the asymptotic D-state observables for light nuclei is suggested. The method exploits the dominant clusters of the light nuclei. The method is applied to calculate the He-4 asymptotic D to S normalization ratio rho(alpha) and the closely related D-state parameter D2alpha. The study predicts a correlation between D2alpha and B(alpha), and between rho(alpha) and B(alpha), where B(alpha) is the binding energy of He-4. The present study yields rho(alpha) congruent-to -0.14 and D2alpha congruent-to -0.12 fm2 consistent with the correct experimental eta(d) and the binding energies of the deuteron, triton, and the alpha particle, where eta(d) is the deuteron D-state to S-state normalization ratio.

Evaluation of a highly sensitive amperometric biosensor with low cholinesterase charge immobilized on a chemically modified carbon paste electrode for trace determination of carbamates in fruit, vegetable and water samples

A highly sensitive amperometric biosensor for determination of carbamate pesticides directly in water, fruit and vegetable samples has been evaluated, electrochemically characterized and optimized. The biosensor strip was fabricated in screen printed technique on a ceramic support using silver-based paste for reference electrode, and platinum-based paste for working and auxiliary electrodes. The working electrode was modified by a layer of carbon paste mixed with cobalt(II) phthalocyanine and acetylcellulose. Cholinesterase (ChE) enzymes with low enzymatic charge were immobilized on this layer. The operational simplicity of the biosensor consists in that a small drop (similar to 50 mu l) of substrate or sample is deposited on a horizontally positioned biosensor strip representing the microelectrochemical cell. The working potential of the biosensor was 370 mV versus Ag/AgI on a ship reference electrode preventing the interference of electroactive species which are oxidable at more positive potentials. The biosensor was applied to investigate the degradation of two reference ChE inhibitors in freeze dried water under different storage conditions and for direct determination of some N-methylcarbamates (NMCs) in fruit and vegetable samples at ppb concentration levels without any sample pretreatment. A comparison of the obtained results for the total carbamate concentration was done against those obtained using HPLC measurements. (C) 1999 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Influence of temperature upon effects of crotoxin and gamma-irradiated crotoxin at rat neuromuscular transmission

The influence of temperature upon the effects of crotoxin (CTX)? from Crotalus durissus terrificus venom, and gamma-irradiated (Co-60, 2000 Gy) crotoxin (iCTX) was studied in rat neuromuscular transmission 'in vitro'. Indirect twitches were evoked in the phrenic-diaphragm preparation by supramaximal strength pulses with a duration of 0.5 ms and frequency of 0.5 Hz. The phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) enzymatic activity of CTX and iCTX was assayed against phosphadityl choline in Triton X-100. At 27 degrees C, CTX (14 mu g/ml) did not affect the amplitude of indirectly evoked twitches. However, at 37 degrees C, CTX induced a time-dependent blockade of the neuromuscular transmission that started at 90 min and was completed within 240 min, iCTX (14 mu g/ml) was inneffective on the neuromuscular transmission either at 27 or 37 degrees C. The PLA(2) enzymatic activity of CTX at 37 degrees C was 84 and that at 27 degrees C was 27 mu mol fatty acid released/min/mg protein, and that of the iCTX at 37 degrees C was 39 mu mol fatty acid released/min/mg protein. Thus, it was concluded that the mechanism of detoxification of CTX by gamma radiation at the neuromuscular level relies on the loss of its PLA(2) enzymatic activity. 2000 Elsevier B.V. Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.