Catastrophic regime shift in water reservoirs and São Paulo water supply crisis

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

The water effect on allosteric regulation of hemoglobin probed in water glucose and water glycine solutions

We have previously proposed a role of hydration in the allosteric control of hemoglobin based on the effect of varying concentrations of polyols and polyethers on the human hemoglobin oxygen affinity and on the solution water activity (Colombo, M. F., Rau, D. C., and Parsegian, V. A. (1992) Science 256, 655-659). Here, the original analyses are extended to test the possibility of concomitant solute and water allosteric binding and by introducing the bulk dielectric constant as a variable in our experiments. We present data which indicate that glycine and glucose influence HbA oxygen affinity to the same extent, despite the fact that glycine increases and glucose decreases the bulk dielectric constant of the solution. Furthermore, we derive an equation linking changes in oxygen affinity to changes in differential solute and water binding to test critically the possibility of neutral solute heterotropic binding. Applied to the data, these analyses support our original interpretation that neutral solutes act indirectly on the regulation of allosteric behavior of hemoglobin by varying the chemical potential of water in solution. This leads to a displacement of the equilibrium between Hb conformational states in proportion to their differential hydration.

Secagem por atomização do suco de uva: microencapsulação das antocianinas

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

Prevalência da síndrome metabólica em moradores adultos do Arquipélago de Fernando de Noronha (PE)-Brasil

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

On the interaction of bovine serum albumin with ionic surfactants: Temperature induced EPR changes of a maleimide nitroxide reflect local protein dynamics and probe solvent accessibility

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Postharvest quality of twelve onion cultivars grown in the Southeast of Brazil

Onions (Allium cepa L.) are grown in different parts of the Brazilian territory and are considered the third most important vegetable crop cultivated in the country, only behind potatoes and tomatoes. The present work was carried out aiming to evaluate the postharvest quality of twelve different onion cultivars grown in the Southeast of Brazil. Onions of the cultivars; 'Adocicada', 'Branca', 'Picante' and 'Roxa' were harvested in commercial fields and the cultivars 'Princesa', 'Serrana', 'Bulbo duplo', 'Granex 33', 'XP 6803', 'XP 8418', 'RP 6010' and 'Superex' were obtained in experimental fields. After harvest, bulbs were taken to the postharvest laboratory and evaluated for total soluble solids, titratable acidity, and pungency (aliinase activity). For total soluble solids 'Superex' had the lowest sugar content (5.4 degrees Brix) whereas the cultivar named 'Picante' showed the highest Brix (11.0 degrees Brix) among the studied materials. For titratable acidity, it was verified that 'Serrana' had the lowest acid content (0.094 g piruvic acid.100 g(-1) FW) whereas 'Branca' showed the highest content of organic acids. When pungency was evaluated it was verified that aliinase activity varied from 1.37 pg piruvic acid.100 g(-1) FW for 'Adocicada' to 12.18 mu g piruvic acid.100 g(-1) FW for 'Roxa', which was considered to have hot pungency (high alliinase activity and low TSS/TA), whereas 'Bulbo duplo' was evaluated as pungent (high alliinase activity and TSS/TA). The combination of the studied characteristics indicated that an onion with high pungency must have high aliinase activity and titratable acidity, whereas sweet onions shall have high soluble solids contents and low aliinase activity. Based on this information, 'Branca' bulbs were considered acids (weak pungency and high acidity), whereas 'Adocicada', 'Princesa', and 'Serrana' bulbs are sweet, due to low alliinase activity and titratable acidity. 'Superex', 'XP 6803', 'Granex 33' and 'Picante' had a moderately pungent flavor (alliinase activity intermediate and low TSS/TA), but 'XP 8418' and 'RP 6010' flavor was evaluated as lightly pungent (low alliinase activity TSS/TA).

Avaliação do modelo de produção e da inclusão de gordura nos parâmetros qualitativos e sensoriais do hambúrguer ovino

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

Influência de lâminas de água e adubação mineral na nutrição e produtividade de arroz de terras altas

Para recomendações de adubação mais racionais, é fundamental o conhecimento das exigências nutricionais da cultura do arroz, nos diversos sistemas de cultivo. Objetivando estudar a influência de lâminas de água na nutrição e exportação de nutrientes pelo arroz de terras altas, cultivar IAC 201, sob dois níveis de adubação, foram instalados experimentos em um Latossolo Vermelho distrófico, em Selvíria (MS), nos anos agrícolas de 1994/95 e 1995/96. O delineamento foi de blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos constituíram-se da precipitação natural e de quatro lâminas de água fornecidas por aspersão. A lâmina L2 foi baseada no coeficiente de cultura (Kc) do arroz de terras altas. As lâminas L1 e L3 foram definidas como 0,5 e 1,5 vez os Kcs utilizados em L2, respectivamente, e na lâmina L4 foi adotado Kc = 1,95 durante todo o ciclo da cultura. em 1995/96, foram utilizados os mesmos tratamentos em parcelas subdivididas, sendo as subparcelas constituídas por duas doses de adubação (AD1 - 12 kg ha-1 de N, 90 de P2O5 e 30 de K2O, e AD2 - 24 kg ha-1 de N, 180 de P2O5 e 60 de K2O). A menor disponibilidade de água durante a fase vegetativa e reprodutiva proporcionou redução na produção de matéria seca, nos teores e quantidades de nutrientes acumuladas na parte aérea. O sistema irrigado por aspersão, independentemente da lâmina utilizada, proporcionou maior produtividade de grãos e exportação de nutrientes. em solos com teores adequados de nutrientes para o sistema de sequeiro, não há resposta ao aumento da adubação mineral pelo arroz no sistema irrigado por aspersão, apesar da maior extração de nutrientes.

Importância do fluxo de massa e difusão no suprimento de potássio ao algodoeiro como variável de água e potássio no solo

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Análise e comparação do comportamento da ionosfera e do posicionamento por ponto em períodos de alta e baixa atividade solar

The ionosphere is a major source of systematic error in the GPS observables. As this error is directly proportional to the TEC (Total Electron Content), the quality of GPS positioning (especially with single frequency receivers) can be significantly affected by regular changes of TEC. The ionosphere factor is even more relevant in the Brazilian region, where ionospheric phenomena, such as the Equatorial Anomaly, intensify these variations. Taking the above mentioned factors into account, experiments were conducted in this research to evaluate the daily and seasonal behavior of the TEC and the point positioning with GPS (single frequency) in periods of high and low solar activity in the Brazilian region. The results showed a direct correlation between the decrease in electrons density in the ionosphere (period of low solar activity) and improvement in positioning accuracy, as well as a large influence of Equatorial Anomaly on the results of point positioning.

Group analysis method for fission track thermochronology

A methodology to obtain ages and thermal histories of sets of apatite samples from localities with geologically compatible characteristics is described. A methodology exploring the fact that samples with similar geological characteristics should present the same thermal history is proposed. This approach can contribute for the obtainment of more conclusive results by analysing fewer samples than it is necessary when the samples are individually analysed. In order to determine the ages, we use the absolute neutron dosimetry through thin films of natural uranium along with lambda(f) = 8.46 x 10(-17) a(-1). As an example of application of the proposed methodology, we analyse samples collected in a Brazilian region, Sao Francisco Craton, which experienced low tectonic activity. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A broad study of two new promising antimycobacterial drugs: Ag(I) and Au(I) complexes with 2-(2-thienyl)benzothiazole

Synthesis, characterization, DFT simulation and biological assays of two new metal complexes of 2-(2-thienyl)benzothiazole - BTT are reported. The complexes [Ag(BTT)(2)NO3] - AgBTT2 and [Au(BTT)Cl]center dot 1/2H(2)O - AuBTT were obtained by mixing the ligand with silver (I) nitrate or gold(I) chloride in methanolic solution. Characterization of the complexes were based on elemental (C, H, N and S), thermal (TG-DTA) analysis, C-13 and H-1 NMR, FT-IR and UV-Vis spectroscopic measurements, as well as the X-ray structure determination for AgBTT2. Spectroscopic data predicted by DFT calculations were in agreement with the experimental data for both complexes. The ligand BTT was synthesized by the condensation of 2-thiophenecarboxaldehyde and 2-aminothiophenol in a microwave furnace. AgBTT2 has a monomeric structure. Both complexes show a good activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Free BIT shows low antitubercular activity. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical and Bioactive Quality Traits During Fruit Ripening in Eggplant (S-melon gena L.) and Allied Species

A chemical and bioactive quality evaluation of phytochemicals content of 10 eggplant lines and three allied species (S. sodomaeum, S. aethiopicum and S. integrifolium) was performed. The eggplant lines were divided into the two subgroups of delphinidin-3-rutinoside (D3R) and nasunin (NAS) typologies, on the basis of the anthocyanin detected in their fruit skin. The allied species had higher glycoalkaloids content, lower soluble solids and PPO activity and absence of anthocyanins compared to the eggplant lines; S. sodomaeum stood out for high phenols content. Orthogonal contrast revealed a higher sugar content and low PPO activity in NAS- compared to D3R-typologies, whereas higher chlorogenic acid and anthocyanin contents were present in D3R-typologies. The main effect of the ripening was a decrease in phenols and in the PPO activity, not evidenced in S. sodomaeum, and an increase of glycoalkaloids in overripe fruits.A good relationship was found between superoxide anion scavenging capacity and chlorogenic acid. This study highlighted the pattern of accumulation, also evidencing variations, of several phytochemicals during the eggplant fruit development and ripening.

A new approach to the granulation of beta-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes

Cyclodextrins (CDs) are annular oligosaccharides containing 6-12 glucose unities joined together by alpha-1,4 bonds. They have a conical-truncated shape with a lipophilic cavity in which different molecules can be included resulting in a stable inclusion complex. The cyclodextrins have been widely applied in pharmaceutical technology with the objective of increasing the solubility, stability and bioavailability of drugs in different pharmaceutical dosage forms, such as tablets. In order to obtain beta-CD tablets, liquid dispersions of drug/beta-CD are usually submitted to different drying processes, like spray-drying, freeze-drying or slow evaporation, being this dry material added to a number of excipients. However, such drying processes can generate particulate materials showing problems of flow and compressibility, needing their conversion into granulates by means of wetting with granulation liquid followed by additional drying. In this work, the main objective was to evaluate the preparation of tablets without the need of this additional drying step. For this purpose an aqueous dispersion containing acetaminophen/beta-CD complex and cornstarch was dried using a spouted bed and the obtained granules were compressed in tablets. Acetaminophen was used as model drug due to its low water solubility and the inexpensive and widely available cornstarch was chosen as excipient. Acetaminophen powder was added into a beta-cyclodextrin solution prepared in distilled water at 70 degrees C. Stirring was kept until this dispersion cooled to room temperature. Then cornstarch was added and the resulting dispersion was dried in spouted bed equipment. This material was compressed into tablets using an Erweka Korsh EKO tablet machine. This innovative approach allowed the tablets preparation process to be carried out with fewer steps and represents a technological reliable strategy to produce beta-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes tablets. (C) 2010 Elsevier By. All rights reserved.

Manejo de irrigação por aspersão com base no Kc e adubação mineral na cultura de arroz de terras altas

A irrigação por aspersão diminui bastante o risco de perda da lavoura por deficiência hídrica e aumenta a produtividade de grãos, incentivando maior uso de tecnologias como adubação mineral. Com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito de diferentes manejos da água da irrigação por aspersão com base no coeficiente de cultura (Kc) e da adubação mineral sobre a cultura do arroz cv. IAC 201, foram instalados dois experimentos em Latossolo Vermelho Distrófico, em Selvíria (MS). O delineamento foi em blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos constituíram-se de precipitação pluvial natural e três manejos de água fornecidos por aspersão. O manejo (M2) foi realizado com base no Kc do arroz de terras altas. Os manejos M1 e M3 foram definidos como 0,5 e 1,5 vezes os Kcs utilizados em M2 respectivamente. em 1995/96, utilizou-se o esquema de parcelas subdivididas, sendo as subparcelas constituídas por dois níveis de adubação: AD1 - 12 kg de N, 90 kg de P2O5 e 30 kg de K2O ha-1, e AD2 - 24 kg de N, 180 kg de P2O5 e 60 kg de K2O ha-1. A deficiência hídrica da emergência da plântula até a diferenciação do primórdio da panícula provocou aumento do ciclo e redução do porte da planta. A deficiência hídrica entre os estádios de diferenciação do primórdio da panícula e os de emborrachamento reduziu o número de espiguetas por panícula. A utilização de 1,5 vezes os valores de Kc recomendados, no manejo da irrigação por aspersão proporcionou maior produtividade de grãos. Os níveis de adubação utilizados não influenciaram a resposta da cultura ao manejo da irrigação por aspersão.