Espectro de gotas de pontas de pulverização com adjuvantes de uso agrícola

O sucesso de uma boa aplicação de produtos fitossanitários depende da sinergia entre fatores como tamanho de gota, tipo de ponta, pressão, volume e composição da calda e características do alvo. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o espectro de gotas produzidas por pontas de jato plano defletor (TT 11002) e jato plano defletor com indução de ar (TTI 11002), com diferentes adjuvantes adicionados à calda de pulverização, pela técnica de difração de raio laser. O experimento foi conduzido em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições, em esquema fatorial 2 x 5, ou seja, duas pontas de aplicação (jato plano defletor e jato plano defletor com indução de ar) e cinco composições de calda (água e água mais quatro adjuvantes: fosfatidilcoline+ácido propiônico, éter poliglicólico de monilfenol, ésteres de ácidos graxos e nonil-fenol etoxilado+óxido de etileno). em ambiente controlado, avaliou-se o espectro de gotas, por meio de um analisador a laser de gotas em tempo real, na pressão de 276 kPa. O efeito dos adjuvantes no espectro de gotas mostrou-se dependente da ponta de pulverização empregada. A adição dos adjuvantes à calda não alterou o risco potencial de deriva, expresso pela porcentagem do volume em gotas com diâmetro inferior a 100 µm, porém o adjuvante fosfatidilcoline+ácido propiônico reduziu o diâmetro da mediana volumétrica das gotas produzidas pela ponta de jato plano defletor com indução de ar, em relação à avaliação feita somente com água.

Aplicação preliminar do método QRAM para avaliação de riscos para segurança ocupacional na construção civil

A segurança ocupacional é imprescindível na indústria da construção civil e a análise e avaliação de riscos para a segurança ocupacional (AARSO) é o primeiro e fundamental passo para alcançá-la, baseado na definição e implementação de programas de prevenção. A AARSO é um processo complexo, que implica a consideração e análise de muitos parâmetros quantitativos e/ou qualitativos que são difíceis de quantificar. As metodologias AARSO utilizadas na indústria da construção civil são baseadas em informação sujeita a incerteza (sendo tratada por técnicas probabilísticas e/ou estatísticas), difusa, imprecisa e/ou incompleta. Isso implica algumas limitações, como, por exemplo, obrigar os analistas a estimar parâmetros ou efetuar comparações com outros canteiros de obras (o que afasta do sistema real em estudo). O objetivo inicial deste estudo foi efetuar a pré-validação de um método AARSO, o QRAM, em duas cidades brasileiras, de médio e grande porte.

Qualidade tecnológica, produtividade e margem de contribuição agrícola da cana-de-açúcar em função da aplicação de reguladores vegetais no início da safra

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

Desempenho de um motor de trator agrícola em bancada dinamométrica com biodiesel de óleo de frango e misturas binárias com óleo diesel

O Brasil, terceiro maior produtor de biodiesel do mundo e terceiro maior produtor mundial de frango, pode incrementar, na sua matriz energética, o uso de óleo oriundo de aves como alternativa aos combustíveis fósseis e à redução da dependência do óleo de soja para esse fim. O país dispõe de mais de 350 milhões de litros de óleo de frango por ano. Considerando a aplicação dos combustíveis alternativos para os motores a diesel, em máquinas agrícolas, o trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar o desempenho do motor de um trator agrícola de 53kW acoplado pela TDP em bancada dinamométrica, operando com biodiesel metílico de óleo de frango e misturas com óleo diesel, sendo: B5 (testemunha), B20, B40, B60, B80 e B100. Avaliaram-se a potência, o torque, a reserva de torque, o consumo de combustível, o consumo de energia e a eficiência térmica do motor. O ensaio foi instalado com delineamento inteiramente casualizado (DIC) em esquema fatorial com seis tratamentos. Os resultados foram submetidos à análise de variância e as médias ajustadas por equações de regressão. Foram observadas perdas na geração de potência e torque, aumento no consumo de combustível, redução do consumo energético e melhoria na eficiência térmica do motor, de acordo com o aumento da proporção de biodiesel na mistura.

Híbridos de amoreira adubados com matéria orgânica e gesso agrícola na produção de bicho-da-seda

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Efeitos da adubação orgânica e da época de colheita na qualidade da matéria-prima e nos rendimentos agrícola e de açúcar mascavo artesanal de duas cultivares de cana-de-açúcar (cana-planta)

Conduziu-se este trabalho com o objetivo de estudar os efeitos de três sistemas de adubação (30 t. ha-1 de esterco de curral, 3,5 t.ha-1 de esterco de galinha e adubação química - 120 kg.ha-1 de P2O5 e de K2O no plantio + 60 kg.ha-1 de N em cobertura) e três épocas de colheita da cana (julho, agosto e setembro de 2003), na qualidade da matéria-prima e nos rendimentos de colmos e de açúcar mascavo de duas cultivares de cana-de-açúcar (SP79-1011 e RB72454). O experimento foi instalado em área do Alambique JM, Perdões, MG. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos casualizados, em esquema fatorial (2 x 3 x 3), com três repetições. Não houve efeito dos fertilizantes nos rendimentos de colmos e de açúcar mascavo das cultivares estudadas. Verificou-se efeito de épocas de colheita no rendimento de colmos, com destaque para os meses de agosto e setembro. No entanto, para rendimento de açúcar mascavo nenhuma diferença foi observada. Assim, nas condições deste trabalho, é viável a substituição da adubação química pela orgânica (esterco de curral ou de galinha), sem perdas na qualidade da matéria-prima e nos rendimentos de colmos e de açúcar mascavo artesanal, sendo que os meses de agosto e setembro foram os que proporcionaram matéria-prima de melhor qualidade e maiores rendimentos de colmos.

Eficácia e segurança do uso inalatório da adrenalina-L na laringite pós-intubação utilizada em associação com a dexametasona

Objective: to assess the efficacy and safety of the use of nebulized L-epinephrine associated with dexamethasone in post-intubation laryngitis. Method: we carried out a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study with two cohorts of patients with postintubation laryngitis graded 3 to 6 by Downes and Raphaely score and during two years. Our population was divided into two groups: A and B; both groups received intravenous dexamethasone and nebulized saline with (group B) and without (group A) L-epinephrine. The efficacy was assessed by Downes and Raphaely's score. The side effects of epinephrine were evaluated according to occurrence of arrhythmia, to increased blood pressure, and to average heart rate of group B in comparison to group A. Results: twenty-two patients were included in group A (average score = 4.8) and 19 in group B (average score = 5.2). During treatment, 3 patients in group A presented a score of 8 and were reintubated. This group also showed higher clinical scores than group B during the first two hours of the protocol; these results were not statistically significant. No side effects were observed due to epinephrine. The gasometric parameters were adequate in both groups, but better in the control group. Conclusions: we did not observe increased efficacy for the treatment of post-intubation laryngitis when nebulized L-epinephrine was used simultaneously with intravenous dexamethasone. Some indicators, however, did present a favorable trend when combined therapy was used and should be submitted to further evaluation.

Utilização de índices de estabilidade transitória para a avaliação de segurança dinâmica

Indices that report how much a contingency is stable or unstable in an electrical power system have been the object of several studies in the last decades. In some approaches, indices are obtained from time-domain simulation; others explore the calculation of the stability margin from the so-called direct methods, or even by neural networks.The goal is always to obtain a fast and reliable way of analysing large disturbance that might occur on the power systems. A fast classification in stable and unstable, as a function of transient stability is crucial for a dynamic security analysis. All good propositions as how to analyse contingencies must present some important features: classification of contingencies; precision and reliability; and efficiency computation. Indices obtained from time-domain simulations have been used to classify the contingencies as stable or unstable. These indices are based on the concepts of coherence, transient energy conversion between kinetic energy and potential energy, and three dot products of state variable. The classification of the contingencies using the indices individually is not reliable, since the performance of these indices varies with each simulated condition. However, collapsing these indices into a single one can improve the analysis significantly. In this paper, it is presented the results of an approach to filter the contingencies, by a simple classification of them into stable, unstable or marginal. This classification is performed from the composite indices obtained from step by step simulation with a time period of the clearing time plus 0.5 second. The contingencies originally classified as stable or unstable do not require this extra simulation. The methodology requires an initial effort to obtain the values of the intervals for classification, and the weights. This is performed once for each power system and can be used in different operating conditions and for different contingencies. No misplaced classification o- - ccurred in any of the tests, i.e., we detected no stable case classified as unstable or otherwise. The methodology is thus well fitted for it allows for a rapid conclusion about the stability of th system, for the majority of the contingencies (Stable or Unstable Cases). The tests, results and discussions are presented using two power systems: (1) the IEEE17 system, composed of 17 generators, 162 buses and 284 transmission lines; and (2) a South Brazilian system configuration, with 10 generators, 45 buses and 71 lines.

Eficácia e segurança da atorvastatina no tratamento de pacientes com hipercolesterolemia primária

Introduction: Hypercholesterolemia is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the first cause of death and third reason for hospital admissions in Brazil. The reduction of serum cholesterol levels reduces morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease. The present study evaluated the efficacy and safety of atorvastatin in the treatment of Brazilian patients with primary hypercholesterolemia (types IIA and IIB dyslipidemias). Patients and methods: After a 4-week wash-out period, 152 patients were treated with atorvastatin at the initial dose of 10 mg/day. According to treatment efficacy within the first 8 weeks this dose could be increased to 20 mg/day. Treatment lasted for a total of 16 weeks, and its efficacy was evaluated by the reduction of serum levels of LDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides, as well as by the propotion of patients that achieved the target levels recommended by the National Cholesterol Education Program - Adult Treatment Panel II (NCEP ATP II) Results: The analysis of efficacy was conducted in 145 patients. Atorvastatin led to significant reductions in the levels of LDL-cholesterol after 8 and 16 weeks of treatment (P<0.001 for both comparisons). The relative reduction of such levels was 38% (P<0.001 after 8 and 16 weeks). Atorvastatin also led to significant reductions of total cholesterol and triglycerides. At the end of the study, 81% of patients achieved the target LDL-cholesterol levels recommended by NCEP ATP II. Treatment was well tolerated, and was interrupted due to creatine phosphokinase elevation in only one patient. Conclusion: Atorvastatina is efficacious and safe in the treatment of patients with primary hypercholesteromia. © Copyright Moreira Jr. Editora. Todos os direitos reservados.

Correção da sodicidade de dois solos irrigados em resposta à aplicação de gesso agrícola

The chemical and physical degradation of the soils by salinity and sodicity problems constitutes a serious obstacle in productive irrigated areas in arid and semi-add regions. In order to eval mate the effect of gypsum on electrical conductivity, pH, exchangeable sodium percentage, sodium, calcium and magnesium content in saturation extract and exchangeable sodium of two saline-sodic soils: one from irrigated Perimeter Engenheiro Arco Verde in the municipality of Condado and another from irrigated Perimeter of São Gonçalo, in the municipality of Sousa both in the Paraiba State Brazil, an experiment was carried out in green house of the Departamento de Solos e Engenharia Rural, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Areia, Brazil, in a factorial design 2 × 5 referring the two soils and five gypsum levels equivalent to 0; 3.2; 6.3; 9.4 and 12.5 g kg-1 to each soil. The gypsum application exercised positive effects on reduction of salinity and sodicity. The values of electrical conductivity, exchangeable sodium percentage, pH and contents of soluble and exchangeable sodium in relation to data of the soils before application of treatments with gypsum in both the soils were found to decrease.

Desempenho dinâmico de um trator agrícola utilizando biodiesel destilado de óleo residual

The objective of this study was to evaluate the dynamic performance of an agricultural tractor utilizing distilled biodiesel (50% ethylic + 50% methylic) as a function of the proportion of biodiesel and diesel of petroleum (0 and 100%, 5 and 95%, 15 and 85%, 25 and 75%, 50 and 50%, 75 and 25% and 100 and 0%), respectively. This research was done in the area of the Department of Rural Engineering of the Paulista State University (UNESP), Jaboticabal Campus, SP, located in the latitude 21° 14′ 28″ S and longitude 48° 17′12″ W. A tractor 4 x 2 FWA was used, with a 73.6 kW (100 HP) motor and a ballast tractor. The biodiesel used was produced from spent oil from food frying. The experimental design was entirely randomized, with 7 treatments and 5 repetitions, totaling 35 observations. The results showed that the biodiesel and diesel blend significantly influenced the hourly volumetric consumption, hourly mass consumption, fuel consumption per worked area and specific fuel consumption variables. When the tractor operated with 100% of biodiesel (B100) the specific fuel consumption increased 18% on average in relation to diesel (B0).

Segurança e defesa no Cone Sul: Transições com transformações?

The new conditions of international security don't only attach importance to sovereignty and interstate relations. This new framework has led to changes in the scope and requirements for Politics of Defense. Countries of the Southern Cone seek to establish new parameters in the definition of their policies, but need to define between dissuasive policies, as in the past, or establish mechanisms for cooperation with their neighbors. Furthermore, these policies, by their nature and size, are not exclusively militaries. The purpose of this article is to examine the definitions constraints on strategic deterrence and cooperation in international security, and identify the degree of autonomy and the nature of the concepts derived from the armed forces in shaping Politics of Defense. Finally, we try to check the level of civil policy direction in defining those policies.

Farmacovigilância no Brasil: A relação entre polimorfismo de fármacos, efetividade e segurança dos medicamentos

In spite of the stated Brazilian policy on medicines that their quality, effectiveness and safety should be ensured at reasonable cost, hospitals in the ANVISA Surveillance Network have been receiving notifications of technical complaints, adverse reactions and suspected therapeutic ineffectiveness (STI) of medicines. The purpose of this study was to identify the medicines notified for suspicion of therapeutic ineffectiveness, at a university hospital participating in the national Surveillance Network, and to investigate the existence of polymorphs of any of the drugs involved, by examining the literature. There were 31 notifications of STI in a period of 18 months, concerning 11 different drugs, all of which were 'similar' drugs (neither original nor licensed by originator); five of these could contain polymorphs, according to the literature. However, this does not mean that the other drugs could not contain some unknown polymorphs, more studies being needed on polymorphism, especially in the cases of reported therapeutic ineffectiveness. Therefore, tests of polymorphism should be made part of the routine quality control of the raw materials during the development of medicines and in the studies of pharmaceutical equivalence to 'reference' medicines (innovative brands). The stability test should also involve a study of polymorphism, in order to confirm the solid state stability of the drug. All these measures will assure the effectiveness of medicines, since the reproducibility in the quality of pharmaceutical products could be monitored, as well as the equivalence of each production batch with the batch selected to determine the bioequivalence with the reference brand.

Ensaios biológicos para avaliação de segurança de produtos cosméticos

Despite efforts to the contrary, some cosmetic products can cause undesirable side effects in the users. These may often be due to individual factors or inappropriate use of the product. Thus, biological assays to assess the safety of a new cosmetic must precede its being placed on the market. Historically, these tests have always been carried out in vivo, in animals, since such tests can be used to evaluate many of the potential risks, such as irritation, allergy or systemic effects; but, recently, some research centers have been adopting in vitro alternatives, in order to replace the animal tests. This review emphasizes the need to employ biological assays to test the safety of cosmetic products, and reviews the main in vivo and in vitro tests used, focusing on the need to develop and use alternatives to the in vivo assays of product safety, so as to offer the consumers the maximum safety with the least possible risk, while ensuring the best conditions of use of the product.

Planejamento agrícola e implantação de sistema de cultivo de cana-de-açúcar com auxílio de técnicas geoestatísticas

Sugarcane is one of the most important crops of the Brazilian agribusiness and this importance justifies the use of techniques that allow the implementation of cultivation systems capable of reducing the variability of soil characteristics and the establishment of efficient agricultural planning. The aim of the present work was the planning and implementation of cultivation systems for sugarcane using geostatistical techniques, in the Pereira Barreto region, SP. An area of 505 ha was mapped using the global positioning system (GPS) and a Digital Elevation Model was elaborated (MDE). Soil samples were collected for 0-0.25 m depth, in each 7 ha, for their chemical attributes and texture characterization. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and geostatistics. The determination of the spatial distribution of soil granulometric and chemical attributes allowed the allocation of the studied sugarcane varieties according to soil fertility and clay content. The kriging maps of soil granulometric and chemical attributes brought useful information to the establishment of production environments with different soil and crop managements. The identification of different environments by means of geostatistical techniques allowed the precise planning of the sugarcane cultivation, as well as the adequacy of fertilization practices and the allocation of suitable sugarcane varieties adapted to the conditions imposed by differences in the soil attributes.