TL, OSL and C-14 dating results of the sediments and bricks from mummified nuns' grave

Este artigo apresenta os resultados de datação por TL e OSL de solos, e fragmentos de tijolos de um túmulo, que foi ocupado por duas freiras mumificadas encontradas no Mosteiro da Luz, localizado no Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. As idades encontradas por TL e OSL foram comparadas às obtidas a partir de C-14 dos colágenos contidos em amostras de osso das múmias. A maioria das idades obtidas são do século XVIII. A espectroscopia de radiação-gama foi utilizada para avaliar concentrações de radioisótopos naturais nas amostras e para calcular as taxas de dose anual que resultaram em 3,0 a 5,3 Gy/kano. As concentrações radioativas são próximas daquelas obtidas através de Análise por Ativação de Nêutrons. Os conteúdos de elementos U, Th e Ce são superiores aos encontrados na maioria dos sedimentos.

Ocorrência e distribuição de esporos de Clostridium botulinum tipos C e D em áreas de criação de búfalos na Baixada Maranhense

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

SYNTHESIS AND CRYSTAL-STRUCTURE OF THE NOVEL CYCLOPALLADATED COMPLEX DI(MU,N-S-ETA(2)-QUINOLINE-2-THIOLATE)-BIS[(N,N-DIMETHYLBENZYLAMINE-C(2),N) PALLADIUM(II)]

The compound di(mu,N-Seta2-2-quinoline-2-thiolate)-bis[(N,N-dimethylbenzylamine-C2,N)palladium(II)] was synthesized and studied by IR, NMR and X-ray diffraction: monoclinic, a = 20.138(3), b = 10.831(1), c = 14.973(2) angstrom, beta = 98.04(1)-degrees, Z = 4, space group P2(1)/c, R = 0.032. The compound is dimeric with the two [Pd(N,N-dimethylbenzylamine)]moieties being connected by the two vicinal bridging eta2-N,S-quinoline-2-thiolate anions in a square-planar coordination geometry for the palladium atoms.

Pool of Resistance Mechanisms to Glyphosate in Digitaria insularis

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Low protein diet confers resistance to the inhibitory effects of interleukin1 beta on insulin secretion in pancreatic islets

High protein content in the diet during childhood and adolescence has been associated to the onset insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. We investigated the effect of interleukin-1 beta (IL-I beta) on insulin secretion, glucose metabolism, and nitrite formation by islets isolated from rats fed with normal protein (NP, 17%) or low protein (LP, 6%) after weaning. Pretreatment of islets with IL-1 beta for 1 h or 34 h inhibited the insulin secretion induced by glucose in both groups, but it was less marked in LP than in NP group. Islets from LP rats exhibited a decreased IL-1 beta -induced nitric oxide (NO) production, lower inhibition of D-[(UC)-C-14]-glucose oxidation to (CO2)-C-14, and less pronounced effect of IL-1 beta on alpha -ketoisocaproic acid-induced insulin secretion than NP islets. However, when the islets were stimulated by high concentrations of K+ the inhibitory effect of IL-1 beta on insulin secretion was not different between groups. In conclusion, protein restriction protects beta -cells of the deleterious effect of IL-1 beta, apparently, by decreasing NO production. The lower NO generation in islets from protein deprived rats may be due to increased free fatty acids oxidation and consequent alteration in Ca2+ homeostasis. (C) 2001 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Influence of Different Substrates on the Production of a Mutant Thermostable Glucoamylase in Submerged Fermentation

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

Thermotropic phase behavior in aqueous mixtures of dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide and alkyltrimethylammonium bromide surfactant series studied by differential scanning calorimetry

The effect of the micelle-forming surfactant series alkyltrimethylammonium bromide (C(n)TAB, n = 12, 14, 16 and 18) on the thermotropic phase behavior of dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide (DODAB) vesicles in water was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry at constant 5.0 mM total surfactant concentration and varying individual surfactant concentrations. The pre-, post- and main transition temperatures (T-s, T-p and T-m), melting enthalpy (Delta H) and peak width of the main transition (Delta T-1/2) are reported as a function of the surfactant molar fraction. No clear dependence of these parameters on the C(n)TAB chain length was found. At 5 mM, neat DODAB in water exhibits two transition temperatures, T-s = 32.1 and T-m = 42.7 degrees C, as obtained from the DSC upscans, but not a clear T-p. For every n, except n = 12, T-s vanishes as CnTAB concentration increases and approaches CMC. T-m behaves differently for different n, the longer C(14)TAB and C(16)TAB decrease, while C(18)TAB increases T-m with increasing concentration. The data indicate that changes in T-m, T-s, T-p and Delta H of the transition are related not only to the extent of C(n)TAB affinity to DODAB but also to the surfactant chain length. Accordingly, C18TAB yields a more compact bilayer, thus increasing T-m, while C(14)TAB and C(1G)TAB yield a less organized bilayer and reduce T-m. C(12)TAB does not much affect T-s and T-m, although it yields T-p approximate to 51.6 degrees C. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Carbon dioxide efflux in a rhodic hapludox as affected by tillage systems in southern Brazil

Os solos agrícolas podem atuar como dreno ou fonte de C atmosférico, dependendo do sistema de manejo adotado. Este estudo foi desenvolvido em experimento de longa duração (22 anos), durante o período de 30 dias do outono, com o objetivo de avaliar o impacto de sistemas de preparo de solo (preparo convencional-PC e plantio direto-PD) nas emissões de C-CO2 de um Latossolo Vermelho distrófico, em Cruz Alta, RS. As emissões de C-CO2 do solo foram avaliadas com câmaras dinâmica (Flux Chamber 6400-09, Licor) e estática (com captação em solução alcalina), imediatamente após a colheita da soja. A temperatura e a umidade do solo foram registradas, concomitantemente com as emissões de C-CO2, por meio de sensor de temperatura e TDR manual, respectivamente, integrantes do Licor-6400. Estimou-se que, em 30 dias, uma quantidade equivalente a menos de 30 % do C aportado pelos resíduos de soja foi emitida na forma de C-CO2. As emissões de C-CO2 no solo em PD foram similares às emissões do solo em PC, independentemente do tipo de câmara utilizada. Diferenças entre sistemas de preparo quanto à emissão de C-CO2, avaliadas com a câmara dinâmica, foram verificadas somente a curto prazo (leituras diárias), com o PD apresentando maiores emissões do que o PC no início do período experimental e menores no final. A câmara dinâmica foi mais eficiente do que a estática em captar as alterações das emissões de C-CO2 em função da variação da temperatura e a porosidade preenchida por água (PPA) no solo em PD, as quais explicaram 83 e 62 % das emissões de C-CO2, respectivamente. O fator Q10, que avalia a sensibilidade da emissão de C-CO2 à temperatura do solo, foi estimado em 3,93, indicando alta sensibilidade da atividade microbiana à temperatura do solo durante o outono. As emissões de C-CO2 registradas no solo em PD com a câmara estática foram correlacionadas às da câmara dinâmica, porém com valores subestimados em relação àquela notadamente nos maiores valores de fluxo. em condições de baixa temperatura e PPA, o preparo de solo induziu limitado incremento de emissão de C-CO2.

Análise econômica da produção de carne de cordeiros sob dois sistemas de terminação: pastagem e confinamento

Foram analisados os custos de produção e o retorno econômico do quilograma de carcaça, de 13 cordeiros Corriedale (C), 14 Bergamácia x Corriedale (BC) e 9 Hampshire Down x Corriedale (HC), em pastagem de Cynodon dactylon e 10 C, 11 BC e 8 HC em confinamento, recebendo ração completa, com 18% de proteína bruta e 72% de nutrientes digestíveis totais, idênticos ao da pastagem. A lotação utilizada foi de 20 cordeiros/ha. No confinamento, considerou-se 0,5m²/cordeiro. A despesa total para terminação dos cordeiros na pastagem foi R$2.382,40 e para terminação em confinamento foi R$2.918,40, com as respectivas receitas de R$3.686,90 e R$4.498,03. O custo de produção do kg de carcaça dos cordeiros confinados (R$2,30), em valor absoluto foi superior, porém, muito próximo dos terminados em pastagem (R$2,26). O retomo econômico para os cordeiros terminados em confinamento (R$1.579,63) foi superior ao dos terminados em pastagem (R$1.304,50), mostrando uma diferença em valores absolutos de R$275,13 a favor dos cordeiros confinados. A produção de carne de cordeiro em confinamento é economicamente viável.

Antimalarial use of volatile oil from leaves of Virola surinamensis (Rol.) Warb. by Waiapi Amazon Indians

The Amazon Indians Waiapi living in the West of Amapa State of Brazil, treat malaria with an inhalation of vapor obtained from leaves of Viola surinamensis. The essential oil obtained from adult and plantlet leaves was analyzed by GC/MS and 11 monoterpenes, 11 sesquiterpenes and three phenylpropanoids were identified. Plantlet essential oil caused 100% of growth inhibition after 48 h in the development of the young trophozoite to schizont stage and the sesquiterpene nerolidol (100 mu g/ml) was identified as one of the active constituents (100% of growth inhibition was obtained). In addition, examination of [(UC)-C-14]-glucose incorporation showed that activity of nerolidol is related to the inhibition of glycoprotein biosynthesis. (C) 1999 Elsevier B.V. Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Activity of Delta(9)-desaturase enzyme in mammary gland of lactating buffaloes

The objective of this research was to measure the activity of e-desaturase enzyme in lactating buffaloes. Data from forty lactating Murrah-crossbred buffaloes were collected on five commercial farms located at Sarapui and Pilar do Sul, São Paulo-Brazil. A field survey was done from April to November 2002. In four farms, buffaloes were fed with wet brewers grains (primary concentrate). Only one farm (Farm 4) offered pasture and corn silage. Monthly milk samples were collected and stored at -20 degrees C until analyzed for fatty acid composition. The Delta(9)-desaturase activity was measured using an indirect method (myristoleic and myristic acids ration - C(14:1c9)/C(14:0)). The higher C(14:1c9)/C(14:0) rate was verified on Farm 4 (0.092). The C(14:1c9)/C(14:0) ratio were 0.064 to Farm 1; 0.065 to Farm 2; 0.062 to Farm 3 and 0.065 to Farm 5. The C(17:1)/C(17:0), C(18:1c9)/C(18:0) and C(18:2c9t11)/C(18:1t11) ratios were also affected. The Farm 4 showed higher value for all ratios. Therefore, in lactating buffaloes grazing pasture the Delta(9)-desaturase activity could be enhanced.

THE CRYSTAL-STRUCTURE OF BENZOYL-HISTIDINE MONOHYDRATE

The crystal structure of benzoyl-histidine monohydrate (BYLH hereafter), C-13H-12N-3O-3. H2O was determined from three dimensional data of 3012 independent reflections measured on a Enraf-Nonius (CAD4) single crystal diffractometer. The compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) with cell dimensions alpha = 7.102(1) angstrom, b = 13.783(3) angstrom, c = 14.160(4) angstrom, V = 1385.92 angstrom-3, F.W. = 277.28, F(000) = 584 Q(calc) = 1.32 g cm-3 and Z = 4.The structure was solved with direct methods. All positional and anisotropic thermal parameters were refined by full-matrix least-squares calculations. The final reliability factor was R = 0.040, while the weighted one was Rw = 0.034. The H atoms found in the difference Fourier map were refined isotropically.The compound consists of a histidine molecule bound to a benzoyl group. There is also a cocrystallized water molecule stabilized through a hydrogen bridge.The 5-membered ring of the histidine has its tautomeric form, after the transfer of the H atom from the N(delta) to the N(epsilon) atom of the ring. There is an sp2 conformation around C6 while the conformation around C3 is that of sp3. The histidine ring forms with the benzene ring a dihedral angle of 109.8(1)-degree.All angle values and bond distances agree very well with the expected values in the literature.

Gluconeogenesis and glucose replacement rate during long-term fasting of Japanese quails

Gluconeogenic activity and kinetic parameters of glucose metabolism were estimated during the different phases of prolonged food deprivation in quails. Gluconeogenic activity, estimated from the rate of increase of incorporation of (HCO3-)-C-14 into circulating glucose, was significantly higher in fasted quails than in fed birds, whatever the period of food deprivation. However, gluconeogenic activity during phase II, although higher than in the fed state, was significantly lower than in quails fasted for 2 days (phase I) or in those on the final (phase III) period of starvation. Gluconeogenic activity did not differ significantly in birds from phases I and III. Rates of glucose replacement, estimated with [6-H-3]-glucose, were very high (20.5 mg . kg(-1). min(-1)) in fed quails and were markedly reduced (to about 42% of fed values) by fasting, no difference being observed between quails fasted for 2 and 5 days. Because of the poor condition of the birds, glucose replacement rates could not be measured during phase III. The present data are the first to provide direct evidence for the changes in gluconeogenesis which occur during prolonged food deprivation.

Crystal structure of potassium trifluoro(2-methyl-1,3-dithiano)borate, K(C5H9BF3S2)

C5H9BF3KS2, triclinic, P (1) over bar (no. 2), a = 11.9238(5) angstrom, b = 13.6060(5) angstrom, c = 14.0280(3) angstrom, alpha = 114.995(2)degrees, beta = 92.035(2)degrees, gamma = 92.390(2)degrees, V = 2057.4 angstrom(3), Z = 8, R-gt(F) = 0.049, wR(ref)(F-2) = 0.117, T = 296 K.

The effect of mold temperature on castability of CPTi and Ti-6Al-4V castings into phosphate bonded investment materials

Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the castability of CP titanium and Ti-6Al-4V alloy castings into Rematitan Plus investment at three different mold temperatures.Methods. A nylon mesh pattern (20 mm with 64 squares and wire of 0.7 mm in diameter) was used for the castability testing. Initially, an image of the wax pattern was obtained by means of a digital camera and the total extension of filaments (mm) was then measured, using the Leica Qwin image analysis system. The mesh sprued was placed in the Rematitan Plus investment material and the castings were made in a Discovery Plasma machine at three different mold temperatures: 430 degrees C (control group), 480 degrees C or 530'C. Ten castings were made for each temperature. The images of the castings were analyzed (Leica Qwin) and the castability index determined by the number of the completely cast segments as a percentage of the wax pattern. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey's multiple comparison test (a = 0.05) using materials and temperatures as discriminating variables.Results. The Ti-6Al-4V alloy (60.86%) presented a better castability index than CP Ti (48.44%) (p < 0.000001). For CP Ti, the temperature of 530 degrees C (23.96%) presented better castability than at other temperatures, 480 degrees C (14.66%) and 430 degrees C (12.54%), with no difference between them (p < 0.001). For Ti-6Al-4V alloy, there was a statistically significant difference among the three temperatures: 530 degrees C (28.36%) > 480 degrees C (19.66%) > 430 degrees C (15.97%) (p < 0.002).Significance. Within the limitations of this study, the increase in the mold temperature of the Rematitan Plus investment resulted in a better castability index for both materials, and Ti-6Al-4V presented a better castability index than CP Ti. (c) 2005 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.