Late Quaternary vegetation dynamics from central parts of the Madeira River in Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Multivariate analysis of fresh-cut carambola slices stored under different temperatures

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

Biópsia hepática com agulha tru-cut guiada por videolaparoscopia em caprinos

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

Use of modified atmosphere to extend shelf life of fresh-cut carambola (Averrhoa carambola L. cv. Fwang Tung)

Fresh-cut fruit products, including carambola (Averrhoa carambola L.), have limited marketability due to cut surface browning attributed to phenolic compound oxidation by enzymes, such as polyphenol oxidase (PPO). The objective of this study was to evaluate postharvest changes in carambola slices in three different packages. Carambola fruit (cv. Fwang Tung) were picked from the Estacao Experimental de Citricultura de Bebedouro orchard at the mature-green stage. The fruit were washed, dipped in NaOCl solution (200 mg L-1 for 5 min), stored overnight at 10 degrees C, then manually sliced into pieces of approximately 1 cm. The slices were rinsed with NaOCl solution at 20 mg L-1, drained for 3 min, and packaged in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) trays (Neoform (R) N94); polystyrene trays covered with PVC 0.017 turn (Vitafilm (R), Goodyear); and vacuum seated polyolefin bags (PLO, Cryovac (R) PD900). The packages were stored at 6.8 degrees C and 90% RH for 12 d, with samples taken every 4 d. PET trays and PVC film did not significantly modify the internal atmosphere and the high water permeability of PVC led to more rapid slice desiccation. PPO activity was lower when the slices were packaged in PLO vacuum sealed bags, which reduced degreening and led to better appearance maintenance for up to 12 d. (R) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Impact of atmosphere, organic acids, and calcium on quality of fresh-cut 'Kensington' mango

Fresh-cut slices from ripe 'Kensington' mango (Mangifera indica L.) were prepared aseptically and stored under various treatments at 3 degrees C. Treatments included reduced oxygen (2.5%), enhanced carbon dioxide (5-40%), organic acid application, calcium chloride application, and combinations of the above. Symptoms limiting shelf-life were characterised by tissue darkening, development of a 'glassy' appearance, surface desiccation, and loss of firmness. Reduced oxygen (2.5%) was effective at controlling tissue darkening and the development of a 'glassy' appearance, while calcium application (3%) was partly effective at controlling darkening. Calcium chloride however significantly slowed (but did not stop) loss of tissue firmness. Carbon dioxide (5-40%) and citric acid had little positive effect on shelf-life, with both treatments appearing to promote tissue softening. A combination of low oxygen and calcium allowed 'Kensington' slices to be held for at least 15 days at 3 degrees C. (C) 2006 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.

Carcass and cut yields and meat qualitative traits of broilers fed diets containing probiotics and prebiotics

This study evaluated the use of different probiotics, prebiotics and symbiotics on the quality of carcasses and meat of broiler chickens. One hundred and eight day-old Cobb male broilers were used (n=108) in a completely randomized design according to a 3x3 factorial, with 3 probiotics in the diet (no probiotics, probiotics 1, probiotics 2) and 3 prebiotics in the diet (no prebiotics, prebiotics 1, prebiotics 2). There were nine treatments with 4 replicates and 3 birds per replicate. The results showed that the carcass and cut yields, color (L* - lightness, a* - redness, and b* - yellowness), pH, cooking losses, shearing force and sensory analysis were not affected by the use of different growth promoters at 42 days of age. It was concluded that growth promoters supplemented to the diet did not affect the studied quantitative and qualitative parameters of the carcass and breast meat of broiler chickens.

In vivo evaluation of laser fluorescence performance using different cut-off limits for occlusal caries detection

The aim of this in vivo study was to evaluate the performance of laser fluorescence (LF) comparing different cut-off limits for occlusal caries detection. One hundred and thirty first permanent molars were selected. Visual examination and LF assessments were performed independently. The extent of caries was assessed after operative intervention. New cut-off limits were established and compared with those proposed by the manufacturer and by Lussi et al. (Eur J Oral Sci 109:14-19, 2001). Similar sensitivity and higher specificity was found at D(2) (considering as disease only dentin caries) when the LF cut-off limits proposed by Lussi et al. and the new one were compared. At the D(3) threshold (considering as disease only deep dentin caries), no statistically significant difference among the cut-off limits for sensitivity was found. However, the new cut-off limits showed higher specificity. The LF device provided good ability to detect dentin caries lesions. Furthermore, the new cut-off limits and the values proposed by Lussi et al. could be suggested for the in vivo detection of occlusal caries.

Vase Life of New Tropical Cut Foliage: Cordyline terminalis

Cordyline terminalis is a tropical ornamental with high decorative value due its variety of colors and foliar patterns. This ornamental is new in the Brazilian market and has large potential to be exported. The lack of studies on postharvest aspects is a problem for new crops, and the development of good post-production techniques can reduce costs due to loss of unsalable, damaged plants. The present work aimed to characterize the vase life of red and green cultivars of C. terminalis. Conservation techniques, such as pulsing with gibberellic acid (GA(3)), wax spray, and cold storage for 10 and 20 days at 5, 10, and 13 degrees C were tested. Also, macro-and micronutrients concentration was tracked during the senescence process. In the water-based treatment (control), both cultivars had a vase life of 21 days. Vase life was not influenced by wax spray, GA pulsing, or cold storage for 10 days at 5, 10 or 13 degrees C. In both cultivars, the postharvest techniques used did not improve the vase life on this species. on the other hand, by cold storing the foliage for 20 days in any of the tested temperatures, the vase life was shortened one week, with a total of 14 days longevity compared with all other treatments. Color changes were not correlated with senescence of the foliage. Nutrients did not change during the evaluation period. C. terminalis had a vase life long enough for export, supported by cold storage up to 10 days, which did not shorten the vase life.

Application of abrupt cut-off models in the analysis of the capacitance spectra of conjugated polymer devices

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

Effects of Surface Hydration State and Application Method on the Bond Strength of Self-etching Adhesives to Cut Enamel

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of surface hydration state and application method on the microtensile bond strength of one-step self-etching adhesives systems to cut enamel.Materials and Methods: One hundred ninety-five bovine teeth were used. The enamel on the buccal side was flattened with 600-grit SiC paper. For the control group, 15 teeth received Adper Single Bond 2, applied according to manufacturer's recommendations. The other specimens were divided into three groups according to the adhesive system used: Futura Bond M (FM; Voco), Clearfil S-3 Bond (CS; Kuraray), and Optibond All in One (OA; Kerr). For each group, two hydration states were tested: D: blown dry with air; W: the excess of water was removed with absorbent paper. Two application methods were tested: P (passive): the adhesive was simply left on the surface; A (active): the adhesive was rubbed with an applicator point. A coat of Grandio composite resin (Voco) was applied on the surface. The teeth were sectioned to obtain enamel-resin sticks (1 x 1 mm), which underwent microtensile bond testing. The data in MPa were submitted to a three-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (alpha = 5%).Results: The ANOVA showed significant differences for application method and the type of adhesive, but not for hydration state. For the application method, the results of Tukey's test were: P: 31.46 (+/-7.09)a; A: 34.04 (+/-7.19)b. For the type of adhesive, the results were: OA: 31.29 (+/-7.05)a; CS: 32.28 (+/-7.14)a; FM: 34.68 (+/-7.17)b; different lower-case letters indicate statistically significant differences.Conclusion: Active application improved the bond strength to cut enamel. The adhesive Futurabond M showed the highest bond strength to cut enamel.

Effective potential in curved space and cut-off regularizations

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Cultivar affects browning susceptibility of freshly cut star fruit slices

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

Testicular biopsy with Tru-Cut needle in conjunction with fibrin adhesive or nylon suture: assessment of post-biopsy testicular function in rams

Testicular biopsy has been a complementary technique for clinical and research purposes to evaluate reproductive function in males. However, hemorrhage, inflammation, degeneration, and adhesion are factors that might limit the use of this procedure. In order to minimize these potential problems, fibrin glue derived from snake venom, a tissue adhesive with sealing, hemostatic, and healing properties, was used in conjunction with bilateral testicular biopsy with the Tru-Cut needle and was compared with a more conventional technique that uses nylon suture. Thirty mature rams were randomly assigned to three groups of 10 animals each, as follows: nonsurgical control group (no scrotal surgery, or biopsy); biopsy + glue group (fibrin glue on puncture sites and skin incisions) and biopsy + suture group (compression with swab on puncture sites and suturing of skin incision). The surgeries of the rams in the biopsy groups were performed on the same day, which was designated Day 0 for all three groups. Data of scrotal circumference, number of spermatozoa per ejaculum, percentage of morphologically abnormal spermatozoa, spermatozoa motility, and serum testosterone concentrations from Days -7, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 were evaluated. There were no significant differences between groups within days for any of the parameters evaluated. In conclusion, the testicular biopsy procedure using the Tru-Cut needle in conjunction with conventional nylon suture or the more novel fibrin glue in rams did not affect any of the parameters of testicular function evaluated in this study and was shown to be relatively simple, safe and efficient. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier B.V. B.V.