Karyotypic Data on 28 Species of Scinax (Amphibia: Anura: Hylidae): Diversity and Informative Variation

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Size distribution and sex ratio in the spider crab Epialtus brasiliensis (Dana 1852) associated with seaweed on a rocky shore in southeastern Brazil (Crustacea, Decapoda, Brachyura, Majoidea, Epialtidae).

This study analyzed a population of the spider crab Epialtus brasiliensis, in regard to its size distribution, sex ratio and Sexual maturity. The study was conducted on a rocky shore in the Ubatuba region, state of Silo Paulo, Brazil, where a wide strip of algae covers the intertidal zone. A total of 378 specimens were obtained: 200 males (128 juvenile and 72 adult crabs) and 178 females (46 juveniles and 132 adults). Their Sizes ranged from 3.4 to 16.7 mm carapace length (CL). Taking into account that the pubertal and terminal molts are coincident in majid crabs, the maximum sizes attained by males and females are especially dependent on the factors that influence sexual maturity, mainly food resources, temperature and intraspecific competition. Males of E. brasiliensis occurred in all size classes, whereas females occurred only as far the 10th size class (12-13 min CL). file total sex ratio did not differ statistically from 1 : 1, but when the juvenile and adult specimens were analyzed separately the differences between sexes were significantly different, with higher proportions of immature males and mature females. The CL50 calculated for males and females was 10.4, and 6.9 min CL, respectively. Thus, males reach their sexual maturity at a larger size than females. This feature may be important for the reproductive strategy of this species, because larger males probably have greater reproductive Success.

Synthesis and X-ray studies of di-μ-cyanato-bis[{cyanato (N,N- dimethylethylenediamine)}copper(II)]

The compound di-μ-cyanato-bis[{cyanato(N,N-dimethylethylenediamine)} copper(II)] was synthesized, and studied by IR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. It is dimeric with bridging and terminal cyanate groups, and the copper atoms show a square-based pyramid coordination geometry. © 1990.

Evolutionary dynamics of retrotransposable elements Rex1, Rex3 and Rex6 in neotropical cichlid genomes

Background: Transposable elements (TEs) have the potential to produce broad changes in the genomes of their hosts, acting as a type of evolutionary toolbox and generating a collection of new regulatory and coding sequences. Several TE classes have been studied in Neotropical cichlids; however, the information gained from these studies is restricted to the physical chromosome mapping, whereas the genetic diversity of the TEs remains unknown. Therefore, the genomic organization of the non-LTR retrotransposons Rex1, Rex3, and Rex6 in five Amazonian cichlid species was evaluated using physical chromosome mapping and DNA sequencing to provide information about the role of TEs in the evolution of cichlid genomes. Results: Physical mapping revealed abundant TE clusters dispersed throughout the chromosomes. Furthermore, several species showed conspicuous clusters accumulation in the centromeric and terminal portions of the chromosomes. These TE chromosomal sites are associated with both heterochromatic and euchromatic regions. A higher number of Rex1 clusters were observed among the derived species. The Rex1 and Rex3 nucleotide sequences were more conserved in the basal species than in the derived species; however, this pattern was not observed in Rex6. In addition, it was possible to observe conserved blocks corresponding to the reverse transcriptase fragment of the Rex1 and Rex3 clones and to the endonuclease of Rex6. Conclusion: Our data showed no congruence between the Bayesian trees generated for Rex1, Rex3 and Rex6 of cichlid species and phylogenetic hypothesis described for the group. Rex1 and Rex3 nucleotide sequences were more conserved in the basal species whereas Rex6 exhibited high substitution rates in both basal and derived species. The distribution of Rex elements in cichlid genomes suggests that such elements are under the action of evolutionary mechanisms that lead to their accumulation in particular chromosome regions, mostly in heterochromatins. © 2013 Schneider et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Desempenho de semeadora-adubadora com cinco modelos de hastes sulcadoras na cultura do milho (Zea mays L.)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Development of a knowledge-based system for cogeneration plant design: Verification, validation and lessons learned

This paper presents the development of a knowledge-based system (KBS) prototype able to design natural gas cogeneration plants, demonstrating new features for this field. The design of such power plants represents a synthesis problem, subject to thermodynamic constraints that include the location and sizing of components. The project was developed in partnership with the major Brazilian gas and oil company, and involved interaction with an external consultant as well as an interdisciplinary team. The paper focuses on validation and lessons learned, concentrating on important aspects such as the generation of alternative configuration schemes, breadth of each scheme description created by the system, and its module to support economic feasibility analysis. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Location of 45S Ribosomal Genes in Mitotic and Meiotic Chromosomes of Buthid Scorpions

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

Atmospheric pollutants in São Paulo state, Brazil and effects on human health – a review

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

Análise do monitoramento de descargas atmosféricas na área de concessão da companhia força e luz do oeste em Guarapuava, Estado do Paraná

Aiming to analyze the monitoring of the atmospheric discharges incidence, the concession area of Companhia Forca e Luz do Oeste (CFLO) - Western Power and Light Company, located in the district of Guarapuava, state of Parana was chosen for a study developed in 2003, from January to December. After the air masses dynamics description, it was possible to identify the occurrence of atmospheric discharges and to compare them to the energy interruptions. To that end, atmospheric discharges density maps were created within the CFLO concession area for a later analysis of their influence in the electric energy supply. The monitoring of the atmospheric discharges and the comparison between this phenomenon and the occurrence of interruptions in the electric energy supply enabled this study. Results showed that such events are directly related, and that the rural area of the region under study underwent a major interference.

Testes físico-mecânicos e físico-químicos do couro da tilápia vermelha

Realizaram-se testes físico-mecânicos e físico-químicos em couro de tilápia vermelha (Oreochromis spp.) a fim de testar a sua resistência. As amostras foram distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso com dois tratamentos: no T1, procedeu-se à retirada do corpo-de-prova no sentido longitudinal e, no T2, à retirada do corpo-de-prova no sentido transversal. Para os testes de determinação da resistência à tração, alongamento e rasgamento progressivo, foi utilizado o dinamômetro EMIC, com velocidade de afastamento entre as cargas de 100 ± 20mm/min, em ambiente climatizado (± 23ºC e UR do ar de 50%), por 24 horas. A espessura do couro variou de 0,61 a 0,75mm, mas não houve diferença entre os sentidos analisados. O couro apresentou maior resistência à tração no sentido transversal, 25,89N/mm², (P<0,01), comparado ao sentido longitudinal, 14,20 N/mm². O alongamento foi significativamente (P<0,05) maior no sentido longitudinal, 80,8%, em relação ao transversal, 62,6%. Não houve diferença para o rasgamento progressivo entre os tratamentos. O couro apresentou teor de óxido de cromo de 3,8%, graxa de 15,1% e pH e cifra diferencial de 3,5 e 0,5, respectivamente. Os valores nos testes de resistência e físico-químicos apresentados pelo couro indicam que ele pode ser utilizado para a confecção de vestuário e artefatos de couro em geral.

A elasticidade do ligamento colateral medial da articulação do cotovelo de cão não advém de elastina

A literatura relata que ligamentos consistem de tecido conjuntivo denso, composto por água, colágeno tipos I e III, diversas proteoglicanas, pouca elastina e várias outras substâncias. Além disso, os ligamentos, quando testados in vitro com tensão longitudinal e unidirecional, apresentam um comportamento mecânico não-linear, ou seja, as fibras colágenas são alongadas aos poucos, perdendo seu padrão ondulado, até que todas estejam no limite máximo de tração e iniciem o rompimento. Portanto, no presente estudo avaliou-se a presença de fibras elásticas (elastina) no ligamento colateral medial do cotovelo de cães adultos para ponderar se a elasticidade do referido ligamento deve-se à presença de fibras elásticas ou às propriedades elásticas do colágeno ou à combinação de ambas. Foram utilizadas quatro articulações, de machos e fêmeas em igual proporção, das quais foram adquiridas as amostras das porções médias dos ligamentos colaterais mediais para a rotina histológica. Os cortes foram corados pela técnica de Weigert, e não foi observada a presença de fibras elásticas, detectável por esta técnica à microscopia de luz. Concluiu-se que a elasticidade do ligamento colateral medial do cotovelo de cão deve-se, principalmente, ao padrão ondulado das fibras colágenas, devido à quantidade ínfima ou até à inexistência de fibras elásticas nesta estrutura.

Caracterização física do solo e desempenho operacional de máquinas agrícolas na implantação da cultura do sorgo forrageiro

Forage sorghum can be grown in areas presenting dry and hot environmental situations where the yield of other grasses can often be uneconomical. The objective of this study was to analyze the operating performance of agricultural machines in the deployment of sorghum forage in four tillage systems, as follows: no-tillage system, disk harrow + seeding, disk harrow + two light disking + seeding, minimum tillage + seeding and four seeding different speeds, as follows: 3, 5, 6 and 9 km h(-1). The study was performed under field conditions in FCA/UNESP, Botucatu County, SP, Brazil. The data were subjected to variance analysis in a simple factorial 4 x 4, and a random block design with split plots. Operational performance of the agricultural machinery, physical characteristics the soil, its water content and the yield of dry matter and green sorghum were determined. The operational performance of agricultural machines in the deployment of sorghum forage is influenced by the sowing speed and the soil tillage system used. Chisel plow was the equipment that required the highest mean traction force, mean traction and slip, as well as the lowest mean speed for the studied tillage system. Forage sorghum showed higher yields in no-tillage systems at a seeding speed of 5 km h(-1).

Caracterização morfofisiológica de isolados do gênero Cylindrocladium

Com o objetivo de caracterizar o complexo gênero anamórfico Cylindrocladium, dezoito isolados foram cultivados em meios de cultura distintos, mantidos sob diferentes temperaturas, além de ter conídios e vesículas terminais analisados morfologicamente para identificação correta das culturas. Inoculações em diferentes hospedeiros foram, também, realizadas para avaliação do comportamento patogênico dos isolados estudados. Com relação aos caracteres morfológicos, pôde-se observar que ocorrem alterações nas dimensões de conídios e na morfologia da vesícula terminal devido, provavelmente, à mudança do substrato de cultivo. Porém, a variabilidade natural nas características dessas estruturas é tão elevada que dificulta a identificação correta dos isolados. em uma mesma cultura, por exemplo, foram observadas vesículas terminais de diferentes morfologias. Pôde-se constatar que existem diferenças patogênicas e fisiológicas entre os isolados, uma vez que houve a formação de grupos distintos quando tais características foram consideradas. Estas diferenças, provavelmente, sejam devidas à constituição genética distinta existente entre os isolados.

Ultrastructural features in the epididymis of the dog (Canis familiaris, L.)

The ultrastructure of the epididymal duct of the dog is described in this paper. The epididymis was divided into three morphofunctional segments: initial, middle and terminal. The cellular population of the lining epithelium is formed from principal, apical, basal and clear cells. The peritubular stroma and the tubular interstitium surrounding the epithelium are also described. The outcome is compared to the description made in other species of mammals.

Autopsy: quality assurance in the ICU

Objective: To examine the correlation between the clinical diagnosis and autopsy findings in adult patients who died in an intensive care unit (ICU). To determine the rate of agreement of the basic and terminal causes of death and the types of errors in order to improve quality control of future care,Design, Retrospective study.Setting: Adult ICU in a university hospital.Patients: 30 adult patients who died in the ICU. with the exclusion of medicolegal cases.Methods and main results: Anatomo-clinical meetings were held to analyze the pre- and postmortem correlations in 30 consecutive autopsies at the ICU of the University Hospital, School of Medicine of Botucatu/ UNESP, from January 1994 to January 1997. The rate of correct clinical diagnoses of the basic cause was 66.7 %; in 23.3 % of cases, if the correct diagnosis was made, management would have been different, as would have been the evolution of the patient's course (Class I error): in 10 % of the cases the error would not have led to a change in management (Class II error). The rate of correct clinical diagnoses of terminal cause was 80 %.Conclusions: the rate of recognition of the basic cause was 66.7 %, which is consistent with the literature, but the Class I error rate was higher than that reported in the literature.