Evaluation of figs mutant selections cv. roxo-de-Valinhos

The fig (Ficus carica L.), belonging to the Moraceas family, is one of the most important fruit crops, bringing Brazil to the condition of the tenth largest fig producer and exporter in the world. But the culture presents some problems with plant protection, and in Brazil, it is all implanted with an only cultivar, Roxo-de-Valinhos, which produces seedless fruit, not permitting the conventional improvement. In this sense, the genetic improvement by using mutagenic becomes a very important research line, that can greatly contribute to the culture development. Considering this, this study aimed to evaluate selections of fig originated from mutant plants formed by cuttings from buds irradiated with gamma ray and compare them with the main varieties of the culture in commercial plantation. By using plants originated from 5 traditional fig cultivars cuttings and 5 fig mutant selections (formed by cuttings from Roxo-de-Valinhos buds irradiated with gamma ray, in the dose of 30 Gy), spaced by 2.5 x 1.5 m. The experimental layout was a completely randomized block design, with 10 treatments, 3 repetitions and 5 plants per plot. The evaluations are made from the plants vegetative growth as well as the fruit characteristics. Through data analysis, it seems that there is variability between the mutant selections and with the traditional cultivars, and the treatment PI-189 was superior to the standard cultivar Roxo-de-Valinhos on great commercial characteristics importance, such as "number of fruit per plant", "average weight per fruit" and "productivity", having the same traits, showing itself with enormous potential for future studies.

Urinary lithiasis and idiopathic hypercalciuria: the importance of dietary intake evaluation

PUSPOSE: To evaluate food intake of patients with urinary lithiasis and idiopathic hypercalciuria (IH). MATERIALS and METHODS: Between August 2007 and June 2008, 105 patients with lithiasis were distributed into 2 groups: Group 1 (n = 55) - patients with IH (urinary calcium excretion > 250 mg in women and 300 mg in men with normal serum calcium); Group 2 (n = 50) - normocalciuria (NC) patients . Inclusion criteria were: age over 18, normal renal function (creatinine clearance = 60 mL/min), absent proteinuria and negative urinary culture. Pregnant women, patients with some intestinal pathology, chronic diarrhea or using corticoids were excluded. The protocol of metabolic investigation was based on non-consecutive collection of two 24-hour samples for dosages of: calcium, sodium, uric acid, citrate, oxalate, magnesium and urinary volume. Food intake was evaluated through the quantitative method of Dietary Register of three days. RESULTS: Urinary excretion of calcium (433.33 ± 141.92 vs. 188.93 ± 53.09), sodium (280.08 ± 100.94 vs. 200.44.93 ± 65.81), uric acid (880.63 ± 281.50 vs. 646.74 ± 182.76) and magnesium (88.78 ± 37.53 vs. 64.34 ± 31.84) was significantly higher in the IH group in comparison to the NC group (p < 0.05). As regards the nutritional composition of food intake of IH and NC groups, there was no statistical significant difference in any nutrient evaluated. CONCLUSION: In our study, no difference was observed in the food intake of patients with urinary lithiasis and IH or NC.

Microbiological Evaluation of Chicken Carcasses in an Immersion Chilling System with Water Renewal at 8 and 16 Hours

Since 2004, Brazil has been the leading exporter of chicken. Because of the importance of this sector in the Brazilian economy, food safety must be ensured by control and monitoring of the production stages susceptible to contamination, such as the chilling process. The goal of this study was to evaluate changes in microbial levels on chicken carcasses and in chilling water after immersion in a chilling system for 8 and 16 h during commercial processing. An objective of the study was to encourage discussion regarding the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture Livestock and Food Supply regulation that requires chicken processors to completely empty, clean, and disinfect each tank of the chilling system after every 8-h shift. Before and after immersion carcasses were collected and analyzed for mesophilic bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, conforms, and Escherichia coli. Samples of water from the chilling system were also analyzed for residual free chlorine. The results do not support required emptying of the chiller tank after 8 h; these tanks could be emptied after 16 h. The results for all carcasses tested at the 8- and 16-h time points indicated no significant differences in the microbiological indicators evaluated. These data provide both technical and scientific support for discussing changes in federal law regarding the management of immersion chilling water systems used as part of the poultry processing line.

Evaluation of serum- and animal protein-free media for the production of infectious bronchitis virus (M41) strain in a continuous cell line

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Auditory brainstem response in term and preterm infants with neonatal complications: the importance of the sequential evaluation

Introduction Literature data are not conclusive as to the influence of neonatal complications in the maturational process of the auditory system observed by auditory brainstem response (ABR) in infants at term and preterm. Objectives Check the real influence of the neonatal complications in infants by the sequential auditory evaluation. Methods Historical cohort study in a tertiary referral center. A total of 114 neonates met inclusion criteria: treatment at the Universal Neonatal Hearing Screening Program of the local hospital; at least one risk indicator for hearing loss; presence in both evaluations (the first one after hospital discharge from the neonatal unit and the second one at 6 months old); all latencies in ABR and transient otoacoustic emissions present in both ears. Results The complications that most influenced the ABR findings were Apgar scores less than 6 at 5 minutes, gestational age, intensive care unit stay, peri-intraventricular hemorrhage, and mechanical ventilation. Conclusion Sequential auditory evaluation is necessary in premature and term newborns with risk indicators for hearing loss to correctly identify injuries in the auditory pathway.

Correlations of trace elements in breast human tissues: Evaluation of spatial distribution using μ-XRF

The aim of this work is to investigate microscopic correlations between trace elements in breast human tissues. A synchrotron X-ray fluorescence microprobe system (μ-XRF) was used to obtain two-dimensional distribution of trace element Ca, Fe, Cu and Zn in normal (6 samples) and malignant (14 samples) breast tissues. The experiment was performed in X-ray Fluorescence beam line at Laboratório Nacional de Luz Síncrotron (LNLS), Campinas, Brazil. The white microbeam was generated with a fine conical capillary with a 20 μm output diameter. The samples were supported on a XYZ table. An optical microscope with motorized zoom was used for sample positioning and choice the area to be scanned. Automatic two-dimensional scans were programmed and performed with steps of 30 μm in each direction (x, y) on the selected area. The fluorescence signals were recorded using a Si(Li) detector, positioned at 90 degrees with respect to the incident beam, with a collection time of 10 s per point. The elemental maps obtained from each sample were overlap to observe correlation between trace elements. Qualitative results showed that the pairs of elements Ca-Zn and Fe-Cu could to be correlated in malignant breast tissues. Quantitative results, achieved by Spearman correlation tests, indicate that there is a spatial correlation between these pairs of elements (p < 0.001) suggesting the importance of these elements in metabolic processes associated with the development of the tumor.

Measurement systems of soil water matric potential and evaluation of soil moisture under different irrigation depths

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Control of Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Gallinarum in birds by using live vaccine candidate containing attenuated Salmonella Gallinarum mutant strain

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

Evaluation of TFAM and FABP4 gene polymorphisms in three lines of Nellore cattle selected for growth

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

Synthesis and Anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis Evaluation of Aza-Stilbene Derivatives

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Are light traps baited with kairomones effective in the capture of Lutzomyia longipalpis and Lutzomyia intermedia? An evaluation of synthetic human odor as an attractant for phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Development and In Vitro Evaluation of Surfactant Systems for Controlled Release of Zidovudine

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

A Proposal for System Performance Evaluation for an ERP Knowledge Extraction Model

Much has been researched and discussed in the importance played by knowledge in organizations. We are witnessing the establishment of the knowledge economy, but this "new economy" brings in itself a whole complex system of metrics and evaluations, and cannot be dissociated from it. Due to its importance, the initiatives of knowledge management must be continually assessed on their progress in order to verify whether they are moving towards achieving the goals of success. Thus, good measurement practices should include not only how the organization quantifies its knowledge capital, but also how resources are allocated to supply their growth. Thinking about the aspects listed above, this paper presents an approach to a model for Knowledge extraction using an ERP system, suggesting the establishment of a set of indicators for assessing organizational performance. The objective is to evaluate the implementation of projects of knowledge management and thus observe the general development of the organization.

Test of a Modular Fault Current Limiter for 220 V Line Using YBCO Coated Conductor Tapes With Shunt Protection

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