Study on coinfecting vector-borne pathogens in dogs and ticks in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

Since dogs presenting several vector borne diseases can show none or nonspecific clinical signs depending on the phase of infection, the assessment of the particular agents involved is mandatory. The present study aimed to investigate the presence of Babesia spp., Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., Hepatozoon spp. and Leishmania spp. in blood samples and ticks, collected from two dogs from Rio Grande do Norte showing suggestive tick-borne disease by using molecular techniques. DNA of E. canis, H. canis and L. infantum were detected in blood samples and R. sanguineus ticks collected from dogs. Among all samples analyzed, two showed the presence of multiple infections with E. canis, H. canis and L. infantum chagasi. Here we highlighted the need for molecular differential diagnosis in dogs showing nonspecific clinical signs.

Interpretation of Resistivity Piezocone Tests in a Contaminated Municipal Solid Waste Disposal Site

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

Green lacewings (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) associated with Melon Crop in Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Ocorrência de Zaprionus indianus gupta (Diptera: Drosophilidae) em frutos de juazeiro Ziziphus joazeiro mart. (rhamnaceae) no estado do Rio Grande do Norte

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Geoenvironmental site investigation using different techniques in a municipal solid waste disposal site in Brazil

Different geoenvironmental site investigation techniques to assess contamination from a municipal solid waste disposal site in Brazil are presented here. Superficial geophysical investigation (geoelectrical survey), resistivity piezocone penetration tests (RCPTU), soil samples collected with direct-push samplers and water samples collected from monitoring wells were applied in this study. The application of the geoelectrical method was indispensable to identify the presence and flow direction of contamination plumes (leachate) as well as to indicate the most suitable locations for RCPTU tests and soil and water sampling. Chemical analyses of groundwater samples contributed to a better understanding of the flow of the contaminated plume. The piezocone presented some limitations for tropical soils, since the groundwater level is sometimes deeper than the layer which is impenetrable to the cone, and the soil genesis and unsaturated conditions affect soil behavior. The combined interpretation of geoelectrical measurements and soil and water samplings underpinned the interpretation of RCPTU tests. The interpretation of all the test results indicates that the contamination plume has already overreached the landfill's west-northwest borders. Geoenvironmental laboratory test results suggest that contamination from the solid waste disposal site has been developing gradually, indicating the need for continuous monitoring of the groundwater.

Potential of municipal solid waste (MSW) as a source of energy in São Paulo: Its impact on CO2 balance

Energy generation is needed in São Paulo and MSW represents a promising alternative, although it is more expensive than hydroelectric power. About 14 900 t/day of MSW is generated, of which 8433 t/day is domestic and commercial MSW. From this amount, 1800 t will be destined to generate 30 MW of power. The eco-balance of CO2 has been considered for incineration and recycling. The recycling program of plastics, metals, paper and glass would represent a significant reduction in energy and CO2 emission. The total CO2 released is 3.34 x 10(5) t/yr without recycling. and is 1.25 x 10(5) t/yr with a recycling program. Most of the CO2 comes from plastics and paper production. Economic aspects could probably favor Incineration with energy production as the best option. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier B.V. Ltd. All rights reserved.

Determination of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls residues in municipal solid waste compost by gas chromatography with electron-capture detection

A simple and efficient method for the simultaneous gas chromatographic determination of ten organochlorine pesticides (alpha-HCH, beta-HCH, gamma-HCH, p,p'-DDT, o,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDE, aldrin, endrin, and dieldrin) and six congeners of PCBs (PCB 28, 52, 118, 138, 153, and 180) in municipal solid waste compost is described. The procedure involves a solid-phase dispersion matrix using celite as dispersant sorbent, alumina as clean up sorbent and hexane-dichloromethane (7:3, v/v) mixture as eluting solvent. An additional purification step with copper was necessary to eliminate sulphur. Analysis of the sample was performed by GC-ECD. The method was validated with fortified samples at two concentration levels (0.025 and 0.05 mg kg(-1)). Average recovery ranged from 77 to 121% with relative standard deviation between 1 and 18%. The detection limits, which ranged from 0.003 to 0.01 mg kg-1, were lower than those established by the Baden-Wurttemberg directive (0.033 mg kg(-1)).

Municipal solid waste compost amendment in agricultural soil: changes in soil microbial biomass

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Residues of organochlorine pesticides and PCBs in some Brazilian municipal solid waste compost

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), listed as per the Stockholm Convention (α -HCH, β -HCH, γ -HCH, p,p′-DDT, o,p′-DDT, p,p′-DDD, p,p′-DDE, aldrin, endrin, dieldrin, PCBs 28, 52, 118, 138, 153, and 180), were analyzed in municipal solid waste (MSW) compost samples from three different Brazilian composting plants located in three São Paulo State cities: Araras, Araraquara and São Paulo (Vila Leopoldinha). Quantitative and qualitative analyses were carried out using gas chromatography electron capture detection (GC-ECD) and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) (Ion Trap, electron impact ionization), respectively. The samples were analyzed in triplicate and the target POPs were not detected by GC-ECD. Twelve pollutants were identified in two samples when qualitative analysis (GC-MS) was used (β -HCH, γ -HCH, p,p′-DDT, o,p′-DDT, p,p′-DDD, and p,p′-DDE, PCBs 28, 118, 138, 153 and 180). The composting process has advantages such as urban solid waste reduction and landfill life-span increase, however the MSW compost quality, which can be utilized for agricultural purposes, should be evaluated and be controlled. This kind of study is the first step in making available information to answer questions regarding MSW compost for sustainable agricultural use, such as the pollutants accumulation in soil and in groundwater, and plants uptake. Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Aplicação das técnicas de geoprocessamento na análise dos impactos ambientais e na determinação da vulnerabilidade ambiental no litoral sul do Rio Grande do Norte

Pós-graduação em Geociências e Meio Ambiente - IGCE

A transposição das águas do rio São Francisco para o nordeste nos jornais do Rio Grande do Norte e São Paulo: um estudo enunciativo

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Caracterização da suinocultura em Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte: aspectos sanitários e riscos de zoonoses

Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária - FCAV

Influence of inoculum on performance of anaerobic reactors for treating municipal solid waste

The influence of bovine rumen fluid inoculum during anaerobic treatment of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (MSW) was studied in this work. The parameters adopted for evaluation were the biostabilization constant of total volatile solids (TVs) and the biostabilization time of the chemical oxygen demand (COD) applied to the reactors. The work was realized in four anaerobic batch reactors of 20 1 capacity each, during a period of 365 days. The proportions between MSW/inoculum loaded in the reactors were Reactor A (100%/0%), Reactor B (95%/5%), Reactor C (90%/10%) and Reactor D (85%/15%). The necessary time for biostabilization of half of the applied COD was 459, 347, 302 and 234 days and the average of methane concentration in the biogas produced was 3.6%, 13.0%, 25.0% and 42.6% for Reactors A, B, C and D, respectively. The data obtained affirm that the inoculum used substantially improved the performance of the process. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The USAID and the teaching of mathematics in Rio Grande do Norte

In the 1960s occurred great changes in the general education and, specially in the mathematical teaching, throughout Brazil. Besides the Law Diretrizes e Bases for Education (law 4024/1961), such changes also was occurred by opposite educational movements. In one side, those ones that valorized the popular education and culture and, for the other side, the international agreements between universities and government organs, like SUDENE and MEC, with United States Agency for International Development (USAID). These agreements purposed the cultural alignment. In this article we will expose some of these agreements and their interference in two courses for teachers' education. These teachers taught mathematics for the elementary school, in Rio Grande do Norte.

Formação inicial e concepções de assistentes sociais do interior do Rio Grande do Norte sobre a sexualidade da pessoa idosa

Pós-graduação em Educação Sexual - FCLAR