Brazil's new national policy on solid waste: challenges and opportunities

Brazil, one of the world's largest developing countries, has recently introduced a new solid waste management regulatory policy. This new regulatory policy will have implications for a wide variety of stakeholders and sets the stage for opportunities and lessons to be learned. These issues are discussed in this article. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Temperature and Scarification Effects on the Germination of Syagrus picrophylla Seeds, a Brazilian Native Palm

Syagrus picrophylla belongs to the Arecaceae family. Its propagation is made by seeds; however there is a lack of information in the literature about its seed germination. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of temperature and scarification on the germination of S. picrophylla seeds. The experiment was carried out at the State University of São Paulo, Jaboticabal Campus, Brazil. The experimental design was entirely randomized in a factorial arrangement 5 x 2 (five temperature conditions combined with or without mechanical scarification. The number of germinated seeds that showed primary root protrusion was noted daily, and when the germination was stabilized, the germination (%G) and germination rate (GR) were calculated. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) was carried out for means comparing by the Tukey test at 5% confidence level. It was concluded that the greatest %G were obtained at 20-30 degrees C (62%) and 25-35 degrees C (59%) alternated temperatures; %G and GR were similar for both scarified and non-scarified seeds, and there was a faster germination at 20-30 degrees C alternated temperature.

Substrate and Temperature Effects on the Germination of Dypsis leptocheilos (Hodel) Beentje & J. Dransf. (Arecaceae) Seeds

Dypsis leptocheilos is highly valued as an ornamental palm. Its propagation is done by seeds; however, there is little information about this process. The objective of this work was to study the substrate and temperature effects on the germination of D. leptocheilos seeds. The experiments were carried out at FCAV/UNESP, Campus of Jaboticabal, São Paulo State, Brazil. In order to study the substrate effects, four treatments were arranged (coconut fiber, sand, vermiculite and Plantmax (R)) at 30 degrees C. For the temperature effects, six treatments were performed (temperature at laboratory conditions (21.5 degrees C and 72% RU), 25 degrees C, 30 degrees C, 35 degrees C, 20-30 degrees C and 25-35 degrees C), having the coconut fiber as the substrate. The experimental design was completely randomized, with four replicates of 25 disseminules per plot (seeds with attached endocarp). Water replacement was managed to maintain 100% of the retention capacity of the substrates. The germination tests were observed every two days, and conducted over 148 days for the substrate effects, and over 152 days for the temperature effects, when no more seed germination was noted. In order to determine the germination percentage (% G) and the Germination Speed Index (GSI), the seed was considered germinated when the germinative button appeared. At the end of the experiments, leaf area (cm(2)), root and shoot length (cm), root and shoot dry mass (g) were also obtained. Statistical analysis was performed and means were compared by the Tukey test. Germination rate and speed in coconut fiber was higher at 25 and 30 degrees C. However, when other substrates were tested at 30 degrees C, the highest germination percentage was observed in vermiculite, which also sustained better results for the seed germination and for the characteristics related to shoots and roots.

The Effects of Piece Size and Storage Temperatures on Minimally Processed 'Aurora-1' Peaches

The production of minimally processed fruit has increased significantly in the last few years due to the high nutritional value, convenience and safety of minimally processed fruit. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of the conservation temperature and processing conditions on the quality and shelf-life of minimally processed peaches. The processing procedure consisted of washing, sanitization, peeling and stone removal. To remove the stone, the fruit was cut longitudinally, and three types of products were obtained, including halves, quarters and one-eighth segments. The fruit pieces were immersed in 2% ascorbic acid for 3 min and were packed in rigid polystyrene trays (Meiwa (c) M-54) coated with 14 mu m PVC film (Omnifilm (TM)) (about 200 g per pack). The pieces were stored at 65% RH at 3, 6 or 9 degrees C for 12 days, and were evaluated every four days. The appearance, fresh mass loss, color, O-2 and CO2 concentration, acidity, total soluble solids, total and soluble pectin content and ascorbic acid concentration were measured. Minimally processed peaches stored at 3 degrees C maintained higher quality due to control of ripening and senescence Moreover, an interaction effect between one-eighth segments and a temperature of 3 degrees C was observed, and fruit with a superior appearance and higher soluble solids content was obtained.

Effect of erythromycin on motility and gastric emptying in dogs, by AC Biosusceptometry

We employed ACB to characterize Gastric Emptying Time (GET - T1/2) and Gastric Activity Contraction (GAC) in dogs after erythromycin administration. An erythromycin dose of 50 mg was infused, after 24 h of fasting. Without erythromycin administration, ACB recorded GET of 157.5 ± 13.6 min (mean ± SD) and GAC of 4.4 ± 0.5 cpm (cycles per minute). After erythromycin administration was measured a GET of 84.2 ± 19.7 min. GAC was measured before, during and after erythromycin administration and results were, respectively, 4.4 ± 0.5, 4.9 ± 0.6 and 4.2 ± 0.3 cpm. Erythromycin produced efficient prokinetic action in gastric emptying and increased gastric motility in dogs. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Developed and studies on technical and economical viability of an environmental efficient urinal

This work introduces an innovative urinal for public convenience, that promotes at the same time water reuse and personal higiene, in a safe and economical way . Furthermore it demonstrates the latest technology and its technical and economical viabillity of utilization in new and already existing buildings facilities. This new model of personal higiene equipment offers as main benefits the improved economy with subsequent decrease in drinkable water consumption, sanitary safety, low cost and easy installation due to its simplicity and to the fact that it can be installed in already existing facilities. The proposal is constituted by a higienic, ecological and smart system for flushing of public urinals. It is a conjugated system of lavatory and urinal that reuses hands higienization water from the lavatory for flushing purpose. The proposed urinal can be operated manually or automatically by means of a presential sensor. The system promotes drinkable water economy by a rational utilization by avoiding the use of waste water from hand washing in place of clean water for flushing. The proposed equipment increases the economy of clean water in a simple and economical way and it can be installed in any type of public lavatory facilitie such as schools, public buildings, hospitals, commercial buildings, bus terminals, airports, stadiums, parking buildings and shopping centers. Additional benefits of the proposed system is the suggestion of hands washing before and after the use of the urinal without contamination risks from focet handling.and render more attractive the installation for a rational use of clean water in commercial and industrial buildings. Pay-back has shown to be very attractive for a number of internal return rates and also very attractive from the point of view of environmental protection.