The association of genetic markers and malaria infection in the Brazilian Western Amazonian region

Almost all individuals (182) belonging to an Amazonian riverine population (Portuchuelo, RO, Brazil) were investigated for ascertaining data on epidemiological aspects of malaria. Thirteen genetic blood polymorphisms were investigated (ABO, MNSs, Rh, Kell, and Duffy systems, haptoglobins, hemoglobins, and the enzymes glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glyoxalase, phosphoglucomutase, carbonic anhydrase, red cell acid phosphatase, and esterase D). The results indicated that the Duffy system is associated with susceptibility to malaria, as observed in other endemic areas. Moreover, suggestions also arose indicating that the EsD and Rh loci may be significantly associated with resistance to malaria. If statistical type II errors and sample stratification could be ruled out, hypotheses on the existence of a causal mechanism or an unknown closely linked locus involved in susceptibility to malaria infection may explain the present findings.

Challenges of phylogenetic analyses of aDNA sequences

One of the crucial steps of authentication of aDNA sequences is phylogenetic consistency. Amplified sequences should fit into the phylogenetic framework of their supposed origin. An inherent property of aDNA sequences however, is their short sequence length. Additionally, genes for aDNA studies are often chosen by their preservation potential rather than by phylogenetically informative content. This poses potential challenges regarding their analyses, and might result in an inaccurate reflection of the supposed phylogenetic history of the sequence or organism under study. In this paper some fundamental problems of phylogenetic analysis and interpretation of aDNA datasets are discussed. Suggestions for character sampling and treatment of missing data are made. The publication is the result of a talk from the 1st PAMINSA Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, July 2005.

The evolution of universities' relations with the business sector in Brazil: What national publications between 1980 and 2012 reveal

ABSTRACT This paper addresses the changes in university-industry relations in Brazil regarding innovation activities. It is based on a survey of articles published in major national journals or presented at the most relevant Brazilian and regional conferences, between 1980 and 2012. The year 1980 was chosen due to the creation of the Technological Innovation Offices (NITs), which was the first government initiative to encourage knowledge transfer from universities to companies; the second was the Innovation Act of 2004. Our assumption was that after the Act the number of academic papers on this subject would increase, bringing new ideas and propositions of models to enhance this relationship. The methodology employed a qualitative, exploratory approach, using bibliographical research and a bibliometric analysis of 247 papers. Literature review of international studies shows the discussion of problems and suggestions for improvements, while in Brazil there is still a debate on whether this collaboration should occur, and if this is a legitimate role for the university. Despite the numerical growth, the content analysis showed few papers on new configurations and procedures for partnership management. We conclude that university-industry relations are not a regular and totally accepted process in Brazilian public universities, which reflect an ideological bias against cooperation with firms.

Translation and cultural adaptation of the Perceived Stigmatization Questionnaire for burn victims in Brazil

This methodological study aimed to describe the process of translation and cultural adaptation of the Perceived stigmatization Questionnaire (PSQ) and analyze the internal consistency of the items in the step of pre-testing. The PSQ was developed to evaluate the perception of stigmatizing behaviors of burn victims. The adaptation process was carried out from August 2012 to February 2013, comprising the steps outlined in the literature. As part of this process, the pre-test with 30 adult burn victims was held. All participants at this step reported to understand the instrument items and the scale of responses. There were no suggestions or changes in the tested version. The value of Cronbach’s alpha at pre-test was 0.87. The contribution of this study is to describe the operation of each of the steps of this methodological process and show the internal consistency of the items in the pre-test.

An improved method for measuring soil microbial activity by gas phase flow injection analysis

The rate of carbon dioxide production is commonly used as a measure of microbial activity in the soil. The traditional method of CO2 determination involves trapping CO2 in an alkali solution and then determining CO2 concentration indirectly by titration of the remaining alkali in the solution. This method is still commonly employed in laboratories throughout the world due to its relative simplicity and the fact that it does not require expensive, specific equipment. However, there are several drawbacks: the method is time-consuming, requires large amounts of chemicals and the consistency of results depends on the operator's skills. With this in mind, an improved method was developed to analyze CO2 captured in alkali traps, which is cheap and relatively simple, with a substantially shorter sample handling time and reproducibility equivalent to the traditional titration method. A comparison of the concentration values determined by gas phase flow injection analysis (GPFIA) and titration showed no significant difference (p > 0.05), but GPFIA has the advantage that only a tenth of the sample volume of the titration method is required. The GPFIA system does not require the purchase of new, costly equipment but the device was constructed from items commonly found in laboratories, with suggestions for alternative configurations for other detection units. Furthermore, GPFIA for CO2 analysis can be equally applied to samples obtained from either the headspace of microcosms or from a sampling chamber that allows CO2 to be released from alkali trapping solutions. The optimised GPFIA method was applied to analyse CO2 released from degrading hydrocarbons from a site contaminated by diesel spillage.

Curso noturno de licenciatura em química: uma década de experiência na UFMS

This is a study concerned with determining the efficiency in training high school chemistry teachers in the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul. The analysis was based on the following information, i.e., the opinion of the students who were enrolled in the course, university entrance examinations and academic performance. We reach the conclusion that the goal was partially achieved in training high schools' teachers. Further suggestions and strategies are proposed in order to overcome the problems.

Automatização de um destilador d'água

A simple and inexpensive device to automate a water distilling apparatus is shown. It is composed by a magnetic floater placed in the water reservoir and a level control unit, which acts over the heating element circuit. In order to provide water saving, an electromagnetic valve is inserted in the water supply inlet. Some suggestions for the adaptation to other types of equipment are also offered.

Stereoselective sodium borohydride reductions of cyclopentanones: influence of ceric chloride on the stereochemistry of reaction

In this paper we describe the reduction by NaBH4 of some cyclopentanones containing an oxygenated function at the side chain position beta to the carbonyl group, both in the presence and in the absence of CeCl3. Some suggestions for the rationalization of the results are discussed, considering the stereochemical course of the reactions.

Química de materiais no Brasil: um olhar através das reuniões anuais da Sociedade Brasileira de Química

Several aspects of the Chemistry of Materials in Brazil will be focused using, as a data source, the activities of the Chemistry of Materials Division of the Brazilian Chemical Society. Evaluations, suggestions and prospectives are made on attempt to overcome challenges and difficulties of this emergent and important area of the chemical research.

Química analítica brasileira durante os 25 anos da SBQ: contexto atual e senso comum

This work presents an overview of the development of analytical chemistry in Brazil in the last 25 years under the influence of Brazilian Chemical Society (SBQ). It is shown that the common sense that analytical chemistry is still an under-developed area is not true. Data from specialized literature show a significant contribution of Brazilian analytical chemists in high impact periodicals and for several areas there is a good adherence among works carried out in Brazil and abroad according to a comparison of studies presented in the 11th Brazilian Meeting on Analytical Chemistry (Campinas, September, 2001) and the XI European Conference on Analytical Chemistry (Lisboa, September, 2000). According to the opinion of investigators in this area, there are some topics that require a focused attention for proper evolution. However, there is an absolute consensus about the evolution of graduate programs and the need to improve and extend strategies to absorb newcomers in the area. Some suggestions are presented considering possible pathways of analytical chemistry in Brazil.

O estímulo ao empreendedorismo nos cursos de química: formando químicos empreendedores

The Universities, in Brazil and all over the world are currently going through a "second revolution" in which the socio-economical development is incorporated as part of their mission and science and knowledge play a key role for the development of the society. In this context, this article is directed towards the importance of entrepreneurship and the formation of technological entrepreneurs in the area of chemistry, with special attention to the teaching of entrepreneurship in the chemistry courses and its effect on students, universities and the job possibilities. This article also presents a short discussion on a basic entrepreneurship course for chemists and some suggestions of reading on entrepreneurship to those interested in get started in this area. What is presented here about entrepreneurship in chemistry can be applied to any other area of science and technology.

A formação do pós-graduando em química para a docência em nível superior

The article presents a brief analysis on chemistry post-graduate students' perception on teaching in higher education. This study was done based on the context of students' formation in chemistry post-graduate programs and makes suggestions on how to improve the formation process of post-graduate students in order to decrease the rupture between teaching and research in chemistry post-graduate programs.

A problematização das atividades experimentais na educação superior em química: uma pesquisa com produções textuais docentes

Through the analysis of articles with proposals for experimental activities and with current pedagogical, epistemological and environmental discussion on experimentation by Chemistry professors, this paper investigates ways of highlighting relevant methodological characteristics that can be incorporated in experiments. Based on analysis of the suggestions for experiments it appears that of particular importance are: a concern for students' physical welfare and for the effects of residues; the need to confront an impoverished infrastructure that hinders experimentation; and the valorisation of clarifying student knowledge. It argues in favour of the need to set out the problems of experimentation in educators' professional development.

A problematização das atividades experimentais na educação superior em Química: uma pesquisa com produções textuais docentes - parte II

Through the analysis of articles with proposals for experimental activities and with current pedagogical, epistemological and environmental discussion on experimentation by Chemistry professors, this paper investigates ways of highlighting relevant methodological characteristics that can be incorporated in experiments. 102 articles from national periodicals were analysed, all of which suggested experiments for use in Chemistry higher education. Based on analysis of the suggestions for experiments it appears that of particular importance are: visions, such as those that explain a belief that experimentation incentivizes motivation and conceptual learning; awareness of observation influenced by empiricism; and "errors" of students, which enrich their knowledge.

Metodologia de ensino jigsaw em disciplina de química medicinal

In this paper, we describe an educational experience involving the use of the jigsaw method on the Medicinal Chemistry course at the University of São Paulo, Brazil. The goal of this proposal was to investigate acceptance and contributions of the method to undergraduate chemistry teaching. Feedback on the jigsaw method collected from the focus groups and questionnaires showed that participants generally acknowledged the advantages of the jigsaw method in helping them learn the Medicinal Chemistry subject. Suggestions for improving the jigsaw method were also received from participants.