Does water level affect benthic macro-invertebrates of a marginal lake in a tropical river-reservoir transition zone?

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Extrinsic factors affecting water absorption in chilling of broiler chicken carcasses

Brazil occupies an outstanding position as a producer and exporter of chicken meat, and the maintenance and expansion of this position require a constant evolution, especially in variables which determine quality. An important quality parameter of poultry meat is the amount of water absorbed by the carcass during processing. In Brazil, carcasses chilling is done by immersion in chilled water. In this process, the carcass is rehydrated and the water lost during transport and initial operations is replaced. At this stage, some care is needed to prevent the absorption of water upper than the level allowed by Brazilian law. This project aimed to evaluate extrinsic factors that can influence the absorption of water by the chicken meat. For this, 144 Cobb chickens divided into 24 groups of six birds were used. At 42 days of age, one chicken of each group, with weight ranging up to 10% more or less from the average of the group, was slaughtered in an experimental pilot scale abattoir where slaughter procedures were conducted under strictly controlled conditions. The chilling procedure was performed following a completely randomized design with factorial arrangement 3x2, where the factors were: three temperatures in the first section of the chilling system (4, 10 and 16ºC) and two degrees of water hardness (hard and soft water), with six treatments and four replications. Brazilian law provides that the water temperature in the first section of the chiller must not be higher than 16ºC, and the length of the carcasses in this section shall not exceed 30 minutes. All carcasses remained in the first section of the chiller for 30 minutes and then were transferred to another tank with water at 4ºC, remaining there until reaching 7ºC. The carcasses were weighed before and after chilling, to evaluate the percentage of water absorbed. The water absorption was influenced by the initial temperature of the water in the chiller and by the water hardness. When initially immersed in water at 4ºC, carcasses water absorption averaged 2.70%, a significantly lower absorption than the values found for the carcasses that were initially immersed in water at 16ºC, 3.83% (p<0.05). The carcasses immersed in water at 10ºC had mean water absorption of 3.66%, not differing from the means observed in the other two treatments (p>0.05). In hard water, the average water absorption was 2.46% and, in soft water, 4.33% (p<0.05). In all treatments, the water absorption did not exceed the limit established by Brazilian legislation, which is a maximum of 8%. This information is important to control the absorption of water by carcasses in chicken meat processing, preventing consumers from being harmed.

Changes in the oxidative stress biomarkers in liver of streptozotocin-diabetic rats treated with combretum lanceolatum flowers extract

Aims: The study investigated the in vivo antioxidant activity and the in vitro radical scavenging capacity of the Combretum lanceolatum Pohl (Combretaceae) flowers ethanolic extract (ClEtOH) in streptozotocin-diabetic rats. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, Brazil; between February 2012 and December 2012. Methodology: Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: Normal rats treated with water/vehicle (N); diabetic rats treated with water (DC); diabetic rats treated with 250 mg/kg (DT250) or with 500mg/kg (DT500) of ClEtOH. After 21 days of treatment, liver samples were used for the analysis of the oxidative stress biomarkers and activity of antioxidant enzymes. In vitro radical scavenger capacity was investigated by the following methods: DPPH radical scavenging, ABTS radical cation decolorization and crocin bleaching assays. Results: Significant oxidative stress was observed in liver of DC, since the malondialdehyde (MDA, biomarker of lipoperoxidation) levels were increased in comparison with N. Increased activities of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were also observed in DC, which could represent a compensatory mechanism against oxidative stress. Glutathione (GSH) levels were lower and similar between N and DC. The MDA levels were significantly decreased in liver of rats from DT250 and DT500, reaching levels similar those of N, suggesting that ClEtOH prevented lipoperoxidation. The treatment of diabetic rats with ClEtOH also increased the GSH levels, as well as increased the GSH-Px activity, and did not change the SOD activity. The results of in vitro radical scavenging capacity indicated that ClEtOH is highly active. Conclusion: These findings indicate that ClEtOH has antioxidant properties in liver of diabetic rats, decreasing lipoperoxidation and increasing the endogenous antioxidant responses. Both the antihyperglycemic effect and the capacity to scavenge free radicals may be related to the antioxidant activity of ClEtOH in diabetes.

Does the use of ozonized water influence the chemical characteristics of organic cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata)?

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

Kinetic and Thermodynamic Studies on the Adsorption of Reactive Red 239 by Carra Sawdust Treated with Formaldehyde

In this study, carra sawdust pre-treated with formaldehyde was used to adsorb reactive red 239 (RR239). The effects of several experimental conditions, including the concentration of dye, sorbent dosage, temperature, ionic strength, stirring speed and solution pH, on the kinetics of the adsorption process have been studied, and the experimental data were fitted to pseudo-second-order model. A study of the intra-particle diffusion model indicates that the mechanism of dye adsorption using carra sawdust is rather complex and is most likely a combination of external mass transfer and intra-particle diffusion. The experimental data obtained at equilibrium were analyzed using the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models, and the results indicated that at this concentration range, both models can be applied for obtaining the equilibrium parameters. The maximum dye uptake obtained at 298 K was found to be 15.1 mg g(-1). In contrast to the usual systems, the reactive dye studied in the present work is strongly attached to the sawdust even after several washes with water, allowing it to be discarded as a solid waste.

Low liquid-solid ratio (LSR) hot water pretreatment of sugarcane bagasse

Low liquid-solid ratio (LSR) can be used to obtain high-content xylo-oligosaccharide (XOS) spend liquor by hot water pretreatment. Developing a technology based on low LSR results in more efficient water usage in the system and thus in lower capital and operating costs. Xylans from xylan rich agro-industrial waste are abundant hemicellulosic polymers with enormous potential for industrial applications. Currently, freeze-dried xylo-oligosaccharides are used as bio-based polymers and hydrolysates containing high xylose contents are converted to several chemical products. In this study, sugarcane bagasse was treated with water at low LSRs and mild temperatures in order to assess the effects of varying the pretreatment conditions on the xylo-oligosaccharide and xylose concentrations, and use a central composite experimental design to optimize the process parameters. The pretreatments were performed in the ranges temperature: 143.3-176.7 degrees C, time: 20-70 min and LSR: 1 : 1 to 11 : 1 (g g(-1)). The maximum concentrations of xylose and xylan were 13.76 and 36.18 g L-1 (equivalent to 48.29 g L-1 of xylan), respectively, which were achieved by treating bagasse at 170 degrees C for 60 min, with LSR of 3 g g(-1). The amount of xylan removed under these conditions was almost 57%. The soluble xylan consisted mainly of xylo-oligosaccharides (74 wt% of the identified compound in the spent liquor).

Soil compressibility and least limiting water range of a constructed soil under cover crops after coal mining in Southern Brazil

The use of cover crops affects the support capacity of soil and least limiting water range to crop growth. The objective of this study was to quantify preconsolidation pressure (sigma(p)), compression index (CI) and least limiting water range (LLWR) of a reclaimed coal mining soil under different cover crops, in Candiota, RS, Brazil. In the experiment, with randomized blocks design and four replicates, the following cover crops (treatments) were evaluated: Hemarthria altissima (Poir.) Stapf & C.E. Hubbard, treatment 1 (T1), Paspalum notatum Flugge, treatment 4 (T4), Cynodon dactilon (L) Pers., treatment 5 (T5), control Brachiaria brizantha (Hochst.) Stapf, treatment 7 (T7) and without cover crop treatment 8 (reference treatment, T8). Soil compression and least limiting water range were evaluated with undisturbed samples at a depth of 0.00-0.05 m. In order to evaluate parameters of soil compressibility, the soil samples were saturated with water and subjected to -10 kPa matric potential and then submitted to a uniaxial compression test under the following pressures: 25, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1600 kPa. Cover crops decreased the preconsolidation pressure of constructed soils after coal mining and the greatest soil reclamation was obtained with the H. altissima cover crop, where the lowest degree of soil compactness and soil load capacity were observed. Soils cultivated under H. altissima or B. brizantha presented the highest least limiting water range and these two cover crops generated similar soil critical bulk density obtained by least limiting water range and soil load support capacity. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Herbicides in the upper Poxim River, Sergipe, and the risk of contamination of water resources

Increased agricultural activity in watershed areas has been causing concern over contamination by herbicides in agricultural areas. The problem becomes more important when contamination can affect water for human consumption, as happens with water from the Poxim river, which supplies the city of Aracaju, capital of the State of Sergipe. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of contamination by herbicides to both surface and groundwater in the upper sub-basin of the Poxim River, and to detect the presence of the active ingredients Diuron and Ametrine up-river from the sugar-cane plantations. Risk analysis was carried out using criteria from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the GUS index, and the GOSS method. It was observed that several active ingredients are at risk of leaching, demonstrating the importance of monitoring the river to control both the quality of water and the frequency and volume of herbicides used in the region. Based on the results, monitoring was carried out bi-monthly from July 2009 to July 2010 at two sampling points. Water samples were analyzed in the laboratory, where the presence of Diuron and Ametrine was noted. Water quality in the Sub-basin of the Rio Poxim is being influenced by the use of herbicides in the region. There was an increase in herbicide concentration in the surface water during the rainy season, possibly caused by soil runoff.

Oral treatment with Hev b 13 ameliorates experimental colitis in mice

Hev b 13 is an allergenic esterase obtained from the rubber tree Hevea brasiliensis, which has been shown recently to induce human mononuclear cells to release interleukin (IL)-10 in vitro. This immunoregulatory cytokine appears to play an important role in preventing inflammation and mucosal damage in animal models of colitis and in Crohn's disease patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of Hev b 13 in mice with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis. Two hours following colonic instillation of the haptenizing agent, and daily thereafter for 5 days, Hev b 13 was administered by oral gavage. In mice treated with daily doses of either 0.5 mg/kg or 5.0 mg/kg of Hev b 13, the clinical signs of diarrhoea, rectal prolapse and body weight loss and also histological damage of the distal colon, were reduced significantly, in comparison with water-treated diseased mice. These findings suggest a potent anti-inflammatory activity of Hev b 13; this activity is speculated to be related to its interaction with cells from the immune system.

Drag reduction phenomenon in viscous oil-water dispersed pipe flow: Experimental investigation and phenomenological modeling

An experimental study on drag-reduction phenomenon in dispersed oil-water flow has been performed in a 26-mm-i.d. Twelve meter long horizontal glass pipe. The flow was characterized using a novel wire-mesh sensor based on capacitance measurements and high-speed video recording. New two-phase pressure gradient, volume fraction, and phase distribution data have been used in the analysis. Drag reduction and slip ratio were detected at oil volume fractions between 10 and 45% and high mixture Reynolds numbers, and with water as the dominant phase. Phase-fraction distribution diagrams and cross-sectional imaging of the flow suggested the presence of a higher amount of water near to the pipe wall. Based on that, a phenomenology for explaining drag reduction in dispersed flow in a flow situation where slip ratio is significant is proposed. A simple phenomenological model is developed and the agreement between model predictions and data, including data from the literature, is encouraging. (c) 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2012

Proton-conducting copolymers, blends and composites with phosphonic acid as protogenic group

ABSTRACT: In this work, proton conducting copolymers, polymer blends and composites containing phosphonic acid groups have been prepared. Proton conduction mechanisms in these materials are discussed respectively in both, the anhydrous and humidified state. Atom transfer radical copolymerization (ATRCP) of diisopropyl-p-vinylbenzyl phosphonate (DIPVBP) and 4-vinyl pyridine (4VP) is studied for the first time in this work. The kinetic parameters are obtained by using the 1H-NMR online technique. Proton conduction in poly(vinylbenzyl phosphonic acid) (PVBPA) homopolymer and its statistical copolymers with 4-vinyl pyridine (poly(VBPA-stat-4VP)s) are comprehensively studied in both, the “dry” and “wet” state. Effects of temperature, water content and polymer composition on proton conductivities are studied and proton transport mechanisms under various conditions are discussed. The proton conductivity of the polymers is in the range of 10-6-10-8 S/cm in nominally dry state at 150 oC. However, proton conductivity of the polymers increases rapidly with water content in the polymers which can reach 10-2 S/cm at the water uptake of 25% in the polymers. The highest proton conductivity obtained from the polymers can even reach 0.3 S/cm which was measured at 85oC with 80% relative humidity in the measuring atmosphere. Poly(4-vinyl pyridine) was grafted from the surface of SiO2 nanoparticles using ATRP in this work for the first time. Following this approach, silica nanoparticles with a shell of polymeric layer are used as basic particles in a polymeric acidic matrix. The proton conductivities of the composites are studied under both, humidified and dry conditions. In dry state, the conductivity of the composites is in the range of 10-10~10-4 S/cm at 150 oC. While in humid state, the composites show much higher proton conductivity. The highest proton conductivity obtained with the composites is 0.5 S/cm measured at 85oC with 80% relative humidity in the measuring atmosphere. The miscibility of poly (vinyl phosphonic acid) and PEO is studied for the first time in this work and a phase diagram is plotted based on a DSC study and optical microscopy. With this knowledge, homogeneous PVPA/PEO mixtures are prepared as proton-conducting polymer blends. The mobility of phosphonic acid groups and PEO in the blends is determined by 1H-MAS-NMR in temperature dependent measurements. The effect of composition and the role of PEO on proton conduction are discussed.

Magnetization exchange observed in human skeletal muscle by non-water-suppressed proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Many metabolites in the proton magnetic resonance spectrum undergo magnetization exchange with water, such as those in the downfield region (6.0-8.5 ppm) and the upfield peaks of creatine, which can be measured to reveal additional information about the molecular environment. In addition, these resonances are attenuated by conventional water suppression techniques complicating detection and quantification. To characterize these metabolites in human skeletal muscle in vivo at 3 T, metabolite cycled non-water-suppressed spectroscopy was used to conduct a water inversion transfer experiment in both the soleus and tibialis anterior muscles. Resulting median exchange-independent T(1) times for the creatine methylene resonances were 1.26 and 1.15 s, and for the methyl resonances were 1.57 and 1.74 s, for soleus and tibialis anterior muscles, respectively. Magnetization transfer rates from water to the creatine methylene resonances were 0.56 and 0.28 s(-1) , and for the methyl resonances were 0.39 and 0.30 s(-1) , with the soleus exhibiting faster transfer rates for both resonances, allowing speculation about possible influences of either muscle fibre orientation or muscle composition on the magnetization transfer process. These water magnetization transfer rates observed without water suppression are in good agreement with earlier reports that used either postexcitation water suppression in rats, or short CHESS sequences in human brain and skeletal muscle.

Transport of Hydraulic Fracturing Water and Wastes in the Susquehanna River Basin, Pennsylvania

The development of the Marcellus Shale gas play in Pennsylvania and the northeastern United States has resulted in significant amounts of water and wastes transported by truck over roadways. This study used geographic information systems (GIS) to quantify truck travel distances via both the preferred routes (minimum distance while also favoring higher-order roads) as well as, where available, the likely actual distances for freshwater and waste transport between pertinent locations (e. g., gas wells, treatment facilities, freshwater sources). Results show that truck travel distances in the Susquehanna River Basin are greater than those used in prior life-cycle assessments of tight shale gas. When compared to likely actual transport distances, if policies were instituted to constrain truck travel to the closest destination and higher-order roads, transport mileage reductions of 40-80% could be realized. Using reasonable assumptions of current practices, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with water and waste hauling were calculated to be 70-157 MT CO2 eq per gas well. Furthermore, empty so-called backhaul trips, such as to freshwater withdrawal sites or returning from deep well injection sites, were found to increase emissions by an additional 30%, underscoring the importance of including return trips in the analysis. The results should inform future life-cycle assessments of tight shale gases in managed watersheds and help local and regional governments plan for impacts of transportation on local infrastructure. (C) 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.

Species-Specific Relationships between Water Transparency and Male Coloration within and between Two Closely Related Lake Victoria Cichlid Species

Environmental variation in signalling conditions affects animal communication traits, with possible consequences for sexual selection and reproductive isolation. Using spectrophotometry, we studied how male coloration within and between populations of two closely related Lake Victoria cichlid species (Pundamilia pundamilia and P. nyererei) covaries with water transparency. Focusing on coloration patches implicated in sexual selection, we predicted that in clear waters, with broad-spectrum light, (1) colours should become more saturated and (2) shift in hue away from the dominant ambient wavelengths, compared to more turbid waters. We found support for these predictions for the red and yellow coloration of P. nyererei but not the blue coloration of P. pundamilia. This may be explained by the species difference in depth distribution, which generates a steeper gradient in visual conditions for P. nyererei compared to P. pundamilia. Alternatively, the importance of male coloration in intraspecific sexual selection may differ between the species. We also found that anal fin spots, that is, the orange spots on male haplochromine anal fins that presumably mimic eggs, covaried with water transparency in a similar way for both species. This is in contrast to the other body regions studied and suggests that, while indeed functioning as signals, these spots may not play a role in species differentiation.

Aquatic therapies in patients with compromised left ventricular function and heart failure

With water immersion, gravity is partly eliminated, and the water exerts a pressure on the body surface. Consequently there is a blood volume shift from the periphery to the central circulation, resulting in marked volume loading of the thorax and heart. This paper presents a selection of published literature on water immersion, balneotherapy, aqua exercises, and swimming, in patients with left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) and/or stable chronic heart failure (CHF). Based on exploratory studies, central hemodynamic and neurohumoral responses of aquatic therapies will be illustrated. Major findings are: 1. In LVD and CHF, a positive effect of therapeutic warm-water tub bathing has been observed, which is assumed to be from afterload reduction due to peripheral vasodilatation caused by the warm water. 2. In coronary patients with LVD, at low-level water cycling the heart is working more efficiently than at lowlevel cycling outside of water. 3. In patients with previous extensive myocardial infarction, upright immersion to the neck resulted in temporary pathological increases in mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) and mean pulmonary capillary pressures (mPCP). 4. Additionally, during slow swimming (20-25m/min) the mPAP and/or PCP were higher than during supine cycling outside water at a 100W load. 5. In CHF patients, neck- deep immersion resulted in a decrease or no change in stroke volume. 6. Although patients are hemodynamically compromised, they usually maintain a feeling of well-being during aquatic therapy. Based on these findings, clinical indications for aquatic therapies are proposed and ideas are presented to provoke further research.