Synthesis and optimization of colloidal silica nanoparticles and their functionalization with methacrylic acid

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

Influence of Seasonality on the Interaction of Mercury with Aquatic Humic Substances Extracted from the Middle Negro River Basin (Amazon)

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

A importância da rapidez de atendimento em supermercados: um estudo de caso

Neste trabalho, analisam-se algumas causas pelas quais clientes frequentam um supermercado, tais como: preço de produtos, localização do estabelecimento, rapidez de atendimento, qualidade de atendimento, variedade de produtos, estacionamento e outras. Por meio de análise estatística multivariada, foi verificada a relevância de cada causa em contraste com as outras, ou seja, a importância relativa de cada uma. Assim, pôde-se observar que a rapidez de atendimento desempenha um papel importante em relação às demais para o nível de serviço dos clientes. Utilizando-se análise de agrupamentos hierárquicos de variáveis e análise de correspondência, associaram-se causas em grupos e relacionaram-se causas a alguns fatores, como, por exemplo, escolaridade dos clientes, sendo esta uma observação interessante por existir, no Brasil, uma relação significativa entre renda e escolaridade. A coleta de dados foi realizada em um supermercado no interior de São Paulo e, desta forma, os resultados baseiam-se em um estudo de caso, tendo limitações inferenciais.

Effects of genetic polymorphisms CYP1A1, GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 on urinary 1-hydroxypyrene levels in sugarcane workers

Sugarcane workers in Brazil are exposed to various genotoxic compounds, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), derived from an incomplete combustion process of burnt sugarcane fields. The effects of the occupational exposure to sugarcane fields burning were measured in urine samples of sugarcane workers from the northwest of the State of São Paulo when exposed (harvesting) and when non-exposed (non-harvesting). The urinary levels of 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) and the influence of the genetic polymorphisms CYP1A1, GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 were evaluated. Our results showed that the 1-OHP levels were significantly higher (P < 0.0000) in the exposed sugarcane workers (0.318 mu mol mol(-1) creatinine) than in the non-exposed workers (0.035 mu mol mol(-1) creatinine). In an unvaried analysis, no influence regarding the polymorphisms was observed. However, multivariate regression analysis showed that the CYP1A1*4 polymorphism in the exposed group, and age and the GSTP1 polymorphism in the non-exposed group significantly influenced urinary 1-OHP excretion levels (P < 0.10). The same group of sugarcane workers was significantly more exposed to PAHs during the harvesting period than during the non-harvesting period. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Torta de dendê em dieta para a tilápia-do-nilo: Desempenho produtivo

To evaluate the nutritional value of African palm kernel meal (Elaeis guineensis) on the performance of Nile tilapia (Oseochromis niloticus), five isonitrogenous (30% crude protein), isoenergetic (2,800 Kcal/kg of digestible energy), and isofibrous (10% crude fiber) diets, with increasing levels of African palm kernel meal (0, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35%) were fed ad libitum for 18 weeks to Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings, averaging 1.52 ± 0.04 g of body weight, housed for 120 days in 60 liter aquaria with six fingerlings. To determine the production traits, weight gain, apparent food conversion, specific growth rate, protein efficiency ratio, weight gain percentage, net protein utilization, and body composition, fish were weighted at six-week intervals. Statistical analysis of recorded data were performed through multivariate profile analysis and polynomial regression models. Results showed that feeding fingerling Nile tilapia with ratios containing up to 35% of African palm kernel meal does not affect production performance.

Anatomical and biochemical characterization of the calcium effect on eucalyptus urophylla callus morphogenesis in vitro

Calcium chloride concentrations from 0.0 to 12.12 mM were added to the culture medium and calcium content in calluses were determined directly by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, a non-destructive method, allowing the processing of the same tissue for histological analysis. A multivariate statistical analysis (PCA - Principal Components Analysis) grouped the treatments into 5 blocks and indicated the most responsive group. Lack of calcium supply caused a complete absence of a morphogenic process and tissue collapse. An increase in calcium concentration gave higher total protein and sugar contents, an increase in peroxidase specific activity and changes in the histological characteristics. It was possible to verify that calcium stimulated globular somatic embryo formation at concentration of 6.62 mM.

Leitões lactentes e desmamados alimentados com dietas farelada ou extrusada seca e umida

This work was conducted throughout three phases of swine's growth (7 days from birth till the weaning age; from weaning until 7 days later and from 8 to 21 days after weaning); taking as objective the evaluation of the development of suckling and weaned piglets fed with a bran or extruded, dried and wet diet. We've used, for this paper, a total number of 31 pigs breeds, weaned and in average 21 day's lifetime and 3 different rations: dried bran; dried extruded bran and wet extruded bran (2 volumes of water to one volume of ration). During the 8th and 21st day after weaning all the animals received the same bran dried ration. Water and ration were supplied ad libitum. The experimental delimitation was totally random, with 3 treatments and eleven repetitions in the two first phases and five repetitions in the third phase, the multivariate variance analysis applied in the inferences about the results and from this we could conclude that the weight daily gain and the ration daily consumption were significantly not affected, i.e. by the processing, by the dry material ration content. However, we could observe a tendency to increase ration consumption and weight gaining when the animals were fed with bran extruded wet ration.

Utilização de componentes principais para analisar o comportamento do cafeeiro a pleno sol e sombreado

The aim of this work is to describe the behavior of coffee (Coffea arabica L.) grown for nine years under organic management systems in full sun and shaded by banana trees (Musa sp.) and Erythrina verna Vell., in Valença, RJ. We performed a joint evaluation of vegetative characteristics, nutritional content and yield, with the aid of a principal component analysis. Twelve treatments were arranged in a randomized block design with four replications in a split plot. The plots evaluated farming systems in full sun and shade, and the subplots consisted of the following varieties of coffee: Tupi IAC 1669-33, MG 6851, IAC 3282 Icatu, Catucaí 2SL, Obatã IAC 1669-20; lineage IAC IAC 144. After five years we assessed the following variables, height, stem and canopy diameter, leaf area, number of branches, number of nodes per branch, number of leaves present, the distance between nodes, the percentage of green,ripe and dried fruit, number of dead plants, number of plants with death of the apical bud, coffee yield, and foliar concentrations of N, P, K, Ca and Mg. A multivariate analysis efficiently discriminates the variables in full sun and shaded cropping systems. Shading increases the percentage of green fruit, leaf area, height, diameter, distance between nodes, number of leaves on the branches, number of branches and leaf N content, but does not reduce the level of productivity when the shade is adequate.

Echocardiographic predictors of ventricular remodeling after acute myocardial infarction in rats

Background: The prediction of the ventricular remodeling process after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) may have important clinical implications. Objetive: To analyze echocardiographic variables predictors of remodeling in the infarction model in rats. Methods: The animals underwent echocardiography in two moments, five days and three months after infarction (AMI group) or sham surgery (control group). Linear regression was used to identify the echocardiographic variables on the fifth day after the infarction, which were predictive of remodeling after three months of coronary occlusion. We considered as a criterion of remodeling in this study, the values of left ventricular diastolic diameter (LVDD) after three months of infarction. Results: The infarction induced increase in the left chambers, associated with changes in systolic and diastolic functions. The variables body weight, left ventricular wall stress index (LVWSI), systolic area (SA), diastolic area (DA), LVDD, left ventricular systolic diameter (LVSD), fractional area change (FAC), ejection fraction (EF), fractional shortening (%Short), posterior wall shortening velocity (PWSV) and infarct size assessed five days after infarction were predictors of LVDD after three months. At the multivariate regression analysis, we included the size of infarction, the LVWSI and PWSV. The LVWSI (coefficient: 4.402, standard error: 2.221, p = 0.05), but not the size of infarction and PWSV, was a predictor of remodeling after three months of infarction. Conclusion: LVPSI was an independent predictor of remodeling three months after the myocardial infarction and could be included in the clinical stratification after the coronary occlusion.

Necessidade Hídrica E Coeficiente de Cultivo do Pimentão Fertirrigado

This study aimed to determine the crop evapotranspiration (ETc) and crop coefficient (Kc) of fertigated sweet pepper, measured over time (15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90 and 105 days after the transplant). The experiment was conducted on a battery of 40 drainage lysimeters, arranged in a 8 x 5 matrix, in the period October/2009 to January/2010, located in the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (UFRPE) Campus in Recife, in a completely randomized factorial scheme 5 x 2, with four replications, being five irrigation depths (80, 90, 100, 110 and 120% of ETc) and two levels of potassium (80 and 120 kg K2O ha-1) where the experimental plot was composed of three plants in each lysimeter. The Mauchly Sphericity Test indicated multivariate variance analysis for the studied variables ETc (mm d-1) and Kc, the variables presented adjustment under quadratic effect of variation on observation times, when the irrigation depths were fixed, and descending linear adjustments under the variation of irrigation depths effect, when the times of observation were fixed in each potassium dose.

The correlation between electronic structure and antimalarial activity of alkoxylated and hydroxylated chalcones

Chalcones have shown potential to several pharmacological applications including antimalarial properties. We employed multivariate data analysis to correlate the antimalarial activity with electronic structure descriptors obtained through quantum mechanical calculations. The results show high statistical significance and bring valuable insights in order to design new compounds. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York.

Relação entre o desempenho e período de recuperação após enfermidades ósseas do membro torácico distal de cavalos puro sangue inglês

It is well established in the literature that musculoskeletal injuries are important compromising agents in the performance of Thoroughbred horses. In Brazil, there are no studies on the interrelation between lay-up period post-injury and retirement of racehorses due to musculoskeletal injures. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between rehabilitation times of track injures and variables of prior race performance and later return to competitions. The radiographic reports and athletic history of 416 thoroughbreds during the period between 2003 and 2006 were examined; they were selected based on continued presentations after injury diagnosis. The temporal variables (post-injury rehabilitation time) and performance variables (race score before and after injury) were evaluated by multivariate correspondence analysis of the data and represented in perceptual maps. Correspondence was observed between most of the animals that had a short lay-up post-injury and variables that denote decline in subsequent performance. Considering the integrity of the bone healing process as crucial for the horse to be able to handle later training routines and competitions, shortening this period could lead to an imbalance of the bone repair metabolism, thus resulting in performance decline and compromise of the horse athletic career.

Diastolic function is associated with quality of life and exercise capacity in stable heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction

Exercise capacity and quality of life (QOL) are important outcome predictors in patients with systolic heart failure (HF), independent of left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (LVEF). LV diastolic function has been shown to be a better predictor of aerobic exercise capacity in patients with systolic dysfunction and a New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification >II. We hypothesized that the currently used index of diastolic function E/e' is associated with exercise capacity and QOL, even in optimally treated HF patients with reduced LVEF. This prospective study included 44 consecutive patients aged 55±11 years (27 men and 17 women), with LVEF,0.50 and NYHA functional class I-III, receiving optimal pharmacological treatment and in a stable clinical condition, as shown by the absence of dyspnea exacerbation for at least 3 months. All patients had conventional transthoracic echocardiography and answered the Minnesota Living with HF Questionnaire, followed by the 6-min walk test (6MWT). In a multivariable model with 6MWT as the dependent variable, age and E/e' explained 27% of the walked distance in 6MWT (P=0.002; multivariate regression analysis). No association was found between walk distance and LVEF or mitral annulus systolic velocity. Only normalized left atrium volume, a sensitive index of diastolic function, was associated with decreased QOL. Despite the small number of patients included, this study offers evidence that diastolic function is associated with physical capacity and QOL and should be considered along with ejection fraction in patients with compensated systolic HF.

Tratamento de efluentes de piscicultura utilizando sistema tipo wetland povoado com espécies de macrófitas aquáticas de três tipos ecológicos diferentes

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Parâmetros do sinal eletromiográfico aplicados ao estudo da fadiga muscular localizada: caracterização do processo; análise de reprodutibilidade e multivariada

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)