Contribuições das técnicas projetivas gráficas para a compreensão da personalidade de andarilhos de estrada

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

Flammability limits: A review with emphasis on ethanol for aeronautical applications and description of the experimental procedure

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

A Review on the Challenges for Increased Production of Castor

Castor (Ricinus communis L.) is one of the oldest cultivated crops, but currently it represents only 0.15% of the vegetable oil produced in the world. Castor oil is of continuing importance to the global specialty chemical industry because it is the only commercial source of a hydroxylated fatty acid. Castor also has tremendous future potential as an industrial oilseed crop because of its high seed oil content (more than 480 g kg(-1)), unique fatty acid composition (900 g kg(-1) of ricinoleic acid), potentially high oil yields (1250-2500 L ha(-1)), and ability to be grown under drought and saline conditions. The scientific literature on castor has been generated by a relatively small global community of researchers over the past century. Much of this work was published in dozens of languages in journals that are not easily accessible to the scientific community. This review was conducted to provide a compilation of the most relevant historic research information and define the tremendous future potential of castor. The article was prepared by a group of 22 scientists from 16 institutions and eight countries. Topics discussed in this review include: (i) germplasm, genetics, breeding, biotic stresses, genome sequencing, and biotechnology; (ii) agronomic production practices, diseases, and abiotic stresses; (iii) management and reduction of toxins for the use of castor meal as both an animal feed and an organic fertilizer; (iv) future industrial uses of castor including renewable fuels; (v) world production, consumption, and prices; and (vi) potential and challenges for increased castor production.

In Vitro Evaluation of the Genotoxic Activity and Apoptosis Induction of the Extracts of Roots and Leaves from the Medicinal Plant Coccoloba mollis (Polygonaceae)

Coccoloba mollis (Family Polygonaceae) is a medicinal plant popularly used in cases of memory loss, stress, insomnia, anemia, impaired vision, and sexual impotence, but the scientific literature, to date, lacks studies on the biological effects of this species, particularly with regard to cytotoxicity and induction of DNA damage. The aim of the present study was to assess in vitro (in hepatic HTC cells) ethanolic extracts of the roots and leaves of C. mollis for cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and induction of apoptosis. For these evaluations the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) cytotoxicity assay, comet assay, micronucleus test with cytokinesis block, and an in situ test for detection of apoptotic cells with acridine orange staining were used. The results showed that the extract obtained from the roots of C. mollis is more cytotoxic than that obtained from the leaves and that the reduction in cell viability observed in the MTT assay was a result, at least in part, from the induction of apoptosis. Both extracts induced DNA damage at a concentration of 20 mu g/mL in the comet assay, but no genotoxicity was detected with any of the treatments carried out in the micronucleus test.

Experimental control of the effect of extra doses of juvenile hormone on bee development: The case of the wax glands of Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Experiments on the effect of topical application of the synthetic juvenile hormone (JH-III) and of the solvent used to dissolve the hormone on the development of the wax glands of workers of Apis mellifera, were made. The results show that it was impossible to determine the effect of the juvenile hormone (JH) apart from its solvent (acetone), which also alters the developmental pattern of the gland. Most of the experiments reported in scientific literature do not consider the effect of the solvent, analyzing the results by only comparing the treatment with the hormone plus solvent to a control without any treatment. The data presented suggests that this kind of procedure compromises the evaluation of the real JH effect.

Ação farmacológica de Syzygium cumini (L.) skeels

Natural products have received new interest recently, maybe in men's attempt to turn into the nature for the prevention and the relief of diseases, mainly because of those untreated by the traditional medicine. Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels, popularly known as 'jambolão, is a well-known plant by several pharmacological actions so much in the popular use as in the scientific literature. In this search antidiabetic, anti-diarrhoeal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of 'jambolão' were described, among other actions.

Polissacarídeos de parede celular fúngica: purificação e caracterização

The cell wall is a rigid structure essential for the survival of fungi. A knowledge of its composition is therefore useful for the development of novel anti-fungal drugs. In this context, polysaccharides as main components of the fungal cell wall have been the subject of intense scientific study over the years. The information gained from the knowledge of the structure of these macrobiomolecules could therefore be valuable in elucidating the mechanisms of their biosynthesis in the cell walls of pathogenic fungi infecting plants and animals alike. Determination of the chemical structures of these polysaccharides (endo) is preceded by their extraction and purification. The extractions, generally lead to neutral and/ or alkaline soluble biopolymers in groups according to their solubilities. Mixtures of polysaccharides in these extracts can then be purified by a combination of chemical and chromatographic methods. Following purification, the polysaccharides, considered homogeneous, can be characterized structurally using conventional techniques of carbohydrate chemistry, such as hydrolysis, methylation analysis, and FT-IR, 13C- and 1H- NMR spectroscopy. This review surveys the main scientific literature that characterizes polysaccharides constituting the fungal cell wall.

Valores Referenciais para Procedimentos Odontológicos (VRPO) em Ortodontia

Introduction: The cost of orthodontic treatment is a very important issue. The aim of this study was to analyze the current Indicative Values for Dental Procedures (IVDP) for orthodontic procedures. Methods: Laws, dental entities papers and scientific literature were utilized. Results: Laws are too general and only offer abstract parameters when define remunerations. Current IVDP vary in the same State, according to the consultant entity. Dental entities interpret that general clinicians can practice Corrective Orthodontics, but new scientific studies begin to question this understanding. The Brazilian Association of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics (ABOR) suggests that IVDP for orthodontic specialty must be formulated. Conclusion: Current IVDP are not standardized and are below the correct values for orthodontic procedures, because they are the mean of general clinicians and orthodontists remunerations; and ABOR is legally and ethically supported to claim specific IVDP for orthodontic specialty.

Fotometria para biologistas

Most life-sustaining energy on Earth comes from the Sun. Part of this energy is converted by plants via photosynthesis into chemical energy. Many scientific studies on photosynthesis by plants rely on an accurate description of the quantity and quality of incident light, which in turn depends on the use of proper terminology for describing the luminous nature of the organism or population in question. Although the scientific literature contains a number of references on this matter, it is still fairly common to find misinterpretations and errors involving the application of terms used for describing light in scientific experiments. I herein present and discuss much of this specialized terminology, such as the terms 'radiation', 'luminous intensity', 'irradiance'. in order to assist readers who seek to understand and make use of this terminology properly.

Estética en prótesis removibles

Nowadays, aesthetics is very appreciated in the social context and a attractive smile is the object of desire in most of patients requiring prosthesis treatment. In case of removable prosthesis, total or partial, this feature is more significant since some or all teeth may be absents. Implants leading to a significant improvement in relation to function and comfort of removable prosthesis users, but the aesthetics of these prostheses had little attention in the current scientific literature. Thus, the aim of present article was to make a review of the literature on the aesthetic features related to rehabilitation with removable prostheses. In present study we found as significant factors for the aesthetics in removable partial and total prostheses: Selection of artificial teeth and their arrangement, characterization of acrylic resin basis and also the types and location of retainers for the removable partial prostheses. We conclude that the involvement and the aesthetic knowledge during the appropriate planning of this process is responsibility of the professional.

A practical guide for operational validation of discrete simulation models

As the number of simulation experiments increases, the necessity for validation and verification of these models demands special attention on the part of the simulation practitioners. By analyzing the current scientific literature, it is observed that the operational validation description presented in many papers does not agree on the importance designated to this process and about its applied techniques, subjective or objective. With the expectation of orienting professionals, researchers and students in simulation, this article aims to elaborate a practical guide through the compilation of statistical techniques in the operational validation of discrete simulation models. Finally, the guide's applicability was evaluated by using two study objects, which represent two manufacturing cells, one from the automobile industry and the other from a Brazilian tech company. For each application, the guide identified distinct steps, due to the different aspects that characterize the analyzed distributions. © 2011 Brazilian Operations Research Society.

Produtividade Científica dos docentes da Universidade Estadual Paulista, câmpus de Assis/SP

In this work, we analyzed the scientific bibliographic productivity of the Faculdade Ciências e Letras de Assis, Universidade Estadual Paulista (FCLAs-UNESP). We evaluated the scientific productivity of Professors using data retrieved from the Lattes Plataform database (Curriculum Lattes), ISI Web of Science and SCOPUS, books published, chapter of the books published and academic advisory (Master's Thesis and Ph.D. Thesis). Bibliometric evaluations of departments showed a better performance of the total number of papers (indexed in Curriculum Lattes database) by Literature Department (P < 0.05) when compared to Modern Languages Department. The Biological Sciences Department had means higher of the papers indexed by SCOPUS (P < 0.05) and ISI (P < 0.05) when compared to others departments. We also observed that the low h-indexes (P< 0,05) in the humanities areas is result of traditional mode of communication in this area of knowledge, which makes more use of books and proceedings of meetings when compared to natural sciences. These publications are not covered by ISI and SCOPUS. The graduate programs in History and Languages presented means higher of academic advisory (Master's Thesis and Ph.D. Thesis) because are graduate programs consolidated in the 1970's.

On a control design to an AFM microcantilever beam, operating in a tapping-mode, with irregular behavior

In last decades, control of nonlinear dynamic systems became an important and interesting problem studied by many authors, what results the appearance of lots of works about this subject in the scientific literature. In this paper, an Atomic Force Microscope micro cantilever operating in tapping mode was modeled, and its behavior was studied using bifurcation diagrams, phase portraits, time history, Poincare maps and Lyapunov exponents. Chaos was detected in an interval of time; those phenomena undermine the achievement of accurate images by the sample surface. In the mathematical model, periodic and chaotic motion was obtained by changing parameters. To control the chaotic behavior of the system were implemented two control techniques. The SDRE control (State Dependent Riccati Equation) and Time-delayed feedback control. Simulation results show the feasibility of the bothmethods, for chaos control of an AFM system. Copyright © 2011 by ASME.

Mnitoramento do desenvolvimento infantil realizado no Brasil

Objective: To review scientific literature in order to check how infant development surveillance is being carried out in Brazil. Data sources: Search on databases (PubMed, Medline, SciELO and CAPES Database Thesis) for studies on medical practices related to surveillance and monitoring of child development in Brazil from 2000 to 2011. The terms used for research were: child development surveillance, early intervention, developmental screening, and developmental screening tests. There were ten texts on the subject under study. Original articles, reviews, and thesis were analyzed, as well as the reference lists of publications on the topic. Data synthesis: Studies on monitoring of child development in Brazil showed major failures from pediatrician formation to clinical practice. Conclusions: It is urgent to offer continued medical education to pediatricians in order to update their knowledge about child development monitoring, especially due to the increasing numbers of preterm infants.

Preconceito e esportes de aventura: A (não) presença feminina

Participation in adventure sports have increased recently, perhaps because of its appealing and emotional aspects. Despite this overall increase, women's participation is restricted due to ingrained gender prejudice in society, however, there are some initiatives aimed at expanding women's participation in several adventure sports. In scientific literature there is a lack of studies on adventure sports, especially on gender issues, prejudice and female athletic performance. These aspects motivated this study, which aims to investigate from the female athletes' perspective; the prejudice and behaviors of male athletes when in their presence and the male athletes' acceptance of them. This exploratory research consists of a qualitative study developed through an open on-line questionnaire. This tool was posted on web logs and websites of sixteen well-known female Brazilian adventure sports athletes. The questionnaire answers were analyzed based on the Thematic Content Analysis Technique and indicate that, although most female athletes do not report the prejudice and rejection of men, these attitudes appear subliminally, deserving more attention in future studies. © FTCD/FIP-MOC.