Changes in the genetic structure of Bacteria and microbial activity in an agricultural soil amended with tannery sludge

The application of tannery sludge to soils is a form of recycling; however, few studies have examined the impacts of this practice on soil microbial properties. We studied effects of two applications (2006 and 2007) of tannery sludge (with a low chromium content) on the structure of the bacterial community and on the microbial activity of soils. We fertilized an agricultural area in Rolandia, Parana state, Brazil with different doses of sludge based on total N content, which ranged from 0 to 1200 kg N ha(-1). Sludge remained on the soil surface for three months before being plowed. Soils were sampled seven times during the experiment. Bacterial community structure, assessed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), was modified by the application of tannery sludge. Soon after the first application, there was clear separation between the bacterial communities in different treatments, such that each dose of sludge was associated with a specific community. These differences remained until 300 days after application and also after the second sludge application, but 666 days after the beginning of the experiment no differences were found in the bacterial communities of the lowest doses and the control. The principal response curve (PRC) analysis showed that the first sludge application strongly stimulated biological activity even 300 days after application. The second application also stimulated activity, but at a lower magnitude and for a shorter time, given that 260 days after the second application there was no difference in biological activity among treatments. PRC also showed that the properties most influenced by the application of tannery sludge were enzymatic activities related to N cycling (asparaginase and urease). The redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that tannery sludge`s influence on microbial activity is mainly related to increases in inorganic N and soil pH. Results showed that changes in the structure of the bacterial community in the studied soils were directly related to changes of their biological activity. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Microbiological quality of ready-to-eat minimally processed vegetables consumed in Brazil

Minimally processed leafy vegetables are ready-to-eat (RTE) products very attractive to consumers looking for healthy and convenient meals. However, the microbiological safety of these foods is of special concern due to the absence of lethal treatments during processing. In the present study, indicator microorganisms, Listeria spp. and Salmonella spp. were determined for 162 samples of minimally processed leafy vegetables commercialized in Brazil. Psychrotrophic aerobic bacterial populations >5 log CFU/g were found in 96.7% of the samples, while total and thermotolerant coliforms were detected respectively in 132 (81.5%) and 107 (66%) of vegetables analyzed. Escherichia coil was present in 86 (53.1%) samples analyzed and Listeria spp. and Salmonella spp. were detected respectively in 6 (3.7%) and 2 (1.2%) samples. These results indicate the need of implementing quality programs in the production chain of RTE vegetables to improve shelf life and microbiological safety. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Pt/TiO(2)/poly(vinyl sulfonic acid) Layer-by-Layer Films for Methanol Electrocatalytic Oxidation

One major challenge for the widespread application of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) is to decrease the amount of platinum used in the electrodes, which has motivated a search for novel electrodes containing platinum nanoparticles. In this study, platinum nanoparticles were electrodeposited on layer-by-layer (LbL) films from TiO(2) and poly(vinyl sulfonic) (PVS), by immersing the films into a H(2)PtCl(6) solution and applying a 100 mu A current during different electrode position times. Scanning tunnel microscopy (STM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) images showed increased platinum particle size and electrode roughness for increasing electrodeposition times. The potentiodynamic profile of the electrodes indicated that oxygen-like species in 0.5 mol L(-1) H(2)SO(4) were formed at less positive potentials for the smallest platinum particles. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements confirmed the high reactivity for the water dissociation and the large amount of oxygen-like species adsorbed on the smallest platinum nanoparticles. This high oxophilicity of the smallest nanoparticles was responsible for the electrocatalytic activity of Pt-TiO(2)/PVS systems for methanol electrooxidation, according to the Langmuir-Hinshelwood bifunctional mechanism. Significantly, the approach used here combining platinum electrodeposition and LbL matrices allows one to both control the particle size and optimize methanol electrooxidation, being therefore promising for producing membrane-electrode assemblies of DMFCs.

Detection and Molecular Characterization of Gene 3 and 5 of Turkey Coronavirus from Turkeys with Severe Enteritis in Brazil

Turkey coronavirus (TCoV) is a causative agent associated with poult enteritis and mortality syndrome (PEMS) in turkeys worldwide. The disease is an acute, highly contagious enteric disease that is characterized by depression, anorexia, diarrhea, and high mortality in commercial turkey flocks. The presence of TCoV in 12 intestinal-content samples, from turkey flocks aged between 10 and 104 days and exhibiting severe enteritis, was monitored during the period of 2004 to 2006. TCoV detection was accomplished by a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) through amplification of the 3` UTR region, followed by amplification of genes 3 and 5. Molecular characterization of the viruses was done through amplification of genes 3 and 5 and showed evidence of genetic similarity between them, although they differed from sequences of other TCoVs described in the literature. In relation to gene 3, samples showed a greater relationship with chicken infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), while gene 5 showed greater identity with pheasant coronavirus (PhCoV). Our results suggest that the strategy of amplification of the 3` UTR region, followed by sequencing of genes 3 and 5, has proven to be an effective means of detecting TCoV in intestinal contents.

Expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1, -beta 2, and -beta 3 in human developing teeth: Immunolocalization according to the odontogenesis phases

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is a multifunctional growth factor that has several biological effects in vivo including control of cell growth and differentiation, cell migration, lineage determination, motility, adhesion, apoptosis, and synthesis and degradation of extracellular matrix, and TGF-beta plays an important role in regulating tissue repair and regeneration. Our study analyzed the participation of TGF-beta 1, -beta 2, and -beta 3 in the different stages of morphogenesis and differentiation of human developing dental organ using immunobistochemistry. The maxillae and mandibles of 10 human embryos ranging from 8 to 23 weeks of gestation were employed, according to the approval of the ethical committee. Our study revealed that the TGF-beta subunits-beta 1, beta 2, and beta 3 were present in the various stages of tooth development, but the expression varied according to the differentiation stage, tissue, and TGF-beta subunit. Our results indicated that TGF-beta 1 is closely related to differentiation of enamel organ and initiation of matrix secretion, TGF-beta 2 to cellular differentiation, and TGF-beta 3 to mineral maturation matrix.

The effects of occlusal loading on the margins of cervical restorations

Background. Researchers have proposed the restoration of abfraction lesions, but limited information is available about the effects of occlusal loading on the margins of such restorations. Because abfraction is a well-recognized problem, the authors conducted a study to assess the effects of occlusal loading on the margins of cervical restorations. Methods. The authors prepared 40 wedge-shaped cavities in extracted premolars and restored them with a resin-based composite. They subjected specimens to occlusal loading (150 newtons, 101 cycles) on the buccal cusp, on the central fossa or on the lingual cusp, and they stored 1 the control group, specimens in deionized water. The authors used fluorescein to delimit marginal defects and evaluated the defects by using laser scanning confocal microscopy. Results. Results of chi(2) and Kruskal-Wallis tests (P < .05) showed that specimens subjected to occlusal loading had a higher percentage of marginal gaps (53.3 percent) than did the control specimens (10.0 percent). There were no differences between groups in marginal defect formation or in defect location, length or width. Conclusions. Occlusal loading led to a significant increase in gap formation at the margins of cervical resin-based composite restorations. Clinical Implications. The clinician cannot underestimate the effects of occlusal loading When restoring teeth with cervical wedge-shaped lesions. If occlusal loading is the main factor contributing to lesion formation, the clinician should identify and treat it before placing the restoration or otherwise run the risk that the restorative treatment will fail because of marginal gap formation.

Speleothem U-series dating of semi-synchronous climate oscillations during the last deglaciation

Evidence for nearly synchronous climate oscillations during the last deglaciation has been found throughout the Northern Hemisphere but few records are based on independent time scales of calendar years. We present a rare uranium-series dated oxygen-carbon isotope record for a speleothem from Tangshan Cave, China, which demonstrates that abrupt deglacial climatic oscillations from 16 800 to 10 500 yr BP are semi-synchronous with those found in Greenland ice core records. Relatively rapid shifts in speleothem oxygen isotope ratios demonstrate that the intensity of the East Asian monsoon switched in parallel with the abrupt transitions separating the Bolling-Allerod, Younger Dryas, and pre-Boreal climatic reversals. However, the dated isotopic transitions appear to have lasted longer. Our results demonstrate the dominant role of atmospheric teleconnections in the rapid propagation of deglacial climatic signals on a hemispheric scale, and highlight the importance of U-series dated speleothems in the timing and characterization of abrupt climate change. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Variability in leaf rust susceptibility among peach cultivars

The aim of this work was to estimate the susceptibility of thirty-six peach cultivars to leaf rust caused by Tranzschelia discolor f. sp. persica. The incidence and severity of the disease as well as defoliation in peach trees of an experimental orchard of Parana Federal University of Technology, Campus Dois Vizinhos were evaluated on the growing seasons 2004/2005 and 2005/2006. Immunity to this disease was not observed in the studied cultivars. There was difference in leaf rust intensity depending on the growing season conditions. Cultivars 'Pilcha', 'Sinuelo', 'Chirua', 'Sulina', 'Eldorado' and 'Pampeano' showed tolerance to leaf rust, whereas cultivars 'Vila Nova', 'Fla 1372', 'Coral 2', 'Chimarrita', 'Della Nona', 'BR-1 ' and 'Guaiaca' showed high susceptibility.

Anotação sintética, numa perspectiva de Direito Público, ao Acórdão n.º 63/2006, em Plenário, do Tribunal Constitucional (português), de 24 de Janeiro de 2006 - qual proibição constitucional de impostos retroactivos? A tese de Oliveira Salazar.

Resumo: 1 – Sumário do Acórdão do Tribunal Constitucional n.º 63/2006, de 24 de Janeiro de 2006; 2 – Texto completo do Acórdão do Tribunal Constitucional n.º 63/2006, de 24 de Janeiro de 2006: cfr. http://www.tribunalconstitucional.pt/tc/acordaos/20060063.html , 18 de Maio de 2012; 3 – Anotação sintética; 3.1 – Introdução à anotação sintética e suas características neste caso concreto; 4 – A referência, abstracta e concreta, do princípio constitucional da «proibição de impostos retroactivos»; 5 – Alguns aspectos nucleares da eficácia temporal das normas jurídico-tributárias, brevitatis causa, das normas jurídico-fiscais; 6 – A chamada «aplicação das normas fiscais» (e/ou tributárias) no seio da «aplicação no tempo»: algumas breves notas sobre a tradição jurídico-lusitana, v.g. do ponto de vista da doutrina, a partir de 1976, designadamente até 1985; 6.1 – A tese de António de Oliveira Salazar; 7 – Conclusões. § Abstract: 1 - Summary of the Judgment of the Constitutional Court n. 63/2006 of January 24, 2006; 2 - Complete text of the Judgment of the Constitutional Court n. 63/2006 of January 24, 2006: s. http://www.tribunalconstitucional.pt/tc/acordaos/20060063.html , May 18, 2012; 3 - Synthetic Note: 3.1 - Introduction to syntheticannotation and its characteristics in this case; 4 - The reference, abstract and concrete, the constitutional principle of «prohibition of retroactive taxes»; 5 - Some aspects of nuclear the temporal validity of the legal and tax rules, brevitatis causa of legal and tax rules; 6 - the so-called «implementation of tax laws» (and/or tax) within the «Application in time»: some brief notes on the legal tradition -Lusitanian, e.g. from the standpoint of doctrine, from 1976, namely until 1985; 6.1 - The thesis of António de Oliveira Salazar; 7- Conclusions. PS: este "abstract" está tal qual como na publicação.

Anotação sintética, numa perspectiva de Direito Público, ao Acórdão n.º 63/2006, em Plenário, do Tribunal Constitucional (português), de 24 de Janeiro de 2006 - qual proibição constitucional de impostos retroactivos? A tese de Oliveira Salazar.

The present article aims to analyze the Judgment no. º 63/2006 of the Constitutional Court, of January 24, 2006, verifying the characteristics of the case, under reference abstract and concrete, of the constitutional principle of the prohibition of retroactive tax. It also examines the core aspects of the temporal validity of the legal and tax rules, brevitatis causa of legal and fiscal standards. Thus, it scrutinizes the call application of tax rules (and / or tax) within the application in time, consisting brief notes on the legal tradition-Lusitanian, from the standpoint of doctrine, from 1976 to 1985 including, recalling the Thesis Salazar on non-retroactivity of tax law. § O presente artigo pretende analisar o Acórdão do Tribunal Constitucional n.º 63/2006, de 24 de Janeiro de 2006, verificando de forma sintética as características do caso concreto, sob referência abstracta e concreta, do princípio constitucional da proibição de imposto retroativos, analisando ainda os aspectos nucleares da eficácia temporal das normas jurídico-tributárias, brevitatis causa, das normas jurídico-fiscais. Para tanto, se averigua a chamada aplicação das normas fiscais (e/ou tributárias) no seio da aplicação no tempo, constando breves notas sobre a tradição jurídico-lusitana, do ponto de vista da doutrina, a partir de 1976, designadamente até 1985, recordando a Tese de Salzar sobre a não retroatividade da lei fiscal.

Spacing, population density and nitrogen fertilization in corn grown in an Oxisoil

The objective of this study was to evaluate yield components, leaf nitrogen content and grain yield in corn as affected by row spacing, plant density and nitrogen topdressing. The experiment was conducted with the single-cross hybrid AG 8021, in the municipality of Toledo-PR, in an Oxisoil under no-tillage system, in the crop year 2005/ 2006. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design and treatments in split-split-plots, with four replications. The two row spacings (0.45 and 0.90 m) were allocated in the main plots, the two plant densities (60,000 and 80,000 plants ha-1) were allocated in the subplots and the three nitrogen rates (80, 100, 120 and 140 kg ha-1 N) were allocated in the sub-subplots. Topdress nitrogen was applied using urea as N source. The rise of the plant population from 60,000 to 80,000 plants ha-1 and the application of topdress nitrogen resulted in increased production components. The application of topdress fertilization provided increase in leaf N content and grain yield for the spacings 0.45 m and 0.90 m. Yield was higher in the spacing 0.45 m than 0.90 m. Yield was higher with 60,000 plants than with 80,000 plants at 0.90 m, while at 0.45 m there was no difference in relation to the plant density.

Comparing a current-carrying circular wire with polygons of equal perimeter: Magnetic field versus magnetic flux

We compare the magnetic field at the centre and the self-magnetic flux through a current-carrying circular loop, with those obtained for current-carrying polygons with the same perimeter. As the magnetic field diverges at the position of the wires, we compare the self-fluxes utilizing several regularization procedures. The calculation is best performed utilizing the vector potential, thus highlighting its usefulness in practical applications. Our analysis answers some of the intuition challenges students face when they encounter a related simple textbook example. These results can be applied directly to the determination of mutual inductances in a variety of situations.

Comparação dos hábitos tabágicos entre grupos geracionais na ESTSP

O tabagismo é um dos principais problemas de saúde pública. Foi realizado um estudo transversal, descritivo e observacional, com o objectivo de caracterizar os hábitos tabágicos em dois grupos geracionais da Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde do Porto (ESTSP). Aplicou-se um questionário, adaptado do Inquérito Nacional de Saúde 2005/2006 a uma amostra de dois grupos: adultos e jovens. A prevalência total do tabagismo foi de 32,2%, sendo superior no sexo feminino (35%), nos jovens (39,2%) e no curso de Audiologia (17,5%). A elevada prevalência de fumadores demonstra a necessidade de adoptar medidas eficazes na prevenção do tabagismo.

Recursos hidrominerais dos Açores: hidrogeologia e avaliação do potencial sócioeconómico

Tese de Doutoramento, Geologia (Hidrogeologia), 17 de Dezembro de 2013, Universidade dos Açores.

Percursos de vida profissional: da formação inicial à entrada na carreira

Dissertação apresentada à Escola Superior de Educação de Lisboa para a obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Ciências da Educação - especialidade Supervisão em Educação