ANTS AS POTENTIAL VECTORS OF PATHOGENS IN HOSPITALS IN THE STATE OF SAO-PAULO, BRAZIL

Baiting studies performed in large, medium and small hospitals in Brazil revealed the presence of 14 ant species, with up to nine recorded in one hospital. Dominant species were exotic ants, and in the large hospital, Tapinoma melanocephalum was the most prevalent. Ants were not uniformly spread through the hospitals, but tended to be found in the more critical areas, particularly in nursery, intensive care, obstetrics, neurology and dermatology units. Bacteriological studies using specific media for bacteria associated with intra-hospital infections indicated the potential for the mechanical vectoring of species of Staphylococcus, Serratia, Klebsiella, Acinetobacter, Enterobacter, Candida and Enterococcus by ants. Although T. melanocephalum did not have the highest rate of association with these bacteria, its ubiquitous occurrences resulted in the highest overall potential as a vector of these bacteria. Because of a large number of ant species occurring in Brazilian hospitals, ants pose a potential problem to the spread of diseases in hospitals. Because of the number of associated ant species in hospitals, the control of this potential problem is much more difficult than in registered temperate areas.

Distribution of the orchid species in the coastal plains of the fazenda beach, municipality of ubatuba, state of sao-paulo, brazil

A floristic survey for the family Orchidaceae was undertaken in a coastal forest area of ca. 8 km2 in the Picinguaba Development Center of the Serra do Mar State Park, in the municipality of Ubatuba, Brazil. The sampling used all tracks and roads of the area, up to the altitude of 50 m.s.m. and resulted in 77 species distributed in 45 genera. The spacial distribution of the species was plotted in maps of the nine physiognomical units identified for the area, based on 1:8.000 and 1:25.000 aerial photographs, and field observations. The results are shown in 1:10.000 topographic charts. Ninety percent of the species occur in at least 3 physiognomical units while 60% only occurred in a single unit, what indicates that the orchids can be used to characterize the vegetation even in large scales.

Ceramic raw materials from the State of Maranhao, Brazil. Part 1: chemical and mineralogical characterization and technological properties of clays from Sao Luis, Rosario, Pinheiro and Mirinzal

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Amino Acids on Mango Yield and Fruit Quality at Submedio Sao Francisco Region, Brazil

Farmers of the Submedio Sao Francisco Region (Brazil) have been spraying amino acids on mango trees with the objective of increasing panicle length and improving fruit retention and quality. This study, done in two experiments, tested the effect of amino acids sprayings at concentrations of 0.0%; 0.02%; 0.04% and 0.06%, on mango plants, 'Tommy Atkins', on the budding phase (panicles with 5 cm), fruit set and fruit growth (5 cm diameter). They were carried out from June to October in 2003, that is the natural period for harvest in the region, and from January to May, in 2004. There were no statistical differences in the first experiment among treatments regarding panicle length and fruit production, probably due to an appropriate management of nutrition, water and plant growth regulators, besides climatic conditions, mainly temperature and solar radiation. In the second experiment, significant increments in the panicle length of 13.37%, 11.70% and 21.4% were observed with amino acids concentrations, compared to the control. Increasing amino acids doses also enhanced the number of fruits per plant, thirty days before the harvest, in 16.17%, 45.32% and 37.38%, respectively, compared to the control, but there were no significant statistical differences. Characteristics of fruit quality during storage, as weight loss, total soluble solids, total titratable acidity and pulp firmness were not significantly affected by amino acids spraying. Changes on those variables were registered as a consequence of fruit ripening. Amino acids sprays lightly delayed the evolution of skin luminosity and Hue of pulp, but the differences could not be visually identified. The concentrations of amino acids were not efficient for improving the natural concentrations of these substances in the leaves, which could be the reason for the non significant effects on the variables analyzed.

Oral health of Alzheimer's patients in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil

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

REPRODUCTIVE DYNAMICS of THE MAIN SPECIES of FISH IN THE MUNICIPAL RESERVOIR of SAO JOSE do RIO PRETO

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

The Sao Vicente earthquake of 2008 April and seismicity in the continental shelf off SE Brazil: further evidence for flexural stresses

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Drenagem e traces tectonicos na Regiao Norte-Ocidental de Estado de Sao Paulo.

A detailed statistical study of the drainage was made as an indirect means for interpreting the modern tectonic traits of the area. Over 1000 measurements of direction of fluvial courses were made from maps and air photos. These data allowed the diagnosis of the existence of a regional tectonic pattern, printed on the basaltic rocks, and its influence on the drainage adjustment as well as a more local control exerted by structures present in the Bauru Group rocks. -from English summary

Mapeamento das formacoes superficiais da Regiao de Sao Pedro- Piracicaba (SP, Brasil).

As criteria in photointerpretation slope features, tonality, texture, structure, vegetation density and gullies were utilized. The origin of the surficial formations is related to the weathering, erosion and deposition processes and little diagenesis.-after English summary

Caracteristicas gerais e classificacao de solos basalticos da regiao Central do Estado de Sao Paulo.

Giving a special emphasis on soil classification relative to their positions in the landscape, five soil profiles in the Barra Bonita-Jau area were characterized through morphological, granulometric and chemical routine soil analysis. It was observed that the soil structure gradually changes from strong blocks with cutans (lowlands and smooth parts - Jau). In this direction, the silt/clay ratio and the base saturation is reduced, and the aluminium saturation increases. -from English summary

Relacoes entre a concentracao espacial dos ramos industriais 'motrizes' e o desenvolvimento regional: o caso do Estado de Sao Paulo.

This paper, having its conceptual basis in the Theory of Growth Poles, by F.Perroux, tests the effective existence of correlation between the spatial incidence and concentration of the 'propulsive' industrial groups and the industrial growth as a whole and the demographic increase. The selected case study was the state of Sao Paulo and data used was the 1970 census. As consequence of the techniques applied a industrial regionalization of the 'paulista' space was obtained, showing few areas of intense industrial concentration, especially of 'propulsive' groups, with multiple growth poles, and large areas with industrial rarefaction, with little or no poles.-after English summary

Condicionamento geologico da agua subterranea em Sao Jose,do Rio Preto, SP.

A study of the geological characteristics of the Buaru Group basaltic substratum and stratigraphical unities was carried out, taking into account the groundwater exploration in S.Jose do Rio Preto area. The presence of the tectonic structures in this substratum exercised a profound influence on the sedimentation of the Bauru Group and on the variations in the hydrological properties of the sediments of the area.-English summary

Mudancas nas formas de comercio varejista e a implantacao dos supermercados na Grande Sao Paulo

Shows the social-economic determinants that act on the transformation process of retail commerce at the Great Sao Paulo. -from English summary