Chemical Modification of Palm Fibres Surface with Zirconium Oxychloride

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Evaluation of the pre-inoculum utilization in biosurfactant production by solid-state fermentation

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Detection of hormones in surface and drinking water in Brazil by LC-ESI-MS/MS and ecotoxicological assessment with Daphnia magna

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Chemical weathering rate, denudation rate, and atmospheric and soil CO2 consumption of Parana flood basalts in Sao Paulo State, Brazil

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

Production of recombinant EMA-1 protein and its application for the diagnosis of Theileria equi using an enzyme immuno assay in horses from São Paulo State, Brazil

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

Low genetic diversity of Anaplasma marginale in calves in an endemic area for bovine anaplasmosis in the state of São Paulo, Brazil

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

A new species of ischnocnema parva species series (Anura, Brachycephalidae) from northern state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Spatial distribution of runoff depth from a watershed located in a cuesta relief area of São Paulo State, Brazil

This study was undertaken in a 1566 ha drainage basin situated in an area with cuesta relief in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The objectives were: 1) to map the maximum potential soil water retention capacity, and 2) to simulate the depth of surface runoff in each geographical position of the area based on a typical rainfall event. The database required for the development of this research was generated in the environment of the geographical information system ArcInfo v.10.1. Undeformed soil samples were collected at 69 points. The ordinary kriging method was used in the interpolation of the values of soil density and maximum potential soil water retention capacity. The spherical model allowed for better adjustment of the semivariograms corresponding to the two soil attributes for the depth of 0 to 20 cm, while the Gaussian model enabled a better fit of the spatial behavior of the two variables for the depth of 20 to 40 cm. The simulation of the spatial distribution revealed a gradual increase in the depth of surface runoff for the rainfall event taken as example (25 mm) from the reverse to the peripheral depression of the cuesta (from west to east). There is a positive aspect observed in the gradient, since the sites of highest declivity, especially those at the front of the cuesta, are closer to the western boundary of the watershed where the lowest depths of runoff occur. This behavior, in conjunction with certain values of erodibility and depending on the land use and cover, can help mitigate the soil erosion processes in these areas.

State of the Arctic October 2006

This State of the Arctic Report presents a review of recent data by an international group of scientists who developed a consensus on the information content and reliability. The report highlights data primarily from 2000 to 2005 with a first look at winter 2006, providing an update to some of the records of physical processes discussed in the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment (ACIA, 2004, 2005). Of particular note: • Atmospheric climate patterns are shifting (Fig. 1). The late winter/spring pattern for 2000–2005 had new hot spots in northeast Canada and the East Siberian Sea relative to 1980–1999. Late winter 2006, however, shows a return to earlier climate patterns, with warm temperatures in the extended region near Svalbard. • Ocean salinity and temperature profiles at the North Pole and in the Beaufort Sea, which changed abruptly in the 1990s, show that conditions since 2000 have relaxed toward the pre-1990 climatology, although 2001–2004 has seen an increase in northward ocean heat transport through Bering Strait (Fig. 2), which is thought to impact sea ice loss. • Sea ice extent continues to decrease. The sea ice extent in September 2005 was the minimum observed in summer during the satellite era (beginning in 1979), marking an unprecedented series of extreme ice extent minima beginning in 2002 (Fig. 3). The sea ice extent in March 2006 was also the minimum observed in winter during the satellite era. • Tundra vegetation greenness increased, primarily due to an increase in the abundance of shrubs. Boreal forest vegetation greenness decreased, possibly due to drought conditions (Fig. 4). • There is increasing interest in the stability of the Greenland ice sheet. The velocity of outlet glaciers increased in 2005 relative to 2000 and 1995, but uncertainty remains with regard to the total mass balance. • Permafrost temperatures continue to increase. However, data on changes in the active layer thickness (the relatively thin layer of ground between the surface and permafrost that undergoes seasonal freezing and thawing) are less conclusive. While some of the sites show a barely noticeable increasing trend in the thickness of the active layer, most of them do not. • Globally, 2005 was the warmest year in the instrumental record (beginning in 1880), with the Arctic providing a large contribution toward this increase. Many of the trends documented in the ACIA are continuing, but some are not. Taken collectively, the observations presented in this report indicate that during 2000–2005 the Arctic system showed signs of continued warming. However, there are a few indications that certain elements may be recovering and returning to recent climatological norms (for example, the central Arctic Ocean and some wind patterns). These mixed tendencies further illustrate the sensitivity and complexity of the Arctic physical system. They underline the importance of maintaining and expanding efforts to observe and better understand this important component of the climate system to provide accurate predictions of its future state.

ICHTHYOPLANKTON DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE IN THE NORTHERN TODOS OS SANTOS AND CAMAMU BAYS, BAHIA STATE - BRAZIL

The occurrence, distribution and abundance of ichthyoplankton in Todos os Santos and Camamu Bays were analyzed based on four samplings (winter 2003, summer 2003, winter 2004 and summer 2005). Samples were obtained by surface horizontal hauls, using a 200-mu m mesh conical-cylinder plankton net. The distribution and abundance of eggs indicate a remarkable seasonal and annual variation of spawning activity in the region, especially when the two summer campaigns are compared. In summer 2003 the highest quantitative values were recorded, especially for Camamu, where the maximum reached 106.56 eggs.m(-3), with an overall average of 43.46 eggs.m(-3) for the two areas. In summer 2005 values were relatively low, the overall average being 3.49 eggs.m(-3). The larval taxonomic composition is characterized by the predominance of gobiids, with small variation from summer to winter. Considering all the campaigns and samplings undertaken in both areas, larvae of 11 families were identified: Engraulidae, Clupeidae, Mugilidae, Atherinopsidae, Hemiramphidae, Syngnathidae, Blenniidae, Carangidae, Gobiidae, Achiridae and Tetraodontidae.

Speciation of butyltin derivatives in surface sediments of three southern Brazilian harbors

For the first time, organotin compounds were determined in surface sediment samples collected from Sao Francisco do Sul, Itajai-Navegantes and Imbituba Harbors, located in Santa Catarina State, Brazil. Butyltins (BTs) were determined by gas chromatography with a pulsed flame photometric detector (GC-PFPD) after being modified using the Grignard derivatization method. The concentrations of BTs derivatives ranged from n.d. to 1136.6 ng (Sn) g(-1) of dry weight (dw) sediment for tributyltin (TOT), n.d. to 394.4 ng (Sn)g(-1) dw for dibutyltin (DOT) and n.d. to 312.2 ng (Sn)g(-1) dw for monobutyltin (MBT). The highest concentration of total BTs was found at the Itajai-Acu River dockyard, indicating intense inputs of antifouling paints to the environment. The relative difference in the BTs levels is a particular characteristic of sediments from harbors and may be related to the shipyards and the boat traffic which still use TBT-based antifouling paints.

Application of dendrogeomorphology on the study of soil sediment deposition in the stems of Guarea guidonea trees in a disturbed riparian forest in Goias state, Brazil

The sediments resulting of natural or anthropic erosion are deposited on the soil surface and around the trunks of trees occurring in riparian forests. For assessment of the erosion, tree-rings of roots and stems were analyzed. Guarea guidonea trees from a riparian forest affected by the sedimentation of soil erosion from pastures and soybean fields in state of Goias were selected. Wood samples were extracted through a non-destructive method at three heights from trunks of trees located in three positions (top, middle and bottom) of a riparian slope. The evaluation revealed a deposition of a thick sediment layer up to 34 cm around the base of tree trunks during the past 24 years. The inter-correlations between the tree-rings widths present in wood samples at the base and at 50 and 100 cm from Guarea guidonea tree trunks presented low, medium and high values. These values resulted from the low tree-rings distinctiveness in the wood; the absence of some rings as well as the eccentricity of the pith. The analyses of dendrogeomorphology allowed the determination of the date of seed germination and tree growth and inference on the periods of sediment deposition in the trunk of the trees.

Titanium surface topography after brushing with fluoride and fluoride-free toothpaste simulating 10 years of use

Objectives: To conduct a controlled study contrasting titanium surface topography after procedures that simulated 10 years of brushing using toothpastes with or without fluoride. Methods: Commercially pure titanium (cp Ti) and Ti-6Al-4V disks (6 mm circle divide x 4 mm) were mirror-polished and treated according to 6 groups (n = 6) as a function of immersion (I) or brushing (B) using deionised water (W), fluoride-free toothpaste (T) and fluoride toothpaste (FT). Surface topography was evaluated at baseline (pretreatment) and post-treatment, using atomic force microscope in order to obtain three-dimensional images and mean roughness. Specimens submitted to immersion were submerged in the vehicles without brushing. For brushed specimens, procedures were conducted using a linear brushing machine with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Immersion and brushing were performed for 244 h. IFT and BFT samples were analysed under scanning electron microscope with Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS). Pre and post-treatment values were compared using the paired Student T-test (alpha = .05). Intergroup comparisons were conducted using one-way ANOVA with Tukey post-test (alpha = .05). Results: cp Ti mean roughness (in nanometers) comparing pre and post-treatment were: IW, 2.29 +/- 0.55/2.33 +/- 0.17; IT, 2.24 +/- 0.46/2.02 +/- 0.38; IFT, 2.22 +/- 0.53/1.95 +/- 0.36; BW, 2.22 +/- 0.42/3.76 +/- 0.45; BT, 2.27 +/- 0.55/16.05 +/- 3.25; BFT, 2.27 +/- 0.51/22.39 +/- 5.07. Mean roughness (in nanometers) measured in Ti-6Al-4V disks (pre/post-treatment) were: IW, 1.79 +/- 0.25/2.01 +/- 0.25; IT, 1.61 +/- 0.13/1.74 +/- 0.19; IFT, 1.92 +/- 0.39/2.29 +/- 0.51; BW, 2.00 +/- 0.71/2.05 +/- 0.43; BT, 2.37 +/- 0.86/11.17 +/- 2.29; BFT, 1.83 +/- 0.50/15.73 +/- 1.78. No significant differences were seen after immersions (p > .05). Brushing increased the roughness of cp Ti and of Ti-6Al-4V (p < .01); cp Ti had topographic changes after BW, BT and BFT treatments whilst Ti-6Al-4V was significantly different only after BT and BTF. EDS has not detected fluoride or sodium ions on metal surfaces. Conclusions: Exposure to toothpastes (immersion) does not affect titanium per se; their use during brushing affects titanium topography and roughness. The associated effects of toothpaste abrasives and fluorides seem to increase roughness on titanium brushed surfaces. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Interaction of the meso-tetrakis (4-N-methylpyridyl) porphyrin with gel and liquid state phospholipid vesicles

The interaction of the cationic meso-tetrakis 4-N-methylpyridyl porphyrin (TMPyP) with large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) was investigated in the present study. LUVs were formed by mixtures of the zwitterionic 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and anionic 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoglycerol (DPPG) phospholipids, at different DPPG molar percentages. All investigations were carried out above (50 degrees C) and below (25 degrees C) the main phase transition temperature of the LUVs (similar to 41 degrees C). The binding constant values, K-b, estimated from the time-resolved fluorescence study, showed a significant increase of the porphyrin affinity at higher mol% DPPG. This affinity is markedly increased when the LUVs are in the liquid crystalline state. For both situations, the increase of the K-b value was also followed by a higher porphyrin fraction bound to the LUVs. The displacement of the vesicle-bound porphyrins toward the aqueous medium, upon titration with the salt potassium chloride (KCl), was also studied. Altogether, our steady-state and frequency-domain fluorescence quenching data results indicate that the TMPyP is preferentially located at the LUVs Stern layer. This is supported by the zeta potential studies, where a partial neutralization of the LUVs surface charge, upon porphyrin titration, was observed. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) results showed that, for some phospholipid systems, this partial neutralization leads to the LUVs flocculation. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

COMPARING RAINFALL INTENSITY DURATION RELATIONSHIPS FOR SITES OF THE STATE OF SAO PAULO

Rainfall intensity durations relationships are extremely important in the design of systems for mitigating runoff losses. The objective of this work was to compare rainfall depths generated by the PLUVIO 2.1 software, with depths from the standard intensity duration curves developed by MARTINEZ & MAGNI (1999). It was compared rainfall intensities of 10, 20, 30, 60, 120 and 1440 minute durations for 2, 5, 10, 50 and 100 year return periods for 30 sites in the state of Sao Paulo. The results showed that PLUVIO was effective, except in predicting the 24 hours rainfall from 100 year return period events in four locations in the central and eastern regions of the state.