Nutritional status of the potted chrysanthemum relative to electrical conductivity and salt leaching

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Determination of tetradifon in brazilian green bell pepper by differential pulse voltammetry

Tetradifon, a potentially carcinogenic and mutagenic pesticide, can contribute to environmental and human contamination when applied to green bell pepper crops. In this context, in this work, a reliable and sensitive method for determination of tetradifon in Brazilian green bell pepper samples involving a differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) technique on a glassy carbon electrode is proposed. The electrochemical behavior of tetradifon as followed by cyclic voltammetry (CV) suggests that its reduction occurs via an irreversible five–electron transfer vs. Ag|AgCl, KCl 3 M reference electrode. Very well–resolved diffusion controlled voltammetric peaks have been obtained in a supporting electrolyte solution composed of a mixture of 40% dimethylformamide (DMF), 30% methanol, and 30% NaOH 0.3 mol L−1 at −1.43, −1.57, −1.73, −1.88, and −2.05 V. The proposed DPV method has a good linear response in the 3.00 – 10.0 μmol L−1 range, with a limit of detection (L.O.D) of 0.756 μmol L−1 and 0.831 μmol L−1 in the absence and in the presence of the matrix, respectively. Moreover, improved L.O.D results (0.607 μmol L−1) have been achieved in the absence of DMF from the supporting electrolyte solution. Recovery has been evaluated in five commercial green bell pepper samples, and recovery percentages ranging from 91.0 to 109 have been obtained for tetradifon determinations. The proposed voltammetric method has also been tested for reproducibility, repeatability, and potential interferents, and the results obtained for these three analytical parameters are satisfactory for electroanalytical purposes.

As expedições da Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine e a Amazônia Brasileira

O artigo relata os primeiros anos de funcionamento da Escola de Medicina Tropical de Liverpool e as expedições enviadas para a Amazônia brasileira, para as Cidades de Belém e Manaus, descrevendo o que aconteceu com os pesquisadores envolvidos, Herbert Durhan, Walter Myers e Harold Wolferstan Thomas.

Innovation efforts and performances of Brazilian firms

We analyze the relationship between innovation and firms' performance in Brazil using a comprehensive database that cross-references innovation information by PINTEC (Technological Innovation Research) of the IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics) and financial information from Serasa and Gazeta Mercantil. Results from the structural equation modeling suggest that variables associating with investments in innovation, which are connected to the innovative effort of a company, do not explain financial performance significantly. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

JUVENILE DEVELOPMENT OF DILOCARCINUS PAGEI STIMPSON, 1861 (BRACHYURA, TRICHODACTYLIDAE) REARED IN THE LABORATORY, WITH EMPHASIS ON SETAE MORPHOLOGY

The juvenile development of the freshwater crab Dilocarcinus pagei Stimpson, 1861 was studied under laboratory conditions, focusing on setae morphology. The ovigerous females were collected manually associated with water hyacinth at the Municipal Dam of Sao Jose do Rio Preto (Sao Paulo, Brazil). The specimens were raised in the laboratory under constant aeration, photoperiod (12: 12 h) and temperature (27 +/- 1 degrees C). Twelve juvenile stages were obtained with descriptions of the main morphological characters that allow their identification are presented. Fourteen types of setae were discovered: dentate, denticulate, serrulate, papposerrate, cuspidate, plumose, plumodenticulate, plumoserrulate, simple, pappose, brush, curved, nail and setules. The greatest diversity of setae was found on the mouth appendages, especially the maxillule. The gill ontogeny and sexual dimorphism becomes apparent from the second juvenile stage onwards. At the third juvenile stage, the carapace begins to exhibit a wider shape, becoming similar to that of the adults.

The identity of Hyla leucotaenia Burmeister, 1861 (Anura: Hylidae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Anti-inflammatory effect of MAPK phosphatase-1 local gene transfer in inflammatory bone loss

Alveolar bone loss associated with periodontal diseases is the result of osteoclastogenesis induced by bacterial pathogens. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphatase 1 (MKP-1) is a critical negative regulator of immune response as a key phosphatase capable of dephosphorylating activated MAPKs. In this study, rat macrophages transduced with recombinant adenovirus (Ad.)MKP-1 specifically dephosphorylated activated MAPKs induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) compared with control cells. Bone marrow macrophages from MKP-1 knockout (KO) mice exhibited higher interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and select chemokine compared with wild-type (WT) mice when stimulated by LPS. In addition, bone marrow cultures from MKP-1 KO mice exhibited significantly more osteoclastogenesis induced by LPS than when compared with WT mice. Importantly, MKP-1 gene transfer in bone marrow cells of MKP-1 KO mice significantly decreased IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α and chemokine levels, and formed fewer osteoclasts induced by LPS than compared with control group of cells. Furthermore, MKP-1 gene transfer in an experimental periodontal disease model attenuated bone resorption induced by LPS. Histological analysis confirmed that periodontal tissues transduced with Ad. MKP-1 exhibited less infiltrated inflammatory cells, less osteoclasts and less IL-6 than compared with rats of control groups. These studies indicate that MKP-1 is a key therapeutic target to control of inflammation-induced bone loss.

Combined measurement of the Higgs Boson Mass in pp collisions at root s=7 and 8 TeV with the ATLAS and CMS experiments

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Unpredictable chronic mild stress exerts anxiogenic-like effects and activates neurons in the dorsal and caudal region and in the lateral wings of the dorsal raphe nucleus

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

Relevant aspects of human toxoplasmosis

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

Unusual anatomy of the ectoparasitic muricid Vitularia salebrosa (King and Broderip, 1832) (Neogastropoda: Muricidae) from the Pacific coast of Panama

The morphology and anatomy of Vitularia salebrosa, a muricid ectoparasitic on other mollusks, are investigated based on study of specimens from western Panama. Distinctive characters of this species include the small size of the buccal mass and radular apparatus, simplification of the odontophore muscles and diminished lateral teeth of the radula; all elongated, narrow proboscis; narrow digestive tract and a differentiable glandular region at the beginning of the posterior esophagus. These traits are consistent with adaptive specialization for an ectoparasitic life history.

Role of common mental and physical disorders in partial disability around the world

Background Mental and physical disorders are associated with total disability, but their effects on days with partial disability (i.e. the ability to perform some, but not full-role, functioning in daily life) are not well understood. Aims To estimate individual (i.e. the consequences for an individual with a disorder) and societal effects (i.e. the avoidable partial disability in the society due to disorders) of mental and physical disorders on days with partial disability around the world. Method Respondents from 26 nationally representative samples (n=61 259, age 18+) were interviewed regarding mental and physical disorders, and day-to-day functioning. The Composite International Diagnostic Interview, version 3.0 (CIDI 3.0) was used to assess mental disorders; partial disability (expressed in full day equivalents) was assessed with the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule in the CIDI 3.0. Results Respondents with disorders reported about 1.58 additional disability days per month compared with respondents without disorders. At the individual level, mental disorders (especially post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and bipolar disorder) yielded a higher number of days with disability than physical disorders. At the societal level, the population attributable risk proportion due to physical and mental disorders was 49% and 15% respectively. Conclusions Mental and physical disorders have a considerable impact on partial disability, at both the individual and at the societal level. Physical disorders yielded higher effects on partial disability than mental disorders.

Corrosion protection of aluminium alloy by cerium conversion and conducting polymer duplex coatings

The corrosion protection of AA6063 aluminium alloy by cerium conversion, polyaniline conducting polymer and by duplex coatings has been investigated. The electrochemical behaviour was evaluated in aerated 3.5 wt.% NaCl. All coatings tested shifted the corrosion and pitting potentials to more positive values, indicating protection against corrosion. The duplex coatings are significantly more effective than each coating alone: corrosion and pitting potentials were shifted by +183 and +417 mV(SCE), respectively, by duplex coatings in relation to the untreated aluminium alloy. Optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy are in agreement with the electrochemical results, reinforcing the superior performance of duplex coatings. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Determination of Tetradifon in Brazilian Green Bell Pepper by Differential Pulse Voltammetry

Tetradifon, a potentially carcinogenic and mutagenic pesticide, can contribute to environmental and human contamination when applied to green bell pepper crops. In this context, in this work, a reliable and sensitive method for determination of tetradifon in Brazilian green bell pepper samples involving a differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) technique on a glassy carbon electrode is proposed. The electrochemical behavior of tetradifon as followed by cyclic voltammetry (CV) suggests that its reduction occurs via an irreversible five-electron transfer vs. Ag vertical bar AgCl, KCl 3 M reference electrode. Very well-resolved diffusion controlled voltammetric peaks have been obtained in a supporting electrolyte solution composed of a mixture of 40% dimethylformamide (DMF), 30% methanol, and 30% NaOH 0.3 mol L-1 at -1.43, -1.57, -1.73, -1.88, and -2.05 V. The proposed DPV method has a good linear response in the 3.00 - 10.0 mu mol L-1 range, with a limit of detection (L.O.D) of 0.756 mu mol L-1 and 0.831 mu mol L-1 in the absence and in the presence of the matrix, respectively. Moreover, improved L.O.D results (0.607 mu mol L-1) have been achieved in the absence of DMF from the supporting electrolyte solution. Recovery has been evaluated in five commercial green bell pepper samples, and recovery percentages ranging from 91.0 to 109 have been obtained for tetradifon determinations. The proposed voltammetric method has also been tested for reproducibility, repeatability, and potential interferents, and the results obtained for these three analytical parameters are satisfactory for electroanalytical purposes. (C) 2012 The Electrochemical Society. [DOI: 10.1149/2.024207jes] All rights reserved.

Interference of inorganic ions on phenol degradation by the Fenton reaction

The addition of Cu2+ ions to the classical Fenton reaction (Fe2+ plus H2O2 at pH 3) is found to accelerate the degradation of organic compounds. This synergic effect causes an approximately 15 % additional reduction of the total organic carbon (TOC), representing an overall improvement of the efficiency of the mineralization of phenol. Although Fe2+ exhibits a high initial rate of degradation, the degradation is not complete due to the formation of compounds refractory to the hydroxyl radical. The interference of copper ions on the degradation of phenol by the Fenton reaction was investigated. In the presence of Cu2+, the degradation is slower, but results in a greater reduction of TOC at the end of the reaction (t = 120 min). In the final stages of the reaction, when the Fe3+ in the solution is complexed in the form of ferrioxalate, the copper ions assume the role of the main catalyst of the degradation.