Efeito da salinidade e do esgoto orgânico sobre a comunidade zooplanctônica, com ênfase nos copépodes, do estuário do rio Itanhaém, Estado de São Paulo

The objective of this work is to analyze the effects of salinity and wastewater on the zooplankton community of the Itanhaém river estuary, São Paulo state. Samples of zooplankton as well as physical and chemical variables of water were collected in four sites, located between the coastal line and the superior part of the estuary, including a secondary channel where wastewater is thrown without previous treatment. The samples were collected in low and high tide in winter and summer. Results showed that the estuary presents a temporal and spatial variation of physical and chemical characteristics, especially salinity, in function of the tide and seasonal variation of rain. The high values of salinity occurred in winter and high tide. Zooplankton community was adapted to the dynamic of salinity, and marine and estuarine species occurred in the low part of the estuary in winter. Although the Itanhaém river estuary has the same temporal and spatial dynamic of other estuaries, the values of salinity are low when compared with others located in the southern coast of São Paulo. Consequently, mainly oligohaline and fresh water species constitute the zooplankton community. These characteristics are due to the great drainage area of the Itanhaém river basin. The waste water modified physical and chemical characteristics of water that now presents higher concentrations of nutrients, higher values of suspended matter and lower concentrations of oxygen. It was observed a positive relation between the density of nauplii of copepods and organic pollution in this estuary.

Toxoplasma gondii: Comparison of a rhoptry-ELISA with IFAT and MAT for antibody detection in sera of experimentally infected pigs

Indirect ELISA and IFAT have been reported to be more sensitive and specific than agglutination tests. However, MAT is cheaper, easier than the others and does not need special equipment. The purpose of this study was to compare an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay using crude rhoptries of Toxoplasma gondii as coating wells (r-ELISA) with indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT) and modified agglutination test (MAT) to detect anti-T. gondii antibodies in sera of experimentally infected pigs. Ten mixed breed pigs between 6.5 and 7.5 weeks old were used. All pigs were negative for the presence of T. gondii antibodies by IFAT (titre < 16), r-ELISA (OD < 0.295) and MAT (titre < 16). Animals received 7 × 107 viable tachyzoites of the RH strain by intramuscular (IM) route at day 0. Serum samples were collected at days -6, 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 50, and 57. IFAT detected anti-T. gondii antibodies earlier than r-ELISA and MAT. The average of antibody levels was higher at day 35 in IFAT (Log10 = 2.9) and in MAT (Log10 = 3.5), and at day 42 in r-ELISA (OD = 0.797). The antibody levels remained high through the 57th day after inoculation in MAT, and there was a decrease tendency in r-ELISA and IFAT. IFAT was used as gold standard and r-ELISA demonstrated a higher prevalence (73.3%), sensitivity (94.3%), negative predictive value (83.3%), and accuracy (95.6%) than MAT. Kappa agreements among tests were calculated, and the best results were shown by r-ELISA × IFAT (κ = 0.88, p < 0.001). Cross-reaction with Sarcocystis miescheriana was investigated in r-ELISA and OD mean was 0.163 ± 0.035 (n = 65). Additionally, none of the animals inoculated with Sarcocystis reacted positively in r-ELISA. Our results indicate that r-ELISA could be a good method for serological detection of T. gondii infection in pigs. © 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

O silêncio das musas: Épico, ciência e poesia em Haroldo de Campos

The epic and science seem to have been the most important concerns of the Brazilian author Haroldo de Campos (1929-2003) in his last twenty years of life. The books Finismundo: a última viagem and A máquina do mundo repensada are two significant works in his aesthetical journey. This paper presents some strategies for reading both books, in which the relationship between those themes is emphasized. As a starting point, it is believed that the analogy between science and the epic does not represent a paradigm of reading on which the poetry of Harold de Campos intends to base itself, but a way of thinking about the political and literary concerns that constitute its own situation. The creation of a poetics of adventure as an alternative to the end of utopia and the affirmation of a principle of indeterminacy as a way to oppose the interpretations immediately available in the present constitute two of the main interests found in this mode of reading.

Evaluation of IFA, MAT, ELISAs and immunoblotting for the detection of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in paired serum and aqueous humour samples from experimentally infected pigs

The study evaluated the efficiency of diagnostic laboratory methods to detect anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in paired serum and aqueous humour samples from experimentally infected pigs. 18-mixed breed pigs were used during the experiment; these were divided into two groups, G1 (infected group, n = 10) and G2 (uninfected group, n = 8). Infection was performed with 4 × 10 4 VEG strain oocysts at day 0 by the oral route in G1 animals. All pigs were euthanized at day 60, when retina, aqueous humour, and blood samples were collected. Anti-T. gondii antibody levels were assessed in serum (s) and aqueous humour (ah) by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), modified agglutination test (MAT), m-ELISA (using crude membranes from T. gondii tachyzoites as antigen) and r-ELISA (using rhoptries from T. gondii tachyzoites as antigen). Polymerase chain reactions (PCR) of samples from the retina were performed by using Tox4 and Tox5 primers. Antibody titers of G1 animals ranged from 128 to 1024 and from 16 to 256 in serum and aqueous humour, respectively. There were differences in the correlation coefficients between IFA(s) × IFA (ah) (r = 0.62, P = 0.05), MAT(s) × MAT (ah) (r = 0.97, P < 0.0001); however, there was no significant difference between r-ELISA(s) × r-ELISA (ah) (r = 0.14, P = 0.7). Antibodies present in serum and aqueous humour recognized similar antigens. Samples of retina were positive by PCR in 30% (3/10) of infected pigs. G2 animals remained without antibody levels and were PCR negative throughout the experiment. These results suggest that the use of a combination of tests and immunoblotting for paired aqueous humour and serum samples could improve the sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of ocular toxoplasmosis. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Interferěncia da comunidade infestante sobre plantas de Eucalyptus grandis de segundo corte

Currently Brazil is one of the leading paper and pulp producers in the world market, where Sao Paulo State boasts the greatest production. Because of the pulp prices falling in the world market and the low costs of a second coppice rotation, two experiments (started May and December, 2000) were conducted to evaluate the effects of weeds and of weed-free periods (0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 months) on the growth of Eucalyptus grandis second coppice plants. The field trials were set up in a randomized block design with four replicates and the experimental plots consisted of three rows of fve plants. The December weed community was composed mainly of Brachiaria decumbens (Surinam grass) and Panicum maximum (Guinea grass) and the May weed community was composed mainly by B. decumbens and Digitaria insularis (Sour-grass). Weeds had a low negative influence on growth, diameter development and macronutrients content of E. grandis second coppice plants. In both experiments, slight reductions in growth were observed only between the fully weeded and weed-free periods, after 18 months.

Uma caracterização do Centro de Educação Matemática - CEM (1984-1997) como uma Comunidade de prática de formação continuada de professores de matemática

This paper presents some results of a study on the Centre for Mathematics Education (Centro de Educação Matemática, CEM), a group of mathematics educators from the city of São Paulo-SP (Brazil), active mainly during the years 1984 to 1997. To establish a position on the process of identity constitution of CEM, we bring forth the method of Oral History and theories of identity. In this essay, an exercise in constituting the identity of CEM from the characterisation of this community's publications within its practice, we assume that the processes of identity constitution do not refer to what CEM is or was, but rather to a set of possibilities for apprehending it on the basis of strategies and initiatives set in given historical conditions and times. We make explicit three aspects that are present as their practice is converted into a source of coherence (mutual commitment, joint enterprise and shared repertoire), which allow one to reveal actions and production in the history of mathematics teacher education in the metropolitan region of São Paulo.

Estudo longitudinal de rastreio cognitivo em sujeitos da comunidade

Cognitive changes in normal aging can be similar to the alterations that take place in the initial stages of a dementia process. Longitudinal studies can provide a better understanding of this progression. Objectives: To evaluate the cognitive and functional evolution of community-dwelling individuals without dementia through a three-year longitudinal study. Methods: 168 individuals were evaluated in 2006. Three years later in 2009, 73 of these subjects were reevaluated as regards cognition and functionality using the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Brief Cognitive Battery (BCB) and the Pfeffer Functional Activities Questionnaire. The statistical analysis included descriptive measurements, the Wilcoxon's test for intra-group comparison, and the Spearman's correlation coefficient test for comparing cognitive and functionality scores. Results: After three years, the Wilcoxon's test showed a discreet yet significant cognitive decline (MMSE: -0.7 points; p=0.02; Z= -2.29; and global score on the BCB: +3.6 points; p=0.02; Z= -2.29), in addition to functional decline (Pfeffer: +0.7 points; p= 0.001; Z= -3.38). Conclusions: After three years of follow-up we observed a discreet yet significant functional and cognitive decline in the subjects. Longitudinal cognitive screening represents an important strategy in the early identification of changes from normal conditions to a dementia process.

Influência da cobertura de aveia-preta e milheto sobre comunidade de plantas daninhas e produção de soja

The success in weed control by using straw depends on the management time, straw quality and quantity. The objective of this research was to evaluate the suppressor effect of black-oats and millet straw cover on the incidence of weeds and on the productivity of the soybean crop. The experiment was carried out during the years 2006 and 2007, in an area from the Farm of Education, Research and Production of FCAV-UNESP, Jaboticabal Campus, in a completely randomized block design, with four replications. Treatments consisted of different types of black oats and pearl millet straw management before soybean seeding (without management, obtained by machine cut, desiccated using glyphosate desiccation and with paraquat) and different periods of straw deposition (0, 15, 30 e 60 days before soybean seeding). The weed population and the characteristics of soybean growth and production were evaluated. The deposition of black oats and pearl millet straw provided reductions in weed density and dry mass, and this effect was more effective when the deposition occurred until 15 days prior to soybean seeding. The suppressor effect of black oats straw was more pronounced than that of pearl millet straw, regardless of the drying method, although the millet had a greater dry matter production. No significant differences were found between the drying methods and the straw effectiveness.

Impactos sociais da mineração do folhelho pirobetuminoso sobre a comunidade rural Dois Irmãos, desapropriada para fins de utilidade pública

The aim of this paper is to present the effects of social impacts of Petrobras/Six mining of oil shales over the rural community Dois Irmãos, located at Sao Mateus do Sul city, Paraná state. For making mining areas, PETROBRAS/SIX needs to expropriate areas of its interest. In 2010, for the implementation of the mine Dois Irmão, the last one, 90 families were evicted and they directly suffered the impacts of mining. Of these, 62 families were interviewed in order to investigate the main effects suffered with the expropriation. These results showed that the community had difficulties in upgrading its way of life in new places, experiencing how different types of problems were triggered from the loss of the lands.

Variação sazonal da comunidade protozooplanctônica em um ambiente oligotrófico tropical (reservatório de Ilha Solteira, Brasil)

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

Períodos de interferência de uma comunidade infestante na cultura do milho em primeira e segunda safras

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Agricultura) - FCA

Comunidade de aves em um remanescente florestal no Noroeste paulista: estrutura trófica, dinâmica e efeitos da sazonalidade

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Caracterização da comunidade de microcrustáceos e avaliação de potenciais predadores vertebrados e invertebrados em dois reservatórios na região noroeste do Estado de São Paulo

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Influência de domáceas e nutrientes na estrutura da comunidade de ácaros

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

Diversidade e sazonalidade da comunidade de ácaros em três clones de seringueira no sudeste do Estado da Bahia

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