Evaluation of the Genotoxicity of Chitosan Nanoparticles for Use in Food Packaging Films

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

Evaluation of the genotoxicity of cellulose nanofibers

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

Characterization and evaluation of the impact of feed management on the effluents of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) culture

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

Evaluation of mango loss (Mangifera indica L.) in the retail market of Botucatu-SP

Losses in the mango commercialization process in Brazil has reduced its offer to the consumer. The present study aims at determining these losses in different purchase sites of the retail market, its causes and suggestions for reducing them. Twenty two retail points, including supermarkets, greengroceries and free fair were selected in Botucatu, state of São Paulo, Brazil. The total amount commercialized was 114 ton/year. The following average losses were verified for each mango variety: 'Tommy Atkins'(11, 5%), Haden (12, 4%) and 12, 7% for other varieties. The total loss in retail market reached US$ 25.231,00 corresponding to 14 tons. The average loss percentage observed is compatible with previous studies running in other cities. The results suggest the need of better management, the exposure of the fruit to the consumer, technology in the transportation of the fruits and most appropriate storage for maintaining the quality and the reduction of losses. The results show the need of higher investment in technical personnel reskilling in fruit and vegetable sector.

Intraocular pressure evaluation of equines anesthetized with romifidine, tiletamine/zolazepam, halothane and vecuronium

O objetivo deste estudo foi o de avaliar uma associação anestésica com e sem a utilização de relaxante muscular não-despolarizante e seu efeito sobre a pressão intra-ocular de eqüinos. Também objetivou-se uma técnica anestésica sem efeitos adversos que possa ser utilizada em procedimentos e cirurgias oftálmicas nesta espécie animal. Para tanto, dezesseis eqüinos foram divididos aleatoriamente em dois grupos de oito animais cada. Os animais do grupo I foram pré-medicados com romifidina, induzidos com tiletamina/zolazepam e a anestesia foi mantida com halotano e vecurônio. Os animais do grupo II receberam a mesma associação anestésica, com exceção do vecurônio. No decorrer do experimento, a pressão intra-ocular, a pressão arterial e a freqüência cardíaca foram avaliadas em diferentes momentos. A associação anestésica composta pela romifidina, tiletamina/ zolazepam e halotano com e sem vecurônio não promoveu alterações estatisticamente significativas na pressão intra-ocular de eqüinos e o seu uso é exeqüível em procedimentos oftálmicos nesta espécie animal.

Evaluation of electrophoretic profile and albumin quota in the cerebrospinal fluid of dogs with distemper showing or not neurvous signs

Estudaram-se o perfil eletroforético das proteínas liquóricas e a cota de albumina em cães sem e com cinomose na fase neurológica e não-neurológica. A punção da cisterna magna para a obtenção de amostras de liquor realizou-se em 30 cães. Analisaram-se teores de proteínas totais, cota de albumina e fracionamento eletroforético das proteínas liquóricas em gel de agarose. Os resultados foram semelhantes nos cães normais e nos cães com cinomose sem sinais neurológicos e significativamente elevados no grupo de cães com cinomose apresentando sinais neurológicos. O estudo do quadro protéico do líquido cérebroespinhal foi útil e contribuiu significativamente na detecção de lesões ao sistema nervoso central e de danos à barreira hematoencefálica durante a fase neurológica da cinomose.

Evaluation of corn cultivars harvested at two cutting heights for ensilage

Objetivou-se neste estudo avaliar as características agronômicas, a composição químico-bromatológica e a digestibilidade de 11 cultivares de milho (Zea mays) colhido em duas alturas de corte. As cultivares D 766, D 657, D 1000, P 3021, P 3041, C 805, C 333, AG 5011, FO 01, CO 9621 e BR 205 foram avaliadas quando colhidas 5 cm acima do solo (baixa) e 5 cm abaixo da inserção da primeira espiga (alta). O experimento foi delineado como blocos casualizados, com três repetições, arranjados em esquema fatorial 11 x 2. Os cultivares apresentaram produções semelhantes de matéria seca de forragem e de grãos. As porcentagens das frações colmo, folha, palha, sabugo e grão diferiram entre os cultivares, assim como os teores de matéria seca da planta inteira no momento da colheita. Considerando a planta inteira, apenas os teores de energia bruta, nitrogênio da fração fibra em detergente neutro e a digestibilidade in vitro da fibra em detergente neutro e detergente ácido não diferiram entre os cultivares. O aumento da altura de corte melhorou a qualidade da forragem, devido à redução das frações colmo e folha e dos teores dos constituintes da parede celular.

Application of X-ray technique in nondestructive evaluation of eucalypt wood

X-rays were initially used for the inspection of special-purpose wood pieces for quantitative evaluation properties of different species. X-ray densitometry has had its use expanded ill dendroclimatology of Picea engelmannii trees. Subsequent laboratories developed applications of X-ray densitometry for environmental, wood science and technology, and related areas. This paper describes the basic methodology of X-ray densitometry applied to the eucalypt wood analysis, as well its presenting the results of applications in three areas: (i) evaluation of wood biodegradation by white rot fungi, (ii) detection of sapwood and heartwood, and (iii) determination of the effect of management oil wood properties. The wood decayed by white rot fungi was detected by X-ray densitometry with it decreasing wood density due to the biodegradation of cell wall components. The sapwood and heartwood of eucalypts were separated in response to the attenuation of X-rays, reflected by the wood anatomical structure and chemical composition. Also, Ill eucalypt trees after the application of irrigation and i characteristic wood density profiles were detected. Ill addition, the significant potential of X-ray densitometry for eucalypt wood research and analysis is discussed.

Development of mint (Mentha piperita L.) grown on biosolids: evaluation of productivity and essential oil content

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Evaluation of alternative containers to determining the working width of fertilizer spreaders

Os ensaios de largura de trabalho e uniformidade de distribuição são de difícil execução para o agricultor por exigirem equipamentos, recursos e métodos complexos. Portanto, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar coletores alternativos para tornar mais acessível a regulagem e a avaliação de distribuidores de fertilizantes sólidos a lanço. Foram utilizados quatro diferentes conjuntos de coletores: i) coletores construídos segundo a norma ISO 5690/1; ii) coletores de polietileno (bandejas plásticas) com tela de sombreamento para evitar o ricochete de material; iii) coletores formados por caixas de leite longa vida, e iv) coletores formados por vasos de polietileno (número 3,5). Também foram utilizados três diferentes distribuidores para as avaliações. Os coletores alternativos apresentaram maior retenção de partículas que os coletores normatizados. A largura efetiva de trabalho obtida para os coeficientes de variação de 12,5; 15; 17,5 e 20% variou entre os coletores nos diferentes percursos. O coletor que mais se assemelhou à norma foram os vasos de polietileno. Constatou-se que a altura dos coletores foi mais importante para sua eficiência do que a sua área de coleta.

An evaluation of direct seeding for reforestation of degraded lands in central São Paulo state, Brazil

As part of a larger study evaluating several silvicultural techniques for restoring tropical moist forests on abandoned agricultural lands in southeastern Brazil, direct seeding with five early-successional Atlantic forest species was tested at three degraded sites, characterized by different soil types and land-use histories, within the Environmental Protection Area at Botucatu, SP. The species used in this study were Chorisia speciosa, Croton floribundus, Enterolobium contorstisiliquum, Mimosa scabrella, and Schizolobium parahyba. Scarified seeds of each of these species were sown in prepared seed spots in replicated, 0.25 ha mixed-species plots at an initial espacement of 1 m x 1 m at each site. of the five species planted, only two, Enterolobium and Schizolobium, showed good seed germination, seedling survival, and early growth rates, averaging 4.1-4.6 cm stem diameter and 1.5-1.7 m height growth during the first 2 years after sowing. These two species constituted 88-100% of the total stand density, which ranged from 1050 to 1790 stems ha(-1) at 2 years. Despite the poor performance of the other species tested, we observed that the natural regeneration of native forest species originating from remnant forests in the general vicinity of our study sites was significantly greater within the direct-seeded plots than in unplanted control plots that were protected from fire and other disturbances. Published by Elsevier B.V. B.V.

Evaluation of the Cartographic Communication Performance of a Route Guidance and Navigation System

This study evaluates the influence of different cartographic representations of in-car navigation systems on visual demand, subjective preference, and navigational error. It takes into account the type and complexity of the representation, maneuvering complexity, road layout, and driver gender. A group of 28 drivers (14 male and 14 female) participated in this experiment which was performed in a low-cost driving simulator. The tests were performed on a limited number of instances for each type of representation, and their purpose was to carry out a preliminary assessment and provide future avenues for further studies. Data collected for the visual demand study were analyzed using non-parametric statistical analyses. Results confirmed previous research that showed that different levels of design complexity significantly influence visual demand. Non-grid-like road networks, for example, influence significantly visual demand and navigational error. An analysis of simple maneuvers on a grid-like road network showed that static and blinking arrows did not present significant differences. From the set of representations analyzed to assess visual demand, both arrows were equally efficient. From a gender perspective, women seem to took at the display more than men, but this factor was not significant. With respect to subjective preferences, drivers prefer representations with mimetic landmarks when they perform straight-ahead tasks. For maneuvering tasks, landmarks in a perspective model created higher visual demands.

Electrochemical evaluation of the a carbon-paste electrode modified with spinel manganese(IV) oxide under flow conditions for amperometric determination of lithium

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

Are light traps baited with kairomones effective in the capture of Lutzomyia longipalpis and Lutzomyia intermedia? An evaluation of synthetic human odor as an attractant for phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Design, Synthesis, and Pharmacological Evaluation of Novel Hybrid Compounds to Treat Sickle Cell Disease Symptoms. Part II: Furoxan Derivatives

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