Formation of polyelectrolyte multilayers and polyelectrolyte complexes in dual polymer treatment of papermaking pulp

The goal of this study was to find a new approach to modify chemically the properties of paper by improving fiber quality. This Master’s thesis includes the multiple polymer treatment in general and themeasurement methods with which the formation of multilayers and complexes can be noticed. The treatment by an oppositely charged dual polymer system is a good approach to increase paper strength. In this work, starch, a cationic polymer, and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), an anionic polymer, were used step-by-step to improve paper strength. The adsorption of cationic starch and CMC on cellulose fibers were analyzed via polyelectrolyte titration. The results showed that paper strength was enhanced slightly with a layer-by-layer assembly of the polymers. However, if the washing stage, which was required for layer-by-layer assembly, was eliminated, the starch/CMC complex was deposited on fibers more efficiently, and the paper strength was improved more significantly.

In vitro ectomycorrhiza formation by monokaryotic and dikaryotic isolates of Pisolithus microcarpus in Eucalyptus grandis

The formation of ectomycorrhizas by monokaryotic and dikaryotic isolates of Pisolithus microcarpus (Cooke & Massee) G. Cunn. in Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maid. was studied by in vitro synthesis in Petri dishes. The formation of ectomycorrhizas was observed for all strains tested. Ectomycorrhizas formed by the monokaryotic strains presented a sheath of hyphae around the roots and a Hartig net limited to the epidermis layer, typical of the angiosperm ectomycorrhizas. Colonization rates, a measure of the number of ectomycorrhizas in relation to the total number of lateral root tips, varied from 23 to 62%. Some monokaryotic strains stimulated the formation of lateral roots, promoting increases of up to 109% above the control. The presence of some of the isolates in the in vitro synthesis medium stimulated the production of thicker lateral root tips. The dimensions of the lateral roots tips and ectomycorrhizas varied from one isolate to the next, indicating a variation in their capacity to provoke morphological changes in the host plant roots. The dikaryotic strain M5M11 presented higher values for lateral root yield, number of ectomycorrhizas, and colonization percentage than the corresponding monokaryotic strains, M5 and M11. This indicated the possibility of selecting compatible performing monokaryotic isolates for the yield of superior dikaryotic strains. The set of monokaryotic strains tested varied greatly in their ability to colonize E. grandis roots and cause secondary metabolism-related morphological changes in roots, providing a wealth of model systems for the study of genetic, physiological, and morphogenetic processes involved in Pisolithus-Eucalyptus ectomycorrhiza formation.

Análise das caracteristicas quantitativas e qualitativas da microbacia do córrego barreiro, afluente do Rio Uberaba

A associação de métodos qualitativos e quantitativos no estudo das microbacias hidrográficas é fundamental para investigar os fatores que influenciam as diversas formas de relevo e identificação das homogeneidades na área. Com os objetivos de realizar a morfometria e avaliar a qualidade da água da microbacia do córrego do Barreiro, fez-se a caracterização morfométrica da área, que foi realizada sobre uma carta topográfica do IBGE (Folha Uberaba) na escala 1:100.000, com o auxílio de curvímetros, planímetros e programa computacional AutocadMap2000i. Observou-se que a microbacia possui área total de 10,97 km², perímetro de 14,33 km, com comprimento do canal principal de 6,11 km e rede de drenagem de 3ª ordem, com padrão dendrítico; o Kc de 1,21; Ic de 0,76; e Kf de 0,23 indicam o formato alongado da microbacia, o que determina a não propensão a enchentes na área; a área tem aptidão para a pecuária; a água do córrego estava imprópria para consumo humano e animal devido estar contaminada com coliformes fecais no período avaliado.

TEMPERATURE AND SUBSTRATE INFLUENCES ON SEED GERMINATION AND SEEDLING FORMATION IN Callisthene fasciculata Mart. (VOCHYSIACEAE) IN THE LABORATORY1

ABSTRACTCallisthene fasciculata Mart. is a tree belonging to the Vochysiaceae family. Its wood is moderately heavy and resistant and used to make poles, beams, and other structures. The aim of this work was to evaluate seed germination and the initial growth of seedlings of C. fasciculata at different temperatures and in different substrates. Seeds were collected from fruits in the Pantanal de Miranda, Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil. In one experiment, the seeds were subjected to constant temperatures of 20, 25, 30 and 35 °C and to alternating temperatures of 20-30 and 25-35 °C (on paper substrate). In another experiment, the seeds were subjected to temperatures of 20 and 25 °C on three substrates (sand, vermiculite and between paper) in a germinator. The experiment had a randomized design, with four replicates of 25 seeds per treatment. The F-values obtained for germination indicated no significant effect of substrate or temperature on the final germination percentage. The analyses revealed no effect of a treatment interaction (temperature x substrate) on either germination or average germination time; however, a treatment interaction effect was observed on the germination speed index. The treatment combinations yielding the best performance were between paper substrate at 20 °C and sand substrate at 25 °C. There was a significant effect of the interaction between temperature and substrate on seedling growth, with increased root growth observed in the between paper substrate at 25 °C and increased aerial component growth in both sand at 20 °C and vermiculite at 25 °C. The between paper treatment at 25 °C yielded the greatest final seedling size. Between paper is the most recommended substrate for the production of seedlings due to its ease of handling and lower probability of contamination.

Agregação de um latossolo vermelho submetido a cinco sistemas de preparo do solo em Uberaba - MG

Visando à obtenção de dados relativos aos efeitos de sistemas de preparo periódico do solo e sua relação com a degradação do solo e a capacidade de incorporação de resíduos, avaliaram-se a distribuição percentual de agregados do solo, o diâmetro médio geométrico, o módulo de finura e a incorporação de resíduos, durante o ano agrícola de 2001-2002. A área em estudo foi classificada como Latossolo Vermelho distrófico, localizada no município de Uberaba - MG. Utilizou-se do delineamento estatístico em blocos casualizados com quatro repetições, tendo como tratamentos o preparo periódico primário do solo com o escarificador, enxada rotativa, arado de aivecas, grade aradora e arado de discos. As análises dos resultados mostraram a enxada rotativa e a grade aradora como os equipamentos mais agressivos à estrutura do solo. O escarificador e a enxada rotativa apresentaram menor capacidade de incorporação dos resíduos vegetais. O escarificador manteve maior cobertura vegetal e maior grau de agregação do solo.

Degradação ambiental da bacia hidrográfica do rio Uberaba: uma abordagem metodológica

O presente estudo trata da avaliação da degradação ambiental da bacia do Rio Uberaba, situada no triângulo mineiro, com área de 241.904,30 ha, abrangendo os municípios de Uberaba, Veríssimo, Conceição das Alagoas e pequena porção de Planura. Neste estudo, foi produzido o mapa de degradação ambiental contendo quatro níveis: baixo, moderado, acentuado e severo. Os parâmetros utilizados nesta avaliação foram: vegetação, topografia, solo/geologia, potencial natural de erosão, mecanização, área agrícola, densidade populacional, pecuarização e área de conflito, aos quais foram atribuídos pesos. Para o nível de degradação "baixo", foram definidos valores ≤ 13 pontos. Para o nível "moderado", valores situados no intervalo de 14 a 16. Entre 17 e 19 pontos para o nível "acentuado", e o nível "severo" com valores ≥ 20 pontos. Este estudo consolida as consequências do uso inadequado das terras, não respeitando a sua aptidão natural. As áreas com nível moderado de degradação representam 47%, áreas de nível acentuado (48%), e severo (4%) representam 52%, o que revela indício muito forte no avanço da destruição dos recursos naturais. As áreas classificadas com nível baixo representam apenas 1%, bastante inexpressiva, destacando o descaso na preservação dos recursos naturais.

Potencial de erosão da bacia do Rio Uberaba

Este trabalho teve por objetivo identificar qualitativamente as áreas suscetíveis à erosão laminar na bacia do Rio Uberaba, localizada em Uberaba -MG, apoiado no modelo matemático da Equação Universal de Perda de Solo (EUPS). Foram utilizadas cartas de: solos, uso e ocupação das terras, redes de drenagem, declividade e dados pluviográficos, utilizando-se de um Sistema de Informação Geográfica (SIG -IDRISI). A espacialização do potencial de erosão só foi possível a partir da estimativa da tolerância às perdas laminares para cada tipo de solo da bacia, e da profundidade dos solos, por entender que as perdas são mais significativas em solos mais rasos do que em solos muito profundos. Na análise dos resultados, verificou-se que 37% da área total da bacia do Rio Uberaba (905,24 km²) sofrem perdas de solos acima do limite de tolerância, sendo 12% em solos profundos e 25% em muito profundos, e a espacialização deste evento favorece a adoção de ações efetivas quanto à conservação dos solos da bacia.

Substrate with Organosuper® for cucumber seedlings formation in protected environments and polystyrene trays

Culture environments, trays and doses of organic compost were evaluated in the formation of cucumber seedlings (Cucumis sativus L.). Five environmental conditions were tested: (A1) a greenhouse with height of 2.5 m, covered with polyethylene film, (A2) nursery with height of 2.5 m, monofilament fabric, 50% shading, (A3) nursery with height of 2.5 m, heat-reflective screen, 50% shading, (A4) nursery with a height of 1.8 m, covered with coconut tree straw and (A5) greenhouse with height of 4.0 m, covered with polyethylene film, with zenith opening and thermo-reflective cloth under the plastic. Trays of 72 (R1) and 128 (R2) cells were filled with 93% soil and 7% organic compound (S1), 86% soil and 14% organic compound (S2) and 79% soil and 21% organic compound (S3). It was used a randomized design in split-split-plot scheme, with five replicates (environments x trays x substrates). The greenhouses provide the best environments for the formation of cucumber seedlings. A tray of 72 cells is the best container, promoting more vigorous seedlings in substrate with soil and 7 or 14% organic compound.

Formation of beetroot seedlings in different protected environments, substrates and containers in Aquidauana region, State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

This study with beetroot seedlings, cultivar Top Tall Early Wonder, was carried out at the State University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UEMS/Aquidauana), from October to November 2008. Three environments of cultivation were used: greenhouse; nursery with monofilament screen of 50 % of shading; and nursery with aluminized thermal reflective screen of 50% of shading. In these environments, three polystyrene trays of 72, 128 and 200 cells, filled with four substrates, were tested: soil; Plantmax®; coconut fiber and vermiculite. There were no replication environments and then each one was considered an experiment alone. For each environment, it was adopted a completely randomized design in factorial scheme 3x4 (three trays x four substrates), with four replications, performing individual analysis of variance and joint analysis of experiments for environment comparisons. The monofilament screen is the best environment for seedlings produced in tray of 72 cells, and the greenhouse was the best environment for seedlings produced in trays of 128 cells. The best seedlings were formed in the tray of 72 cells. Vermiculite was the best substrate.

Evaluation of empirical methods to estimate reference evapotranspiration in Uberaba, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Evapotranspiration is the process of water loss of vegetated soil due to evaporation and transpiration, and it may be estimated by various empirical methods. This study had the objective to carry out the evaluation of the performance of the following methods: Blaney-Criddle, Jensen-Haise, Linacre, Solar Radiation, Hargreaves-Samani, Makkink, Thornthwaite, Camargo, Priestley-Taylor and Original Penman in the estimation of the potential evapotranspiration when compared to the Penman-Monteith standard method (FAO56) to the climatic conditions of Uberaba, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. A set of 21 years monthly data (1990 to 2010) was used, working with the climatic elements: temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and insolation. The empirical methods to estimate reference evapotranspiration were compared with the standard method using linear regression, simple statistical analysis, Willmott agreement index (d) and performance index (c). The methods Makkink and Camargo showed the best performance, with "c" values ​​of 0.75 and 0.66, respectively. The Hargreaves-Samani method presented a better linear relation with the standard method, with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.88.

Atrazine bound residues formation and dissipation in subtropical soil under swine wastewater application

The effects of swine wastewater on atrazine dissipation and formation of bound residues in subtropical clay soil were investigated in this study. The experiment was carried out in laboratory, under room conditions, where samples of Rhodic Hapludox soil received 168.61 mg kg-1 of atrazine and were incubated for 60 days in the following treatments: T1 (sterilized soil + swine wastewater), T2 (sterilized soil + distilled water), T3 (Non sterilized soil + swine wastewater) and T4 (Non sterilized soil + distilled water). The extractable residues and bound residues of atrazine were extracted and analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. The results showed no effect of swine wastewater on atrazine dissipation. However, the addition of swine wastewater favored the increase of bound residues, which can increase the persistence of atrazine in the environment and reduce its bioavailability.

Atenolol prevents the formation of expansive hematoma after rhytidoplasty

Objective: To evaluate the perioperative use of atenolol in reducing the incidence of hematoma after rhytidoplasty.Methods: Between January 2007 and February 2013, 80 patients were randomized into two groups: Group A (n = 26) received perioperative atenolol in order to maintain heart rate (PR) around 60 per minute; Group B (n = 54) did not receive atenolol. Both groups underwent the same anesthetic and surgical technique. We monitored blood pressure (BP), HR, hematoma formation and the need for drainage. Patients were followed-up until the 90th postoperative day. The variables were compared between the groups using the ANOVA test. Continuous variables were presented as mean ± standard deviation and the differences were compared with the Student's t test. Values of p d" 0.05 were considered significant.Results: In group A the mean BP (110-70mmHg ± 7.07) and HR (64 / min ± 5) were lower (p d" 0.05) than in group B (135-90mmHg ± 10.6) and (76 / min ± 7.5), respectively. There were four cases of expansive hematoma in group B, all requiring reoperation for drainage, and none in group A (p d" 0,001).Conclusion: The perioperative use of atenolol caused a decrease in blood pressure and heart rate and decreased the incidence of expanding hematoma after rhytidectomy.

Tipos de Parto e Formas de Assistência Médica em Uberaba-MG

Objetivos: estudar as reais condições da assistência médica, tipos de parto e fatores para sua indicação em Uberaba, MG. Método: foram analisados os dados coletados em 7 maternidades de uma população de 4.294 puérperas que pariram no período de abril de 1992 a março de 1993 em Uberaba-MG. Resultados: mostrou-se que o Hospital Escola que teve a maior participação no número de partos, foi o que atendeu a população mais jovem, provavelmente a mais pobre e despreparada para a gravidez. Foi o único hospital em que as taxas de cesariana foram próximos àqueles aceitáveis pela OMS. Em Uberaba o tipo de assistência médica foi predominantemente remunerada pelo SUS ficando os convênios e atendimentos particulares com proporção bem inferior. Verificou-se também que a frequência de cesariana se elevou com a idade e tipo de assistência médica, e o grupo de conveniadas e particulares ficaram com o maior número de cesarianas. Conclusões: pode-se talvez especular que o fator social esteja interferindo na indicação do tipo parto.

Effects of hyperprolactinemia and ovariectomy on the tibial epiphyseal growth plate and bone formation in mice

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of ovariectomy and the hyperprolactinemia procedure in the tibial epiphyseal growth plate of female mice.METHODS: In this study, the epiphyseal growth plate of ovariectomized (OVX) and/or rendered hyperprolactinemic female mice by 50 days of treatment with 200 μg metoclopramide (M) was evaluated morphologically, morphometrically and immuno-histochemically. Forty female and adult mice were divided into four groups according to treatment: V group - animals treated with saline solution; H group - hyperprolactinemic animals; Ovx/V group - ovariectomized animals and treated with saline solution; Ovx/H group - hyperprolactinemic and ovariectomized animals. After the treatment period, the animals were sacrificed, tibia was removed and fixed in 10% buffered formalin and decalcified in 10% formic acid. The material was immersed in paraffin and subjected to histological processing in paraffin. The sections were stained with Masson's trichrome and immunohistochemistry was carried out for the pro-apoptotic protein BCL-2. The images for the morphological and morphometric study were analyzed with the imaging program AxioVision 4.8 (Carl-Zeiss(r), Germany).RESULTS: The combination of hyperprolactinemia and the ovariectomy procedure decreased the number of resting chondrocytes 1.5-fold, the number of proliferative chondrocytes 1.8-fold; the percentage of resting cartilage 2.4-fold and the percentage of trabecular bone 2.1-fold, compared with respective control animals.CONCLUSION: The procedure of ovariectomy combined with the metoclopramide-induced hyperprolactinemia in female mice has showed marked bone degeneration due to significant decrease of cell proliferation in the epiphyseal growth plate and bone formation.