Analysis of rain quality data from the South African interior

Rain acidity may be ascribed to emissions from power station stacks, as well as emissions from other industry, biomass burning, maritime influences, agricultural influences, etc. Rain quality data are available for 30 sites in the South African interior, some from as early as 1985 for up to 14 rainfall seasons, while others only have relatively short records. The article examines trends over time in the raw and volume weighted concentrations of the parameters measured, separately for each of the sites for which sufficient data are available. The main thrust, however, is to examine the inter-relationship structure between the concentrations within each rain event (unweighted data), separately for each site, and to examine whether these inter-relationships have changed over time. The rain events at individual sites can be characterized by approximately eight combinations of rainfall parameters (or rain composition signatures), and these are common to all sites. Some sites will have more events from one signature than another, but there appear to be no signatures unique to a single site. Analysis via factor and cluster analysis, with a correspondence analysis of the results, also aid interpretation of the patterns. This spatio-temporal analysis, performed by pooling all rain event data, irrespective of site or time period, results in nine combinations of rainfall parameters being sufficient to characterize the rain events. The sites and rainfall seasons show patterns in these combinations of parameters, with some combinations appearing more frequently during certain rainfall seasons. In particular, the presence of the combination of low acetate and formate with high magnesium appears to be increasing in the later rainfall seasons, as does this combination together with calcium, sodium, chloride, potassium and fluoride. As expected, sites close together exhibit similar signatures. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Genetic variation within and among species of five sections of the genus Arachis L. (Leguminosae) using RAPDs

Some Arachis species are widely used as commercial plants, e.g. the groundnut A. hypogaea, an important source of good quality protein and oil, and A. pintoi and A. glabrata, that are utilized as forage species. Germplasm of most Arachis species is available in germplasm banks. However, little it is known about the genetic attributes of this germplasm, and mainly about its genetic variability, which is very important for its maintenance. In the present study RAPDs were used to assay the genetic variation within and among 48 accessions of five sections of the genus Arachis and to establish the genetic relationships among these accessions. Ten of 34 primers tested were selected for DNA amplification reactions since they yielded the largest numbers of polymorphic loci. A dendrogram was constructed based on data from the 10 primers selected. Eighty RAPD polymorphic bands were analyzed among the accessions studied. The relationships among species based on RAPDs were similar to those previously reported based on morphological, cytological and crossability data; demonstrating that RAPDs can be used to determine the genetic relationships among species of the different sections of the genus Arachis. In general, wide variation was found among accessions and low variation was found within the accessions that had two or more plants analyzed. However, higher polymorphism was found in the section Trierectoides and in one accession of A. major, indicating that generalizations should be avoided and each species should be analyzed in order to establish collection and maintenance strategies.

A Gm-C bump equalizer for low-voltage low-power applications

A low-voltage low-power 2nd-order CMOS pseudo-differential bump-equalizer is presented. Its topology comprises a bandpass section with adjustable center frequency and quality factor, together with a programmable current amplifier. The basic building blocks are triode-operating transconductors, tunable by means of either a DC voltage or a digitally controlled current divider. The bump-equalizer as part of a battery-operated hearing aid device is designed for a 1.4V-supply and a 0.35μm CMOS fabrication process. The circuit performance is supported by a set of simulation results, which indicates a center frequency from 600Hz to 2.4kHz, 1≤Q≤5, and an adjustable gain within ±6dB at center frequency. The filter dynamic range lies around 40dB. Quiescent consumption is kept below 12μW for any configuration of the filter.

The effect of low intensity laser therapy on wound healing in Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Diabetes Mellitus is a condition that results in a delay of the wound healing process, that is associated with an insufficient production of collagen, a decrease of the amount of collagen fibrils and deficient blood flow in the wound area. It is suggested that Low Intensity Laser Therapy acts by improving wound healing in normal organisms, accelerating tissue regeneration. The aim of this work was to investigate the biostimulatory effect of the HeNe laser irradiation, at 632.8 nm, on wound healing in 15 male rats suffering from diabetes induced by Streptozotocin, compared to 15 control diabetic animals. Irradiation parameters were: laser power of 15mW, exposition time of 17 s., irradiated area of 0.025 cm 2 and laser energy density of 10 J/cm 2. Full-thickness skin squared samples, with 5 mm of non-injured tissue around the wound, were obtained at 4, 7 and 15 days after wounding procedure (5 treated and 5 control animals each time). The histopathologic analysis performed by haematoxylin-eosin staining. Results suggested that the irradiation of diabetic rats was efficient for wound healing. Treated group presented better quality of the wound tissues by the macroscopic observation than control group and the microscopic analysis demonstrated that treated animals had better histopathologic evaluation than non treated.

Effect of daminozide, paclobutrazol and chlormequat on development and quality of potted 'persian carpet' zinnia

In Brazil zinnias have good prospect for the flowering potted plant market, once consumers demand for new forms of products is stimulated by novelty. 'Persian Carpet' is a highly ornamental plant, with fast growth, minimal labor requirements and low cost seeds. The present study evaluated the effect of growth regulators on development and quality of 'Persian Carpet' grown as a potted plant. Growth regulators are commonly used to control growth and produce short and compact plants. Paclobutrazol (0.5, 0.75 and 1.0 mg a.i./pot) and chlormequat (1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 g. L-1) were applied as a single drench, and daminozide (2.5, 3.75 and 5.0 g. L-1) as a single foliar spray to runoff. Regulators were applied at apical flower bud stage. Daminozide (5.0 g. L-1), paclobutrazol (0.5, 0.75 and 1.0 mg a.i./pot) and chlormequat (1.0 g. L-1) significantly reduced plant height and side branches length compared to the control. Plant height showed a negative linear response to the increasing concentration of daminozide or paclobutrazol. Paclobutrazol (1.0 mg a.i./pot) and chlormequat (1.0 g. L-1) increased foliage and flowers harvest index. Plant spread diameter and canopy shape were improved with paclobutrazol (0.75 mg a.i./pot). Chlormequat (2.0 and 3.0 g. L-1) caused phytotoxicity symptoms, turning plants unsuitable for commercialization. Studied regulators concentrations did not affect flower diameter and production cycle. Although regulators controlled height and side branches growth significantly, plants were not short and compact enough to attend market quality.

Effect of milk treatment on acidification, physicochemical characteristics, and probiotic cell counts in low fat yogurt

The effect of milk treatment (heat, high hydrostatic pressure - HHP, or combined heat and HHP) on acidification, physicochemical characteristics, and probiotic cell counts in low fat yogurt was studied. All samples were analyzed for fermentation time, pH, titratable acidity, total solids, water-holding capacity, syneresis, Hunter L*, a*, and b* values, Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp bulgaricus, L. acidophilus, and Bifidobacterium longum. The application of HHP combined with thermal treatment resulted in yogurt gels with attractive physicochemical characteristics and high water-holding capacity. In addition to this, the milk treatment did not affect the probiotic bacteria growth. The balance of strains in the starter culture and level of inoculation influenced the yogurt fermentation and properties. The use of combined heat and HHP to treat milk before yogurt fermentation could be an alternative process for obtaining high quality, additive-free healthy products.

Open urban spaces quality: A study in a historical square in Bath - UK

The quality of open urban spaces is very important for urban vitality. Nowadays urban designers have to face the great challenge of designing urban spaces able to respond to people's need for liveable spaces. The success of these spaces depends on various aspects and the microclimatic condition has been recognized as one of the most influential. However, studies on thermal comfort in open space have shown that the user's thermal sensation does not depend only on microclimate parameters but also on other local qualitative aspects. Thus, environmental quality evaluation of successful public spaces can contribute to understand this issue. This paper focuses on a case study regarding Queen Square's environmental quality, a public space of historical importance in Bath-UK. The first stage of the research, a study on local characteristics and people observations, allowed a preliminary evaluation of the space performance, their social aspects, while it characterized and quantified the hourly variation of the space use in different days and seasons. In the second stage, short microclimatic surveys were carried out simultaneously with a perception survey through a questionnaire. The results show the strong vitality of the square and socioenvironmental significance, not only for its location in the urban context, but also for its historical value. The environmental quality of the square contributes to the users' sensation of comfort even in adverse climatic conditions. This research is part of a project that aims to investigate the impact of the environmental stimuli in the use of open spaces and intend to develop design strategies that aim to maximise the use of open spaces in different weather conditions.

Produção de Brachiaria brizantha e Panicum maximum com milho e adubação nitrogenada

In places characterized with high temperatures and rain occurrence in great intensity in the summer, but with dry winter, the major limitations for the sustainability of no tillage systems are low production of straw during fall-spring period and the fast decomposition during the rain season. To try to solve the problem, intercropped cultures of grains with forage species has presented reliable results; because offer vegetal covering to the next sowing, giving sustainability to the no tillage system. However, being a recent technology, its needed further studies in different areas involved for this system of production. Thus, this study had the objective 1) to evaluate the production of corn grain at different periods of intercropping with Brachiaria brizantha and Panicum maximum in no tillage system, and 2) aimed to evaluate the performance of forage at different periods of intercropping and the responses to nitrogen fertilization after the harvest of the corn, assessing mass productivity and quality. The experiment was carried out at the Lageado experimental farm, School of Agricultural Sciences, Botucatu campus belonged to São Paulo State University (UNESP) in structuralized Red Nitosol (Afisol). The experimental design was randomized blocks with four replications. The treatments were composed for four systems of no tillage involving corn: 1) single corn; 2) corn with Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu intercropped in the sowing; 3) corn with Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu intercropped with the fertilization of covering; 4) corn with Panicum maximum cv. Mombaça intercropped in the sowing and 5) corn with Panicum maximum cv. Mombaça intercropped with the fertilization of covering. After the harvest of the corn, it was applied, in equivalent quantities of nitrogen, ammonium nitrate in covering in doses of 0, 30, 60 and 120 kg ha-1, determining the forage mass productivity and quality. The simultaneous tillage of corn with P. maximum cv. Mombaça in the sowing compromises the grain productivity. When sowed in intercropping, B. brizantha presents a fiber concentration reduction and greater TDN concentration during the fall-spring period. Regarding benefits of intercropped cultures seeking to use in systems of production like agriculture-pasture integration, the best intercropping to be utilized is corn sown simultaneously with B. brizantha cv. Marandu.

Low cost technology applied to thermometry of grains

Modern agriculture demands investments in technology that allows the farmers to improve productivity and quality of their products, aiming to establish themselves in a competitive market. However, the high costs of acquiring and maintaining such technology may be an inhibiting factor to its spread and acceptance, mainly to a large number of small grain Brazilian farmers, who need low cost innovative technological solutions, suitable for their financial reality. Starting from this premise, this paper presents the development of a low cost prototype for monitoring the temperature and humidity of grains stored in silos, and the economic implications of cost/benefit ratio of innovative applications of low cost technology in the process of thermometry of grains. The prototype was made of two electronic units, one for acquisition and another one for data reception, as well as software, which offered the farmers more precise information for the control of aeration. The data communication between the electronic units and the software was reliable and both were developed using low cost electronic components and free software tools. The developed system was considered as potentially viable to small grain Brazilian farmers; it can be used in any type of small silos. It provided reduction of costs of installation and maintenance and also offered an easy expansion system; besides the low cost of development when compared to similar products available in the Brazilian market.

Quality of Latin American and Caribbean industrialization and integration into the global economy

Includes bibliography

Achieving educational quality: what schools teach us: learning from Chile's P900 primary schools

Includes bibliography

Factors that contribute to low bone density in postmenopausal women in different Amazonian communities

Background: The aim of this study was to verify socioeconomic differences, nutrition, body balance and quality of life (QoL) in postmenopausal women with low bone mineral density (BMD) in two Amazonian communities. Methods: A total of 42 female volunteers participated in the study. The volunteers were separated into two groups: Villa (n= 20; 53±5.5 years) and City (n= 22; 56±7.9 years). The following evaluation instruments were used: dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA); a socioeconomic questionnaire; a QoL questionnaire; a dietary habits questionnaire; and a balance test. Parametric and nonparametric tests were used. Results: The data showed significant differences in socioeconomic level (Δ%=+15.9%, p=0.000),lumbar spine L2-L4 (Δ%=+0.10%,p=0.007), balance(Δ%=+4.3%,p=0.03)and some important aspects of nutrition, such as the consumption of milk (Δ%=+34%, p=0.01) and alcohol (+14.8%, p=0.0001). These significant differences also contributed to the total QoL score (Δ%=+76.2%, p=0.000) and the majority of the QoL-related functions. Conclusion: This study verified that socioeconomic level, nutritional status, physical activity levels and QoL can influence the BMD of postmenopausal women. The study suggests new strategies for official health organizations to use in order to prevent and treat osteoporosis. In addition, this study can provide an orientation to physical activity, nutrition and medical professionals. © The Author(s), 2011.

Risk factors for low birth weight in Botucatu city, SP state, Brazil: A study conducted in the public health system from 2004 to 2008

Background: Low birth weight (LBW), defined as birth weight less than 2500 g, has a complex etiology and may be a result of premature interruption of pregnancy or intrauterine growth restriction. The objective of this study was to provide information on determinants of LBW and contribute to the understanding of the problem in Brazil. Methods. A case-control study was conducted in Botucatu city, SP state, Brazil. The study population consisted of 2 groups with 860 newborns in each group as follows: low weight newborns (LWNB) and a control group (weight ≤ 2500 g). Secondary data from 2004 to 2008 were collected using the Live Birth Certificate (LBC) and records from medical charts of pregnant women in Basic Health Units (BHU) and in the Public University Hospital (UH). Variables were as follows: maternal socio-demographic characteristics, pregnancy and birth conditions including quality of prenatal care according to 3 criteria. They were based on parameters established by the Ministry of Health (MH), one of them, the modified Kessner Index. The multivariable analysis by logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between variables and LBW. Results: According to the analysis, the factors associated with LBW were as follows: prematurity (OR = 56.98, 95% CI 29.52-109.95), twin pregnancy (OR = 20.00, 95% CI 6.25-100.00), maternal smoking (OR = 2.12, 95% CI 1.33-3.45), maternal malnourishment (OR = 2.30, 95% CI 1.08-5.00), maternal obesity (OR = 2.30, 95% IC 1.18-4.48), weight gain during pregnancy less than 5 kg (OR = 2.63, 95% CI 1.35-5.00) and weight gain during pregnancy more than 15 kg (OR = 2.26, 95% CI 1.16-4.41). Adequacy of prenatal care visits adjusted to gestational age was less frequent in the LBW group than in the control group (68.7% vs. 80.5%, x 2 p < 0.001). According to the modified Kessner Index, 64.4% of prenatal visits in the LWNB group were adequate. Conclusion: LWNB are a quite heterogeneous group of infants concerning their determinants and prevention actions against LBW and the follow-up of these infants have also been very complex. Therefore, improvement in the quality of care provided should be given priority through concrete actions for prevention of LBW. © 2012 Fonseca et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Influence of optimized lubrication-cooling and minimum quantity lubrication on the cutting forces, on the geometric quality of the surfaces and on the micro-structural integrity of hardened steel parts

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

A Pilot Study Addressing the Impact of Religious Practice on Quality of Life of Breast Cancer Patients During Chemotherapy

The aim of this preliminary study was to investigate whether religious practice can modify quality of life (QoL) in BC patients during chemotherapy. QoL and religion practice questionnaire (RPQ) scores were evaluated in a sample of BC patients in different moments. Before chemotherapy initiation, women with lower physical and social functional scores displayed higher RPQ scores. On the other hand, low RPQ patients worsened some QoL scores over time. Body image acceptance was positively correlated with religious practice and specifically praying activity. This preliminary study suggests the importance of religion in coping with cancer chemotherapy. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.