Dos caminhos de água aos caminhos de ferro: a construção da hegemonia de Natal através das vias de transporte (1820-1920)

At a time of changes on the territory during the 19th century, the political and socioeconomic elites of the province and later State of Rio Grande do Norte evolved a discourse in order to justify the permanence of Natal as a city holding a status of capital. In this work we analyze the means employed by the ruling classes to impose their wish to raise Natal to an outstanding position among the existing cities by intervening on the territory during a period of one hundred years (1820-1920). During that time, which was characterized by changing commercial flows and technological development, the elites interventions were essentially directed to the implementation of modes of transportation, especially the railway. We try to understand the reinforcement of Natal as a capital city not only in political and administrative terms, but mainly in a commercial and symbolic manner, through the discourse and interventions undertaken by the local administrative elites, who stimulated the creation of a set of relations on the territory that also imprinted visible marks in the capital s urban fabric. These interventions were based upon the establishment of an infrastructure for exporting the State s production, firstly through and despite the Potengi River, and later on by the construction of railways. Although the project of Natal s hegemony had been outlined before the establishment of the railway network, in both cases the ultimate objective was to reinforce and develop the capital city as a commercial urban center to the detriment of other cities

O papel modulatório do ferro sobre a resposta imune na Leishmaniose Visceral

Iron is an essential element for many cellular functions, including the immune response against intracellular pathogens. In this study, we aimed evaluate the effect of iron on IRP2, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, MIG and IP10 expression in PBMC and assess the effect of the spleen parasite load on the expression of these genes in the spleen of L. infantum naturally infected dogs. Blood sample from 7 DTH+ donor was collected and PBMC was obtained. The cells were cultivated in absence (iron chelator desferroximane, DFO 10 μM supplemented media) or in presence of iron (hemin 6 mM) for 1 h, followed by stimulation with Leishmania infatum antigen for 4 h. 44 dog spleen samples were obtained and parasite load in this organ was determinate by qPCR. Gene expression was analyzed by qPCR and cytokine production quantified by flow cytometry. In antigen stimulated cells, genes involved in immune response are significantly more expressed in presence of iron. T CD4+ and TCD8+ lymphocytes produces IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-10 possibly in iron dependent pathway. Monocytes antigen stimulated reduced TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10 production in presence of iron. We found spleen of infected dogs IRP2 expression increases according to parasite load in that organ, while an inverse profile was found for IFN-γ, TNF-α e IL-10 expression. These results suggest that T lymphocytes depends on iron to produce IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-10, while iron seems to inhibit cytokine production in monocytes. So, we propose an immunoregulatory mechanism carried out by iron during L. infantum infection in humans and dogs

Resposta de Chromobacterium Violaceum cultivada em alta concentração de ferro

The Chromobacterium violaceum is a β-proteobacterium Gram-negative widely found in tropical and subtropical regions, whose genome was sequenced in 2003 showing great metabolic versatility and biotechnological and pharmaceutical potential. Given the large number of ORFs related to iron metabolism described in the genome of C. violaceum, the importance of this metal for various biological processes and due to lack of data about the consequences of excess of iron in free-living organisms, it is important to study the response mechanism of this bacterium in a culture filled with iron. Previous work showed that C. violaceum is resistant to high concentrations of this metal, but has not yet been described the mechanism which is used to this survival. Thus, to elucidate the response of C. violaceum cultured in high concentrations of iron and expecting to obtain candidate genes for use in bioremediation processes, this study used a shotgun proteomics approach and systems biology to assess the response of C. violaceum grown in the presence and absence of 9 mM of iron. The analysis identified 531 proteins, being 71 exclusively expressed by the bacteria grown in the presence of the metal and 100 just in the control condition. The increase in expression of proteins related to the TCA cycle possibly represents a metabolic reprogramming of the bacteria caused by high concentration of iron in the medium. Moreover, we observed an increase in the activity assay of superoxide dismutase and catalase as well as in Total Antioxidant Activity assay, suggesting that the metal is inducing oxidative stress in C. violaceum that increases the levels of violacein and antioxidant enzymes to better adapt to the emerging conditions. Are also part of the adaptive response changes in expression of proteins related to transport, including iron, as well as an increased expression of proteins related to chemotaxis response, which would lead the bacteria to change the direction of its movement away from the metal. Systems Biology results, also suggest a metabolic reprogramming with mechanisms coordinated by bottleneck proteins involved in transcription (GreA), energy metabolism (Rpe and TpiA) and methylation (AhcY)

Estudo da adição do resíduo proveniente da extração de minério de ferro em argilas do Rio Grande do Norte

The mining industry is responsible for the generation of waste from their natural process of extraction. The mining impacts in urban areas are of special importance due to the high urban occupation, which are exacerbated due to the proximity of the mined areas and populated areas. Some solutions to wastedisposal have the potential to significantly reduce the environmental risks and liabilities, but represent higher costs in the stages of deployment and operation. The addition of mining waste as raw material in the development of commercial products reduces the environmental impacts, transforming the waste into a positive element in the generation of employment and income. This thesis studies the incorporation of waste iron ore in two clays, one from the ceramic industry of the City of Natal and the other from the ceramic industry of the Seridó Region, both in the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Percentages of iron ore waste of 5%, 10% , 15%, 20%, 25% and 30% were used in the tested ceramic matrix. The two clays and the iron ore waste used as part of this investigation were characterized by X-ray diffraction tests, X-ray fluorescence tests, differential thermal analysis, thermogravimetric analysis and dilatometric analysis. The samples were sintered under temperatures of 850 °C, 950 °C and 1050°C at a heating rate of 5 °C/min with isotherms of two hours. The following tests were performed with the samples: linear shrinkage, water absorption, apparent porosity, apparent density, mass loss in fire and bending resistance in order to obtain their physical and mechanical properties. An amount of 5% of waste iron ore in the matrix clay at a temperature of 850 0C resulted in na increase of about 65% in the tensile strength of the clay samples from the Natal ceramic industry. A linear shrinkage of only 0.12% was observed for the samples, which indicates that the physical properties of the final product were not influenced by the addition of the waste

Interação competitiva do zinco e ferro após administração oral e venosa de zinco em crianças eutróficas

The aim of this study was to assess the acute and chronic effects of zinc in serum iron profile of children aged 6-9 years in relation to nutritional status and dietary intake. The study participants were 11 children regardless of sex, aged 6-9 years. They were selected from three public schools of the city of Natal, Brazil. Body mass index was used to assess nutritional status. In order to determine the patterns of childhood growth and ideal weight we used the standards of the World Health Organization. The dietary intake assessment was based on information from a three-day prospective food survey. The variables were energy intake, protein, lipids, carbohydrates, fiber, calcium, iron and zinc. All children underwent an intravenous administration of zinc (IVAZn) before and after oral administration of zinc (OAZn) (5 mg Zn / day) for three months. We measured serum iron, hematocrit, hemoglobin and total protein, before and after the use of oral zinc. The analysis of hematocrit, hemoglobin and total protein was performed using standard methods of clinical laboratory. Zinc levels and serum iron were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The project was evaluated and approved by the Ethics in Research Committee of Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte. Results: All children had normal weight. The consumption of energy, fat, fiber, calcium and iron were below recommended levels. However, the levels of protein and carbohydrates were high. Protein and zinc increased significantly after OAZn. Carbohydrate and protein were elevated in the blood. After OAZn, both protein and zinc increased, being statistically significant. Conclusion: The potential inhibitory effect of physiological or pharmacological doses of zinc on the profile of serum iron was observed in children with healthy weight and aged between 6 and 9 years. This negative effect of zinc did not affect the levels of hematocrit or hemoglobin, and therefore did not cause anemia. This was a multidisciplinary study, involving researchers from medicine, nutrition and pharmacy. This met the requirements of multidisciplinarity of the Post Graduate Program in Health Sciences of Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte.

Suplementação oral de zinco pode diminuir o perfil sérico de ferro em crianças saudáveis

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico

Proteinograma e teores de cobre, ferro e zinco no soro sanguíneo de ovelhas da raça Santa Inês com mastite experimental por Staphylococcus aureus

Costa N.A., Simao L.C.V., Santos R.A., Afonso J.A.B., Fagliari J.J., Cardoso E.C., Soares P.C. & Mendonca C.L. 2010. [Proteinogram and serum concentrations of copper, iron and zinc in Santa Ines ewes with Staphylococcus aureus experimentally induced mastitis.] Proteinograma e teores de cobre, ferro e zinco no soro sanguineo de ovelhas da raca Santa Ines com mastite experimental por Staphylococcus aureus. Pesquisa Veterinaria Brasileira 30(5):435-442. Clinica de Bovinos, Campus Garanhuns, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (UFRPE), Avenida Bom Pastor s/n, Boa Vista, Caixa Postal 152, Garanhuns, PE 55292-901, Brazil. E-mail: carlalopes.mendonca@gmail.comThe aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Staphylococcus aureus experimentally induced mastitis on proteinogram and serum concentrations of cupper, iron and zinc levels of Santa Ines primiparous ewes. The right mammary gland of ten healthy ewes was inoculated with 1,0x10(4) UFC/mL of S. aureus. Clinical examination and determination of serum concentrations of proteins by electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel (SDS-PAGE), cupper, iron and zinc, as well plasma level of fibrinogen were measured before the inoculation (control) and 12h, 24h, 36h, 48h, 60h, 72h, 84h, 96h, 108h, 120h, 132h, 168h, 180h, 288h and 336h after bacteria inoculation. All animals experimentally infected presented clinical mastitis and subsequent loss of mammary gland function. The electrophoretogram allowed the identification of 23 proteins with molecular weights (MW) ranged from 26.000 to 185.000 daltons (Da) including acute-phase proteins, IgG and IgA. A significant increase (P<0,05) in haptoglobin, ceruloplasmin, IgG and IgA concentrations was observed. Antitrypsin and acid glicoprotein concentrations did not alter. The levels of iron and zinc decreased and the cupper concentration increased. A positive correlation between plasma fibrinogen and serum ceruloplasmin (r=0.74), haptoglobin (r=0.62) and IgA (r=0.62) was also identified. Results showed the importance of ceruloplasmin and haptoglobin as acute-phase proteins in ewes with intramammary infections and confirms fibrinogen as an inflammatory marker because its high correlation with specific proteins. The alterations in the serum levels of Cu, Fe and Zn suggest the action of inflammatory mediators triggered by S. aureus.

Escarificação ácida na superação da dormência de sementes de pau ferro (Caesalpinea ferrea Mart.ex Tu. var. leiostachya Benth.)

Seeds of Caesalpinea ferrea Mart. ex Tu. var. leiostachya Benth. present low and irregular germination due to dormancy caused by the impermeability of the tegument. With the purpose to determine an efficient method to accelerate and uniformize seed germination, they were submitted to different immersion periods (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 minutes) in sulfuric acid (95-98%), influence emergency and vigor (first count, speed index, medium time and relative frequency of emergency, length and dry matter of the seedlings). The experiment was carried out under greenhouse conditions with an experimental design of completely randomized, with seven treatments and four replications. The pre-conditioning of the seeds with immersion in concentrated sulfuric acid was efficient to overcoming seed dormancy, by increasing the percentage and speed emergency, the first count of emergency, length and dry matter of seedlings and reduction in the medium time for emergency. The efficiency of this chemical treatment with concentrated sulfuric depends on the immersion time, and 10 to 20 minutes were the most adequate to provide larger emergency uniformity percentages and vigor.

Germinação de sementes de Caesalpinia leiostachya (benth.) ducke (pau-ferro) classificadas pelo tamanho e pela forma

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Solubilização do fosfato de ferro em meio de cultura

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

Germinação de sementes de pau-ferro submetidas a diferentes condições de armazenamento, escarificação química, temperatura e luz

Caesalpinia leiostachya (Benth.) Ducke (pau-ferro) é uma planta arbórea nativa do Brasil, cujas sementes possuem dormência causada pela impermeabilidade do tegumento à água. Neste trabalho foram conduzidos dois experimentos, nos quais foram utilizados diferentes períodos de escarificação em ácido sulfúrico concentrado para superar a dormência das sementes. No primeiro experimento, sementes coletadas em agosto de 1997 foram armazenadas por oito meses em ambiente não controlado no interior do próprio fruto, e em câmara seca após serem extraídas dos frutos; a seguir, elas foram imersas em ácido sulfúrico por 0, 10, 20, 40, 60 e 80min e colocadas para germinar nas temperaturas constante de 25ºC e alternada de 20-30°C, sob fotoperíodo de 8h. No segundo experimento, sementes extraídas de frutos recém-coletados em agosto de 1998 foram imersas em ácido sulfúrico por 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 e 60min, seguido do teste de germinação conduzido nas mesmas temperaturas do experimento anterior, na ausência e presença de luz. Foram avaliados a porcentagem final e o índice de velocidade de germinação das sementes. Os resultados mostraram que (a) a manutenção das sementes no interior dos frutos é uma alternativa viável para o armazenamento durante o período adotado; (b) as sementes recém-coletadas são indiferentes à luz, nas duas temperaturas testadas; (c) as sementes recém-coletadas e as armazenadas germinam em maior velocidade a 25ºC; (d) em sementes armazenadas, a imersão em ácido sulfúrico por 10min é suficiente para superar a dormência; (e) em sementes recém-coletadas, a imersão em ácido sulfúrico por 20 a 30min favorece a porcentagem e a velocidade de germinação.

Extração de ferro da cera de carnaúba utilizando sistemas microemulsionados

The constant search for biodegradable materials for applications in several fields shows that carnauba wax can be a viable alternative in the manufacturing of biolubricants. Carnauba wax is the unique among the natural waxes to have a combination of properties of great importance. In previous studies it was verified the presence of metals in wax composition that can harm the oxidative stability of lubricants. Considering these factors, it was decided to develop a research to evaluate iron removal from carnauba wax, using microemulsion systems (Me) and perform the optimization of parameters, such as: extraction pH, temperature, extraction time, among others. Iron concentration was determined by atomic absorption and, to perform this analysis, sample digestion in microwave oven was used, showing that this process was very efficient. It was performed some analysis in order to characterize the wax sample, such as: attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy (ATR-IR), thermogravimetry (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and melting point (FP). The microemulsion systems were composed by: coconut oil as surfactant, n-butanol as cosurfactant, kerosene and/or heptanes as oil phase, distilled water as water phase. The pH chosen for this study was 4.5 and the metal extraction was performed in finite experiments. To evaluate Me extraction it was performed a factorial design for systems with heptane and kerosene as oil phase, also investigating the influence of temperature time and wax/Me ratio, that showed an statistically significant answer for iron extraction at 95% confidence level. The best result was obtained at 60°C, 10 hours contact time and 1: 10 wax/Me ratio, in both systems with kerosene and heptanes as oil phase. The best extraction occurred with kerosene as oil phase, with 54% iron removal

Oxidação úmida de fenóis com catalisadores de ferro suportado em argilominerais em reator de leito de lama (slurry)

The wet oxidation of organic compounds with CO2 and H2O has been demonstrated to be an efficient technique for effluent treatment. This work focuses on the synthesis, characterization and catalytic performance of Fe-MnO2/CeO2, K-MnO2/CeO2/ palygorskite and Fe/ palygorskite toward the wet oxidative degradation of phenol. The experiments were conducted in a sludge bed reactor with controlled temperature, pressure and stirring speed and sampling of the liquid phase. Experiments were performed on the following operating conditions: temperature 130 ° C, pressure 20.4 atm, catalyst mass concentration of 5 g / L initial concentration of phenol and 0.5 g / L. The catalytic tests were performed in a slurry agitated reactor provided with temperature, pressure and agitation control and reactor liquid sampling. The influences of iron loaded on the support (0.3; 7 and 10%, m/m) and the initial pH of the reactant medium (3.1; 6.8; 8.7) were studied. The iron dispersion on the palygorskite, the phase purity and the elemental composition of the catalyst were evaluated by X-Ray Difraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-Ray Flourescence (XRF). The use of palygorskite as support to increase the surface area was confirmed by the B.E.T. surface results. The phenol degradation curves showed that the Fe3+ over palygorskite when compared with the other materials tested has the best performance toward the (Total Organic carbonic) TOC conversion. The decrease in alkalinity of the reaction medium also favors the conversion of TOC. The maximum conversion obtained from the TOC with the catalyst 3% Fe / palygorskite was around 95% for a reaction time of 60 minutes, while reducing the formation of acids, especially acetic acid. With products obtained from wet oxidation of phenol, hydroquinone, p-benzoquinone, catechol and oxalic acid, identified and quantified by High Performance Liquid Chromatography was possible to propose a reaction mechanism of the process where the phenol is transformed into the homogeneous and heterogeneous phase in the other by applying a kinetic model, Langmuir-Hinshelwood type, with evaluation of kinetic constants of different reactions involved.

Análise cristalográfica da solução sólida com estrutura tipo Tungstênio Bronze de niobato de potássio e estrôncio dopado com ferro

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

Propriedades magnéticas de nanopartículas de ferro em substratos antiferromagnéticos

The effect of finite size on the magnetic properties of ferromagnetic particles systems is a recurrent subject. One of the aspects wide investigated is the superparamagnetic limit where the temperature destroys the magnetic order of ferromagnetic small particles. Above the block temperature the thermal value of the magnetic moment of the particle vanishes, due to thermal fluctuations. The value of the blocking temperature diminishes when the size of the particle is reduced, reflecting the reduction of the anisotropy energy barrier between the uniform states along the uniaxial axis. The increasing demand for high density magnetic media has recently attracted great research interest in periodic arrangements of nanometric ferromagnetics particles, approach in the superparamagnetic limit. An interesting conjecture is the possibility of stabilization of the magnetic order of small ferromagnetic particles (F) by interface coupling with antiferromagnetic (AF) substrate. These F/AF systems may also help to elucidate some details of the effect of exchange bias, because the effect of interface roughness and the paper of domain walls, either in the substrate or the particle, are significantly reduced. We investigate the magnetic phases of small ferromagnetic particles on a antiferromagnetic substrate. We use a self-consistent local field method, incorporating the interface field and the dipole interaction between the spins of the ferromagnetic particle. Our results indicate that increasing the area of the interface favors the formation of the uniform state. Howere above a critical height value appears a state non-uniform is formed where the spins of in the particle s free surface are rotated with respect to the interface spins direction. We discuss the impact of the competition between the dipolar and interface field on the magnetic charge, that controls the field of flux leakage of the particle, and on the format of the hysteresis curves. Our results indicate that the liquid magnetic charge is not a monotonically increasing function of the height of the particle. The exchange bias may display anomalous features, induced for the dipolar field of the spins near the F/AF interface