Comparison of the population biology of Epialtus bituberculatus from two rocky shores with distinct hydrodynamic patterns

The population biology of Epialtus bituberculatus was compared between two different intertidal localities with differing levels of wave exposure. Sampling was conducted monthly between January and December, 2001 on seaweed banks of Sargassum cymosum in the intertidal zone of the rocky shores Grande (GR) (23°23′S-45°03′W) and Domingas Dias (DD) (23°29′S-45°08′W). Four hundred and twenty-eight crabs were captured at the GR site: 111 juvenile males, 106 adult males, 57 juvenile females, 17 adult females and 137 ovigerous females; while 455 specimens were obtained at the DD site: 76 juvenile males, 113 adult males, 37 juvenile females, 40 adult females and 189 ovigerous females. The population from GR showed a non-normal distribution and from DD a normal distribution. The sex-ratio (female/male) was 1:0.97 at GR (χ2 = 0.77, P = 0.084), whereas it was 1:1.41 at DD (χ2 = 13.03, P < 0.001). The largest individuals occurred at DD (U = 78249.0, P < 0.001). The estimated size at sexual maturity was 6.3 and 5.0 mm carapace width (CW) for males, and 5.4 and 5.2 mm CW for females, from GR and DD, respectively. The observed differences in E. bituberculatus between the studied localities might be explained by the different degrees of wave exposure between sites. However, other factors that might also explain the observed differences (e.g. temperature, salinity and food availability) cannot be discarded as relevant in influencing the population structure between sites herein studied. © 2012 Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom.

Tribocorrosion behavior of Ti-C-O-N nanostructured thin films (black) for decorative applications

Abstract: In the past few years, tribocorrosion has become a focus of research because of its relevance in terms of the future in-service degradation mechanisms of materials. In the particular case of decorative coatings, tribocorrosion is certainly one of the most important issues, and sweat corrosion and human contact wear are two other factors that may act as material selection tools. Thus, the current study aimed to investigate the tribocorrosion behavior of a new class of thin films, the Ti-C-O-N system, which is being developed to be used as a surface decorative material due to its relatively dark appearance. The films were prepared by reactive magnetron sputtering. The influence of the structural features on the tribocorrosion behavior is discussed. Crown Copyright © 2013.

Disturbances, elevation, topography and spatial proximity drive vegetation patterns along an altitudinal gradient of a top biodiversity hotspot

The correlation between vegetation patterns (species distribution and richness) and altitudinal variation has been widely reported for tropical forests, thereby providing theoretical basis for biodiversity conservation. However, this relationship may have been oversimplified, as many other factors may influence vegetation patterns, such as disturbances, topography and geographic distance. Considering these other factors, our primary question was: is there a vegetation pattern associated with substantial altitudinal variation (10-1,093 m a.s.l.) in the Atlantic Rainforest-a top hotspot for biodiversity conservation-and, if so, what are the main factors driving this pattern? We addressed this question by sampling 11 1-ha plots, applying multivariate methods, correlations and variance partitioning. The Restinga (forest on sandbanks along the coastal plains of Brazil) and a lowland area that was selectively logged 40 years ago were floristically isolated from the other plots. The maximum species richness (>200 spp. per hectare) occurred at approximately 350 m a.s.l. (submontane forest). Gaps, multiple stemmed trees, average elevation and the standard deviation of the slope significantly affected the vegetation pattern. Spatial proximity also influenced the vegetation pattern as a structuring environmental variable or via dispersal constraints. Our results clarify, for the first time, the key variables that drive species distribution and richness across a large altitudinal range within the Atlantic Rainforest. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.

Elevated hyaluronan and extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer levels in women with preeclampsia

Purpose: Preeclampsia (PE) is a specific syndrome of pregnancy clinically identified by hypertension and proteinuria from the 20th week of gestation associated with a systemic inflammatory response and oxidative stress. While pro-inflammatory cytokines have been extensively studied in PE, other factors in the circulation that also influence the magnitude of inflammation have received much less attention. The present study compared serum concentrations of five immune-regulatory compounds in normotensive pregnant women and in women with gestational hypertension (GH) or PE. Methods: Sixty women with PE, 53 with GH and 40 normotensive women paired by gestational age were evaluated. Sera were evaluated for concentrations of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN), hyaluronan, gelsolin, visfatin and histone 2B by ELISA. Differences between groups were analyzed by nonparametric tests, with a significance level of 5 %. Results: Increased levels of EMMPRIN and hyaluronan were present in preeclamptic women as compared to the GH and normotensive groups. There was no difference between groups in gelsolin, visfatin or histone 2B. Conclusion: Increased release of EMMPRIN and hyaluronan may contribute to an elevated pro-inflammatory response and tissue damage in women with PE. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Expressão gênica das adesinas e fatores de virulência da fase miceliar e leveduriforme do complexo paracoccidioides e de sua interação com células epiteliais e fagócitos

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Lógica ANFIS aplicada na estimação da rugosidade e do desgaste da ferramenta de corte no processo de retificação plana de cerâmicas avançadas

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Population, social equity and changing production patterns

Includes bibliography

Histoquímica e ultra-estrutura da musculatura ventricular esquerda de ratos diabéticos: efeitos do exercício físico

Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Biologia Celular e Molecular) - IBRC

Indução experimental de polioencefalomalacia em ovinos confinados ingerindo dieta com alto teor de enxofre

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

Parâmetros imunovirológicos em pacientes infectados pelo HIV, tratados ou não com antirretrovirais

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Caracterização do atendimento multiprofissional a pessoas vivendo com HIV/AIDS em Três Lagoas (MS), com ênfase na adesão à terapia antirretroviral potente combinada

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Istmo Centroamericano: la regulación de la distribución de energía eléctrica en los países con empresas privadas. Los casos de El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua y Panamá

Incluye Bibliografía

Evolución reciente y retos de la industria manufacturera de exportación en Centroamérica, México y República Dominicana: una perspectiva regional y sectorial

Incluye Bibliografía

Desempenho operacional e energético de um trator agrícola em função do tipo de pneu, velocidade de deslocamento, lastragem líquida e condição superficial do solo: Leonardo de Almeida Monteiro. -

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Determinação da eficiência de um coletor solar plano com aletas de vidro

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Energia na Agricultura) - FCA