Evaluation of the toxicity of Virola sebifera crude extracts, fractions and isolated compounds on the nest of leaf-cutting ants

The phytochemical study of Virola sebifera leaves led to the isolation of three lignans: (+)-sesamin, (-)-hinokinin, and (-)-kusunokinin and three flavonoids: quercetin-3-O - L-rhamnoside, quercetin-3-O - D-glucoside, and quercetin-3-methoxy-7-O - D-glucoside by using techniques as high-speed counter-current chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography. The crude extracts, fractions, and isolated compounds were evaluated for their insecticidal and fungicidal potential against Atta sexdens rubropilosa and its symbiotic fungus Leucoagaricus gongylophorus. The bioassay results showed a high insecticidal activity for the methanol crude extract of the leaves of V. sebifera and its n-hexane, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate fractions. The fungicidal bioassay revealed high toxicity of the lignans against L. gongylophorus. © 2012 Keylla Utherdyany Bicalho et al.

Influence of cutting instruments and adhesive systems on hybrid layer formation.

Influence of cutting instruments and The aim of this study was to analyze the hybrid layer in noncarious dentin prepared by different cutting instruments and restored with composite resin. The cavities were randomly prepared in 40 specimens using a high-speed diamond bur (KG Sorensen 1013) and an ultrasonic tip (CVDentus C22). The cavities were restored with composite resin by varying the adhesive system between the Adper™ Single Bond (2 x 1 system, primer+adhesive) and the Prompt L-Pop™ (3 x 1 system, self-etching). The restorations were hemisected longitudinally and analyzed in the SEM (Scanning electron microscopy) in order to evaluate the hybrid layer and resinous tags characteristics, using scores ranging from 1 to 6. The Pearson test revealed a high correlation coefficient and good significance levels for both intra- and inter-raters values (r=0.90). The data were statistically analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test (P≤0.05). A larger proportion of regular hybrid layers with numerous tags were observed in the dentin prepared using the high-speed diamond burs and restored with a 2 × 1 adhesive system. Alternatively, the 3 × 1 adhesive system promoted the generation of a thin hybrid layer with few tags. After preparation using an ultrasonic tip revealed few or no tags after the preparation and 2 × 1 or 3 × 1 adhesive system application. The high-speed diamond burs produced a dentin surface that was more favorable to restorative material adhesion than the ultrasonic tips, regardless of the adhesive system used.

Submerged macrophytes height estimation by echosounder data sample

Traditional methods of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) survey last long and then, they are high cost. Optical remote sensing is an alternative, but it has some limitations in the aquatic environment. The use of echosounder techniques is efficient to detect submerged targets. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate different kinds of interpolation approach applied on SAV sample data collected by echosounder. This study case was performed in a region of Uberaba River - Brazil. The interpolation methods evaluated in this work follow: Nearest Neighbor, Weighted Average, Triangular Irregular Network (TIN) and ordinary kriging. Better results were carried out with kriging interpolation. Thus, it is recommend the use of geostatistics for spatial inference of SAV from sample data surveyed with echosounder techniques. © 2012 IEEE.

Effect of acid fruit juices combined with electric or sonic toothbrushing on root dentin permeability - An in vitro study

The purpose of this in vitro study was to quantify the alterations on human root dentin permeability after exposure to different acid fruit juices and to evaluate the effect of toothbrushing with electric or sonic toothbrush after acid exposure. The root dentin of 50 extracted third molars was exposed with a high speed bur. Crowns were sectioned above the cementoenamel junction and root fragments were used to prepare dentin specimens. Specimens were randomly assigned to 5 groups according to the fruit juice (kiwifruit, starfruit, green apple, pineapple and acerolla). Each specimen was connected to a hydraulic pressure apparatus to measure root dentin permeability using fluid filtration method after the following sequential steps: I) conditioning with 37% phosphoric acid for 30 s, II) root scaling, III) exposure to acid fruit juices for 5 min and IV) electric or sonic toothbrushing without dentifrice for 3 min. Data were analyzed statistically by the Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests at 5% significance level. All fruit juices promoted a significant increase of dentin permeability while toothbrushing decreased it significantly (p<0.05). It may be concluded that all acid fruit juices increased root dentin permeability, while toothbrushing without dentifrice after acid exposure decreased the permeability. The toothbrush mechanism (electric or sonic) had no influence on the decrease of root dentin permeability.

Influence of CVD diamond tips and Er:YAG laser irradiation on bonding of different adhesive systems to dentin

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the microtensile bond strength of three adhesive systems, using different methods of dentin preparation. Materials and methods: A hundred and eight bovine teeth were used. The dentin from buccal face was exposed and prepared with three different methods, divided in 3 groups: Group 1 (DT)- diamond tip on a high-speed handpiece; Group 2 (CVD)-CVD tip on a ultrasonic handpiece; Group 3 (LA)-Er: YAG laser. The teeth were divided into 3 subgroups, according adhesive systems used: Subgroup 1-Adper Single Bond Plus/3M ESPE (SB) total-etch adhesive; Subgroup 2-Adper Scotchbond SE/3M ESPE (AS) selfetching adhesive; Subgroup 3-Clearfil SE Bond/Kuraray (CS) selfetching adhesive. Blocks of composite (Filtek Z250-3M ESPE) 4 mm high were built up and specimens were stored in deionized water for 24 hours at 37°C. Serial mesiodistal and buccolingual cuts were made and stick-like specimens were obtained, with transversal section of 1.0 mm2. The samples were submitted to microtensile test at 1 mm/min and load of 10 kg in a universal testing machine. Data (MPa) were subjected to ANOVA and Tukey's tests (p < 0.05). Results and conclusion: Surface treatment with Diamond or CVD tips associated with Clearfil SE Bond adhesive produced significantly lower bond strength values compared to other groups. Surface treatment with Er: YAG laser associated with Single Bond Plus or Clearfil SE Bond adhesives and surface treatment with CVD tip associated with Adper Scotchbond SE adhesive produced significantly lower bond strength values compared to surface treatment with diamond or CVD tips associated with Single Bond Plus or Adper Scotchbond SE adhesives. Clinical significance: Interactions between laser and the CVD tip technologies and the different adhesive systems can produce a satisfactory bonding strength result, so that these associations may be beneficial and enhance the clinical outcomes.

Comparative feeding kinematics of tropical hylid tadpoles

Anuran larvae, which are otherwise simple in shape, typically have complex keratinized mouthparts (i.e. labial teeth and jaw sheaths) that allow them to graze upon surfaces. The diversity in these structures among species presumably reflects specializations that allow for maximal feeding efficiency on different types of food. However, we lack a general understanding of how these oral structures function during feeding. We used high-speed digital imaging (500 Hz) to observe tadpoles of six species from the anuran family Hylidae grazing on a standardized food-covered substrate. Tadpoles of these species vary in the number of labial tooth rows, belong to two different feeding guilds (benthic and nektonic), and inhabit ponds and streams. We confirmed that the labial teeth in these species serve two functions: anchoring the mouth to the substrate and raking material off of the substrate. In general, tadpoles with a larger maximum gape or those with fewer labial tooth rows opened and closed their mouths slower than tadpoles with smaller gape or more tooth rows. Nektonic feeding tadpoles released each of their tooth rows proportionally earlier in the gape cycle compared with benthic feeding tadpoles. Lastly, we found some support for the idea that deformation of the jaw sheaths during a feeding cycle is predictable based on tadpole feeding guild. Collectively, our data show that anatomical (e.g. number of labial teeth) and ecological features (e.g. feeding guild) of tadpoles significantly influence how tadpoles open and close their mouths during feeding. © 2013. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

A method for improving the code rate and error correction capability of a cyclic code

Currently, there has been an increasing demand for operational and trustworthy digital data transmission and storage systems. This demand has been augmented by the appearance of large-scale, high-speed data networks for the exchange, processing and storage of digital information in the different spheres. In this paper, we explore a way to achieve this goal. For given positive integers n,r, we establish that corresponding to a binary cyclic code C0[n,n-r], there is a binary cyclic code C[(n+1)3k-1,(n+1)3k-1-3kr], where k is a nonnegative integer, which plays a role in enhancing code rate and error correction capability. In the given scheme, the new code C is in fact responsible to carry data transmitted by C0. Consequently, a codeword of the code C0 can be encoded by the generator matrix of C and therefore this arrangement for transferring data offers a safe and swift mode. © 2013 SBMAC - Sociedade Brasileira de Matemática Aplicada e Computacional.

Detecção de faltas em sistemas de distribuição de energia elétrica usando dispositivos programáveis

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Um sistema eletrônico de 2kW para emulação/simulação experimental da característica estática de saída, tensão (versus) corrente, de sistemas de geração com células combustível tipo PEM

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Pré-regulador retificador boost com controle digital por valores médios, para sistema de iluminação fluorescente multi-lâmpadas, utilizando dispositivo FPGA e VHDL

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

O uso de um sistema LC-ESI-IT-TOF/MS e MSn na prospecção de novos componentes peptídicos do veneno da vespa social Polybia paulista

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

Estudo experimental do funcionamento de um sistema gas-lif

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Avaliações clínicas e metabólicas de cavalos da raça Árabe submetidos a exercício progressivo em esteira

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

Malondialdeído, troponina I cardíaca e eletrocardiografia em equinos da raça puro sangue árabe submetido ao exercício e à suplementação com vitamina E(dl-alfa-tocofenol)

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

Eritrograma glutationa reduzida e superóxido dismutase eritrocitários e metahemoglobina em equinos da raça Árabe submetidos a exercício em esteira: efeito da suplementação com vitamina E (dl-alfa-tocoferol)

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