Comunidade fitoplanctônica e qualidade da água da lagoa do jiqui, parnamirim, rn

It is important to evaluate the quality of water for proper management of these resources, since the increase of environmental degradation and the multiple use of water resources are decreasing the quality of water consumed by living beings. The objective of this study was to characterize the phytoplankton community and its variations during periods of dray and rain in Jiqui Lake located in Parnamirim, RN. It was also aimed to analyze the physical and chemical factors of this environment, in order to contribute to the knowledge of water quality used for human consumption. The collection of water samples were carried out in September 2008 to August 2009. The collection of the phytoplankton community was carried out in four sampling sites (surface, bottom, margin of the lake without macrophytes and site dominated by macrophytes). Phytoplankton was collected using plankton net of 20m. The analysis of nutrients and identification of phytoplankton were performed in the laboratory. The results indicate that concentration of chlorophyll a was high in the bottom with mean value of 1.07 μgL-1 (SD ± 1.61). During the study period there was a dominance of the following species: Euglena gracilis, Trachelomonas sp, Cyclotellas sp, Gomphonema apuncto, Navicula cuspidata var. cuspidata, Navicula sp, Rhopalodia gibba. There was homogeneity between limnological values in the four study sites, with significant difference between the periods of drought and rain. The Jiqui Lake is considered oligotrophic due to its low concentrations of chlorophyll a, high transparency and low levels of nutrients. The values of BOD and chlorophyll a concentration remained below the permitted standards existing for freshwaters in Brazil, thus the water from Lake Jiqui is of good quality, suitable for human consumption.

Demanda química de oxigênio, clorofila a e comunidade fitoplanctônica como indicadores da qualidade da água no Canal do Pataxó/RN

The current study examined spatial-temporal modifications and water quality through chemical and biotic indicators during both dry (January, February and November 2006) and wet seasons (March to June 2006). This study was carried out in Armando Ribeiro Gonçalves Reservoir, RN, Canal do Pataxó and after the water station treatment (WST). The physical-chemical parameters were measured in situ and inorganic nutrients, chlorophyll a and Free Oxygen Demand (FOD) were analyzed in laboratory conditions. Quali quantitative analyses of phytoplankton were carried out utilizing Sedgwick-Rafter camera. Results indicate that DQO concentrations were low. FOD concentrations in the reservoir were comparatively higher in the dry season (5.21 mgL-1; 5.64 mgL-1 e 6.05 mgL-1) in relation to the wet season (4.52 mgL-1; 4.12 mgL-1 e 4.92 mgL-1), in surface, intermediate and bottom waters, respectively. FOD values were inferior to 1.0mgL-1in both Canal do Pataxó and after WST, which is considered adequate for public use reservoirs. Although FOD concentrations were low, Armando Ribeiro Gonçalves Reservoir, Canal do Pataxó and WST were classified as euthophizied, mesotrophic ad oligotrophic, respectively, considering the Index of Trophic State Criteria. Chlorophyll a concentrations in the study reservoir were higher in the surface (199.2 µgL-1) during the wet season, whereas in Canal do Pataxó concentrations decreased from 1.56 µgL-1 to 0.028 µgL-1, and after WST values were low (0.059 µgL-1). Dominance of cianobacterias, such as Planktotrhix agardhii (dry season) and Microcystis sp (wet season) was registered in all three areas. In the reservoir and Canal do Pataxó, density of cianobacterias, such as P. agardhii and Microcistys sp., was superior to the values allowed by the Health ministry (HM). However, after WST, density values of cianobacteria were inferior to values established by the HM

Comunidades zooplanctônicas como bioindicadoras da qualidade da água de quatro reservatórios da região semi-árida do Rio Grande do Norte

The response of zooplankton assemblages to variations in the water quality of four man-made lakes, caused by eutrophication and siltation, was investigated by means of canonical correspondence analysis. Monte Carlo simulations using the CCA eingenvalues as test statistics revealed that changes in zooplankton species composition along the environmental gradients of trophic state and abiogenic turbidity were highly significant. The species Brachionus calyciflorus, Thermocyclops sp. and Argyrodiaptomus sp. were good indicators of eutrophic conditions while the species Brachionus dolabratus, Keratella tropica and Hexarthra sp. were good indicators of high turbidity due to suspended sediments. The rotifer genus Brachionus was the most species-rich taxon, comprising five species which were associated with different environmental conditions. Therefore, we tested whether this genus alone could potentially be a better biological indicator of these environmental gradients than the entire zooplankton assemblages or any other random set of five species. The ordination results show that the five Brachionus species alone did not explain better the observed pattern of environmental variation than most random sets of five species. Therefore, this genus could not be selected as a target taxon for more intensive environmental monitoring as has been previously suggested by Attayde and Bozelli (1998). Overall, our results show that changes in the water quality of man-made lakes in a tropical semi-arid region have significant effects on the structure of zooplankton assemblages that can potentially affect the functioning of these ecosystems

Estretégias de acasalamento e qualidade do espermatóforo em heliconius (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae)

Butterflies are insects known, in a variety of environments and for easy visual identification. The adult form may be frequently found in flowers looking for nectar. However, for many species of Heliconius (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae) to visit the flower also represents the collecting of pollen, an important source of protein for adults. The protein obtained from the pollen allows the maintenance of physiological processes that increase the performance of the individual, promoting greater longevity and egg production. For males, proteins can also be part in your investment in reproductive success and fitness of offspring through a nutritional contribution that is transferred to the female in the act of mating as a nuptial present. It is known that this protein contains essential to the performance of the female oviposition, however the proportion of content and specific importance to the monogamous and polygamous species is not known yet. Whereas the species studied in this work have different patterns of mating in the strategy was to verify a significant difference in the quality of the spermatophore, and H. erato and H. melpomene, on the amount of protein present in this structure, indicating a difference in investment between the male reproductive strategies

Térmitas como bioindicadores de qualidade de habitat na caatinga, Brasil: há uma sintonia entre as variáveis estruturais dos habitats e as taxocenoses amostradas?

The composition of termite assemblages was analyzed at three Caatinga sites of the Seridó Ecological Station, located in the municipality of Serra Negra do Norte, in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. These sites have been subjected to selective logging, and cleared for pasture and farming. A standardized sampling protocol for termite assemblages (30h/person/site) was conducted between September 2007 and February 2009. At each site we measured environmental variables, such as soil granulometry, pH and organic matter, necromass stock, vegetation height, tree density, stem diameter at ankle height (DAH) and the largest and the smallest crown width. Ten species of termites, belonging to eight genera and three families, were found at the three experimental sites. Four feeding-groups were sampled: wood-feeders, soil-feeders, wood-soil interface feeders and leaf-feeders. The wood-feeders were dominant in number of species and number of encounters at all sites. In general, the sites were not significantly different in relation to the environmental variables measured. The same pattern was observed for termite assemblages, where no significant differences in species richness, relative abundance and taxonomic and functional composition were observed between the three sites. The agreement between the composition of assemblages and environmental variables reinforces the potential of termites as biological indicators of habitat quality

Influência na qualidade final de metais retificados através da variação da velocidade de mergulho

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

Influência da lubrirrefrigeração na qualidade superficial de metais retificados

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

Corpo e Velhice: um estudo da qualidade de vida de idosos da Vila Vicentina Júlia Freire em João Pessoa

The aim of this study was to follow the daily routine of elderly individuals residing at the Vila Vicentina Júlia Freire (VVJF) nursing home in João Pessoa, Brazil, observing and analyzing as much as possible, the way in which they live in a group and how they deal, through personal experiences, with their own body image and with that of others. The results were obtained from information considered relevant, according to the perspectives of the residents themselves, contained in narratives of their history and related to their quality of life. Our interest lays in how they coped with changes in their bodies at old age and adapted to the challenges of this new phase. To obtain this information, with significant expressions, we used the Narrative Interview (NI) as a research tool in order to redeem their life experience and develop an understanding of their impressions about the life experience at the current nursing home. We selected, among the housed, ten subjects - actors - to appear as a sample of the group together. The design of our sample had a hybrid model, combining two types: random sample (probability) and an intentional sample (not probability). After recording transcripts and ensuring that all the subjects showed common interests that were relevant to the group, we chose three categories for analysis as follows: a. the elderly as seen by themselves and by others; b. religiosity as a moral factor; c. intimacy and relationships. Our choice was based on the importance of the theme as a multidisciplinary topic in the quality of life of populations. The subjects, chosen as spokespersons for the VVJF, spoke, among other things, about the way in which they viewed the world, their own body and how they experienced the environment and their fellow residents, in an attitude of reflection and criticism that confirms the lucidity of an old age conditioned to an elderly institution. The method allowed us to investigate our subjects from a multidisciplinary point of view. We suggest other studies in assorted areas of the human sciences, having as principle, man at the center of all our scientific questionings. The paradigm that the elder is, necessarily, unhappy in his sheltered has been, in this job, broken through the testimonies collected, establishing multiple perspectives of the analyzed subjects by their respective narrative records. Involving the participation of researchers with major in Administration, Communication and Law, this study filled, in this aspect, the requirements of the multidisciplinarity of the Program of Pos-Graduation in Health Science

Caracteristicas sodiodemogáficas, ocupacionais e de saúde na avaliação da qualidade de vida de professores da rede municipal de Natal/RN

Objetivo: Analisar as características sociodemográficas, ocupacionais e de saúde clínica/comportamental, e o impacto desses fatores na avaliação da qualidade de vida de professores da rede municipal de Natal/RN. Métodos: Estudo descritivo-analítico com corte transversal e amostra de 242 docentes. Foram utilizados os questionários Whoqol-breve e nórdico, além de questões referentes ao trabalho do Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ). Os dados foram submetidos à análise estatística com nível de significância p<0,05, sendo utilizada a regressão logística binária, para análise de fatores hierarquicamente agrupados. Resultados: O domínio físico apresentou maior comprometimento entre os professores com trabalho de alta exigência (p=0,043), com mais de 02 diagnósticos de doenças (p < 0,001), atividade física inadequada (p= 0,001) e com sintomas osteomusculares (p=0.025); o domínio psicológico entre os docentes com trabalho de alta exigência (p=0,043), com carga horária maior que 28 horas semanais (p=0,034), com mais de 02 doenças (p=0,012) e que praticavam atividade física inadequadamente (p< 0,001); o de relações sociais com tempo de trabalho inferior/igual a 18 anos (p=0,036) e que residiam em bairro diferente do que trabalhavam (p=0,027); e, por último, o domínio meio ambiente apresentou maior comprometimento entre os docentes com carga horária superior a 28 horas semanais (p=0,025), que exerciam a atividade com tempo inferior/igual a 18 anos (p=0,013) e com sintomas osteomusculares (p= 0,002). Conclusões: Os professores apresentaram uma avaliação comprometida da qualidade de vida e do seu estado de saúde, tendo as atividades laborais desenvolvidas por esse grupo de trabalhadores um impacto importante sobre os resultados demonstrados. Tais achados podem comprometer a efetivação da proposta das escolas promotora de saúde

Atributos de qualidade de solos sob dois diferentes tipos de manejo no município de Ibiúna/SP, Brazil

Agricultural activity has direct consequences on the soil and water quality. Thus, assessing environmental impacts of this vital economic activity, through soil attribute analysis, is essential to the proposal of alternatives. The aim of this study was to analyze soil quality under different land management practices, conventional and organic. The study was carried out in a watershed of the Ibiuna municipality, SP, Brazil, an important supplier of agricultural products for the São Paulo metropolitan area. A hundred samples were collected, 20 in each type of land use: reforested areas, native vegetation, pasture, conventional cultivation and organic cultivation. The soil resistance to penetration, its pH (in water and KO), electrical conductivity, bulk density, particle density, porosity, soil color, soil texture and the percentages of carbon and nitrogen were analyzed. The data were statistically analyzed, searching for significant differences. The results of soil analysis showed great similarity between the organic and conventional culture, with no statistical differences. However, organic cultivation showed greater similarity to the soil of native vegetation in the percentage of carbon and nitrogen in soils compared to conventional culture. Thus, the discussion begins on a topic very little explored so far, and the results obtained should be further studied.

Modificações introduzidas pelos treinamentos cardiopulmonar e neuromuscular nos níveis séricos basais de fatores de crescimento insulina símile i (igf-1), cortisol, autonomia funcional e qualidade de vida de mulheres idosas

Changes introduced by cardiopulmonar and neuromuscular training on basal serum insulin-like grow factor-1 (IGF-1) and cortisol levels, functional autonomy and quality of life in elderly women The aim of this study was to compare the effects of strength and aerobic training on basal serum IGF-1 and Cortisol levels, functional autonomy (FA) and quality of life (QoL) in elderly women after 12 weeks of training. The subjects were submitted the strength training (75-85% 1-RM) with weight exercises (SG; n=12; age=66.08 ± 3,37 years; BMI=26,77 ± 3,72 kg/m2), aerobic training with aquatic exercises (AG; n=13; age=68,69 ± 4,70 years; BMI=29,19 ± 2,96 kg/m2) and control group (CG; n=10; age=68,80 ± 5,41 years; BMI=29,70 ± 2,82 kg/m2). Fasting blood was analyzed to measure basal IGF-1 and cortisol levels by chemiluminescence method. The t-Student test showed increased IGF-1 in the SG (p<0.05) for intragroup comparison. The Repeated-measure ANOVA presented increased IGF-1 (p<0.05) in the SG compared to the other two groups. There were no differences in cortisol levels. All the FA tests (GDLAM autonomy protocol) presented decreased significant in the time marked in seconds to the SG. The same results were found in the AG, except in the rise from a sitting position test. The autonomy index presented significant improvements (p<0.05) in the SG related to the AG and CG and in the AG to the CG. The SG showed increased QoL (p<0.05) (by WHOQOL-Old questionnaire) in the facet 1 (sensorial functioning) and facet 5 (death and dying). Thus, the SG obtained positive changes on IGF-1 and FA levels when compared to the AG. This suggests that strength training can indicated to decrease the effects of ageing.

Tradução, adaptação e validação da versão brasileira do questionário utian quality of life (uqol) para avaliação da qualidade de vida no climatério

The present study had as objective translates, to do equivalence and validation of the Utian Quality of Life (UQOL) for the Brazilian population through methods internationally accepted, in which the original questionnaire was translated for the Portuguese by three teachers and the consensual version was translated back for English by two American teachers (back translation). A multidisciplinary committee evaluated all versions and the final version in Portuguese was applied to climacteric women for the process of adaptation. Validation of the instrument was performed by measuring the reliability and validity properties. Construct validity was examined through the comparison between UQOL and the general measuring scale of quality of life Short Form-36 (SF-36). The final version of translation process was easily recognized by the target population, that didn't tell understanding problems. The results obtained for the reliability intra and interobserver showed significant agreement in all of the subjects. The construct validity was obtained through correlations statistically significant among the domains occupational, health and emotional of UQOL with the SF-36 domains. For the exploratory factorial analysis, it was verified that three factors explain 60% of the total variance of the data, the present study allowed concluding that UQOL was appropriately translated and adapted for applicability in Brazil, presenting high reliability and validity. In that way, the executed project provided the involvement of different areas as gynecology, psychology and physiotherapy (interdisciplinary). Thus, this instrument can be included and used in Brazilian studies to assessment the quality of life during the climacteric years

Avaliação da genotoxicidade e da qualidade das águas do açude de Lucrécia/RN

The occurrence of human cancer in the municipality of Lucrécia (RN, Brazil) has shown high frequencies (INCA, 2007). Tests of micronucleus (MN) and nuclear abnormalities (NA) were performed to assess the genotoxic potential of water from the Lucrécia dam, which is located in a semi-arid region under the influence of crop irrigation and irregular rainfall. Water samples were collected in this source for analyzing the concentration of cyanobacteria, metals and radioactivity. Erythrocytes of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were collected in dam and cells of human oral mucosa in the urban area of this municipality for the bioassays of MN and NA. In fish were also analyzed concentrations of metals in samples of liver and gills. The genotoxicity tests with biological samples of fish and humans have shown significant increases in the frequencies of MN and NA (p ≤ 0.05) and are indicative of increased DNA damage in relation to the control groups. In conclusion, the results obtained from water samples and biological municipality of Lucrécia indicates that the presence of chemical and microbiological pollutants, and increase of genotoxic in human of this municipality. We suggest the implementation of advanced water treatment, to prevent further degradation of the aquatic environment and decrease in the life quality. This research of environmental quality assessment was performed in order to contemplate a multi and interdisciplinary character of this water resource and that can induce genotoxic damage in the organisms in this study region

Avaliação da qualidade da assistência a pessoas com úlceras venosas atendidas na estratégia saúde da família

A úlcera venosa constitui importante problema de saúde pública, gera repercussão social, econômica e mudanças nos hábitos de vida, dor, sofrimento, acarretando diminuição da qualidade de vida. O estudo objetivou avaliar a assistência prestada às pessoas com úlceras venosas atendidas pela Estratégia Saúde da Família. É um estudo analítico, transversal e quantitativo, realizado com 59 pessoas com úlceras venosas, atendidas em 36 unidades da Estratégia Saúde da Família. O estudo obteve aprovação do projeto de pesquisa pelo Comitê de Ética da Universidade Federal de Alagoas. Para a coleta dos dados utilizou-se instrumento testado, entrevista, exame físico e informações dos prontuários. Os dados foram organizados em planilha do Microsoft Excel 2007, exportados e analisados em software estatístico por meio de estatística descritiva e inferencial, considerando nível de significância estatística de ρ-valor < 0,05. As pessoas com úlcera venosa eram do sexo feminino (71,2%), ≥ 60 anos (67,8%) e estavam em tratamento > 1 ano (69,5%). Possuíam tempo de lesão > 6 meses (64,4%), dor na úlcera/membro (86,4%) e leito com ≤ 30% de granulação/epitelização (78,0%). A qualidade da assistência foi ruim (< 5 aspectos positivos) em 57,6% (ρ=0,000) e os aspectos que mais interferiram foram as seguintes inadequações: profissional que acompanha/realiza curativo (ρ=0,002, coeficiente de contingência (CC) =0,458, razão de chance (RC) =13,9), produtos nos últimos 30 dias (ρ=0,038, cc=0,334, RC=7,3) e acesso a consulta com angiologista (ρ=0,041, cc=0,305, RC=4,1). Os aspectos clínicos que contribuíram para o aumento do tempo de assistência foram: tempo de lesão >6 meses (ρ<0,001), dor (ρ=0,043), recidiva (ρ<0,001); nos aspectos assistenciais: inadequação dos produtos com 83,1% (ρ=0,036). Essas características dificultaram a cicatrização tecidual, prolongando o tempo de tratamento das lesões,que podem ter contribuído para a cronicidade das úlceras

Características de qualidade da carne de ovinos de diferentes genótipos e idades ao abate

Cordeiros criados em regime de pasto, provenientes de ovelhas Romney acasaladas com três raças paternas (Romney, East Friesian x (Finn x Texel) e Finn x Poll Dorset), foram avaliados quanto às características de qualidade da carne. Os cordeiros foram abatidos aos 150 e 300 dias de idade, cada lote com 15 animais de cada raça paterna, totalizando 90 animais. A carne dos cordeiros Romney foi mais macia que a dos demais genótipos. O pH final do músculo Semimembranosus dos cordeiros abatidos mais precocemente foi superior (5,61) ao dos abatidos mais tardiamente (5,58), entretanto estes últimos apresentaram carne com menor maciez (11,16 kg) que os abatidos aos 150 dias de idade (7,45 kg). Com relação à cor, a luminosidade da carne de cordeiros abatidos aos 150 dias foi maior (38,20) que a dos abatidos mais tardiamente (36,80), mas não foi afetada pelo genótipo. Concluiu-se que o genótipo e a idade de abate influíram na produção e qualidade da carne ovina.