Environmental factors influencing the distribution of three species within the genus Persephona Leach, 1817 (Crustacea, Decapoda, Leucosiidae) in two regions on the northern coast of Sao Paulo State, Brazil

Patterns of spatio-temporal distribution of Brachyura are determined by the interaction among life history traits, inter and intraspecific relationships, as well as by the variation of abiotic factors. This study aimed to characterize patterns of spatio-temporal distribution of Persephona lichtensteinii, Persephona mediterranea and Persephona punctata in two regions of the northern coast of Sao Paulo State, southeastern region of Brazil. Collections were done monthly from July 2001 to June 2003 in Caraguatatuba and Ubatuba, using a shrimp fishery boat equipped with double-rig nets. The patterns of species distribution were tested by means of redundancy analysis (RDA) and generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) in relation to the recorded environmental factors (BT: bottom temperature, BS: bottom salinity, OM: organic matter and granulometry (Phi)). The most influent environmental factor over the species distribution was the Phi, and the ascendant order of influence was P. lichtensteinii, P. punctata and P. mediterranea. The greater abundance of P. mediterranea showed a conservative pattern of distribution for the genus in the sampled region. The greater occurrence of P. punctata and P. lichtensteinii, in distinct transects than those occupied by P. mediterranea, seems to be a strategy to avoid competition among congeneric species, which is related to the substratum specificity.

Mites (Arthropoda: Acari) associated with three species of the genus Jatropha (Euphorbiaceae) in Brazil, with emphasis on Jatropha curcas L.

The physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.) (Euphorbiaceae) has emerged as a new option in cultivation aimed at biodiesel production. In order to provide information that may be useful to further develop management plans for that specific crop, samples of mites were collected from cultured and wild J. curcas plants in various regions of the country and from two other species of the same genus, Jatropha gossypiifolia L. and Jatropha mollissima (Pohl) Baill. in the northeastern region of Brazil. Altogether 31 species belonging to 10 families were recorded. The family Phytoseiidae presented the largest number of species (17). Polyphagotarsonemus latus Banks (Tarsonemidae) was the most abundant species (8,503 specimens). A dichotomous key was prepared to identify all the sampled species. At least four mite species of the samples deserve attention as showing potential for being pests in the crops of J. curcas, Brevipalpus phoenicis, Brevipalpus obovatus, Polyphagotarsonemus latus and Tetranychus bastosi, the latter two often found in great abundance.

Determination of heavy metals and genotoxicity of water from an artesian well in the city of Vazante- MG, Brazil

The city of Vazante-MG is of great socioeconomic and environmental interest because it is the most important zinc producer district of Brazil. The mineral processing and geochemical processes may determine high concentrations of heavy metals in water intended for human consumption. Thus, the present study aimed to quantify and evaluate the heavy metal genotoxicity of artesian water in the city by Atomic absorption spectrophotometer analysis and testing with the Allium cepa test, respectively. This study reveals a chemical contamination in well water in the city, caused by the presence of heavy metals. Therefore, it can be considered that the high levels of heavy metals found in water samples are correlated with the genotoxic events observed in root cells of A. cepa.

Results of screening for cervical cancer among pregnant and non-pregnant women in Brazil

Objective: To compare cervical cytology test results among pregnant and non-pregnant women, and to assess associations with age, screening history, and onset of sexual intercourse. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of cervical smears obtained from women aged 18-34 years in the Campinas region of Brazil between January 2000 and December 2009. Eligible participants had not undergone cytological screening within the previous year and had no history of precursor lesions or cervical cancer. Multinomial logistic regression was performed for different age groups, with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSILs) as the endpoint. Results: Overall, 3072 (0.4%) of 861 353 non-pregnant women and 135 (0.4%) of 37 568 pregnant women had HSILs. Odds of HSIL among pregnant and non-pregnant women did not differ in any age group. An increased age at first sexual intercourse among pregnant women reduced odds of HSILs in all age groups (odds ratio 0.9 [95% confidence interval 0.8-0.9] for all). Among women aged 21-24 years, 25-29 years, and 30-34 years, some associations were identified between an interval of less than 5 years since previous screening and reduced odds of HSILs. Conclusion: Mandatory cervical cytology screening does not seem to be necessary for pregnant women; protocols in place for non-pregnant women should be followed. (C) 2015 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. on behalf of International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics.

Diversity of Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Brazilian Water Buffalo Mozzarella Cheese

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

Molecular detection and phylogenetic analysis of bovine astrovirus in Brazil

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

Contamination of wetland soils and floodplain sediments from agricultural activities in the Cerrado Biome (State of Minas Gerais, Brazil)

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

First report of Bemisia tabaci Mediterranean (Q biotype) species in Brazil

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

Mercury fractionation in dourada (Brachyplatystoma rousseauxii) of the Madeira River in Brazil using metalloproteomic strategies

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

The population structure of two sympatric hermit-crab species on a subtidal rocky shore of an island in southeastern Brazil

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Reproduction and management of the mangrove crab Ucides cordatus (Crustacea, Brachyura, Ucididae) at Iguape, Sao Paulo, Brazil

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

Genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii isolates from eared doves (Zenaida auriculata) in Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Stress levels and quality of sleep in subjects with temporomandibular joint dysfunction

Purpose: The aim of this study was to test the association between quality of sleep and stress in individuals with temporomandibular disorder (TMD). Methods: The study sample consisted of 354 adult subjects (males and females) from the municipality of Piacatu, São Paulo state, in the Southeast region of Brazil. Data were collected using the Fonseca’s Questionnaire to record the level of TMD, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to assess quality of sleep and the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS) to record stress level. The data were analyzed by the software Epi Info 2000 version 3.2 using a chi-square test at the 0.05 level of significance. Results: One hundred and eighty (50.8%) subjects had some level of TMD. The statistical analysis showed a significant relationship between the three stress scores and the presence or absence of sleep disorders, considering an overall PSQI score > 5 as an indicator of a subject with sleep problems (P<0.01). Conclusion: Both quality of sleep and stress levels were associated with TMD in this sample.

Innovation in industrial clusters: a survey of footwear companies in Brazil

The aim of this study is to characterize the relationships in innovation and business clustering processes in the productive chain of small and medium enterprises (SME) of Brazil. The object of study are SMEs the local procuctive cluster of the shoes in Franca, State of São Paulo. The conceptual model developed is based on the following constructs: vertical integration, innovation and characteristics of the cluster, and it is focused on identifying the agents that act predominantly in product innovation processes in the cluster. A survey was conducted. It was found that there is cooperation between the companies in the productive arrangement studied, and that shoe manufacturers are those who, predominantly, stimulate innovation within the cluster.

Efficiency in Brazil's industrial sectors in terms of energy and sustainable development

This article evaluates the efficiency of Brazil's industrial sectors from 1996 to 2009, taking into account energy consumption and respective contributions to the country's economic and social aspects. This analysis used a mathematical programming method called Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), which enabled, from the SBM model and the window analysis, to evaluate the ability of industries to reduce energy consumption and fossil-fuel CO2 emissions (inputs), as well as to increase the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by sectors, the persons employed and personnel expenses (outputs). The results of this study indicated that the Textile sector is the most efficient industrial sector in Brazil, according to the variables used, followed by these sectors: Foods and Beverages, Chemical, Mining, Paper and Pulp, Nonmetallic and Metallurgical.