A multilevel model for the study of breastfeeding determinants in Brazil

The benefits of breastfeeding for the children`s health have been highlighted in many studies. The innovative aspect of the present study lies in its use of a multilevel model, a technique that has rarely been applied to studies on breastfeeding. The data reported were collected from a larger study, the Family Budget Survey-Pesquisa de Orcamentos Familiares, carried out between 2002 and 2003 in Brazil that involved a sample of 48 470 households. A representative national sample of 1477 infants aged 0-6 months was used. The statistical analysis was performed using a multilevel model, with two levels grouped by region. In Brazil, breastfeeding prevalence was 58%. The factors that bore a negative influence on breastfeeding were over four residents living in the same household [odds ratio (OR) = 0.68, 90% confidence interval (CI) = 0.51-0.89] and mothers aged 30 years or more (OR = 0.68, 90% CI = 0.53-0.89). The factors that positively influenced breastfeeding were the following: higher socio-economic levels (OR = 1.37, 90% CI = 1.01-1.88), families with over two infants under 5 years (OR = 1.25, 90% CI = 1.00-1.58) and being a resident in rural areas (OR = 1.25, 90% CI = 1.00-1.58). Although majority of the mothers was aware of the value of maternal milk and breastfed their babies, the prevalence of breastfeeding remains lower than the rate advised by the World Health Organization, and the number of residents living in the same household along with mothers aged 30 years or older were both factors associated with early cessation of infant breastfeeding before 6 months.

Combined Crystallographic and Solution Molecular Dynamics Study of Allosteric Effects in Ester and Ketone p-tert-Butylcalix[4]arene Derivatives and Their Complexes with Acetonitrile, Cd(II), and Pb(II)

We describe here a procedure to bridge the gap in the field of calixarene physicochemistry between solid-state atomic-resolution structural information and the liquid-state low-resolution thermodynamics and spectroscopic data. We use MD simulations to study the kinetics and energetics involved in the complexation of lower rim calix[4]arene derivatives (L), containing bidentate ester (1) and ketone (2) pendant groups, with acetonitrile molecule (MeCN) and Cd2+ and Pb2+ ions (M2+) in acetonitrile solution. On one hand, we found that the prior inclusion of MeCN into the calix to form a L(MeCN) adduct has only a weak effect in preorganizing the hydrophilic cavity toward metal ion binding. On the other hand, the strong ion-hydrophilic cavity interaction produces a wide open calix which enhances the binding of one MeCN molecule (allosteric effect) to stabilize the whole (M2+)1(MeCN) bifunctional complex. We reach two major conclusions: (i) the MD results for the (M2+)1(MeCN) binding are in close agreement with the ""endo"", fully encapsulated, metal complex found by X-ray diffraction and in vacuo MD calculations, and (ii) the MD structure for the more flexible 2 ligand, however, differs from the also endo solid-state molecule. In fact, it shows strong solvation effects at the calixarene lower bore by competing MeCN molecules that share the metal coordination sphere with the four C=O oxygens of an ""exo"" (M2+)2(MeCN) complex.

Fully electrochemical hyphenated flow system for preconcentration, cleanup, stripping, capillary electrophoresis with stacking and contactless conductivity detection of trace heavy metals

Successful coupling of electrochemical preconcentration (EPC) to capillary electrophoresis (CE) with contactless conductivity detection (C(4)D) is reported for the first time. The EPC-CE interface comprises a dual glassy carbon electrode (GCE) block, a spacer and an upper block with flow inlet and outlet, pseudo-reference electrode and a fitting for the CE silica column, consisting of an orifice perpendicular to the surface of a glassy carbon electrode with a bushing inside to ensure a tight press fit. The end of the capillary in contact with the GCE is slant polished, thus defining a reproducible distance from the electrode surface to the column bore. First results with EPC-CE-C(4)D are very promising, as revealed by enrichment factors of two orders of magnitude for Tl, Cu, Pb and Cd ion peak area signals. Detection limits for 10 min deposition time fall around 20 nmol L(-1) with linear calibration curves over a wide range. Besides preconcentration, easy matrix exchange between accumulation and stripping/injection favors procedures like sample cleanup and optimization of pH, ionic strength and complexing power. This was demonstrated for highly saline samples by using a low conductivity buffer for stripping/injection to improve separation and promote field-enhanced sample stacking during electromigration along the capillary. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Imagens do terceiro setor: um estudo com pais e responsáveis financeiros das organizações educacionais

The present report is the result of an applied research in the educational entities of the third sector, aiming to demonstrate whether the financial influences the perception of users on the image of those entities. For both used the prospect of integrative marketing relationship adapting to and developing a set of indicators which bore the measurement of images from the model of Machado et al (2005) and Kotler and Fox (1994). The sample included a total of 187 parents and financial responsibility in 03 (three) institutions of education in Natal / RN. These data were processed by multivariate statistical analysis, factor analysis, linear regression, analysis of cluster and discriminant analysis. The factor analysis also identified 6 images perceived by users of services. Next were the relationships of cause and effect between the financial and images formed. In discriminant analysis, was identified two distinct groups of parents and guardians with financial perceptions similar and well defined. The result of the work shows that the differential level of financial participation of parents and guardians not influence the formation of the images formed from educational institutions of the third sector

Observation of the embryonic development in Pseudoplatystoma coruscans (Siluriformes: Pimelodidae) under light and scanning electron microscopy

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

Prevalence of Refractive Errors in a Brazilian Population: The Botucatu Eye Study

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

Seed size variation in the palm Euterpe edulis and the effects of seed predators on germination and seedling survival

Intraspecific variation in seed size is common in wild plant populations and has important consequences for the reproductive success of individual plants. Multiple, often conflicting evolutionary forces mediated by biotic as well as abiotic agents may maintain such a variation. In this paper we assessed seed size variation in a population of the threatened, commercially important palm Euterpe edulis in southeast Brazil. We investigated (i) how this variation affects the probability of attack by vertebrate and invertebrate post-dispersal seed predators, and (ii) if seed size influences the outcome of seeds damaged by beetles in terms of seed germination and early survival of seedlings. Euterpe edulis seeds varied in diameter from 8.3 to 14.1 mm. Neither insects nor rodents selected the seeds they preyed upon based on seed size. Seed germination and total, shoot and root biomasses of one-year seedlings were significantly and positively affected by seed size. Root biomass and seedling survival were negatively affected by seed damage caused by a scolytid beetle (Coccotrypes palmarum) whose adults bore into seeds to consume part of the endosperm, but do not oviposit on them. Seed size had a marginally significant effect on seedling survival. Therefore, if any advantage is accrued by E. edulis individuals producing large seeds, this is because of greater seed germination success and seedling vigor. If this is so, even a relatively narrow range of variation in seed size as observed in the E. edulis population studied may translate into differential success of individual plants. (c) 2006 Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.

The CMS experiment at the CERN LHC

The Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) detector is described. The detector operates at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN. It was conceived to study proton-proton (and lead-lead) collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 14 TeV (5.5 TeV nucleon-nucleon) and at luminosities up to 10(34)cm(-2)s(-1) (10(27)cm(-2)s(-1)). At the core of the CMS detector sits a high-magnetic-field and large-bore superconducting solenoid surrounding an all-silicon pixel and strip tracker, a lead-tungstate scintillating-crystals electromagnetic calorimeter, and a brass-scintillator sampling hadron calorimeter. The iron yoke of the flux-return is instrumented with four stations of muon detectors covering most of the 4 pi solid angle. Forward sampling calorimeters extend the pseudo-rapidity coverage to high values (vertical bar eta vertical bar <= 5) assuring very good hermeticity. The overall dimensions of the CMS detector are a length of 21.6 m, a diameter of 14.6 m and a total weight of 12500 t.

Cromatografia gasosa ultrarrápida: uma visão geral sobre parâmetros, instrumentação e aplicações

Since the introduction of GC there has been an ongoing interest in reducing time of analysis resulting in new terms and definitions such as ultra fast gas chromatography (UF-GC). One of the most used definitions describes UF-GC as a technique that combines the employment of short narrow bore column with very fast temperature programming rates producing chromatographic peaks in the range of 50 ms and allowing separations times in 1-2 min or less. This paper summarizes the analytical approaches, the main parameters involved and the instrumentation towards UF-GC.

DESIGN AND TEST OF A 7-T SPLIT-PAIR MAGNET FOR MAGNETIC SEPARATION

A 160 mm bore, 7 T split-pair magnet was constructed and tested aiming to mineral processing through HGMS (high gradient magnetic separation) or HCMS (helical channel magnetic separation.) This work describes the design and test results of the pair of coils operating under current in parallel mode. In the case of antiparallel current mode large repulsive force between coils is generated and a strong magnetic field gradient outside the magnet is created. A continuous magnetic separation system made with a helical channel magnetic separator for application in TiO2 processing is analysed.

Fast chromatographic determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in aerosol samples from sugar cane burning

Sugar cane burning in Brazil causes remarkable amounts of organic compounds to be emitted amongst which the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) represent serious health hazards. Therefore, 24-h aerosol samples (< 10 mum aerodynamic diameter) were collected in Araraquara city (São Paulo state) during the harvest season using a Hi-Vol sampler. PAHs were recovered using an Accelerated Solvent Extractor and analyzed by low-pressure gas chromatography-ion trap mass spectrometry (LP-GC-IT-MS). The fully automated extraction process was performed in less than 25 min with a solvent consumption of approximately 20 ml. The use of a deactivated 0.6 m x 0. 10 mm i.d. restrictor coupled to a 10 m wide-bore analytical column allowed most of the 16 PAHs in EPA's priority list to be identified and quantified in only 13 min. Concentrations of PAHs in Nraraquara aerosols ranged between 0.5 and 8.6 ng m(-3). (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

CYTOGENETIC ANALYSIS OF THE PAMPAS DEER, OZOTOCEROS-BEZOARTICUS (MAMMALIA, CERVIDAE)

The chromosome constitution of five males and three females of the Pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus) coming mainly from the region of Corumba-MS, was studied. The diploid number of the species was reconfirmed as 68 chromosomes with Fundamental Number (FN) = 74. The X chromosome was the largest and the Y the smallest in the genome. Constitutive heterochromatin demonstrated by C banding was present in the centromeric region of all chromosomes, except in pair number two, which had none, and in chromosome X which had a stained region in the telomere on the long arm, Chromosomes pairs 3 and 4 bore Ag-NORs. The banding patterns differed from those of previous reports for this species. This may be due to subspecific differences.

Application of low-pressure gas chromatography-ion-trap mass spectrometry to the analysis of the essential oil of Turnera diffusa (Ward.) Urb.

Turnera diffusa Willd. var. afrodisiaca (Ward) Urb. (syn. T. aphrodisiaca) belongs to the family of Turneraceae and is an aromatic plant growing wild in the subtropical regions of America and Africa. It is widely used in the traditional medicine as e.g. anti-cough, diuretic, and aphrodisiac agent. This work presents a 3 min chromatographic analysis using low-pressure (LP) gas chromatography (GC)-ion-trap (IT) mass spectrometry (MS). The combination of a deactivated 0.6 m x 0.10 mm i.d., restrictor with a wide-bore CP-Wax 52 capillary column (10 m x 0.53 mm i.d., 1 mum) reduces the analysis time by a factor of 3-7 in comparison to the use of a conventional narrow bore column. Chromatographic conditions have been optimized to achieve the fastest separation with the highest signal/noise ratio in MS detection. These results allow fast and reliable quality control of the essential oil to be achieved. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Description of the nucleolar activity and karyotype in germinative cell lines of Rhodnius domesticus (Triatominae, Heteroptera)

The purpose of this work was to study the karyotype, spermatogenesis and nucleolar activity at meiosis, in the species Rhodnius domesticus (Heteroptera, Triatominae). The testicular tubules were cytologically prepared by the conventional method of cell crushing and subsequent application of cytogenetic staining techniques with lacto-acetic orcein and silver-ion impregnation. The species under study presented karyotype 2n= 20A+XY, the modal number of the subfamily Triatominae. The chromosomes presented no primary constriction and were therefore characterized as holocentric. It was observed that the sex chromosomes sometimes were located at the periphery, close to the ring formed by autosomes, at first meiotic division. At metaphases II, sex chromosomes were positioned in the center of the autosomal ring, thus evidencing a postreductional behavior. These same chromosomes showed late migration at anaphases and were clearly impregnated with silver-ions, suggesting they bore Nucleolar Organizer Regions. Dispersed nucleolar corpuscles in cytoplasm until telophase II and small dots in spermatids strongly impregnated with silver, could be seen. Thus, it may be inferred that, in triatomines, the nucleolus does not completely disappear but remains in the form of small corpuscles that have a role in cell differentiation.

Cantilever em Próteses: análise da deformação de estruturas metálicas em NiCr, com diferentes configurações, em função da carga aplicada

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)