Utilización de columnas verticales de filtración de manta y arena como pre-tratamiento de un sistema de filtración lenta

Slow sand filtration is an efficient water treatment technique used for treating surface water with relatively low levels of contamination. Despite the slow sand filtration at pathogen, algae and cyanobacteria removal efficiency, it has some restrictions in relation to the required area for slow filters, and the cleaning activities for the filters and the stone pre-filters when used in the treatment. This research evaluated during 120 days the use of non woven & sand pre-filtration columns as part of a slow filtration process for the apparent color, turbidity, algae, cyanobacteria, phytoflagellates and diatomaceous. The columns shown an efficient removal of the monitored parameters and demonstrated as a vantage their faster and easier cleaning process and less awkward than the required to the stone pre-filters. The turbidity removal efficiency increased progressively during the experiment, especially after the first 35 days of the start; the apparent color removal by the pre-filtration columns was of 85%, and working together with the polishing of activated carbon columns was up to 95; the diatomaceous, phytoflagellates, algae and cyanobacteria removal by the columns achieve a weekly average of 95%, its recommended to use filtration rates lower to 1,5m(3)/m(2)/d.

Increased Reactive Oxygen Species and Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Production by Monocytes are Associated with Elevated Levels of Uric Acid in Pre-Eclamptic Women

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

Ovary peltate trichomes of Zeyheria montana (Bignoniaceae): Developmental ultrastructure and secretion in relation to function

center dot Background and Aims Nectar production in the Bignoniaceae species lacking a nectariferous functional disc is ascribed to trichomatic glands around the ovary base and/or on the inner corolla wall. Nevertheless, knowledge about the secretion and function of these glands is very incomplete. The purpose of this paper is to study, from a developmental viewpoint, the ultrastructure, histochemistry and secretory process of the peltate trichomes on the ovary of Zeyheria montana, a species in the Bignoniaceae which has a rudimentary disc.center dot Methods Samples of the gynoecium at various developmental stages were fixed and processed for light and electron microscopy. Histochemistry and cytochemistry tests were performed to examine the chemical composition of exudates. Thin layer chromatography was used to determine the presence of alkaloids and terpenes in gynoecium and fruit extracts, and in fresh nectar stored in the nectar chamber.center dot Key Results Peltate trichomes at different developmental stages appear side by side from floral budding up to pre-dispersal fruit. Large plastids with an extensive internal membrane system consisting of tubules filled with lipophilic material, abundant smooth endoplasmic reticulum, few Golgi bodies, lipophilic deposits in the smooth endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria, and scattered cytoplasmic oil droplets are the main characteristics of mature head cells. The secretion which accumulates in the subcuticular space stains positively for hydrophilic and lipophilic substances, with lipids prevailing for fully peltate trichomes. Histochemistry and thin layer chromatography detected terpenes and alkaloids. Fehling's test to detect of sugars in the secretion was negative.center dot Conclusions the continuous presence and activity of peltate trichomes on the ovary of Z. montana from early budding through to flowering and fruiting set, and its main chemical components, alkaloids and terpenes, suggest that they serve a protective function and are not related to the floral nectar source or to improving nectar quality.

Production and body composition traits of broilers in relation to breast weight evaluated by path analysis

O peso do peito possui grande importância econômica na indústria de frangos, podendo estar associado a outras variáveis passíveis de seleção. Estimaram-se correlações fenotípicas entre características de desempenho (peso vivo aos 7, 28 dias e ao abate e profundidade de músculo peitoral por ultra-sonografia), carcaça (peso eviscerado e de pernas) e composição corporal (peso do coração, do fígado e da gordura abdominal), em uma linhagem de frangos, e quantificou-se a influência direta e indireta destas variáveis sobre o peso do peito. Para tanto, utilizou-se a análise de trilha, desdobrando-se a matriz de correlações parciais em coeficientes que forneceram a influência direta de uma variável sobre a outra, independentemente das demais. A manutenção das variáveis peso vivo ao abate e peso eviscerado na matriz de correlações pode ser prejudicial à análise estatística que envolve os sistemas de equações normais, como a análise de trilha, devido à multicolinearidade observada. O peso vivo ao abate e a profundidade do músculo peitoral por ultra-sonografia apresentaram efeitos diretos importantes sobre o peso de peito e foram identificadas como as principais responsáveis pela magnitude dos coeficientes de correlação obtidos. Assim, uma pré-seleção individual para estas características pode favorecer um aumento no peso de peito nesta linhagem, se mantidas as condições ambientais de criação dos frangos, uma vez que o peso vivo ao abate e a profundidade de músculo peitoral por ultra-sonografia afetam fenotipicamente e diretamente o peso de peito.

Muscular, functional and orthodontic changes in pre school children with enlarged adenoids and tonsils

Introduction: Hypertrophy of the adenoids and palatine tonsils is the second most frequent cause of upper respiratory obstruction and, consequently, mouth breathing in children. Prolonged mouth breathing leads to muscular and postural alterations which, in turn, cause dentosketetal changes. Objective: the aim of this study was to determine muscular, functional and dentoskeletal alterations in children aged 3-6 years. Materials and methods: Seventy-three children, including 44 with tonsil hypertrophy and 29 controls, were submitted to otorhinolaryngologic, speech pathologic and orthodontic assessment. Results: Otorhinolaryngologic evaluation revealed a higher incidence of nasal obstruction, snoring, mouth breathing, apneas, nocturnal hypersalivation, itchy nose, repeated tonsillitis and bruxism in children with tonsils hypertrophy. Speech pathologic assessment showed a higher incidence of open lip and lower tongue position, and of hypotonia of the upper and lower lips, tongue and buccinator muscle in these children, accompanied by important impairment in mastication and deglutition. Orthodontic evaluation demonstrated a higher incidence of lower mandible position in relation to the cranial base, a reduction in lower posterior facial height, transverse atresia of the palate, and a dolicofacial pattern. Conclusion: Postural and functional alterations anticipate dentoskeletal changes, except for the facial pattern. Postural alterations and the skeletal pattern seem to play an important role in infant dentofacial growth. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Salga seca e úmida de filés de pacu (piaractus mesopotamicus)

The goal of this study was to evaluate the process of salting and dry salting of fillets in pacu (P. mesopotamicus), from cultivation in cages. Fillet with skin were salted at a rate of 40% of salt in relation of the initial weight, for a period of 10 days. After processing, were evaluated for microbiological and centesimal composition of fillets subjected to salting and determining the concentration of sodium chloride (NaCl) and calculation of income. The centesimal composition were evaluated the protein, ether extract, moisture and ash of the raw material fresh and processed products by salting. The microbiological analysis included the determination of coliforms at 45 degrees C, Salmonella and Staphylococcus coagulase positive. The pacus subjected to umided and dry salting were within quality control standards established by the legislation. The content of umided, protein, lipids and chlorides showed differences (p< 0.05) between the processes of salt. However both forms can be used for the development of technological processes of low investment by encouraging new options for fish consumption.

Gingival margin alterations and the pre-orthodontic treatment amount of keratinized gingiva

The purpose of this retrospective study was to associate the amount of keratinized gingiva present in adolescents prior to orthodontic treatment to the development of gingival recessions after the end of treatment. The sample consisted of the intra-oral photographs and orthodontic study models from 209 Caucasian patients with a mean age of 11.20 ± 1.83 years on their initial records and 14.7 ± 1.8 years on their final records. Patients were either Angle Class I or II and were submitted to non-extraction orthodontic treatment. Gingival recession was evaluated by visual inspection of the lower incisors and canines as seen in the initial and final study models and intra-oral photographs. The amount of recession was quantified using a digital caliper and the observed post-treatment gingival margin alterations were classified as unaltered, coronal migration of the gingival margin or apical migration of the gingival margin. The width of the keratinized gingiva was measured from the mucogingival line to the gingival margin on the pre-treatment photographs. The teeth that developed gingival recession and those that did not have their gingival margin position changed did not differ in relation to the initial amount of keratinized gingiva (3.00 ± 0.61 and 3.5 ± 0.86 mm, respectively). Paradoxically, teeth that presented a coronal migration of the gingival margin had a smaller initial amount of keratinized gingiva (2.26 ± 0.31 mm). The mean amount of initial keratinized gingiva did not predispose lower incisors and canines to gingival recession.

Atividade antioxidante e antimicrobiana do alecrim (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) em filés de tilápia (Oreochromis ssp) salgados secos durante o armazenamento congelado

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) is a spice from Lamiaceae family known since ancient times because its medicinal effects and, currently, several studies have pointed its antioxidant and antimicrobian effects. Lipid oxidation is a problem in food production because proceed the lost of organoleptical and nutritional qualities so required in Market. Fish salting is an ancient conservation method that expect reduce water activity and, consequently, microorganism growth in food, except halophillic bacteria. In the meantime, the inconvenient of this procedure is that the salt accelerates tissue's lipid oxidation. The aim of this work was evaluate the antioxidative and antimicrobian effects by treatment and pre treatment with rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) aqueous extract in dry salted tilapia fillets, storaged in freezing temperatures. To follow the oxidative, dry salted tilapia fillets were treated or pre treated with rosemary natural extract and storage at -18°C for 240 days. Analisys of 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), soluble nitrogen in trichloroacetic acid (TCA), water activity and microbiology were done. The pre treatment (3.39±0,53) and the treatment with rosemary (3.31±0.79) had oxidative index twice lower than the control treatment (6.14±1.21) in the last time of the research. The microbiological rosemary analisys showed count levels of resistant microorganisms to salt (2.0×103CFU/g of sample), whom causes the initial fillets contamination. The microbiological counts remained invariable in all groups during storage periods.

Modeling the growth of LT and TL-oriented fatigue cracks in longitudinally and transversely pre-strained Al 2524-T3 alloy

The aluminum alloy 2524 (Al-Cu-Mg) was developed during the 90s mainly to be employed in aircraft fuselage panels, replacing the standard Al 2024. In the present analysis the fatigue crack growth (FCG) behavior of 2524-T3 was investigated, regarding the influence of three parameters: load ratio, pre strain and crack plane orientation of the material. The pre strain of aluminum alloys is usually performed in order to obtain a more homogeneous precipitates distribution, accompanied by an increase in the yield strength. In this work, it was evaluated the resistance of Al 2524-T3 sheet samples to the fatigue crack growth, having L-T and T-L crack orientations. FCG tests were performed under constant amplitude loading at three distinct positive load ratios. The three material conditions were tested: as received(AR), pre strained longitudinally (SL) and transversally (ST) in relation to rolling direction. In order to describe FCG behavior, two-parameter kinetic equations were compared: a Paris-type potential model and a new exponential equation introduced in a previous work conducted by our research group. It was observed that the exponential model, which takes into account the deviations from linearity presented by da/dN versus AK data, describes more adequately the FCG behavior of Al 224-T3 in relation to load ratio, pre strain effects and crack plane orientation. © 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

A meta-analytical study about the relation of blood plasma addition in diets for piglets in the post-weaning and productive performance variables

The meta-analysis was used to evaluate the performance of piglets in post-weaning period, without imposition of sanitary challenge and fed diets containing blood plasma, obtained by spray-dried process (SDBP). Piglets are faced with normal challenges in post-weaning period such as environmental stress and the substitution of the liquid diet to a solid one. References regarding sanitary challenges were disregarded in this study. Only data regarding normal and expected challenges were considered. Data were obtained from indexed journals with information extracted from the material, methods and results sections of pre-selected scientific articles. First, the database was analyzed graphically to observe the distribution of data and presence of outliers. Afterwards correlation analysis and variance-covariance analyses were carried out. The database contained a total of 23 articles. The average initial weight of the piglets was 8.02. kg (4.00-9.28. kg) and the average initial age was 27 days (14-32 days). The average duration of feeding diets containing spray-dried blood plasma (SDBP) was 9 days (6-28 days). SDBP increased the feed conversion by 20.2% (P<0.05) during the initial period. Feed conversion during the total period was 10.2% higher (P<0.05) for animals fed with SDBP. Average daily weight gain and daily feed intake were not affected (P>0.05) during the entire period, but average daily gain was higher (P<0.05) for animals fed with SDBP during the initial period. The initial age of supplementation influenced the average daily weight gain and average daily feed intake of animals fed with SDBP. Better results were obtained than those obtained for animals up to 35 days of age fed diets without added SDBP supplementation. In early post-weaning period for piglets weaned up to 35 days of age, the SDBP supplementation positively influenced the average daily weight gain and feed conversion. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

Ação do extrato de alecrim e fontes de óleo na qualidade de filés de tilápia do Nilo

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Spatio-temporal distribution of fish larvae in relation to ontogeny and water quality in the oligohaline zone of a North Brazilian estuary

O padrão de distribuição das larvas de peixes na Baía do Guajará foi estudado através de coletas trimestrais e discutido em relação aos estágios de desenvolvimento dos indivíduos e a exposição dos mesmos aos contaminantes despejados pela Capital do Estado do Pará, Belém. A densidade e a diversidade larval foram baixas com forte dominância dos clupeídeos, engraulídeos e, em menor grau, os cianídeos. O principal período de reprodução foi definido no início do período chuvoso. Larvas de Clupeiformes em pré-flexão e flexão foram encontradas nos pontos de coletas mais afastados da cidade, enquanto aquelas em pós-flexão prevaleceram nas margens da cidade. Por outro lado, os cianídeos em pré-flexão e flexão foram capturados perto dos centros de atividade urbana, enquando aqueles em pós-flexão foram pouco abundantes. É sugerido que a baía se encontra na rota migratória dos cianídeos entre a área de desova e os berçários mais distantes. Apesar das águas no entorno da cidade de Belém mostraram sinais de contaminação, a qualidade ambiental na Baía do Guajará no momento do estudo estava apropriada para a vida das larvas de peixes. Nitrato com pH foram as variáveis que melhor explicaram a distribuição larval.

Otimização da desidratação osmótica de filés de mapará (Hypophthalmus edentatus) através da metodologia de superfície de resposta

A desidratação osmótica de filés de mapará tem sido utilizada como pré-tratamento antes da secagem e refrigeração de alimentos como um meio de reduzir a umidade dos produtos. O objetivo do trabalho foi otimizar a transferência de massa ocorrida durante a desidratação osmótica de mapará através da metodologia de superfície de resposta. A desidratação osmótica foi realizada de acordo com um planejamento fatorial completo 2³, com oito pontos fatoriais, três centrais e seis axiais, totalizando 17 ensaios, em que o valor das variáveis dependentes, a perda de peso (PP), a perda de água (PA), o ganho de sólidos (GS), GS/PA e ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBA), são funções das variáveis independentes, temperatura, concentração de NaCl e tempo de imersão. A análise estatística aplicada aos dados experimentais foi realizada através do erro puro e pelo SS residual. Aplicando a metodologia de superfície de resposta, a condição ótima de convergência de menor perda de peso, maior perda de água e menor ganho de sal correspondeu a uma concentração de cloreto de sódio de 22%, temperatura de 46 °C e tempo de 7 horas.

Short-term effects of fire on small rodents in the Brazilian Cerrado and their relation with feeding habits

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

Development of the ovaries of the lobster Panulirus echinatus (Crustacea: Palinuridae) based on macroscopic and microscopic examination and gonadosomatic relation (GSR)

The developmental stages of the ovaries of the lobster Panulirus echinatus Smith, 1869 were characterized using macroscopic and microscopic features and the gonadosomatic relation (GSR). Based on monthly samples (November, 1999 to October, 2000), a total of 711 females were captured using gillnets. The dorsal region of the carapace was removed to evaluate the ovaries, which were dissected, weighted, preserved in Bouin`s solution, and submitted to histological procedures. The microscopic analysis of the ovaries was assessed by the presence of germinative cells in different developmental phases. When this analysis was combined with macroscopical observations (changes in color and volume of the gonads in the cephalothorax) and GSR, five developmental stages could be identified: immature (I), intermediate (II); pre-maturation (III); mature (IV) and post-spawning stage (V). Statistical analyses confirmed that GSR can be used as an indicator of developmental stage.