Carbohydrates Concentration in leaves of potato plants affected by nitrogen fertilization rates

ABSTRACT At poor conditions of nitrogen (N) in the soil, potato plants may accumulate starch in leaves and be indicative of N nutritional stress. The objective of this work was to determine the effects of N rates (0, 50, 100, 200 and 300 kg ha-1 of N) on the concentrations of carbohydrates (total soluble sugars-TSS, reducing sugars-RS, non-reducing sugars-NRS and starch) in the fourth leaf (FL) of two potato cultivars (Asterix and Atlantic) and their critical levels (CL) associated to the N fertilization rate necessary to obtain the maximum physical (MPE) and economic (MEE) efficiency of tubers. A randomized block design with four replications was used in both experiments. On day 21 after plant emergence, four FL were collected from four plants. Potatoes plants fertilized with low rates of N accumulated less TSS in leaves than those properly fertilized. The opposite occurred with content of starch. The cultivars showed similar responses to five doses of N in relation to contents of starch and TSS. However, the response to the increase in doses of N for RS, NRS and Starch/NRS is cultivar-specific. The correlations between contents of RS, NRS and Starch/NRS with the starch and TSS were dependent on the potato cultivar.

Studies in search of a suitable experimental insect model for xenodiagnosis of hosts with Chagas' disease: 3 - On the interaction of vector species and parasite strain in the reaction of bugs to infection by Trypanosoma cruzi

The reaction of nine vector species of Chagas' disease to infection by seven different Trypanosoma cruzi strains; Berenice, Y, FL, CL, S. Felipe, Colombiana and Gávea, are examined and compared. On the basis of the insects' ability to establish and maintain the infection, vector species could be divided into two distinct groups which differ in their reaction to an acute infection by T. cruzi. While the proportion of positive bugs was found to be low in Triatoma infestans and Triatoma dimidiata it was high, ranging from 96.9% to 100% in the group of wild (Rhodnius neglectus, Triatoma rubrovaria)and essentially sylvatic vectors in process of adaptation to human dwellings, maintained under control following successful insecticidal elimination of Triatoma infestans (Panstrongylus megistus, Triatoma sordida and Triatoma pseudomaculata). An intermediate position is held by Triatoma brasiliensis and Rhodnius prolixus. This latter has been found to interchange between domestic and sylvatic environments. The most important finding is the strikingly good reaction between each species of the sylvatic bugs and practically all T. cruzi strains herein studied, thus indicating that the factors responsible for the excellent reaction of P.megistus to infection by Y strain, as previously reported also come into operation in the reaction of the same vector species to acute infections by five of the remaining T.cruzi strains. Comparison or data reported by other investigators with those herein described form the basis of the discussion of Dipetalogaster maximus as regards its superiority as a xenodiagnostic agent.

Studies in search of a suitable experimental insect model for xenodiagnosis of hosts with Chagas' disease: 4 - The reflection of parasite stock in the responsiveness of different vector species to chronic infection with different Trypanosoma cruzi stocks

Previous studies (1982,1987) have emphasized the superiority of sylvatic vector species over domestic species as xenodiagnostic agents in testing hosts with acute or chronic infections by T. cruzi "Y" stock. The present study, which is unique in that it contains data on both infectivity rates produced by the same stock in 11 different vector species and also the reaction of the same vector species to seven different parasite stocks, establishes the general validity of linking efficiency of xenodiagnosis to the biotope of its agent. For example, infectivity rates produced by "São Felipe" stock varied from 82.5% to 98.3% in sylvatic vectors but decreased to 42.5% to 71.3% in domestic species. "Colombiana" stock produced in the same sylvatic vectors infectivity rates ranging from 12.5% to 45%. These shrank to 5%-22.5% in domestic bugs. The functional role of the biotope in the vector-parasite interaction has not been eluddated. But since this phenomenon has been observed to be stable and easy to reproduce, it leads us to believe that the results obtained are valid. Data presented also provide increasing evidence that the infectivity rates exhibited by bugs from xenodiagnosis in chronic hosts, are parasite stock specific. For example, infectivity rates produced by "Berenice", "Y", "FL" and "CL" varied in R. neglectus from 26.3% to 75%; in P. megistus from 56.3% to 83.8%; in T. sordida from 28.8% to 58.8% in T. pseudomaculata from 41.3% to 66.3% and in T. rubrovaria from 48.8% to 85%. Data from xenodiagnosis in the same hosts, carrying acute infections by the same parasite stocks, gave the five sylvatic vectors a positive rating of approximately 100%, thus suggesting that the heavy loads of parasites circulating in the acute hosts obscured the characteristic interspecific differences for the parasite stock. Nonetheless these latter were revealed in the same hosts with chronic infections stimulated by very low numbers of the same parasite stocks. Certain observations here described lead us to speculate as to the possibility of further results from other parasite stocks, allowing the association of the infectivity rates produced in bugs by different parasite stocks with the isoenzymic patterns revealed by these stocks.

A Contabilidade criativa e o sistema de normalização contabilística

Jornadas de Contabilidade e Fiscalidade promovidas pelo Instituto Superior de Contabilidade e Administração do Porto, em Abril de 2009

Biologia (idade e crescimento), reprodução e caracterização da pesca do peixe-espada branco, Lepidopus caudatus (Euphrasen, 1788) no arquipélago dos Açores

Dissertação de Mestrado, Estudos Integrados dos Oceanos, 3 de Maio 2012, Universidade dos Açores.

Immunohistochemistry in formalin-gel fixed tissues

There are several hazards in histopathology laboratories and its staff must ensure that their professional activity is set to the highest standards while complying with the best safety procedures. Formalin is one of the chemical hazards to which such professionals are routinely exposed. To decrease this contact, it is suggested that 10% neutral buffered liquid formalin (FL) is replaced by 10% formalin-gel (FG), given the later reduces the likelihood of spills and splashes, and decreased fume levels are released during its handling, proving itself less harmful. However, it is mandatory to assess the effectiveness of FG as a fixative and ensure that the subsequent complementary techniques, such as immunohistochemistry (IHC), are not compromised. Two groups of 30 samples from human placenta have been fixed with FG and FL fixatives during different periods of time (12, 24, and 48 hours) and, thereafter, processed, embedded, and sectioned. IHC for six different antibodies was performed and the results were scored (0–100) using an algorithm that took into account immunostaining intensity, percentage of staining structures, non-specific immunostaining, contrast, and morphological preservation. Parametric and non-parametric statistical tests were used (alpha = 0•05). All results were similar for both fixatives, with global score means of 95•36±6•65 for FL and 96•06±5•80 for FG, and without any statistical difference (P>0•05). The duration of the fixation had no statistical relevance also (P>0•05). So it is proved here FG could be an effective alternative to FL.

Condições dentárias entre adultos brasileiros de 1986 a 2010

OBJETIVO: Identificar tendências do padrão da cárie dentária em adultos brasileiros. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados dados provenientes de levantamentos epidemiológicos realizados pelo Ministério da Saúde nos anos de 1986, 2003 e 2010. A experiência de cárie, expressa pelo índice CPOD (dentes permanentes cariados, perdidos e obturados), e a saúde dentária, expressa pelo índice OH-D (dentes hígidos + obturados) relativo ao número de dentes funcionais, foram comparadas em amostras aleatórias de residentes de 35 a 44 anos de idade em cada região brasileira. As diferenças nas condições dentárias entre os anos foram estimadas por meio da razão dos valores dos índices, empregando-se análise de regressão de Poisson ajustada pela idade. RESULTADOS: Houve reduções no índice CPOD e aumento no índice OH-D em todas as regiões no período de 1986 a 2010. A região Norte, que tinha o pior padrão em 1986, apresentou o maior ganho em termos de dentição funcional. CONCLUSÕES: Tem ocorrido uma transição da saúde bucal para melhor nos adultos brasileiros. É plausível que a adição de flúor à água e ao creme dental, maior incorporação de serviços restauradores e a melhoria nos indicadores de desenvolvimento humano decorrentes de políticas públicas estejam relacionados a essa melhora.

Desigualdades na prevalência de cárie dentária não tratada em crianças pré-escolares no Brasil

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a influência de desigualdades sociais de ordem individual e contextual na experiência de cárie dentária não tratada em crianças no Brasil. MÉTODOS: Os dados sobre a prevalência de cárie dentária foram obtidos do Projeto Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde Bucal – SBBrasil 2010, levantamento epidemiológico de saúde bucal com amostra representativa para o país e cada uma de suas macrorregiões geográficas. Crianças de cinco anos de idade (n = 7.217) em 177 municípios foram examinadas e seus responsáveis responderam ao questionário. Características contextuais referentes aos municípios em 2010 (renda mediana, fluoretação da água e proporção de domicílios com abastecimento de água) foram informadas pela Fundação Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. O estudo de associação utilizou modelos multinível de análise de regressão de Poisson. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de cárie não tratada foi de 48,2%; mais da metade da amostra apresentou ao menos um dente decíduo com experiência de cárie. O índice de cárie na dentição decídua ceo-d médio foi 2,41, sendo maior para as regiões Norte e Nordeste. Crianças de cor da pele preta e parda, e aquelas com renda familiar menos elevada tiveram maior prevalência de cárie não tratada. No nível contextual, renda mediana no município e adição de flúor na água de abastecimento associaram-se inversamente com a prevalência do desfecho. CONCLUSÕES: Desigualdades na prevalência de cárie não tratada persistem, afetando as crianças com dentição decídua no Brasil. O planejamento de medidas públicas para a promoção de saúde bucal deve considerar o efeito de fatores contextuais como determinante de riscos individuais.

Fluorose dentária em crianças de São Paulo, SP, 1998-2010

OBJETIVO: Analisar a tendência de prevalência de fluorose dentária em crianças de 12 anos em contexto de exposição a múltiplas fontes de flúor. MÉTODOS: Realizou-se análise de tendência da prevalência de fluorose dentária no período de 1998 a 2010 na cidade de São Paulo, SP. As prevalências foram calculadas para diferentes anos (1998, 2002, 2008 e 2010), a partir de dados secundários obtidos em levantamentos epidemiológicos com amostras representativas da população de 12 anos de idade. A ocorrência de fluorose foi avaliada sob luz natural utilizando o índice de Dean, preconizado pela Organização Mundial da Saúde e categorizada em normal, questionável, muito leve, leve, moderada e severa. Em 1998 foram examinadas 125 crianças; 249 em 2002; 4.085 em 2008; e 231 em 2010. RESULTADOS: Em 1998 a prevalência de fluorose foi de 43,8% (IC95%35,6;52,8), em 2002 de 33,7% (IC95% 28,2;39,8), de 40,3% (IC95% 38,8;41,8) em 2008 e de 38,1% (IC95% 32,1;44,5) em 2010. As categorias muito leve + leve registraram 38,4% (IC95%30,3;47,6) em 1998, 32,1% (IC95% 26,6;38,2) em 2002, 38,0% (IC95% 36,5;39,5) em 2008 e 36,4% (IC95%30,4;42,7) em 2010. Não se observou fluorose severa com significância estatística. CONCLUSÕES: A prevalência de fluorose dentária em crianças paulistanas pode ser classificada como estacionária no período de 1998 a 2010, tanto em geral quanto ao se considerarem apenas as categorias muito leve + leve.

Malária experimental: contaminação de cepas e animais de biotério por eperythrozoon coccoides

Neste artigo descrevemos a contaminação acidental de uma cepa de malária de roedor (Plasmodium berghei) por um hemoparasita (Eperythrozoon coccoides), levando a alterações importantes no comportamento da malária experimental. A demonstração do parasita foi feita por microscopia óptica e eletrônica e a fonte de contaminação foi detectada em roedores normalmente utilizados na manutenção da cepa, obtidos do mesmo biotério. As medidas disponíveis para o controle deste tipo de infecção são discutidas propondo se a utilização de tetra-ciclina em matrizes e posterior utilização de animais Fl não tratados. Comenta-se a importância deste tipo de contaminação experimental.

Optimal fuzzy PID control tuned with genetic algorithms

Fuzzy logic controllers (FLC) are intelligent systems, based on heuristic knowledge, that have been largely applied in numerous areas of everyday life. They can be used to describe a linear or nonlinear system and are suitable when a real system is not known or too difficult to find their model. FLC provide a formal methodology for representing, manipulating and implementing a human heuristic knowledge on how to control a system. These controllers can be seen as artificial decision makers that operate in a closed-loop system, in real time. The main aim of this work was to develop a single optimal fuzzy controller, easily adaptable to a wide range of systems – simple to complex, linear to nonlinear – and able to control all these systems. Due to their efficiency in searching and finding optimal solution for high complexity problems, GAs were used to perform the FLC tuning by finding the best parameters to obtain the best responses. The work was performed using the MATLAB/SIMULINK software. This is a very useful tool that provides an easy way to test and analyse the FLC, the PID and the GAs in the same environment. Therefore, it was proposed a Fuzzy PID controller (FL-PID) type namely, the Fuzzy PD+I. For that, the controller was compared with the classical PID controller tuned with, the heuristic Ziegler-Nichols tuning method, the optimal Zhuang-Atherton tuning method and the GA method itself. The IAE, ISE, ITAE and ITSE criteria, used as the GA fitness functions, were applied to compare the controllers performance used in this work. Overall, and for most systems, the FL-PID results tuned with GAs were very satisfactory. Moreover, in some cases the results were substantially better than for the other PID controllers. The best system responses were obtained with the IAE and ITAE criteria used to tune the FL-PID and PID controllers.

EcoTerra Model - application of environmental fiscal reform in local government financing in Portugal

Critical Issues in Environmental Taxation: International and Comparative Perspectives: Volume VI, 699-715

Análise limite aplicada ao estudo tridimensional de paredes de alvenaria

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Engenharia Civi

Avaliação da actividade antioxidante em diferentes tipos de bebidas: vinho e cerve

Dissertação apresentada na Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade Nova de Lisboa para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Tecnologia Alimentar/Qual

Quality-of-service aware routing for static and mobile IPv6-based low-power and lossy sensor networks using RPL

The Internet of Things (IoT) has emerged as a paradigm over the last few years as a result of the tight integration of the computing and the physical world. The requirement of remote sensing makes low-power wireless sensor networks one of the key enabling technologies of IoT. These networks encompass several challenges, especially in communication and networking, due to their inherent constraints of low-power features, deployment in harsh and lossy environments, and limited computing and storage resources. The IPv6 Routing Protocol for Low Power and Lossy Networks (RPL) [1] was proposed by the IETF ROLL (Routing Over Low-power Lossy links) working group and is currently adopted as an IETF standard in the RFC 6550 since March 2012. Although RPL greatly satisfied the requirements of low-power and lossy sensor networks, several issues remain open for improvement and specification, in particular with respect to Quality of Service (QoS) guarantees and support for mobility. In this paper, we focus mainly on the RPL routing protocol. We propose some enhancements to the standard specification in order to provide QoS guarantees for static as well as mobile LLNs. For this purpose, we propose OF-FL (Objective Function based on Fuzzy Logic), a new objective function that overcomes the limitations of the standardized objective functions that were designed for RPL by considering important link and node metrics, namely end-to-end delay, number of hops, ETX (Expected transmission count) and LQL (Link Quality Level). In addition, we present the design of Co-RPL, an extension to RPL based on the corona mechanism that supports mobility in order to overcome the problem of slow reactivity to frequent topology changes and thus providing a better quality of service mainly in dynamic networks application. Performance evaluation results show that both OF-FL and Co-RPL allow a great improvement when compared to the standard specification, mainly in terms of packet loss ratio and average network latency. 2015 Elsevier B.V. Al