The chemical-mineralogical characterization of rupestrian paintings in red, white, black and yellow colors, which decorate the rocky walls from the archaeological sites of Ema and Furna dos Índios (Inhuma, Piauí, Brazil) was performed. The chemical analyses were performed in situ by the non-invasive analytical technique X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) as well as in laboratory using a non-destructive approach, without previous sample preparation, and Raman microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) techniques. The results, when together, allowed unequivocal identification of the main substances responsible for the color pigments, namely, hematite (red pigment), gypsum (white pigment), amorphous carbon from charcoal (black pigment) and goethite (yellow pigment).

Platinum is one of the well-known catalytic materials for which the electro-oxidation of carbon monoxide better behaves as a sensitive reaction to the catalyst surface structure. For the electro-catalytic reactions that behave like this, the rate (faradaic current density) is the result of the sum of the activity of the different active sites working with very different efficiencies or abilities. In this scenario, different atomic arrangements on the catalyst surface are expected to play different roles in surface-catalyzed reactions. In this article, the functionalities that surface defects (steps) can play in the adsorption and electrocatalytic oxidation of CO on model platinum surfaces are reviewed. Surface defects are indirectly related to the up catalysis as well as to the inhibition of reaction pathways of CO electro-oxidation under very particular conditions; these surface entities are also indirectly related to restrictions for the mobility of adsorbed CO on the (111) terraced surfaces. We analyze the selective activation and deactivation of surface sites by the pH effect, and typical catalytic properties of extended surfaces and shaped-controlled nanoparticles have been discussed thoroughly. We present a model of most active sites involved in the pathways of CO2 formation from the electro-oxidation of adsorbed CO.

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi selecionar linhagens de algodoeiro tolerantes ao estresse hídrico, com base em caracteres de produtividade e qualidade de fibra. O experimento foi conduzido em dois experimentos de campo em Quixeramobim - CE sem suplementação hídrica, nos anos: 2018 e 2019. Foram avaliados nove genótipos de algodoeiro, sendo seis linhagens e três cultivares comerciais. Foram mensuradas variáveis relacionadas com produtividade de algodão em pluma e qualidade intrínseca de fibra. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância individual e conjunta, e a seleção pelo índice de seleção. A variabilidade genética encontrada entre os materiais demonstra a possibilidade de ganhos significativos no processo de seleção do algodoeiro. Os genótipos CNPA 2013 - 2235 RF FL, CNPA 2013 - 2064 RF FL e CNPA 2012 - 160 RF FL e a cultivar FM 944 GL tiveram maior produção e melhor qualidade de fibra em condições de sequeiro.

ABSTRACT The objective of this work was to select a cotton line tolerant to water stress, based on yield and fiber quality characteristics. A total of nine cotton genotypes were evaluated (six breeding lines and three commercial cultivars) in two field experiments conducted in Quixeramobim - CE without water supplementation in 2018 and 2019, respectively. Traits related to cotton lint yield and intrinsic fiber quality were measured. Data were submitted to individual and joint analysis of variance, and selection by the selection index. The genetic variability among the materials demonstrates the possibility of significant gains in the cotton selection process. The genotypes CNPA 2013 - 2235 RF FL, CNPA 2013 - 2064 RF FL and CNPA 2012 - 160 RF FL, as well as the cultivar FM 944 GL, had higher production and better fiber quality under rainfed conditions.

Abstract: BRS 500 B2RF is a high-yielding cotton cultivar with transgenic resistance to lepidopteran pests and tolerance to the herbicide glyphosate. Additionally, BRS 500 B2RF has resistance to Ramularia leaf spot and partial resistance to root-knot nematode. It represents an important contribution to sustainable cotton production in Brazil.

ABSTRACT Objective: Initial diagnosis of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is frequently associated with advanced stages and a poor prognosis. Thus, the need for earlier diagnoses and detection in relatives at risk for the disease has led to increased use of RET genetic screening. Subjects and methods: We performed RET screening in 247 subjects who were referred to the Brazilian Research Consortium for Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (BRASMEN) Center in the State of Ceará. Direct genetic sequencing was used to analyze exons 8, 10, 11, and 13-16 in MTC index cases and specific exons in at risk relatives. Afterward, clinical follow-up was offered to all the patients with MTC and their affected relatives. Results: RET screening was performed in 60 MTC index patients and 187 at-risk family members. At the initial clinical assessment of the index patients, 54 (90%) were diagnosed with apparently sporadic disease and 6 (10%) diagnosed with hereditary disease. After RET screening, we found that 31 (52%) index patients had sporadic disease, and 29 (48%) had hereditary disease. Regarding at-risk relatives, 73/187 were mutation carriers. Mutations in RET codon 804 and the rare p.M918V mutation were the most prevalent. Conclusions: Performing RET screening in Ceará allowed us to identify a different mutation profile in this region compared with other areas. RET screening also enabled the diagnosis of a significant number of hereditary MTC patients who were initially classified as sporadic disease patients and benefited their relatives, who were unaware of the risks and the consequences of bearing a RET mutation.

O interesse pela preservação dos recursos naturais e a busca pelo desenvolvimento sustentável tem despertado interesse de um grande número de pesquisadores visando obter materiais de construção não convencionais. Dentre essas possibilidades, destacam-se os resíduos produzidos pela construção civil e pela indústria de beneficiamento de granito, em virtude do volume gerado e os impactos ambientais do seu descarte inadequado. Este trabalho tem como objetivo estudar a durabilidade das argamassas alternativas incorporadas com resíduos de construção civil e da serragem do granito. Para quantificar a durabilidade dos materiais estudados, foram realizados ensaios de envelhecimento natural e ensaios de envelhecimento acelerado através de ciclos de molhagem e secagem, visando simular condições de utilização e avaliar sua degradação. Nos estudos da durabilidade foram utilizados traços de argamassas para alvenaria de elevação, com percentagens de substituição, em peso, da cal por resíduo de 30% e 50%. Os resultados para o envelhecimento natural evidenciaram o comprometimento da durabilidade do material após 60 dias com redução no comportamento mecânico, sendo os melhores resultados para os corpos-de-prova com 30% e 50% de resíduo de construção. No envelhecimento acelerado, para os tratamentos adotados, os resultados evidenciaram a ação da formação de silicoaluminatos de cálcio e potássio que favoreceram um aumento do comportamento mecânico e, além disso, não foi observado o comprometimento da sua durabilidade.

The preservation of natural resources and search for sustainable development are increase in interest by the researchers with the aim to obtain knowledge of non conventional materials. Among these possibilities stand out the recycling of residues from civil construction and from granite industry, which are producers of large amount of residues and causing great environmental impacts. The aim of this work is to study the durability of the alternative mortar incorporated with residues from civil construction and from granite industry. To quantify the durability of the studied materials, it was made test of natural and accelerated weathering through wetting and drying cycles. The materials were submitted to conditions that simulated their use to evaluate their degradation. In the studies of durability of the mortar elevation, percentages of substitutions of lime by recycling residue were used. The amount changed from 30% to 50%. The natural weathering cause a compromise in the durability of the material after 60 days with a decrease in the mechanical behavior and the best results occur to the sample with 30% and 50% of residue. In the accelerated weathering, the results show indicate the formation of calcium and potassium aluminosilicates that can give an increase in the mechanical behavior, however, it was not observed a compromise in the material durability.

O volume de resíduos inorgânicos gerados a cada ano vem crescendo em todo mundo e apresenta um dos maiores problemas da sociedade moderna. Este trabalho tem por objetivo analisar a viabilidade de utilização do resíduo da serragem do granito e de resíduos da construção civil como materiais alternativos para a produção de argamassas. Os resíduos foram caracterizados física e mineralogicamente por meio da determinação de distribuição e tamanho de partículas, massa e área específica, composição química, difração de raios X e análise térmica diferencial. Foi determinado o índice de atividade pozolânica com cal dos resíduos da construção. Foram formuladas composições de argamassas substituindo parcialmente a cal pelos resíduos, e moldados corpos-de-prova. Os corpos-de-prova foram curados por 7, 14, 28 e 60 dias e, em seguida, foi determinada a resistência à compressão simples. Os resíduos apresentam elevados teores de SiO2, Al2O3 e Fe2O3 e possuem as fases cristalinas quartzo, mica, feldspato, carbonato de cálcio e óxido de ferro. A substituição do aglomerante por resíduos na produção de argamassas pode ser efetuada com sucesso em teores de até 50% e os resíduos com atividade pozolânica propiciam aumentos significativos na resistência à compressão simples das argamassas.

Around the world the amount of inorganic wastes has increased dramatically and is one of the most important issues for modern society. This work has as aim to analyze the suitability of granite sawing waste and construction wastes as alternative raw materials for the production of mortars. The wastes were physically and mineralogical characterized by the determination of particle size distribution, specific mass and specific area, chemical composition, X-ray diffraction, and differential thermal analysis. The pozzolanic activity index with hydrated lime of construction wastes was determined. Mortar compositions were formulated replacing the lime by waste. Test samples were produced, cured for 7, 14, 28 and 60 days, and characterized in terms of compression strength. The results show that the wastes are composed by high amounts of SiO2, Al2O3 e Fe2O3, and presented quartz, mica, feldspar, calcite and iron oxide as crystalline phases. It could also be concluded that it is possible to replace up to 50% of the lime by wastes, and that the pozzolanic wastes improve the compression strength of the mortars.