Abstract Alvarez, D. J.; M. S. Jimenez, R. H. Zander & G. M. Suárez. 2023. First record of Anaschisma lilliputanum (Pottiaceae, Bryophyta) in Argentina. Darwiniana, nueva serie 11(1): 23-30. The genus Anaschisma includes four species in America, of which, A. lilliputanum is recorded for the first time to the Argentina. The specimens were analyzed morphologically using conventional techniques for Pottiaceae (Bryophyta). A distribution map of the genus, description and illustration in SEM and LM of the species are provided. Comments and differences between this taxon and A. schiavoneae from Argentina are presented.

Resumen Alvarez, D. J.; M. S. Jimenez, R. H. Zander & G. M. Suárez. 2023. Primer registro de Anaschisma lilliputanum (Pottiaceae, Bryophyta) para la Argentina. Darwiniana, nueva serie 11(1): 23-30. Anaschisma es un género que incluye cuatro especies americanas, de las cuales, A. lilliputanum se registra por primera vez para la Argentina. El análisis morfológico de los ejemplares fue realizado por métodos convencionales para el estudio de las Pottiaceae. Se provee un mapa de distribución del género, una descripción e ilustraciones en MEB y MO de la especie. Se comentan las diferencias con A. schiavoneae presente en la Argentina.

Resumen El díptero Aedes aegypti es trasmisor de virus causantes de enfermedades como dengue, fiebre amarilla, Zika y chikunguña; para el control de este vector se utilizan pesticidas químicos frente a los cuales los mosquitos han generado resistencia. El control biológico con microorganismos y extractos vegetales es una alternativa de manejo de las poblaciones de insectos vectores efectiva y menos contaminante para el ambiente. El objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar la actividad larvicida de mezclas de Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis (Bti) y extractos de Annona muricata, Ricinus communis y Sapindus saponaria para el control biológico de larvas de A. aegypti. Para ello se obtuvieron extractos etanólicos de semillas o frutos de las tres especies vegetales y se determinaron las concentraciones letales 50 de los extractos y la bacteria. Posteriormente se realizaron combinaciones de los extractos con Bti y se evaluó el efecto de dichas interacciones. Tanto la bacteria como los extractos vegetales presentaron actividad larvicida. Se encontró que las mezclas de Bti con el extracto etanólico de R. communis y S. saponaria generaron un efecto antagónico, mientras que la combinación con A. muricata presentó una acción independiente. La adición del extracto etanólico de semillas de A. muricata a cultivos esporulados de Bti se podría considerar una alternativa más efectiva para el control biológico de A. aegypti que con cada uno de estos compuestos por separado.

Abstract Aedes aegypti transmits viruses that cause diseases such as dengue, yellow fever, Zika and chikungunya. Chemical pesticides have been used to control this vector, but mosquitoes have developed resistance to insecticides. Biological control with microorganisms and plant extracts are effective alternatives for the management of insect vector populations and introduce less pollutants into the environment. The objective of this research was to evaluate the larvicidal activity of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis (Bti) and extracts of Annona muricata, Ricinus communis and Sapindus saponaria for the biological control of A. aegypti larvae. For this, ethanolic extracts of seeds or fruits of the three plant species were obtained and lethal concentrations for 50% mortality of the extracts and bacteria were determined. Subsequently, combinations of the extracts with Bti were made and the interactions were evaluated. Both bacteria and plant extracts showed larvicidal activity. Mixtures of Bti with the ethanolic extracts of R. communis and S. saponaria generated an antagonistic effect, while in combination with ethanolic extracts of A. muricata presented an independent action effect. Therefore, the addition of the ethanolic extract of A. muricata seeds to sporulated cultures of Bti could be considered more effective for the biological control of A. aegypti than with each compound separately.

Abstract: The effect of speed and time of stirring for AA6063 matrix manufactured by Electric Induction Furnace and reinforced 0.75wt.% and 1.5wt.% of Al2O3 nanoparticles is studied. The specimens produced were subjected to tensile, microhardness, and tribology tests. It is observed that an increase in the speed and agitation time for AA6063 samples reinforced with 0.75%, favors an increase in the grain size, while an opposite effect is observed with the parts produced with 1.5%, where a grain refining effect is favored, affecting the mechanical properties of the reinforced alloy. The data obtained in this work show that the stirring speed and time will depend on the content of reinforcing particles used in the alloy.

Abstract Staphylococcus aureus is a pathogen recognized as a cause of mastitis in cattle worldwide, so the objective of this work was to determine the presence of Staphylococcus aureus in the teat skin of the bovine udder and relate it to the presence of mastitis, as well as to determine the virulence factors and genetic diversity of the strains. Samples of 250 milking cows were taken in three farms, in two seasons of the year, dry and rainy. In addition, the California test was performed. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in salt agar and mannitol and biochemically identified and confirmed with amplification of the femA gene. For the identification of virulence factors, the genes hlB, mec, saK, pvL, tsst-1, seA, seB, seC, seD and seE were used by end-point PCR. For the typing of S. aureus, amplification and restriction of the coag gene was performed. The frequency of S. aureus was 13.4 %. No statistical relationship between the presence of S. aureus in the bovine udder skin and the development of subclinical mastitis was found. The most frequent enterotoxin gene in the strains was enterotoxin A. Although the percentage of typing is low, it was possible to identify two restrictotypes that group strains isolated from different cows, which shows the infectious and contagious capacity of the microorganism.

Resumen Staphylococcus aureus es un patógeno reconocido como causa de mastitis en bovinos a nivel mundial, por lo cual el objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar la presencia de Staphylococcus aureus en la piel de pezón de la ubre bovina y relacionarlo a la presencia de mastitis, así como determinar los factores de virulencia y la diversidad genética de las cepas. En tres establos se tomaron muestras de 250 vacas de ordeña en dos temporadas del año, estiaje y lluvias. Además, se realizó la prueba de California. Staphylococcus aureus fue aislado en agar sal y manitol e identificado bioquímicamente y confirmado con la amplificación del gen femA. Para la identificación de los factores de virulencia se usaron los genes hlB, mec, saK, pvL, tsst-1, seA, seB, seC, seD y seE por PCR en punto final. Para la tipificación de S. aureus, se realizó la amplificación y restricción del gen coag. La frecuencia de S. aureus fue 13.4 %. No se encontró una relación estadística entre la presencia de S. aureus en la piel de la ubre bovina y el desarrollo de mastitis subclínica. El gen de la enterotoxina más frecuente en las cepas fue el de la enterotoxina A. Aunque el porcentaje de tipificación es bajo, se lograron identificar dos restrictotipos que agrupan cepas aisladas de diferentes vacas, lo cual evidencia la capacidad infectocontagiosa del microorganismo.

Abstract The extensive marine biodiversity has proved to be a promising source of substances with biomedical potential. In this study, the cytotoxicity of the Brazilian octocoral Phyllogorgia dilatata (Gorgoniidae) was evaluated against two tumor cell lines and three bacterial strains. The methanol/dichloromethane crude extract presented no antibacterial activity up to the highest concentration tested (512 µg/mL), however it revealed a noteworthy antiproliferative effect against HCT-116 (80%) and MCF-7 (54%) cell lines at 50 μg/mL. Therefore, guided by the cytotoxic activity, a multistep chemical fractionation of the extract provided the subfraction 5 (PDPH2-5) with IC50 values of 3.18 and 17.80 μg/mL against HCT-116 and MCF-7, respectively. The LC-HRMS/MS analysis of PDPH2-5 showed ions of m/z 219.1742 and 219.1743, characterized as (E,E) and (Z,E) germacrone, after a LC-DAD-SPE/NMR analysis of the hexanic fraction and comparisons of NMR data with the literature. Previously reported assessments to the cytotoxic activity of the (E,E)-diastereoisomer disclosed higher IC50 values than that obtained for the PDPH2-5 fraction, suggesting, herein, a potentiated effect of the diastereoisomeric mixture. Such remark encourage further bioactivity studies with stereoisomer mixtures and reduce the urge for compound isolation.

Abstract: The study was conducted in the Puno Inland Bay of Lake Titicaca, located on the shores of the city of Puno, whose activities such as the emission of CO2 into the atmosphere affect this area of the lake. The objective was to estimate the carbon storage capacity of macrophytes, Schoenoplectus tatora, Potamogeton strictus, Myriophyllum elatinoides and Elodea potamogeton. Sampling was carried out in five areas of the inner Bay of Puno, with two replicates at each point, sampling was done in the months of August, September, October and November. To estimate the carbon content in each macrophyte, the amount of organic matter in percentage was determined by the calcination method, and multiplied with the conversion factor of 1.724. The variables considered in the study were: biomass content, carbon, CO2, pH, temperature, depth and transparency; the carbon conversion percentages found were 55% for S. tatora, 48% for E. potamogeton, 47.5% for M. elatinoides and 47.4% for P. strictus. The results show that: S. tatora is the species that captured the greatest amount of carbon with a maximum of 1 276 g.m2, M. elatinoides with a maximum value of 298.8 g.m2, E. potamogeton with 313.7 g.m2 and P. strictus with 84.5 g.m2; influencing in greater proportion the depth and transparency. Therefore, S. tatora was the species that stored the greatest amount of carbon in its biomass and per square meter in the area studied.

Resumen: El estudio se realizó en la Bahía interior de Puno del lago Titicaca, ubicada a orillas de la ciudad de Puno, cuyas actividades como la emisión de CO2 a la atmósfera afectan esta zona del lago. El objetivo fue estimar la capacidad de almacenamiento de carbono en las macrófitas, Schoenoplectus tatora, Potamogetón strictus, Myriophyllum elatinoides y Elodea potamogeton. Se realizaron muestreos en cinco zonas de la Bahía interior de Puno, con dos repeticiones en cada punto, la toma de muestra se realizó en los meses de: agosto, setiembre, octubre y noviembre. Para estimar el contenido de carbono en cada macrófita, se determinó la cantidad de materia orgánica en porcentaje por el método de calcinación, y se multiplicó con el factor de conversión de 1.724. Las variables consideradas en el estudio fueron: contenido de biomasa, carbono, CO2, pH, temperatura, profundidad y transparencia; los porcentajes de conversión de carbono hallados fueron del 55% para S. tatora, 48% para E. potamogeton, 47.5% para M. elatinoides y 47.4% para P. strictus. Los resultados muestran que: S. tatora es la especie que mayor cantidad de carbono ha capturado con un máximo de 1 276 g.m2, M. elatinoides con un valor máximo de 298.8 g.m2, E. potamogeton con 313.7 g.m2 y P. strictus con 84.5 g.m2; influyendo en mayor proporción la profundidad y transparencia. Por lo que S. tatora fue la especie que mayor cantidad de carbono almacenó en su biomasa y por metro cuadrado en el área estudiada.

Abstract The main objective of this work it is to evaluate the husk's drying process and its effect over the husk physicochemical properties. The kinetics of the drying process was followed during 420 minutes using temperatures of 40,50 and 60ºC. The experimental data matches 4 kinetics models of thin husk. Additionally, caffeine and chlorogenic acid content was evaluated along with the color parameters of humid and dry husk. Water content reduction of 13 % was obtained. Page's model was the best one to describe the drying process at the three temperatures. Regarding the biocompounds, its value was incremented by 4%, generating in this way reddish tonalities and changes in the tone angle, luminosity and chroma. These results evidence that drying process is an alternative to stabilize this byproduct, in a previous step before its industrial use.

Resumen El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar las condiciones de secado de cáscara de café y su efecto sobre propiedades fisicoquímicas. Se realizaron cinéticas de secado hasta 420 minutos, a 40, 50 y 60 ºC; los datos experimentales se ajustaron con 4 modelos cinéticos de capa delgada. Adicionalmente, se evaluó el contenido de cafeína y ácido clorogénico y los parámetros de color en la cáscara húmeda y seca. Se obtuvo una reducción del contenido de agua hasta el 13,5%. El modelo de Page fue el más adecuado para representar el secado a las tres temperaturas evaluadas. Respecto a los biocomponentes, la concentración se incrementó en el proceso y los cambios de color fueron superiores al 4%, generando tonalidades rojizas y cambios en el ángulo de tono, luminosidad y croma. Lo anterior demuestra que el secado es una alternativa para estabilizar este subproducto, como etapa previa para su uso industrial.

RESUMO: O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a cinética de secagem de fatias de maçã e abobrinha enriquecidas com antocianinas e avaliar a influência da temperatura de secagem no teor de antocianinas de discos de maçã e abobrinha. Fatias de maçã (Granny Smith) e abobrinha (Cucurbita pepo) foram enriquecidas com antocianinas por impregnação a vácuo com suco de mirtilo. Em seguida, as fatias foram desidratadas a 40, 50 e 60 ºC com fluxo de ar de 1,0 m / s. As amostras desidratadas foram referidas como snacks enriquecidos com antocianinas. Os valores do coeficiente de difusão melhoraram com o aumento da temperatura de secagem, na faixa de 2.81 × 10-10 a 5.78 × 10-10 m2/s para fatias de maçã e 2.02 × 10-10 a 3.99 × 10-10 m2/s para fatias de abobrinha. A energia de ativação foi 31.19 kJ / mol e 80.33 kJ / mol para as fatias de maçã e abobrinha, respectivamente. Os modelos de Page, Weibull, Logarithmic, Henderson-Pabis e Lewis ajustaram os dados experimentais. Os snacks obtidos a 60 °C retiveram uma maior concentração de antocianinas, atingindo valores de 592.81 ± 52.55 e 464.62 ± 48.44 mg de equivalentes de cianidina-3-glicosídeo / kg de matéria seca nos snacks de maçã e abobrinha, respectivamente. A combinação da impregnação a vácuo e secagem por ar quente foi uma alternativa tecnológica para produção de lanches com propriedades funcionais.

ABSTRACT: The aim of this research was to study the drying kinetics of apple and zucchini slices enriched with anthocyanins and to evaluate the influence of drying temperature on the anthocyanin content of apple and zucchini snacks. Apple (Granny Smith) and zucchini (Cucurbita pepo) slices were enriched with anthocyanins by vacuum impregnation with blueberry juice. Then, slices were dehydrated at 40, 50 and 60 ºC with 1.0 m/s air flow. Dehydrated samples were referred to as anthocyanin enriched snacks. Diffusion coefficient values improved by increasing the drying temperature, within the 2.81×10-10 to 5.78×10-10 m2/s range for apple slices and 2.02×10-10 to 3.99×10-10 m2/s for zucchini slices. The activation energy was 31.19 kJ/mol and 80.33 kJ/mol for apple and zucchini slices respectively. Page, Weibull, Logarithmic, Henderson-Pabis and Lewis models best fitted the experimental data. Snacks obtained at 60 °C retained a higher concentration of anthocyanins, reaching values of 592.81±52.55 and 464.62±48.44 mg of cyaniding-3-glucoside equivalent/kg dry matter in apple and zucchini snacks respectively. Combination of vacuum impregnation and hot air drying was a technological alternative for producing snacks with functional properties.

The actinomycete strain BRA 177 was recovered from sediment samples collected at the St. Peter and St. Paul Archipelago, Brazil. This work accessed the ability of this strain, identified as Actinomadura sp., to produce bioactive metabolites by exploring the genome and characterizing chemistry and cytotoxicity of isolated compounds. From the crude ethyl acetate extract, the pigments nonylprodigiosin, cyclononylprodigiosin and methylcyclooctilprodigiosin were isolated and displayed cytotoxicity against human tumor and non-tumor cell lines. Sequencing, assembling and prospection of BRA 177 draft genome led to identification of two contigs encoding enzymes with high homology to those from prodiginine biosynthetic gene clusters (BGC) in actinomycetes. Further, Actinomadura sp. BGC presented unique putatives RedJ thioesterase and RedL-like type I PKS, involved on selection of prodiginine biosynthetic fatty acyl precursor, and RedG-like Rieske oxygenase, key for cyclization of the prodiginines, suggesting that cyclononilprodigiosin and methylcyclooctylprodigiosin could actually be considered chemical signatures of Actinomadura spp.

Abstract Compost is an organic material obtained as a result of the controlled microbial action on organic waste. Nowadays, farming is responsible of the integrated use of biofertilizers and compost, which represent an important alternative to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers. In this study the compost with presence of heavy metals on the growth of A. brasilense and G. intraradices was evaluated. Microbiological analysis of compost only revealed significant results for the growth of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. The conclusion is that the use of compost with presence of heavy metals does not cause any adverse effects on the growth of A. brasilense and G. intraradices, since the two microorganisms were able to be isolated and identify in the rhizosphere of plants. Furthermore, observed metals did not exceed the maximum permissible limits by the international standards as NTC-5167 and standard 503 of EPA.

Resumen Compost es materia orgánica que resulta de la acción microbiana controlada en residuos orgánicos. Hoy en día, la agricultura es responsable del uso integrado de biofertilizantes y compost, que representan una alternativa importante para reducir el uso de fertilizantes químicos. En este estudio se evaluó el compost con presencia de metales pesados sobre el crecimiento de A. brasilense y G. intraradices. El análisis microbiológico del compost solo mostro resultados significativos para el crecimiento de S. aureus y P. aeruginosa. La conclusión es que el uso de compost con presencia de metales pesados no causa ningún efecto adverso sobre el crecimiento de A. brasilense y G. intraradices, ya que los dos microorganismos pudieron ser aislados e identificados en la rizosfera de la planta. Por otra parte, los metales no excedieron los límites máximos permitidos por las normas internacionales como la NTC5167 y la norma 503 de EPA.

Resumo: Os objetivos deste estudo foram avaliar a vitrificação de folículos pré-antrais bovinos com dimetilsulfóxido (D) e sacarose (S) adicionando α-tocoferol 5mmol/L (T5) ou 10mmol/L (T10) e, avaliar o aquecimento com meio essencial mínimo (m) com ou sem sacarose (s). Ovários de fêmeas bovinas foram coletados de abatedouro, para o experimento I (n= 66) e II (n= 51). No laboratório fragmentos ovarianos foram distribuídos aleatoriamente para o controle fresco e 8 tratamentos de vitrificação (Controle e Dm; Dms, a DSm; DSms; DST5m; DST5ms; DST10m; DST10ms). Os fragmentos ovarianos foram colocados na solução de vitrificação (5 min) e imersos em nitrogênio líquido (-196°C). Após uma semana os fragmentos foram aquecidos e analisados. No experimento I, folículos pré-antrais foram observados morfologicamente para avaliação histológica (normal, degenerados e estádio de desenvolvimento). No experimento II, folículos pré-antrais foram mecanicamente isolados do tecido ovariano e examinados com o azul de trypan, observando mortos e vivos corados e não corados respetivamente. Os tratamentos a DSm, DSms e DST10m foram eficazes na preservação da morfologia in situ. No entanto, a viabilidade de folículos pré-antrais isolados após a vitrificação manteve-se elevada apenas no tratamento DST10m. Assim, DST10m preservou as taxas de sobrevivência e integridade morfológica durante a vitrificação de folículos pré-antrais bovinos.

Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the vitrification of bovine preantral follicles with dimethylsulfoxide (D) and sucrose (S) plus α-tocopherol 5mmol/L (T5) or 10mmol/L (T10) and, evaluate the thawed with minimal essential medium (m) with or without sucrose (s). Ovaries of cows were collected from slaughterhouse for the experiment I (n=66) and II (n=51). In the laboratory ovarian fragments were randomly assigned either to fresh control and 8 vitrification treatments (Controle and Dm; Dms, DSm; DSms; DST5m; DST5ms; DST10m; DST10ms). Ovarian fragments were placed in vitrification solution (5 min) and immersed in liquid nitrogen (-196°C), after a week, the fragments were thawed and analyzed. In the experiments I, preantral follicles were morphologically observed for histological evaluation, (normal; degenerated and developing of stage). In the experiment II, preantral follicles were mechanically isolated from ovarian tissue and examined with trypan blue, where dead and live corresponded to stained or non-stained. The treatments DSm, DSms and DST10m were effective in preserving the morphology in situ. However, the viability of isolated preantral follicles after vitrification remained high only in treatment DST10m. Thus, DST10m preserves survival rates and morphological integrity during vitrification of bovine preantral follicles.

Abstract Dinoflagellates are an important source of unique bioactive secondary metabolites. Symbiotic species, commonly named zooxanthellae, transfer most of their photosynthetically fixed carbon to their host. The mutualistic relationship provides the organic metabolites used for energy production but there are very few reports of the role of the dinoflagellates in the production of secondary metabolites in the symbiotic association. Corals and other related cnidarians are the most well-known animals containing symbiotic dinoflagellates. In the present paper we describe the isolation of amphidinolide P (1) from the octocoral Stragulum bicolor and its prey, the nudibranch Marionia limceana, collected off the coasts of Fortaleza (Ceará, Brazil). The coral extracts also contained 3-O-methyl derivative (2) of amphidinolide P, together with minor compounds still under investigation. Amphidinolides have been so far reported only in laboratory cultures of Amphidinium sp., thus compounds 1 and 2 represents the first identification of these polyketides in invertebrates. The finding proves the possibility to isolate amphidinolides from a natural symbiosis, enabling further biological and biotechnological studies.

Abstract Four bisabolanes 1–4, including perezone (1) and triacetyl perezone (2), were isolated through a bioassay-guided fractionation of the extract obtained from the Caribbean gorgonian coral Pseudopterogorgia rigida collected during an expedition cruise to the Bahamas. All isolated compounds showed to be cytotoxic toward panel of four human tumor cell lines, as quantified by the MTT assay after 72 h incubation. Perezone (1), the most active one, was further analyzed, showing to be cytotoxic, but not selective, in a 12-cell line panel comprising tumor and non-tumor, as well as human and murine cells. Additionally, 1 was assayed for cytotoxicity against HL-60 leukemic cells. Pre-treatment with an acute free radical scavenger (L-NAC) before exposure of cells to perezone virtually eliminated the generation of intracellular ROS and lessened its severe cytotoxicity. The protective effect delivered by L-NAC evidences that the mechanism of perezone-induced cytotoxicity is partially associated to production of ROS and a consequent induction of oxidative stress.

Resumo A análise da impedância bioelétrica (BIA) é considerada uma importante ferramenta para avaliar a composição corporal de diferentes animais de uma maneira rápida, não-destrutiva e de baixo custo. A espécie Sul-americana Steindachneridion scriptum, popularmente conhecida como suruvi, foi selecionada para este estudo. Foi utilizado um protocolo para produzir peixes com distintas composições corporais, permitindo a validação da BIA para análise adequada da composição corporal do suruvi. Os peixes foram alimentados duas vezes ao dia com duas dietas diferentes: uma de baixo teor lipídico (8,90%) e outra de alto teor lipídico (18,68%). Essa diferença nas dietas possibilitou a produção de indivíduos com diferentes composições corporais. As leituras da BIA foram determinadas utilizando-se o equipamento Quantum X Bioelectrical Body Composition Analyzer. Duas leituras (dorsal e ventral) foram obtidas para cada peixe. Após as leituras, para cada peixe individualmente, a composição proximal dos peixes foi determinada. Todos os dados obtidos foram utilizados para estabelecer as equações de correlação entre as análises proximais e os valores da BIA. Fortes correlações foram encontradas para S. scriptum. As maiores correlações foram obtidas para as análises dorsais a seguir: umidade e resistência em série (R2 = 0,87); proteína e resistência em série (R2 = 0,87); cinzas e reactância em paralelo (R2 = 0,82). Pode-se concluir que o método BIA é eficiente em determinar a composição corporal do suruvi S. scriptum sem sacrificar o animal. No entanto, para expandir o uso desta nova tecnologia é necessário definir protocolos rigorosos para garantir estimativas precisas.

Abstract Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is regarded as an important tool for evaluating the body composition of different animals in a rapid, non-destructive, and low-cost manner. A South American fish species, Steindachneridion scriptum, known as suruvi, was selected for study in this investigation. A protocol to produce fish with different body composition was used to allow BIA to adequately predict the body composition of suruvi. The fish were fed twice each day with two different diets; a low lipid diet (8.90%), and a high lipid diet (18.68%). These dietary differences allowed suruvi specimens with different body compositions to be produced. The BIA readings were determined using a Quantum X Bioelectrical Body Composition Analyzer. Two readings (dorsal and ventral) were obtained for each fish. After BIA readings were obtained, the proximate composition of the fish bodies for each individual was determined. All of the study data were used to establish correlation equations between proximate analyses and BIA values. Strong correlations were found for S. scriptum. The highest correlations were obtained for the following pairs of quantities, using BIA data from dorsal readings: moisture and resistance in series (R2 = 0.87); protein and resistance in series (R2 = 0.87); and ash and reactance in parallel (R2 = 0.82). We conclude that BIA is an effective method in determining the body composition of S. scriptum without sacrificing the fish. However, to expand the use of this new technology it is important to define strict BIA protocols to guarantee accurate estimates.

The application of Zinc Oxide (ZnO) films by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis at 250, 300 and 450°C as active layer in thin-film Transistors (TFTs) is presented. The performance of the devices shows an unexpected behavior in function of the deposition temperature. The ZnO films were deposited from 0.2 M precursor solution of Zinc acetate in methanol, using air as carrier gas. 70nm-thick ZnO was deposited over 100 nm-thick aluminum electrodes patterned on 50 nm-thick thermally grown SiO2 on highly doped Si wafers. The highly doped Si wafer was used as the gate electrode. The ZnO TFTs at 250°C showed field-effect mobilities around of 0.05 cm²/Vs and threshold voltages of 8 V.