This work describes the development of a platform based on bismuth oxyiodide (BiOI), sulfur-doped graphitic carbon nitride (S-g-C3N4), and bismuth-doped sodium tantalate perovskite (Bi-NaTaO3) for zero-biased photoelectrochemical immunosensing of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) biomarker. The spectroscopic, structural, morphological, and compositional characteristics of the photoelectrochemical (PEC) materials were evaluated by Raman and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Electrochemical impedance (EI) measurements were performed under the incidence and absence of light to investigate the effects of photons on the charge transfer resistance of the photoelectrochemical platform. The influence of the cTnI biomarker on the photoelectrochemical response of the anti-cTnI antibody-modified photoelectrochemical platform (anti-cTnI/BiOI/S-g-C3N/Bi-NaTaO3/FTO) was evaluated by measuring the photocurrent of the system. The immunosensor presented a linear response range from 1 pg mL 1 to 50 ng mL 1, mean recovery percentage between 95.98 and 99.78% in real human serum samples, and selectivity for the cTnI biomarker.

Abstract The tribe Serrasalmini is a diverse group with paraphyletic genera and taxonomic uncertainties. Several studies have been carried out in this group of fish in order to understand this problem, including the cytogenetic approach. In this study, three species of a clade of Serrasalmini were characterized cytogenetically - Pristobrycon striolatus, Catoprion absconditus and Pygopristis denticulatus. The three species presented diploid number (2n) equal to 62 chromosomes, of one and two arms, with karyotypic formulas and species-specific fundamental numbers. Heterochromatin is centromeric and terminal (bi-telomeric) in most chromosomes, with a conspicuous interstitial block at pair 1 (m) in all three species. The nucleolar organizer regions were multiple and C-band positive, and their location was confirmed via 18S ribosomal DNA mapping; however, with additional sites. The 5S rDNA was located in interstitial region of long arm of pair 1 (m), in the three species (homeologous). Moreover, we observed synteny between 18S and 5S in the species C. absconditus and P. denticulatus, which, according to fiber-FISH, are interspersed. Thus, the maintenance of 2n (62) evidences the diversification of chromosomal formulas within the clade by non-Robertsonian rearrangements and reflects the paraphyly of the related species.

ABSTRACT The present research aimed to verify the effect of 10 weeks of structured FT grouped by muscular actions (GFT) or alternating actions (AFT) on scapular and lumbar-pelvic girdle stability. One hundred and twenty adults (60 men; 60 women) were allocated into three groups, GFT (n= 40) that performed the actions in sequence (squat - squat - pull - pull), AFT (n= 40) that performed alternate actions (squat - pull - squat - pull) and the control group (CG, n= 40). The shoulder girdle and pelvic girdle stability were assessed using the Octobalance Upper Body Test. The GFT increased stability after the intervention and compared to the CG (p= 0.003) as assessed by the relative range of the right (ES= 0.53) and left (ES= 0.57) hemispheres. Besides, most results were within the instrument’s error value and the magnitude of the effect was moderate to trivial among the experimental groups. Therefore, ten weeks of functional training performed in a grouped sequence promoted improvements in scapular and lumbar-pelvic girdle stability.

This work describes the development of a photoelectrochemical sensor for glucose quantification exploiting a light assisted-batch injection analysis (BIA) cell. A light-emitting diode (LED) lamp was employed to control the incidence of light on the p-Cu2O/n-Cu2O/fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) photoactive platform in BIA cell. The p-Cu2O/n-Cu2O/FTO platform was constructed by electrodepositing n-Cu2O and p-Cu2O and the characteristics of electrodeposited Cu2O films were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The light assisted-batch injection analysis of glucose based on the illuminated p-Cu2O/n-Cu2O/FTO photoelectrode presented a linear response of 10 μmol L-1-1 mmol L-1, a limit of detection of 4.0 μmol L-1, and sensitivity of 0.768 ± 0.011 μA L μmol-1 cm-2. The system presented an average recovery value of 96% when applied to the determination of glucose in an artificial saliva sample, which indicates that the incidence of light on photoelectroactive platforms is a promising approach for the determination and quantification of glucose.

Growth in the international popularity of Brazil nuts oil (Bertholletia excelsa, Bonpl.) has demanded a closer look at quality aspects of the nuts. In this context, time-domain 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (TD-NMR) can be a useful tool for assessing the lipid portion of such matrices. In this work, a TD-NMR method was developed and validated to assess the oil content directly from Brazil nuts following the ISO 10565:1998 and DOQ-CGCRE-008. Full validation was addressed covering the working range from 0.67 to 25.00 g (coefficient of determination, R2= 0.9993). Limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 0.20 and 0.67 g, respectively. The repeatability and intermediate precision assays met the guide requirements. Oil contents obtained in two laboratories (different equipment) were statistically similar (66.93 ± 4.69 and 70.13 ± 4.15%), highlighting the method’s robustness. The developed approach has the potential to be adopted as an industrial reference method for in situ monitoring of Brazil nuts oil contents.

SUMMARY: Sewage sludge biosolids, product from urban sewage treatment, are rich in organic matter and nutrients with potential use in forestry. This work aimed at evaluating the growth of Ceiba speciosa, Peltophorum dubium and Sapindus saponaria and the concentration of nutrients and heavy metals in different soil layers under the application of biosolids as planting fertilizer. Two sequential experiments were set up. First in a pot, to determine the best dose for the growth of C. speciosa, using 0.8, 1.6, 3.2 and 6.4 liters of biosolids per pit and the absolute witness. Six months after the planting of C. speciosa seedlings, it was concluded that the best dose provided was around 3.9 liters. The field experiment was carried out using the three tree species with witness treatment or application of 3.0 liters of biosolids per pit, at the time of planting. Growth evaluations occurred at 4 and 12 months after planting and it was observed that C. speciosa and P. dubium responded to the application of biosolids. At 12 months, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and heavy metals contents were evaluated in different layers of the soil. It was found that the pits that received biosolids presented significantly higher values for phosphorus (except 75-100 cm soil layer) and heavy metals. There was no leaching of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the soil layers. Heavy metals contents were below the maximum values for levels in the soil profile stipulated by legislation.

RESUMEN: El biosólido de lodos de depuradora, producto del tratamiento de aguas residuales urbanas, es un material rico en materia orgánica y nutrientes con potencial uso en silvicultura. El objetivo fue evaluar el crecimiento de Ceiba speciosa, Peltophorum dubium y Sapindus saponaria y la concentración de nutrientes y metales pesados en diferentes capas del suelo con aplicación de biosólido como fertilizante al plantar. Se establecieron dos experimentos secuenciales. Primero, en maceta para determinar la mejor dosis para el crecimiento de C. speciosa (0,8, 1,6, 3,2 y 6,4 litros de biosólidos por taza) y el testigo absoluto. Seis meses después de plantar C. speciosa se concluyó que la mejor dosis fue de alrededor de 3,9 litros. Segundo, el experimento de campo utilizó las tres especies de árboles con tratamiento testigo o aplicación de 3.0 litros de biosólidos por hoyo, al momento de plantar. Después de 4 y 12 meses de plantar, C. speciosa y P. dubium respondieron a la aplicación de biosólidos. A los 12 meses fueron evaluados los contenidos de nitrógeno, fósforo, potasio y metales pesados en diferentes capas del suelo. Se encontró que las tazas que recibieron biosólidos tenían valores de fósforo significativamente mayores (excepto la capa de suelo de 75-100 cm) y metales pesados. No hubo lixiviación de nitrógeno, fósforo ni potasio en las capas del suelo. Los contenidos de metales pesados en el perfil del suelo estuvieron por debajo de los valores máximos estipulados por la legislación.

The known biotechnological properties of chitosan and the recent biological activities attributed to polysaccharides from Agaricus brasiliensis have been of interest to obtain films constituted by these two polymers. The glucans obtained from the mushroom inhibited about 96.5% of the ferrous ion, besides not promoting a significant increase of lactate dehydrogenase enzyme (LDH), which indicates that the polysaccharide is able to inhibit the production of radical species and also presents low cytotoxicity to the biological systems. The results of spectroscopy analyses in the infrared region (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction suggest an existing electrostatic interaction between the substances. A reduction in the films’ swelling capacity was observed with an increase in the polysaccharide content in the composition. In addition, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed greater surface density of the films. In convening the biological properties of the substances, it is expected that this study raises interest in evaluating the films and their capacity for healing wounds and burns.

Resumo A fenologia é muito importante para o entendimento dos ciclos das plantas, a repetição de eventos biológicos e as causas desses ciclos em relação a fatores abióticos e bióticos. Diante disto, objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar a época de ocorrência e intensidade das fases fenológicas vegetativas e reprodutivas e suas correlações com fatores externos e a influência da radiação fotossinteticamente ativa na biometria de frutos de Campomanesia adamantium (Cambess.) O. Berg. O estudo foi conduzido em fazenda localizada no município de Rio Verde-GO, Brasil. A caracterização da fenologia foi feita em dez indivíduos adultos. As observações fenologia das fases fenológicas vegetativas foram feitas mensalmente e os eventos fenológicos, reprodutivos, semanalmente. Foram utilizados dois métodos para o registro dos eventos fenológicos: o percentual de intensidade de Fournier e o índice de atividade. Foram feitas também avaliações do número total e diâmetros transversal e longitudinal dos frutos de dois ramos por planta com maior e menor incidência de radiação. Verificou-se atividade de folhas jovens e adultas em Campomanesia adamantium em quase todo o período de estudo, exceto nos meses de maio e agosto, para folhas jovens. A presença de brotos também foi bastante intensa durante o período. Observou-se um ciclo de fenofases de reprodução rápido e intenso entre os meses de outubro e janeiro para C. adamantium. A incidência da radiação interferiu na dimensão e produção dos frutos. Frutos desenvolvidos em ramos de sombra tiveram número reduzido e valores biométricos inferiores em relação àqueles que cresceram em ramos de sol.

Abstract Phenology is very important to the understanding of plant cycles, the repetition of biological events, and the causes of these cycles in relation abiotic and biotic factors. The aim of this to evaluate the time of occurrence and intensity of the vegetative and reproductive phenological phases, their correlations with external factors, and the influence of photosynthetically active radiation in the fruit Campomanesia adamantium (Cambess.) O. Berg. The study was conducted on a farm in the municipality of Rio Verde, Brazil. The phenological characterisation was performed using ten adult plants. Phenological observations of vegetative and reproductive phenological phases were made monthly and weekly, respectively. The total number and the transverse and longitudinal diameters of the fruit of two branches per plant, with higher and lower incidence of radiation, were also evaluated. The young and adult leaves in Campomanesia adamantium were active for almost the entire study period, except the young leaves were inactive in the months of May and August. The presence of sprouts was also very high during the study period. There was a phenophase cycle of rapid and intense play between October and January for C. adamantium. The incidence of radiation interfered with the size and production of the fruit. Fruits that developed in the shadow of branches were fewer and their biometric values lower than those who developed in sunlight.

RESUMO Introdução: Doenças cerebrovasculares têm sido ligadas a diversos genes. A cromogranina A (CHGA) é utilizada como um marcador em doenças cardiovasculares. Portanto, avaliar o polimorfismo e verificar a associação com essa patologia é muito importante para melhor compreensão dessa doença. Objetivo: O foco do estudo foi identificar a associação entre o polimorfismo na região codante posição -264 do gene CHGA (Glu264Asp) e o acidente vascular encefálico hemorrágico (AVEH)/aneurisma no Distrito Federal, Brasil. Métodos: Estudo caso-controle de base populacional, envolvendo 45 casos com AVEH e/ou aneurisma. Para a genotipagem dessas amostras, utilizou-se a técnica laboratorial reação em cadeia da polimerase-polimorfismo de comprimento de fragmento de limitação (PCR-RFLP). Nível de significância de 5% foi adotado. Resultados: A ausência do genótipo CC do polimorfismo Glu264Asp CHGA nos participantes do estudo e a presença significativa do genótipo heterozigoto GC foram verificadas. No entanto, a distribuição dos genótipos não diferiu estatisticamente nos grupos. Conclusão: O polimorfismo Glu264Asp CHGA parece não contribuir para a gênese da expressão da proteína CHGA nesse grupo de pacientes, mas revela se existe ou não uma possível associação da patologia em questão e se a mutação contribuirá para a terapia gênica e melhorará a qualidade de vida dos pacientes.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Cerebrovascular diseases have been associated with several genes. Chromogranin A (CHGA) has been used as maker in cardiovascular disease. Therefore, evaluating the polymorphism and verifying its association with this pathology is very important to better understand this disease. Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the association between coding region polymorphism in -264 position of the CHGA gene (Glu264Asp) and hemorrhagic stroke (HS)/aneurysm in the Federal District, Brazil. Methods: This is a population-based case-control, involving 45 cases with HS and/or aneurysm. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method is used for genotyping these samples. A significance level of 5% was adopted. Results: The absence of the CC genotype the Glu264Asp CHGA polymorphism in the study participants and the significant presence of the GC heterozygote genotype were observed in this study. However, the distribution of genotypes did not differ statistically in the groups. Conclusion: The Glu264Asp CHGA polymorphism does not seem to contribute to the genesis of the CHGA protein expression in this patients group, but to understand whether or not there is a possible association of the pathology in question and whether the mutation will contribute in the gene therapy and thus to improve patients’ quality of life.

RESUMEN Introducción: Enfermedades cerebrovasculares han sido vinculadas a diversos genes. La cromogranina A (CgA) es utilizada como un marcador en enfermedades cardiovasculares. Por consiguiente, evaluar el polimorfismo y verificar la asociación con esa patología es muy importante para la mejor comprensión de la enfermedad. Objetivo: El enfoque del ensayo fue identificar la asociación entre el polimorfismo en la región codificante en la posición -264 del gen CHGA (Glu264Asp) y el accidente cerebrovascular hemorrágico (ACVH)/aneurisma en Distrito Federal, Brasil. Métodos: Estudio de caso-control de base poblacional, involucrando 45 casos con ACVH y/o aneurisma. Para el genotipaje de las muestras, se utilizó la técnica de laboratorio reacción en cadena de la polimerasa-polimorfismos en la longitud de los fragmentos de restricción (PCR-RFLP). Nivel de significación elegido: 5%. Resultados: Ausencia del genotipo CC del polimorfismo Glu264Asp CHGA en los participantes del ensayo y presencia significativa del genotipo heterocigoto GC. Sin embargo, la distribución de los genotipos no difirió estadísticamente en los grupos. Conclusión: El polimorfismo Glu264Asp CHGA parece no contribuir para la génesis de la expresión de la proteína CgA en este grupo de pacientes, pero revelar si existe o no una posible asociación de la patología en cuestión y si la mutación contribuirá para la terapia genética y mejorará la calidad de vida de los pacientes.

Abstract In this paper we show how the IBM superconducting chips can be a powerful tool for teaching foundations of quantum mechanics for undergraduate students (for graduates as well, in some cases). To this end, we briefly discuss about the main elements of the IBM Quantum Experience platform necessary to understand this paper, i.e., how to implement operations and single-qubit measurements. We experimentally study the dynamics of single spin systems interacting with static and time-dependent magnetic fields. First, we study the resonant behavior of a single spin coupled to a time-dependent rotating magnetic field. To end, we study the Larmor precession phenomenon. In both cases we show the theoretical and real experimental implementation. This article could be useful in introductory courses on quantum mechanics and nuclear magnetic resonance foundations, for example.

In the present paper, a preconcentration procedure based in the coprecipitation of copper by silver dichromate (Ag2CrO4) and consecutive determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) was proposed. The experimental factors were optimized from application of the Doehlert matrix and the conditions set: chromate concentration 5.8 × 10-4 mol L-1, silver concentration 1.1 × 10-3 mol L-1, pH 7.3 and disperser concentration HNO3 0.38 mol L-1. Under these conditions, analytical parameters of the procedure were obtained, with the quantification limits of 0.76 µg L-1, precision (based in the relative standard deviation, RSD %) with values lower than 2.7%, and preconcentration factor of 28. The accuracy of the procedure was given by addition/recovery test in water samples groundwater and mineral, and by comparison with results obtained by ICP-MS. The procedure developed presented be simple, sensitive and low cost, thus can be applied in the preconcentration and determination of copper in several water samples.

Um desenvolvimento didático para determinar a solução da equação de movimento para uma partícula carregada imersa em uma região na presença de campos elétrico e magnéticos estáticos e homogêneos genéricos é proposto. Nossa proposta tem como alicerce a vantagem de, utilizando as propriedades da transformada de Laplace, podermos mapear um sistema de equações diferenciais não-homogêneas no problema simples de encontrar as soluções de um sistema linear de equações de primeiro grau. A partir da solução mais geral possível para o sistema, estudamos alguns casos particulares e recuperamos de forma simples alguns resultados já existentes na literatura. A fim de motivar nosso estudo, partimos do Teorema de Ehrenfest e discutimos como os resultados obtidos para o caso clássico podem ser interpretados na sua versão quântica.

A didactic development to determinate the solution of the motion equations for a charged particle under influence of electric and magnetic static and homogeneous fields is proposed. Our proposed uses the advantages and proprieties of the Laplace's transformation, to map a system of N non-homogeneous differential equations of second order in a system composed by N linear equations. From the solution more general for dynamics of the system, we study some particular cases to recover, of a simple way, the results present in the literature. In order to give a motivation to our study, we use the Ehrenfest's theorem and we discuss as the classical results can be interpreted in its quantum version.

O anúncio de um computador quântico que pode ser acessado de forma remota por qualquer pessoa a partir de seu laptop é um acontecimento de grande importância para os cientistas da computação quântica. Neste trabalho nós apresentamos o computador quântico da International Business Machines (IBM) e sua plataforma IBM Quantum Experience (IBM-QE) como uma proposta didática em estudos de computação e informação quântica e, não menos importante, como divulgação científica de tal anúncio feito pela equipe da IBM. Apresentamos as principais ferramentas (portas quânticas) disponíveis no IBM-QE e, por meio de uma simples estratégia, discutimos acerca de uma das fontes de decoerência nos chips de 5 q-bits da IBM. Como exemplo de aplicação do nosso estudo, nós mostramos como implementar o teleporte quântico usando o IBM-QE.

The announcement of a quantum computer that can be accessed remotely by anyone from its laptop is a big event for the quantum computation scientist. In this work we present the International Business Machines (IBM) quantum computer and its platform IBM Quantum Experience (IBM-QE) as a didactic proposal in quantum computation and information. In addition we also consider this paper as scientific divulgation of the IMB advertisement. In this paper we show the main tool (quantum gates) present in the IBM-QE and, through a simple strategy, we discuss about a possible decoherence source in the IBM 5 q-bit chips. As an example of application of our study, we show how to implement the quantum teleportation using the IBM-QE.

Calea pinnatifida (R. Br.) Less., Asteraceae, is popularly known as “quebra-tudo”, “cipó-cruz” or “aruca”. This species is used in the folk medicine for the treatment of stomach pain, giardiasis and amoebiasis. The aim of this study was to isolate and identify chromenes from leaves of C. pinnatifida and evaluate their leishmanicidal activity. A fraction from leaves of C. pinnatifida was analyzed for their chemical constituents, resulting in the isolation and characterization of four known chromenes: 6-acetyl-7-hydroxy-2,2-dimethylchromene (1), 6-acetyl-7-methoxy-2,2-dimethylchromene (2), 6-(1-hydroxyethyl)-7-methoxy-2,2-dimethylchromene (3) and 6-(1-ethoxyethyl)-7-methoxy-2,2-dimethylchromene (4). Structure identification of isolated compounds involved analysis of spectral data of 1D and 2D-NMR. The isolated compounds are here reported for the first time in C. pinnatifida, and the chromenes 1 and 3 show a moderate leishmanicidal activity.

We conducted a study to test the hypothesis that interconnectedness among island floodplain lakes and the adjacent Solimões River during the flood stage of the hydrologic cycle is enough to maintain similarity in fish species assemblages. Gill net samples were collected during high and low water periods for three consecutive years (July 2004 to July 2006) in four lakes on Paciência Island. Two lakes, Piranha and Ressaca, are connected to the river all year, and the other two, Preto and Cacau, which are in the center of the island, are isolated during low water periods. The abundance, species richness and evenness of the fish assemblages in these lakes did not differ according to their relative positions or the season of the hydrological cycle, which confirmed our hypothesis. However, fish abundance during the dry season was greater than in the flood season. Apparently, the short period of full connection between the lakes is enough to allow the colonization of all fish species, but not to cause similar abundances. Our study indicates that persistence of the species composition of island floodplain lakes is primarily due to the annual replenishment of fish to the lakes during the flood season.