Abstract Nonlinear Transmission Lines (NLTLs) are a new technique for radio frequency (RF) generation. A loaded ferrite NLTL, known as a gyromagnetic line, uses a solenoid to provide an external magnetic bias. In space applications, specifically in satellites, the replacement of these solenoids by permanent magnets is desirable, eliminating the need for a DC current source, and reducing the weight and the effective cost of the launch. This work investigated and selected permanent magnets for this application, and then computationally modeled the magnet assembly to analyze the resulting magnetic field generated and obtained a uniform field region to meet the NLTL operating specifications. For this, we employed selection charts for the proper choice of material to use in an arrangement of magnets simulated by the electromagnetic software CST Microwave Studio . Magnetic fields with uniformity variations of less than 6% and 23% in regions extended over 18.5 cm and 58.8 cm, corresponding to line lengths of 26.6 cm and 68.0 cm, respectively, were achieved in simulations.

In this work, a potassium magnesium silicate mineral based on phase K2MgSiO4 was prepared from serpentinite rock and studied as a potential K and Mg slow-release fertilizer. The material was prepared by impregnation of serpentinite/KOH and calcination at 700 °C to produce K2MgSiO4 phase, olivine and forsterite. The release patterns of K and Mg in the stirred-flow trial and leaching through the soil columns showed that K2MgSiO4-based materials released K on lower rates than KCl and MgSO4.7H2O, however, there was no evidence of Mg release. The extraction with 1 mol L-1 NH4OAc showed a considerable content of Mg and K for K2MgSiO4-based materials, due to exchange of NH4+ and Mg2+. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of materials impregnated with K and calcined showed peaks relative to K2MgSiO4. After leaching, the peaks intensity diminished, supporting that part of K leached. Therefore, the samples showed great potential as slow-release K-fertilizers when compared with KCl source.

Porous carbon materials were prepared at low temperatures via thermal decomposition of iron, nickel and cobalt N, N -diethyldithiocarbamates (DDT). X-ray diffraction data showed two peaks at 2θ (25.5º and 43.5º) that indicate the presence of graphite-like structures. Raman spectra displayed D and G bands in the range from 1312 to 1321 cm-1 and 1587 to 1593 cm-1, respectively, which were fitted with 4 components. All spectra showed two low intensity D* (1190 cm-1) and D’’ (1500 cm-1) bands, assigned to sp2–sp3 bonds in disordered carbonaceous materials and amorphous carbon, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy images showed agglomerates of spherical particles formed by graphitic segments. The results showed that the carbon material obtained from iron N, N -diethyldithiocarbamate, Fe(DDT)3, is structurally better organized than the others and the pore size distribution curves confirmed that this material presents high degree of mesoporosity. Voltammetric curves obtained using KOH and H2SO4 electrolytes showed hysteresis behavior typical of capacitors charge/discharge process. The carbon material prepared from Fe(DDT)3 displayed the highest specific capacitance in acidic media, 59 F g-1, which was associated to its high degree of mesoporosity.

ABSTRACT The present study aimed to identify yeasts species isolated from fish feed and the intestinal tracts of tambatinga fish (Colossoma macropomum × Piaractus brachypomum) cultivated in a Brazilian fish farm. Twenty tambatingas and 30 fish feed samples from different brands were acquired from two commercial establishments in the state of Piauí, Brazil. The sampled guts were divided into three equal parts, namely the anterior, medium and posterior portions, totaling 60 samples. Molecular identification was performed by PCR amplification and sequencing of the D1/D2 regions of the large rRNA subunit gene. Sixteen Candida nivariensis strains in the gut were identified. The fish feed samples showed a higher variability of yeast species, with the following species isolated: Hyphopichia burtonii (23.08%), Lodderomyces elongisporus (15.39%) and Trichosporon asahii (15.39%), Candida nivariensis (7.69%), C. orthopsilosis (7.69%), C. parapsilosis (7.69%), Rhodotorula minuta (7.69%), Sterigmatomyces elviae (7.69%), Cryptococcus liquefaciens (7.69%). Yeast found in feed, however, was not always isolated from tambatinga gut. Molecular identification allowed for the isolation of yeast species not previously reported in fish feed and gut samples.

A dengue é uma doença negligenciada responsável pelo óbito de 22.000 pacientes por ano em áreas onde a doença é endêmica. Embora grandes esforços tenham sido investidos em pesquisas na busca de tratamentos para a dengue, não há ainda nenhuma vacina ou antiviral disponível no mercado para tratamento desta patologia. Entre as estratégias que vêm sendo utilizadas para a busca e desenvolvimento de antivirais contra a dengue, a inibição de enzimas é aquela que tem se mostrado a mais promissora. O presente artigo de revisão descreve os recentes avanços no que tange à utilização de enzimas do vírus da dengue como alvos para o desenho de antivirais.

Dengue is a neglected disease, one that is responsible for 22,000 deaths each year in areas where it is endemic. Despite the tremendous efforts invested in research for dengue treatments, no vaccine or antiviral has reached the market, and disease treatment is limited to supportive care. Among strategies that have been used in the search for and development of an antiviral against dengue, the inhibition of viral enzymes has been proven to be the most successful approach. This review covers the major progresses that have been published concerning compounds that inhibit viral enzymes.

Objetivou-se, com este trabalho, avaliar o efeito do espaçamento e da complementação hídrica no crescimento e produtividade do pinhão-manso. O experimento foi conduzido na área experimental do Instituto Federal Goiano, campus Rio Verde,GO, no período de 12/09/2009 a 30/04/2011, no delineamento de blocos casualizados com três repetições, os fatores foram sete espaçamentos e duas condições hídricas, cada parcela constituída de 16 plantas, sendo as quatro plantas centrais a área útil. Aos 60 dias após o transplantio das mudas foram feitas, bimensalmente, as avaliações dos parâmetros altura de planta, número de ramificações, área foliar e produtividade. O fator espaçamento não apresentou diferença significativa para os parâmetros altura, ramificação e produtividade e a complementação hídrica teve efeito significativo para altura aos 240 dias após transplantio. A produção de sementes em sequeiro foi maior no espaçamento 3 x 3 e com complementação hídrica no espaçamento 4 x 4.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of plant spacing and water supplementation on growth and productivity of physic nut (Jatropha). This research was carried out at the experimental area of the Instituto Federal Goiano - Rio Verde during the period 12/09/2009 to 30/04/2011, in a randomized block design with three replications. The factors consisted of seven plant spacings and two water conditions, each plot consisted of 16 plants, and four central plants were considered for data collection. At 60 days after transplanting of seedlings, fortnightly the evaluation of the parameters plant height, number of branches, leaf area and productivity was carried out. The plant spacing showed no significant difference for height, branching and productivity, while the water supplementation had significant effect on height at 240 days after transplanting. Seed production under rainfed conditions was higher in 3 x 3 m spacing and with complementary water in 4 x 4 m spacing.

Wistar rats (n=20) were divided in two groups: G1 received 2 mg/kg of GBE (Ginkgo biloba extract 761), whereas G2 received the same volume of a sodium chloride solution (0.9%), both for 10 days. After a 7-day interval, the treatment was repeated for 8 days. Urine volume and food and water intake were measured daily during this protocol. Histological assessments were performed. No significant difference (p>0.05) was observed in food and water intake of animals during treatment with GBE. Animals who received GBE had a smaller urine volume and increase of weight with a significance difference (p<0.05) during the first and second exposure period. No histological alteration was observed in tissues, except for the kidney of the experimental group, which revealed a higher concentration of red cells in the glomerulus with a strong staining for Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF). The introduction of GBE (therapeutic dose) in health rats may promote alterations in the physiology of the kidney, but no sufficient to modify the glomerulus architecture, including at ultra structural level (electron microscopy).

Erwinia psidii é o agente causal da seca-dos-ponteiros ou bacteriose da goiabeira no Brasil. A caracterização fenotípica e molecular através de rep-PCR de 42 estirpes patogênicas de diferentes regiões mostrou que as populações de E. psidii no Brasil têm um baixo nível de diversidade genética e sugere que material de propagação infectado é a principal fonte de disseminação do patógeno para novas áreas no país.

Erwinia psidii causes bacterial disease of guava in Brazil. Phenotypic and molecular characterization through rep-PCR fingerprinting of 42 strains from different geographical regions showed that E. psidii populations in Brazil have a low level of genetic diversity and suggest that contaminated plant material is the main source for pathogen dissemination in the country.

Investigamos o impacto da poliquimioterapia (PQT) no perfil epidemiológico da hanseníase em Juiz de Fora, Brasil, de 1978 a 1995. Fizemos uma avaliação de 1.283 prontuários, de acordo com o esquema terapêutico adotado em dois diferentes períodos. Desde a introdução da PQT, em 1987, a prevalência da hanseníase caiu de 22 pacientes/dez mil habitantes para 5,2 pacientes/dez mil habitantes em 1995. A incidência da doença foi menor no período II (1987-1995) em comparação ao período I (1978-1986). A diminuição da prevalência e da incidência está mais relacionada à eficácia das drogas que a uma queda na identificação da infecção, já que tanto a procura espontânea quanto os encaminhamentos aumentaram significativamente do período I para o período II. Em ambos os períodos, a forma clínica mais freqüente foi a multibacilar (±68%), e o contato intradomicilicar foi o maior fator de risco conhecido associado à infecção. Um aumento de pacientes muito velhos ou muito novos foi observado no período II. Os resultados indicam que o esquema PQT tem sido eficaz no combate à hanseníase e tem aumentado a conscientização e o conhecimento da doença.

We investigated the impact of multidrug therapy (MDT) on the epidemiological pattern of leprosy in Juiz de Fora, Brazil, from 1978 to 1995. Evaluation of 1,283 medical charts was performed according to the treatment regimen used in two different periods. Following the introduction of MDT in 1987, prevalence of leprosy decreased from 22 patients/10,000 inhabitants to 5.2 patients/10,000 inhabitants in 1995. Incidence rate of leprosy was lower in period II (1987-1995) than in period I (1978-1986). Decreasing prevalence and incidence appear to be related to drug efficacy rather than decreased case identification, since both self-referred and professionally referred treatment increased markedly from period I to period II. For both periods, multibacillary leprosy was the most frequent clinical form of the disease (±68%), and the main infection risk factor identified was household contact. Leprosy is predominantly manifested in adults, but an increase in the number of very old and very young patients was observed in period II. The MDT program has been effective both in combating leprosy and in promoting awareness of the disease.

Investigamos o impacto da poliquimioterapia (PQT) no perfil epidemiológico da hanseníase em Juiz de Fora, Brasil, de 1978 a 1995. Fizemos uma avaliação de 1.283 prontuários, de acordo com o esquema terapêutico adotado em dois diferentes períodos. Desde a introdução da PQT, em 1987, a prevalência da hanseníase caiu de 22 pacientes/dez mil habitantes para 5,2 pacientes/dez mil habitantes em 1995. A incidência da doença foi menor no período II (1987-1995) em comparação ao período I (1978-1986). A diminuição da prevalência e da incidência está mais relacionada à eficácia das drogas que a uma queda na identificação da infecção, já que tanto a procura espontânea quanto os encaminhamentos aumentaram significativamente do período I para o período II. Em ambos os períodos, a forma clínica mais freqüente foi a multibacilar (±68%), e o contato intradomicilicar foi o maior fator de risco conhecido associado à infecção. Um aumento de pacientes muito velhos ou muito novos foi observado no período II. Os resultados indicam que o esquema PQT tem sido eficaz no combate à hanseníase e tem aumentado a conscientização e o conhecimento da doença.

We investigated the impact of multidrug therapy (MDT) on the epidemiological pattern of leprosy in Juiz de Fora, Brazil, from 1978 to 1995. Evaluation of 1,283 medical charts was performed according to the treatment regimen used in two different periods. Following the introduction of MDT in 1987, prevalence of leprosy decreased from 22 patients/10,000 inhabitants to 5.2 patients/10,000 inhabitants in 1995. Incidence rate of leprosy was lower in period II (1987-1995) than in period I (1978-1986). Decreasing prevalence and incidence appear to be related to drug efficacy rather than decreased case identification, since both self-referred and professionally referred treatment increased markedly from period I to period II. For both periods, multibacillary leprosy was the most frequent clinical form of the disease (±68%), and the main infection risk factor identified was household contact. Leprosy is predominantly manifested in adults, but an increase in the number of very old and very young patients was observed in period II. The MDT program has been effective both in combating leprosy and in promoting awareness of the disease.