Abstract Different degrees in the biological activities of Canavalia rosea had been previously reported . In this study, our group assessed the cardioprotective effects of the ethyl acetate fraction (EAcF) of the Canavalia rosea leaves. Firstly, it was confirmed, by in vitro approach, that the EAcF has high antioxidant properties due to the presence of important secondary metabolites, as flavonoids. In order to explore their potential protector against cardiovascular disorders, hearts were previously perfused with EAcF (300 μg.mL-1) and submitted to the global ischemia followed by reperfusion in Langendorff system. The present findings have demonstrated that EAcF restored the left ventricular developed pressure and decreased the arrhythmias severity index. Furthermore, EAcF significantly increased the glutathiones peroxidase activity with decreased malondialdehyde and creatine kinase levels. EAcF was effective upon neither the superoxide dismutase, glutationes reductase nor the catalase activities. In addition, the Western blot analysis revealed that ischemia-reperfusion injury significantly upregulates caspase 3 protein expression, while EAcF abolishes this effect. These results provide evidence that the EAcF reestablishes the cardiac contractility and prevents arrhythmias; it is suggested that EAcF could be used to reduce injury caused by cardiac reperfusion. However more clinical studies should be performed, before applying it in the clinic.

Thallium (Tl) is a rare metal with toxic effects notably harmful to human health and the environment. In this article, the natural occurrence of Tl was evaluated in a deactivated manganese mine located in the western region of Bahia, Brazil. The extraction procedure with aqua regia was used to dissolve the soil, sediment, and tailings samples. The Tl content was determined by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) and manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS). The Tl levels ranged from 0.64 to 473 mg kg-1, triggering an alert since most of the samples (soil and sediment) analyzed presented Tl concentrations above 1.0 mg kg-1, recognized as the maximum limit recommended by environmental agencies in North America and Europe.

RESUMO Objetivo: Este estudo visa analisar a influência da paixão empreendedora e da criatividade na intenção empreendedora e o papel mediador da autoeficácia empreendedora entre as variáveis pessoais/cognitivas e a intenção empreendedora. Originalidade/valor: Ressaltando a importância das variáveis cognitivas e emocionais que podem influenciar as intenções empreendedoras dos estudantes universitários, tais como a criatividade e a paixão empreendedora, este estudo mostra o importante papel das universidades no desenvolvimento das intenções empreendedoras. De acordo com a Teoria Social Cognitiva (TSC), o ambiente influencia o comportamento do indivíduo, e as universidades deveriam promover um ambiente empreendedor, possibilitando a criação de novos empregos e empresas. Design/metodologia/abordagem: Os dados foram coletados por uma pesquisa feita com estudantes de Administração e de Informática de uma universidade brasileira. Ao todo, foram obtidas 338 respostas válidas, analisadas por meio de modelagem de equações estruturais. Essa coleta foi realizada de maneira transversal e com um método de amostragem não-probabilística. Para investigar as hipóteses e atingir os objetivos deste estudo, todos os conceitos foram adaptados a partir da literatura da área de empreendedorismo. O modelo estrutural foi avaliado em relação ao seu ajuste, permitindo a testagem de hipóteses. Resultados: Os resultados mostraram uma relação positiva direta e indireta entre a paixão empreendedora e a intenção de empreender. A respeito da criatividade, foi possível perceber apenas uma influência indireta desse fator na intenção empreendedora, sendo essa relação mediada por meio da autoeficácia empreendedora. Não foram encontradas diferenças significantes no modelo com relação a idade, gênero, curso de graduação, histórico empreendedor familiar, modelo de comportamento e a renda familiar.

ABSTRACT Purpose: This study aims to analyze the influence of entrepreneurial passion and creativity on entrepreneurial intent. It also examines the mediating role of entrepreneurial self-efficacy between the personal/cognitive variable and entrepreneurial intention. Originality/value: By stressing the importance of cognitive and emotional variables that may influence entrepreneurial intentions among university students (such as creativity and entrepreneurial passion), this study shows the important role that universities have in the development of entrepreneurial intent. According to the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), the environment influences individual behavior and, therefore, universities should encourage an entrepreneurial environment, enabling the creation of new jobs and companies. Design/methodology/approach: Data were collected through a survey with business and technology students from a Brazilian university. In total, 338 valid responses were obtained, which were analyzed through structural equation modeling. The data were collected in a cross-sectional manner and by a stratified and non-probability sampling method. To address the research hypothesis and to attain the objectives of the study, all constructs were adapted from relevant literature in the field of entrepreneurship. The structural model was examined in relation to the model fit, which enabled the hypothesis to be tested. Findings: Results showed both a direct and indirect positive relationship between entrepreneurial passion on entrepreneurial intention. Regarding the creativity factor, results indicated only an indirect effect of creativity on entrepreneurial intention, this relationship being mediated through entrepreneurial self-efficacy. No significant differences were found in the model regarding age, gender, graduation program, entrepreneurial family background, role models or family income.

We examined spatial variations in the biological descriptors of macrobenthic assemblage in relation to environmental parameters and metal distribution in the sediments along a channel of Bahía Blanca estuary affected by non-treatment sewage effluents. Along the channel, metal concentration values were higher than those in the internal estuary area, a sector considered as a reference site. The highest values of water turbidity and metal content in sediments were observed in the effluent discharge zone and at the site where sediments from dredging activities were deposited two years ago. The density of macrobenthic assemblages decreased towards the effluent discharge zone, but the richness and diversity reached to minimum values in both disturbed areas. Only two species of polychaetes were associated with these areas: Laeonereis acuta and Aphelochaeta sp.; the former being found in the effluent discharge zone, where Cd and Pb were most abundant, and the latter being the dominant species in the site characterized by dredging material and high concentrations of Cr and Ni. This study is the first approach to explore the impact of anthropogenic activities over the macrobenthic assemblage of the Bahía Blanca estuary, providing background data to use future management decisions.

Se analizó el efecto de los efluentes cloacales sin tratamiento sobre el ensamble macrobentónico submareal del estuario de Bahía Blanca. Se examinaron las variaciones espaciales en los descriptores biológicos en relación con los parámetros ambientales y la distribución de metales en los sedimentos de un canal afectado por efluentes urbanos. A lo largo del canal se registraron valores de concentración de metales mayores a los de la zona interna del estuario (sitio de referencia). Los valores más altos de turbidez del agua se registraron en el sitio próximo a la zona de descarga del efluente y en la zona media del canal, donde, además, se depositaron sedimentos de un dragado de la zona portuaria e industrial realizado dos años antes que este estudio. La densidad del ensamble disminuyó hacia la zona cercana a la descarga del efluente, mientras que la riqueza y la diversidad alcanzaron valores mínimos tanto en la zona de descarga como la zona media. Sólo dos especies de poliquetos se asociaron con estas áreas: Laeonereis acuta y Aphelochaeta sp.; el primero se encontró en la zona de descarga de efluentes, donde Cd y Pb fueron los metales más abundantes, y el segundo fue la especie dominante en el sitio caracterizado por la presencia de material de dragado y altas concentraciones de Cr y Ni. Este estudio proporciona datos de base con los cuales contrastar futuras medidas de manejo.

A novel carbon composite was prepared from a mixture of coffee waste and clay with inorganic:organic ratio of 1.3 (CC-1.3). The mixture was pyrolysed at 700 °C. Considering the application of this adsorbent for removal of anionic dyes, the CC-1.3 was treated with a 6 mol L-1 HCl for 24 h to obtain ACC-1.3. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), N2 adsorption/desorption curves, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and powder X-ray diffractometry (XRD) were used for characterisation of CC-1.3 and ACC-1.3 carbon adsorbents. The adsorbents were effectively utilised for removal of reactive blue 19 (RB-19) and reactive violet 5 (RV-5) textile dyes from aqueous solutions. The maximum amounts of RB-19 dye adsorbed at 25 °C are 63.59 (CC-1.3) and 110.6 mg g-1 (ACC-1.3), and 54.34 (CC-1.3) and 94.32 mg g-1 (ACC-1.3) for RV-5 dye. Four simulated dye-house effluents were used to test the application of the adsorbents for treatment of effluents.

Neste trabalho caracterizou-se a qualidade dos frutos em diferentes pontos de colheita para armazenamento das cultivares de maracujá: BRS Gigante Amarelo, BRS Ouro Vermelho e BRS Sol do Cerrado. Foram avaliados as características físicas dos frutos (aparência, perda de massa, coloração da casca) e os parâmetros químicos do suco (conteúdo de acidez, pH, ácido ascórbico, sólidos solúveis totais, açúcares solúveis totais e açúcares redutores). Utilizou-se uma Amostragem Simples ao Acaso (ASA), com 0,05 de significância e as médias foram comparadas pelo Teste "t" por Intervalo de Confiança. Os frutos colhidos nos estádios iniciais de amadurecimento apresentaram maior perda de massa e alteração da qualidade do suco. Conclui-se que os frutos das diferentes cultivares colhidos na safra de verão (novembro/dezembro) devem ter pelo menos 55% de casca com coloração amarela para proporcionar menor perda de massa, manter a qualidade do suco e aumentar a sua vida útil.

In this study the fruit quality was characterized at different harvest points for storage of varieties of passion fruits: BRS Gigante Amarelo, BRS Ouro Vermelho and BRS Sol do Cerrado. The physical characteristics of fruits (appearance, mass loss and peel color) and chemical parameters of juice (content of acidity, pH, ascorbic acid, total soluble solids, total soluble sugars and reducing sugars) were characterized. The method of Simple Random Sampling (SRS) was applied, with 0.05 level of significance, and means were compared using the "t" Test for Confidence Intervals. Fruits harvested in the early ripening stages showed a higher mass loss as well as the worst juice quality. It was concluded that fruits of different cultivars harvested in summer seasons must present at least 55% of yellow peel color to render the lower mass loss, the best quality of juice and to extend the storage time.

Este trabalho teve o objetivo de identificar diferentes condições na cultura do café, após a colheita, utilizando mineração de dados e curvas espectrais obtidas do sensor Hyperion/EO1.A imagem Hyperion, com resolução espacial de 30 m,foi obtida em 28 de agosto de 2008, fim de safra do café na área de estudo.Como pré-processamentos, foram realizadas a correção atmosférica através do algoritmo Flaash e a correção do sinal/ruído pelo algoritmo MNF (Minimum Noise Fraction Transform). Posteriormente, foram geradas curvas espectrais (38) de 150 comprimentos de onda, que foram analisadas através do algoritmo EM (Expectation-Maximization), considerando simulações de 2; 3; 4 e 5 clusters. Para verificar a igualdade das médias dos comprimentos de onda dos clusters, foi utilizado o teste t, com 5% de significância. Os resultados mostraram que foi possível separar os cafés em cinco diferentes grupos, segundo sua condição pós-colheita, possibilitando melhorar ações futuras de intervenção.

This study aimed at identifying different conditions of coffee plants after harvesting period, using data mining and spectral behavior profiles from Hyperion/EO1 sensor. The Hyperion image, with spatial resolution of 30 m, was acquired in August 28th, 2008, at the end of the coffee harvest season in the studied area. For pre-processing imaging, atmospheric and signal/noise effect corrections were carried out using Flaash and MNF (Minimum Noise Fraction Transform) algorithms, respectively. Spectral behavior profiles (38) of different coffee varieties were generated from 150 Hyperion bands. The spectral behavior profiles were analyzed by Expectation-Maximization (EM) algorithm considering 2; 3; 4 and 5 clusters. T-test with 5% of significance was used to verify the similarity among the wavelength cluster means. The results demonstrated that it is possible to separate five different clusters, which were comprised by different coffee crop conditions making possible to improve future intervention actions.

Neste trabalho é apresentado um estudo a respeito da análise da estrutura de substâncias redutoras de tensão superficial produzidas por Pseudomonas citronellolis 222A estimulado pela presença de ferro. Esta bactéria foi isolada de um solo que há 17 anos vem sendo utilizado para o tratamento de borra oleosa proveniente da indústria petroquímica e de refinaria de petróleo. O espectro de massa difere do espectro de P. aeruginosa, indicando que as substâncias redutoras de tensão superficial produzidas por P. citronellolis podem ser um novo tipo de biosurfactante.

In this work we investigated the structure of the iron-stimulated surface tension reducing substances produced by P. citronellolis 222A isolated from a 17-years old landfarming used for sludge treatment in petrochemical industries and oil refinery. Its mass spectrum differs from P. aeruginosa spectrum, indicating that the surface tension reducing substances produced by P. citronellolis can be a new kind of biosurfactant.

In order to reduce the total number of experiments for achieving the highest amount of adsorbed Cu2+ (qmax) using pecan nutshells (Carya illinoensis) as biosorbent, a full 2(4) factorial design with two central points was carried out (mass of biosorbent- m, pH, initial metallic ion concentration- C0, time of contact- t). In order to continue the optimization of the system, a central composite surface analysis design with two factors and five central points was carried out. The maximum amount of Cu2+ taken up by the pecan nutshells was 20 mg g-1. These results were confirmed by determining a Cu2+ isotherm using the best conditions attained by the statistical design of experiments.

OBJETIVO - Avaliar o efeito dos ésteres de fitoesteróis (FE) da dieta, em função dos diferentes genótipos de apo E, sobre os lípides plasmáticos em indivíduos moderadamente hipercolesterolêmicos. MÉTODOS - Pacientes moderadamente hipercolesterolêmicos (20 a 60 anos de idade; 50 mulheres e 10 homens), mantidos em dieta habitual, receberam margarina (20g/dia) enriquecida com fitoesteróis (2,8g/dia=1,68g de FE), ou margarina normal (placebo), por dois períodos de quatro semanas cada, em estudo duplo cego e cruzado. RESULTADOS - Fitoesteróis reduziram significativamente o colesterol total e o LDL-colesterol, respectivamente, em 10% e 12% quando comparado à fase basal de admissão ao programa, e 6% e 8% quando comparado à fase placebo. O HDL-colesterol e a trigliceridemia não se modificaram. CONCLUSÃO - Ésteres de fitoesteróis da dieta reduziram a colesterolemia e a redução do LDL-colesterol foi mais pronunciada nos indivíduos que apresentavam valores maiores de LDL-colesterol, quando admitidos no estudo. Em relação ao sinótipo de apo E não houve diferença significativa entre apo E 3/3 e apo E 3/4.

OBJECTIVE - This study aimed at relating the pattern of response to dietary plant sterol ester (PSE) treatment of plasma lipids concentrations and apo E polymorphisms. METHODS - Patients (20-60y old: 50 women; 10 men) with primary moderate hypercholesterolemia were fed margarine (20g/d), received no treatment (placebo), and were fed PSE (2.8g/d = 1.68 phytosterols), during 3 periods of 4 weeks each, in a crossover, double-blind study. DNA was extracted from white blood cells for the apo E polymorphisms. RESULTS - PSE treatment significantly lowered TC and LDL-C 10% and 12%, respectively, in relation to the baseline, and 6% and 8% in relation to the placebo phase, but HDL-C and TG levels were not modified. In regard to the apo E genotyping, no significant difference occurred between apo E 3/3 and apo E 3/4. CONCLUSION - Dietary plant sterol ester (PSE) treatment reduced cholesterolemia, and the reduction of LDL-C in absolute values was more pronounced when the initial LDL - C concentration were elevated.

O parâmetro de solubilidade de poliuretanos segmentados foi determinado através de ensaios de inchamento no equilíbrio, tratando-se os dados pela teoria de Flory-Rehner. O segmento flexível dos poliuretanos foi constituído por blocos de oligobutadieno e o segmento rígido foi formado pela reação entre di-isocianato de tolileno e os extensores de cadeia 1,3-propanodiol; 1,4-butanodiol; 1,6-hexanodiol e 2, 2'-di-hidroxi-isopropil N, N'anilina. O teor em segmento rígido para os polímeros provenientes dos extensores alifáticos ficou na faixa de 25,1% a 28,3%, enquanto que, nos polímeros estendidos com o extensor aromático, foi de 32,6%.

The solubility parameter of a series of segmented polyurethanes was determined through equilibrium swelling experiments, using the Flory-Rehner theory. The soft segment of the polyurethanes was oligobutadiene and the hard block was formed through the reaction of tolylene diisocyanate with propanediol, butanediol, hexanediol or 2, 2' dihydroxy isopropyl N, N' aniline. The hard segment content in all polymers was about the same for the aliphatic extenders (25.1% to 28.3%) and 32.6% for the aromatic one.