Abstract For oxide semiconductors for application in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), titanium dioxide conjugated with zinc oxide thin films was synthesized and characterized. The UV (ultraviolet) spectrum characterization showed a peak of absorbance at around 355 nm, with a band gap of 3.25 eV and reflectance around 85%. Such characteristics allowed the fabrication of DSSCs with N719 dye, under simulated light of 100 mW/cm2. The highest efficiency of 1.17% was at 5% titanium dioxide and 4 h of dye immersion.

Abstract Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a non-lactose fermenting Gram-negative bacteria responsible for causing numerous nosocomial infections. The present research aimed to analyze the anti-Pseudomonas aeruginosa potential of 2-Chloro-N-(4-fluoro-3-nitrophenyl)acetamide (A8). The antibacterial potential of A8 was evaluated from the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) and Association using the checkerboard method. MIC and MBC values were 512 µg/mL for all P. aeruginosa strains evaluated, demonstrating predominantly bactericidal activity. Furthermore, when A8 was associated with the drug ceftriaxone, pharmacological additivity and indifference were evidenced. In this sense, the synthetic amide was interesting, since it demonstrates the potential to become a possible candidate for an antimicrobial drug.

Resumo Pseudomonas aeruginosa é uma bactéria Gram-negativa não fermentadora de lactose, responsável por causar inúmeras infecções nosocomiais. A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo analisar o potencial anti-Pseudomonas aeruginosa da molécula 2-Cloro-N-(4-fluoro-3-nitrofenil)acetamida (A8). O potencial antibacteriano do A8 foi avaliado a partir da Concentração Inibitória Mínima (CIM), Concentração Bactericida Mínima (CBM) e Associação pelo método de checkboard. Os valores de CIM e CBM foram de 512 µg/mL para todas as cepas de P. aeruginosa avaliadas, demonstrando atividade predominantemente bactericida. Além disso, quando o A8 foi associado ao fármaco ceftriaxona, evidenciou-se aditividade e indiferença farmacológica. Nesse sentido, a amida sintética se mostrou interessante, pois demonstra potencial para se tornar um possível candidato a fármaco antimicrobiano.

Abstract Semiconductors, such as zinc oxide (ZnO), are used in different scientific fields, including energy. This study applied ZnO thin films on a photovoltaic cell, specifically a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). ZnO was used in solar cells due to its characteristics such as electronic mobility. Electrophoretic deposition (EPD) is an efficient method to deposit thin films since it can be done at room temperature and its parameters can be easily controlled. ZnO thin films were deposited on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass, changing the tension parameter, and used in a DSSC, with different dye immersion times, between 7 and 24 h, to observe time effects on cell efficiency. For lower tension, 30 and 40 V, 7 h improved the cell efficiency, and at 50 V, 24 h favored the current density and efficiency. The highest efficiency was for the photoanode EPD deposited at 50 V, for 24 h dye immersion, at about 2.68%, and photocurrent of 13.55 mA/cm2.

Abstract This study assessed the effect of non-thermal plasma (NTP) on Nannochloropsis gaditana cell rupture and subsequent lipid extraction. Micrograph images showed that the surface of original N. gaditana cells appeared smooth and had no apparent holes, whereas after NTP the cells showed a non-uniform apparently fractured surface with many pores and large splits. Maximum lipid recovery from N. gaditana cells (~19%) for NTP-assisted rupture was observed at 10 min, similar to extraction after 10 min sonication (19.0%). The lipid recovery after both pretreatments (average 19.0%) was 2-fold higher than the control treatment (no pretreatment 9.5%). In addition, lipids from unruptured algal cells were mainly composed of ω-3polyunsaturated fatty acids (~31% of total fatty acids), while lipids after NTP were predominantly composed of saturated fatty acids (36.0% of total fatty acids), which could be advantageous for biodiesel production. This study demonstrates an alternative approach based on NTP-technology for algal cell rupture prior to lipid extraction with potential uses for algal biodiesel production.

Five new withanolides, designated as 15-oxo-nicaphysalin B, 6β,7α-dihydroxynicandrenone 10, 24α,25β-dihydroxy-nicandrenone-2 and a mixture of the epimers 17-(1α/1β-methylpropanone)-nicandrenone, in addition to six known others, were isolated from the leaf acetone extract from Nicandra physalodes. The complete structures of the five new withanolides, particularly their relative stereochemistries, were established by extensive spectroscopic analyses, including 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HRESIMS). The main isolated withanolides were evaluated for their antibacterial, antifungal and larvicidal properties, but, except nicandrenone, which showed marginal larvicidal activity, none of them was active.

Abstract Gold mining and ore processing are activities of great economic importance. However, they are related to generation of extremely polluted effluents containing high concentrations of heavy metals and low pH. This study aims to evaluate the optimal conditions for gold mining effluent treatment by crossflow membrane filtration regarding the following variables: nanofiltration (NF) and reverse osmosis (RO) membrane types, feed pH and permeate recovery rate. It was observed that retention efficiencies of NF90 were similar to those of RO membranes though permeate fluxes obtained were 7-fold higher. The optimum pH value was found to be 5.0, which resulted in higher permeate flux and lower fouling formation. At a recovery rate above 40% there was a significant decrease in permeate quality, so this was chosen as the maximum recovery rate for the proposed system. We conclude that NF is a suitable treatment for gold mining effluent at an estimated cost of US$ 0.83/m3.

Nesse trabalho, a oxidação catalítica do contaminante sulfeto em meio aquoso foi estudada na presença de carvão ativado na forma de briquetes mecanicamente resistentes e versáteis produzidos a partir de resíduos da indústria do vinho, i.e., semente e cachos. Caracterizações por microscopia eletrônica de varredura combinada com espectroscopia de dispersão de raios X (SEM/EDS), área superficial Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), Raman, termogravimetria (TG), difração de raio X (XRD) e titulação potenciométrica indicam materiais com alta área mesoporosa e grande quantidade de grupos superficiais oxigenados. Esses briquetes mostraram alta atividade para a oxidação de sulfetos em meio aquoso, mesmo comparados com um carvão ativado comercial de elevada área superficial. A eficiência na oxidação de sulfeto é discutida em termos de dois efeitos: a elevada concentração de grupos superficiais redox do tipo quinona/hidroquinona formados a partir da decomposição do mosto da uva e a alta macro/mesoporosidade dos materiais que facilita a difusão das diferentes espécies durante a reação.

In this work, the catalytic oxidation of the hazardous and unpleasant aqueous sulfide contaminant was investigated by activated carbon in the form of mechanically resistant and versatile briquettes produced from two different wastes of the wine industry, i.e., lex and stalk. Characterization by scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), surface area Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), Raman, thermogravimetry (TG), X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and potentiometric titration showed that the materials have high mesoporous area with a large number of surface oxygen functionalities. These briquettes showed high efficiency for the oxidation of sulfides in aqueous medium, which is discussed in terms of two effects: the relatively high concentrations of quinone/hydroquinone surface redox groups formed from the grape must binder and the macro/mesoporosity, which facilitates the diffusion of the different species during the reaction.

Na irrigação localizada com gotejadores posicionados de modo subsuperficial há o risco potencial de partículas de solo serem succionadas através do orifício de saída de água, em virtude da ocorrência de vácuo podendo resultar no entupimento dos mesmos. Objetivou-se, com este trabalho, avaliar o efeito da aplicação de vácuo no desempenho de diferentes modelos de gotejadores sob duas condições de textura de solo e posicionados de modo subsuperficial. Os tratamentos consistiram da aplicação dos níveis de sucção de -10, -15, -20 e -40 kPa, em solos de textura arenosa e argilosa, em 23 modelos de gotejadores usados com mais de 1 ano de funcionamento. O desempenho dos emissores no gotejamento subsuperficial foi influenciado pela textura do solo. De modo geral, em 80% dos emissores o vácuo de -40 kPa proporcionou obstrução nos emissores e redução da vazão, em ambas as texturas de solo. A maior redução de uniformidade de aplicação de água ocorreu com o modelo Irrimon Irridrip Plus 2,5 L h-1 na condição de solo arenoso e aplicação de 40 kPa de sucção.

In drip irrigation with emitters positioned subsurfacely there is the potential risk of soil particles being suctioned through the water outlet port, due to the occurrence of vacuum which may result in clogging of drippers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of vacuum on the performance of different models of subsurface positioned drippers under two conditions of soil texture. The treatments consisted of applying suction levels of -10, -15, -20 and -40 kPa in sandy and clayey soils in 23 models of used drippers with more than 1 year of operation. The performance of the subsurface drip emitters was influenced by soil texture. Overall, in 80% of drippers , -40 kPa vacuum caused the obstruction of emitter and reduced flow in both soils. The largest reduction of uniformity of water application was observed in model Irrimon Irridrip Plus 2.5 L h-1 in sandy soil and application of 40 kPa suction.

Uma descrição do coccídio Isospora hemidactyli da lagartixa doméstica Hemidactylus mabouia, muito comum em residências da região metropolotana do Rio de Janeiro, foi feita neste estudo. Os histogramas e a regressão linear para esta espécie confirmaram a homogeneidade de seus oocistos apesar da grande amplitude de variação. Além disto, oocistos polisporocísticos também foram recuperados das fezes de H. mabouia e foram semelhantes aos descritos anteriormente no gênero Adelina. Esta espécie devia estar parasitando um invertebrado ingerido pela lagartixa doméstica, e por essa razão, é um pseudoparasita. Oocistos de I. hemidactyli foram sub-esféricos a elipsóides, 24,4 × 22,3μm, com parede simples e um grânulo polar. Os esporocistos foram subesféricos a elipsóides, 11,8 × 9,8μm com corpos de Stieda e substieda, resíduo e esporozoítas com corpo refráctil. Oocistos do pseudoparasita Adelina sp. foram elipsóides, 36,3 × 30,9μm, com parede dupla e sem micrópila, resíduo e grânulo polar. Oito a 15 esporocistos estavam presentes e foram subesféricos a elipsóides, 12,4 × 11,2μm. Os corpos de Stieda e substieda estavam ausentes. Os esporozoítas apresentam corpos refrácteis em ambas as extremidades.

A description of the coccidium Isospora hemidactyli from the house gecko Hemidactylus mabouia, a very common at dwellings in Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Region, was made in this study. Histograms and linear regression were made for this species and determined the homogeneity of these oocysts despite of large range. Besides it, polysporocystid oocysts also were recovered from feces of the H. mabouia house gecko and they were similar to those described previously as the genus Adelina. This species should be parasitizing an invertebrate ingested by house gecko, and for that reason, is a pseudoparasite. Oocysts of I. hemidactyli were subspherical to ellipsoidal, 24.4 × 22.3μm, with single-layered wall and one polar granule. Sporocysts were subspherical to ellipsoidal, 11.8 × 9.8μm with Stieda and substieda bodies, residuum and sporozoites with refractile body. Oocysts of the pseudoparasite Adelina sp. were ellipsoidal, 36.3 × 30.9μm, with bi-layered wall and without micropyle, residuum and polar granule. Eight to 15 sporocysts were presents and were subspherical to broadly ellipsoidal, 12.4 × 11.2μm. Stieda and substieda bodies were absent. Sporozoites present refractile bodies at both ends.

Foi estudado o efeito da adição de Al2O3 nas propriedades de cerâmicas à base de ZrO2 tetragonal estabilizada com ítria (Y-TZP) visando sua aplicação como material dentário. Amostras contendo 0, 10, 20 e 30% em peso de Al2O3 foram compactadas por prensagem uniaxial a frio (80 MPa) e em seguida sinterizadas ao ar a 1500, 1550 e 1600 °C por 120 min. Os efeitos destas condições de sinterização nas propriedades dos materiais foram analisados por difração de raios X e microscopia eletrônica de varredura. As propriedades mecânicas de dureza e tenacidade à fratura foram determinadas, utilizando-se o método de indentação Vickers. Além disso, algumas amostras foram submetidas a ensaio de flexão em 4 pontos. Cerâmicas de elevada densidade relativa foram obtidas, com dureza variando entre 13,4 e 15,8 GPa, dependendo da quantidade de Al2O3 adicionada à matriz de ZrO2. Por outro lado, não foi verificada uma influencia significativa da adição de Al2O3 na tenacidade à fratura, que apresentou valores próximos de 8 MPa.m½, em quase todas as situações. A boa dureza, a elevada tenacidade à fratura, a boa resistência à fratura (sigmaf = 685 MPa) e o módulo de Weibull (m=11) apresentados pelos materiais com adições de 20% de Al2O3, indicam a confiabilidade do compósito como um potencial biomaterial para uso na implantodontia.

In this work, the influence of Al2O3 addition on the tetragonal ZrO2 ceramic properties was studied, aiming the use of this ceramic as dental materials. Samples containing 0, 10, 20 e 30 wt.% were cold pressed (80 MPa), and sintered in air, at 1500, 1550 e 1600 °C, for 120 min. The effects of the sintering conditions were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and Scanning Electron Microscopy. Hardness and fracture toughness were determined by Vicker's indentation method. Furthermore, samples were submitted to the 4 point bending test. Dense ceramics were obtained, with hardness values varying around 13.4 and 15.8 GPa, depending on the Al2O3 content added in the ZrO2 matrix. On the other hand, no significant difference in the fracture toughness was detected by the Al2O3 addition, with K IC around 8 MPa.m½, in all conditions. The high hardness, fracture toughness, flexural strength (sigmaf = 685 MPa) and reliability (m=11) presented by the ceramic composites with 20wt.% Al2O3, indicates the potential of these materials as bioceramics for dental materials.

No presente trabalho, a influência da temperatura e do tempo de sinterização no desenvolvimento microestrutural e propriedades de compósitos cerâmicos à base de ZrO2-Al2O3 foram estudados, visando futura aplicação deste material como componente de sistemas de implantes dentários. Compósitos de ZrO2 com adições de 20% de Al2O3 foram misturados/moídos, compactados e, em seguida, sinterizados em temperaturas de 1500 ou 1600°C. Em cada temperatura, os patamares de sinterização, foram variados de 0 a 480 minutos. Os corpos sinterizados foram caracterizados quanto às fases presentes, microestrutura, densidade relativa, além de dureza e tenacidade à fratura. Para uma avaliação biológica primária, testes de citotoxicidade baseados em cultura celular de mamíferos foram realizados. Os resultados indicaram que em todas as condições de sinterização as amostras apresentaram apenas duas fases cristalinas, ZrO2 tetragonal e alfa-Al2O3. É observado um aumento dos valores de propriedades mecânicas em função do aumento da temperatura de sinterização, os quais devem ser relatados ao leve aumento da densificação das amostras. Por outro lado, o aumento do tempo de isoterma de sinterização ocasiona uma redução considerável na dureza e na tenacidade à fratura das amostras que pode ser relacionada ao crescimento de grão da ZrO2 e Al2O3. A avaliação biológica demonstrou que os materiais obtidos são biocompatíveis, devido ao crescimento celular apresentado durante o teste citotoxicológico, indicando que esses compósitos cerâmicos podem ser caracterizados como biomateriais adequados para a aplicação em implantes.

In the present work, the influence of the temperature and sintering time on the microstructural development of ZrO2-Al2O3 ceramic composite was studied, aiming at the viability of the application of this material as dental material. Tetragonal ZrO2 powder (Y-TZP) with additions of 20wt.% of Al2O3 were mixed, pressed and sintered at 1500 or 1600°C. In each temperature, the isothermal sintering time varied between 0 and 480 minutes. Sintered samples were characterized by crystalline phases, microstructure, relative density, hardness and fracture toughness. For primary biological evaluation, cytotoxicity tests based on cellular culture of mammals were carried through. The results indicated that in all sintering conditions the samples presented only two crystalline phases, tetragonal -ZrO2 e alpha-Al2O3. An increase of the mechanical properties values as a function of the sintering temperature increase was observed, due to the increase on the densification. On the other hand, the increase of the isothermal sintering time causes a considerable reduction in the hardness and fracture toughness, which can be related to the ZrO2 and Al2O3-grain growth. The biological evaluation demonstrated that these bioceramics are biocompatible, presenting cellular growth during the cytotoxic test, indicating that these ceramic composite can be characterized as biomaterials adjusted for the application in implantations.

No Projeto Irrigado de Bebedouro, em Petrolina, PE (latitude: 09º09'S, longitude: 40º22'W, altitude: 365,5 m) foram avaliados, nos anos de 1998 e 1999, a distribuição radicular e o consumo de água da mangueira, cv. Tommy Atkins, com sete anos de idade, cultivada em espaçamento de 5 x 8 m e irrigada por gotejamento. A profundidade efetiva das raízes foi de 1,80 m e o consumo médio de água foi de 4,6 e 4,1 mm d-1 em 1998 e 1999, respectivamente. Os resultados indicaram que o método do balanço hídrico do solo fornece estimativa da evapotranspiração real da mangueira, para períodos de sete dias com erro de 8%, que diminui a medida em que se aumenta o período analisado.

A field experiment was carried out at the Irrigation District of Bebedouro, located in the municipality of Petrolina, Brazil (latitude: 09º09'S, longitude: 40º22'W, altitude: 365.5 m) during 1998 and 1999 to evaluate the root distribution and water consumption in a seven year old mango orchard, cv. Tommy Atkins, planted in a grid spacing of 5 m between plants and 8 m between rows, and irrigated by drippers. Effective rooting depth was around 180 cm and mean water consumption was 4.6 and 4.1 mm d-1 in 1998 and in 1999, respectively. Errors in soil water balance to estimate the actual evapotranspiration for seven day periods was 8%.

Moluscos coletados em cinco localidades no estado do Rio Grande do Sul (Brasil) foram digeridos e examinados. As lesmas infectadas foram identificadas como Phyllocaulis variegatus e as larvas encontradas foram inoculadas per os em camundongos albinos. Após 50 dias, parasitos com as características de A. costaricensis foram recuperados do sistema arterial mesentérico. Estes resultados estabelecem o papel do P. variegatus como hospedeiro intermediário de A. costaricensis no sul do Brasil, onde diversos casos de angiostrongilíase abdominal têm sido diagnosticados.

Molluscs collected in five localities in the State of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil) were digested and examined. The infected slugs were identified as Phyllocaulis variegatus and the larvae found were inoculated per os into mice. After 50 days, worms with the caracteristics of Angiostrongylus costaricensis were recovered from the mesenteric arterial system. The results establish the role of P. variegatus as intermediate host of A. costaricensis in south Brazil, where many cases of abdominla angiostrongyliasis have been diagnosed.

Na maioria dos chagásicos crônicos o Trypanosoma cruzi não é detectado no tecido ou apresenta se com extrema raridade, mesmo quando é pesquisado exaustivamente. Sendo os métodos utilizados, até então, inespecíficos para a demonstração do T. cruzi, propôs-se no presente trabalho proceder ao estudo comparativo entre o método convencional (HE) e o método imunocitoquímico pela peroxidase anti-peroxidase (PAP), na avaliação quantitativa do parasitismo. Selecionaram-se 3 casos de cardiopatia chagásica crônica e, de um mesmo fragmento de cada caso, obtiveram se cortes que foram corados pelo H.E. (média de 100 cortes por caso) e, consecutivamente, outros que foram corados pelo PAP (média de 70 cortes por caso). O caso n.° 1 foi autopsiado em 1952 e apresentava parasitismo freqüente. Nos demais, o exame rotineiro foi negativo. Obtiveram-se os seguintes resultados expressos em n.° de ninhos/100 cortes, respectivamente, corados pelo H.E. e pelo P.A.P. (HE/PAP). Caso n.° 1 - 80/171; caso n.° 2 = 5/116 e caso n.° 3 = 1/2. Os resultados mostram que o método imunocitoquímico empregado, além de facilitar o diagnóstico do parasitismo, demonstra também pequenos ninhos de amastigotas que dificilmente seriam diagnosticados pelos métodos convencionais; além disso mostrou-se útil mesmo em tecido incluídos em parafina há longo tempo.

In most patients with chronic Chagas disease the Trypanosoma cruzi has been shown to be present in extremely scanty numbers in all tissues extensively studied using conventional non-specific histologic techniques presently available. The present work was carried out in order to compare the immunocytochemical method of peroxidase anti-peroxidase (PAP) with the Haematoxilin and Eosin (HE) technique in the quantification of the parasitism in formalin fixed tissues from chronic chagasic patients. Using the same tissue fragment from each one of 3 cases of chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy, sections were obtained for HE (average: 100 sections per fragment) and for PAP (average: 70 sections per fragment). The fragment from case Nip. 1 was first studied in 1952 and presented with relatively great number of parasites. The results, expressed as amastigotes nests per 100 sections stained by HE and PAP were, respectively (HE — PAP): case No. 1, 80 — 171; case No. 2, 5-116 and case No. 3, 1-2. The present results show that the immunocytochemical method improves the quantitative evaluation of the parasitism in tissues of chronic Chagas disease. Furthemore. it should be preferred not only for the specific diagnosis taut also for quantitative studies on the tissular parasitism even in those tissues included in paraffin wax for long periods of time.

Os cultivares de soja 'paraná', 'viçoja' e 'santa-rosa', a linhagem IAC 73-223 e as introduções PI 171451 e PI 229358 foram testados em condições de campo para avaliar a resistência a percevejos. Ocorreram nesse campo experimental apenas as espécies de percevejos pentatomídios Nezara viridula L. e Piezodorus guildinii Westw. em iguais proporções. A linhagem IAC 73-228 teve a menor porcentagem de grãos danificados (48,1%) na metade superior da planta e as introduções PI 171451 (71,1%) e PI 229358 (79,1%) apresentaram porcentagem intermediária de grãos danificados. O cultivar 'paraná' foi o mais danificado, com 96,87%. Houve correlação significativa entre porcentagem de dano e porcentagem de plantas com retenção foliar (hastes verdes) por ocasião da colheita. Houve correlação positiva entre tamanho dos grãos e dano dos percevejos. O dano foi maior na parte superior das plantas que na inferior.

The soybean cultivars Paraná. Viçoja and Santa Rosa, the line IAC 73-228 and the introductions PI 171451 and PI 229358,e were tsted in Campinas, State of São Paulo, Brazil, in relation to the stink bugs Nezara viridula L. and Piezodorus guildinii Westw. The line IAC 73-228 had the least percentage of damaged seed (48,l%) in the superior half of the plant, whereas Paraná had the highest (96,8%). The introductions PI-171451 (71,1%) and PI 229358 (79,1%) had intermediate degrees of damaged seeds. This difference in damaged seeds could be due to actual resistance to the stink bugs, to resistance to Nematospora coryli transmitted by these insects or due to host evasion. It has been observed by DAUGHERTY et al. (1964) and LINK & COSTA (1974), that varieties with shorter period from flowering to harvest are less damaged by stink bugs and this would be a case of pseudo resistance called host evasion according to PAINTER (1951). There was a high positive correlation between percentage of seeds damaged and green stems at harvest. This feature could be used for field selection against these insects. There was positive significant correlation between damage and seed size. The seed size may be linked in some way to susceptibility to stink bugs. The damage was higher in the superior half of the plants than in the inferior.