Exploring the potential of cuttlebone waste to produce building lime

The goal of this study is to find a practicable way to recycle cuttlebone waste in the production of lime. It was studied the behavior of calcium oxide obtained from the calcination of this waste at 900, 1000 and 1100 ºC and, after wet slaking, the produced lime was characterized. All the results were compared to calcium oxide or to hydrated lime obtained from commercial limestone. According to the slaking results, the waste and the limestone calcined at 1000 ºC achieved the R4 (around 13 min to reach 60 ºC) and R5 (60 ºC in 25 s) reactiv­ity class, respectively. Changing the calcination temperature to 900 or 1100 ºC did not promote an increase in the reactivity of the calcined waste. Although less reactive than the calcined limestone, the calcined cuttlebone can be transformed without significant constraint into building lime, since this construction material fulfills the relevant physic-chemical standard specifications.The authors thank VAC Minerais, S.A. (Rio Maior, Portugal) for supplying the commercial limestone, the support of Quadro de Referência Estratégica Nacional (QREN) and R&D units: Techn&Art (UID/05488/2018) and Geobiotec (UID/GEO/04035/2019). They also thank Prof. Dr. Francisco Franco Duro, from the University of Malaga (Spain), for the translations to Spanish language.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Effects of gibberellins and auxin on fruiting of 'Niagara Rosada' grapes

Studies were carried out to establish the effects of exogenous growth regulators on Vitis (Labrusca x vinifera) 'Niagara Rosada' fruiting. The investigations were done in the Jundiaí Research Station, Agronomic Institute State of São Paulo, always using disease-free vineyards of good productivity. The morphological transformations of clusters were studied under the following aspects: weight, length and width of cluster; number of berries; weight, length average and width average of berries; length average/width average ratio of berries; number of seeds; length and diameter of rachis; width of cluster minus berries; length and diameter of secondary rachis. That characteristics were determined at the time of maturity plus the total sugars, total acid, Maturity Index and reducing sugars in samples of all treatments. The experiment was conducted in order to determine the doses that resulted in the most beneficial effects, always using applications by immersion of the inflorescence. In 1970 the experiment consisted of applications of gibberellins and 2-hydroxymethyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid treatments of 5, 10, 25, 50, 100 and 500 ppm; gibberellins 50 ppm plus 2-hydroxymethyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid 50 ppm and nontreated, 11 days after flowering. The effectiveness of 100 ppm of gibberellins after flowering to increase cluster weight, berry number and weight, elongation of secondary rachis was determined. Treatment with gibberellins 50 ppm plus 2-hydroxymethyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid 50 ppm increases cluster weight, berries number and weight. Gibberellins at concentration of 500 ppm stimulated berry elongation but did not benefit other characters. Application of 2-hydroxymetlhyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid after flowering, at the concentrations used did not result in good results in 'Niagara Rosada' fruiting under the conditions studied.Estudou-se a influência da aplicação, por imersão, de giberelinas e auxina (ácido 2-hidroximetil 4-clorofenoxiacético), 11 dias após o florescimento, nas características morfológicas da panícula da videira Vitis (labrusca x vinifera) 'Niagara Rosada'. Neste experimento verificou-se que, aplicação de giberelinas na concentração de 100 ppm em pós-florescimento, promoveu aumento no peso da panícula, número e peso das bagas, além de alongamento da ráquila, o que contribue para a formação de panículas com distribuição das bagas mais adequada. Tratamento com giberelinas 60 ppm + ácido 2-hidroximetil 4-clorofenoxiacético 50 ppm provocou aumento no peso da panícula, número e peso das bagas, sem contudo promover uma melhor distribuição das mesmas. Giberelinas na concentração de 500 ppm causou aumento na elongação das bagas com relação ao diâmetro, porém não apresentou nenhuma outra característica superior ao controle. Aplicação do ácido 2-hidroximetil 4-clorofenoxiacético em pós-fiorescimento, nas concentrações utilizadas, não apresentou resultados favoráveis na frutificação da 'Niagara Rosada', nas condições de estudo

Firmness indexes evaluation for fresh-cut sliced pineapple treated with calcium salts solutions

Fresh-cut sliced fruits and vegetables are ready to eat immediately and their sensorial characteristics should be similar to fresh product. Although most of the studies in this area are focused on vegetables, there is a great market potential for fresh-cut sliced fruits, mainly for those which exhibit some commercialization or preparation difficulties such as pineapple. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of 1% and 3% concentrations of calcium salts (chloride, sulphate and lactate) on pH, total soluble solids and firmness values of minimally processed pineapple slices. Two types of indenters and three firmness indexes were investigated aiming to identify the best index. Results showed that calcium sulphate 3% kept average firmness index up to 44.45% higher than the index value of the control. Even though both indenters exhibited similar variability the cylindrical one was able to point out more differences between control and treatments than the cylindrical borer indenter.Produtos minimamente processados estão prontos para o consumo imediato e devem apresentar qualidade sensorial semelhante à do produto fresco. Embora a maioria dos estudos seja com hortaliças, constata-se o grande potencial de comercialização de frutas minimamente processadas, principalmente aquelas que oferecem alguma dificuldade para a comercialização ou até mesmo para o preparo, sendo o abacaxi um ótimo exemplo disso. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de diferentes sais de cálcio (cloreto, sulfato e lactato), nas concentrações de 1% e 3%, utilizando-se de medidas de pH , sólidos solúveis totais e da firmeza, em fatias de abacaxi minimamente processadas. Dois tipos de ponteiras de penetração (cilíndrica e anel vazador) e três índices de firmeza foram utilizados para mensurar a textura, visando a identificar o melhor índice. Os resultados mostraram que os tratamentos com sulfato de cálcio 3% mantiveram o índice de firmeza das fatias em até 44,45% superior ao da testemunha. Os índices da ponteira cilíndrica, apesar de apresentarem variabilidade semelhante aos da ponteira de anel vazador, apontaram número maior de diferenças entre a testemunha e os tratamentos.15416

Observações preliminares sôbre a longevidade dos "Seedlings" de feijoeiro - Phaseolus vulgaris : em função das reservas cotiledonares

According previous studies about longevity in maize by ACCORSI e ADÂMOLI DE BARROS, (1961) the authors presents in this paper the results of work on longevity of seedlings of beans. Seeds were separated in three groups according their weight, as followings: small 80-120 mg; medium 130-140 mg and big 150-200 mg. The sowing of the seeds was made in pure sand and the seedlings were distributed in distil. water and in complete solution of Arnon and Hoagland. Each treatment was made in two replications with eight seedlings by treatment. At present time the following conclusions can be related: 1.°) - Eight days after germination, the cotiledones of all the seedlings started to fell down, fourteen days after, all cotiledones had fell down. 2.°) - Fifteen days after germination, the seedlings in nutritive solution showed better development than those in distil. water. Table I e II gives results. 3.°) - All seedlings in distil. water showed symptoms of N, Ca, Fe deficiencies. 4.°) - Twenty nine days after germination the seedlings in distil. water manifested exhaust trace, by falling of the leaves and death of some plants although the aplicai buds keep green. 5.°) - After thirty-one days the plants in nutritives solution was in better condition than those in distil. water, although some alteration aboved mentioned was observed. The causes of this alteration are being studied. 6.°) - In many plants in complet solution the seminal leaves showed clorosis initial and some with necrosis, although apical buds keeps in ativity. 7.°) - Symptoms of clorosis and necrosis in diferents stages were observed in all leaflet; these symptoms were more strong in the groups of little seed and medium seeds

Freqüência dos antígenos de histocompatibilidade na população normal da região nordeste do estado de são Paulo Brasil

Modelo de estudo: estudo de prevalência. Objetivos: avaliação das freqüências dos antígenos de histocompatibilidade de classe I (HLA-A, -B e -C) e de classe II (HLA-DR e -DQ) na população de indivíduos saudáveis da região nordeste do Estado de São Paulo. Metodologia: foram estudados três grupos de indivíduos saudáveis, o de funcionários do Hospital de Clínicas e da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, o de doadores do Banco de Sangue local e o de doadores cadáveres de órgãos sólidos do São Paulo Interior Transplante. Os antígenos HLA foram tipificados, utilizando-se método de microlinfocitotoxicidade-dependente de complemento. Resultados: as freqüências dos antígenos de histocompatibilidade de classe I ou II, usualmente detectados entre os três grupos estudados, foram semelhantes. Conclusões: as populações de indivíduos saudáveis estudadas refletem adequadamente o perfil imunogenético da população da região nordeste do Estado de São Paulo, podendo esses dados ser utilizados para estudos de seleção de doadores em transplantes, e, também, naqueles de associação com doenças.Type of study : prevalence study. Objectives: to evaluate the frequency of class I and class II histocompatibity antigens in the normal population of the Northeast region of the State of São Paulo, Brazil. Methods: three groups of healthy individuals were studied: the staff personnel of the University Hospital and School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto; local blood donors, and the cadaveric donors for solid organ transplantation. HLA antigens were typed by a complement-dependent microlymphocytotoxicity assay. Results: HLA frequencies among individulas from the 3 groups sutudied here were similar. Conclusions: HLA frequency observed in any of these populations may be used for donor selection purposes and for HLA and disease association studies

Wild dogs at stake: deforestation threatens the only Amazon endemic canid, the short-eared dog (Atelocynus microtis)

The persistent high deforestation rate and fragmentation of the Amazon forests are the main threats to their biodiversity. To anticipate and mitigate these threats, it is important to understand and predict how species respond to the rapidly changing landscape. The short-eared dog Atelocynus microtis is the only Amazon-endemic canid and one of the most understudied wild dogs worldwide. We investigated short-eared dog habitat associations on two spatial scales. First, we used the largest record database ever compiled for short-eared dogs in combination with species distribution models to map species habitat suitability, estimate its distribution range and predict shifts in species distribution in response to predicted deforestation across the entire Amazon (regional scale). Second, we used systematic camera trap surveys and occupancy models to investigate how forest cover and forest fragmentation affect the space use of this species in the Southern Brazilian Amazon (local scale). Species distribution models suggested that the short-eared dog potentially occurs over an extensive and continuous area, through most of the Amazon region south of the Amazon River. However, approximately 30% of the short-eared dog's current distribution is expected to be lost or suffer sharp declines in habitat suitability by 2027 (within three generations) due to forest loss. This proportion might reach 40% of the species distribution in unprotected areas and exceed 60% in some interfluves (i.e. portions of land separated by large rivers) of the Amazon basin. Our local-scale analysis indicated that the presence of forest positively affected short-eared dog space use, while the density of forest edges had a negative effect. Beyond shedding light on the ecology of the short-eared dog and refining its distribution range, our results stress that forest loss poses a serious threat to the conservation of the species in a short time frame. Hence, we propose a re-assessment of the short-eared dog's current IUCN Red List status (Near Threatened) based on findings presented here. Our study exemplifies how data can be integrated across sources and modelling procedures to improve our knowledge of relatively understudied species

Sensitive and specific serodiagnosis of Leishmania infantum infection in dogs by using peptides selected from hypothetical proteins identified by an immunoproteomic approach

In Brazil, the percentage of infected dogs living in areas where canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) is endemic ranges from 10 to 62%; however, the prevalence of infection in dogs is probably higher than figures reported from serological studies. In addition, problems with the occurrence of false-positive or false-negative results in the serodiagnosis of CVL have been reported. The present work analyzed the potential of synthetic peptides mapped from hypothetical proteins for improvement of the serodiagnosis of Leishmania infantum infection in dogs. From 26 identified leishmanial proteins, eight were selected, considering that no homologies between these proteins and others from trypanosomatide sequence databases were encountered. The sequences of these proteins were mapped to identify linear B-cell epitopes, and 17 peptides were synthesized and tested in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for the serodiagnosis of L. infantum infection in dogs. Of these, three exhibited sensitivity and specificity values higher than 75% and 90%, respectively, to differentiate L. infantum-infected animals from Trypanosoma cruziinfected animals and healthy animals. Soluble Leishmania antigen (SLA) showed poor sensitivity (4%) and specificity (36%) to differentiate L. infantum-infected dogs from healthy and T. cruzi-infected dogs. Lastly, the three selected peptides were combined in different mixtures and higher sensitivity and specificity values were obtained, even when sera from T. cruzi-infected dogs were used. The study’s findings suggest that these three peptides can constitute a potential tool for more sensitive and specific serodiagnosis of L. infantum infection in dogsThis work was supported by grants from the Pró-Reitoria de Pesquisa from UFMG (Edital 07/2012), Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Nano-biofarmacêutica (INCT-NANOBIOFAR, Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG) (CBB-APQ-02364-08, CBB-APQ-00356-10, CBB-APQ-00496-11, and CBB-APQ-00819-12), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) (APQ-472090/2011-9), and the Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Vacinas (INCT-V). E.A.F.C. and A.P.F. are CNPq grant recipients. M.A.C.-F. is a FAPEMIG/CAPES grant recipient. This study was supported in Spain, in part, by grants from the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (FIS/PI1100095)