PHYSICO-CHEMICAL AND ENERGETIC EVALUATION OF WOOD FROM THE SPECIES Piptadenia stipulacea (Benth.) Duckeand Amburana cearensis (Allemao) A. C. Smith IN A SEMI-ARID REGION IN NORTHEAST BRAZIL

A Caatinga \ue9 um bioma exclusivamente brasileiro, que apresenta uma grande variedade de esp\ue9cies da fauna e da flora, sendo uma boa parte destas end\ueamicas. Ao longo dos anos, a supress\ue3o da caatinga por a\ue7\ue3o antr\uf3pica vem reduzindo bastante esse bioma. Este fato se d\ue1, principalmente, pelo uso do potencial energ\ue9tico de suas esp\ue9cies vegetais sem a devida preocupa\ue7\ue3o com a sustentabilidade do mesmo. Um melhor conhecimento do potencial energ\ue9tico das esp\ue9cies vegetais da caatinga possibilita um manejo mais adequado. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o potencial energ\ue9tico e as caracter\uedsticas f\uedsico-qu\uedmicas da madeira das esp\ue9cies Amburana cearensis (Allemao) A. C. Smithe Piptadenia stipulacea (Benth.) Ducke. Foram abatidas cinco \ue1rvores de cada esp\ue9cie, amostradas aleatoriamente no s\uedtio S\ue3o Bento, localizado no Munic\uedpio de Patos - PB. As \ue1rvores foram devidamente identificadas e transportadas para o Setor de Tecnologia de Produtos Florestais (STPF) da Universidade Federal de Campina Grande. De cada \ue1rvore, foram retirados discos pequenos (5 cm de espessura) a 0 (base), 25, 50, 75 e 100% da altura comercial do tronco (at\ue9 5 cm de di\ue2metro) e discos grandes (15 cm espessura), antes e ap\uf3s cada disco pequeno, os discos pequenos foram subdividido em quatro partes, em forma de cunha, passando pela medula. Duas cunhas opostas foram utilizadas para a determina\ue7\ue3o da densidade b\ue1sica, e as restantes foram reservadas para a realiza\ue7\ue3o das an\ue1lises f\uedsicas e qu\uedmicas da madeira e os discos maiores foram destinados \ue0 realiza\ue7\ue3o das carboniza\ue7\uf5es. A densidade b\ue1sica foi determinada de acordo com o m\ue9todo da balan\ue7a hidrost\ue1tica e para a determina\ue7\ue3o da densidade b\ue1sica m\ue9dia de cada \ue1rvore utilizou-se como fator de pondera\ue7\ue3o o volume entre se\ue7\uf5es de cada disco. Ap\uf3s a secagem ao ar, as amostras destinadas \ue0s an\ue1lises qu\uedmicas foram transformadas em serragem e feitas determina\ue7\uf5es quantitativas de extrativos total, da lignina, das cinzas, e o teor de holocelulose foi estimado por diferen\ue7a em rela\ue7\ue3o \ue0 massa inicial [100% \u2013 (teor de extrativos totais + teor de lignina + teor de cinzas)]. As amostras destinadas \ue0s carboniza\ue7\uf5es foram transformadas em cavacos, e carbonizadas em forno el\ue9trico (mufla) por 5h30min. Foram feitas determina\ue7\uf5es dos rendimentos dos produtos das carboniza\ue7\uf5es, e das propriedades f\uedsicas e qu\uedmicas do carv\ue3o vegetal. M\ue9dias significativamente superiores a 1% de probabilidade de teor de lignina, teor de holocelulose, extrativos totais e de cinzas da madeira foram encontradas para as esp\ue9cies Amburana cearensis Piptadenia stipulacea, sendo que esta \ufaltima esp\ue9cie apresentou maiores m\ue9dias de teor de lignina e teor de holocelulose. O rendimento gravim\ue9trico foi semelhante para ambas as esp\ue9cies, enquanto o rendimento em l\uedquido condensado foi significativamente superior para a Amburana cearensis. Em rela\ue7\ue3o \ue0 qualidade do carv\ue3o, foram observados maiores valores de poder calor\uedfico superior e carbono fixo para a Piptadenia stipulacea, enquanto a Amburana cearensis exibiu maiores teores de materiais vol\ue1teis e de cinzas.\u2018Caatinga\u2019 is an exclusive Brazilian biome, which features a wide variety of fauna and flora, and a good part of these are endemic varieties. Over the years, the abolition of \u2018Caatinga\u2019 by human activities has greatly reduced this biome. This fact is mainly due to the use of the energy potential of plant species without proper concern about the sustainability of it. A better understanding of the energy potential of plant species of \u2018Caatinga\u2019 enables a more appropriate management. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential energy and the physical and chemical characteristics of wood species Amburana cearensis (Germans) A. C. Smith and Piptadenia stipulacea (Benth.) Ducke. Five trees of each species were felled, randomly sampled in \u2018S\ue3o Bento\u2019 site, located in the city of Patos, Para\uedba state. The trees were identified and transported to the Department of Forest Product Technology, Federal University of Campina Grande. From each tree, small discs were removed (5 cm thick) to 0 (base), 25, 50, 75 and 100% of the commercial height of the trunk (up to 5 cm in diameter) and large disks (15 cm thick) before and after each small disk, the small discs were divided into four parts, wedge-shaped, passing through the medulla. Two opposing wedges were used to determine the density and the rest was reserved for the physical and chemical wood analyses and the wood discs were destined for greater achievements of carbonizations. Basic density was determined according to the method of hydrostatic balance and to determine the basic density of each tree used as a weighting factor the volume between sections of each disk. After air drying, the samples for chemical analysis were transformed into sawdust and made quantitative determinations of total extractives, lignin, ash and holocellulose content was estimated by difference from the initial mass [100% - (content total extractives + lignin + ash)]. Samples intended for carbonizations were transformed into chips, and charred in an electric furnace (furnace) for 5 hours and 30 minutes. The income from the carbonization products as well as the physical and chemical properties of charcoal were determined. Averages significantly higher than 1% probability of lignin, holocellulose content, total extractives and ash wood were found for the species Amburana cearensis and Piptadenia stipulacea, and this latter had higher average lignin content and holocellulose content. The gravimetric yield was similar for both species, while the condensed liquid yield was significantly higher for Amburana cearensis. In relation to coal quality, higher values were observed for gross calorific value and fixed carbon for Piptadenia stipulacea, while Amburana cearensis exhibited higher levels of volatiles and ash

PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND ENERGETIC CHARACTERISTICS OF TWO SPECIES OCCURRING IN THE BRAZILIAN SEMIARID

A vegeta\ue7\ue3o nativa da Regi\ue3o Nordeste vem sendo explorada e utilizada de forma intensiva e de maneira inadequada para finalidades energ\ue9ticas e nas constru\ue7\uf5es rurais, tornando-se evidente a import\ue2ncia dos conhecimentos relativos \ue0s caracter\uedsticas da madeira. Assim, essa pesquisa teve como objetivo avaliar as caracter\uedsticas f\uedsico - qu\uedmicas e energ\ue9ticas da madeira, os rendimentos da carboniza\ue7\ue3o e a caracteriza\ue7\ue3o do carv\ue3o vegetal das esp \ue9cies Poincianella pyramidalis Tul. L. P. Queiroz (Catingueira) e Handroanthus impertiginosus (Mart. ex DC.) Mattos (Pau-d\u2019arco). Para atender ao objetivo, foram abatidas cinco \ue1rvores de cada esp\ue9cie, amostradas aleatoriamente na Fazenda Santa B\ue1rbara, localizada no munic\uedpio de S\ue3o Mamede-PB. As \ue1rvores foram devidamente identificadas e transportadas para o Setor de Tecnologia de Produtos Florestais (STPF) da Universidade Federal de Campina Grande. De cada \ue1rvore, foram retirados toretes de 30 cm de altura a 0 (base), 25, 50, 75 e 100 % da altura comercial do tronco, considerada at \ue9 5 cm de di\ue2metro. Da por\ue7\ue3o mediana de cada torete, foi retirado um disco de 2,5 cm de espessura, subdividido em quatro partes, em forma de cunha, passando pela medula. Duas cunhas opostas foram utilizadas para a determina\ue7\ue3o da densidade b\ue1sica, e as restantes foram reservadas para a realiza\ue7\ue3o das an\ue1lises f\uedsicas, qu\uedmicas e energ \ue9ticas da madeira, os rendimentos em carboniza\ue7\ue3o e a caracteriza\ue7\ue3o do carv\ue3o produzido pelas esp \ue9cies estudadas. A densidade b\ue1sica foi determinada de acordo com o m\ue9todo da balan\ue7a hidrost\ue1tica e para a determina\ue7\ue3o da densidade b\ue1sica m\ue9dia de cada \ue1rvore utilizou-se como fator de pondera\ue7\ue3o o volume entre se\ue7\uf5es de cada disco. Ap\uf3s a secagem ao ar, as amostras destinadas \ue0s an\ue1lises qu\uedmicas foram transformadas em serragem e feitas determina\ue7\uf5es quantitativas de extrativos totais, da lignina, das cinzas, e o teor de holocelulose foi estimado por diferen\ue7a. As amostras destinadas \ue0 carboniza\ue7\ue3o foram transformadas em cavacos, e carbonizadas em forno el \ue9trico (mufla) por cinco horas e meia. Foram feitas determina\ue7\uf5es dos rendimentos dos produtos das carboniza\ue7\uf5es, e das propriedades f\uedsicas e qu\uedmicas do carv\ue3o vegetal. De modo geral, as madeiras estudadas apresentaram caracter\uedsticas f\uedsicas semelhantes. Com rela\ue7\ue3o \ue0s caracter\uedsticas qu\uedmicas, o pau-d\u2019arco apresentou maior teor de lignina (28,40 %), e n\ue3o houve diferen\ue7a significativa entre as esp\ue9cies para o teor de holocelulose. O poder calor\uedfico superior da catingueira exibiu os menores valores, para a madeira (4.413,50 kcal.kg-1) e carv\ue3o vegetal (6.247,80 kcal.kg-1), respectivamente. A catingueira apresentou um maior rendimento em carv\ue3o (43,03 %), mas de qualidade inferior. O carv\ue3o vegetal do pau-d\u2019arco apresentou o maior teor de carbono fixo (67,68 %). As esp\ue9cies apresentaram densidade verdadeira do carv\ue3o e rendimento em carbono fixo semelhantes. Pode-se concluir que as duas esp\ue9cies de ocorr\ueancia no semi\ue1rido Nordestino, apresentam boas caracter\uedsticas para produ\ue7\ue3o de carv\ue3o. De modo geral, o pau-d\u2019arco apresentou as melhores propriedades para fins energ\ue9ticos.The native vegetation from Brazilian Northeast has been explored and used intensively and inadequately as a source of energy and material for rural constructions. Now, it is recognized how important it is to get to know the characteristic of the wood produced by this vegetation. Thus, this study aims to provide information on the physicochemical and energetic characteristics of wood, carbonization yields and characterization of the charcoal from wood of Poincianella pyramidalis Tul. L.P.Queiroz and Handroanthus impertiginosus (Mart. ex DC.) Mattos. To meet the goal five trees from each species were cut down and randomly sampled at Santa Barbara Farm, located in the municipality of S\ue3o Mamede-PB. The trees were properly identified and transported to the Department of Forest Products Technology (STPF) at the Federal University of Campina Grande. Thirty centimeters sections were removed from each tree at 0 (base), 25, 50, 75 and 100 % of the commercial height (trunk diameter > 5 cm). A 2.5 cm thick disc was removed from the median part of each 30 cm section, and each disc was subdivided in four wedge pieces, passing through the trunk pith. Two opposite wedge pieces were used to determine the basic density of wood, ant the other two pieces were put aside in order to carry out physical, chemical and energetic analyses, carbonization yields and characterization of the charcoal produced by the studied species. Basic density was determined according to the method of hydrostatic balance and to determine the average basic density of each tree, the volume between sections of each disc was used as a weighting factor. After the air drying, the samples intended for chemical analysis were transformed into sawdust and quantitative determinations of total extractives were performed, lignin, ashes, and the holocellulose content was estimated by difference. The samples intended for carbonization were processed into chips, and carbonized in an electric oven (furnace) for 5h30mim. Determinations of the yield of products of carbonization were carried out as well as physical and chemical properties of wood charcoal. In general, the studied wood showed similar physical characteristics. Regarding to chemical properties, Pau-d\u2019arco wood showed a higher lignin content (28.40 %), and there were not any significant differences among species for the holocellulose content The superior calorific power of Catingueira wood (4413.50 kcal.kg-1) showed the lowest values for wood (4413.50 kcal.kg-1) and charcoal (6247.80 kcal.kg-1) respectively. The catingueira wood showed a higher charcoal yield (43.03 %), but lower quality. The Pau-d\u2019arco charcoal had the highest fixed carbon content (67.68 %). These species showed similar charcoal true density and fixed carbon production. It is concluded that the two species which occurs in the Northeastern semiarid, have good properties for charcoal production. The Pau-d\u2019arco showed the best properties for energy use

Muscle synergies in cycling after incomplete spinal cord injury: correlation with clinical measures of motor function and spasticity

Background: After incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI), patients suffer important sensorimotor impairments, such as abnormal locomotion patterns and spasticity. Complementary to current clinical diagnostic procedures, the analysis of muscle synergies has emerged as a promising tool to study muscle coordination, which plays a major role in the control of multi-limb functional movements.Objective: Based on recent findings suggesting that walking and cycling share similar synergistic control, the analysis of muscle synergies during cycling might be explored as an early descriptor of gait-related impaired control. This idea was split into the following two hypotheses: (a) iSCI patients present a synergistic control of muscles during cycling; (b) muscle synergies outcomes extracted during cycling correlate with clinical measurements of gait performance and/or spasticity.Methods: Electromyographic (EMG) activity of 13 unilateral lower limb muscles was recorded in a group of 10 healthy individuals and 10 iSCI subjects during cycling at four different cadences. A non-negative matrix factorization (NNMF) algorithm was applied to identify synergistic components (i.e., activation coefficients and muscle synergy vectors). Reconstruction goodness scores (VAF and r(2)) were used to evaluate the ability of a given number of synergies to reconstruct the EMG signals. A set of metrics based on the similarity between pathologic and healthy synergies were correlated with clinical scales of gait performance and spasticity.Results: iSCI patients preserved a synergistic control of muscles during cycling. The similarity with the healthy reference was consistent with the degree of the impairment, i.e., less impaired patients showed higher similarities with the healthy reference. There was a strong correlation between reconstruction goodness scores at 42 rpm and motor performance scales (TUG, 10-m test and WISCI II). On the other hand, the similarity between the healthy and affected synergies presented correlation with some spasticity symThis study was funded by the Spanish Ministry for Science and Innovation, in the framework of the project HYPER (CONSOLIDER-INGENIO 2010) "Hybrid Neuroprosthetic and Neurorobotic Devices for Functional Compensation and Rehabilitation of Motor Disorders" (Ref. CSD2009-00067) and the Spanish project ASSOCIATE (Ref. DPI2014-58431-C4-1-R).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The inventory of geological heritage of the state of São Paulo, Brazil: Methodological basis, results and perspectives

An inventory of geological sites based on solid and clear criteria is a first step for any geoconservation strategy. This paper describes the method used in the geoheritage inventory of the State of São Paulo, Brazil, and presents its main results. This inventory developed by the geoscientific community aimed to identify geosites with scientific value in the whole state, using a systematic approach. All 142 geosites representative of 11 geological frameworks were characterised and quantitatively evaluated according to their scientific value and risk of degradation, in order to establish priorities for their future management. An online database of the inventory is under construction, which will be available to be easily consulted and updated by the geoscientific community. All data were made available to the State Geological Institute as the backbone for the implementation of a future state geoconservation strategy.The authors acknowledge the Science Without Borders Programme, Process 075/2012, which supported this study and the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), Process 2011/17261-6. We also thanks C. Mazoca for his help with maps and figures.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

2 nd Brazilian Consensus on Chagas Disease, 2015

Abstract Chagas disease is a neglected chronic condition with a high burden of morbidity and mortality. It has considerable psychological, social, and economic impacts. The disease represents a significant public health issue in Brazil, with different regional patterns. This document presents the evidence that resulted in the Brazilian Consensus on Chagas Disease. The objective was to review and standardize strategies for diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and control of Chagas disease in the country, based on the available scientific evidence. The consensus is based on the articulation and strategic contribution of renowned Brazilian experts with knowledge and experience on various aspects of the disease. It is the result of a close collaboration between the Brazilian Society of Tropical Medicine and the Ministry of Health. It is hoped that this document will strengthen the development of integrated actions against Chagas disease in the country, focusing on epidemiology, management, comprehensive care (including families and communities), communication, information, education, and research

Treatment-associated polymorphisms in protease are significantly associated with higher viral load and lower CD4 count in newly diagnosed drug-naive HIV-1 infected patients

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