Frequency, diversity, and productivity study on the Aedes aegypti most preferred containers in the City of Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil

The most preferred containers by Aedes aegypti were studied April and July (rainy and dry periods) in two Manaus neighbourhoods. In all, 2,700 premises and 13,912 containers were examined, most (87%) recorded outdoors. Out of the 13,100 inspected premises, only 1.6% showed to be positive for Aedes aegypti, summing up to 7,916 collected samples. Most frequently found containers outdoors in either neighbourhood regardless of rain or dry period were Bottles flasks and Storage, and indoors, Fixed, Flowerpots, and buckets. Productivity was estimated according to the number of premises and positive containers investigated, showing the actual container groups productivity. Considering both rainy and dry periods outdoors at Praça 14 the groups of Tyre, Flask, Bottle, Construction Equipment and Fixed, had the highest averages respectively. Construction Equipment and Flask groups were the most productive in Coroado in April. Flask, Construction Equipment and Storage groups stood out in July

Carotenoids and flavonoids identification in Brazilian tropical fruits and vegetables using photoacoustic technique

In this work we present results of the application of PAS technique in the UV-Vis region in a variety of organic materials in natural form such as plant leaves, fruits and vegetables. The observed PAS spectra were associated to the presence of several carotenoids and flavonoids molecules in leaves, fruits and vegetables. Our results confirm PAS as a rapid direct and efficient analytical method in material science, particularly in the very promising field of photochemistry and photobiology

Caracterization of color centers and dichroism in some Brazilian species of tourmaline using photoacoustic technique

Photoacoustic Spectroscopy (PAS) experiments in the visible and ultraviolet regions of the electromagnetic spectrum were carried out on a variety of tourmaline species. The results of our investigation show that PAS can be seen as a powerful alternative spectroscopic tool in the identification and characterization of color centers in mineral specimens

Obtenção de hidroxiapatita com diferentes precursores para aplicação como biomaterial

[EN] The hydroxyapatite (HAp) is a ceramic biomaterial with wide application in the bone regeneration. It can be obtained by different routes and different precursors. In this study, the synthesis of HAp was carried out by precipitation and subsequent thermal treatment using different calcium precursors: calcium hydroxide from synthetic origin and calcium oxide obtained from the eggshell. The obtained materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. By SEM, variations of the crystal size and the concentration of agglomerates were observed. FTIR and XRD analyses proved the formation of HAp and how the (mineral and biological) precursors affected the microstructure. The thermal decomposition process of the calcium oxide obtained from the eggshell showed to be more effective for the synthesis of the hydroxyapatite, resulting in more stable morphology and microstructure. Keywords: hydroxyapatite, synthesis, biomaterials.[PT] A hidroxiapatita (HAp) é um biomaterial cerâmico com ampla aplicação na regeneração óssea. Pode ser obtida por diferentes rotas e diferentes precursores. Neste estudo, a síntese da HAp foi realizada por precipitação e tratamento térmico subsequente utilizando diferentes precursores de cálcio: hidróxido de cálcio de origem sintética e óxido de cálcio obtido da casca do ovo. Os materiais obtidos foram caracterizados por difração de raios X (DRX), microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) e espectroscopia no infravermelho com transformada de Fourier (FTIR). Por MEV, foram observadas variações do tamanho dos cristais e da concentração de aglomerados. Análises por FTIR e DRX comprovaram a formação de HAp e como os precursores (mineral e biológico) influenciaram a microestrutura. O processo de decomposição térmica do óxido de cálcio obtido da casca do ovo mostrou-se mais efetivo para a síntese da hidroxiapatita, resultando em morfologia e microestrutura mais estáveis.The authors would like to thank the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES), to the Post-Graduate Program in Materials Science and Engineering (PPG-CEMat-UFCG), to the Laboratory of Evaluation and Development of Northeastern Biomaterials CERTBIO / UAEMA / CC

Synthesis and magnetic interaction on concentrated Fe3O4 nanoparticles obtained by the co-precipitation and hydrothermal chemical methods

In this work, a comparative study of the synthesis and magnetic properties of Fe3O4 nanoparticles obtained by the co-precipitation and hydrothermal methods with the adding of the sucrose as a chelating agent is reported. The analysis of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) show that particles are spherical-like with an average particle size ranging of 3 ≤d ≤ 10 nm. Magnetization measurements as a function of an applied magnetic field and temperature are consistent with a superparamagnetic behavior with small TB values. The analysis of the MvsH loops measured at T = 2 K and Zero-Field-Cooled and Field-Cooled (ZFC−FC) curves allows us to estimate the average diameter of Fe3O4 nanoparticles. These results are in good agreement with those obtained through X-ray diffraction (XRD) data (by using Scherrer equation and Williamson-Hall plot) and slightly smaller than those estimated using TEM images. Finally, ZFC−FC data are also used to evaluate the effective anisotropy constants, which are similar to those values found in literature considering the average sizes values estimated by different techniques468Part A1114911115

Human hair: subtle change in the thioester groups dynamics observed by combining neutron scattering, X-ray diffraction and thermal analysis

Hair analysis plays an important role in forensic toxicology and biomonitoring tests. However, cosmetic treatments cause changes to the hair. Thus, a better understanding of the hair’s structure and the factors that influence its composition is critical. It is known that oxidative treatments modify the hair chemical, structural and mechanical properties. These treatments also cause degradation of the melanin as well as of the structures present in the hair cuticle and cortex. Considering that the literature is unanimous regarding the increase in hydrophilicity and porosity promoted in human hair by bleaching, in this work we investigated how this oxidative damage is triggered. By combining several techniques, inelastic and quasi-elastic neutron scattering, differential scanning calorimetry, thermal gravimetric analysis and X-ray diffraction, we were able to connect the chemical and structural changes to a subtle dynamic modification of the proton mobility in the hair fibers. In addition, alterations in the thermal behavior evidenced a small denaturation of α-keratin intermediate filaments and a slight decrease in the amount of confined water in the hair fibers. Moreover, data obtained by neutron spectroscopy indicated that bleaching attacks the thioester groups of the proteins causing larger proton mobility of the hydrogenous components (water, protein and/or lipids)

Caracterização físico-química do suco de açaí de Euterpe precatoria Mart. oriundo de diferentes ecossistemas amazônicos

Os frutos do açaizeiro (Euterpe precatoria Mart.) procedentes de diferentes ecossistemas amazônicos foram processados para a obtenção de suco. O produto foi avaliado quanto à composição centesimal (umidade, cinzas, lipídeos, proteína, glicídios e fibra alimentar), minerais, ácidos graxos e antocianinas. Os frutos foram comparados quanto ao peso, constatando-se uma variação significativa de 1,1 a 2,0 g entre eles. Com relação ao suco, verificou-se baixa concentração de proteína e alto teor de energia devido, principalmente, à presença de lipídeos cuja concentração variou de 4,24 a 9,74%. Dentre os minerais, o potássio foi o mais abundante com teores na faixa de 73,78 a 376,69 mg 100 g-¹ (do suco), seguido do cálcio (15,99 a 57,85 mg 100g-¹). O ferro foi encontrado em concentrações minoritárias, na ordem de 0,43 a 1,2 mg 100g-¹. Com relação aos ingredientes funcionais, o suco de açaí apresentou concentrações importantes de fibra alimentar (2,37 a 7,8%), e antocianinas, variando de 128,4 mg 100 g-¹ , nos frutos de coloração verde, procedentes de Parintins, até 868,9 mg 100 g-¹ nas amostras de Manaquiri (base seca). Na fração lipídica, destacou-se ainda a presença do ácido graxo oleico (18:1), com porcentagem média de 68,2% no total de ácidos graxos, seguido do ácido palmítico (16:0) com 17,5%. Tais resultados reforçam o potencial do açaí como fonte de energia, lipídeos, fibra alimentar, antocianinas, ácido graxo monoinsaturado e minerais. O presente estudo irá contribuir para a ampliação da tabela de composição química de alimentos e, consequentemente, auxiliar nos programas de melhoramento genético, mercado e inclusão social