Chronic lead intoxication in a jaguar (Panthera onca) shot with round lead pellets - case report

ABSTRACT Lead is a heavy metal and an important cause of acute or chronic toxicosis in humans, domestic, and wild animals. This report aims to describe a case of chronic lead poisoning in a jaguar (Panthera onca) kept under human care that was rescued from the wild environment. The animal was rescued in poor condition in 2004 and kept under human care at the Belo Horizonte Zoological Garden (Minas Gerais, Brazil) until 2020, when it presented with anorexia, vomiting and ataxia. Over the past years the animal had episodes of anemia and increased serum urea and creatinine. Radiography demonstrated 21 radiopaque projectiles on the right side of the face. At necropsy there were multiple projectiles surrounded by fibrous tissue in the subcutaneous of the right side of the face, fibrinous peritonitis, multiple gastric ulcers, and melena. The lead dosage was performed using the atomic absorption spectrometry technique using renal tissue collected at necropsy, with a result of 908 ppb (µg/kg). The findings of projectiles associated with the dosage of lead above the reference limits allow the diagnosis of chronic intoxication in this case

Thermodynamic and Transport Properties of CNT-Water Based Nanofluids

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) – perhaps the most enticing class of nano-materials, can be added in small volume fractions to enhance the thermal properties of fluids when process intensification or even device miniaturization is required. This work reports on the results obtained when measuring viscosity, and thermal conductivity of homogenous CNTs – water based nanofluids. The influence of CNTs volume concentration on the nanofluid thermo-physical properties is studied and measurements are undertaken at different temperatures, ranging from 283.15 K to 333.15 K. The nanofluids have been prepared by adding different volume concentrations of treated CNTs to water. The latter has been then sonicated for one hour and the colloidal stability monitored via UV – vis spectrophotometer. The absorbance of the nanofluid was observed at 263 nm, and the average concentration of CNTs was maintained at 9.35 mg/l, even after 200 hours, over 97% when compared with the initial concentration. The viscosity was measured using a controlled stress rheometer, and the measurements were performed in the shear rate ranging from 0 to 600 sec-1. At the same shear rate and temperature, the viscosity was observed to rise with increasing CNTs volume concentration. In what concerns thermal conductivity, it was assessed with a KD2 pro thermal property tester from Decagon Devices and the results clearly show that thermal conductivity rises with CNTs volume fraction, reaching its maximum at 2.5%vol where it represents more than 100% enhancement when the comparison is established with the corresponding value for the base fluid, at the same temperature conditions (i.e. 283.15 – 303.15 K). Furthermore, at higher temperatures (i.e. 313.15 – 333.15 K), the latter, for up to 1%vol concentration represents a 70% enhancement in thermal conductivity. </jats:p

EG/CNTs Nanofluids Engineering and Thermo-Rheological Characterization

The research work presented here intends to contribute to the overall research effort towards nanofluids engineering and characterization. To accomplish the latter, multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are added to an ethylene glycol (EG) based fluid. Different aspects concerning the nanofluids preparation and its thermal characterization will be addressed. The study considers and exploits the relative influence of CNTs concentration on EG based fluids, on the suspension effective thermal conductivity and viscosity. In order to guarantee a high-quality dispersion it was performed a chemical treatment on the MWCNTs followed by ultrasonication mixing. Furthermore, the ultrasonication mixing-time is optimized through the UV-vis spectrophotometer to ensure proper colloidal stability. The thermal conductivity is measured via transient hot-wire within a specified temperature range. Viscosity is assessed through a controlled stress rheometer. The results obtained clearly indicate an enhancement in thermal conductivity consistent with carbon nanotube loading. The same trend is observed for the viscosity, which decreases with temperature rise and its effect is nullified at higher shear rates.</jats:p

Chronic lead intoxication in a jaguar (Panthera onca) shot with round lead pellets - case report

ABSTRACT Lead is a heavy metal and an important cause of acute or chronic toxicosis in humans, domestic, and wild animals. This report aims to describe a case of chronic lead poisoning in a jaguar (Panthera onca) kept under human care that was rescued from the wild environment. The animal was rescued in poor condition in 2004 and kept under human care at the Belo Horizonte Zoological Garden (Minas Gerais, Brazil) until 2020, when it presented with anorexia, vomiting and ataxia. Over the past years the animal had episodes of anemia and increased serum urea and creatinine. Radiography demonstrated 21 radiopaque projectiles on the right side of the face. At necropsy there were multiple projectiles surrounded by fibrous tissue in the subcutaneous of the right side of the face, fibrinous peritonitis, multiple gastric ulcers, and melena. The lead dosage was performed using the atomic absorption spectrometry technique using renal tissue collected at necropsy, with a result of 908 ppb (µg/kg). The findings of projectiles associated with the dosage of lead above the reference limits allow the diagnosis of chronic intoxication in this case.</div

Contratação de Pessoas com Deficiência nas Empresas na Perspectiva dos Profissionais de Recursos Humanos

THis research aims to describe and analyze the characteristics of disabled people’s employment process from private companies in a city in countryside of São Paulo State. It also intends to describe the profile of employees with disabilities in those companies. Data collection was carried out with 12 Human Resource professionals through a semi-structured interview script whose analysis occurred through the technique of content analysis. The results revealed that: 1) the human resources professionals did not seek support from outsourced services to specify the job openings, recruit or select candidates; 2) the offered job openings were predominantly operational, in simpler functions; 3) hiring was motivated by the law requiremen; 4) they were underpaid and the discharges usually took place by the employees’ requirements; 5) in all the interviewed companies there were hired people with intellectual disability, whereas people with physical disability were also found, but outnumbered; 6) most hired employees had complete elementary school. It was concluded that education is essential for disabled people to have jobs and that the companies were not aware of the appropriate concept of professional inclusion, indicating the need for integrated action covering these aspects for the benefit of both workers and companies.Faculdade de Filosofia e Ciências Unesp, Campus de MaríliaDepartamento de Fisioterapia e Terapia Ocupacional Graduação em Educação da Faculdade de Filosofia e Ciências UNESP, Campus de MaríliaFaculdade de Filosofia e Ciências Unesp, Campus de MaríliaDepartamento de Fisioterapia e Terapia Ocupacional Graduação em Educação da Faculdade de Filosofia e Ciências UNESP, Campus de Maríli

Density and diversity of filamentous fungi in the water and sediment of Araçá bay in São Sebastião, São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract Araçá Bay, located in the city of São Sebastião, São Paulo, Brazil, is a protected area of substantial complexity. It represents the last remaining mangrove swamp preserve between the cities of Bertioga and Ubatuba on the northern coast of São Paulo State. This mangrove swamp has specific physical and chemical properties, and it shelters a wide variety of life, including fungi. These microorganisms are present in a variety of species with different morphophysiological features, and they have the ability to produce enzymes of biotechnological importance. The goal of this study was to quantify, isolate, and identify filamentous fungi in water and sediment samples from the Araçá Bay mangrove swamp in São Sebastião. Two samplings were performed in the summer and two were performed in the winter. The samples were collected from intertidal zones, and dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature, salinity, and pH were measured in situ. The spread plate technique was used to inoculate the samples collected on plates with a potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium. A total of 208 colonies (68 from water samples and 140 from sediment samples) were isolated, and they were identified based on their morphological characteristics. Filamentous fungus density was higher in the sediment than in the water, and the samplings performed in the winter revealed a higher density than those performed in the summer. Though some of the environmental parameters were not ideal for fungal development, a high quantity of growth was nevertheless observed. When the isolated colonies were analyzed, the greatest diversity and species richness were found in the summer samples. The genera identified in all of the samples were Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cladosporium, and Fusarium. The pathogenic species found from these genera were Aspergillus fumigatus, A. terreus, Penicillium citrinum, and P. chrysogenum. These species are also able to produce enzymes that offer a variety of applications. The fungal community described herein represents the diversity found in this mangrove swamp during the period studied. Many of the fungus species found are pathogenic and may be useful due to their ability to produce specific enzymes applicable in the biotechnological and pharmaceutical industries