Preliminary studies of primary production in the Ubatuba region (Lat. 23º30'S - Long. 45º06'W), Brazil

Some data and observations of primary production and hydrographic parameters have been made in the region of Ubatuba (Lat. 23º30'S Long. 45º06'W) during two seasons: summer and winter. The primary production varied from 1.01 mgC/m³ /h to 28.16 mgC/m³ /h in summertime and from 0.24 mgC/m³ /h to 16.24 mgC/m³ /h in wintertime. The phytoplankton production is believed to be controlled primarily by the quantity of nutrient salts and there is a possibility that relatively nutrient-rich deeper cold waters may increase the fertility of the region.Alguns estudos preliminares foram iniciados na região de Ubatuba (Lat. 23º30'S - Long. 45º06'W), tendo em vista a obtenção de dados sobre as características hidrológicas da região. Concomitantemente, foram realizadas medidas sobre a produção primaria utilizando-se o método do carbono-14. Como dado complementar, determinamos também o "standing-stock" expresso em mg de clorofila-α por m³. As coletas e observações foram realizadas em duas épocas distintas a saber: durante o inverno (julho) e verão (fevereiro-março). Muito embora seja um trabalho preliminar, concluimos que a produção primaria e controlada fundamentalmente pela quantidade de nutrientes disponíveis, havendo dois sistemas de fertilização das águas: águas frias (de origem oceânica) e águas terrígenas (provenientes da drenagem devido à precipitação pluviométrica)

Plankton studies in a mangrove environment: I first assessment of standing stock and principal ecological factors

1 - The quantitative relation between net phytoplankton, nanoplankton and zooplankton during the high and low tide for five days at a fixed station is reported here. The samples were collected at surface, 2 and 4 m near the Baguassu river, a typical region of mangrove environment. 2 - Measurements were made of transparence, salinity, temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, suspended matter and dry weight (inorganic + organic). Culture of bacteria was also carried out to determine the degree of contamination of the water. 3 - Total phytoplankton cell counts were lower during high tide showing a good inverse correlation to salinity. 4 - The total organic matter varied from 6.80 to 16.80 mg/l and the dry organic matter of net plankton varied from 0.084 to 3.64 mg/m³. These results are presumably due to a great portion of the particulate matter that may be originated from nanoplankton and fine detritus. 5 - The average of nanoplankton was 97% greater than net phytoplankton and the net phytoplankton was in average 99,7% greater than zooplankton.1 - Os autores fizeram um estudo sobre a variação quantitativa entre o "net" fitoplâncton, nanoplâncton e zooplâncton numa estação fixa junto à barra do Rio Baguassú, região que sofre forte influência do mangue. As amostras foram coletadas durante cinco dias sucessivos, na preamar e baixa-mar em três profundidades: superfície, 2 e 4 m. 2 - Foram levados em conta os seguintes fatores: transparência da água, salinidade, pH, temperatura, oxigênio dissolvido e peso do material seco (matéria orgânica + matéria inorgânica). Foram feitas culturas de bactérias para se determinar o grau de contaminação da região estudada. 3 - O fitoplâncton apresentou menor número de células durante a maré alta, mostrando uma correlação inversa com a salinidade. 4 - A quantidade de matéria orgânica total variou de 6,80 a 16,80 mg/l, ao passo que a quantidade de matéria orgânica do "net" plâncton mostrou uma variação de 0,084 a 3,64 mg/m³. Estes resultados são devidos ao fato de que uma grande parte da matéria em suspensão é originada do nanoplâncton e microdetritos. 5 - O número de indivíduos do nanoplâncton foi em média 97% maior do que o do "net" fitoplâncton. Este, por sua vez, apresentou um número 99,7% maior do que aquele do zooplâncton

A relação entre capacidades de marketing e fontes de inovação no desempenho de serviços públicos

Orientadora : Profª. Drª. Ana Maria Machado ToaldoDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Ciências Sociais Aplicadas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Administração. Defesa: Curitiba, 20/03/2015Inclui referênciasÁrea de concentração: Estratégia e organizaçõesResumo: Capacidades de marketing e fontes de inovação têm sido consideradas elementos centrais para a conquista de desempenho superior nas organizações. A área pública não foge à discussão de desempenho, motivada principalmente pelas reformas na gestão, que inserem o marketing e a inovação na prática do setor; ainda que a incursão teórica necessite aprofundamento. A partir desse contexto, esta pesquisa tem como objetivo analisar a relação entre capacidades de marketing e fontes de inovação no desempenho de serviços públicos. Para isso, propõe e testa um modelo que considera as características de cada construto, assim como do campo de estudo, avançando em relação às proposições anteriores. A pesquisa foi operacionalizada por meio de um levantamento de campo com 259 organizações públicas de serviço postal no estado do Paraná e os dados foram analisados por meio de um modelo de equações estruturais, comparando-se tanto tratamentos baseados em covariância como em mínimos quadrados parciais. Verifica-se que, embora tenham sido evidenciadas diferenças quanto à validade discriminante entre os métodos utilizados, as capacidades de marketing atuam como mediadoras parciais entre as fontes de inovação e o desempenho organizacional e o desempenho de inovação. Além disso, são caracterizados os construtos no contexto público, assim como evidenciados efeitos diretos entre as variáveis independentes e o desempenho multidimensional. Dentre esses, destacam-se a influência de fontes de inovação como recursos de capacidades de marketing, a relevância de pesquisas realizadas pela organização e o contato com instituições educacionais, assim como a importância do preço e do desenvolvimento de produtos no composto de marketing. Palavras-chave: capacidades de marketing, fontes de inovação, desempenho organizacional, desempenho de inovação.Abstract: Marketing capabilities and sources of innovation have been considered key-elements to the achievement of superior performance in organizations. The public area does not escape from the discussion of performance, mainly driven by reforms in management, inserting the marketing and innovation in practice; though also requires a deeper theoretical effort. Based on this context, this research aims to analyze the relationship between marketing capabilities and sources of innovation in public service performance. Thus, this research proposes and tests a model that considers the characteristics of each construct, as well as the field of study, advancing over previous proposals. The research was operationalized through a survey of 259 public organizations of postal service in Brazil (state of Paraná) and the data were analyzed by structural equation modeling, comparing both covariance-based and partial least squares treatments. The results state that, although differences were highlighted on the discriminant validity by the methods used, the marketing capabilities act as mediators between the sources of innovation and organizational performance and innovation performance. Furthermore, the constructs were characterized on public context and direct effects were observed as the influence of sources of innovation as marketing capabilities' resources, the relevance of research carried out by the organization and contact with educational institutions, as well as the importance of price and product development in marketing mix. Key-words: marketing capabilities, sources of innovation, organizational performance, innovation performance

Effect of N-Acetylcysteine alone and in combination with rifampicin on Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms

Medical device-associated infections caused by pathogens such as Staphylococcus epidermidis might involve biofilm formation and those are particularly challenging. The involvement of antibiotic resistant Staphylococci, exacerbates the problem. Rifampicin cannot be used as a single agent to treat infections because of the rapid selection of resistant mutants. However, combinations of rifampicin with other anti-staphylococcal agents could prevent the emergence of rifampicin resistance during therapy. N-acetylcisteine (NAC) decreases biofilm formation by a variety of bacteria and reduces the production of extracellular polysaccharide matrix. The goal of this study was to assess the antimicrobial activity of NAC in combination with rifampicin against biofilm of S. epidermidis. Two S. epidermidis strains biofilm-producing (9142 and 1457) were used in this study. 1xMIC (4mg/ml) and 10xMIC (40mg/ml) of NAC and 10mg/l of rifampicin, based on preliminary in vitro data, were added to 24h biofilm cells. Biofilm susceptibility to tested antimicrobial agents was assessed through scanning electron microscopy, crystal violet staining (total biofilm biomass) and cellular viability through XTT and colony forming units (CFU). The effect of NAC 1xMIC was similar to that of the control. Rifampicin, NAC 10xMIC alone and NAC-rifampicin combination (independently of NAC concentration used) showed significant bactericidal effect, promoting a 3-4 log10 decrease in biofilm cells. In conclusion, the results didn’t point to any synergistic effect between the two agents. Nevertheless, NAC seems to be a possible alternative to antibiotics in the treatment of infections associated to S. epidermidis biofilm

Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms control by N-acetylcysteine and rifampicin

Medical device-associated infections caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis usually involve biofilm formation and its eradication is particularly challenging. Although rifampicin has been proving to be one of the most effective antibiotics against S. epidermidis biofilms, its use as a single agent can lead to the acquisition of resistance. Therefore, we assessed the combined effect of rifampicin with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) known by its mucolytic effect, in the control of S. epidermidis biofilms. Biofilms of 2 S. epidermidis strains (9142 and 1457) were treated with 1x minimum inhibitory concentration (4 mg/mL) and 10x minimum inhibitory concentration (40 mg/mL) of NAC and 10 mg/L (peak serum) of rifampicin alone and in combination. NAC at 40 mg/L alone or in combination with rifampicin (10 mg/L) significantly reduced (4 log10) the number of biofilm cells. Considering their different modes of action, the association of NAC with rifampicin constitutes a promising therapeutic strategy in the treatment of infections associated to S. epidermidis biofilms.Bruna Leite acknowledges the financial support of ISAC/Program Erasmus Munds External Cooperation and the IBB-Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus of Gualtar

N-acetylcysteine and vancomycin alone and in combination against staphylococci biofilm

Introduction: The ability of staphylococci to produce biofilm is an important virulence mechanism that allows bacteria both to adhere and to live on artificial surfaces and to resist to the host immune factors and antibiotics. Staphylococcal infections have become increasingly difficult to treat due their antibiotic resistance. Therefore, there is a continuous need for new and effective treatment alternatives against staphylococcal infections. The main goal of this study was to test N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and vancomycin alone and in combination against S. epidermidis and S. aureus biofilms. Methods: Biofilms were treated with NAC at minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and 10 × MIC concentrations and vancomycin at MIC and peak serum concentrations. Results: The use of NAC 10 × MIC alone showed a significant antibactericidal effect, promoting a 4-5 log10 CFU/ mL reduction in biofilm cells. The combination of NAC 10 × MIC with vancomycin (independently of the concentration used) reduced significantly the number of biofilm cells for all strains evaluated (5-6 log10). Conclusion: N-acetylcysteine associated to vancomycin can be a potential therapeutic strategy in the treatment of infections associated to biofilms of S. epidermidis or S. aureus.(undefined

In vitro characterization of endophytic bacteria associated with physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.) and their potential for plant-growth promotion and biocontrol / Caracterização in vitro de bactérias endofíticas associadas ao pinhão-manso (Jatropha curcas L.) e seu potencial de promoção de crescimento vegetal e biocontrole

The physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.) is a shrubby plant of perennial cycle, belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae, from Central America and currently vegetates spontaneously in diverse regions of the planet. The commercial interest in Brazil occurred due to the desirable characteristics of that crop as an agricultural option for renewal of the Brazilian energy base, being a promising raw material for biodiesel production. Oil plants that have a high biotechnological potential may have a genetically diverse microbial population with characteristics of promoting the growth of multifunctional plants. Plant growth-promoting endophytes (PGPE) are of biotechnological interest since they can improve the growth of several important agronomical crops. The present study aimed the biochemistry characterization of thirty-seven endophytic bacteria strains associated with J. curcas plants, with the potential of plant growth promotion. Of this total of evaluated strains, 75% showed positive results for fixation of nitrogen, 62% produced IAA in the presence of the tryptophan precursor, 32% solubilized inorganic phosphate and 35% exhibited antagonistic activities against phytopathogenic fungi (Lasiodiplodia. subglobosa, L. euphorbicola, and L. pseudotheobromae) in physic nut. To our knowledge, this is the first report of this potential of biocontrol against Lasiodiplodia species. Among the thirty-seven bacterial isolates identified by partial sequencing of the 16S gene, the presence of the genera Arthrobacter, Bacillus, Citrobacter, Curtobacterium, Enterococcus, Klebsiella, Leucobacter, Lysinibacillus, Microbacterium, Rhodococcus, and Serratia was observed. Our results indicated that the cultivable endophytic bacteria isolated from J. curcas have the potential to demonstrate multiple characteristics of PGPE in vitro and have the potential for other large-scale assays such as biofertilizer and biopesticides. 

Encruzilhadas museológicas: ressonâncias da presença/ausência de Exu no Museu Afro-Brasileiro de Sergipe

O artigo analisa algumas configurações no campo da Antropologia dos Museus, tendo como estudo de caso os usos e as apropriações dos acervos afrorreligiosos existentes no Museu Afro-Brasileiro de Sergipe, em Laranjeiras, SE. A partir de narrativas sobre o contexto da criação do museu, dos dados sobre a formação da Sala de Exu e da análise dos conflitos em torno da representação e da musealização de elementos que evocam a presença e a ausência do orixá Exu na exposição museológica, demonstra múltiplas estratégias da produção de “sagrados” em contextos e instituições seculares. Do mesmo modo, evidencia as ressonâncias presentes nos deslocamentos de bens afrorreligiosos e os conflitos em torno das políticas de (auto) representação materializadas em ações de musealização e de patrimonialização das diferenças culturais.El artículo analiza algunas configuraciones en el campo de la Antropología de los Museos teniendo como estudio de caso los usos y las apropiaciones de los acervos afrorreligiosos existentes en el Museo Afro-Brasileño de Sergipe, en Laranjeiras-SE. A partir de experiencias etnográficas en torno a la presencia y la ausencia del orixá Exu en la exposición museológica demuestra múltiples estrategias de la producción de "sagrados" en contextos e instituciones seculares. De la misma manera, evidencia las resonancias presentes en los desplazamientos de bienes afro-religiosos y los conflictos en torno a las políticas de (auto) representación materializadas en acciones de musealización y de patrimonialización de las diferencias culturales.The article analyzes some configurations in the field of Anthropology of Museums having as a case study the uses and appropriations of the afro-religious collections existing in the Afro-Brazilian Museum of Sergipe, in Laranjeiras-SE. Based on narratives about the context of the creation of the museum, data about the formation of the Exu Room and the analysis of the conflicts around the representation and musealization of elements that evoke Exu in the museological exhibition demonstrates multiple strategies of the production of “sacred” in secular contexts and institutions. In the same way, it highlights the resonances present in the movements of afro-religious goods and the conflicts around the (self) representation policies materialized in musealization actions and patrimonialization of cultural differences

Museological crossroads : resonances of the presence/absence of Exu in the Afro-Brazilian Museum of Sergipe

O artigo analisa algumas configurações no campo da Antropologia dos Museus, tendo como estudo de caso os usos e as apropriações dos acervos afrorreligiosos existentes no Museu Afro-Brasileiro de Sergipe, em Laranjeiras, SE. A partir de narrativas sobre o contexto da criação do museu, dos dados sobre a formação da Sala de Exu e da análise dos conflitos em torno da representação e da musealização de elementos que evocam a presença e a ausência do orixá Exu na exposição museológica, demonstra múltiplas estratégias da produção de “sagrados” em contextos e instituições seculares. Do mesmo modo, evidencia as ressonâncias presentes nos deslocamentos de bens afrorreligiosos e os conflitos em torno das políticas de (auto) representação materializadas em ações de musealização e de patrimonialização das diferenças culturais.The article analyzes some configurations in the field of Anthropology of Museums having as a case study the uses and appropriations of the afro-religious collections existing in the Afro-Brazilian Museum of Sergipe, in Laranjeiras-SE. Based on narratives about the context of the creation of the museum, data about the formation of the Exu Room and the analysis of the conflicts around the representation and musealization of elements that evoke Exu in the museological exhibition demonstrates multiple strategies of the production of “sacred” in secular contexts and institutions. In the same way, it highlights the resonances present in the movements of afro-religious goods and the conflicts around the (self) representation policies materialized in musealization actions and patrimonialization of cultural differences