ABSTRACT. In no-till (NT), liming and urea fertilization are performed on the soil surface, which can increase nitrogen (N) losses via ammonia volatilization. On the basis of N fertilization management, gypsum application provides a promising alternative for improving N uptake by plants. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the N behavior loss by NH3-N volatilization, the soil pH at a depth of 0 - 0.05 m, leaf N content, and N uptake by second-season corn after lime and gypsum application in a Rhodic Ferralsol under NT. Overall, the treatments consisted of a 4 × 4 factorial arrangement with four lime rates (0, 2.6, 5.4, and 8.1 Mg ha-1) and four gypsum rates (0, 4, 8, and 12 Mg ha-1). During the study period, second-season corn was cultivated for two years and fertilized with urea, for which the N losses through ammonia volatilization, soil pH, leaf N content, and N uptake values were quantified. The losses through ammonia volatilization were subjected to nonlinear regression using a logistic model, and the other variables were subjected to linear regressions. The lime applied by broadcasting on the soil surface in the NT increased the pH of the topsoil and increased N losses via NH3-N volatilization in the second-season corn. Further, the N losses in the NT treated with lime accounted for 58% of the applied N, which increased by 2.3 to 2.5% for each Mg ha-1 of lime applied. Therefore, lime or gypsum application did not improve the status of N in second-season corn in soils with low acidity and no S deficiency.

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate anthropometric and clinical data, muscle mass, subcutaneous fat, spine bone mineral density, extent of acute pulmonary disease related to COVID-19, quantification of pulmonary emphysema, coronary calcium, and hepatic steatosis using chest computed tomography of hospitalized patients with confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia and verify its association with disease severity. Methods: A total of 123 adults hospitalized due to COVID-19 pneumonia were enrolled in the present study, which evaluated the anthropometric, clinical and chest computed tomography data (pectoral and paravertebral muscle area and density, subcutaneous fat, thoracic vertebral bodies density, degree of pulmonary involvement by disease, coronary calcium quantification, liver attenuation measurement) and their association with poorer prognosis characterized through a combined outcome of intubation and mechanical ventilation, need of intensive care unit, and death. Results: Age (p=0.013), body mass index (p=0.009), lymphopenia (p=0.034), and degree of pulmonary involvement of COVID-19 pneumonia (p<0.001) were associated with poor prognosis. Extent of pulmonary involvement by COVID-19 pneumonia had an odds ratio of 1,329 for a poor prognosis and a cutoff value of 6.5 for increased risk, with a sensitivity of 64.9% and specificity of 67.1%. Conclusion: The present study found an association of high body mass index, older age, extent of pulmonary involvement by COVID-19, and lymphopenia with severity of COVID-19 pneumonia in hospitalized patients.

ABSTRACT Novel fertilizer stabilization technologies are needed to decrease ammonia (NH3-N) losses and increase nitrogen use efficiency. Duromide + NBPT is a new technology that combines two molecules, Duromide and NBPT, whose propose is to increase the efficiency of the urease inhibitor NBPT in reducing NH3-N loss from urea. Preliminary results showed that Duromide + NBPT can be a more effective product than just NBPT, particularly under low soil pH and high-temperature conditions. This study aimed to compare the effects of urea + Duromide + NBPT, urea + NBPT, and conventional urea on soil N losses by NH3-N volatilization. The field experiment was conducted on a Latossolo Vermelho Distroférrico (Oxisol) in Campo Mourão, Paraná, Brazil, using a randomized complete block design with treatments arranged in a 2 × 3 factorial, comprising two N doses (45 and 90 kg ha-1) and three N fertilizers (urea + Duromide + NBPT, urea + NBPT, and conventional urea). The NH3-N volatilization data were subjected to nonlinear regression using a logistic model. The NH3-N losses varied according to dose and fertilizer, reaching up to 12.4 % of the applied N in the conventional urea treatment. Urea + Duromide + NBPT was more efficient than urea + NBPT in decreasing NH3-N volatilization. Compared to conventional urea at doses of 45 and 90 kg ha-1 of N, urea + Duromide + NBPT reduced NH3-N volatilization losses by 35 and 54 % and from urea + NBPT by 15 and 33 %, respectively. The new stabilizing technology Duromide + NBPT reduced NH3-N losses by up to 33 % compared to NBPT alone. Ammonia volatilization was influenced by soil moisture. The volatilization peak, observed after 18-19 days of N fertilizer application, was triggered by rainfall events.

Abstract A literature survey for the external morphology of tadpoles for species in the genus CycloramphusTschudi, 1838, which is mainly represented by larval descriptions, resulted in finding some inconsistent character descriptions. In a few cases, some of the information is either not presented or mistakenly reported; in some cases, the illustrations provided the information not present in the descriptions. Here in we use a sample of tadpoles of an insular population identified as Cycloramphus boraceiensis, present a description for it, compare it to the original larval description for this species, and using it as a model, present a comparative review of the other larval descriptions for Cycloramphus tadpoles. We evaluate that most of the mistakes we found in the literature are associated to the unique morphology of these semiterrestrial larvae and some of their seemingly adaptation to their microhabitats, which for the majority of the known species is a film of water running associated to or near streams.

ABSTRACT Oxisols ( Latossolos ) are widely distributed in tropical zones and generally characterized by high levels of surface and subsurface acidity. In Brazil, most Oxisols are managed under no-till conditions with surface application of acidity amendments. This study aimed to evaluate lime application strategies (incorporated and surface) for achieving the desired soil base saturation (BS%) levels (44, 60, 70, and 90 %) and the effect of phosphogypsum + lime application on soil chemical properties as well as wheat and corn yield in southern Brazil. Lime incorporation was more effective in reducing the soil acidity and increasing Ca2+ and Mg2+ despite a decrease in organic matter at the soil surface. Phosphogypsum application increased S-SO42- and Ca2+ availability throughout the deeper soil layers and reduced the Mg2+ content in the surface layer. Wheat yield under incorporated lime conditions increased with BS% up to 75, but there was no response to surface application. When phosphogypsum was applied, the wheat yield increased by 8.4 %. For corn, incorporated lime increased the yield up to 445 kg ha-1, which was equivalent to the yield after phosphogypsum application. An increase in the S-SO42- level was the main factor related to the increase in crop yields. In the short term, our results suggest that phosphogypsum applied along with lime is more appropriate than incorporating lime under no-till management conditions.

ABSTRACT Brazil is currently the leading country in no-till (NT) farming, particularly on Ferralsols (Latossolos), the most abundant soil type. These soils are characterized by subsurface acidity that cannot be effectively corrected by surface application of additives. In this situation, the use of phosphogypsum can be advantageous. This study aimed to assess the residual effects of lime and phosphogypsum application on a clayey Ferralsol, and four soybean and two wheat yields in southern Brazil. The area has been cultivated under no-till since 1975. The soil was limed to different base saturation (BS) levels (50, 60, 70, and 90 %) by surface application (SL) or lime incorporation (IL). Three combined treatments were also studied: (i) surface liming to 60 % BS plus standard (3.71 Mg ha-1) phosphogypsum dose (60G1), (ii) surface liming to 70 % BS + standard phosphogypsum dose (70G1); and (iii) surface liming to 70 % BS + double (7.42 Mg ha-1) phosphogypsum dose (70G2). Soil samples were collected 48 months after treatment. Soybean and wheat yield was not influenced by BS levels, however IL increased soybean yield in 2012/13, but reduced soybean and wheat yield in later crops. Phosphogypsum increased wheat yield by up to 12.8 % (2012 season) and 5.2 % (2015 season), but soybean was not influenced. Incorporated liming caused a decrease in soil Al3+ levels until 0.60 m depth, whereas SL decreased Al3+ levels until 0.30 m depth. Surface liming increased Mg2+ levels in the 0.40-0.60 m layer. Incorporated liming reduced soil organic matter in the surface layer. A double dose of phosphogypsum (7.42 Mg ha-1) had a greater residual effect in subsurface layers but caused a decrease in Mg2+ and K+ levels. Therefore, the standard phosphogypsum dose provided the best results. In the very clayey soil in subtropical environment, the effects of SL extend beyond surface layers and are preferable to those of IL, although production was not influenced by BS.

ABSTRACT Zika virus (ZIKV) infection during pregnancy is associated with a congenital syndrome. Although the virus can be detected in human placental tissue and sexual transmission has been verified, it is not clear how the virus reaches the fetus. Despite the emerging severity caused by ZIKV infection, no specific prophylactic and/or therapeutic treatment is available. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness antiviral of nitazoxanide (NTZ) in two important congenital transmission targets: (i) a primary culture of human placental chorionic cells, and (ii) human cervical epithelial cells (C33-A) infected with Brazilian ZIKV strain. Initially, NTZ activity was screened in ZIKV infected Vero cells under different treatment regimens with non-toxic drug concentrations for 48 h. Antiviral effect was found only when the treatment was carried out after the viral inoculum. A strong effect against the dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV-2) was also observed suggesting the possibility of treating other Flaviviruses. Additionally, it was shown that the treatment did not reduce the production of infectious viruses in insect cells (C6/36) infected with ZIKV, indicating that the activity of this drug is also related to host factors. Importantly, we demonstrated that NTZ treatment in chorionic and cervical cells caused a reduction of infected cells in a dose-dependent manner and decreased viral loads in up to 2 logs. Pre-clinical in vitro testing evidenced excellent therapeutic response of infected chorionic and cervical cells and point to future NTZ activity investigation in ZIKV congenital transmission models with the perspective of possible repurposing of NTZ to treat Zika fever, especially in pregnant women.

Resumo Desde a compreensão de que os problemas de design operam nas tramas do social, os temas da inovação social passam necessariamente pela densa apreciação dos contextos. O designer lida, fundamentalmente, com uma dificuldade ontológica em identificar o que está em jogo nos panoramas sociais que investiga. Feenberg (2017) sugere que tal dificuldade expliquese por um tipo de “finitude epistemológica” que acomete a todos. Quer dizer, o autor reconhece aos indivíduos a impossibilidade de conhecerem. No design, isso implica em o designer entenderse incapaz de conhecer o que requer em um projeto, ainda quando o designer se reporta ao outro para buscar informações pertinentes para o projeto. O artigo descreve algumas operações que procuraram lidar com essa dificuldade essencial da atividade projetual e faze uma discussão sobre um projeto particular cuja função era a de permitir/estimular que os informantes acessassem instâncias remotas do seu universo correspondente. O projeto de pesquisa orientouse na prática e, mais especificamente, pelo método de Cultural Probes e pelo desenvolvimento de protótipos.

Abstract Assuming that design problems develop within intricate social, themes like social innovation necessarily demand a profound appreciation of contexts. The designer deals fundamentally with an ontological difficulty to identify what is at stake in the social scenarios they investigate. Feenberg (2017) suggests that such difficulty should be explained as some kind of “epistemological finitude” that affects everyone. In other words, Feenberg suggests individuals work in constant impossibility of knowing. In design, this implies that the designers are self-aware of their incapacity of knowing what a project/ design requires of themselves, even when the designers access shared knowledge of others. This article discuss the function of a particular project that attempts to enable and encourage informants to access remote instances of their particular universe and it is largely oriented towards practice-based design research, and more specifically, by the method of cultural probes and the development of prototypes.

Resumen Desde que la comprensión de que los problemas de diseño operan en tramas sociales, las temáticas de innovación social pasan necesariamente por una densa apreciación de los contextos. El diseñador se ve enfrentado, fundamentalmente, a una dificultad ontológica en identificar lo que está en juego en los panoramas sociales que investiga. Feenberg (2017) sugiere que tal dificultad puede ser explicada por una especie de “finitud epistemológica” que afecta a todos. Es decir, el autor reconoce a los individuos la imposibilidad de saber. En el diseño, esto implica que el diseñador se sabe incapaz de conocer lo que requiere. Incluso cuando se recurre al otro para buscar informaciones pertinentes para el proyecto. Este artículo describe algunas operaciones que buscan tratar esa dificultad esencial de la actividad de diseño y ahonda en un proyecto particular cuya función fue la de habilitar/alentar a los informantes a acceder instancias remotas de su universo correspondiente. El proyecto de investigación se basó en la práctica y, más específicamente, por el método de cultural probes y desarrollo de prototipos.

ABSTRACT Hypovitaminosis D is a common condition with a negative impact on health. This statement, prepared by experts from the Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism and the Brazilian Society of Clinical Pathology/Laboratory Medicine, includes methodological aspects and limitations of the measurement of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] for identification of vitamin D status, and identifies individuals at increased risk for deficiency of this vitamin in whom 25(OH)D measurement is recommended. For the general population, 25(OH)D levels between 20 and 60 ng/mL are considered normal, while individuals with levels below 20 ng/mL are considered to be vitamin D deficient. This statement identifies potential benefits of maintaining 25(OH)D levels > 30 ng/mL in specific conditions, including patients aged > 65 years or pregnant, those with recurrent falls, fragility fractures, osteoporosis, secondary hyperparathyroidism, chronic kidney disease, or cancer, and individuals using drugs with the potential to affect the vitamin D metabolism. This statement also calls attention to the risk of vitamin D intoxication, a life-threatening condition that occurs at 25(OH)D levels above 100 ng/mL

Resumo: Alternativas para evitar perdas e impactos desnecessários no meio ambiente são alcançadas no manejo agrícola. A preparação de sementes com nanofertilizantes antes do plantio reduz as preocupações com a dispersão não-alvo; no entanto, formulações e concentrações devem ser cuidadosamente selecionadas para evitar efeitos indesejados. Aqui, avaliou-se a germinação e o desenvolvimento de plântulas após a iniciação das sementes com CuO NPs, CuO bulk e CuCl2. As sementes foram imersas em soluções primárias de 0, 20, 40, 80 e 160 mg.L-1 para as três fontes de Cu. Após 8 horas de preparação, as sementes foram avaliadas quanto à germinação e vigor (primeira contagem de germinação). Os comprimentos de raiz e parte aérea foram medidos, bem como a biomassa seca de parte aérea e de raízes. A fonte de nanopartículas de cobre não apresenta efeitos tóxicos no crescimento do milho e promove maior biomassa quando comparada às demais fontes. Por outro lado, fontes de CuCl2 mostraram alguns impactos negativos tóxicos nas raízes e parte aérea do milho para todas as doses testadas. Esses achados apoiam o tratamento de sementes com NPs como uma alternativa à entrega de micronutrientes essenciais, como o cobre.

Abstract: Fertilizer formulation alternatives that avoid unnecessary losses and environmental impacts are being investigated in agricultural management. Seed priming with nanofertilizers prior to planting, reduces concerns about non-target dispersion; however, priming formulations and concentrations must be carefully selected to avoid undesired effects. Here, seed germination and seedling development were evaluated after seed priming with CuO nanoparticles (NPs), CuO bulk and CuCl2. The seeds were immersed in priming solutions of 0, 20, 40, 80 and 160 mg.L−1 Cu for the three Cu sources. Following 8 hours priming, the seeds were evaluated for germination and vigor (first germination count). Root and shoot lengths were measured as well as shoot and root dry biomass. The copper NP did not show any toxic effects on corn seed germination and growth, and also promoted higher biomass when compared to the other Cu sources. On the other hand, CuCl2 primed seeds exhibited Cu-toxicity in roots and shoots for all concentrations tested. Bulk Cu priming results indicated the better role of NPs size effects. These findings support NP-seed priming as an alternative to delivery of essential micronutrients, such as copper, to corn seedlings.

Abstract Noise is one of the main physical agents in the rural work environment and it can be harmful to the health of workers exposed to it. Thus, research on the spatialization of noise emitted by agricultural machinery can help minimize harmful health effects. This study sets out to evaluate the spatial distribution of the noise emitted by an agricultural tractor with and without the activation of a rotary cutter. A wave model geostatistical analysis was used to identify healthy working zones according to current legislation. The experiment was carried out using a 75 hp tractor at 2000 rpm with the rotary cutter on the on and off modes. A digital sound level meter was used to register noise in a regular 2.0 x 2.0 m sample mesh within a 10-meter radius. The semivariogram was adjusted using the weighted least squares method, wave model and kriging interpolation to obtain the maps. The magnitude and spatial structure of the noise emitted by the tractor were identified. The results show that the equipment produced noise levels above the limits recommended by Brazilian regulatory standard NR 15. Thus, both the machine operator and the workers involved in the operation should use Personal Protective Equipment.

ABSTRACT The development of new fertilizer technologies to reduce nitrogen (N) losses from an agricultural system and to increase nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) is a global research objective. Controlled-release nitrogen fertilizers have shown great potential for reducing N losses and synchronizing N release according to crop demand, thereby improving the NUE. The objective of this study was to characterize controlled-release nitrogen fertilizers and compare them with conventional nitrogen sources in terms of N release, N loss via NH3 volatilization, and fertilizer effects on second-season corn. The field experiment was performed on an Ultisol in a randomized block design. The treatments consisted of two conventional nitrogen sources (urea and ammonium sulfate) and three brands of polymer-coated urea (PCU; Agrocote®, FortBlen®, and Kimcoat®). The variables N release and N loss by NH3 volatilization were subjected to nonlinear regression analysis using a logistic model and the Korsmeyer-Peppas model, respectively. Leaf N content and dry matter yield were subjected to the Tukey test, and the morphologies of the PCUs were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Electron micrographs revealed differences in the number of layers and the thickness of the coatings of the studied PCUs. FortBlen®, containing granules with single- or double-layer coatings with thicknesses ranging from 34.53 to 50.34 µm, promoted more gradual N release and reduced N-NH3 losses by 36.4 % compared with those observed with uncoated urea. Kimcoat® released approximately 98 % of the applied N within 24 hours, resulting in N-NH3 volatilization, and the responses in second-season corn were similar to those with uncoated urea. Although no benefits were observed in second-season corn for PCUs over uncoated nitrogen sources, some PCUs promoted more gradual N release and reduced N-NH3 volatilization, providing a promising alternative for environments prone to N loss.

BACKGROUND Chagas disease, which is caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is endemic to Latin America and mainly affects low-income populations. Chemotherapy is based on two nitrocompounds, but their reduced efficacy encourages the continuous search for alternative drugs. Our group has characterised the trypanocidal effect of naphthoquinones and their derivatives, with naphthoimidazoles derived from β-lapachone (N1, N2 and N3) being the most active in vitro. OBJECTIVES In the present work, the effects of N1, N2 and N3 on acutely infected mice were investigated. METHODS in vivo activity of the compounds was assessed by parasitological, biochemical, histopathological, immunophenotypical, electrocardiographic (ECG) and behavioral analyses. FINDINGS Naphthoimidazoles led to a decrease in parasitaemia (8 dpi) by reducing the number of bloodstream trypomastigotes by 25-50% but not by reducing mortality. N1 protected mice from heart injury (15 dpi) by decreasing inflammation. Bradycardia was also partially reversed after treatment with N1 and N2. Furthermore, the three compounds did not reverse hepatic and renal lesions or promote the improvement of other evaluated parameters. MAIN CONCLUSION N1 showed moderate trypanocidal and promising immunomodulatory activities, and its use in combination with benznidazole and/or anti-arrhythmic drugs as well as the efficacy of its alternative formulations must be investigated in the near future.

Resumen El mucílago y el polvo de quimbombó se evaluaron como biofloculante en el tratamiento del agua usando la prueba jar. Los conjuntos de agitación, los métodos de preparación de quimbombó y la cantidad de coagulante / biofloculante se evaluaron en la eliminación de la turbidez. Los resultados mostraron que las agitaciones establecidas de 150 rpm y luego de 40 rpm fueron más efectivas para reducir la turbidez. La reducción de la turbidez fue del 39% utilizando solo coagulante inorgánico (FeSO4), pero la reducción llegó al 76% y al 88% al agregar mucílago de quingombó y polvo, respectivamente. Todos los resultados mostraron que el polvo de quimbombó presenta una mejor eliminación de la turbiedad en el tratamiento del agua. Puede prepararse por metodología simple y también permite la reducción del coagulante en aproximadamente 64%. En polvo de quimbombó se identificaron grupos hidroxilo que sirven como sitios activos para la eliminación de partículas coloidales.

Abstract Mucilage and powder of okra were evaluated as bio-flocculant in water treatment using jar test. The agitations sets, okra preparation methods and the amount of coagulant/bio-flocculant were evaluated in the turbidity removal. The results showed that agitations set of 150 rpm and then 40 rpm were more effective for reducing turbidity. Turbidity reduction was 39% using inorganic coagulant (FeSO4) alone, but reduction came to 76% and 88% by adding okra mucilage and powder, respectively. All results showed that okra powder present better turbidity removal in water treatment. It can be prepared by simple methodology, and also allow the inorganic coagulant reduction in approximately 64 %. In okra powder were identified hydroxyl groups that serve as active sites for colloidal particles removal.

Resumo A mucilagem e o pó de quiabo foram avaliados como biofloculantes no tratamento de água, utilizando o teste jar. Os conjuntos de agitação, os métodos de preparação do quiabo e a quantidade de coagulante/ biofloculante foram avaliados na redução da turbidez. Os resultados mostraram que as agitações de 150 rpm e após 40 rpm foram mais eficazes na redução da turbidez. A redução da turbidez foi de 39% usando somente coagulante inorgânico (FeSO4), mas a redução chegou a 76% e 88% pela adição de mucilagem e pó de quiabo, respectivamente. Todos os resultados mostraram que o pó de quiabo apresenta uma melhor redução da turbidez no tratamento da água. Ele pode ser preparado por metodologia simples e também permite a redução do coagulante inorgânico em aproximadamente 64%. No pó de quiabo foram identificados grupos hidroxila que servem como locais ativos para a eliminação de partículas coloidais.

Decomposition of N(2)0 (de-N(2)0) is a simple and economical way to reduce emissions of this greenhouse gas in industrial processes. In this work, LaCo0(3), LaFe05Co05O3 and LaFe0(3) catalysts were prepared, characterized by XRD, SEM/DES and TPR-H2 and evaluated in de-N(2)0 in the presence of 0(2) and H(2)0. The results showed the formation of perovskite structures with orthorhombic and rhombohedral symmetry, irregular morphology and also cobalt and ¡ron oxides. Reduction of cobalt species occurs at temperatures between 300-800 °C and only the iron oxide species are reduced below 600 °c. The order of activity in de-N(2)0 was LaCo0(3)> LaFe05Co05O3 > LaFe0(3). The catalysts LaFe0(3) and LaFe05Co05O3 showed deactivation in the presence of 0(2) and H(2)0. On the other hand, the catalyst LaCo0(3) was slightly affected with the addition of 0(2) and H(2)0 and, kept the conversión above 60%.

La descomposición de N(2)0 (de-N(2)0) es la ruta simple y económica para reducir las emisiones de este gas de efecto invernadero en procesos industriales. En este trabajo catalizadores LaCo0(3), LaFe05Co05O3 y LaFe0(3) fueron preparados, caracterizados por DRX, MEV/EDS y RTP-H2 y evaluados en la de-N(2)0 en presencia de 0(2) y H(2)0. Los resultados mostraron la formación de estructuras perovskita con simetría ortorrómbica y romboédrica, morfología irregular y también óxidos de cobalto y hierro. La reducción de las especies de cobalto ocurre a temperaturas entre 300-800 °C y, solamente las especies de óxido de hierro se reducen por debajo de 600 °c. La orden de actividad en de-N(2)0 fue LaCo0(3)> LaFe05Co05O3 > LaFe0(3). Los catalizadores LaFe0(3) y LaFe05Co05O3 mostraron desactivación en presencia de 0(2) y H(2)0. Por otro lado, el catalizador LaCo0(3) fue poco afectado con la adición de 0(2) y H(2)0 y mantuvo la conversión por encima del 60%.