Resumen Los practicantes de la restauración y rehabilitación ecológica (RRE) carecen de información completa sobre los tratamientos pregerminativos más efectivos para promover la germinación de plantas nativas de regiones áridas y semiáridas, y sobre la supervivencia y crecimiento de estas especies a campo. Aquí informamos resultados del enfoque “estrategias profesionales inteligentes” para evaluar la germinación de especies del Monte Austral, una región árida del sur de Argentina. Nuestros objetivos fueron probar una pequeña cantidad de tratamientos pregerminativos que son efectivos en otras regiones áridas y evaluar los resultados de germinación de 16 especies en comparación con la información existente sobre su desempeño a campo. Este enfoque demostró ser altamente efectivo dado que, de las 16 especies de arbustos evaluadas, 11 mostraron tasas de germinación adecuadas para RRE (es decir, más del 50%). Solo cuatro especies alcanzaron altas tasas de supervivencia y altos valores de cobertura vegetal en las plantaciones, y otras cuatro mostraron altas tasas de supervivencia, pero la cobertura vegetal fue baja o no se evaluó. Argumentamos que sería estratégico adoptar este modelo, que incluye obtener y comparar información sobre la germinación de semillas y el desempeño de las mismas especies a campo, para la selección de especies en RRE.

Abstract Ecological restoration and rehabilitation (ERR) practitioners lack comprehensive information on the most effective seed dormancy alleviation treatments to enhance germination of native plants from arid and semiarid regions, as well as on survival and growth rates of these species in the field. In this paper we report on the results of a “professional intelligent tinkering” approach to assess seed germination of species from the Monte Austral, an arid region in southern Ar gentina. We aim to test a small number of seed dormancy alleviation treatments reported to be effective in other arid regions, and to assess germination results for 16 species against existing information on their performance in the field. This approach proved to be highly effective given that, out of the 16 shrub species evaluated, 11 showed germination rates suitable for ERR (i.e., over 50%). Only four species attained both high survival rates and plant cover values in out plantings, while four other species showed high survival rates but their plant cover values were low or not assessed. We argue that this approach, which involves obtaining and comparing data on seed germination rate with performance of the same species in the field, would be strategic for species selection in ERR.

Tacrolimus (TAC), a calcineurin inhibitor, and everolimus (EVL), an mTOR inhibitor, have been used as immunosuppressive (ISS) drugs in post-kidney transplantation therapy. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of EVL vs TAC in the ISS maintenance triple therapy. Ninety-seven kidney transplant patients, who received triple maintenance therapy with TAC, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), and methyl prednisone (PRED), were evaluated. After four months of post-kidney transplant therapy, 30 patients enrolled in a randomized controlled clinical trial, in which 16 patients received TAC+MMF+PRED (cohort 1), and 14 patients switched to EVL+MMF+PRED (cohort 2). The patients were followed-up for 36 months. Two patients from cohort 1 lost their grafts after one year due to non-adherence. Two patients from cohort 2 had intolerance to mTOR inhibitors and were switched back to TAC from EVL. One case (6.25%) in cohort 1 and three cases (21.43%) in cohort 2 of acute T-cell-mediated rejection was observed. Antibody-mediated acute rejection (ABMAR) was observed in four patients (25.0%) in cohort 1, and antibody-mediated chronic rejection (ABMCR) was observed in two patients (12.50%). One patient from cohort 2 lost the graft after 15 months due to polyomavirus infection. The graft survival rate was 87.50% in cohort 1 and 92.86% in cohort 2. This clinical trial showed that the EVL+MMF+PRED triple maintenance therapy was efficacious compared with TAC during 32 months of follow-up. However, further studies are needed to confirm the efficacy of this regimen for long-term graft survival.

ABSTRACT Background: Influenza burden in Brazil is considerable with 4.2–6.4 million cases in 2008 and influenza-like-illness responsible for 16.9% of hospitalizations. Cost-effectiveness of influenza vaccination may be assessed by different types of models, with limitations due to data availability, assumptions, and modelling approach. Objective: To understand the impact of model complexity, the cost-utility of quadrivalent versus trivalent influenza vaccines in Brazil was estimated using three distinct models: a 1-year decision tree population model with three age groups (FLOU); a more detailed 1-year population model with five age groups (FLORA); and a more complex lifetime multi-cohort Markov model with nine age groups (FLORENCE). Methods: Analysis 1 (impact of model structure) compared each model using the same data inputs (i.e., best available data for FLOU). Analysis 2 (impact of increasing granularity) compared each model populated with the best available data for that model. Results: Using the best data for each model, the discounted cost-utility ratio of quadrivalent versus trivalent influenza vaccine was R$20,428 with FLOU, R$22,768 with FLORA (versus R$20,428 in Analysis 1), and, R$19,257 with FLORENCE (versus R$22,490 in Analysis 1) using a lifetime horizon. Conceptual differences between FLORA and FLORENCE meant the same assumption regarding increased all-cause mortality in at-risk individuals had an opposite effect on the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio in Analysis 2 versus 1, and a proportionally higher number of vaccinated elderly in FLORENCE reduced this ratio in Analysis 2. Discussion: FLOU provided adequate cost-effectiveness estimates with data in broad age groups. FLORA increased insights (e.g., in healthy versus at-risk, paediatric, respiratory/non-respiratory complications). FLORENCE provided greater insights and precision (e.g., in elderly, costs and complications, lifetime cost-effectiveness). Conclusion: All three models predicted a cost per quality-adjusted life year gained for quadrivalent versus trivalent influenza vaccine in the range of R$19,257 (FLORENCE) to R$22,768 (FLORA) with the best available data in Brazil (Appendix A).

RESUMO O objetivo com este estudo foi avaliar a utilização de silagens de diferentes cultivares de sorgo através do consumo, digestibilidade dos nutrientes e desempenho de ovinos. O experimento foi conduzido na Estação Experimental de Pendência, da Empresa Estadual de Pesquisa Agropecuária da Paraíba S.A. Para o experimento, foram utilizados trinta e cinco carneiros, sem raça definida, com peso vivo médio de 17,7 kg, distribuídos em um delineamento em blocos casualizados, com cinco tratamentos e sete repetições para determinar o consumo e desempenho; e 25 carneiros não castrados, sem raça definida, distribuídos em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com cinco tratamentos e cinco repetições, para determinar a digestibilidade dos nutrientes. O consumo médio diário de matéria seca foi, em média, 994,66 g. Somente os consumos médios de extrato etéreo, fibra em detergente neutro e carboidratos não-fibrosos, foram afetados pelas dietas. O ganho de peso (GP), conversão alimentar e eficiência alimentar dos animais que receberam as dietas não foram afetados pelos diferentes cultivares utilizados. Silagens de sorgo BRS 655, 610, 800, 810 e Ponta Negra promoveram consumo e digestibilidade de nutrientes semelhantes. A utilização de silagens de diferentes cultivares de sorgo (BRS 610, BRS 655, BRS 800, BRS 810 e Ponta Negra) em dietas para ovinos em confinamento promove desempenho e consumo similar.

SUMMARY The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of silages of different sorghum cultivars through digestibility and nutrient intake and performance of sheep. The experiment was conducted at the Pendência Experimental Station, of the State Company for Agricultural Research of Paraíba S.A. For the experiment, thirty-five rams were used, without defined breed, with average live weight of 17.7 kg, distributed in a completely randomized block design, with five diets and seven replicates to determine intake and performance; and 25 non-castrated rams, without defined breed, distributed in a completely randomized design with five diets and five replicates, to determine the digestibility of nutrients. The average daily intake of dry matter was, on average, 994.66 g. Only the average intakes of ether extract, neutral detergent fiber and non-fibrous carbohydrates, were affected by the diets. The weight gain (WG), feed conversion and feed efficiency of the animals receiving the diets suffered no effect. Silages of BRS 655, 610, 800, 810 and Ponta Negra provided similar intake and digestibility of nutrients. The use of silages of different sorghum cultivars (BRS 610, BRS 655, BRS 800, BRS 810 and Ponta Negra) in diets for confined sheep provide similar performance and intakes.

RESUMO. Dois importantes problemas de otimização combinatória ocorrem no planejamento da produção em indústrias papeleiras: o problema de dimensionamento de lotes e o problema de corte de estoque multiperíodo. O problema de dimensionamento de lotes deve determinar a quantidade de bobinas jumbos de diferentes tipos de papel (gramaturas) a serem produzidos em cada máquina, ao longo de um horizonte de planejamento finito. Estes jumbos são então cortados para atender a demanda de itens para cada período. Neste trabalho, tratamos da integração desses dois problemas, procurando minimizar custos com produção e estoque dos jumbos, como também a perda de papel durante o processo de corte. Duas modelagens matemáticas para o problema integrado foram consideradas, e os modelos foram resolvidos heuristicamente usando um pacote de otimização. Procurando obter limitantes inferiores para o problema, foram resolvidas versões relaxadas dos modelos. Finalmente, experimentos computacionais são apresentados e discutidos.

ABSTRACT. Two important optimization problems occur in the planning and production scheduling inpaper industries: the lot sizing problem and the cutting stock problem. The lot sizing problem must determine the quantity of jumbos of different types of paper to be produced in each machine over a finite planning horizon. These jumbos are then cut in order to meet the demand of items for each period. In this paper, we deal with the integration of these two problems, aiming to minimize costs of production and inventory of jumbos, as well as the trim loss of paper generated during the cutting process. Two mathematical models for the integrated problem are considered, and these models are solved both heuristically and using an optimization package. Attempting to get lower bounds for the problem, relaxed versions of the models also have been solved. Finally, computational experiments are presented and discussed.

Este trabalho aborda o problema de dimensionamento de lotes em um ambiente com várias plantas. Cada item pode ser produzido em qualquer planta e é possível atender a demanda de uma determinada planta com produção proveniente de uma (ou várias outras) planta(s), para tanto, incorre-se um custo de transferência. O objetivo deste trabalho consiste em desenvolver formulações fortes para o problema. São investigadas reformulações que baseiam-se no problema do caminho mínimo e localização de facilidades. Por fim, alguns resultados computacionais são apresentados comparando todas as formulações propostas.

This paper considers the multi-plant lot sizing problem. Each item can be produced in any plant and it is possible to meet the demand of a particular plant with production from one (or several) other plants, in this case, incurs a transfer cost. The objective is todevelop strong formulations for this problem. Reformulations that based on the shortest path problem and facility location problem are investigated. Finally, some computational results are presented comparing all the proposed formulations.

Objetivou-se avaliar o rendimento forrageiro, composição bromatológica e recuperação de matéria seca do feno de capim-buffel (Cenchrus ciliaris L.), colhido em diferentes alturas de corte. O experimento foi realizado na Estação Experimental Pendência, da Empresa Estadual de Pesquisa Agropecuária da Paraíba S.A. (EMEPA), situada no Município de Soledade-PB. Utilizou-se um delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados, com quatro alturas de corte (30; 40; 50 e 60cm) e cinco repetições. O rendimento forrageiro foi influenciado pela altura de colheita, com aumento linear alcançando produção de matéria seca de 7206,78kg/ha a 60cm de altura. Observou-se efeito de altura de colheita para os conteúdos de lâmina, colmo e relação lâmina:colmo na matéria seca, em que os valores da relação lâmina:colmo diminuíram com o aumento da altura de colheita, obtendo valores de 0,87 e 0,48 quando colhidos aos 30 e 60cm de altura, respectivamente. Obteve-se efeito quadrático de altura de colheita apenas para o teor de fibra em detergente neutro, com teores variando de 71,82 a 77,08% na matéria seca. Os valores médios de matéria seca do feno variaram entre 82,44 e 84,48%. A recuperação de matéria seca durante a desidratação diminuiu em função das alturas de colheita, apresentando comportamento linear com menor média observada no capim colhido a 60cm de altura (76,58%). A ausência de variação nos constituintes bromatológicos e nas perdas de matéria seca final e as maiores produções de biomassa nas maiores alturas de colheita permite concluir que o capim-buffel seja colhido nas alturas de colheita que possibilite maior produção.

This study aimed to evaluate the forage yield, chemical composition and dry matter recovery of buffel grass hay (Cenchrus ciliaris L.), at different cutting heights. The experiment was conducted at the Estação Experimental Pendência of Empresa Estadual de Pesquisa Agropecuária da Paraíba S.A (EMEPA), located in city of Soledade-PB. A randomized complete block design was used, with four cutting heights (30; 40; 50 and 60cm) with five replicates. The forage yield had effect with a linear increase in values achieving dry matter yield 7206.78kg/ha for 60cm height. There was harvesting height effect for leaf, stem and leaf:stem ratio in dry matter, wherein the values of leaf:stem ratio decreased with increasing harvesting height, getting values of 0.87 to 0.48 when harvested at 30 and 60cm height, respectively. Quadratic effect was observed in harvesting height only to the neutral detergent fiber, with contents ranging from 71.82 to 77.08% in dry matter. The average values of dry matter of hay were between 82.44 and 84.48%. The dry matter recovery in dehydration decreased in function of harvesting heights, showing linear behavior, with the smallest average observed for the grass to 60cm (76.58%). The absence of variation in the bromatological constituents and dry matter final losses and higher biomass production in the highest cutting harvest may conclude that buffel grass is to be harvested in the cutting height that enable greater production.

Este trabalho aborda o problema de dimensionamento de lotes monoestágio em um ambiente com máquinas paralelas distintas. Cada item pode ser produzido em qualquer máquina e incorre em um tempo de preparação antes de começar a produção. O objetivo do trabalho consiste em obter limitantes inferiores de boa qualidade para este problema. Para tanto, é desenvolvido um método de solução baseado numa reformulação do problema e na relaxação Lagrangiana de um conjunto de restrições. Alguns resultados computacionais são apresentados comparando o método proposto com um trabalho da literatura e com um pacote computacional.

This paper addresses the single stage lot-sizing problem in parallel machines. Each item can be produced on any machine, and incurs a setup time before to start the production. The objective of this paper is to obtain lower bounds of good quality for this problem. A solution method is developed based on a reformulation of the problem and the Lagrangian relaxation of a set of constraints. Some computational results are presented comparing the proposed method with a method from the literature and with a computational package.

Objective: To determine the effects of exercise in anatomic abnormalities of the pelvic floor (SP) and the quality of life (QOL) of women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Method: An experimental study with 50 women with SUI, distributed randomly into two groups, experimental (GE, 49.24±7.37 years) and control group (CG; 45.25±5.60 years). The groups performed ultrasound evaluation of the SP, evidence of pelvic floor muscle strength by palpation bidigital, surface EMG motor activity and replied to the CV before and after treatment. The GE had 16 sessions of pelvic floor exercises twice a week for 30min. Results: Comparison between the GE and GC revealed significant differences in favor of GE, namely: mobility of the bladder neck (r=-0.79mm, p=0.00), thickness of pelvic floor muscle (r=-0.04mm, p=0.00), EMG (r=0.05μV, p=0.00), muscle strength by the AFA (r=0.05 level, p=0.00), DOMI1 (r%=5.67%, p=0.00), DOMI2 (r%=18.00%, p=0.00), DOMI3 (r%=18.22%, p=0.00), DOMI4 (r%=4.45%, p=0.00), DOMI5 (r%=0.22%, p=0.00), DOMI6 (r%=2.00%, p=0.00), DOMI7 (r%=3.78%, p=0, 00), DOMI8 (r%=6.33%, p=0.00), DOMI9 (r%=4.03%, p=0.00). Conclusion: It was modified and improved anatomic features of the pelvic floor of women from GE through perineal exercises, which will positively influence the CV of these women.

Objetivo: Verificar el efecto de los ejercicios en las alteraciones anatomofuncionales del suelo pélvico (SP) y en la calidad de vida (CV) de mujeres con incontinencia urinaria de esfuerzo (IUE). Método: Estudio experimental realizado con 50 mujeres con IUE, distribuidas de forma aleatoria en: grupo experimental (GE; 49,24±7,37 años) y grupo control (GC; 45,25±5,60 años). Los grupos realizaron evaluación ecográfica del SP, prueba de fuerza muscular del suelo pélvico por medio de la palpación bidigital, actividad motora electromiográfica de superficie y contestaron al cuestionario CV antes y después del tratamiento. El GE hizo 16 sesiones de ejercicios para el suelo pélvico, dos veces a la semana, durante 30min. Resultados: La comparación entre el GE y el GC reveló diferencias significativas a favor del GE, a saber: movilidad del cuello vesical (r=-0,79mm, p=0,00), espesor de los músculos del suelo pélvico (r=-0,04mm, p=0,00), EMG (r=0,05μV, p=0,00), fuerza muscular por el AFA (r=0,05 grado, p=0,00), DOMI1 (r%=5,67%, p=0,00), DOMI2 (r%=18,00%, p=0,00), DOMI3 (r%=18,22%, p=0,00), DOMI4 (r%=4,45%, p=0,00), DOMI5 (r%=0,22%, p=0,00), DOMI6 (r%=2,00%, p=0,00), DOMI7 (r%=3,78%, p=0,00), DOMI8 (r%=6,33%, p=0,00), DOMI9 (r%=4,03%, p=0,00). Conclusión: Se modificaron y se mejoraron las características anatomofuncionales del suelo pélvico de las mujeres del GE a través de ejercicios perineales, lo que influyó de forma positiva en la CV de esas mujeres.

O objetivo desse trabalho é a adsorção de cianocomplexos de ouro, cobre e ferro de efluentes que são gerados no processo de beneficiamento do minério de ouro. Para a adsorção foram testadas duas alternativas: resina de troca aniônica com base fraca e o carvão ativado quimicamente modificado. A resina utilizada foi a LEWATIT MP 62 da Bayer S.A. O processo de modificação química do carvão ocorreu em duas etapas: nitração do carvão ativado comercial, seguida de redução do grupo nitro (NO2) para grupo amino (NH2). Os testes de adsorção revelaram que o carvão ativado modificado apresentou pior eficiência na recuperação de complexos de Au, em relação ao carvão ativado sem tratamento, e que ambos não adsorveram complexos de Cu e Fe. A resina foi a que apresentou melhor recuperação dos complexos de ouro (100%), cobre (99%) e ferro (100%).

Herein, the adsorption of gold, copper, and iron cyano complexes fromeffluents of t gold ore processing is presented. . For recovery, two alternatives were tested: weak-base ion - exchange resin and chemically modified activated carbon. The resin used was LEWATIT MP 62 from Bayer S.A. Chemical modification was carried out in two steps: nitration of commercial activated carbon followed by the reduction of the nitro group (NO2) to amino group (NH2). Adsorption testes revealed that activated carbon presented poorer efficiency in the recovery of Au complexes in relation to untreated activated carbon, and that they did not adsorb either Cu or Fe complexes. Resin recovered Cu (99%) and Fe(100%) and Au (100%) complexes was the best.

The capacity for retaining the acquired knowledge of the students participating in one Physic course is analyzed as well as the ability to solve open problems that have a known solution. The analysis is focused to the degree of procedural and declarative knowledge; the last one was used using the categorization based in stages designed for analyzing simple written answers according with the standard methodology. From these results we inferred that the learning process of the students generate a routine semantic memory without meaningful semantic knowledge due to the absence of procedural work. This procedure favors a separation from the scientific teaching where the student is moved away from the kind of work made in the scientific environment.

Se analiza el grado de retención de conocimiento del alumno después de haber pasado por un curso de física universitaria y la habilidad para enfrentar problemas abiertos que poseen, como la mayoría de los problemas académicos, una solución conocida por anticipado. El análisis se enfoca al grado de conocimiento declarativo y de procedimiento, este último utilizando el grado de categorización basado en valoraciones de las resoluciones en un estudio semicuantitativo con base en etapas diseñadas para el análisis de respuestas escritas y cerradas de acuerdo con metodologías estándar. De los resultados inferimos que el proceso de aprendizaje al que fueron sometidos los alumnos en cuestión provoco solamente una memoria semántica rutinaria sin llegar a producir conocimientos semánticos significativos, debido a la ausencia de trabajo de procedimiento, que propicia un alejamiento de la enseñanza científica.

Com o fim de produzir o fenômeno de KOCH, os A. A. inocularam em 30 leprosos da Colônia Mirueira (Recife), de várias idades e formas clínicas, emulsões vivas de três culturas de bacilos ácido-álcool resistentes isolados de leprosos pro um dêles (S.A.). As doses inoculadas foram de 0,2 cc., por via intradérmica, em cada doente, das amostras "CII", "E" e "H" e mais da Leprolina S.A. (antígeno morto). No 10º dia da inoculação verificou-se que 24 dos 30 pacientes tiveram reação geral intensa; 2, reação moderada e 4, nenhuma reação geral. 16 dos 30 tiveram reação leprótica, sendo 10 em casos ativos (lepromatosos) e 6 em inativos, e 17 dos 30 tiveram adenopatias inguinais. O inóculo "CII" produziu escaras de 1 x 1 e 2 x 2 cm. de diâmetro, com destruição total da pele, nos 30 pacientes (o total dêles); o inóculo "E" produziu escaras de igual intensidade em 29, o inóculo "H", escaras muitos mais benignas em 23, e a Leprolina em 10, naturalmente por ação concomitante de um dos outros três inóculos. No 10º dia foram semeadas em meio de LOEWENSTEIN secreções das escaras de sete dos 30 doentes, num total de 20 tubos, dos quais 19 produziram retroculuras, a amioria contaminada por fungos ou por bactérias cianófilas. De um doente foi obtido retrocultura cromogênica da escara produzida na intradérmoreação pela "Leprolina S. A.", macro e microscòpricamente indiferencável das amostras "CII" e "E". Aliás, pela extensiva experimentação feita com estas duas amostras, estamos nos inclinando por considerá-las como idênticas. No 18º dia da inoculação foram feitos 30 esfregaços de secreções de lesões experimentais de 13 doentes, com 15 resultados positivos (50%), apesar do exame tardio. As morfologias macro e microscópica das retroculturas obtidas em Recife confirmam os caracteres descritos nas culturas originais. Dêste rápido ensaio se conclui que a maioria dos pacientes apresentou o fenômeno de KOCH parcial ou integral, com as clássicas reações gerais, focais e locais. A falta de recursos de laboratório na Colônia não permitiu melhor aproveitamento de tão precioso material experimental, e por isso êste trabalho apresenta várias lacunas.

With the aim to produce the KOCH's phenomenon, the A. A. incoulated 30 lepers of the Colonia Mirueira (Recife), from various ages and clinical types, with alive suspensios of three strains of acid-fast bacilli isolated from lepers. Each volunteer received three intradermical inoculations in his thighs, of 0.2 c.c. each from strains "Chaves II", "Emília", and "Hecke" and in his left forea rom 0.2 c.c. of Leprolina S.A. (killed antigen). At the 10th day of inoculation were verified that 24 out of the 30 volunteers had severe general reaction, 2, moderate ones and 4, nothing. 16 out of the 30 had leprosy reaction, being 10 lepromatous cases and 6 inactive oens. The inoculum "C II" produced craters, of 1 x 1 and 2 x 2 cm. diameter in the 30 patients (total), craters with complete destruction of the skin; the inoculum "E" did the same in 29, of equal severety and the inoculum "H" did only in 23, but lesions of minor severety and the "L" produced craters in ten patients, evidently due to the concomitant action of one of the three inocula. At the same 10th day were inoculated secretions onto 20 tubes of LOEWENSTEIN medium of seven patients. 18 days later were seen developpment of retrocultures in 19 ou 20 tubes, the mojority being contaminated by fungs or cyanophile bacteria. From one patient (nº 16) was recovered a chromogenic culture from his Leprolin-test, macro and microscopically undistinguishable from strain "C II" or "E", which, based on a large experimentation the senior writer is inclined to consider as identical. At the 18 th day were made smears from lesions of 13 patients, 30 in total with 15 positive (50%) for one or another of the inocula. The macro and microscopical morphologies of the recovered cultures (retrocultrues) coincide with the characteristics of the original cultures from which the inocula were made. In conclusion, the majority of the patients showed partial or integral KOCH's prenomenon, with its classical general, local and focal reactions. By lack of laboratory resource, at the leper Colony, the precious material available from this series of experiments were not used, resulting in omissions of various kind in this paper.