Abstract Common bean parents and populations resistant to white mold (WM, caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) were selected based on estimates of general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) for WM severity in three field nurseries in Brazil. Twenty-seven populations were obtained by partial diallel crosses between parents from two groups: GI) three sources of partial resistance identified abroad and GII) nine Brazilian cultivars and elite lines. Populations were advanced in bulk up to the F6 generation. The overall mean of WM severity from combined analysis ranged from 2.83 to 5.03 (scale of 1 to 9 scores) in the F6 population. The score of the susceptible control BRS Requinte was 7.21. The GI parents K-59, in Oratórios, MG, and Viçosa, MG, and K-407 and PI204717, in Goianira, GO, contributed to increase resistance to WM. The most promising populations for obtaining elite lines resistant to WM were K-59/BRS Executivo, PI204717/BRS Campeiro, PI204717/Jalo Precoce, K-59/BRS Radiante, and K-407/BRS Cometa.

Resumo A energia de soldagem (HI) máxima indicada para soldagem dos aços inoxidáveis duplex de 2,5kJ.mm-1 representa um fator limitante para o aumento de produtividade na soldagem dos mesmos, sendo a adição de arame frio uma alternativa interessante à essa questão. Avaliou-se a influência da energia de soldagem e da adição do arame frio nas características dimensionais, químicas e metalúrgicas do metal de solda (MS) obtido por arco submerso (SAW) em aço “lean” duplex UNS S32304, utilizando-se o consumível ER2209. Empregou-se o sistema ICETM que adiciona um arame frio entre dois arames energizados “twin” para executar cordões sobre chapas, empregando-se quatro diferentes HI e variando-se a porcentagem de arame frio em relação aos arames quentes em 0, 50 e 100%. Foram realizadas análise química, macrografia, análise dimensional, microscopia ótica e MEV/EDS do MS. A microestrutura do MS foi constituída de uma matriz ferrítica com a presença de austenita de contorno de grão, de Widmanstatten e intragranular e inclusões não metálicas, não sendo observado a ocorrência de precipitados deletérios como σ, χ e nitreto de cromo. A adição de arame frio aumentou a taxa de deposição e provocou a redução da diluição, produzindo soldas com maiores números equivalentes de resistência à corrosão por pite, principalmente para maiores HI, e maiores frações de austenita. Isso indica que o aumento da velocidade de alimentação de arame frio propicia o aumento da produtividade e da resistência à corrosão por pite do MS.

Abstract The maximum recommended welding energy (HI) of 2.5 kJ.mm-1 represents a limiting factor for the productivity increase for duplex stainless steels welding, and the addition of cold wire is an interesting alternative to this question. It has been evaluated the influence of welding energy and the addition of cold wire on the dimensional, chemical and metallurgical characteristics of the weld metal (WM) of SAW welds in lean duplex steel UNS S32304, using the ER2209 filler metal. The ICETM system was used to add a cold wire between two twin energized wires to produce bead-on-plate welds, applying four different HIs and varying the percentage of cold wire (AF) in relation to the hot wires at 0, 50 and 100%. It has been performed chemical analysis, macrography, dimensional analysis, optical microscopy and MEV / EDS in the WM of all conditions. The WM microstructure was constituted by a ferritic matrix with grain boundary, Widmanstatten and intergranular austenite and non-metallic inclusions. No deleterious precipitates such as σ, χ and chromium nitride were observed. The addition of cold wire increased the deposition rate and reduced dilution, achieving higher pitting resistance equivalent number, mainly for higher HI conditions, and higher austenite fractions. This indicates that the higher cold wire feed speed provides increased productivity and WM pitting corrosion resistance.

BACKGROUND: Working memory (WM) deficits have a negative impact on treatment adherence and quality of life. Efficient and effective interventions are needed in order to improve the cognitive functioning of those affected, especially in low-resource communities. Computer-based rehabilitation programmes (CBRP) are low-cost therapeutic approaches for WM deficits. Perceptions and experiences of target users may influence whether CBRP constitute an effective therapeutic option for adults with cognitive impairment in under-resourced environments. AIM: The goal of the study was to explore the experiences of a group of volunteers with WM deficits (associated with diagnoses of HIV and schizophrenia), in terms of the perceived barriers they encountered during their participation in a CBRP. METHODS: A qualitative, descriptive research design was implemented. Short interviews and field notes were used in order to investigate the experiences of nine participants in relation to the CBRP. The sample included four participants living with HIV and five with schizophrenia, all with WM deficits. RESULTS: Using a thematic analysis, eight barriers were identified: unawareness of the cognitive deficit, anticipation of negative results, stigma, difficulties accessing a computer and/or Internet connection, ill health, negative emotional experiences, daily routine challenges and non-conducive or sabotaging environments. A representational model of these barriers is proposed. CONCLUSION: The implementation of a cognitive rehabilitation strategy should not only take into consideration issues of access to particular strategies and materials but should also be preceded by an exploration of how individual and contextual barriers are experienced by the potential users, as these contribute to the risk of dropout.

Abstract Dexamethasone (DEX) is a corticoid hormone that is experimentally used to mimic the effects of increased levels of endogenous corticosterone observed during the stress response. Currently, stress is considered one of the major predisposing factors for diseases in the poultry industry. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of DEX and/or of a 20-fold coccidial vaccine dose on leukocyte phenotypes in the spleen and cecal tonsils of chickens. Twenty specific-pathogen-free (SPF) Leghorn chickens were divided into four groups: a non-treated group (NT), a DEX-treated group (Dex), a vaccinated group (V) and a DEX-treated+vaccinated group (Dex+V). On experimental day (ED) 42, each bird in the vaccinated groups received a anti-coccidial vaccine. DEX was injected in the birds of the Dex and Dex+V groups (0.9 mg/kg) onED42 and ED45. The immunophenotyping was performed by flow cytometry analysis of splenocytes and cecal tonsils cells onED48. DEX treatment per se was unable to change CD4+CD8+, CD4+CD8+ and CD4-CD8+ populations with TCRgd or CD28 in the spleen, or macrophages and T lymphocytes in the cecal tonsils. V group birds presented higher numbers of splenic macrophages compared with those measured in the Dex+V group. The number of CD4+CD25+ cells in the spleen of birds of the V group was higher than those measured in the other experimental groups. Our data suggest that CD4+CD25+ cells and macrophages might be influenced by DEX treatment in spleen, but not in the cecal tonsils of chickens inoculated with Eimeria.

Envenomation by Loxosceles bites is characterized by dermonecrotic and/or systemic features that lead to several clinical signs and symptoms called loxoscelism. Dermonecrotic lesions are preceded by thrombosis of the dermal plexus. Recent studies show that atheromatous plaque is prone to thrombosis due to endothelial cell apoptosis. To the best of our knowledge, there are no reports of microscopic dermal lesion and endothelial cell apoptosis induced by Loxosceles similis venom in the literature. Thus, the aim of the present study is to describe histological lesions induced by L. similis venom in rabbit skin and to elucidate whether apoptosis of endothelial cells is involved in the pathogenesis of loxoscelism. Forty male rabbits were split into two groups: the control group (intradermally injected with 50 µL of PBS) and the experimental group (intradermally injected with 0.5 µg of L. similis crude venom diluted in 50 µL of PBS). After 2, 4, 6 and 8 hours of injection, skin fragments were collected and processed for paraffin or methacrylate embedding. Sections of 5 µm thick were stained by HE, PAS or submitted to TUNEL reaction. Microscopically, severe edema, diffuse heterophilic inflammatory infiltrate, perivascular heterophilic infiltrate, thrombosis, fibrinoid necrosis of arteriolar wall and cutaneous muscle necrosis were observed. Two hours after venom injection, endothelial cells with apoptosis morphology were evidenced in the dermal plexus. Apoptosis was confirmed by TUNEL reaction. It seems that endothelial cell apoptosis and its consequent desquamation is an important factor that induces thrombosis and culminates in dermonecrosis, which is characteristic of cutaneous loxoscelism.

A esclerose múltipla (EM) e o envelhecimento normal comprometem a substância branca hemisférica, causando déficits neuropsicológicos na função executiva, memória de trabalho (MT) e velocidade de processamento de informação (VPI). Foram investigadas as hipóteses: (a) a VPI pode constituir um fator determinante dos déficits de MT em pacientes com EM e idosos, e (b) sintomas depressivos auto-relatados podem agravar os déficits cognitivos de pacientes com EM. Participaram do estudo 31 pacientes com EM sem depressão, 36 portadores de EM deprimidos, 108 controles demograficamente comparáveis e 100 idosos da comunidade. Os grupos tiveram seus desempenhos comparados em uma escala de auto-relato para depressão e em uma bateria de testes para MT. Os resultados mostraram que o desempenho em MT depende da VPI, dos sintomas depressivos, da idade e da escolaridade dos indivíduos, variáveis que interagem de formas complexas.

Damage to the hemispheric white matter is observed both in multiple sclerosis (MS) and normal aging, causing neuropsychological deficits in tasks of executive function, working memory (WM), and speed of information processing (SPEED). In this study two main hypotheses were investigated: (a) that SPEED may constitute a determining factor of WM impairment in MS patients and in aging individuals; (b) that self-reported depressive symptoms may aggravate cognitive deficits in MS patients. The study investigated 31 elderly MS patients without depression, 36 depressed ones, 108 demographically comparable controls and 100 community recruited senior participants. Performance of the groups was compared on a self-report measure of depression and on a WM test battery. Results showed that WM performance depends on SPEED, depressive symptoms, age, and schooling - variables which interact in complex ways.

OBJECTIVES: To study pre and postoperative WMA in MTLE patients. METHODS: We performed Voxel-Based Morphometry (VBM) with volume of interest (VOI) in 69 controls (mean age, 34.3±11.1 years) and 67 operated patients (mean age, 34.1±10.4 years) with unilateral MTLE. 34 became seizure-free (SzFree-Group), 23 improved (Engel IB-IIA [Partial recovery-group]) and 10 did not improve (Engel III-IV [Failure-Group]). All had pre and postoperative MRIs (one year minimum). We flipped MRIs of right MTLE patients in order to avoid right-to-left analysis cancelation. VBM was performed on SPM2/MATLAB7.0 with individual masks for surgical lacunae and 1% false-discovery-rate to control for multiple comparisons. We used MARSbar <www.marsbar.sourceforge.net> routine to select ROIs and t-test for statistical analyses. RESULTS: Mean postoperative follow-up was 60.2 (±SD 30.7) months. On baseline MRI, SzFree-Group showed White Matter Atrophy (WMA) involving temporal lobes [TL], ipsilateral occipital, parietal and frontal regions, with areas of significant recovery of WMA on postoperative MRI. Partial recovery-Group presented a more restricted pattern of WMA, involving ipsilateral temporal lobe, contralateral superior temporal gyrus and few areas in bilateral cingulated and orbitofrontal areas. In this group we also identified areas with relative increase of WM after surgery. By contrast, Failure-Group showed more widespread bi-hemispheric areas of WMA on baseline MRI without postoperative improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Although we have identified some differences in baseline WMA, we were unable to correlate a more widespread pattern with a worse prognosis, as SzFree-Group, also presented a bilateral distribution of WMA. The recovery of WMA in SzFree-Group and Partial recovery-group is in agreement with previous MRS and PET studies and suggests that a network of neuronal dysfunction in MTLE can be, at least in part, reversible after successful postoperative seizure control.

Quinze bezerros da raça Holandesa, desaleitados aos 30 dias de idade, foram utilizados para avaliar os efeitos da inclusão de fontes protéicas alternativas, em substituição às proteínas do leite integral, na formulação de sucedâneos do leite. Os animais foram divididos em três grupos: o grupo controle (C) - recebeu leite em pó integral reconstituído; o grupo sucedâneo SL (soro/leite) recebeu 41,6% da proteína bruta (PB) vinda do concentrado protéico de soro (CPS), 23,1% do soro de leite e 35,3% do leite em pó integral; e o grupo sucedâneo S (soro) recebeu 68% da PB vinda do CPS e 32% do soro de leite. O consumo de concentrado, feno, sal mineral e água foi mensurado diariamente, enquanto o ganho de peso foi avaliado semanalmente. Não houve diferença (P>0,05) para o consumo de concentrado, sal mineral e água entre os grupos, nos períodos avaliados. O consumo de feno e o ganho de peso foram inferiores nos animais do grupo S (P<0,05). A substituição de 100% do leite integral por CPS e soro de leite influenciou negativamente o desempenho.

The effects of alternative protein sources replacing whole milk proteins in milk replacer formulation were evaluated. Fifteen Holstein calves, weaned at 30 days of age, were used to evaluate the intake of concentrate, hay, mineral salt and water, and live weight gain. Animals were divided in three experimental groups: control group (C) - fed whole milk; milk replacer WM group (whey/milk) - fed on 41.6% of crude protein (CP) provided by whey protein concentrate (WPC), 23.1% by whey and 35.3% by whole milk; and milk replacer W group (whey) - fed on 68% of CP provided by WPC and 32% by whey. Starter, hay, mineral and water intakes were daily measured, whereas live weight was weekly recorded. Starter, mineral and water intakes were not different (P>0.05) among the experimental groups. Hay intake and live weight gain were lower (P<0.05) for S group animals. Total replacement of whole milk proteins with whey proteins negatively affected the performance of the calves.

Neste trabalho, teve-se como objetivo principal investigar as alterações químicas do solo, em resposta à aplicação de água residuária filtrada de origem doméstica e comparar os resultados com aqueles obtidos com o manejo convencional. O experimento foi implantado na Unidade Piloto de Tratamento de Água Residuária e Agricultura Irrigada, localizada na Universidade Federal de Viçosa - UFV. O delineamento experimental constituiu-se de 18 unidades experimentais, cada uma composta de oito plantas. O experimento foi montado segundo o esquema de parcelas subdivididas, tendo nas parcelas os tipos de manejo adotados (convencional - MC e com água residuária de origem doméstica - MR, com aplicação de cinco diferentes lâminas) e, nas subparcelas as faixas de profundidade do solo (0 - 0,20; 0,20 - 0,40 e 0,40 - 0,60 m) no delineamento em blocos casualizados (linhas de plantio) com três repetições. Os resultados obtidos permitiram concluir que a adoção do MR foi mais efetiva na melhoria das características do solo que o MC.

The objective of this work was to investigate chemical changes in the soil, in response to application of filtered domestic wastewater and to compare the results with the conventional agricultural management. The experiment was carried out at the Pilot Sewer Treatment Plant and Irrigated Agriculture located at Federal University of Viçosa. The experimental design consisted of 18 plots, with eight plants each. The treatments were distributed in split-plots, the main plots being the management types (CM-conventional and WM-domestic wastewater with five different water depths) and the subplots soil depths (0 - 0.20; 0.20 - 0.40 and 0.40 - 0.60 m) in randomized blocks consisting of three repetitions. According to the results it may be concluded that the application of WM was more effective to improve soil fertility than CM.