The fungal Hemileia vastatrix is the causal agent of coffee leaf rust, one of the worst and devastating disease in coffee cultures worldwide. As a result of our research on natural products for the development of novel agrochemicals, we found that the hexane extract from leaves of the Brazilian medicinal plant Garcinia gardneriana, at 500 μg mL-1, inhibited in 98% the germination of H. vastatrix urediniospores. This extract showed no phytotoxicity when tested for seed germination and seedling growth inhibitory activity using sensible plant species. Also, the hexane extract from leaves was tested for anti-acetylcholinesterase activity, which constitutes a mechanism of action of major commercial insecticides used in agriculture, and showed low activity even at concentrations about two times higher than the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) found in the antifungal assays. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis showed that the hexane extract is constituted mainly by the pentacyclic triterpene lupeol, together with a series of sesquiterpenes as minor components. This is the first report on the investigation of antifungal, phytotoxic and acetylcholinesterase activities of extracts from leaves of G. gardneriana. These findings indicate that G. gardneriana may constitute a promising source of natural products for controlling the coffee leaf rust fungus.

Abstract The present study was based on the analysis of 10,467 trawls of the industrial piramutaba (Brachyplatystoma vaillantii) fishing fleet of the Brazilian state of Pará, which were mapped by onboard GPS loggers (between February 2008 and September 2011) and the PREPS data from 40 vessels which were tracked by this system between 2008 and 2011. The variation in the mean monthly CPUE, based on Lomb’s periodogram, revealed a well-defined and constant cycle with a duration of approximately one year. Three environmental factors influenced this cycle. The El Niño 3.4 index had a negative correlation with the CPUE of the piramutaba fishery, with a time lag of 15 months, while monthly rainfall and the mean discharge of the Amazon River correlated strongly (r=0.89 and 0.87, respectively; p<0.001) with the CPUE, with time lags of 12 and 11 months, respectively. The spatiotemporal analysis of the distribution of the activity of the piramutaba fishing fleet indicated that the most intense area of operation of the fleet lies between latitudes 00º N and 02° N, and longitudes 047º40’ W and 049º40’ W. This area was divided into four geographic quadrants, although fishery operations were concentrated in only three of these quadrants. The study proposed a quadrimester fishing cycle with zoning in three of the quadrants, where fishing would be permitted for four months (occupation period), followed by an 8-month rest period for the recuperation of stocks, aiming at the sustainability of this fishing exploration.

Abstract: A circular bead produced by a laser beam (CLW) is a method of joining superposed sheets by scanning circularly a laser beam. Among the various applications, it could be highlighted the welding of austenitic stainless steel AISI 304 sheets for heat exchangers. This work aims to report the effect of fiber laser CLW in tensile shear strength of superposed sheets as well as the corrosion behavior in relation to the process parameters. It was carried out circular beads using stainless steel AISI 304 sheets varying the laser power and speed. The samples were then submitted to optical and electronic microscopy, tensile-shear tests and electrochemical experiments. Among the experimental conditions, the weld sample with 800 W power and 50 mm/s speed presented an ultimate tensile strength of 159 MPa, 17% higher than the sample with the lowest result. The corrosion rate, corrosion and pitting potentials did not change significantly in the welded joint with different conditions compared to the base metal.

RESUMO Filmes constituídos por amido de mandioca, álcool polivinílico (PVA) e argila Bentonita (BNT) e glicerol como plastificante foram obtidos utilizando o método casting. A fim de aumentar a compatibilidade dos polímeros ao mineral e sua hidrofobicidade, estes foram posteriormente modificados quimicamente utilizando metacrilato de glicidila (GMA) para a substituição dos grupamentos hidroxilas por vinílicos. Este procedimento gerou filmes com excelente estabilidade a sorção de água e permeabilidade ao vapor de água 15% menor quando comparados coms os filmes sem modificação química. Adicionalmente, esta estratégia também resultou na melhora de 25% na resistência a tração, mantendo o mesmo módulo de Young mas, com uma leve diminuição na estabilidade térmica (início de degradação 14ºC menor). A adição da argila BNT gera filmes compósitos com propriedades, mecânicas, térmicas e físicas diferenciadas, contudo há uma dependência entre a quantidade de reforço e a distribuição estrutural das lamelas de argila na matriz. As modificações químicas foram comprovadas por RMN H1, FTIR, DRX e os filmes foram caracterizados por DRX, sorção e permeabilidade a água, ensaios mecânicos (tração, alongamento e módulo de Young) e TGA. A utilização de 1% m/m deste reforço gera compósitos com BNT estruturalmente esfoliado, independentemente da prévia modificação com metacrilato de glicidila. Já a formulação com 5% m/m gerou filmes compósitos intercalados. Qualquer outro teor de reforço exibe estruturas lamelares aglomeradas (empacotadas). Destaca-se que nas formulações reforçadas com 1% de argila, houve melhora em cerca 30% na resistência a tração com permeabilidade a água 60% menor, para cargas maiores de argila. Estes fatos apontam que as modificações propostas neste trabalho geraram propriedades promissoras para a produção de materiais de embalagem biodegradáveis.

ABSTRACT Films constituted by cassava starch, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and Bentonite clay (BNT) and glycerol as plasticizer were obtained using the casting method. In order to increase the compatibility of the polymers with the mineral and its hydrophobicity, they were subsequently chemically modified by replacing the hydroxyl groups with vinyls using glycidyl methacrylate (GMA). This procedure generated films with excellent water sorption stability and 15% lower water vapor permeability. This strategy also resulted in a 25% improvement in tensile strength, maintaining the same Young’s modulus and slight decrease in thermal stability (onset of degradation 14 ° C lower). The addition of BNT clay generates composite films with different mechanical, thermal and physical properties, however, there is a dependence between the amount of reinforcement and the structural distribution of the clay lamellae in the matrix. The chemical modifications were confirmed by H 1 NMR, FTIR, XRD and the films were characterized by XRD, sorption and water permeability, mechanical tests (traction, stretching and Young’s modulus) and TGA. The use of 1% w / w of this reinforcement generates composites with structurally exfoliated BNT, independently of the previous modification with glycidyl methacrylate. The formulation with 5% m / m generated intercalated composite films. Any other reinforcing content exhibits agglomerated (packaged) lamellar structures. It is noteworthy that in the formulations reinforced with 1% clay, there was an improvement of about 30% in tensile strength with 60% lower water permeability, for higher clayey loads. These facts indicate that the modifications proposed in this work have generated promising properties for the production of biodegradable packaging materials.

RESUMO A criptococose é causada por leveduras do complexo Cryptococcus neoformans/C. gattii e se apresenta nas formas cutânea, respiratória e disseminada. Um homem imunocompetente de 44 anos com lesão facial e pneumonia latente foi hospitalizado e erroneamente diagnosticado com paracoccidioidomicose. Tomografias computadorizadas mostraram envolvimento pulmonar e neurológico, e culturas/tinta da China, teste do antígeno criptocócico e técnica de polimorfismo de comprimento de fragmentos de restrição dogene urease (URA5-RFLP) confirmaram C. neoformans genótipo VNI. Hemocultura indicou Klebsiella pneumoniae resistente à ampicilina (infecção relacionada com a assistência à saúde). Fluconazol foi administrado, mas após detecção de resistência, optou-se por anfotericina B (dose cumulativa/1500 mg). O paciente recebeu alta com remissão clínica (75 dias) e administração de anfotericina B por um ano (fase de manutenção).

ABSTRACT Cryptococcosis is caused by yeasts of the Cryptococcus neoformans/C. gattii complex, presenting cutaneous, respiratory and disseminated forms. A 44-year-old immunocompetent male with facial lesion and latent pneumonia was hospitalized and misdiagnosed with paracoccidioidomycosis. Computerized tomography scans showed pulmonary and neurological involvement, and cultures/China ink, cryptococcal antigen test and restriction fragment length polymorphism of urease gene (URA5-RFLP) confirmed C. neoformans genotype VNI. Hemoculture indicated ampicillin-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (healthcare-associated infection). Fluconazole was administered, but after resistance detection, amphotericin B was chosen (cumulative dose/1500 mg). The patient was discharged with clinical remission (75 days) and amphotericin for one year (maintenance phase).

RESUMEN La criptococosis es causada por levaduras del complejo Cryptococcus neoformans/C. gattii y se presenta en las formas cutánea, respiratoria y diseminada. Un hombre inmunocompetente de 44 años de edad con lesión facial y neumonía latente fue hospitalizado y erróneamente diagnosticado con paracoccidioidomicosis. Tomografías computarizadas mostraron afectación pulmonar y neurológica, y culturas/tinta china, prueba del antígeno criptocócico y URA5-polimorfismos en la longitud de los fragmentos de restricción (RFLP) confirmaron C. neoformans genotipo VNI. El hemocultivo indicó Klebsiella pneumoniae resistente a la ampicilina (infección asociada a la atención en salud). El fluconazol le fue administrado, pero tras detección de resistencia, se optó por anfotericina B (dosis acumulativa/1500 mg). Al paciente le dieron el alta en remisión clínica (75 días) y administración de anfotericina B durante un año (fase de mantenimiento).

Lanthanide ions have special light emission, which can occur through descending and ascending energy conversion. Ascending energy conversion is especially interesting for bioapplications because excitation in the infrared region does not excite biomolecules and therefore does not interfere in detection, not to mention that it penetrates deeper in the skin. Here, we synthesized yttrium and aluminum oxide doped with Yb3+and Er3+ions via the non-hydrolytic sol-gel methodology. The doped matrix was incorporated and dispersed over a polyamide membrane obtained by Additive Manufacturing. X-ray diffraction revealed that a mixture of yttrium aluminum monoclinic and garnet phases emerged. Upon excitation at 980 nm in the Yb3+ion, the Er3+ presented more intense emission as a function of the laser power, which favored red emission. The intensities of the bands corresponding to the 4S3/2 → 4I15/2 (563 nm) and 5F9/2 → 4I15/2 (660 nm) transitions involved the absorption of two photons. The oxide incorporated into the polyamide membrane presented the same behavior. After coating with polyetherimide, the latter system was resistant to 5.1 W laser, which paves the way for new applications.

We introduce a new, high quality, low cost and versatile LEDs-based handset device that emits high power UV and white light, which can be used interchangeably. It offers power control and has long battery life. Even though it is optimized to detect and collect scorpions under low light conditions, it can also be used with other groups of fluorescent organisms. The device achieved superior performance in field and laboratory trials when compared with a 12 LEDs low power UV flashlight, and a 46 W black fluorescent light lamp, to locate Tityus serrulatus Lutz & Mello, 1922.

O estudo dos componentes do balanço de água no solo é essencial para se compreender sua dinâmica, fornecendo subsídios para o manejo agrícola e otimização do uso de água. O presente trabalho objetivou determinar os componentes do balanço de água em solo cultivado com mamona sob condições de sequeiro. Para tal foram instalados, numa área de 4 ha da Fazenda Experimental Chã do Jardim, do Centro de Ciências Agrárias da UFPB, Areia, PB (6o 58' S, 35o 41' W e 620 m) três sítios tensio-neutrônicos cada um contendo um tubo de acesso para a sonda de nêutrons até a profundidade de 1,60 m e oito tensiômetros nas profundidades de 0,10; 0,20; 0,30; 0,40; 0,60; 0,80; 1,20 e 1,60 m, além de um pluviógrafo para medir a precipitação. Com vista à determinação da condutividade hidráulica saturada do solo, foram realizados ensaios de infiltração na superfície e nas profundidades de 0,20; 0,40; 0,60 e 0,80 m. A evapotranspiração da mamona seguiu as variações da precipitação e teve valor médio de 2,43 mm d-1, perfazendo o total de 342,52 mm. As variações do armazenamento de água no solo seguiram as variações da precipitação pluvial e o fluxo de água na base do solo (ascensão capilar ou drenagem) tiveram valores muito pequenos.

The study of water balance components is essential to understand the dynamics of soil water, providing subsidies to agricultural management and optimization of water use. The objective of this study was to determine the water balance components in a soil cultivated with castor bean under rainfed conditions. An experiment was installed in a 4 ha area in the Centro de Ciências Agrárias, UFPB, in the municipality of Areia, Paraiba state (6o 58' S, 35o 41' W e 620 m), a rain gauge and three plots contained an access tube for neutron probe measurements, up to the depth of 1.60 m, and a set of eight tensiometers at depths of 0.10, 0.20, 0.30, 0.40, 0.60, 0.80, 1.20 and 1.60 m. Infiltration tests were performed on soil surface and 0.20, 0.40, 0.60 and 0.80 m depth for the determination of the saturated hydraulic conductivity of soil. It was verified that the evapotranspiration of castor bean followed the variations of rainfall with the mean and total values of 2.43 mm d-1 and 342.5 mm, respectively. The variation of soil moisture storage change followed the variations in rainfall and the flux of water crossing the last soil layer (capillarity rise or drainage) had very small values.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a reconstituição do ducto nasolacrimal com o uso de radiofrequência para restabelecimento do fluxo lacrimal nos casos de obstrução da via lacrimal excretora. MÉTODOS: O procedimento foi realizado em 16 olhos de 16 pacientes (13 femininos e 3 masculinos) pelo mesmo cirurgião, utilizando aparelho de radiofrequência monopolar de 450 kHz e 150 W de potência, com anestesia local sob sedação. Os critérios de inclusão foram obstrução baixa da via lacrimal (confirmada por dacriocistografia) e idade superior a 18 anos. Os critérios de exclusão foram trauma prévio, dacriocistite aguda, fístula cutânea, mucocele, cirurgia prévia da via lacrimal e uso de marca-passo cardíaco. RESULTADOS: O seguimento mínimo foi de 120 dias, os pacientes realizaram retornos ambulatoriais para avaliação clínica (presença de epífora, secreção, refluxo à expressão do saco lacrimal, posicionamento do tubo de silicone) e teste de Milder. Aos 90 dias de pós-operatório, 13 pacientes apresentavam irrigação positiva (81,25%) com desobstrução do ducto nasolacrimal e 3 casos (18,75%) de insucesso com irrigação impossibilitada (sem passagem para cavidade nasal). CONCLUSÃO: A reconstituição do ducto nasolacrimal com radiofrequência mostrou-se eficaz no tratamento da obstrução da via lacrimal excretora.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the nasolacrimal duct reconstitution with radio frequency for restoration of lacrimal flow in cases of nasolacrimal duct obstruction. METHODS: The procedure was carried out in 16 eyes of 16 patients (13 women and 3 men) by the same surgeon, with monopolar high-frequency device at 450 kHz and 150 W, with local anesthesia under sedation. Inclusion criteria were lower lacrimal system obstruction (confirmed by dacryocystogram) and age over 18 years old. Exclusion criteria were previous trauma, acute dacryocystitis, cutaneous fistula, mucocele, previous lacrimal surgery and cardiac pacemaker. RESULTS: Patients were followed for at least 120 days, patients were clinically evaluated at outpatient clinics for the presence of secretion, epiphora, reflux at compression of the lacrimal sac, placement of silicone tube and Milder test. At the 90-day postoperative visit, 13 patients had positive irrigation (81.25%) with clearance of lacrimal duct and 3 cases (18.75%) presented irrigation failure. CONCLUSION: Nasolacrimal duct reconstitution with radio frequency was effective in treating nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

Objetivou-se determinar os componentes do balanço de energia (saldo de radiação, fluxos de calor latente, sensível e no solo), a evapotranspiração (ET) e a eficiência no uso de água (EUA) do feijão caupi cultivado sob condições de sequeiro. O experimento foi conduzido numa área de quatro hectares, localizada no CCA/UFPB, Areia, PB (6º58'12" S e 35º42'15" O e 620 m), durante o período de 22/07/2003 a 17/10/2003. Para a determinação dos componentes do balanço de energia e da ET utilizou-se o método da razão de Bowen, sendo que para isso foi instalada, no centro da área, uma torre micrometeorológica com sensores para medição da temperatura e da umidade relativa, em dois níveis acima do dossel do caupi, além de sensores para a medição do saldo de radiação, da radiação solar global, do fluxo de calor no solo e da precipitação pluvial. Verificou-se que o valor médio da razão saldo de radiação/radiação global (Rn/Rg) foi de 79%, sendo a Rn utilizada, em média, como 65% no fluxo de calor latente (LE/Rn), 23% como fluxo de calor sensível (H/Rn) e 12% como fluxo de calor no solo (G/Rn). Em relação à evapotranspiração, observou-se que o valor total durante o período experimental foi 330,7 mm e o médio de 3,8 mm dia-1. A produção do caupi foi de apenas 206,0 kg ha-1, com uma EUA baixa (0,06 kg m-3), a qual se deu, provavelmente, devido ao déficit hídrico ocorrido na fase reprodutiva.

The objective of this study was to assess the energy balance components (net radiation, latent heat flux, sensible heat flux and soil heat flux), evapotranspiration (ET) and water use efficiency (WUE) of cowpea grown under rainfed conditions. The experiment was conducted in a 4 ha area in the CCA, UFPB, belonging to the Municipality of Areia, PB (6º58' S, 35º41' W and 620 m) during the period from July, 22 2003 to October, 17 2003. To determine the energy balance components and ET, it was used the Bowen ratio method, and for that, the area was instrumented with a micrometeorological tower containing sensors for measuring air temperature and relative humidity at two levels above the canopy of cowpea. Measurements of net and global radiation, soil heat flux and rainfall were also made. The average value of the net radiation was 79% of the global solar radiation (Rn/Rg), in which 65% appeared as latent heat flux (LE/Rn), 23% as sensible heat flux (H/Rn) and 12% as soil heat flux (G/Rn). The total and average values for actual evapotranspiration were 330.7 mm and 3.8 mm day-1, respectively. The production of cowpea was only 206.0 kg ha-1 with low WUE (0.06 kg m-3), which occurred probably due to water deficit at reproductive stage.

This research aimed to evaluate the yield and productivity of Ecco rainfed compared to conventional cultivars BRS Primavera, BRS Sertanejaand Cambará in Vilhena and Cerejeiras cities, Rondonia state. The experiment was completely conducted in random with four replications. The experiments were conducted in November, 2009, one in the Experimental Farm at Faculdade da Amazônia, in Vilhena city, Rondonia state, located at latitude S 12°44'26" and longitude W 60°08'45", and the other at the Experimental Field of Faculdade da Amazônia in Cerejeiras-RO, located at S 13°11'19,6" latitude and W 060°51'43,9" longitude. The variables were: tillering, number of whole grains and chochos per panicle, 1000 grain weight, yield in bags of 60 kg per hectare and yield of whole grains. The hybrid cultivar Ecco is the most suitable for cultivation in the two regions, because it showed better tillering, greater efficiency in grain filling, greater weight of 1000 grains and consequently higher productivity in both regions, besides a high yield of whole grains in relation to other cultivars.

A pesquisa teve por objetivo avaliar os componentes de produção e a produtividade do cultivar de arroz híbrido de sequeiro Ecco comparado as cultivares convencionais BRS Primavera, BRS Sertaneja e Cambará nos municípios de Vilhena e Cerejeiras-RO. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente ao acaso com quatro repetições. Os experimentos foram instalados no mês de novembro de 2009, sendo um na Fazenda Experimental da Faculdade da Amazônia, no município de Vilhena-RO, localizada a uma latitude S 12°44'26" e a uma longitude 60°08'45" W, e o outro, também em Campo experimental da Faculdade da Amazônia no município de Cerejeiras-RO localizadoS 13°11'19.6" de latitude e W 060°51'43,9" de longitude.As variáveis avaliadas foram: perfilhamento, número de grãos inteiros e chochos por panícula, peso de 1000 grãos, produtividade em sacas de 60 kg por hectare e rendimento de grãos inteiros.O cultivar híbrido Ecco é o mais indicado para o cultivo nas duas regiões, pois apresentou melhor perfilhamento, maior eficiência no enchimento de grãos, maior peso de 1000 grãos e consequentemente maior produtividade nos dois municípios, além de um alto rendimento de grãos inteiros em relação aos outros cultivares.