This paper shows the importance of performing probabilistic analyses in open pits, especially for mine planning, which can lead to more efficient ore extraction and meeting the acceptability criteria for safety in mine slopes. Three-dimensional stability analyses were performed to evaluate the future geometry of a large open pit for iron ore extraction in Brazil. The strength parameters of the lithologies were calibrated using ruptures in the pit walls. After determining the factors of safety (FoSs) from the calibrated parameters, probabilistic analyses were performed using the total range of values of each parameter under different field conditions to verify the reliability of the initial analysis. In this sense, it was possible to plot the probability of failure (PoF) and the FoS on the graph of slope height versus slope interramp angle (IRA) for the future pit in each lithology. IRA recommendations are made for two scenarios: (1) the best scenario: dry without ubiquitous joints and (2) the worst scenario: the water table at 10 m depth with ubiquitous joints in the most unfavourable direction. The results show that probabilistic evaluation is an important tool for establishing alert mechanisms in slopes that can be termed stable.

Geotechnical monitoring plays an important role in the detection of operational safety issues in the slopes of open pits. Currently, monitoring companies offer several solutions involving robust technologies that boast highly reliable data and the ability to control risky conditions. The monitoring data must be processed and analysed so as to allow the results to be used for several purposes, thereby providing information that can be used to manage operational actions and optimize mining plans or engineering projects. In this work we analysed monitoring data (pore pressure and displacement) and its correlation with the tension and displacement of the mass of an established failure slope calculated using the finite element method. To optimize the back-analysis, a Python language routine was developed using input data (point coordinates, parameter matrix, and critical section) to use software with the rock mass parameters (cohesion, friction angle, Young's modulus, and Poisson's ratio). For the back-analysis, the Mohr-Coulomb criterion was applied with the shear strength reduction technique to obtain the strength reduction factor. The results were consistent with both the measured displacements and the maximum deformation contours, revealing the possible failure mechanism, allowing the strength parameters to be calibrated according to the slope failure conditions, and providing information about the contribution of each variable (parameter) to the slope failure in the study area.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Determine the frequency of microorganisms present in the vagina of women in preterm labor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Descriptive, prospective, cross-sectional study of a series of cases of 46 patients treated at the Fundación Hospital Infantil Universitario de San José de Bogotá for preterm labor, who were sampled from the vaginal introitus and planted on the A.F. Genital System-Liofilchem® panel. Genital System by Liofilchem®, according to the manufacturer's instructions. The statistical package Stata version 13 (StataCorp®) was used. The statistical analysis was descriptive, the nonparametric Wilcoxon test was run. RESULTS: The most isolated microorganism was Staphylococcus aureus with a frequency of 89.13%. Ureaplasma urealyticum was detected in 43.48% and Mycoplasma hominis in 19.57 Of the positive samples for genital Mycoplasmas, 52.2% showed a concentration >105 CFU/mL. Ureaplasma urealyticum isolates showed 100% resistance to clindamycin and 100% Mycoplasma hominis for erythromycin. CONCLUSIONS: Microorganisms that have been identified as risk factors for preterm delivery were identified in 93.5% of the vaginal discharge samples. For Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis, 100% resistance for clindamycin and erythromycin is identified.

Resumen OBJETIVO: Identificar los microorganismos vaginales más frecuentes en pacientes en trabajo de parto pretérmino, mediante el A.F. Genital System-Liofilchem®. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio descriptivo, prospectivo y transversal llevado a cabo en pacientes en trabajo de parto pretérmino atendidas en el servicio de Ginecología y Obstetricia de la Fundación Hospital Infantil Universitario de San José de Bogotá, entre julio de 2015 y febrero de 2016 de quienes se obtuvieron muestras de flujo del introito vaginal y se sembraron en el panel del A.F. Genital System-Liofilchem®, de acuerdo con las instrucciones del fabricante. Para el análisis de los datos se utilizó el programa estadístico Stata versión 13 (StataCorp®) y se implementó la prueba no paramétrica de Wilcoxon. RESULTADOS: Los microorganismos aislados con mayor frecuencia fueron: Staphylococcus aureus (89.1%), Ureaplasma urealyticum (43.4%) y Mycoplasma hominis (19.5%). De las muestras positivas para especies de micoplasma, 52.2% tuvo concentración mayor de 105 UFC/mL. De los agentes aislados, Ureaplasma urealyticum y Mycoplasma hominis mostraron resistencia de 100% para clindamicina y eritromicina, respectivamente. CONCLUSIONES: Los microorganismos vaginales representan un factor de riesgo de parto pretérmino. Ureaplasma urealyticum y Mycoplasma hominis muestran resistencia total a clindamicina y eritromicina.

OBJETIVO: Relatar a incidência, os aspectos epidemiológicos, clínicos, a morte e a vacinação de pacientes com coqueluche e fazer a caracterização genotípica de isolados de Bordetella pertussisidentificados no Estado do Paraná, de janeiro de 2007 a dezembro de 2013.MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, incluindo 1.209 pacientes com coqueluche. Os dados foram obtidos no Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (Sinan) e a epidemiologia molecular foi feita por PCR baseada em sequências repetitivas (rep-PCR; DiversiLab(r), bioMerieux, France).RESULTADOS: A incidência de coqueluche no Estado do Paraná aumentou acentuadamente de 0,15-0,76 por 100.000 habitantes entre 2007-2010 para 1,7-4,28 por 100.000 habitantes entre 2011-2013. Os pacientes com menos de um ano foram os mais afetados (67,5%); 59 crianças (5%) desenvolveram coqueluche mesmo depois de receber três doses da vacina e dois reforços com a vacina tríplice DTP. As complicações mais comuns foram pneumonia (14,5%), otite (0,9%) e encefalopatia (0,7%). Isolados de B. pertussis foram agrupados em dois grupos (G1 e G2) e oito padrões distintos (G1: P1-P5 e G2: P6-P8).CONCLUSÃO: O ressurgimento da coqueluche vem para sugerir novas pesquisas com o objetivo se desenvolverem vacinas com maior capacidade de proteção contra os clones atuais e também implantar novas estratégias de vacinação, a fim de reduzir o risco de doenças em lactentes.

OBJECTIVE: Report the incidence, epidemiology, clinical features, death, and vaccination status of patients with whooping cough and perform genotypic characterization of isolates of B. pertussis identified in the state of Paraná, during January 2007 to December 2013.METHODS: Cross-sectional study including 1,209 patients with pertussis. Data were obtained through the Notifiable Diseases Information System (Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação - SINAN) and molecular epidemiology was performed by repetitive sequence-based polymerase chain reaction (rep-PCR; DiversiLab(r), bioMerieux, France).RESULTS: The incidence of pertussis in the state of Paraná increased sharply from 0.15-0.76 per 100,000 habitants between 2007-2010 to 1.7-4.28 per 100,000 between 2011-2013. Patients with less than 1 year of age were more stricken (67.5%). Fifty-nine children (5%) developed pertussis even after receiving three doses and two diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) boosters vaccine. The most common complications were pneumonia (14.5%), otitis (0.9%), and encephalopathy (0.7%). Isolates of B. pertussis were grouped into two groups (G1 and G2) and eight distinct patterns (G1: P1-P5 and G2: P6-P8).CONCLUSION: The resurgence of pertussis should stimulate new research to develop vaccines with greater capacity of protection against current clones and also encourage implementation of new strategies for vaccination in order to reduce the risk of disease in infants.

Enzyme extracts obtained from I. fuscus ventral muscle were studied. Peak activity was observed at pH 2, 6, and 8, and 50-60°C, whereas maximum enzymatic stability occurred at pH 2 to 6 (except pH 3) and 0 to 40°C. More than 74% residual activity was retained after heating at 70°C and 80°C for 1 h, confirming the presence of heat-resistant enzymes. The extracts also retained 59% initial activity after 21-day storage at 4-5°C. Hg2+ increased the proteolytic activity in 16%, whereas Cu2+ and Mn2+ caused partial inhibition, suggesting the presence of cysteine- and metallo- proteases. Extracts were inhibited by pepstatin A, β-mercaptoethanol and EDTA, confirming the predominance of aspartyl-, cystein-, and metallo-, proteases. Four proteins were identified by SDS-PAGE (180.6, 114.5, 91.7 and 52.9 kDa). Zymograms on casein confirmed the presence of proteolytic enzymes. After purification by anion exchange chromatography a 49 kDa protease, possible metalloprotease, was detected. Mass spectrometry of the partially purified protein showed homology with trypsin and chain E, leech-derived tryptase inhibitor trypsin complex (LDTI). Due that no homology was found with any previously described metalloproteases, the presence of a novel enzyme is suggested.

Se estudiaron extractos enzimáticos del músculo ventral de Isostichopus fuscus. Se observó máxima actividad proteolítica a pH 2, 6 y 8, y 50-60°C. La mayor estabilidad enzimática fue a pH 2-6 (excepto pH 3), y a 0-40°C. Se detectó una actividad residual mayor a 74% después del calentamiento a 70°C y 80°C por 1 h, confirmándose la presencia de enzimas termo resistentes. Asimismo, los extractos retuvieron 59% de la actividad inicial después de almacenarse a 4-5°C por 21 días. Hg2+ aumentó la actividad proteolítica 16%, mientras Cu2+ y Mn2+ la inhibieron parcialmente, lo que sugirió la presencia de cisteín y metalo proteasas. El extracto enzimático se inhibió por pepstatina A, β-mercaptoetanol y EDTA, confirmando la predominancia de aspartil, cisteín y metalo proteasas. Por SDS-PAGE se identificaron cuatro proteínas (180.6, 114.5, 91.7 y 52.9 kDa) y estudios de zimografía corroboraron la presencia de proteasas. Después de purificar el extracto por intercambio aniónico se detectó una proteasa de 49 kDa, posiblemente metalo proteasa. Por espectrometría de masas se encontró homología con tripsina y con la cadena E del complejo inhibidor de triptasa (LDTI). Debido a que no se confirmó homología con ninguna metalo proteasa previamente descrita, se sugirió que esta proteasa es una enzima novedosa.

This work presents a study of arsenic adsorption kinetics and equilibrium on synthetic iron oxyhydrates and its extraction by bicarbonate solutions, as a model to exp lain the fast way for arsenic lixaviation from mining tailings by this mechanism. The arsenic adsorption on synthetic goethite and ferrihydrite showed a pseudo-first order kinetics, reaching the equilibrium in 6-7 days. The adsorption isotherms for arsenic on synthetic goethite and ferrihydrite carried out at different temperaaures levels showed the same and maximum adsorption capacity of 15-18 mg/g, presented a best fil according lo Langmuir Isotherm Model; 95% of arsenic adsorbed in these materials was extracted with bicarbonate solutions 0.5 M, pH 8.5 in 2 h. Approximately 25% of total arsenic present in the mine tailings was extracted by bicaabonate solutions in 6 h. The results suggest that in these tailings, there is an arsenic fraction bound to iron oxyhydrates thaf can be quickly lixiviated by bicarbonate s olutions.

En este trabajo se presenta un estudio sobre la cinética y la adsorción al equilibrio de arsénico sobre oxihidróxidos de fierro sintéticos y su extracción por soluciones de bicarbonatos, como un modelo para explicar que una fracción de arsénico puede lixiviarse rápidamente de jales mineros por este mecanismo. La adsorción de arsénico sobre goethita y ferrihidrita sintéticas mostró una cinética de pseudo-primer orden, alcanzando el equilibrio en 6-7 días aproximadamente. Las isotermas de adsorción de arsénico sobre los oxihidróxidos sintéticos llevadas a cabo en diferentes temperaturas mostraron la misma y máxima capacidad de adsorción de 15-18 m/g, presentando un mejor ajuste al modelo de la Isoterma de Langmuir. El 95% de arsénico adsorbido sobre estos materialea fué extraído con una solución de bicarbonato de sodio 0.5 M, pH 8.5 en 2 h. Aproximadamente el 25% del arsénico total de los jales en estudio se lixivio con soluciones de bicarbonatos en 6 h. Estos resultados sugieren que en estos jales existe una fracción de arsénico unido a oxihidróxidos de fierro que puede ser lixiviada rápidamente por soluciones de bicarbonatos.

Avaliou-se neste trabalho a influência de herbicidas nas características fisiológicas de três cultivares de cana-de-açúcar. O experimento foi conduzido no delineamento em blocos ao acaso, com três repetições, no esquema fatorial 3 x 8. O fator A foi composto por três cultivares de cana-de-açúcar (RB867515, RB855156 e SP80-1816), e o B, pelos herbicidas (tembotrione, MSMA, diuron + hexazinone, sulfentrazone, trifloxysulfuron-sodium, tebuthiuron, clomazone) e uma testemunha sem uso de herbicidas. A taxa transpiratória das plantas do cultivar RB867515 foi afetada negativamente quando foram aplicados os herbicidas sulfentrazone, tebuthiuron e clomazone em comparação à testemunha. Com relação à eficiência do uso da água, não se observaram diferenças entre os cultivares e a aplicação de herbicidas. A condutância estomática dos cultivares RB867515 e SP80-1816 não foi alterada pelos herbicidas aplicados. Apenas o cultivar RB867515 apresentou taxa fotossintética menor quando se aplicou o sulfentrazone. Os herbicidas testados afetam de forma diferenciada as características fisiológicas nos três cultivares avaliados. O cultivar RB867515 foi o que apresentou menor variação na taxa fotossintética na presença dos produtos testados, em relação à testemunha.

This work aimed to evaluate the influence of herbicides on the physiological characteristics of three sugarcane cultivars. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with three replications in a factorial design 3 x 8. Factor A was constituted of three sugarcane cultivars (RB867515, RB855156, and SP80-1816), and factor B of the herbicides tembotrione, MSMA, diuron + hexazinone, sulfentrazone, trifloxysulfuron-sodium, tebuthiuron, clomazone, and a treatment without herbicide (control). The transpiration rate of cultivar RB867515 plants was negatively affected when sulfentrazone, clomazone, and tebuthiuron were applied,compared to the control. Regarding water use efficiency, no differences were observed between the cultivars and the herbicides. Stomatal conductance of cultivars RB867515 and SP80-1816 was not affected by the herbicides. Only cultivar RB867515 presented lower photosynthetic rate when sulfentrazone was applied. The herbicides tested had distinct effects on the physiological characteristics of the three cultivars evaluated. Cultivar RB867515 showed the least variation in photosynthetic rate in the presence of the products tested, as compared to the control.

RESUMO A planta de Nim (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) possui propriedades inseticidas e vem sendo amplamente utilizada como alternativa no controle de muitos artrópodes-praga. Sendo os pulgões Brevicoryne brassicae (Linnaeus, 1758) e Myzus persicae (Sulzer, 1776) pragas importantes para a cultura da couve-manteiga, avaliou-se neste trabalho a eficiência do extrato de óleo de Nim para o controle desses insetos. Dez pulgões adultos foram colocados em placas de Petri de 5 cm de diâmetro, contendo discos foliares de couve sobre uma camada de ágar-gel. Os insetos receberam as substâncias por meio de pulverizador manual, nas concentrações de 0,25%; 0,5%; 0,75%; 1,0% e 2,0%. Como testemunha positiva, utilizou-se imidaclopride 0,028% e negativa, apenas água destilada. As placas de Petri foram mantidas em câmara climatizada a 25 ± 2º C, umidade relativa de 70 ± 10% e fotofase de 12 horas. As avaliações da mortalidade dos pulgões e do número de ninfas sobreviventes oriundas de adultos tratados foram realizadas a 1h, 6h, 12h, 24h, 48h e 72h, após a pulverização dos compostos sobre os insetos. O óleo de Nim em todas as concentrações testadas foi eficiente no controle de B. brassicae, e para M. persicae somente nas concentrações de 1% e 2%.

ABSTRACT The neem plant (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) possesses insecticide properties and has been used widely as an alternative in the control of a number of pest arthropods. As the aphids Brevicoryne brassicae (Linnaeus, 1758) and Myzus persicae (Sulzer, 1776) are important pests in the cultivation of kale, the present study was aimed to evaluate the efficiency of the extract of neem oil for the control of these insects. Ten adult aphids were put into Petri dishes 5 cm in diameter, containing leaf disk of kale on an agar gel layer. The insects were given the substances by means of a hand sprayer at the concentrations of 0.25%; 0.50%; 0.75%; 1.0% and 2.0%. As positive controls, 0.028% imidacloprid was utilized, while the negative control was only distilled water. The Petri dishes were maintained in an climatic chamber at 25 ± 2º C, relative humidity of 70 ± 10% and 12-hour photophase. The evaluations of mortality of the aphids and of the number of surviving nymphs from the treated adults were carried out at 1h, 6h, 12h, 24h, 48h and 72h after spraying of the compounds on the insects. Neem oil at all the tested concentrations is efficient in the control of B. brassicae, but for M. persicae it is toxic only at the concentrations of 1% and 2%.