This work reports on the properties of GaN films grown by reactive magnetron sputtering onto glass substrate kept at relatively low temperature (400°C), using different RF power applied to the Ga target. Their structural, morphological, vibrational and optical properties were characterized by X-ray diffraction, atomic force and scanning electron microscopies, Raman spectroscopy and UV-vis spectrophotometry. The films have wurtzite phase with strong preferential orientation in the c-axis direction. Moreover, two clear contributions to the (0002) diffraction peak could be found, indicating the presence of two different morphologies, which were discussed in terms of the formation of an intermediate layer between the substrate and a dominating columnar-like microstructured film.

Abstract This work reports the properties of GaN films grown onto c-Si (100) at relatively low substrate temperature (400°C) by reactive magnetron sputtering. The study depicts the effect of working pressure and RF power on the GaN film structural, vibrational and optical properties characterized by X-ray diffraction, atomic force and scanning electron microscopies, Raman spectroscopy and spectroscopic ellipsometry. Unusual low pressure deposition condition (0.40 Pa) was achieved by using a separated argon inlet directed to the Ga target surface, resulting in improved crystalline quality of the films. In this condition, the preferential crystalline orientation, the surface morphology and the optical gap of the GaN films show a strong dependence on the RF power applied to the Ga target, where low RF power (30-60 W) was responsible for increasing the c-axis orientation and the optical gap, while higher RF power (75-90 W) decreased the overall crystal quality and increased the surface roughness.

RESUMO Uma das possíveis alternativas para potencializar a utilização de recursos hídricos é a utilização de polímeros hidrorretentores. Objetivou-se avaliar como níveis de irrigação e doses de solução hidrorretentora interferem na produção da alface crespa, cultivar Vanda. O experimento foi realizado de dezembro de 2017 a janeiro de 2018, sob canteiros em ambiente protegido na área experimental do Instituto Federal Goiano - Campus Urutaí, GO (17º 29’ 10” S de latitude, 48º 12’ 38” O de longitude e 697 m de altitude). Testaram-se quatro níveis de irrigação (50, 75, 100 e 125%) da evaporação obtida diariamente pelo micrômetro de gancho e cinco doses de solução de hidrogel (0, 50, 100 e 200 g planta-1). Utilizou-se o delineamento de blocos ao acaso e esquema de parcelas subdivididas e quatro blocos. Foram avaliadas massa fresca da parte aérea, massa seca da parte aérea, altura de plantas, número de folhas e produtividade. Verificou-se incremento de 29,24% da massa seca da parte aérea comparando as doses de solução hidrorretentora de 0 e 169,28 g e acréscimo de 14,36% da altura de plantas quando comparados os níveis de irrigação de 50 e 125%. O uso de solução hidrorretentora proporciona aumento significativo em todos os parâmetros produtivos avaliados. Os níveis de irrigação utilizados influenciam as variáveis massa fresca da parte aérea, altura de planta e produtividade. A produtividade aumentou 18,42% para os níveis de irrigação utilizados, e os maiores valores estimados foram com a dose de solução hidrorretentora de 157,49 g (14,46 t ha-1).

ABSTRACT One of the potential alternatives to improve the use of water resources is the use of hydro retainer polymer applied to the soil. The objective of this study was to evaluate how irrigation levels and doses of hydro retainer polymer interfere in the production of ’Vanda’ lettuce. The experiment was carried out from December 2017 to January 2018 under protected environment in the Instituto Federal Goiano, Urutaí Campus, Goiás State, GO, Brazil (17º 29’ 10” S of latitude, 48º 12’ 38” W of longitude and 697 m of altitude). The work tested four irrigation levels of 50, 75, 100 and 125% of the evaporation obtained daily by the hook micrometer and five doses of hydrogel polymer (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 g plant-1). The experimental design was a randomized block design in a scheme of split-plot and four blocks. Canopy fresh and dry mass, plant height, number of leaves and productivity were evaluated. There was 29.24% increase in the dry mass comparing the hydro retainer polymer doses of 0 and 169.28 g and an increase of 14.36% of the height of plants when compared with the irrigation levels of 50 and 125%. The use of a hydro retainer polymer provided a significant increase in all the evaluated productive variables. The irrigation levels influence the fresh mass from aerial part, plant height and productivity. The productivity increased 18.42% for the irrigation levels used and the highest estimated values were presented in the dose of 157.49 g (14.46 t ha-1) hydro retainer polymer.

A magnetic catalyst (sample MCat) consisting of KI supported on a mixture of silica and maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) was prepared and used in the transesterification reaction for the synthesis of biodiesel. The energy dispersive X-ray spectrum of the catalyst showed signals due to Si, Fe, K, and I. Powder X-ray diffraction data revealed the amorphous nature of the SiO2 and the duly impregnation of the support with KI. 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy and magnetization measurements confirmed the ferrimagnetic iron oxide in the catalyst to be maghemite. N2 adsorption-desorption data indicated that the silica is mesoporous with a specific area of 352 m2 g-1, enabling the impregnation of 40 and 11 wt.% of KI and maghemite, respectively, according to the chemical composition obtained by the X-ray fluorescence measurements. The MCat was found to be efficient in the transesterification reaction in the macaúba and soybean oils. The MCat was easily removed from the reaction medium, with a hand magnet, and efficiently reused for more four consecutive reaction cycles. The good catalytic activity along with its magnetic behavior, high chemical stability and recyclability make the MCat a suitable material for the green synthesis of biodiesel.

RESUMO Avaliou-se a troponina I como biomarcador de lesão cardíaca na sepse, além de outros parâmetros hematológicos, em cadelas com piometra. Os grupos avaliados não diferiram estatisticamente na avaliação da concentração sérica da troponina I cardíaca. A quantidade total de leucócitos (mm3) e a porcentagem de bastonetes foram significativamente maiores no grupo sepse (23.221,74±16.848,80mm3 e 5,91±10,18%) quando comparado ao grupo não sepse (14.492,86±6.828,26mm3 e 1,93±1,64%) e ao grupo controle (10.320,00±3.999,02mm3 e 1,65±2,05%). Houve diferença significativa nas concentrações séricas da proteína C reativa (mg/dL) no grupo sepse (19,57±41,69md/dL) se comparado ao grupo não sepse (10,29±12,02mg/dL) e ao grupo controle (3,60±3,53mg/dL). Na avaliação da concentração sérica do lactato, houve diferença significativa entre cães com piometra e cães saudáveis, porém não houve diferença significativa entre os grupos sepse e não sepse. Os resultados do presente estudo indicam que a troponina I cardíaca não pôde ser considerada um biomarcador precoce para injúria miocárdica nos casos de cadela com piometra, pois os resultados das mensurações foram semelhantes entre os grupos, o que indica que pode não ter ocorrido lesão dos cardiomiócitos nessa fase. Já a proteína C reativa e o lactato são possíveis marcadores para inflamação sistêmica, uma vez que demonstraram concentrações séricas significativamente maiores em cadelas com piometra.

ABSTRACT Troponin I as a biomarker of cardiac injury in sepsis, and other hematological parameters in female dogs with pyometra were evaluated. The groups did not differ in the assessment of serum cardiac troponin I. The total amount of leukocytes (mm3) and percentage of band cells was significantly higher in the sepsis group (23,221.74±16,848.80mm3 and 5.91±10.18%) compared to the non-sepsis group (14,492.86±6,828.26mm3 and 1.93±1.64%) and the control group (10,320.00±3,999.02mm3 and 1.65±2.05% respectively). There were significant differences in serum concentrations of C-reactive protein (mg / dL) in the sepsis group (19.57±41.69md / dL) compared to the non-sepsis group (10.29±12.02mg / dL) and control group (3.60±3.53mg / dL). In the evaluation of serum lactate concentration, there was a significant difference between dogs with pyometra and healthy dogs, but there was no significant difference between the sepsis and non-sepsis groups. The results of this study indicate that troponin I could not be considered an early biomarker of myocardial injury in cases of dogs with pyometra, because the results of the measurements were similar between groups, inferring that there may not have been an cardiomyocytes injury at this stage. C-reactive protein and lactate are potential markers for systemic inflammation, as demonstrated by significantly higher serum concentrations in dogs with pyometra.

Neste estudo analisamos a composição da dieta e a amplitude e sobreposição do nicho trófico dos anuros de folhiço Ischnocnema henselii e Adenomera marmorata. Os anuros foram coletados em uma área de Mata Atlântica na Reserva Natural Salto Morato, no Estado do Paraná, Sul do Brasil, utilizando o método de parcelas de 16 m2 estabelecidas no chão da floresta. Ischnocnema henselii consumiu 18 diferentes tipos de presa e a dieta desta espécie foi composta predominantemente por Hymenoptera (Formicidae) (15,4%), Araneae (13,83%), Orthoptera (6,15%) e Opiliones (6,15%), enquanto Adenomera marmorata consumiu 15 diferentes tipos de presas e sua dieta foi composta principalmente por Hymenoptera (Formicidae) (45,7%), Acari (31,8%) e Blattodea (14,8%). A amplitude de nicho de I. henselii foi BA = 0,43 e de A.marmorata foi BA = 0,19. A dieta das duas espécies de anuros simpátricos do folhiço por nós estudadas foi composta basicamente de artrópodes e a sobreposição de nicho trófico entre elas não diferiu do esperado para ocorrer ao acaso. As diferenças no consumo de presas potencialmente devem facilitar a coexistência desses dois anuros simpátricos no chão da floresta. Possivelmente, esta diferença no consumo de presas em parte reflete diferenças na largura da mandíbula, no tamanho do corpo e no período de atividade dessas duas espécies.

In this study we analyzed diet composition, niche breadth and overlap of the two leaf-litter frogs Ischnocnema henselii and Adenomera marmorata. Frogs were collected in an Atlantic Rainforest area in the Reserva Natural Salto Morato, in Paraná State, Southern Brazil, using plots of 16 m2 established on forest floor. Ischnocnema henselii consumed 18 different types of prey and the diet of this species was composed predominantly by Hymenoptera (Formicidae) (15.4%), Araneae (13.83%), Orthoptera (6.15%) and Opiliones (6.15%), whereas Adenomera marmorata consumed 15 different types of prey and its diet was composed mainly by Hymenoptera (Formicidae) (45.7%), Acari (31.8%) and Blattodea (14.8%). The niche breadth of I. henselii was BA = 0.43 and that of A. marmorata was BA = 0.19. The diet of the two sympatric species of leaf-litter frogs was basically composed by arthropods and the trophic niche overlap among them did not differ from expected at random. The differences in prey consumption should potentially facilitate the coexistence of two sympatric frogs on the forest floor. Possibly, this difference of prey consumption partly reflects differences in jaw width, species-specific body size of the two species and the period of activity of these two species.

FUNDAMENTOS: Pitiríase versicolor é uma micose causada pela Malassezia spp., e que apresenta frequentes recidivas. OBJETIVOS: Este trabalho objetivou realizar estudos clínicos de fase I e II, para essa patologia, com óleo essencial de Cymbopogon citratus. MÉTODOS: Na fase I, participaram vinte voluntários para averiguar a segurança das formulações. Na fase II, 47 voluntários receberam as formulações do óleo essencial a 1,25 μL/mL, as quais deveriam ser utilizadas por quarenta dias, sendo o xampu três vezes por semana e o creme duas vezes ao dia. Um grupo controle na fase II, constituído por 29 voluntários recebeu as mesmas formulações, com cetoconazol a 2%. RESULTADOS: Verificada a segurança das formulações com a finalização da fase I, onde nenhuma reação adversa significativa foi observada nos indivíduos sadios, conduziu-se a fase II. Nesta segunda fase, 30 (63,83%) voluntários utilizando óleo essencial e 18 (62,07%) cetoconazol permaneceram até o final do estudo. Observaram-se nos pacientes com pitiríase versicolor predomínio de lesões na forma disseminada e M. sympodialis foi o agente predominante identificado em cultura. Após 40 dias de tratamento, obteve-se um percentual de cura micológica de 60% (p < 0,05) para o grupo tratado com óleo essencial de C. citratus e superior a 80% (p < 0,05) para o grupo tratado com cetoconazol. CONCLUSÕES: Apesar da segurança e efeito antifúngico observados após aplicação das formulações contendo óleo essencial de C. citratus, outros estudos com maior número de portadores de pitiríase versicolor precisam ser realizados para confirmar o real potencial destas formulações.

BACKGROUND: Pityriasis versicolor is a fungal infection caused by Malassezia spp. that has frequent relapses. OBJECTIVES: The main objective of this research was to perform phase I and II clinical studies, using formulations containing essential oil of Cymbopogon citratus in patients with pityriasis versicolor. METHODS: Phase I study included twenty volunteers to ascertain the safety of the formulations. In phase II, 47 volunteers randomly received essential oil formulations at 1.25 μL/mL concentration, for forty days. The shampoo should be applied three times a week and the cream twice a day. A control group in phase II, consisting of 29 volunteers, received the same formulations but with 2% ketoconazole as the active ingredient. RESULTS: No significant adverse events were observed in volunteers during Phase I. In Phase II, 30 (63.83%) volunteers using essential oil and 18 (62.07%) using ketoconazole remained until the end of the study. We observed a predominance of lesions in disseminated form, with M. sympodialis detected as the predominant agent identified in cultures. After 40 days of treatment, the rate of mycological cure was 60% (p <0.05) for the group treated with essential oil of C. citratus and over 80% (p <0.05) for the group treated with ketoconazole formulations. CONCLUSIONS: Notwithstanding the safety and antifungal effects observed in this study after application of formulations containing the essential oil of C. citratus, further studies with larger populations should be performed to confirm the actual potential of these formulations in the treatment of patients with Pityriasis versicolor.

O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar o valor nutricional dos itens alimentares da dieta do tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum). Durante o período de um ano, foram coletados conteúdos estomacais do tambaqui e determinados os valores nutricionais e energéticos. Durante o período da enchente-cheia, época de maior disponibilidade de frutos e sementes, o teor protéico do alimento foi baixo (11% a 15% da matéria seca), enquanto na época de seca, quando a espécie consome zooplâncton, os níveis de proteína foram altos (47% a 57% da matéria seca). Lipídios, carboidratos, fibra bruta, cinza e energia bruta também variaram em função das flutuações do nível da água e dos itens alimentares.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the importance of fruits and seeds as food items in the natural diet of the tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum). During one year, tambaqui's stomach contents were collected, and their nutritional and energetic values were determined. During the flooding period, and while the river water was rising, which coincided with a high availability of fruits and seeds, the protein content of food was low (11%-15% of dry matter basis), whereas in the dry season, when tambaqui fed mainly zooplankton, there was a high protein content (45%-57% of dry matter basis). Lipid, carbohydrate, crude fiber, ash and gross energy contents of the diet varied depending on the river water level and the food items ingested.