Mineral and natural films change the physical-chemical properties of grapes and modulate oviposition behaviour of Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann (Diptera: Tephritidae).

The Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), is one of the main pests of fruit, worldwide, and the use of population suppression method with low environmental impact is an increasingly strong requirement of the consumer market. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of mineral and natural films on the physical-chemical properties of grapes (Vitis vinifera L.), cultivar Itália, and oviposition behaviour of C. capitata. Fruits were immersed in suspensions (100 and 200 g L-1) of mineral (kaolin Surround®WP, kaolin 607, kaolin 608, kaolin 611 and talc) and natural films (chitosan, cassava starch, potato starch and guar gum 5.0 g L-1) and distilled water (control). After drying, fruits were exposed to C. capitata pairs of males and females for 24 h in choice and non-choice tests; the number of punctures with and without eggs, eggs per fruit and behavioural response of fly to treated and untreated fruits were recorded. Results obtained in this study are promising, given the scientific evidence that films of mineral particles such as kaolin (Surround®, 607, 608 and 611) changed the firmness, luminosity, chroma and hue angle of grapes and reduced the oviposition of C. capitata. In addition, our results also showed that natural polymers do not deter C. capitata females, but rather seem to stimulate oviposition.

Study of vanadium doped ZnO films prepared by dc reactive magnetron sputtering at different substrate temperatures.

ZnO films doped with vanadium (ZnO:V) have been prepared by dc reactive magnetron sputtering technique at different substrate temperatures (RT-500 degrees C). The effects of the substrate temperature on ZnO:V films properties have been studied. XRD measurements show that only ZnO polycrystalline structure has been obtained, no V2O5 or VO2 crystal phase can be observed. It has been found that the film prepared at low substrate temperature has a preferred orientation along the (002) direction. As the substrate temperature is increased, the (002) peak intensity decreases. When the substrate temperature reaches the 500 degrees C, the film shows a random orientation. SEM measurements show a clear formation of the nano-grains in the sample surface when the substrate temperature is higher than 400 degrees C. The optical properties of the films have been studied by measuring the specular transmittance. The refractive index has been calculated by fitting the transmittance spectra using OJL model combined with harmonic oscillator.

Comparison of image quality and lens dose in helical and sequentially acquired head CT.

AIM: To prospectively compare helical and traditional sequential acquisition of computed tomography (CT) images of the head with respect to lens dose, thyroid dose, and image quality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients undergoing non-emergency unenhanced CT examinations of the head were prospectively randomized to sequential or helical multidetector CT (MDCT) acquisition. Lens dose and thyroid dose were measured directly using a MOSFET (metal oxide field effect transistor) system. The quality of images at the level of the basal ganglia and the posterior fossa were assessed by two neuroradiologists on a scale of 1 (poor) to 5 (very good), with respect to grey-white matter conspicuity and posterior fossa artefact respectively. RESULTS: The lens dose was significantly higher for the sequential technique than the helical technique (61.5±12.9 mGy versus 43.5±4.3 mGy; p<0.0001). The thyroid dose was not significantly different (1.6±0. 6 mGy versus 2.1±0.6 mGy; p=0.8). The sequential technique was ranked higher than the helical technique with respect to the basal ganglia image for overall quality and grey-white matter conspicuity, but the majority of images in both groups were rated good or excellent. Posterior fossa images showed more artefacts on the sequential images than the helical technique images. Signal-to-noise ratios for grey and white matter were better using the sequential technique. CONCLUSIONS: Helically acquired head CT images using 16 and 64 section MDCT are of comparable quality to sequential acquisition, have reduced posterior fossa artefacts and approximately two-thirds of the lens dose.

Study of indium tin oxide thin films deposited on acrylics substrates by ion beam assisted deposition technique.

Indium tin oxide (ITO) thin films have been deposited onto acrylics (PMMA) substrates by ion beam assisted deposition technique at different oxygen flows. The structural, optical and electrical properties of the deposited films have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmittance, FTIR, ellipsometry and Hall effect measurements. The optical constants of the deposited films have been calculated by fitting the ellipsometric spectra. The effects of the oxygen flow on the properties of the deposited films have been studied. It has been found that 40 sccm oxygen flow is an optimum value for getting the films with good transmittance and low electrical resistivity.

Sodium butyrate enhances the cytotoxic effect of antineoplastic drugs in human lymphoblastic T-cells.

Sodium butyrate (NaB), a potent histone deacetylase inhibitor, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in malignant cells. We investigated the effects on cellular proliferation in vitro when combining NaB with antineoplastic drugs commonly used to treat leukemias. Our results demonstrate that NaB increases the cytotoxic effects of cytarabine and etoposide, but not of bleomycin, doxorubicin, vincristine or methotrexate. These data suggest that NaB is a promising adjuvant therapeutic agent for the treatment of lymphoblastic leukemias, and provides a basis for further studies in this field.

[Evaluation of the quality of public health care for children from the user's viewpoint]. / Avaliação da qualidade dos serviços públicos de atenção a saúde da criança sob a ótica do usuário.

This paper presents results from research that used a qualitative approach to identify evaluation criteria from an user viewpoint, and tries also to evaluate the work of the Whole Care for Children's Health Program (WCCHP), which directs actions in the children care services at the basic level. Dates were obtained th partly structured interviewing at home with ten adults in charge of children registered in October 1992 at four units of the Barra-Rio Vermelho District. Through a simultaneous process of gathering and analyzing dates, using a content analysis technique it was possible to classify the results in five groups: "motivations" to look for the service; having expectations; "choosing" a health service; evaluating the service used; and suggesting improvements. The evaluation criteria found are closely related to: access; interpersonal relation; results; and continuing care, which possess different value degrees according to the motives for service need. The results of the evaluation show that the model of clinical assistance and the form organization of the services do not fulfill the objectives of PAISC, breeding access difficulties, and poor results on account of the lack of material resources, coordination and care continuity.