Highly selective and sensitive fluorescence detection of Zn(2+) and Cd(2+) ions by using an acridine sensor.

Fluorescence spectroscopy investigations of the new acridine derivative bis(N,N-dimethylaminemethylene)acridine (3) show remarkable selectivity and sensitivity towards Zn(2+) and Cd(2+) ions in methanol and for the latter even in water. Through the chelation of the metal ions the present PET effect is quenched, significantly enhancing the emission intensity of the fluorophore. In solution, the bonding situation is studied by fluorescence and NMR spectroscopy, as well as ESI-TOF mass-spectrometry measurements. The solid state environment is investigated by X-ray diffraction and computational calculations. Here, we can show the complexation of the zinc and cadmium ions by the methylene bridged amine receptors as well as by the nitrogen atom of the acridine system.

Survival and preference of cotton boll weevil adults for alternative food sources.

Plants that have potential as alternative food source (floral nectar, pollen and plant tissues) to the boll weevil during the intercropping season were evaluated considering the prevalent conditions of Cerrado in the Central Brazil. Initially, we tested the nutritional adequacy for the survival of the insect of flower resource (pollen and nectar) provided by eight plant species (fennel, mexican sunflower, castor bean, okra, hibiscus, sorghum, pigeonpea and sunn hemp). Subsequently, we tested if the resources provided by the selected plants continued to be exploited by the boll weevil in the presence of cotton plant, its main food source average longevity of boll weevil adults was significantly longer when they were fed on hibiscus' flowers (166.6 ± 74.4) and okra flowers (34.7 ± 28.9) than when they fed on flowers of other six species. Subsequently, the preference of the boll weevil in the use of resources was compared between okra or hibiscus and cotton plants, in dual choice experiments. Boll weevils preferred plants of the three species in the reproductive stages than those in vegetative stages. Although the cotton plant in the reproductive stage was the most preferred plant of all, boll weevils preferred flowering okra and hibiscus than cotton at the vegetative stage.

[What patients think of the services of the Instituto Nacional de la Nutrición "Salvador Zubirán"]. / Lo que opinan los pacientes de los servicios del Instituto Nacional de la Nutrición "Salvador Zubirán" (INNSZ).

The quality of care has always been a subject of interest to the Instituto Nacional de la Nutrición "Salvador Zubirán", in order to improve its services. This interest led to the present survey which aims to evaluate the patient's global satisfaction and to identify specific problems susceptible of improvement. One hundred and seventy-one patients or relatives attending eight different services of the Institute were interviewed. Opinions about the following aspects were explored by means of service-specific questionnaires: sociodemographic characteristics, satisfaction with care, waiting periods, patient-personnel relationship, hospital environment, food quality, drug availability and costs. Results of the survey show a high level of satisfaction with the services provided, i.e. 33% of the patients considered it good, and 64% excellent. However, and in agreement with other reports, this high level of satisfaction does not necessarily reflect an absence of problems, i.e. long waiting periods, insufficient restrooms, failures in getting information about their health status, and occasional absence of drugs in the pharmacy were identified. Continuation of this kind of surveys in our setting leads not only to the identification of problems, but also to the evaluation of the impact that resulting measures may have on the patient's satisfaction.

Survival and preference of cotton boll weevil adults for alternative food sources / Sobrevivência e preferência para exploração de recursos de adultos do bicudo do algodoeiro

Abstract Plants that have potential as alternative food source (floral nectar, pollen and plant tissues) to the boll weevil during the intercropping season were evaluated considering the prevalent conditions of Cerrado in the Central Brazil. Initially, we tested the nutritional adequacy for the survival of the insect of flower resource (pollen and nectar) provided by eight plant species (fennel, mexican sunflower, castor bean, okra, hibiscus, sorghum, pigeonpea and sunn hemp). Subsequently, we tested if the resources provided by the selected plants continued to be exploited by the boll weevil in the presence of cotton plant, its main food source average longevity of boll weevil adults was significantly longer when they were fed on hibiscus’ flowers (166.6 ± 74.4) and okra flowers (34.7 ± 28.9) than when they fed on flowers of other six species. Subsequently, the preference of the boll weevil in the use of resources was compared between okra or hibiscus and cotton plants, in dual choice experiments. Boll weevils preferred plants of the three species in the reproductive stages than those in vegetative stages. Although the cotton plant in the reproductive stage was the most preferred plant of all, boll weevils preferred flowering okra and hibiscus than cotton at the vegetative stage.

Resumo Plantas que podem ser uma fonte potencial de recursos alimentares (néctar floral, pólen e tecidos vegetais) para o bicudo do algodoeiro durante a entressafra foram avaliadas, considerando as condições ambientais prevalentes na região de Cerrado do Brasil Central. Primeiro, testamos a adequação nutricional dos recursos (pólen e néctar) fornecidos por oito espécies de plantas (erva-doce, margaridão, mamona, quiabo, hibisco, sorgo, feijão guandu e crotalária) como único recurso alimentar para a sobrevivência do inseto. Posteriormente, nós avaliamos se os recursos fornecidos pelas plantas selecionadas continuaram a serem explorados pelo bicudo na presença do algodoeiro, seu recurso alimentar principal. A longevidade média do bicudo do algodoeiro foi significativamente maior quando eles foram alimentados com flores de hibisco (166,6 ± 74,4) e quiabo (34,7 ± 28,9) do que quando alimentados com flores das outras seis espécies. Em seguida, a preferência do bicudo no uso de recursos foi comparada contrastando o quiabo e o hibisco com o algodão, em experimentos de dupla escolha. Os bicudos preferiram as plantas das três espécies na fase reprodutiva em relação àquelas em estádios vegetativos. Embora a preferência por plantas de algodão na fase reprodutiva tenha sido maior, os bicudos preferiram plantas em floração de quiabo e hibisco quando estas foram contrastadas com o algodão na fase vegetativa.