Enhanced photocatalytic reduction of Hg(II) in aqueous medium by 2-aminothiazole-modified TiO2 particles

This work describes the synthesis and characterization of 2-aminothiazole-modified titania and its application on Hg (II) photoreduction in aqueous medium. Infrared spectroscopy confirmed the chemical modification of the titania matrix. The number of 2-aminothiazole groups attached to the titania was determined by Kjeldahl's method. The photocatalytic experiments were carried out in a cylindrical photoreactor thermostatted at 298 K. The resulting modified photocatalyst 2-aminothiazole titania (TiAT) revealed an enhance in the Hg (II) photoreduction capacity at studied pH values (3, 7 and 9). In addition, sorption studies showed that the photocatalyst TiAT presented a lower equilibrium time and a higher sorption capacity of Hg(II) ion, demonstrating that sorption plays a fundamental role in the photoreduction mechanism. ©2006 Sociedade Brasileira de Química.

Efeito de resíduos vegetais de milheto (Pennisetum americanum) e da calagem em algumas propriedades físicas e químicas de um nitossolo vermelho em sistema de semeadura direta

This work studied alterations of physical properties of a distroferric red nitosol due to millet (Pennisetum americanum) covering, with or without liming, in a no-tillage system during the agricultural years of 1999/2000 and 2000/2001, using soybean and corn as culture succession. 6m×10m plots, with and without millet as vegetal covering, received only one initial superficial application of limestone, 3.1 t ha-1 in the first half of each plot in order to obtain 70% base saturation (V), after the desiccation of the millet. Some physical properties as soil density, aggregate stability, > 2 mm aggregate proportion, macro and micro porosity were analyzed whereas the chemical analysis determined Ca and Mg macro nutrients, organic matter, soil pH and H+Al. Millet vegetal residues and surface liming did not alter soil density nor the average weight diameter (AWD), > 2 mm aggregate, soil macro porosity and organic matter content, twenty-four months after the no-tillage system implantation for studied experimental conditions. Soil micro porosity was significantly affected in layers deeper than 0.20 m, in treatment with millet and limestone. Calcium, magnesium and H + Al contents and the soil pH values suffered significant alterations in superficial layer, between 0-0.05 m.

Isolation and growth of the symbiotic fungus of Atta capiguara (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

This work's objectives were to isolate and evaluate the growth of the symbiotic fungus of Atta capiguara Gonçalves on artificial medium, under different pH and temperature conditions. Isolation was accomplished using the following media: Sabouraud, oat-agar, PDA, and PDA with the addition of extracts from the grasses Paspalum sp. Flügge and Hyparrhenia rufa (Nees) Stapf.. The medium used in the growth study was PDA with the addition of a Paspalum sp. (0.22%, w/v) extract at initial pH values of 4.5, 6.0, and 7.5. Mycelium disks were transferred to plates containing the culture medium. The plates were maintained at temperatures of 20, 23, and 26 ± 1°C. Mycelial radial growth evaluations were performed at 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 days of incubation. Fungus isolation was obtained in all media studied. The highest radial means were obtained at initial pH values of 6.0 and 7.5 and temperatures of 23 and 26± 1°C. Greater plot losses occurred at the initial pH condition of 7.5. In general, A. capiguara fungi can be grown in the medium studied, at an initial pH of 6.0 and temperatures of 23 or 26± 1°C. Radial growth evaluations at 14 and 28 days of incubation can be recommended for substrate studies involving the symbiotic fungus.

Chemical properties of different peats depending on origin and analytical method

The chemical properties of 12 different peats have been analyzed by methods from VDLUFA (German Association of Agricultural Analysis and Research Institutes) and EN (European Committee for Standardization, Technical Committee 223: Soil improvers and growing media). The analyses of pH (CaCl 2), contents of salts (H 2O), nutrients (CAT), and Na and Cl (H 2O) were carried out by VDLUFA methods, while those of pH (H 2O), EC (H 2O), nutrients (CAT), Na (CAT and H 2O) and Cl (H 2O) according to EN. Ten milled or sod white peats and two dredged frozen black peats of different degrees of decomposition were used. All of them contained high amounts of Mg, while black peats were additionally high in N, Fe and Zn. The pH-values were about the same for all peats. N- and Mn-contents depended most on peat origin. Analytical values of both CAT-methods were in the same range. Extraction with H 2O (EN) as compared to CAT (EN) resulted in considerably lower values.

Influência do arcabouço hidroestratigráfico nas ocorrências de arsênio em águas subterrâneas ao longo do corredor termal do rio Uruguai (Argentina - Brasil - Uruguai)

The Thermal Corridor of Uruguay River is located in the triple border of Argentine, Brazil and Uruguay, and shows an intense economic thermal tourism activity, mainly based on groundwaters from Guarani Aquifer System (GAS). Recent studies have pointed out the occurrence of high concentrations of arsenic (>10 μg/L) in GAS groundwater in this area. The complex geological and hydrogeological framework in the area is associated to the Paraná Basin geological evolution south of the Assuncion-Rio Grande Arch; it encompass paleozoic marine sequences and continental sequences permian/eotriassic to mesozoic in age, which are covered by basaltic lavas of Serra Geral Formation. Iron oxide coatings have been described in sandstones of Buena Vista and Sanga do Cabral formations, which underlie GAS units. Arsenic occurrence is associated to sodium bicarbonate groundwater with pH values over 8.0. Arsenic is released to groundwater by desorption from iron oxides/hydroxides, as result of the higher pH of these waters, indicating that arsenic is released from the units that underlie GAS units. Increase in chromium and uranium concentrations are also related to high pH groundwaters, thus indicating special care on using groundwater from this region.

Composição Química e Características Fermentativas de Silagens de Cana-de-Açúcar Contendo Farelo de Babaçu

The objective of this trial was to evaluate the effect of babassu meal addition on chemical composition and fermentative characteristics of sugar cane silages. The addition of three concentrations of babassu meal (0; 15 and 30% in fresh matter) was evaluated in a completely randomized design with four replicates. As experimental silos 12 plastic buckets were used, provided with filter closing to allow the exit of fermentation gases. After 45 days, the silos were opened and samples were taken for the determination of dry matter (MS), crude protein (PB), neutral and acid detergent fibers (FDN, FDA) and hemicelluloses (Hem) content, pH values, total acidity quantification (ATT), losses by gases (PG) and effluents (PE). The addition of babassu meal increased the MS contents (38.4% e 40.6%), PB (7.8 e 8.9%), FDN (68.8% e 70.9%) and FDA (43.0% and 45.1%), respectively, with the addition of 15 and 30% of the by-product. The pH values, averaged 4.4, were not affected by the addition of babassu meal. The percentage of ATT increased 89.2%. PG and PE were reduced in 44.8 and 58.8%, respectively. The addition of babassu meal have contributed to the improvement of fermentative parameters and the concentration of CP in the sugar cane silages. However, its use as additive becomes limited due to the increase in fiber content that provides to the silages, depreciating its nutritive value.

Composição química e digestibilidade in vitro da massa seca de cana-de-açúcar acrescida de ureia em diferentes tempos de estocagem

The objective of this research was to evaluate the chemical composition and in vitro dry mass (DM) digestibility of sugar cane with urea, maintained in the shade and sun, at different storage times. The utilized design was the completely randomized in a factorial scheme 6x2, that is, six storage times after the mixing (0; 2; 4; 6; 12 and 24 hours) and two storage location (shade and sun), with three replicates. The sugarcane utilized presented 12 months of development and was disintegrated for application of mixture (nine parts of urea for one of ammonium sulfate) to 1.0kg/100.0kg of fresh sugarcane. The samples taken with 12 hours of storage indicated that was an increase in the content of DM and crude protein (CP) of sugar cane compared to the moment of the mixture (307.6 vs. 294.2g/kg of DM and 115.2 vs. 99.3 g/kg of DM, respectively), and the smaller content of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) was observed around of 12 hours of storage (465.0g/kg of DM). The coefficients of in vitro dry mass digestibility (IVDMD) ranged of 0.558 to 0.612 in the times 0 and 12 hours, respectively. The length of storage changes the chemical composition of sugar cane plus urea. The storage location changes the dry mass content and pH values.

Effect of different radiopacifying agents on the physicochemical properties of white portland cement and white mineral trioxide aggregate

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the pH, calcium ion release, setting time, and solubility of white mineral trioxide aggregate (WMTA) and white Portland cement (WPC) combined with the following radiopacifying agents: bismuth oxide (BO), calcium tungstate (CT), and zirconium oxide (ZO). Methods: Fifty acrylic teeth with root-end filling material were immersed in ultrapure water for measurement of pH and calcium release (atomic absorption spectrophotometry) at 3, 24, 72, and 168 hours. For evaluation of setting time, each material was analyzed according to the American Society for Testing and Materials guidelines 266/08. The solubility test was performed according to American National Standards Institute/American Dental Association specification no. 57/2000. Solubility, setting time, and pH values were compared by using analysis of variance and Tukey test, and the values of calcium release were compared by the Kruskal-Wallis and Miller tests. The significance level was set at 5%. Results: The pH and calcium release were higher at 3 and 24 hours. WPC was the material with the higher values for both properties. WMTA had the greatest solubility among all materials (P <.05). All radiopacifiers increased the setting time of WPC, and WMTA had the shortest setting time among all materials (P < .05). Conclusions: All materials released calcium ions. Except for WPC/CT at 168 hours, all materials promoted an alkaline pH. On the basis of the obtained results, ZO and CT can be considered as potential radiopacifying agents to be used in combination with Portland cement. Copyright © 2012 American Association of Endodontists.

Caracterização analítica de sucos e néctares de laranja adoçados com sacarose e edulcorantes

Objective: To characterize physically and chemically, non-sweetened orange juices and orange nectars sweetened with sucrose or sweet flavoring agents, with respect to their pH, titratable acidity (TA) and total soluble solids content (TSSC), as well as to evaluate the correlation of the latter property with the others. Method: Aliquots of three lots of two orange juices and two orange nectars containing sucrose and two containing sweet flavoring agents were evaluated. Mineral water was used as a control. The TSSC was determined using an Abbe refractometer. The pH was recorded using a digital pH meter, while TA was quantified by titrating samples of the beverages with 0.1 M NaOH until reaching pHs 5.5 and 7.0. Data were subjected to Pearson's correlation test, regression analysis, analysis of variance and Tukey's test (α=0.05). Results: TSSC values presented a strong correlation with TA, and these properties exhibited a quadratic relationship. Although the pH values were not dependent on the presence of sucrose or sweet flavoring agents, a significantly greater amount of base was necessary to reach pHs 5.5 and 7.0 in the beverages without sucrose or flavoring agents. Conclusion: Orange juices and nectars presented similar pH values, which was not associated with the presence of sucrose or sweet flavoring agents in the beverages. Higher TA values were obtained for the juice and lower for the nectars, regardless of containing sucrose or sweet flavoring agents. The increase of TSSC did not implicate in decrease of TA in the beverages.

Composição química e degradabilidade ruminal de silagens da cana-de-açúcar tratada com aditivos químicos e bacteriano1

The objective of this trial was to evaluate the effect of the addition of chemical and bacterial additive in the ensiling of sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum L.) on chemical composition, pH, kinectic fraction and in situ degradation of nutritions components of silages. Five rumen-cannulated 1/2 Simental + 1/2 Zebu steers were allotted to a completely randomized design. The steers were placed in individual cages and they were fed with diets with 76% forage (%DM). Five silages were evaluated: control - sugar cane, no additives; urea - sugar cane + 0.5% of urea (wet basis); inoculant - sugar cane inoculated with LactoSilo® (390 g/40 t forage); NaOH - sugar cane + 1.0% of sodium hydroxide (wet basis); CaOH - sugar cane + 0.6% of calcium hydroxide (wet basis). The silage additives with sodium hydroxide showed the highest pH values before (11.20) and after (4.87) for silage. No differences were observed among the silages for dry matter (26.85), crude protein (5.25) and acid detergent fiber (57.21). Fractionation of dry matter and organic matter of silages showed similar behavior, with higher values of the soluble fraction (fraction A) for silages with sodium hydroxide (45.86 and 30.95%) and calcium hydroxide (29.47 and 26.13%). The use of sodium hydroxide allowed obtaining higher values for the degradation of cell wall components of silages from cane sugar. The potencial and effective degradability with 3, 5 and 8%/h of passage rate were respectively 88.44, 64.45, 56.73 and 49.83% for NDF and 82.57, 55.51, 46.72 and 38.83% for ADF, indicating that the use of sodium hydroxide as chemical additives can improve the nutritive value of cane sugar silage.

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) degradation promoted by nanoparticulate zerovalent iron (nZVI) in aerobic suspensions

Reactive species generated by Fe0 oxidation promoted by O2 (catalyzed or not by ligands) are able to degrade contaminant compounds like the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. The degradation of 2,4-D was influenced by the concentrations of zero valent iron (ZVI) and different ligands, as well as by pH. In the absence of ligands, the highest 2,4-D degradation rate was obtained at pH 3, while the highest percentage degradation (50%) was achieved at pH 5 after 120 min of reaction. Among the ligands studied (DTPA, EDTA, glycine, oxalate, and citrate), only ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) significantly enhanced oxidation of 2,4-D. This increase in oxidation was observed at all pH values tested (including neutral to alkaline conditions), indicating the feasibility of the technique for treatment of contaminated water. In the presence of EDTA, the oxidation rate was greater at pH 3 than at pH 5 or 7. Increasing the EDTA concentration increased the rate and percentage of 2,4-D degradation, however increasing the Fe0 concentration resulted in the opposite behavior. It was found that degradation of EDTA and 2,4-D occurred simultaneously, and that the new methodology avoided any 2,4-D removal by adsorption/coprecipitation. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

Design of experimental composting of animal carcasses in universitary unit of treatment aimed a correct final disposition and soil improve

For many years, composting has been used as a result of the recycling of organic matter. There is significative animal carcasses accumulation from teaching and researching activities of the university veterinary hospital. Every year, Unesp University needs to dispose correctly about 180 tones of this waste and the composting seemed to be the most sustainable alternative. Piles of animal carcasses were prepared using peanut hulls and tree pruning as bulking agent and water to the first phase of this process. The extracts pH values no impediments for offering germination and indicated a good addition to the soil management. The germination index showed no impediment to the seeds germination on any type of compost and the extracts concentrations not influenced this biological process. No parameters studied assigns risks of contamination of carcasses for the compost development in Unesp according to the proposed design. © 2013 Taylor & Francis Group.

Films from resistant starch-pectin dispersions intended for colonic drug delivery

Free films were obtained by the solvent casting method from retrograded starch-pectin dispersions at different polymer proportions and concentrations with and without plasticizer. Film forming dispersions were characterized according to their hardness, birefringence and rheological properties. The polymer dispersions showed a predominantly viscous behavior (G″ > G′) and the absence of plasticizers lead to building of stronger structures, while the occurrence of Maltese crosses in the retrograded dispersions indicates the occurrence of a crystalline organization. Analyses of the films included mechanical properties, thickness, superficial and cross sectional morphology, water vapor permeability, liquid uptake ability, X-ray diffractometry, in vitro dissolution and enzymatic digestion. The high resistant starch content (65.8-96.8%) assured the resistance of materials against enzymatic digestion by pancreatin. Changes in the X-ray diffraction patterns indicated a more organized and crystalline structure of free films in relation to isolated polymers. Increasing of pectin proportion and pH values favored the dissolution and liquid uptake of films. Films prepared with lower polymer concentration presented better barrier function (WVP and mechanical properties). © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Avaliação de eficiência relativa para a reatividade em silicatos

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Efeito de resíduos vegetais de milheto (Pennisetum americanum) e da calagem em algumas propriedades físicas de um nitossolo vermelho em sistema de semeadura direta

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Agricultura) - FCA