Structural and electrical properties of LaNiO3 thin films grown on (100) and (001) oriented SrLaAlO4 substrates by chemical solution deposition method

LaNiO3 thin films were deposited on SrLaAlO4 (1 0 0) and SrLaAlO4 (0 0 1) single crystal substrates by a chemical solution deposition method and heat-treated in oxygen atmosphere at 700° C in tube oven. Structural, morphological, and electrical properties of the LaNiO 3 thin films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and electrical resistivity as temperature function (Hall measurements). The X-ray diffraction data indicated good crystallinity and a structural preferential orientation. The LaNiO3 thin films have a very flat surface and no droplet was found on their surfaces. Samples of LaNiO3 grown onto (1 0 0) and (0 0 1) oriented SrLaAlO4 single crystal substrates reveled average grain size by AFM approximately 15-30 nm and 20-35 nm, respectively. Transport characteristics observed were clearly dependent upon the substrate orientation which exhibited a metal-to-insulator transition. The underlying mechanism is a result of competition between the mobility edge and the Fermi energy through the occupation of electron states which in turn is controlled by the disorder level induced by different growth surfaces. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l.

Development of a thermoeconomic methodology for optimizing biodiesel production. Part II: Manufacture exergetic cost and biodiesel production cost incorporating carbon credits, a Brazilian case study

The purpose of this study is to carry on a thermoeconomic analysis at a biodiesel production plant considering the irreversibilities in each step (part I: biodiesel plant under study and functional thermoeconomic diagram [1]), making it possible to calculate the thermoeconomic cost in US$/kWh and US$/l of the biodiesel production, and the main byproduct generated, glycerin, incorporating the credits for the CO2 that is not emitted into the atmosphere (carbon credits). Assuming a sale price for both the biodiesel and the byproduct (glycerin), the annual revenue of the total investment in a plant with a capacity of 8000 t/year of biodiesel operating at 8000 h/year was calculated. The variables that directly or indirectly influence the final thermoeconomic cost include total annual biodiesel production, hours of operation, manufacturing exergy cost, molar ratio in the transesterification reaction, reaction temperature and pressure in the process. Depending on the increase or decrease in sale prices for both biodiesel and glycerin, the payback is going to significantly increase or decrease. It is evident that, in exergy terms, the sale of glycerin is of vital importance in order to reduce the biodiesel price, getting a shorter payback period for the plant under study. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Diagnóstico do uso do solo na bacia hidrográfica do Ribeirão do Paraíso no município de São Manuel (SP), por meio de geotecnologias

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Energia na Agricultura) - FCA

Avaliação dos efeitos das atividades antrópicas na bacia hidrográfica do Córrego do Ipê, município de Ilha Solteira-SP

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Caracterização do meio físico da bacia do córrego caçula e processos de degradação associados com vistas ao planejamento territorial

Pós-graduação em Engenharia Civil - FEIS

Shell occupation by the South Atlantic endemic hermit crab Loxopagurus loxochelis (Moreira, 1901) (Anomura: Diogenidae)

The evaluation of population characteristics, particularly those of endemic species, aids in population preservation and management. Hermit crabs present an innate behavior of occupying shells, which tends to individual needs and limits their distribution. This study characterized the pattern of occupation of gastropod shells by the hermit Loxopagurus loxochelis in three bays of the southwestern coast of Brazil. Monthly collections were made from January/1998 to December/1999 in the bays Ubatumirim (UBM), Ubatuba (UBA) and Mar Virado (MV) with a shrimping boat. Overall, ten species of gastropod shells were occupied by L. loxochelis. The shell of Olivancillaria urceus represented 66.8% of those occupied. Morphometric relationships demonstrated a differential occupation of the more abundant shells among demographic groups, where most of the males occupied O. urceus, non-ovigerous females occupied O. urceus and Buccinanops cochlidium, and ovigerous females occupied B. cochlidium and Stramonita haemastoma. Most of the individuals occupied the more abundant shells, considered adequate for the morphology of this hermit crab species. Thus, the studied bays seem to be stable and propitious environments for population perpetuation and the settlement of new individuals.

Variation in body size of Phanocerus clavicornis Sharp, 1882 (Coleoptera: Elmidae: Larainae) in Atlantic Rainforest streams in response to hydraulic disturbance

Neste estudo, padrões de tamanho do corpo de Phanocerus clavicornis Sharp, 1882 (Coleoptera: Elmidae: Larainae) foram investigados ao longo de um gradiente de variação de velocidade da corrente em córregos de baixa ordem da Mata Atlântica. Especificamente, buscou-se testar a hipótese de que a distribuição de larvas de P. clavicornis com diferentes tamanhos corpóreos respondem às variações na velocidade da corrente em córregos. As coletas das larvas foram realizadas com um amostrador de Surber durante dois períodos amostrais, definidos pelo regime de chuvas: agosto - estação seca e fevereiro - estação chuvosa. Possíveis diferenças nas medidas de tamanho do corpo foram testadas através de uma análise de variância (ANOVA). Os resultados daANOVAindicaram para todas as medidas das larvas coletadas nos córregos de primeira ordem (largura da cabeça, largura do protórax e comprimento total do corpo) encontramos diferenças significativas, indicando uma variação morfométrica com as mudanças das condições hidráulicas, onde as larvas menores foram associadas aos períodos de maior precipitação. No entanto, em córregos maiores (3a ordem), os eventos de chuva tiveram menor impacto no tamanho dos indivíduos, com a ocorrência de larvas com diferentes tamanhos. Os resultados deste estudo sugerem que os espaços intersticiais são importantes para a proteção das larvas contra a velocidade da corrente e que as populações de P. clavicornis possuem alta plasticidade, sendo uma característica fundamental para a ocupação desta espécie em ambientes instáveis. Esses resultados são importantes para a compreensão da história de vida e características comportamentais da espécie, que permitem persistir em córregos ao longo de gradiente de perturbação do fluxo.

Influence of Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) on the Use of the Most Abundant and Attractive Floral Resources in a Plant Community

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Análise da dinâmica do uso da terra e sua interferência em enchentes na área urbana do município de Americana (SP)

Due to an intense process of population growth and urban density in Americana (SP), mainly due to the development of the local textile industry after 1970, there was, concomitant to the occupation of the margin of rivers and streams, soil sealing that increased the level of superficial runoff, triggering frequent floods. Based on the analysis of these processes we investigate the conditions of one densely urbanized area of the county, the Córrego do Parque, in three time series, 1977, 1996 and 2008. Taking as the starting the characterization and spatial distribution of landscape physiography, we prepared thematic letters and synthetic maps digital scale 1:10,000 from photointerpretation of aeroframes. The thematic maps were produced by scanning with subsequent edition using the software Auto-Cad Map. Checking the data and of geographic coordinates with GPS (Global Positioning System). Regarding land use classes, we used the description of the Soil Conservation Service (1975) which allowed us to get the Curve Number parameter, which will be used in hydrologic modeling for verification of flooding (Tucci, 1989). For the process of hydrologic modeling, we used models based on Methodology Object Oriented Modeling Applied to Water Resource Systems, Viegas Filho (1999), using the computer program called IPHS1, which uses models of the Soil Conservation Service (SCS , 2004), for conversion of rainfall-runoff and the spread of excessive rain. The results indicate that increased waterproofing generated by the change in use and occupation over the past decades promoted the increased surface runoff and drainage system overload, increasing the intensity of floods

Differential habitat use by demographic groups of the redfinger rubble crab Eriphia gonagra (Fabricius, 1781)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Effect of salinity on the metabolism and osmoregulation of selected ontogenetic stages of an Amazon population of Macrobrachium amazonicum shrimp (Decapoda, Palaemonidae)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Diversification events and the effects of mass extinctions on Crocodyliformes evolutionary history

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Socio-eco-efficiency of integrated and non-integrated systems of crop, forestry and livestock in the Ipameri city, at brazilian Cerrado

Pós-graduação em Ciências Ambientais - Sorocaba

Acompanhamento da dinâmica do uso do solo em uma bacia hidrográfica no Município de Botucatu (SP) por meio de geotecnologia

The increasing expansion of agricultural activities, without considering the potential and limitations of soils is a potential source of environmental degradation. Thus, the present study assessed the variation of use and occupation in 49 years, between 1962 and 2011 scenarios of watershed of São Caetano - Botucatu (SP). geoprocessing techniques were used in this study. In a Geographic Information System (GIS) - IDRISI – it was integrated information from IBGE digital cards, scale 1:50,000, plus aerial photographs (1962) and satellite images LANDSAT - 5 (2011). In the study area, we can view the progress of the urban area, which in 1962 was not present in the watershed. In 2011, the urban area occupied 21.37% of the total area. Even with this breakthrough occurring in the period of 49 years, there was an increase in the area of natural vegetation, which once occupied only 12.33% of the area (1962), and in 2011 represents 25% of the total area of the watershed, showing an increase in awareness on the importance of preserving nature. Thus, we can conclude that the analysis tools based on GIS enabled us to analyze variations in space and time and to propose alternatives to the correct use and occupation of land.

Estudo da adequação do uso do solo, no município de Maringá - PR, utilizando-se de geoprocessamento

O presente trabalho tem por finalidade o estudo da adequação do uso do solo e análise da carta de aptidão agrícola, bem como o mapeamento da ocupação do solo, por meio da criação e estruturação de um banco de dados utilizando-se de Geoprocessamento, visando a atualizações e interações das informações com rapidez e eficiência, permitindo adaptações e/ou confecções de mapas temáticos da área estudada. Por meio da análise conjunta dos mapas de ocupação do solo com a carta de aptidão agrícola, pode-se constatar que: o município de Maringá - PR, apresenta ocupação de suas terras, em sua grande maioria, em acordo com a aptidão agrícola recomendada para a região; a alta porcentagem de mata nativa em terras de boa aptidão para culturas, certamente está vinculada a obediência às leis ambientais em vigor.