Studies on double selenates. XI. Thermal decomposition of lanthanides of the ceric group and lithium double selenates

A previous communication [1] described the preparation of the double selenates of lanthanum and the alkali metals; the La-Li compound has the formula La2(SeO4)3 · Li2SeO4 · 8H2O. Subsequent reports [2-4] have shown that it was not possible to prepare the Ce-Li, Pr-Li, Nd-Li and Sm-Li double selenates, using the same method [1]. It was possible to isolate the double selenates of all the cerie group lanthanides and lithium not previously described and, also, a La-Li double selenate having a different stoichiometry, using a modified preparation technique. © 1990.

The preparation and thermal decomposition of solid state compounds of 4-dimethylaminobenzylidenepyruvate and trivalent lanthanides and yttrium

Solid state Ln-DMBP compounds, where Ln represents trivalent lanthanides (except for promethium) and yttrium, and DMBP is 4-dimethylaminobenzylidenepyruvate, were prepared. Thermogravimetry (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA), and other methods of analysis were used to characterize and to study the thermal stability and thermal decomposition of these compounds. © 1993.

Desenvolvimento ponderal de bubalinos da raça Murrah criados em pastagem de Brachiaria brizantha no Centro-Oeste do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil

Foram analisados os dados de desempenho ponderal de bubalinos Murrah do Sistema de Produção de Leite da Universidade Estadual Paulista, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, campus de Botucatu. Os pesos foram corrigidos às diversas idades-padrão e o modelo incluiu os efeitos de sexo (S), mês (M) e ano (A) de nascimento, classe de idade da búfala ao parto (C) e as interações S x M, S x A, S x C e M x A. As médias ajustadas e respectivos erros-padrão estimados para as características estudadas foram: Peso ao Nascer (PN): 37,71 ± 8,25kg; Peso aos 120 dias (P120): 102,08 ± 16,27kg; Peso aos 240 dias (P240): 169,84 ± 22,83kg; Peso aos 365 dias (P365): 250,59 ± 25,12kg; Peso aos 550 dias (P550): 326,13 ± 39,27kg e Peso aos 730 dias (P730): 389,80 ± 31,26kg. O efeito de sexo (S) foi significativo somente para PN e P365, sendo que machos tenderam a nascer mais pesados que fêmeas. O mês de nascimento (M) exerceu efeito sobre o PN, P120 e P730 sendo que animais nascidos em maio foram os mais pesados ao nascer, enquanto os nascidos em janeiro e maio, foram os mais pesados aos 120 e 730 dias, respectivamente. O efeito de ano de foi significativo sobre o PN, P120, P240 e P730. Os filhos de búfalas das classes de idade 1 (3 anos ou menos) e da classe 6 (10,11 e 12 anos) foram os mais leves e mais pesados ao nascer, respectivamente. O fato de a classe de idade da búfala não exercer efeito sobre os P365, P550 e P730 sugere que, em rebanhos comerciais possa ser feita a substituição de búfalas não gestantes por novilhas prenhes, apesar de esta prática reduzir a média de idade do rebanho de cria. Bubalinos da raça Murrah oriundos de rebanhos leiteiros podem ser utilizados para a produção de carne.

Heat or cold chronic stress affects organ weights and Hsp70 levels in chicken embryos

This study was carried out with the objective of evaluating the effect of heat (38.8 degreesC) or cold (35.8 degreesC) stress on chicken embryo development and tissues Hsp70 levels, after the 13th day of incubation. Embryo weight (percent egg weight), organ weight (percent embryo weight) and Hsp70 levels (ng Hsp70 mug(-1) total protein) in different tissues (liver, breast muscle, heart, lungs, brain and kidney) were studied at the end of incubation. Cold stress induced a lower embryo weight and lower kidney and lungs weights, whereas heart and liver were lighter in heat-stressed embryos. An interaction between temperature and age was obtained only for Hsp70 levels in kidney and heart. Cold-stressed embryos showed higher Hsp70 levels in the brain, lungs and liver; a decrease in brain and breast muscle Hsp70 levels was seen from the 19th to 20th days in control embryos. Hsp70 levels increased with age in kidneys of control embryos and in heart of heat- and cold-stressed embryos. In conclusion, this study showed that chicken embryo organ weights are affected by incubation temperature, and that Hsp70 expression is tissue dependent (higher levels being seen in the brain) being cold-stress more effective in increasing Hsp70 levels in most studied tissues.

Habitat use, reproductive traits and social interactions in a stream-dweller treefrog endemic to the Brazilian Cerrado

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Relationships between physical, morphological, and physiological characteristics of seeds developed at different positions of the ear of two maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids

Maize seeds developed at different portions of the ear of two hybrids (one, a large seeded, and the other a small seeded hybrid) were compared as to physical positions, morphological, and physiological characteristics viewing to gain information to be used during seed conditioning. The number of positions in the ear were 10, starting at the proximal and ending at the distal end. For the sake of simplification, the data were combined to refer to seeds of the proximal, the central and the distal sectors of an ear. Measurements made of the seeds as to shape (length, width, and thickness) and as to size (1,000 seeds weight) indicated that the round seeds growing at the distal sector are significantly smaller (mainly when thickness is considered) and lighter than those growing at the proximal sector. on the other hand, determinations of the physiological quality indicated that the round-proximal and the central seeds are equivalent and both significantly superior to the round-distal ones, Considering these significant differences as to size, shape, and physiological quality, a proposition of suppressing part of the round-distal from the totallity of the round seeds during the operations of seed conditioning is made.

Postharvest Conservation of Mature-Green and Ripe 'Paluma' Guava Stored at Two Temperatures

This work aimed to establish the importance of maturation and ripeness stages and the use of refrigeration for the conservation of 'Paluma' guavas. Fruit picked at the mature-green and ripe stages were stored at ambient conditions (21 degrees C and 85% RH) and also at 10 degrees C (85% RH). The fruit were evaluated every 2 or 3 days for weight loss, appearance, decay, color, firmness, soluble solids, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid, total polyphenols extractable content and total antioxidant activity. The fruit stored at 21 degrees C had higher weight loss than those stored at 10 degrees C. Mature-green guavas at 21 degrees C remained in good quality for 6 days, but at 10 degrees C, the preservation period increased to 15 days. Ripe fruit were preserved for 4 days at 21 degrees C, which was extended with refrigeration to 6 days. Mature-green fruit at 21 degrees C had decay in 6 days; while at 10 degrees C decay happened in 18 days. The peel color of mature-green fruits, at 21 degrees C, showed increasing values of luminosity, indicating that its color became lighter (change from green to yellow) and at 10 degrees C it showed constant values until the end of storage. Pulp firmness of mature-green fruit declined during storage as a result of ripening. In ripe fruits such reduction occurred more slowly, since they were softer. The color of the pulp became intense red for mature fruits. Soluble solids were lower in ripe fruit at 21 degrees C, while in mature fruits at 10 degrees C, it increased. The titratable acidity increased in fruits stored at 10 degrees C. The fruits kept at 21 degrees C and the mature guavas kept at 10 degrees C showed no changes in ascorbic acid content. The ripe fruit at 10 degrees C maintained their ascorbic acid levels. Mature guavas, stored at 10 degrees C, had the longest shelf life and higher contents of soluble solids and titratable acidity, with no changes in total polyphenols extractable content and total antioxidant activity.

Models for the analysis of growth curves for rearing tinamous (Rhynchotus rufescens) in captivity

Growth curves models provide a visual assessment of growth as a function of time, and prediction body weight at a specific age. This study aimed at estimating tinamous growth curve using different models, and at verifying their goodness of fit. A total number 11,639 weight records from 411 birds, being 6,671 from females and 3,095 from males, was analyzed. The highest estimates of a parameter were obtained using Brody (BD), von Bertalanffy (VB), Gompertz (GP,) and Logistic function (LG). Adult females were 5.7% heavier than males. The highest estimates of b parameter were obtained in the LG, GP, BID, and VB models. The estimated k parameter values in decreasing order were obtained in LG, GP, VB, and BID models. The correlation between the parameters a and k showed heavier birds are less precocious than the lighter. The estimates of intercept, linear regression coefficient, quadratic regression coefficient, and differences between quadratic coefficient of functions and estimated ties of quadratic-quadratic-quadratic segmented polynomials (QQQSP) were: 31.1732 +/- 2.41339; 3.07898 +/- 0.13287; 0.02689 +/- 0.00152; -0.05566 +/- 0.00193; 0.02349 +/- 0.00107, and 57 and 145 days, respectively. The estimated predicted mean error values (PME) of VB, GP, BID, LG, and QQQSP models were, respectively, 0.8353; 0.01715; -0.6939; -2.2453; and -0.7544%. The coefficient of determination (RI) and least square error values (MS) showed similar results. In conclusion, the VB and the QQQSP models adequately described tinamous growth. The best model to describe tinamous growth was the Gompertz model, because it presented the highest R-2 values, easiness of convergence, lower PME, and the easiness of parameter biological interpretation.

Curvas de crescimento e de deposição dos componentes corporais em aves de postura de diferentes linhagens

Objetivou-se com este trabalho determinar as curvas de crescimento de aves de postura das linhagens semipesadas Hy Line Marrom (HLM) e Hisex Marrom (HSM) e leves Hy Line W36 (HLW36) e Hisex Branca (HSB). Foram utilizadas 300 aves de cada linhagem, distribuídas em um delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições de 75 aves por tratamento. Semanalmente, foram avaliados o peso vivo (PV), o peso de pena (PP) e a composição corporal de proteína, gordura, cinzas e água. As curvas de crescimento foram determinadas aplicando-se os dados na função de Gompertz. As aves semipesadas foram mais tardias para PV que as leves, com taxas de crescimento corporal e pesos à maturidade (PM) maiores. Aves da linhagem HLW36 foram 64,23 g mais leves à maturidade que as HSB. As respostas obtidas para o crescimento das penas e deposição protéica foram semelhantes, todavia, os PM foram maiores para as aves marrons que para as brancas. No entanto, para estes componentes, as Hy Line tiveram maiores deposições que as Hisex. A taxa de peso de pena à maturidade foi menor na linhagem HLW36, tornando-a três dias mais tardia em comparação à HSB. A menor deposição protéica no final do período de crescimento da HSM possibilitou o desvio da energia ingerida para deposição de gordura, resultando em PM superestimado em relação às aves HLM. As aves da linhagem Hy Line foram mais tardias na composição de cinzas, apresentando PM superiores ao das aves Hisex. Entre as variáveis estudadas, os PM foram sempre maiores nas aves Hy Line, no entanto, a deposição de água corporal nas aves Hisex foi maior, assim como as taxas máximas à maturidade foram mais tardias, o que justifica a semelhança no ganho de peso entre as diferentes linhagens, visto que os demais componentes estudados foram maiores para as Hy Line.

Avaliação da época de estaquia e uso de bioregulador no enraizamento de estacas de figueira

O trabalho objetivou avaliar a propagação da figueira com estacas semilenhosas, empregando-se concentrações de ácido indolbutírico, em diferentes épocas de coleta. O material propagativo utilizado foi proveniente de figueiras da cv. Roxo de Valinhos, com 5 anos de idade. As estacas foram retiradas por ocasião da poda hibernal, no final dos meses de agosto, setembro e outubro, as quais foram tratadas com AIB preparado em pó, nas seguintes concentrações: 0 (testemunha); 2.500; 5.000; 7.500 e 10.000 mg kg-1. Posteriormente, foram colocadas para enraizar em bandejas de polipropileno, tendo como substrato vermiculita e mantidas sob nebulização intermitente por 70 dias. Decorrido esse período, avaliaram-se a porcentagem de estacas enraizadas (%), o comprimento da maior raiz (cm) e a massa seca das raízes (g). O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 3 x 5. Observou-se que estacas provenientes do tratamento-testemunha e da poda de agosto apresentaram baixa porcentagem de enraizamento (20%), menor comprimento e massa seca de raiz, necessitando de tratamento com AIB na concentração de 2.500 mg kg-1, que aumentou significativamente esta porcentagem (90%). Estacas oriundas da poda de setembro e outubro não necessitaram de tratamento com AIB para conseguirem um elevado enraizamento. O mês de setembro foi o mais viável para a coleta de estacas de figueira, pois houve maior porcentagem de enraizamento das estacas (95-100%). As estacas tratadas com 7.500 e 10.000 mg kg-1 de AIB apresentaram as mais baixas porcentagens de enraizamento nos meses de agosto e outubro.

Potassium Leaching as Affected by Soil Texture and Residual Fertilization in Tropical Soils

Potassium (K) leaching is affected by soil texture and available K, among other factors. In this experiment, effects of soil texture and K availability on K distribution were studied in the presence of roots, with no excess water. Soils from two 6-year field experiments on a sandy clay loam and a clay soil fertilized yearly with 0, 60, 120, and 180 kg ha-1 of K2O were accommodated in pots that received 90 kg ha-1 of K2O. Soybean was grown up to its full bloom (R2). Under field conditions, K leaching below the arable layer increased with K rates, but the effect was less noticeable in the clay soil. Potassium leaching in a sandy clay loam soil was related to soil K contents from prior fertilizations. With no excess water, in the presence of soybean roots, K distribution in the profile was significant in the lighter textured soil but was not apparent on the heavier textured soil.

Film based on Y2O3: Eu3+ (5 mol% of Eu3+) for flat panel display

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

Structural FRF acquisition via electric impedance measurement applied to damage location

Continuing development of new materials makes systems lighter and stronger permitting more complex systems to provide more functionality and flexibility that demands a more effective evaluation of their structural health. Smart material technology has become an area of increasing interest in this field. The combination of smart materials and artificial neural networks can be used as an excellent tool for pattern recognition, turning their application adequate for monitoring and fault classification of equipment and structures. In order to identify the fault, the neural network must be trained using a set of solutions to its corresponding forward Variational problem. After the training process, the net can successfully solve the inverse variational problem in the context of monitoring and fault detection because of their pattern recognition and interpolation capabilities. The use of structural frequency response function is a fundamental portion of structural dynamic analysis, and it can be extracted from measured electric impedance through the electromechanical interaction of a piezoceramic and a structure. In this paper we use the FRF obtained by a mathematical model (FEM) in order to generate the training data for the neural networks, and the identification of damage can be done by measuring electric impedance, since suitable data normalization correlates FRF and electrical impedance.

Optimal design of smart structures using bonded plezoelectrics for vibration control

Smart material technology has become an area of increasing interest for the development of lighter and stronger structures which are able to incorporate actuator and sensor capabilities for collocated control. In the design of actively controlled structures, the determination of the actuator locations and the controller gains, is a very important issue. For that purpose, smart material modelling, modal analysis methods, control and optimization techniques are the most important ingredients to be taken into account. The optimization problem to be solved in this context presents two interdependent aspects. The first one is related to the discrete optimal actuator location selection problem which is solved in this paper using genetic algorithms. The second is represented by a continuous variable optimization problem, through which the control gains are determined using classical techniques. A cantilever Euler-Bernoulli beam is used to illustrate the presented methodology.