Produção de frutos de pimentão em diferentes concentrações salinas

An experiment with an Elisa hybrid sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L) crop using fertirrigation system was carried out in greenhouse. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quantitative effects of an increasing soil saline concentration on the production. The saline concentration was changed by the variation of the KC1 and Ca 2NO 3 concentration in order to obtain high soil electrical conductivity (EC) values. Standard fertigation system (1.5 dS m -1) values were used as control parameters. Besides that, the possibility of saline stress attenuation by applying organic material into the soil was studied. It was observed that the EC levels used in the crop were inversely correlated to the fructification index and the fruit mean weight. Under the most severe treatment (6.0 dS m -1) the fruit mean weight was reduced up to 58% and the mean produced fiuit number per plant was also reduced up to 55%, when compared to the obtained results under controlled conditions. These results demonstrated that the EC variation in the soil solution had strong interference on th production parameters selected for the studies.

Qualidade da água utilizada para irrigação de hortaliças na região de Botucatu-SP

This work had as objective verifies the water quality used for irrigation by the vegetables producers of Botucatu-SP area. They were interviewed 27 producers that sell vegetables in the street markets of Botucatu. Among these producers, ten were selected, being one of each place. Three samples of water of each source were collected. The main standard to evaluate the obtained results were the CONAMA Resolution (National Environment Council) N° 357, March 17, 2005, that it establishes the standard for water classification. The Electric Conductivity was evaluated of agreement value suggested by CETESB and the color was verified according to OMS (Health World Organization), for potable water due to CONAMA Resolution not to stipulate a value for classification. For the public health, just the coliformes and nitrate are the preoccupying variables for they be related with the incidence of diseases, so, the analyzed waters, 40% of them (A, F, H and J producers) offer some risk for the health of Botucatu population, second established standard for CONAMA. We can to conclude that in a general way, those waters, are in conditions no alarming, because they don't present values very different from those established by the legislation.

Preparation and characterization of castor oil-based polyurethane/poly(o- methoxyaniline) blend film

Blends made up of castor oil-based polyurethane (PU) and poly(o-methoxyaniline) (POMA) were obtained in the form of films by casting and characterized by FTIR, UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy, and electrical conductivity measurements. Doping was carried out by immersing the films in 1.0M HCl aqueous solution. Chemical bonds between NCO group of PU and NH group of POMA were observed by means of FTIR spectra. The UV-Vis-NIR spectra indicated that the presence of the PU in the blend does not affect doping and formation of the POMA phase. The electrical conductivity research was in the range of 10-3 S/cm. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Development of a new TDR probe for determining soil water content and dry density

A few traditional methods for determining water content in the field are either inaccurate or time consuming. As an alternative, the time domain reflectometry (TDR) technology has been used in the determination of the soil water content for geotechnical applications. This paper presents the preliminary results on the development of a new TDR probe for determining soil water content and dry density at different depths. This new probe is intended to be pushed into the ground using piezocone equipment. Different from the standard TDR probes with straight rods, the new probe consists of two parallel copper stripes coiled around a PVC-steel core. The probe diameter is the same as the standard 10 cm2 piezocone diameter. Through laboratory calibrations, it is possible to establish expressions relating the soil apparent dielectric constant and the bulk electrical conductivity with the gravimetric water content and the dry density. Copyright ASCE 2007.

A novel biomagnetic instrumentation with four magnetoresistive sensors to evaluate gastric motility.

A novel instrumentation using anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR) sensors associated with magnetic coils excitation was developed to evaluate gastrointestinal tract motility parameters. The susceptometer has four sensors that were used to measure the gastric activity contractions (GAC) in anaesthetized dogs, its performance was evaluated by manometry with good results.

Developing new radiotherapy techniques using linac based gamma radiation sources

A major challenge in cancer radiotherapy is to deliver a lethal dose of radiation to the target volume while minimizing damage to the surrounding normal tissue. We have proposed a model on how treatment efficacy might be improved by interfering with biological responses to DNA damage using exogenous electric fields as a strategy to drastically reduce radiation doses in cancer therapy. This approach is demonstrated at this Laboratory through case studies with prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryotes (yeast) cells, in which cellkilling rates induced by both gamma radiation and exogenous electric fields were measured. It was found that when cells exposed to gamma radiation are immediately submitted to a weak electric field, cell death increases more than an order of magnitude compared to the effect of radiation alone. This finding suggests, although does not prove, that DNA damage sites are reached and recognized by means of long-range electric DNA-protein interaction, and that exogenous electric fields could destructively interfere with this process. As a consequence, DNA repair is avoided leading to massive cell death. Here we are proposing the use this new technique for the design and construction of novel radiotherapy facilities associated with linac generated gamma beams under controlled conditions of dose and beam intensity.

Composição química e aspectos morfológicos de mudas de Tabebuia chrysotricha (Standl.) produzidas em diferentes substratos e soluções de fertirrigação

The work aimed to study the formation of Tabebuia chrysotricha Standi, seedlings in function of four substrates, varying the covering fertilization solutions. To compose the substrate it was used fibrous and granulated coconut fiber obtaining the following treatments: 100% fibrous (100% F), 60% fibrous + 40% granulated (60% F+40% G), 40% fibrous + 60% granulated (40% F+60% G) and 100% granulated (100% G). The basis fertilization was the same for all treatments and the solutions of covering fertilization varied in order to obtain complete solutions with electric conductivities of 1.06 dS m-1, 2.12 dS m-1, 3.2 dS m-1 and 4.25 dS m-1. The propagative material was sowed directly in plastic containers (120mL) with the respective substrates. The fertilization was received through sub-irrigation once a week, respecting the treatments of fertilizations. Seedlings produced in 100%G had been taller and higher than the others. The chemical analyses of aerial part were obtained when the seedlings were ready for expedition (height of 20 cm). The seedlings production in substrate 100% F and 60% F+40% G allowed them to have higher N, S, B, Mn and Zn concentrations in the aerial part. The production of T. chrysotricha seedlings is recommended in granulated coconut fiber substrate and fertilizer solutions with EC of 1.06 dS m-1.

Análise das condições hidrológicas em bacias hidrográficas com differentes uso e ocupação do solo

The analysis of the physical medium in hydrographic basins requires knowledge of the processes involved and characteristics of variables at different geographic scales. Considering the principle that the micro-basins can be categorized, they are then considered territorial units of ideal work for the analysis of hydrologic conditions. The objective of this work was to compare water resources of four hydrographic basins' with different land use and occupation. Five sampling points along the drainage network of hydrographic basins of first order of magnitude and a sampling point in the river mouth of M1 and M4 micro-basins were established. The water collections occurred at monthly intervals from August, 2006 to August, 2007. Temperature (°C), turbidity (NTU), odor, pH, electric conductivity (μS cm-1), dissolved oxygen (mg/L), total dissolved solids (ppm) and total phosphorous (mg/L) were the variables evaluated in the study. The highest variability of the parameters was found in hydrographic basins M2 and M3. The characterization of the hydrologic conditions of the hydrographic micro-basins indicated that agricultural activities, including cultural practices of anthropic activities affect water resources.

Heterogeneous photocatalytic treatment of organic dyes in air and aqueous media

This review focuses on the heterogeneous photocatalytic treatment of organic dyes in air and water. Representative studies spanning approximately three decades are included in this review. These studies have mostly used titanium dioxide (TiO2) as the inorganic semiconductor photocatalyst of choice for decolorizing and decomposing the organic dye to mineralized products. Other semiconductors such as ZnO, CdS, WO3, and Fe2O3 have also been used, albeit to a much smaller extent. The topics covered include historical aspects, dark adsorption of the dye on the semiconductor surface and its role in the subsequent photoreaction, semiconductor preparation details, photoreactor configurations, photooxidation kinetics/mechanisms and comparison with other Advanced Oxidation Processes (e.g., UV/H2O2, ozonation, UV/O3, Fenton and photo-Fenton reactions), visible light-induced dye decomposition by sensitization mechanism, reaction intermediates and toxicity issues, and real-world process scenarios. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A comparative study of the damping oscillation function of TCSC and UPFC

The main objective of this work is to analyze the ability of FACTS devices like TCSC and UPFC to damp low frequency oscillations and a POD controller is also included. A comparative study of damping effect of those devices IS carried out. The Power Sensitivity Model (PSM) is used to the representation of the electric power system. Sensibility analysis using the residue method shows the best place for the installation of FACTS and the procedure to determine POD parameters. ©2008 IEEE.

Testes de vigor para avaliação da qualidade fisiológica de sementesde Sebastiania commersoniana (Baill.) Smith & Downs.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the efficiency of different vigor tests to assess S. commersoniana seeds physiological quality during storage. Therefore, seeds were stored in cloth bags, plastic bags and glass containers for 531 days, both at room temperature and in a cold chamber. Periodically samples were taken and the following tests were conducted: standard germination, germination speed index, first count after germination, seedlings fresh and dry matter, electrical conductivity (imbibitions for 2 and 24 hours) and accelerated aging, in order to monitoring the seeds physiologic quality. Data were submitted to polynomial regression analysis, for each of the combination of packaging/storage condition. The results obtained led to the following considerations: a) the speed germination index and the accelerated aging test permitted a good evaluation of the seed-lots quality; b) the first count of germination did not allow any prediction about seed lots vigor; c) seedling fresh and dry matter did not discriminate among seed lots; d) electrical conductivity test after 2 h imbibitions was not adequate to evaluate the seed lots vigor and e) the electric conductivity test with 24 h imbibitions was more adequate to differentiate among seed lots, but with little efficiency to discriminate among seed lots with intermediate vigor or with low quality differences.

Critical evaluation of FBD, pq and CPT current decompositions for four-wire circuits

This paper investigates the major similarities and discrepancies of three important current decompositions proposed for the interpretation of unbalanced and/or non linear three-phase four-wire circuits. The considered approaches were the so-called FBD Theory, the pq-Theory and the CPT. Although the methods are based on different concepts, the results obtained under ideal conditions (sinusoidal and balanced signals) are very similar. The main differences appear in the presence of unbalanced and non linear load conditions. It will be demonstrated and discussed how the choice of the voltage referential and the return conductor impedance can influence in the resulting current components, as well as, the way of interpreting a power circuit with return conductor. Under linear unbalanced conditions, both FBD and pq-Theory suggest that the some current components contain a third-order harmonic. Besides, neither pq-Theory nor FBD method are able to provide accurate information for reactive current under unbalanced and distorted conditions, what seems to be done by means of the CPT. © 2009 IEEE.

A comparative analysis of FBD, PQ and CPT current decompositions - Part II: Three-phase four-wire systems

This paper investigates the major similarities and discrepancies among three important current decompositions proposed for the interpretation of unbalanced and/or non linear three-phase four-wire power circuits. The considered approaches were the so-called FBD Theory, the pq-Theory and the CPT. Although the methods are based on different concepts, the results obtained under ideal conditions (sinusoidal and balanced signals) are very similar. The main differences appear in the presence of unbalanced and non linear load conditions. It will be demonstrated and discussed how the choice of the voltage referential and the return conductor impedance can influence in the resulting current components, as well as, the way of interpreting a power circuit with return conductor. Under linear unbalanced conditions, both FBD and pq-Theory suggest that the some current components contain a third-order harmonic. Besides, neither pq-Theory nor FBD method are able to provide accurate information for reactive current under unbalanced and distorted conditions, what can be done by means of the CPT. © 2009 IEEE.

Modelo AC para el despacho combinado de contratos bilaterales y bolsa de energía considerando restricciones de seguridad

Reliability is a key aspect in power system design and planning. Maintaining a reliable power system is a very important issue for their design and operation. Under the new competitive framework of the electricity sector, power systems find ever more and more strained to operate near their limits. Under this new scenario, it is crucial for the system operator to use tools that facilitate an energy dispatch that minimizes possible power cuts. This paper presents a mathematical model to calculate an energy dispatch that considers security constraints (single contingencies in transmission lines and transformers). The model involves pool markets and fixed bilateral contracts. Traditional methodologies that include security constraints are usually based in multistage dispatch processes. In this case, we propose a single-stage model that avoids the economic inefficiencies which result when conventional multi-stage dispatch approaches are applied. The proposed model includes an AC representation of the transport system and allows calculating the cost overruns incurred in due to reliability restrictions. We found that complying with fixed bilateral contracts, when they go above certain levels, might lead to congestion problems in transmission lines.

Condições hidrológicas de uma bacia hidrográfica com diferentes usos do solo na região de taquaritinga, SP

In areas where human activities, as agriculture, are developed land use contributes to physical, chemical and biological characteristics of water. This study aimed to identify physical and chemical variations of the water monitoring network in 4 first magnitude watersheds with different land use/occupation in the hydrographic basin of the Glori Farm Creek in the city of Taquaritinga, State of Sao Paulo, from February to July, 2005. The methodology consisted of weekly sample water collections to naalyze turbidity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH and electric conductivity. The characterization of the hydrological conditions of the watersheds showed that agricultural activities, including the productive system of the sugarcane cultivation, have affected the quality of water resources.