Pretreatment of sugarcane bagasse with microwaves irradiation and its effects on the structure and on enzymatic hydrolysis

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

Effect of pH on boron adsorption in some soils of Parana, Brazil

Temporary B deficiency can be triggered by liming of acid soils because of increased B adsorption at higher soil pH. Plants respond directly to the activity of B in soil solution and only indirectly to B adsorbed on soil constituents. Because the range between deficient and toxic B concentration is relatively narrow, this poses difficulty in maintaining appropriate B levels in soil solution. Thus, knowledge of the chemical behavior of B in the soil is particularly important. The present study investigated the effect of soil pH on B adsorption in four soils of Parana State, and to correlate these values with the physical and chemical properties of the soils. Surface samples were taken from a Rhodic Hapludox, Arenic Hapludalf, Arenic Hapludult, and one Typic Usthorthent. To evaluate the effect of pH on B adsorption, subsamples soil received the application of increasing rates of calcium carbonate. Boron adsorption was accomplished by shaking 2.0 g soil, for 24 h, with 20 mL of 0.01 mol L-1 NaCl solution containing different concentrations (0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1.2, 1.6, 2.0, and 4.0 mg B L-1). Sorption was fitted to non-linear form of the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Boron adsorption increased as concentration increased. Boron adsorption was dependent on soil pH, increasing as a function of pH in the range between 4.6 and 7.4, although the bonding energy has decreased. Maximum adsorption capacity (MAC) of B was observed in the Arenic Hapludalf (49.8 mg B kg(-1) soil) followed by Arenic Hapludult (22.5 mg kg(-1)), Rhodic Hapludox (17.4 mg kg(-1)), and Typic Usthorthent (7.0 mg kg(-1)). The organic matter content, clay content, and aluminum oxide content (Al2O3) were the soils properties that affecting the B adsorption on Parana soils.

The influence of landscape on the spatial and temporal distribution of stream macroalgal communities of two types of subtropical biomes

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

Processing and characterization of ablative composites used in rocket motors

The main objective of this research work was to obtain two formulations of ablative composites. These composites are also known as ablative structural composites, for applications in atmospherically severe conditions according to the high-temperature, hot gaseous products flow generated from the burning of solid propellants. The formulations were manufactured with phenolic resin reinforced with chopped carbon fiber. The composites were obtained by the hot compression molding technique. Another purpose of this work was to conduct the physical and chemical characterization of the matrix, the reinforcements and the composites. After the characterization, a nozzle divergent of each formulation was manufactured and its performance was evaluated through the rocket motor static firing test. According to the results found in this work, it was possible to observe through the characterization of the raw materials that phenolic resins showed peculiarities in their properties that differentiate one from the other, but did not exhibit significant differences in performance as a composite material for use in ablation conditions. Both composites showed good performance for use in thermal protection, confirmed by firing static tests (rocket motor). Composites made with phenolic resin and chopped carbon fiber showed that it is a material with excellent resistance to ablation process. This composite can be used to produce nozzle parts with complex geometry or shapes and low manufacturing cost.

Influence of heat treatment and mechanical cycling on hardness and fracture analysis of Ti35Nb5Zr casting alloy

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

Chemical analysis and Vickers hardness of orthodontic mini-implants

Orthodontic mini-implants are used in clinical practice to provide efficient and aesthetically-pleasing anchorage. AIM: To evaluate the hardness Vickers hardness and chemical composition of mini-implant titanium alloys from five commercial brands. METHODS: Thirty self-drilling mini-implants, six each from the following commercial brands, were used: Neodent NEO, Morelli MOR, Sin SIN, Conexão CON, and Rocky Mountain RMO. The hardness and chemical composition of the titanium alloys were performed by the Vickers hardness test and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, respectively. RESULTS: Vickers hardness was significantly higher in SIN implants than in NEO, MOR, and CON implants. Similarly, VH was significantly higher in RMO implants than in MOR and NEO ones. In addition, VH was higher in CON implants than in NEO ones. There were no significant differences in the proportions of titanium and aluminum in the mini-implant alloy of the five commercial brands. Conversely, the proportion of vanadium differed significantly between CON and MOR/NEO implants. CONCLUSIONS: Mini-implants of different brands presented distinct properties of hardness and composition of the alloy.

Seasonal variation of biotic and abiotic parameters in parallel neotropical fishponds

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Influence of landscape properties on stream water quality in agricultural catchments in Southeastern Brazil

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

Growth and reproduction of earthworm in organic waste mixtures and effects on chemical and microbial properties of vermicompost

There is a large demand for organic fertilizers in organic agriculture, but few options for different wastes have been studied. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the biological responses of earthworms Eisenia andrei Bouche in wastes composed of cattle manure, peanut husk and spent coffee grounds, as well as to analyze the effect of earthworms on the microbial density and chemical properties of the vermicompost. Four treatments were employed, H1: cattle manure (100%), H2: cattle manure (75%) + peanut husk (25%), H3: cattle manure (75%) + spent coffee grounds (25%), H4: cattle manure (50%) + spent coffee ground (25%) + peanut husk (25%), with six replicates in a completely randomized design. The addition of spent coffee grounds to the manure increased the total biomass and indicated a rising trend in the production of cocoons, while the peanut husk apparently did not affect these variables. The CFU of bacteria and fungi were affected by the treatments at the beginning and end of the experiment and by the earthworms during the waste transformation. The evaluated organic waste mixtures differently affected the growth and reproduction of earthworms and chemical and biological properties of humus.

Structural, optical, and magnetic properties of NiMoO4 nanorods prepared by microwave sintering

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

Influences of the harvest season on analytical characteristics of syrah grapes and wines produced in the northeast region of Brazil

The present study evaluated the main physical and chemical characteristics of Syrah grapes, coming from the tropical region of São Francisco river valley, harvested at different times and their relationship with analytical characteristics of resulting wines. Grapes came from the first half of 2009 harvest, collected at Casa Nova - Bahia, a semi-arid and hot region, comprising an interval from 84 days after pruning (84 dap) to the beginning of grape over-ripening, 133 days after pruning (133 dap). Harvests at 84, 91, 98, 105, 112, 119, 126 and 133 dap, were analyzed for pH, soluble solids and acidity in grapes, which were then processed for wine production. Maximum sugar/acidity ratio (s/a = 56) were observed in grapes harvested between 126 and 133 dap, coincided with the highest concentration of anthocyanins (851 mg L-1 ) and total tannins (2.6 g L-1 ) in the resulting wines, indicating that grapes collected between 126 and 133 dap showed the best potential for winemaking in the tropical climate of São Francisco river valley. This result was confirmed by the analytical characterization of wines, that, between 126 and 133 dap, showed 12.8% alcohol, 31 g L-1 dry extract, 5.6 g L-1 ashes and a TPI of 58, using only one pumping per day, for 5 days maceration. Syrah grapes considered in the present work presented a good evolution of maturation, and grapes harvested between 126 and 133 days after pruning, showed the best oenological potential for the development of red wine. The use of pH and soluble solids appeared useful parameters in the estimation of maturation degree and quality potential of grapes for winemaking.

Effects of rainfall on water quality in six sequentially disposed fishponds with continuous water flow

O estudo foi efetuado durante o período de chuva (dezembro-fevereiro) em seis viveiros de produção semi-intensiva de peixes, a fim de avaliar o efeito da chuva na qualidade da água de viveiros que apresentam fluxo contínuo de água, a qual é passada de um viveiro para outro sem tratamento prévio. Foram amostrados oito pontos de coleta nas saídas dos viveiros. O viveiro P1 (próximo à nascente) apresentou as menores concentrações físicas e químicas da água e as maiores no viveiro P4 (considerado um ponto crítico recebendo material alóctone proveniente de outros viveiros e do escoamento do setor de criação de rãs). A disposição seqüencial dos viveiros estudados promoveu aumento nas concentrações dos nutrientes, clorofila-a e condutividade. As chuvas características desta época do ano aumentaram o fluxo de água nos viveiros e conseqüentemente, carreando material particulado e dissolvido de um viveiro para outro e, promovendo um aumento das variáveis limnológicas em direção do P3 ao P6. Os resultados sugerem que a chuva no período de estudo afetou positivamente a qualidade da água dos viveiros estudados, porém, como os sistemas analisados estão dispostos em distribuição seqüencial e escoamento constante da água de viveiros e tanques paralelos sem tratamento prévio, cuidados devem ser averiguados para que o aumento do fluxo de água provocado pelas chuvas não tenha efeito adverso nos viveiros estudados.

Impact of maintenance of Macrobrachium rosenbergii de Man, 1879 (Crustacea, Decapoda, Palaemonidae) broodstock on the water used in culture ponds

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

Effect of Urucu oil (Brazilian Amazon) on the biomass of the aquatic macrophyte Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms (Pontederiaceae)

Os rios e lagos de várzea da província petrolífera de Urucu, na Amazônia Central, são amplamente colonizados por macrófitas aquáticas, que podem ser afetadas por acidentes durante a exploração e o transporte de petróleo. Entre as macrófitas, a espécie flutuante Eichhornia crassipes (aguapé) ocorre abundantemente na região; OBJETIVO: O objetivo desse estudo foi verificar o efeito de diferentes dosagens do petróleo de Urucu (0; 0,5; 1,5 e 3,0 L.m-2) na biomassa viva e morta de E. crassipes e em algumas características físicas e químicas da água; MÉTODOS: O experimento teve oitenta e quatro dias de duração. A cada sete dias foi determinada a biomassa (viva e morta) de E. crassipes e os valores de temperatura, pH, condutividade elétrica e oxigênio dissolvido da água; RESULTADOS: A dosagem de 0,5 L.m-2 foi suficiente para causar mortalidade parcial (48%) em E. crassipes após trinta e cinco dias de exposição ao petróleo. A dosagem de 3,0 L.m-2 causou mortalidade total (100%) em E. crassipes em oitenta e quatro dias de exposição. A decomposição do petróleo e da biomassa morta de E. crassipes provocam a redução do oxigênio dissolvido e do pH, e aumento da condutividade elétrica e de fósforo total na água; CONCLUSÕES: Nós concluímos que um derramamento de petróleo pode provocar mortalidade total em uma população de uma espécie de macrófita, mas não em uma outra. Isto pode alterar a diversidade de espécies de macrófitas na região impactada. No caso de Eichhornia crassipes e Pistia stratiotes, um derramamento de petróleo de Urucu pode favorecer E. crassipes, a espécie menos sensível ao petróleo.

Variabilidade espacial de atributos do solo para adoção do sistema de agricultura de precisão na cultura de cana-de-açúcar

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a variabilidade espacial de atributos de Latossolos sob cultivo de cana-de-açúcar na região de Jaboticabal (SP). Foram feitas amostragens do solo a intervalos regulares de 50 m, em uma área de 90 ha, nas profundidades de 0,00-0,20 e 0,60-0,80 m para determinação de pH, CTC, V % e teores de matéria orgânica, P, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, H + Al e argila. Os dados foram submetidos às análises: estatística descritiva, geoestatística e interpolação por krigagem. Os alcances de dependência espacial para os atributos químicos do solo e teores de argila na camada de 0,60-0,80 m de profundidade foram menores, quando comparados àqueles referentes à camada de 0,00-0,20 m. Estes resultados demonstraram maior descontinuidade na distribuição espacial dos atributos do solo na camada de 0,60-0,80 m de profundidade dos Latossolos, indicando que essa classe de solos não apresentou homogeneidade de seus atributos como conceituadamente a ela foi atribuída. O manejo no solo alterou a dependência espacial dos atributos do solo na camada superficial de forma a diminuir a variabilidade espacial dos atributos químicos do solo em relação à camada mais profunda. A investigação da variabilidade espacial de atributos químicos e do teor de argila da camada superficial e subsuperficial dos solos proporcionou condições para a definição de zonas homogêneas de manejo, o que permite a adoção do sistema de agricultura de precisão.