Variação periódica da triiodotironina (T3) plasmática e sua ação na reprodução induzida do matrinxã, Brycon cephalus (Günther, 1869) em cativeiro

O matrinxã, Brycon cephalus, espécie nativa oriunda da Bacia Amazônica, apresenta características adequadas para a piscicultura. Entretanto, trata-se de peixe reofílico, sendo necessário manejo adequado para induzir à reprodução. O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar o perfil da triiodotironina (T3) plasmática no matrinxã, durante 16 meses (outubro/97 a janeiro/99), relacionando-o com a maturação sexual, além de testar a ação do T3 associado ao extrato pituitário de carpa na reprodução induzida da espécie. O experimento foi conduzido no Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Peixes Tropicais - CEPTA, Pirassununga, SP, e no Departamento de Morfologia e Fisiologia Animal, da Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias de Jaboticabal - UNESP. Foram amostrados, mensalmente, 8 a 12 peixes, de ambos os sexos, totalizando 173 animais, de onde retirou-se sangue para dosagem do T3 plasmático. As gônadas foram removidas para análise histológica com identificação do sexo e determinação do estádio de maturação. Analisaram-se testículos e ovários de 161 peixes em corte transversal, tendo predominado machos (63,35%) e o estádio sexual imaturo entre ambos. A concentração plasmática de T3 foi maior de dezembro a janeiro, para machos e fêmeas, coincidindo com o período de maior atividade reprodutiva da espécie e maiores temperaturas da água. em janeiro/99, reprodutores de matrinxã foram induzidos com extrato de pituitária de carpa (EPC) associado à administração de T3 (20 mg/kg em 0,1 mL de suspensão oleosa). Os resultados sugeriram que o T3 atuou sinergicamente à gonadotropina do extrato hipofisário e que o tratamento agudo de triiodotironina com o EPC pode estimular o eixo hipotálamo-hipófise-ovário. O tempo de eclosão das larvas provenientes das fêmeas tratadas com o T3 foi menor e o crescimento inicial e a sobrevivência dessas larvas, maiores.

Electrical conductivity of soybean seeds after storage in several environments

Membrane integrity, as measured by electrical conductivity (EC), is suggested as an indicator of seed vigor in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] seeds. This study evaluated the effect of storage time and temperature on EC of six soybean seed lots (two lots each of high, medium and low vigor). All seed lots were adjusted to 120 g kg(-1) seed moisture, sealed in aluminum foil packets and placed in storage at 10 and 20 degreesC or stored unsealed in multi-wall paper bags in warehouse (WH) conditions at Lexington, KY, USA for 486 days. Four of the six seed lots were also stored unsealed at 10 degreesC. All seed lots were sampled at 3-month intervals and evaluated for seed moisture (SMC), standard germination (SG) and vigor [accelerated aging (AA) and EC]. After 91 and 204 days in storage, samples initially stored at 20 degreesC and WH were moved to 10 degreesC and sampled at the same intervals. Seed moisture content for unsealed samples equilibrated at 107 g kg(-1) (+/-9 g kg(-1)) in both the WH and 10 degreesC environments. No change in SG occurred for seeds stored sealed (120 g kg(-1)) at 10 degreesC, except for the low vigor seed lots which declined significantly at the last sample date. The AA germination declined significantly for all, seed lots stored sealed at 10 degreesC, however the EC did not change during the same storage period. Seeds stored sealed at 20 degreesC and unsealed in the WH showed rapid declines in AA and SG and significant increases in EC. When these seeds were moved to 10 degreesC, however, the AA continued to decline while the EC remained at the same level (no significant change) for the remainder of the seed storage period. Thus whilst the AA declined in all environments, the EC only increased at higher temperatures (20 degreesC, WH) but showed little change during storage at 10 degreesC. Thus, precautions must be taken if using EC to measure soybean seed vigor following storage at 10 degreesC.

Seed priming improves endosperm weakening, germination, and subsequent seedling development of Solanum lycocarpum St. Hil.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Sistema de destilação solar com pré-aquecimento em concentrador cilindro parabólico

Due to the increasing need to promote the use of resources that support the environment and the clean industry, the science has developed in the area of natural resource use as well as enhanced use of the renewable energy sources. Considering also the great need for clean water and wide availability of salt or brackish water, added to the great solar energy potential in northeastern of the Brazil, it was developed a solar distiller whose main difference is its system of pre-solar heating also. From experimental adjustments, the system was developed by the use of a cylindrical solar concentrator coupled to a conventional distiller. The system is designed such that attempt to facilitate the process termination trap to ensure constant movement of the fluid mass and thus enable higher temperatures to the system and thus fetch a higher amount of distillate collected. In a stage of the experiment were used a forced circulation to try to further increase the amount of energy exchange system. To develop the study were set up four settings for comparison in which one was only distiller simple as basic parameter, the second proposed configuration were with the coupling of the concentration triggered manually every 30 minutes to monitor the sun, the third configuration occurred with automatic triggering of a timer, and the fourth configuration was also used a pumping system that tried to improve the circulation of the fluid. With the comparative analysis of the results showed a gain in the amount of distillate system, especially in the forced model

Utilização de um secador solar para desintoxicação da torta de mamona

It´s been motivating motivated by the current rulers as an energy solution the use of the biodiesel as source of energy, that doesn't damage the environment and promotes the development of the areas where the base plant are grown. The process of production of the biodiesel, starting from the castor oil plant and its derivers, generates a known product as castor oil plant pie that has been used as fertilizer. Once disintoxicated, it can serve as animal ration, because it contains high content of proteins, presenting larger joined value. The disintoxication process, can be obtained through the process of drying the pie with the construction and use of models of dryers capable to elevate the temperature of the castor oil plant pie to approximately 60ºC.In this temperature the product tends to eliminate the ricina, with the aid of an aqueous solution of hydroxide of calcium, or still reach higher temperatures to make the disintoxication without a chemical treatment. It was made a bibliographical research about known processes of disintoxication of the castor oil plant pie from the autoclave use to the drying direct exposure to the sun. Starting from the state of the art and identification of the object, it was chosen solar dryers to eliminate the ricina. It was applied two types of solar dryers: the one of solar direct exposure, and the one with concentrador. The castor oil plant pie was separated in samples, with measurement of its initial mass, codified and placed in the dryers. The results were presented in graphs and tables forms, with the values of temperatures noticed. It was noticed the variations of temperature and the relationships analyzed related with the ricina content eliminated from the pie. The analysis of the ricina content was accomplished by Embrapa - Campina Grande, by eletroforese method. The analysis of the result of considering the content of ricina of the samples. It was observed that, we obtained lower rate of ricina in samples that had larger drying time and average value temperature above 60ºC. Comparing with the ones submitted to higher temperatures and in a shorter period of time. It was possible to evaluate the efficiency of the dryers in the desintoxication process of the samples, as well as the type of more appropriate dryer for the drying pie process. Finally, it was concluded that the solar dryer with concentrador presents higher values temperatures than the direct exposure one. So, it´s being more opportune applied in the castor oil plant pie drying process. However, more than one hour for drying time is needed

Tratamento hidrotérmico na manutenção da qualidade pós-colheita de maracujá-amarelo

Objetivando avaliar o efeito da temperatura de imersão na manutenção da qualidade pós-colheita de frutos de maracujá-amarelo, instalou-se na FCA/UNESP este experimento, composto pelos seguintes tratamentos: T1 (testemunha); T2 (35°C por 2 horas); T3 (35°C por 4 horas); T4 (43°C por 2 horas); T5 (43°C por 4 horas); T6 (53°C por 2 horas); T7 (53°C por 4 horas), sendo os frutos mantidos em câmaras BOD a 12 ± 1 °C e 80-90% UR. A cada três dias, foram retiradas amostras dos tratamentos para as seguintes análises: Grupo destrutivo - pH, firmeza, sólidos solúveis (SS), acidez titulável (AT), relação (SS/AT), rendimento de polpa e vitamina C; e para o grupo-controle determinaram-se perda de massa e coloração da casca. Com base nos resultados obtidos, os tratamentos hidrotérmicos dos frutos, com temperaturas menores, como é o caso do T2 e T3, apresentaram frutos com menor perda de massa, melhor manutenção da coloração, boa manutenção da firmeza da casca e teores razoáveis de vitamina C, enquanto as temperaturas mais elevadas causaram danos à aparência dos frutos (queima da casca) e reduziram os teores de vitamina C na polpa.

Cotton response to mepiquat chloride and temperature

Gibberellin inhibitor growth regulators are used for cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) canopy manipulation to avoid excess growth and yield losses. However, under temperatures below or over the optimum for cotton production the effect of mepiquat chloride (MC) has not always been significant. In this experiment, cotton plants were grown in growth chambers to study the response to MC as affected by temperature and to determine if an increase in dose could overcome the temperature effects. Mepiquat chloride was applied at rates of 0, 15 and 30 g ai ha-1 at the pinhead square stage. Plants were then grown under three temperature regimes: 25/15 °C, 32/22 °C, and 39/29 °C (day/night temperatures) for 51 days. Higher temperatures increased plant height, reproductive branches, fruit number, fruit abscission, and photosynthesis per unit area, but decreased leaf area and chlorophyll. The largest effect of MC on plant height was observed when the daily temperature was 32 °C, with nights of 22 °C, which was also best for plant growth. High temperatures not only decreased the effectiveness of MC on plant height control, but also caused lower dry matter and fruit number per plant. Low temperatures (25/15 ºC) decreased cotton growth and fruit retention, but a higher concentration of MC was required per unit of growth reduction as compared with 32/22 ºC. At high temperatures, the rate of MC to be applied must be disproportionately increased, because either plant growth is impaired by high temperature lessening the effect of MC, or degradation of MC within the plant is too rapid.

Nucleation kinetics of crystalline phases from a kaolinitic body used in the processing of red ceramics

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

Photoluminescence of SrTiO3: Influence of Particle Size and Morphology

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

Influence of aged Ti-15V-3Cr-3Sn-3Al alloy microstructure on chemical and electrochemical behavior in the Kroll reagent for metallographic etching

The chemical and electrochemical behaviour of the Ti-1 5V-3Cr-3Sn-3Al alloy in Kroll reagent has been studied after ageing at 350-600degreesC, to optimise metallographic etching. Etching tests and polarisation curves showed that samples aged at higher temperatures have been more susceptible to corrosion. It has been attributed to the formation of intra- and intergranular alpha-phase precipitates during ageing.

Structural and dielectric properties of relaxor Sr0.5Ba0.5Bi2Nb2O9 ceramic

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

Dielectric response features and oxygen migration on rare earth modified lead titanate ferroelectric ceramics

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

Otimização da síntese de nanoferritas de nizn dopada com cobre e cobalto

Different compositions of Ni0,5-xCuxZn0,5Fe2O4 and Ni0,5-xCoxZn0,5Fe2O4 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3 were synthesized ferrite y the citrate precursor method. The stoichiometric compositions were calcined in air at 350°C and then pressed into pellets and toroids. The pressed samples were sintered at temperatures of 1000, 1050 and 1100°C/3h in air control at the speed of heating and cooling. The calcined powders were characterized by XRD, TGA / DTG, FTIR, SEM and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) and the sintered samples by XRD, SEM, MAV, density and measurements of permeability and magnetic losses. There was pure phase formation ferrimagnetism applied at all temperatures except for A-I composition at all sintering temperatures and A-II only at a temperature of 1100°C. Crystallite sizes were obtained by Rietveld analysis, nanometer size from 11 to 20 nm for the calcined powders. For SEM, the sintered samples showed grain size between 1 and 10 micrometers. Bulk density (ρ) of sintered material presented to the Families almost linear behavior with increasing temperature and a tendency to decrease with increasing concentration of copper, different behavior of the B Family, where the increase in temperature decreased the density. The magnetic measurements revealed the powder characteristics of a soft ferrimagnetic material. Two processes of magnetization were considered, the superparamagnetism at low temperatures (350°C) and the formation of magnetic domains at higher temperatures. Obtaining the best parameters for P and B-II magnetic ferrites at high temperatures. The sintered material at 1000°C showed a relative permeability (μ) from 50 to 800 for the A Family and from 10 to 600 for the B Family. The samples sintered at 1100°C, B Family showed a variation from 10 to 1000 and the magnetic loss (tan δ) of A and B Families, around of 1. The frequency response of the toroidal core is in the range of 0.3 kHz. Several factors contribute to the behavior of microstructure considering the quantities μ and tan δ, such as the grain size, inter-and intragranular porosity, amount of grain boundary and the aspects of the dynamics of domain walls at high frequencies.

Superparamagnetismo em Jacobsitas sintéticas

In this experimental study sintetic samples of Jacobsites (MnFe2O4) were synthesized by the Pechini method and calcined within ambient atmosphere and afterwards in the vacuum from 400 to 700ºC, the range of calcination temperatures. The X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and the Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM) analysis have shown that the samples treated at 400ºC temperature are composed by a simple type of spinel phase, with a crystallite size of 8:8nm for the sample calcined in ambient atmosphere and 20; 1nm for the sample treated in the vacuum, showing that the cristallite average size can be manipulated by the atmosphere control. The hysteresis loops for the sample calcined at 400ºC in ambient atmosphere reveal features of superparamagnetic behavior with magnetization 29:3emu=g at the maximum field of 1:2T. The sample calcined in 400oC under vacuum show magnetization = 67emu=g at the maximum field of 1:5T. The sample treated at 500oC, under ambient atmosphere, has shown besides the spinel phase, secondary phases of hematite (Fe2O3) and bixbyite (FeMnO3). The hysteresis loops demonstrate a sharp drop of the magnetization compared to the previous sample. The analysis has revealed that for the samples treated in higher temperatures (600ºC and 700ºC) its observed the absence of the spinel phase and the maintenance of the bixbyite and hematite. The hysteresis loops for those samples in accordance to the external magnetic field are straight lines crossing the origin, consistent with the antiferromagnetic behavior of the phases.The Mössbauer espectroscopy show to the sample calcined at 400ºC within ambiente atmosphere two sextet and one doublet. The two sextets are assigned to the hyperfine fields related to the magnetic deployment in the nuclei of Fe3+ ions, at the tetraedric and octaedric sites. The doublet is assigned to superparamagnetic behavior of the particles with smaller diameter than dc . Now the sample calcined at 400ºC under vacuum only show two sextet

Petrologia dos granitóides brasilianos associados à zona de cisalhamento Remígio-Pocinhos(PB)

The Brasiliano Cycle in the Seridó Belt (NE Brazil) is regarded mostly as a crustal reworking event, characterized by transcurrent or transpressional shear zones which operated under high temperature and low pressure conditions. In the eastern domain of this belt- the so-called São José de Campestre Massif (SJCM), a transtensional deformation regime is evidenced by extensional components or structures associated to the strikeslip shear zones. The emplacement of the Neoproterozoic Brasiliano granitoids is strongly controled by these discontinuities. Located in the southern border of the SJCM, the Remígio-Pocinhos shear zone (RPSZ) displays, in its northern half, top to the SW extensional movement which progressively grade, towards its southern half, to a dextral strike-slip kinematics, defining a negative semi-flower structure. This shear zone is overprinted upon allocthonous metasediments of the Seridó Group and an older gneiss-migmatite complex, both of which containing metamorphic parageneses from high amphibolite to granulite facies (the latter restricted to the strike-slip zone), defining the peak conditions of deformation. Several granitoid plutons are found along this structure, emplaced coeval with the shearing event. Individually, such bodies do not exceed 30 km2 in outcropping area and are essentially parallel to the trend of the shear zone. Petrographic, textural and geochemical data allow to recognize five different granitoid suites along the RPSZ: porphyritic granites (Serra da Boa Vista and Jandaíra), alkaline granites (Serra do Algodão and Serra do Boqueirão) and medium to coarse-grained granites (Olivedos) as major plutons, while microgranite and aluminous leucogranite sheets occur as minor intrusions. The porphyritic granites are surrounded by metasediments and present sigmoidal or en cornue shapes parallel to the trend of the RPSZ, corroborating the dextral kinematics. Basic to intermediate igneous enclaves are commonly associated to these bodies, frequently displaying mingling textures with the host granitoids. Compositionally these plutons are made up by titanite-biotite monzogranites bearing amphibole and magnetite; they are peraluminous and show affinities to the monzonitic, subalkaline series. Peraluminous, ilmenite-bearing biotite monzogranites and titanite-biotite monzogranites correspond, respectivally, to the Olivedos pluton and the microgranites. The Olivedos body is hosted by metasediments, while the microgranites intrude the gneiss-migmatite complex. Being highly evolved rocks, samples from these granites plot in the crustal melt fields in discrimination diagrams. Nevertheless, their subtle alignment also looks consistent with a monzonitic, subalkaline affinity. These chemical parameters make them closer to the I-type granites. Alkaline, clearly syntectonic granites are also recognized along the RPSZ. The Serra do Algodão and Serra do Boqueirão bodies display elongated shapes parallel to the mylonite belt which runs between the northern, extensional domain and the southern strike-slip zone. The Serra do Algodão pluton shows a characteristic isoclinal fold shape structure. Compositionally they encompass aegirine-augite alkali-feldspar granites and quartz-bearing alkaline syenite bearing garnet (andradite) and magnetite plus ilmenite as opaque phases. These rocks vary from meta to peraluminous, being correlated to the A-type granites. Aluminous leucogranites bearing biotite + muscovite ± sillimanite ± garnet (S-type granites) are frequent but not volumetrically important along the RPSZ. These sheet-like bodies may be folded or boudinaged, representing partial melts extracted from the metasediments during the shear zone development. Whole-rock Rb-Sr isotope studies point to a minimum 554��10 Ma age for the crystalization of the porphyritic granites. The alkaline granites and the Olivedos granite produced ca. 530 Ma isochrons which look too young; such values probably represent the closure of the Rb-Sr radiometric clock after crystallization and deformation of the plutons, at least 575 Ma ago (Souza et al. 1998). The porphyritic and the alkaline granites crystallized under high oxygen fugacity conditions, as shown by the presence of both magnetite and hematite in these rocks. The presence of ilmenite in the Olivedos pluton suggests less oxidizing conditions. Amphibole and amphibole-plagioclase thermobarometers point to minimum conditions, around 750°C and 6 Kbars, for the crystallization of the porphyritic granites. The zirconium geothermometer indicates higher temperatures, in the order of 800°C, for the porphyritic granites, and 780°C for the Olivedos pluton. Such values agree with the thermobarometric data optained for the country rocks (5,7 Kbar and 765°C; Souza et al. 1998). The geochemical and isotope data set point to a lower crustal source for the porphyritic and the alkaline granites. Granulite facies quartz diorite to tonalite gneisses, belonging or akin to the gneiss-migmatite complex, probably dominate in the source regions. In the case of the alkaline rocks, subordinate contributions of mantle material may be present either as a mixing magma or as a previously added component to the source region. Tonalite to granodiorite gneisses, with some metasedimentary contribution, may be envisaged for the Olivedos granite. The diversity of granitoid rocks along the RPSZ is explained by its lithospheric dimension, allowing magma extraction at different levels, from the middle to lower crust down to the mantle. The presence of basic to intermediate enclaves, associated to the porphyritic granites, confirm the participation of mantle components in the magma extraction system along the RPSZ. This mega-structure is part of the network of Brasiliano-age shear zones, activated by continental collision and terrane welding processes at the end of the Neoproterozoic