Reduction of NO by CO on Cu/ZrO(2)/Al(2)O(3) catalysts: Characterization and catalytic activities

ZrO(2), gamma-Al(2)O(3) and ZrO(2)/gamma-Al(2)O(3)-supported copper catalysts have been prepared, each with three different copper loads (1, 2 and 5 wt%), by the impregnation method. The catalysts were characterized by nitrogen adsorption (BET), X-ray diffraction (XRD), temperature programmed reduction (TPR) with H(2), Raman spectroscopy and electronic paramagnetic resonance (EPR). The reduction of NO by CO was studied in a fixed-bed reactor packed with these catalysts and fed with a mixture of 1% CO and 1% NO in helium. The catalyst with 5 wt% copper supported on the ZrO(2)/gamma-Al(2)O(3) matrix achieved 80% reduction of NO. Approximately the same rate of conversion was obtained on the catalyst with 2 wt% copper on ZrO(2). Characterization of these catalysts indicated that the active copper species for the reduction of NO are those in direct contact with the oxygen vacancies found in ZrO(2). (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Teor de macronutrientes na parte aérea e sementes de plantas de alface em função de doses de composto orgânico com e sem adição de fósforo ao solo

This study was conducted in the Sao Manuel experimental Farm, in Sao Manuel-SP, which belongs to the Faculdade de Ciencias Agronomicas (FCA) of the Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Botucatu/SP Campus, in order to evaluate the influence of organic compost doses, with and without added phosphorus to the soil, on the levels of macronutrients in plants and seeds of the lettuce cultivar Veronica. The experimental design was randomized blocks with ten treatments (0, 20, 40, 60, 80 Mg ha(-1) of organic compost, with and without 400 kg ha-1 P 2 0 5 added to the soil) and four replicates. The content of macronutrients in plants and seeds was evaluated. The data were submitted to analysis of variance and regression. The decreaning order of macronutrient content in plants was potassium > calcium > nitrogen > magnesium > phosphorus > sulfur and in seeds it was nitrogen > phosphorus > potassium > calcium > magnesium > sulfur. The nitrogen content in seeds, was about three and a half times higher than in plants, the sulfur was one and half times higher, while phosphorus content was approximately five times higher.

Microlepidogaster dimorpha, a new species of Hypoptopomatinae (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the upper rio Paraná system

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

Cetacean records along São Paulo state coast, Southeastern Brazil

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

Guiana dolphins (Sotalia guianensis) displaying beach hunting behavior in the Cananéia Estuary, Brazil: social context and conservation issues

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

Tumor maligno da bainha de nervo periférico envolvendo raízes nervosas do terceiro segmento medular lombar em um cão

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) involving spinal nerve roots are uncommon in dogs. A nine-year old, intact, mixed-breed dog, demonstrated clinical signs of incoordination in the pelvic limbs and micturition for approximately one week. Clinical examination revealed proprioceptive deficits and bilateral patellar hyperreflexia. During exploratory celiotomy a mass was observed adhered to the lumbar vertebral segments. Medical therapy was initiated, but neurological signs were progressive, and the owner opted for euthanasia. Gross examination showed that the mass in the abdominal cavity was attached to the lumbar segments L3 and L4, causing bone lysis in L3, but showed no tumor invasion into the spinal canal. Microscopic features were characterized by prominent proliferation of ovoid and fusiform cells with poorly defined cytoplasm arranged in interlacing bundles and concentric whorls. The cells were embedded in a delicate to moderate collagenous stroma and moderate anisokariose and high mitotic activity were noted. The immunohistochemical assay showed positive staining for GFAP, S-100 protein and vimentin, and negative staining for factor VIII, α-actin and citokeratine. The definitive diagnosis of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor was made on the basis of the histological and immunohistochemical findings.

Phylogeography of Hypostomus strigaticeps (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) inferred by mitochondrial DNA reveals its distribution in the upper Paraná River basin

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Perdas qualitativas na colheita mecanizada de sementes de soja

The study aimed to assess the physical and physiological characteristics of soybean seeds collected in grain tank and the outlet of the discharge tube of the harvester, depending on the year and the forward speed of the harvester. The experimental design was completely randomized in a factorial 2 x 2 x 2 tested two harvesters of different years, two displacement's speeds and two locations of sample collection, totaling eight treatments with four replications. The harvest of soybean cv. COODETEC 217, was performed with two tangential harvesters, aged three and four years, with 900 rpm rotation of the cylinder, operating at forward speeds of 4 ± 0.5 km h-1 and 7 ± 0.5 km h-1. Seed samples (approximately 3 kg) were withdrawn at the grain tank and the outlet of the discharge tube of the harvester and subjected to determinations of water content in field and laboratory. Subsequently, we evaluated purity, mechanical damage, germination and seed vigor. The younger harvester had a higher percentage of pure seed and lowest percentage of inert material. The increase in forward speed provides the higher the bands percentage and reduction of percentages of pure seed and inert material. The percentage of inert material was higher for seeds collected in the discharge pipe. The speed increase has positively influenced the emergence in sand for the harvester oldest (4 years) and negatively to the harvester youngest (3 years). At lower speeds the youngest harvester higher percentage of germination in sand.

A percepção da doença de Alzheimer pelos estudantes da F.F.C. Júlio de Mesquita Filho da UNESP, Marília

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) accounts for approximately 56% of all cases of dementia. The present study aimed to report the perception of AD by students of Physiotherapy, Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy from Faculty of Philosophy and Science “Julio de Mesquita Filho” – UNESP – Marília, with regard to the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment, between 2011 and 2012. The questionnaire with open and closed questions was administered to 101 students, using as a criterion for exclusion those who refused to answer the survey and / or not signed the informed consent form. After the questionnaire application, the answers have undergone quantitative analysis, checking which information and concepts about Alzheimer’s disease these students acquired during the undergraduate years. The data shows that although students have knowledge about the signs and symptoms of the disease, few mention the importance of family, the caregiver and the relationship of the disease with dependence that commonly reaches this population.

Superação da dormência de sementes de Tucum (Astrocaryum huaimi Mart.)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of immersion for varying periods in different concentrations of gibberellic acid and separate methods of scarification on the germination of seeds tucum. In the first trial, testing different soaking periods (24 and 48 hours), different forms of soaking (fast and slow) and different concentrations of gibberellic acid (0, 100 and 200 mg L-(1)) compared to the control (water) under completely randomized design in a factorial 2x2x3. The second experiment evaluated the different scarification treatments being: physical (seed coat removal in the hilar region with the aid of a scalpel), chemical (sulfuric acid 98 PA for 2:04 minutes) and thermal (hot water at approximately 98 degrees C and cold water at about 2 degrees C for 4 minutes). In the first trial were evaluated % of contaminated seeds (seeds infected by microorganisms) and hard seeds (who did not start the germination process, but not soiled), and in the second we assessed germination percentage (%) every two days for three months; germination Speed Index (GSI), time to occurrence of 50 % germination (T50) and Emergency Speed Index (ESI). The use of gibberellic acid was ineffective in promoting germination of Tucum (Astrocaryum Huaimi Mart.). Scarification treatments were effective in promoting germination and emergence of seedlings in the nursery and the most efficient physical removal scarification of the seed coat in the hilar region with the highest percentage of germination.

A new species of neoplecostomus eigenmann & eigenmann, 1888 (siluriformes: loricariidae: neoplecostominae) from the upper rio Parana basin

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Capacitação de produtores rurais para a melhoria da qualidade do leite cru produzido na região de Araçatuba - SP

This paper reports the results of an extension project carried out at Unesp/Veterinary Medicine course in Araçatuba city with milk farmers of the region. The aim of the project was to supply information to farmers concerning to good quality milk production and, at the same time, to follow up the evolution of milk quality parameters, according to the current Brazilian legislation. Every 45 days, approximately, lectures were presented to milk farmers in Araçatuba city region, approaching chemical and microbiological composition of milk, prevention and detection of mastitis, hygiene proceedings in milking and conservation of milk, cleaning and sanitization operations of facilities and equipments and prevention of adulteration. During the intervals between lectures, milk samples were collected from collective milk cooling tanks and analyzed for microbiological, hygienic and physicochemical tests. The main inadequacies in milk quality were high total bacteria and somatic cells counts, low solids contents and water addition. These problems did not proceed to betterment during the project time. So, it was concluded that the time for instruction of farmers was not enough for a progress in the quality of the milk produced in the region, pointing out the need in continuing this kind of work.

The Economic Impacts of Tourism in Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil

The tourism spending like other activities has direct and secondary effects on the economy, and presents complex interaction with other activities deserving a special treatment for measuring its contribution to the global result of production and consumption. In this paper, it is used the Money Generation Model to measure the global economic impact of tourism sales in Ouro Preto, this method is not so limited by the data and it is able to produce good approximations to reality. It was not possible to adopt the WTO methodology due to data limitation. The results revealed the real importance of tourism for Ouro Preto, representing up to 10.4% of GDP in 2002, up to 21.8% of tax revenues in 2004, and approximately 11% of the region’s population in 2002 was related to tourism sales. Some actions can be outlined from these results in order to illustrate the current economic reality of the tourism in Ouro Preto. It is also possible to improve the tourist planning accomplished by the local City Hall in a coherent way with the economic results generated by the tourism.

Papiloma de plexo coroide em um cão

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)