Reaction pathway to the synthesis of anatase via the chemical modification of titanium isopropoxide with acetic acid

Anatase nanoparticles were obtained through a modified sol-gel route from titanium isopropoxide modified with acetic acid in order to control hydrolysis and condensation reactions. The modification of Ti(O(i)Pr)(4) with acetic acid reduces the availability of groups that hydrolyze and condense easily through the formation of a stable complex whose structure was determined to be Ti(OCOCH(3))(O(i)Pr)(2) by means of FTIR and (13)C NMR. The presence of this complex was confirmed with FTIR in the early stages of the process. A doublet in 1542 and 1440 cm(-1) stands for the asymmetric and symmetric stretching vibrations of the carboxylic group coordinated to Ti as a bidentate ligand. The gap of 102 cm(-1) between these signals suggests that acetate acts preferentially as a bidentate rather than as a bridging ligand between two titanium atoms. The use of acetic acid as modifier allows the control of both the degree of condensation and oligomerization of the precursor and leads to the preferential crystallization of TiO(2) in the anatase phase. A possible reaction pathway toward the formation of anatase is proposed on the basis of the intermediate species present in a 1:1 Ti(O(i)Pr)(4):CH(3)COOH molar system in which esterification reactions that introduce H(2)O into the reaction mixture were seen to be negligible. The Rietveld refinement and TEM analysis revealed that the powder is composed of isotropic anatase nanocrystallites.

Bioecology of the uçá-crab, Ucides cordatus (Linnaeus, 1763), in Vitória Bay, Espírito Santo State, Brazil

A biologia de Ucides cordatus na Baía de Vitória (ES) foi avaliada como subsídio ao manejo populacional. As amostragens ocorreram mensalmente durante um ano (outubro/1998 a setembro/1999), com análise biométrica (LC = largura da carapaça; PE = peso total úmido) e de fatores abióticos em quatro transectos, com quatro faixas cada (margem à região supratidal). A densidade foi de 3,7±1,5 caranguejos.m-2, com incremento em direção à região supratidal, sendo a profundidade das galerias de 1,1±0,3 m. A salinidade da água intersticial diferiu entre as faixas, sendo mais elevada na região supratidal. Houve correlação significativa entre a abundância de exemplares e alguns fatores ambientais, o mesmo ocorrendo quanto as tocas abertas e fechadas. A razão sexual evidenciou um predomínio de fêmeas (1,0M:1,6F), particularmente entre 50 e 75 mm LC. A maior incidência de tocas fechadas ocorreu em agosto e setembro, enquanto as fêmeas ovígeras foram registradas de janeiro a abril. A relação PE/LC mostrou isometria para os machos (PE=0,425.10-3 LC3,0014; R²=0,99) e fêmeas (P=0,439.10-3 LC2,97; R²=0,99). Para o total da população a média de tamanho (LC) e peso (PE) foi de 54,6±11,8 mm e de 77,5±42,4 g, respectivamente. Os dados evidenciam que a população encontra-se sobrexplotada, requerendo manejo adequado para a viabilidade da atividade extrativa na área estudada.

Caracterização dos elementos físicos da bacia do córrego Santo Antônio (Rio Claro/SP)

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi caracterizar os elementos físicos da bacia do córrego Santo Antônio, buscando compreender a influência que a área de entorno dessa bacia exerce sobre a Floresta Estadual Edmundo Navarro de Andrade (FEENA). Para isto, foram elaboradas as cartas geomorfológica e de uso do solo, além da compilação de dados geológicos, pedológicos e climáticos. Essa influência foi avaliada em termos da dinâmica de remobilização de materiais provenientes das nascentes, que não pertencem a FEENA, e que se constituem, portanto, em área de uso agrícola. A análise das características físicas indicou que essa área é susceptível a ação dos processos morfogenéticos e que estes foram intensificados e acelerados pelo uso do solo ao redor das nascentes. Verifica-se, assim, a necessidade de se reavaliar esse uso e de se fiscalizar o cumprimento da própria legislação ambiental, no que se refere ao uso e ocupação do território, em fundos de vale.

Cafeicultura científica globalizada e as montanhas capixabas: a produção de caféarábica nas regiões do Caparaó e Serrana do Espírito Santo

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

Species distribution of the Halophilous-psamophilous community along the coast of the Espirito-Santo state

The purpose of the present work was the study of the composition and distribution of the species in halophilous-psamophilous communities, utilizing the square method in 10 beaches of the Espirito Santo coast. The data of presence and cover of each species for the calculation of frequency and dominance, respectively, were obtained from twenty contiguous square of each of five 20 meters samplings, in a total of one hundred squares for each beach. Mariscus pedunculatus, Panicum racemosum, Ipomoea pes-caprae, I. littoralis and Blutaparon portulacoides were the most dominant species in the analyzed beaches.

A New Species of the Scinax perpusillus Group (Anura: Hylidae) from Espirito Santo, Brazil

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

Succession and management of tropical dry forests in the Americas: Review and new perspectives

Understanding tropical forest succession is critical for the development of tropical forest conservation strategies worldwide, given that tropical secondary forests can be considered the forests of the future. Tropical dry forests (TDF) are among the most threatened tropical ecosystems, there are more secondary forests and forest restoration efforts that require a better understanding of successional processes. The main goal of this synthesis for this special issue on the ecology and management of tropical dry forests in the Americas is to present a summarized review of the current knowledge of the ecology and management implications associated to TDF succession. We explore specific issues associated to tropical dry forest succession with emphasis on the use of chronosequences, plant diversity and composition, plant phenology and remote sensing, pollination, and animal-plant interactions; all under the integrating umbrella of ecosystem succession. We also emphasize the need to conduct socio-ecological research to understand changes in land-use history and its effects on succession and forest regeneration of TDF. We close this paper with some thoughts and ideas associated with the strong need for an integrating dimension not considered until today: the role of cyberinfrastructure and eco-informatics as a tool to support sound conservation, management and understanding of TDF in the Americas. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Oxalate determination in urine using an immobilized enzyme on Sorghum vulgare seeds in a flow injection conductimetric system

A flow-injection (FI) method was developed for the determination of oxalate in urine. It was based on the use of oxalate oxidase (E.C. 1.2.3.4) immobilized on ground seeds of the BR-303 Sorghum vulgare variety. A reactor was filled with this activated material, and the samples (200 μL) containing oxalate were passed through it, carried by a deionized water flow. The carbon dioxide produced by the enzyme reaction permeated through a microporous PTFE membrane, and was received in a water acceptor stream, promoting conductivity changes proportional to the oxalate concentration in the sample. The results obtained showed a useful linear range from 0.05 to 0.50 mmol dm-3. The proposed method, when compared with the Sigma enzymatic procedure, showed good correlation (Y = 0.006(±0.016) + 0.98(±0.019)X; r = 0.9995, Y = conductivity in μS, and X = concentration in mmol dm-3), selectivity, and sensitivity. The new immobilization approach promotes greater stability, allowing oxalate determination for 6 months. About 13 determinations can be performed per hour. The precision of the proposed method is about ± 3.2 % (r.s.d).

Birds of Santa Teresa, Espírito Santo, Brazil: Do humans add or subtract species?

In uplands and lowlands of Santa Teresa, central Espírito Santo State, Brazil, 405 bird species were confirmed by field, museum, and literature studies. Of these, 16 seem to have disappeared, while 67 other species seem to have been lost from the lowlands (where no large biological reserves exist). Due to a suggestion that human areas add species to beta-diversity, we verified that up to 79 species now present have perhaps invaded with human activity (and 10 others are likely to invade), a total similar to that for lost species. However, lost species are often rare and invading species often widespread, resulting in exchange of Picassos for Coca-Cola bottles. Furthermore, gains exceed losses only when large biological reserves are present, as in the uplands (Nova Lombardia, Santa Lucia Reserves, each with over 250 species). Small or irregular reserves usually lose well over half their species, and these are only partly replaced by the invaders, resulting in net losses of up to half the local avifaunas. If one lists only 31 probable invaders, rather than a possible 79, things are even worse; net losses occur even in the entire township and near reserves, reaching over 200 species around lowland private reserves. Future productive development of human areas can eliminate or maltreat many invading species, too. While approving taxes on improductive use of land, as it leaves other areas free, we suggest that many current local uses, such as for coffee, are luxury production and could, be taxed.

Anomalia congênita em vasos da base do coração de um potro

Congenital anomalies of heart and large vessels are among more common found in animals, however rare in horses. This survey describes a cardiac anomaly that presents confluence between aorta wall and lung trunk, ramification of caudal cava vein in left atrium with presence of valve and consequently erroneous position of heart in thoracic cavity of one foal found dead after birth. The diagnostic was carried out for macroscopic finds association during the necropsy and histopathologic exams carried out at School of Veterinary Medicine - Unesp Araçatuba.

Avaliação de política ambiental e sustentabilidade: Estudo de caso do município de Santo André - SP

The management of the São Paulo Metropolitan Area has as one of the challenges to bring a sustainable solution for land use in watershed protection areas, aiming at regional water resources protection. This paper has the objective to contribute to the discussion about Sustainable Development Strategy Assessment, from an analisys with focus at the environmental policies of the Santo André City - SP Brazil, in the context of water resources protection. For this, the proposal is to verify, based on the Bellagio Principles, the use of systemic approach, transparency, participatory process and social engagement in its policy formulation and implementation process. It was observed coherence within the policies, programmes and actions analysed, nevertheless, gaps were identified, which, within a strategic approach, means weakness for the construction of the local sustainability, as the lack of a consolidated sustainability indicators system.

Cursos de geologia: expansão, interiorização e consolidação do ensino de geologia no brasil

A short time after the creation of the first Geology courses in Brazil (in 1957 with the pioneers in the University of São Paulo and in the Federal Universities of Ouro Preto, Pernambuco and Rio Grande do Sul, and then in the following year in the Federal Universities of Bahia and Rio de Janeiro), there arose other initiatives that spread almost twenty Geology courses throughout Brazil. In addition to expanding the Geology teaching in the South, Southeast and Northeast regions, these initiatives succeeded in allowing access to geological education for the population in the North and Central-west of Brazil. In the 1960s, the courses in the Federal University of Para in Belém (1964), University of Brasilia (1965) and São Paulo State University in Rio Claro (1969) were implanted. In the following decade, the courses in the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro in Seropédica (1970), the Federal University of Ceará in Fortaleza (1970), the University of Rio dos Sinos in São Leopoldo (1973), the Federal University of Paraná in Curitiba (1973), the Federal University of Minas Gerais in Belo Horizonte (1973), the Federal University of Amazonas in Manaus (1976), the Federal University of Mato Grosso in Cuiabá (1976), the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte in Natal (1976), and the State University of Rio de Janeiro in Rio de Janeiro (1977) were all created. At the close of the twentieth century, the course was implanted in the State University of Campinas (1998). Now, at the beginning of the twenty-first century, new Geology courses are being implanted, accentuating the movement inland of Geology teaching in Brazil. The Federal University of Pará began a new course in its campus in Marabá in the south-east of Pará and the Federal University of Bahia implanted a new course in its campus in Barreiras in the west of Bahia. Finally, the Federal Universities of Sergipe, Espírito Santo and Roraima commenced Geology courses in Aracaju, Alegre and Boa Vista, respectively. This chapter will present the synthesis of the Geology courses which, over the last decades of the twentieth century, contributed to the expansion of Geology teaching in the country, taking it to every region and giving opportunities to a large number of Brazilian citizens to realize their dreams and tread the paths of their professional vocation.

Genetic data of 10 X-chromosomal loci in Vitória population (Espírito Santo State, Brazil)

Genetic population data for 10 X-STR (DXS8378, DXS9898, DXS7133, GATA31E08, GATA172D05, DXS7423, DXS6809, DXS7132, DXS9902 and DXS6789) were obtained from Vitória population (Espírito Santo State, Brazil). No deviations from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and linkage disequilibrium were observed. The combined powers of discrimination in males and females were 0.9999995 and 0.99999999996, respectively. These high values show the potential of this system in human identification in Vitória population, Brazil. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Desenvolvimento vegetativo de quatro espécies de grama irrigadas com efluente doméstico

This research aimed to compare the development of four grasses species irrigated by dripping with an effluent from a domestic wastewater station treatment in a small rural community, and supply water from Sabesp. For this purpose, an experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at the FCA/UNESP (Botucatu - SP) for 12 months in a completely randomized 4 × 3 factorial design, with four replications, totalizing 48 parcels. Grass species used in this experiment were: Santo Agostinho (Stenotaphrum secandatum (Walt.) Kuntze); Bermudas (Cynodum dactylon); Esmeralda (Zoysia japônica) and São Carlos (Axnopus sp). The treatments were: T1- Irrigation with re-use; T2- Irrigation with re-use + chemical fertilization and T3- Irrigation with supply water from Sabesp + chemical fertilization (control). Data were submitted to comparison of means by Tukey's test at 5 %. The results showed that nitrogen in the wastewater was enough for the good development of the grass species. However, its use caused higher potassium loss.