Modelagem e simulação de sistemas de geração de energia para o setor de petróleo e gás

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Ecologia da cutia Dasyprocta leporina (Linnaeus, 1758) em um fragmento florestal urbano em Campinas - SP (Rodentia: Dasyproctidae)

Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Zoologia) - IBRC

Produção de frutos e características morfofisiológicas de Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi., na região do baixo São Francisco, Brasil

Forest species with economic potential, such as aroeira (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi.), require selection of individuals with superior characteristics for use in forest restoration projects and for establishment of commercial plantations. These plantations can contribute to the sustainability of natural populations of species in the remaining forest fragments, in areas of permanent preservation, legal reserves or other areas of ecological significance. It was evaluated the fruits' yield, morphometry and viability of seeds from 15 individuals of aroeira, collected in different fragments in the region of Lower São Francisco river, Sergipe State. The fruit yield was estimated by Fornier's intensity index, and the morphometric characteristics were obtained with a digital paquimeter and analytical balance. The viability and vigor were evaluated by germination percentage and germination speed index (GSI), under controlled conditions. The results of fruit yield were subjected to variance analysis, and the means were compared by Tukey (p <0.05). The other variables means were compared by Scott-Knott test (p<0.05). The individuals differed in Fournier's indices (indices 1, 2, 3 and 4) and in the size of fruits and seeds. The germination varied from 0 to 83% and the GSI from 0.00 to 0.98. The phenotypic differences observed among individuals for fruit yield, and morphophysiological characteristics can be used in forest restoration and establishment of provenances/progenies tests, aiming discrimination of superior material for future commercial plantations.

Energy substrate used by workers of leaf-cutting ants during nest excavation

Energy substrate used by workers of leaf-cutting ants during nest excavation. In this study we aimed to ascertain whether leaf-cutting ant workers lose body reserves (fat or sugars) as a function of nest excavation. For each treatment, we isolated 10 workers of Atta sexdens into two experimental groups, Control (C- without excavation) and Soil (S- with excavation), which were kept for different time intervals (0, 24, 48 or 72 hours), totaling 700 tested workers. We then determined the concentration of soluble carbohydrates and total lipid content in them. The total carbohydrates were determined colorimetrically, based on the reaction between carbohydrates and sulfuric acid-phenol. For determination of lipids, the insects were immersed in organic solvent until they reached a constant weight. Our results showed that carbohydrates are consumed during nest excavation activities. In the experimental groups S24, S48 and S72, there was an average reduction of 5.82 (20.42%), 14.31 (44.96%) and 13.27 (43.96%) µ.mg-1 in soluble sugar when compared with the experimental groups that did not excavate. Furthermore, the lipids were not used during this activity. With respect to dry mass of the workers, their values were C0 = 8%, C24 = 10.4%, C48 = 9.2%, C72 = 10%, S24 = 9.2%, S48 = 8.7% and S72 = 8.5%. Our results show experimentally that the source of energy for nest excavation is carbohydrates, whereas lipids are conserved for other activities.

Adoção da energia solar fotovoltaica em hospitais: revisando a literatura e algumas experiências internacionais

The sun has an extremely important role in the existence of human beings, and Brazil has a privileged geographical position to explore sunlight. The union of these two factors favors the use of solar cells for converting solar energy into electricity by photovoltaic technology: it is a great alternative energy source, especially for being a clean one, causing less damage to the environment. This paper addresses the photovoltaic technology with a focus on hospitals, through case studies found in international literature, because hospitals, even running all important services to society, have a potential for pollution capable of causing damage to human health and the environment that is around them. It is estimated that the Brazilian oil reserves are sufficient for twenty-two years. This makes the search for alternative sources for power generation a necessity.

Development of the male reproductive system in Callinectes ornatus Ordway, 1863 (Brachyura: Portunidae)

This study describes the histology and histochemistry of the male reproductive system in Callinectes ornatus, comparing juvenile and adult developmental stages. We also analyzed changes in the gonadosomatic (GSI) and hepatosomatic (HSI) indices, and the weights of the testis and vas deferens during the development. The results showed that all stages, beginning with the juvenile (JUV), through developing (DEV) and mature (MAT) adult males of C. ornatus produce sperm and spermatophores. During development, testicular lobes showed the same characteristics of production and release of sperm into the seminiferous duct. The vas deferens showed little histological and histochemical change in the epithelium in juvenile and adult males. The differences consisted of the larger amount of secretion in MAT males compared to JUV and DEV ones. The chemical composition of the seminal fluid was similar, but MAT males produced a more homogeneous secretion. Morphological and physiological maturation are not synchronized in C. ornatus, since JUV males produced spermatophores similar to those in DEV and MAT males. However, these JUV are not yet able to reproduce, since they still have the abdomen attached to the cephalothoracic sternum. The increase of the GSI during development was significant for MAT males, and is related to the production of sufficient volume of seminal fluid to form the sperm plug in the female seminal receptacle. The HSI decreased from DEV to MAT adult stages, indicating that reserves from the hepatopancreas are used to develop the reproductive system after the pubertal molt.

Alturas de pastos de capim-marandu na interface solo-planta

Pós-graduação em Zootecnia - FCAV

Balanço de potássio no sistema solo-planta influenciado pela textura e adubação potássica em solos tropicais

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Agricultura) - FCA

Avaliação espaço-temporal da disponibilidade hídrica subterrânea do município de São José do Rio Preto

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

High abundance of an exotic amphipod indicates disturbance in tropical rainforests

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

Protein content of leaf-cutting ant queens before the nuptial flight and during the post-claustral phase

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

Desempenho produtivo e respostas fisiológicas de juvenis de cachara (Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum) alimentados com diferentes níveis de proteína e carboidrato

Pós-graduação em Ciência e Tecnologia Animal - FEIS

Características morfogenéticas, perdas de nitrogênio por volatilização, reservas orgânicas e sistema radicular do capim-Tanzânia fertilizado com doses de nitrogênio

O objetivo do trabalho foi estudar as características morfogenéticas e estruturais do capim-Tanzânia, a produção de forragem, as perdas de nitrogênio (N) por volatilização, reservas orgânicas e a avaliação do sistema radicular sob doses de nitrogênio sob pastejo. O experimento foi instalado na área Fazenda Experimental de Iguatemi da Universidade Estadual de Maringá, no período de março de 2007 a março de 2008. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi de blocos completos ao acaso, com parcelas subdivididas com quatro repetições. Nas parcelas, encontravam-se as doses de N (0, 150, 300 e 450 kg ha-1 de N) e, nas sub-parcelas, as estações do ano. As perdas de N por volatilização foram quantificadas depois da adubação N (1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 12 e 15 dias). As amostragens das raízes foram realizadas nas profundidades de 0-10, 10-20 e 20-40 cm. A aplicação do fertilizante N na pastagem foi parcelada em três aplicações. A produção de massa seca total e de lâmina foliar de forragem respondeu linearmente até 282 kg ha-1 de N na estação do verão. A adubação nitrogenada exerce efeito positivo nas taxas de alongamento e aparecimento foliar, e no número de folhas vivas em plantas de capim-Tanzânia nas estações da primavera e verão. Elevadas adubações nitrogenadas associada a intervalos menores de pastejo promovem uma maior porcentagem de lâmina foliar; no manejo de pastos de capim-Tanzânia sob lotação rotacionada com altura de 70 cm na entrada dos animais para o pastejo e saída com 30 cm de altura do resíduo. A interação entre o nível de adubação e o período depois da aplicação de uréia foi significativa para a variável volatilização acumulada de N-NH3. A aplicação da uréia acarreta perdas percentuais mais elevadas de N nos três primeiros dias após a aplicação. A perda média acumulada de N-NH3 no período para as três estações do ano... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo)

Larval development of indigenous South American freshwater fish species, with particular reference to pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus): A review

In recent years, a number of South American freshwater fish have gained increasing attention for their potential in aquaculture, not only because of their excellent performance in farming systems but also to meet the high consumer demand for these species due to declining fishery resources. Many South American freshwater species are migratory and produce altricial larvae, with a small amount of yolk reserves. Unlike precocial freshwater species and altricial coldwater marine fish, these freshwater fish investigated have rapid yolk depletion and metamorphosis. Specific studies on the initial development of South American fish are scarce and fragmented. One of the most widely studied species is the pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus), farmed in warm continental waters. In the present review we compile new and published data on the initial development of pacu, including morphogenesis of the skeletal, muscle, digestive and sensory systems; compare it to other Neotropical species; and discuss the importance of this information to develop larviculture protocols. When pacu larvae exhaust yolk reserves, they initiate a new form of interaction with the environment, becoming exclusively exotrophic. This type of interaction is made possible by the rapid development of sensory, skeletal, locomotor and digestive structures. In addition to understanding fish ontogeny, studies on larval development are necessary to improve farming systems and larviculture techniques aimed at producing high-quality juveniles in aquaculture. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Reproductive biology and pollination mechanisms of Epidendrum secundum (Orchidaceae). Floral variation: a consequence of natural hybridization?

The phenology, flower morphology, pollination mechanism and reproductive biology of Epidendrum secundum were studied in a semi-deciduous forest at the Serra do Japi (SJ), and in the Atlantic rain forest of Picinguaba, both natural reserves in the State of Sao Paulo, southeastern Brazil. E. secundum flowers all year round, with a flowering peak between September and January. This species is either a lithophytic or terrestrial herb in the SJ, whereas, in Picinguaba, it grows mainly in disturbed areas along roadsides. E. secundum is pollinated by several species of diurnal Lepidoptera at both study sites. In Picinguaba, where E. secundum is sympatric with E. fulgens and both share the same pollinators, pollen transference between these two species was recorded. E. secundum is self-compatible but pollinator-dependent. It is inter-compatible with E. fulgens, producing fertile seeds. In contrast to the population of the SJ, in the Picinguaba region, floral morphology is quite variable among plants and some individuals present flowers with characteristics in-between both sympatric species, suggesting that natural hybridization occasionally occurs. The anthropogenic perturbation is probably the cause of the occurrence of E. secundum in the Picinguaba region, enabling its contact with E. fulgens.