Evaluation of the physiological quality of anadenenthera peregrina (L.) Speg. seeds during storage

The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of storage temperature on the viability and vigour of A. peregrina seeds. Seeds of A. peregrina harvested in Viçosa-MG, in September 2005 were used. The seeds were stored in the Laboratory of Forest Seeds Analysis (LASF) of the Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV), in a cold chamber, under approximately 5ºC over150 days. The seeds were stored under 20ºC for 150 days more. Seed moisture was determined after oven-drying at 105 ± 3ºC for 24 hours. The seeds were analyzed monthly using germination, tetrazolium and electrical conductivity tests and Osmopriming during 300 days, with four repetitions of 25 seeds. A. peregrina seeds kept a constant percentage of germination and viable seeds under the tetrazolium test for five months of storage, under either 5ºC and 20ºC. The electrical conductivity test showed significant differences in relation to the storage period, proving to be more sensitive than the standard germination test. Seed priming in PEG -0,4 MPa solution was not efficient in recovering the viability and vigor of the stored seeds at 5ºC and 20ºC.

LITTERFALL ASSESSEMENT IN A FRAGMENT OF SECONDARY TROPICAL FOREST, IBIÚNA, SP, SOUTHEASTERN BRAZIL1

ABSTRACT The present study aimed to analyze the production and decomposition of litterfall in a fragment of secondary Atlantic forest in the region of Ibiúna, SP, from April 2012 to March 2013. The litterfall production was estimated by 30 collectors distributed randomly in an area of 1000 m2, where the deposited material was collected every 15 days. The decomposition of litterfall was estimated through the mass loss in the period of study. After collecting, the material was dried in an oven at 65 °C for seven days to achieve a constant weight. The decomposition constant k was obteined according to Shanks and Oslon (1961) and the time for 50% and 95% of decomposition was estimated. It was found a higher litterfall production in October (454.3 kg ha-1) and lower production in July (164.9 kg ha-1), with a total amount produced of 3.5 Mg ha-1 year-1. A delay of one month in the precipitation and relative humidity showed great influence in the litter production during the study. The decomposition rate (k) was 3.1 and the time to decompose 50% of the material was estimated in 2 and ½ months and for 95% of the litterfall the time was estimated in 11 and ½ months. The production and decomposition values of this work are within the range found in other sites of secondary tropical forests.

Development of capacitive sensor for measuring soil water content

The irrigation management based on the monitoring of the soil water content allows for the minimization of the amount of water applied, making its use more efficient. Taking into account these aspects, in this work, a sensor for measuring the soil water content was developed to allow real time automation of irrigation systems. This way, problems affecting crop yielding such as irregularities in the time to turn on or turn off the pump, and excess or deficit of water can be solved. To develop the sensors were used stainless steel rods, resin, and insulating varnish. The sensors measuring circuit was based on a microcontroller, which gives its output signal in the digital format. The sensors were calibrated using soil of the type “Quartzarenic Neosoil”. A third order polynomial model was fitted to the experimental data between the values of water content corresponding to the field capacity and the wilting point to correlate the soil water content obtained by the oven standard method with those measured by the electronic circuit, with a coefficient of determination of 93.17%, and an accuracy in the measures of ±0.010 kg kg-1. Based on the results, it was concluded that the sensor and its implemented measuring circuit can be used in the automation process of irrigation systems.

Physiological responses of caprines raised under different types of covering

Thermal discomfort inside facilities is one of the factors responsible for low productivity of caprines in the Brazilian Northeast region, because inadequate weather conditions can cause elevated rectal temperature, increased respiratory rate, decreased food ingestion and reduced production. The present paper aimed to study the behavior of physiological thermoregulation of the animals (respiratory rate - RR and rectal temperature - RT) at four different times of the day (8 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.) and their relation to bioclimatic indexes (Temperature Humidity Index - THI, Black Globe Humidity Index - BGHI and Radiant Heat Load - RHL) in order to determine whether the type of covering used in the animals facilities (ceramic covering - CC, asbestos cement covering - AC and straw covering - SC) interferes with the physiology of thermoregulation. The time of data collection was related to the values of environmental and physiological variables. At 2 p.m. it was found the highest values of Radiant Heat Load on the three types of covering. The values of RT and RR were higher at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and the straw tile provided better thermal conditions of microclimate for the animals. The increased RR maintained the caprines homeothermy.

Evaluation of roof slope and exposure with different roofing materials in reduced models of animal production facilities in spring and summer

The present study was conducted at the Department of Rural Engineering and the Department of Animal Morphology and Physiology of FCAV/Unesp, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil. The objective was to verify the influence of roof slope, exposure and roofing material on the internal temperature of reduced models of animal production facilities. For the development of the research, 48 reduced and dissemble models with dimensions 1.00 × 1.00 × 0.50 m were used. The roof was shed-type, and the models faced to the North or South directions, with 24 models for each side of exposure. Ceramic, galvanized-steel and fibro tiles were used to build the roofs. Slopes varied between 20, 30, 40 and 50% for the ceramic tile and 10, 30, 40 and 50% for the other two. Inside the models, temperature readings were performed at every hour, for 12 months. The results were evaluated in a general linear model in a nested 3 × 4 × 2 factorial arrangement, in which the effects of roofing material and exposure were nested on the factor Slope. Means were compared by the Tukey test at 5% of probability. After analyzing the data, we observed that with the increase in the slope and exposure to the South, there was a drop in the internal temperature within the model at the geographic coordinates of Jaboticabal city (SP/Brazil).

Software for design of experiments and response modelling of cake ltration applications

Filtration is a widely used unit operation in chemical engineering. The huge variation in the properties of materials to be ltered makes the study of ltration a challenging task. One of the objectives of this thesis was to show that conventional ltration theories are di cult to use when the system to be modelled contains all of the stages and features that are present in a complete solid/liquid separation process. Furthermore, most of the ltration theories require experimental work to be performed in order to obtain critical parameters required by the theoretical models. Creating a good overall understanding of how the variables a ect the nal product in ltration is somewhat impossible on a purely theoretical basis. The complexity of solid/liquid separation processes require experimental work and when tests are needed, it is advisable to use experimental design techniques so that the goals can be achieved. The statistical design of experiments provides the necessary tools for recognising the e ects of variables. It also helps to perform experimental work more economically. Design of experiments is a prerequisite for creating empirical models that can describe how the measured response is related to the changes in the values of the variable. A software package was developed that provides a ltration practitioner with experimental designs and calculates the parameters for linear regression models, along with the graphical representation of the responses. The developed software consists of two software modules. These modules are LTDoE and LTRead. The LTDoE module is used to create experimental designs for di erent lter types. The lter types considered in the software are automatic vertical pressure lter, double-sided vertical pressure lter, horizontal membrane lter press, vacuum belt lter and ceramic capillary action disc lter. It is also possible to create experimental designs for those cases where the variables are totally user de ned, say for a customized ltration cycle or di erent piece of equipment. The LTRead-module is used to read the experimental data gathered from the experiments, to analyse the data and to create models for each of the measured responses. Introducing the structure of the software more in detail and showing some of the practical applications is the main part of this thesis. This approach to the study of cake ltration processes, as presented in this thesis, has been shown to have good practical value when making ltration tests.

Software for design of experiments and response modelling of cake filtration applications

Filtration is a widely used unit operation in chemical engineering. The huge variation in the properties of materials to be ltered makes the study of ltration a challenging task. One of the objectives of this thesis was to show that conventional ltration theories are di cult to use when the system to be modelled contains all of the stages and features that are present in a complete solid/liquid separation process. Furthermore, most of the ltration theories require experimental work to be performed in order to obtain critical parameters required by the theoretical models. Creating a good overall understanding of how the variables a ect the nal product in ltration is somewhat impossible on a purely theoretical basis. The complexity of solid/liquid separation processes require experimental work and when tests are needed, it is advisable to use experimental design techniques so that the goals can be achieved. The statistical design of experiments provides the necessary tools for recognising the e ects of variables. It also helps to perform experimental work more economically. Design of experiments is a prerequisite for creating empirical models that can describe how the measured response is related to the changes in the values of the variable. A software package was developed that provides a ltration practitioner with experimental designs and calculates the parameters for linear regression models, along with the graphical representation of the responses. The developed software consists of two software modules. These modules are LTDoE and LTRead. The LTDoE module is used to create experimental designs for di erent lter types. The lter types considered in the software are automatic vertical pressure lter, double-sided vertical pressure lter, horizontal membrane lter press, vacuum belt lter and ceramic capillary action disc lter. It is also possible to create experimental designs for those cases where the variables are totally user de ned, say for a customized ltration cycle or di erent piece of equipment. The LTRead-module is used to read the experimental data gathered from the experiments, to analyse the data and to create models for each of the measured responses. Introducing the structure of the software more in detail and showing some of the practical applications is the main part of this thesis. This approach to the study of cake ltration processes, as presented in this thesis, has been shown to have good practical value when making ltration tests.

CO2 sparging for improving the filtration properties of iron ore slurries

Iron ore treatment processes are usually continuous and high tonnage and filtration equipment has to meet these requirements. In magnetite (Fe3O4) treatment process continuous rotary disc filters are often used for filtration. Carbon dioxide (CO2) treatment is a fairly novel and un-known filtration enhancing process. The interest to use CO2 is quite high because CO2 is a greenhouse gas that is abundant, readily available and capture and use of CO2 would be environmentally beneficial. The focus of this thesis was to investigate if CO2 could be used to enhance the filtration of magnetite with ceramic disc filter. Previous studies have suggested that CO2 could be used to enhance the filtration properties of different iron ores thus increasing the filtration capacity. In the literature part, the basic theory of filtration and the particle properties affecting filtration were discussed. The basic steps of a typical ore treatment process were presented. The reasons why CO2 might enhance the filtration properties of different ores were investigated. A literature survey of earlier studies of CO2 addition as a filter aid was presented and the basic chemical properties and reactions of CO2 were also discussed. The experimental part was done at the LUT Laboratory of Separation Technology using different magnetite samples from the industry. The filtration experiments indicated that CO2 had a positive influence on the filtration properties of magnetite slurry. Zeta potential of untreated and CO2 treated magnetite was measured and CO2 treated magnetite had lower zeta potential values than the untreated magnetite. The filtration capacity was increased while the cake moisture levels were only slightly increased.

Ride Comfort of Automatic Elevator Doors

Ride comfort of elevators is one of the quality criteria valued by customers. The objective of this master’s thesis was to develop a process to measure the ride comfort of automatic elevator doors. The door’s operational noise was chosen as a focus area and other kinds of noise for example caused by pressure differences in the elevator shaft were excluded. The thesis includes a theory part and an empirical part. In the first part theories of quality management, measuring of quality and acoustics are presented. In the empirical part the developed ride comfort measuring process is presented, different operational noise sources are analyzed and an example is presented of how this measuring process can be used to guide product development. To measure ride comfort a process was developed where a two-room silent room was used as a measuring environment and EVA-625 device was used in the actual measuring of door noise. A-weighted decibels were used to scale noise pressure levels and the door movement was monitored with an accelerometer. This enabled the connection between the noise and noise sources which in turn helped to find potential ride comfort improvement ideas. The noise isolation class was also measured with the Ivie-measuring system. Measuring of door ride comfort gives feedback to product development and to managing current product portfolio. Measuring enables the continuous improvement of elevator door ride comfort. The measuring results can also be used to back up marketing arguments for doors.

Maidon ja heran mikrosuodatus

Työssä selvitettiin uudenaikaisten polymeerikalvojen soveltuvuutta maidon sekä heran mikrosuodatukseen. Kirjallisessa osassa perehdyttiin maidon ja heran koostumuksiin, mikrobikantoihin sekä erilaisiin maidon sekä heran rasvanpoisto- ja puhdistusmenetelmiin. Tämän lisäksi käsiteltiin mikrosuodatusmenetelmiä sekä niiden käyttöä heran ja maidon käsittelyssä meijeriteollisuudessa. Kokeellisessa osassa verrattiin kahdella eri suodatuslaitteistolla keraami- ja polymeerikalvojen suodatusominaisuuksia separoidun raakamaidon sekä heran poikkivirtausmikrosuodatuksessa. Tavoitteena oli erottaa suodatettavista liuoksista mikrobit sekä jäännösrasva ja tuottaa puhdasta, proteiinipitoista maitoa / heraa. Koeajoissa otetuista näytteistä analysoitiin ainesosakoostumus sekä mikrobipitoisuudet. Tuloksista määritettiin retentioarvot ja näiden perusteella vertailtiin polymeeri- ja keraamikalvojen erotustehokkuutta. Lisäksi kalvojen toimivuutta arvioitiin vuoarvojen avulla. Raakamaidon suodatuksissa polymeerikalvot pidättivät täydellisesti tai lähes täydellisesti jäännösrasvan ja mikrobit, mutta myös kaseiiniproteiinin. Tästä syystä yksikään polymeerikalvoista ei sovellu puhtaan maidon suodatukseen. Keraamikalvot soveltuvat tähän selkeästi paremmin ja yksikään toinen testatuista kalvoista ei päässyt samalle tasolle meijeriteollisuudessa jo käytössä olevan Membralox 1,4 μm -keraamikalvon kanssa. Heran suodatuksissa polymeerikalvot pidättivät täydellisesti tai lähes täydellisesti rasvan ja mikrobit, mutta keraamikalvo päästi huomattavasti enemmän haluttuja proteiineja permeaattiin. Membralox 0,8 μm -keraamikalvo pidätti täydellisesti mikrobit, mutta päästi jonkin verran jäännösrasvaa permeaattiin. Näin ollen kalvovalinta on kompromissi permeaatin puhtauden ja proteiinin saannon välillä. Keraamikalvojen vuohäviöt olivat merkittävästi pienemmät kuin polymeerikalvoilla molempien syöttöliuosten kanssa. Lisäksi keraamikalvojen puhdistus oli huomattavasti nopeampaa ja helpompaa. Tästä syystä keraamiset kalvot soveltuvat polymeerisiä paremmin maidon ja heran mikrosuodatukseen.

Advanced ceramics: evaluation of the mechanism of stock removal and ground surface quality

The aim of this work is to evaluate the mechanism of stock removal and the ground surface quality of advanced ceramics machined by a surface grinding process using diamond grinding wheels. The analysis of the grinding performance was done regarding the cutting surface wear behavior of the grinding wheel for ceramic workpieces. The ground surface was evaluated using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). As a result it can be said that the mechanism of material removal in the grinding of ceramic is largely one of brittle fracture. The increase of the h max can reduce the tangential force required by the process. Although, it results in an increase in the surface damage, reducing the mechanical properties of the ground component.

Extraction and Simultaneous Determination of Glyphosate, AMPA and Compounds of the Shikimic Acid Pathway in Plants

This study has aimed to develop a method for simultaneous extraction and determination by liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) of glyphosate, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), shikimic acid, quinic acid, phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan. For the joint analysis of these compounds the best conditions of ionization in mass spectrometry and for chromatographic separation of the compounds were selected. Calibration curves and linearity ranges were also determined for each compound. Different extraction systems of the compounds were tested from plant tissues collected from sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus urophylla platiphylla) plants two days after the glyphosate application at the dose of 720 g a.e. ha-1. The plant material was dried in a forced air circulation drying oven and in a lyophilizer, and subsequently the extractions with acidified water (pH 2.5), acetonitrile-water (50:50) [v/v] and methanol-water (50:50) [v/v] were tested. To verify the recovery of the compounds in the plant matrix with acidified water as an extracting solution, the samples were fortified with a solution containing the mixture of the different analytical standards present so that this one presented the same levels of 50 and 100 μg L-1 of each compound. All experiments were conducted with three replicates. The analytical method developed was efficient for compounds quantifications. The extraction from the samples dried in an oven and using acidified water allowed better extraction levels for all compounds. The recovery levels of the compounds in the fortified samples with known amounts of each compound for both plants samples were rather satisfactory.

SEED DORMANCY BREAKING TREATMENTS FORAFRICAN PURSLANE (Zaleya pentandra)

ABSTRACT Understanding the mechanisms involved in releasing seed dormancy is crucial for effective plant management and renewal of species in the arid zone. Zaleya pentandra is an emerging invasive weed of the arid areas of Pakistan. We investigated the effects of different dormancy breaking treatments on the germination of Z. pentandra seeds. Seeds were treated with hot water (by placing them in boiling water for 5, 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 min), dry heat (by placing them in a preheated oven at 70 oC for 1, 2, and 4 hours; at 70 oC for 1, 2, 3, and 4 days, and at 200 oC for 5, 10, 15, 30, and 45 min) and stratification (by placing them at 2-5 ºC in a refrigerator for 5, 10, 30, and 60 min; for 3, 6, and 12 hours, and for 1, 2, 4, 8, 15, and 30 days). Seeds also were soaked in thiourea ([(NH2)2CS] (0, 2,500, 5,000, 7,500, and 10,000 mg L-1 for 24 h at 30 oC) and in KNO3 (0, 10,000, 20,000, 30,000, 40,000, 50,000, and 60,000 mg L-1 for 24 h at 30 oC). Additionally, seeds were scarified with HCl (for 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, and 21 h), HNO3 (for 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, and 21 h), and H2SO4 (for 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, and 120 min at 30 oC) and also mechanically scarified with sandpaper. Zaleya pentandra seeds showed typical signs of hard seed coat dormancy. Mechanical scarification and acid treatments promoted seed germination to a varying degree. Seed scarification with HNO3 for 12 to 18 h as well as with HCl for 12 h and 15 h was efficient in breaking dormancy of Z. pentandra seeds, providing germination up to 92.5%. Seed scarification with H2SO4 from 20 to 120 min showed little effect, whereas hot water, dry heat, stratification and various concentrations of thiourea and KNO3 were ineffective in breaking Z. pentandra seed dormancy.

Optimized Fast-FISH with a-satellite probes: acceleration by microwave activation

It has been shown for several DNA probes that the recently introduced Fast-FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization) technique is well suited for quantitative microscopy. For highly repetitive DNA probes the hybridization (renaturation) time and the number of subsequent washing steps were reduced considerably by omitting denaturing chemical agents (e.g., formamide). The appropriate hybridization temperature and time allow a clear discrimination between major and minor binding sites by quantitative fluorescence microscopy. The well-defined physical conditions for hybridization permit automatization of the procedure, e.g., by a programmable thermal cycler. Here, we present optimized conditions for a commercially available X-specific a-satellite probe. Highly fluorescent major binding sites were obtained for 74oC hybridization temperature and 60 min hybridization time. They were clearly discriminated from some low fluorescent minor binding sites on metaphase chromosomes as well as in interphase cell nuclei. On average, a total of 3.43 ± 1.59 binding sites were measured in metaphase spreads, and 2.69 ± 1.00 in interphase nuclei. Microwave activation for denaturation and hybridization was tested to accelerate the procedure. The slides with the target material and the hybridization buffer were placed in a standard microwave oven. After denaturation for 20 s at 900 W, hybridization was performed for 4 min at 90 W. The suitability of a microwave oven for Fast-FISH was confirmed by the application to a chromosome 1-specific a-satellite probe. In this case, denaturation was performed at 630 W for 60 s and hybridization at 90 W for 5 min. In all cases, the results were analyzed quantitatively and compared to the results obtained by Fast-FISH. The major binding sites were clearly discriminated by their brightness

Susteinable steelmaking by process integration

Environmental issues, including global warming, have been serious challenges realized worldwide, and they have become particularly important for the iron and steel manufacturers during the last decades. Many sites has been shut down in developed countries due to environmental regulation and pollution prevention while a large number of production plants have been established in developing countries which has changed the economy of this business. Sustainable development is a concept, which today affects economic growth, environmental protection, and social progress in setting up the basis for future ecosystem. A sustainable headway may attempt to preserve natural resources, recycle and reuse materials, prevent pollution, enhance yield and increase profitability. To achieve these objectives numerous alternatives should be examined in the sustainable process design. Conventional engineering work cannot address all of these substitutes effectively and efficiently to find an optimal route of processing. A systematic framework is needed as a tool to guide designers to make decisions based on overall concepts of the system, identifying the key bottlenecks and opportunities, which lead to an optimal design and operation of the systems. Since the 1980s, researchers have made big efforts to develop tools for what today is referred to as Process Integration. Advanced mathematics has been used in simulation models to evaluate various available alternatives considering physical, economic and environmental constraints. Improvements on feed material and operation, competitive energy market, environmental restrictions and the role of Nordic steelworks as energy supplier (electricity and district heat) make a great motivation behind integration among industries toward more sustainable operation, which could increase the overall energy efficiency and decrease environmental impacts. In this study, through different steps a model is developed for primary steelmaking, with the Finnish steel sector as a reference, to evaluate future operation concepts of a steelmaking site regarding sustainability. The research started by potential study on increasing energy efficiency and carbon dioxide reduction due to integration of steelworks with chemical plants for possible utilization of available off-gases in the system as chemical products. These off-gases from blast furnace, basic oxygen furnace and coke oven furnace are mainly contained of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, nitrogen and partially methane (in coke oven gas) and have proportionally low heating value but are currently used as fuel within these industries. Nonlinear optimization technique is used to assess integration with methanol plant under novel blast furnace technologies and (partially) substitution of coal with other reducing agents and fuels such as heavy oil, natural gas and biomass in the system. Technical aspect of integration and its effect on blast furnace operation regardless of capital expenditure of new operational units are studied to evaluate feasibility of the idea behind the research. Later on the concept of polygeneration system added and a superstructure generated with alternative routes for off-gases pretreatment and further utilization on a polygeneration system producing electricity, district heat and methanol. (Vacuum) pressure swing adsorption, membrane technology and chemical absorption for gas separation; partial oxidation, carbon dioxide and steam methane reforming for methane gasification; gas and liquid phase methanol synthesis are the main alternative process units considered in the superstructure. Due to high degree of integration in process synthesis, and optimization techniques, equation oriented modeling is chosen as an alternative and effective strategy to previous sequential modelling for process analysis to investigate suggested superstructure. A mixed integer nonlinear programming is developed to study behavior of the integrated system under different economic and environmental scenarios. Net present value and specific carbon dioxide emission is taken to compare economic and environmental aspects of integrated system respectively for different fuel systems, alternative blast furnace reductants, implementation of new blast furnace technologies, and carbon dioxide emission penalties. Sensitivity analysis, carbon distribution and the effect of external seasonal energy demand is investigated with different optimization techniques. This tool can provide useful information concerning techno-environmental and economic aspects for decision-making and estimate optimal operational condition of current and future primary steelmaking under alternative scenarios. The results of the work have demonstrated that it is possible in the future to develop steelmaking towards more sustainable operation.