THE INFLUENCE OF ATTRACTANTS AND REPELLENTS ON THE FEEDING BEHAVIOUR OF Rattus norvegicus

Poison baits are extensively used for commensal rodent control; considerable folk lore exists regarding the use of additives to induce rodents to come to and eat poison baits. This paper describes a rational evaluation of attractants and the influence of different odours in inducing Rattus norvegicus to feed at given locations. The influence of certain repellents was also examined. Tests consisted of attempts to induce rats to feed at non-preferred sites or to repel them from preferred sites. Place preference was the dominant factor in feeding by rats, and odours failed to influence feeding activity significantly.

Propriedades estruturais e espectroscópicas de WO3 e WO3:Eu3+

Used as catalysts even in organic and inorganic molecules, as additives on catalysts, electrochromic films on smart windows the tungsten trioxide have been largely studied on the lasts decades, but there is just a few about it's luminescence. Using as precursors nitric acid and sodium tungstate the tungsten trioxide were been prepared thru wet process then treating on thermic and hydrothermal treatments. Where been evaluated the effects of methodology, nitric acid concentration, duration and temperature of treatments. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman scattering spectroscopy (RSS), Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy (PLS) and X-ray excited optical luminescence (XEOL). Hydrated phases of tungsten trioxide were obtained through hydrothermal treatments and the non-hydrated phases occur with thermic treatments. The acid concentration has the ability to determine the major phase formed as well the temperature determine the hydratation of the product. With lower temperatures dihydrate phase were preferable formed and with the rise of temperature, the water molecules were lost up to the fractionary hydratation and then the non-hydrated phase with higher temperatures depending on the atmosphere used on the thermal treatment. Doping the system with europium ions even substituting tungsten or in the interstices of the matrix were not been successful, as well the XEOL spectroscopy intensity were null and quite low for ultraviolet and visible excitation photoluminescence because of oxygen defect levels localized into the prohibited band.

Investigação dos métodos de separação, uso e aplicação da Lignina proveniente da biomassa lignocelulósica

This study investigated the main methods of separation of components of lignocellulosic biomass, with an emphasis on obtaining lignin and its application. The work was developed based on the concept of Biorefinery proposing full use of renewable raw materials and / or the use of lignocellulosic agricultural residues by biochemical or biotechnological conversion in obtaining high value added products with minimal environmental impact. From this premise, a literature review was performed in refereed journal articles and theses in order to gather enough material for critical analysis of usual and alternative methods in the literature. When researching methods that add value to lignin, it was found that with the technology found today, the cost required to have a degree of competitiveness is still too high, preventing much of the process. However, the isolated lignin can be used as raw material in the production of numerous types of biocomposites and polymers and other products such as phenols, benzene, dispersants, vanillin, emulsifying agents, antioxidants, pesticides, fertilizers, charcoal, concrete additives, among others. As an industrial production level is necessary, because the consumption of biomass will only grow over the years, it is necessary that new methods or technologies to be created in order to facilitate the extensive use of lignocellulosic biomass

Highly stabilized alpha-NiCo(OH)(2) nanomaterials for high performance device application

Improving the charge capacity, electrochemical reversibility and stability of anode materials are main challenges for the development of Ni-based rechargeable batteries and devices. The combination of cobalt, as additive, and electrode material nanostructuration revealed a very promising approach for this purpose. The new alpha-NiCo mixed hydroxide based electrodes exhibited high specific charge/discharge capacity (355-714 C g(-1)) and outstanding structural stability, withstanding up to 700 redox cycles without any significant phase transformation, as confirmed by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance and X-ray diffractometry. In short, the nanostructured alpha-NiCo mixed hydroxide materials possess superior electrochemical properties and stability, being strong candidates for application in high performance batteries and devices. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Anion dopant effects on the structure and performance of polyethersulfone membranes

In this work, the effect of various casting solution salt dopants with similar cations, but different anions: (NaPO3)(6), Na2SO4, Na2CO3, NaCl, and NaF, on the morphology and performance of polyethersulfone ultrafiltration membranes was evaluated. The phase inversion process was used to produce all membranes using an 18% polyethersulfone in n-methylpyrrolidone casting solution and water as the non-solvent. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the membrane cross-section and surface pores were used to determine the specific anion effects on membrane morphology. The SEM images depicted significant changes to the membrane internal structure and pore size with respect to the type and concentration of the casting solution anion dopant. Membrane permeability, molecular weight cut-off, alginate retention, and susceptibility to fouling were evaluated using ultrapure water dead-end and ultrapure water, aqueous polyethylene glycol, aqueous sodium alginate, and natural surface water cross-flow filtration tests. Among the anions evaluated, hexametaphosphate doped at 1% w/w to the polymer resulted in the membrane with highest dead-end permeability at 490 LMH-bar (2- to 3-fold greater than the control), greatest alginate retention at 96.5%, and lowest susceptibility to fouling. The significant increase in membrane performance indicates that the hexametaphosphate anion has great potential to be used as a membrane casting solution dopant. It was also clearly demonstrated that membrane pore morphological characteristics can be effectively used to predict drinking water treatment performance. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Estimation methods of non-additive effects for characteristics of weight and scrotal circumference in crossbred beef cattle

The objective of this study was to investigate, in a population of crossbred cattle, the obtainment of the non-additive genetic effects for the characteristics weight at 205 and 390 days and scrotal circumference, and to evaluate the consideration of these effects in the prediction of breeding values of sires using different estimation methodologies. In method 1, the data were pre-adjusted for the non-additive effects obtained by least squares means method in a model that considered the direct additive, maternal and non-additive fixed genetic effects, the direct and total maternal heterozygosities, and epistasis. In method 2, the non-additive effects were considered covariates in genetic model. Genetic values for adjusted and non-adjusted data were predicted considering additive direct and maternal effects, and for weight at 205 days, also the permanent environmental effect, as random effects in the model. The breeding values of the categories of sires considered for the weight characteristic at 205 days were organized in files, in order to verify alterations in the magnitude of the predictions and ranking of animals in the two methods of correction data for the non-additives effects. The non-additive effects were not similar in magnitude and direction in the two estimation methods used, nor for the characteristics evaluated. Pearson and Spearman correlations between breeding values were higher than 0.94, and the use of different methods does not imply changes in the selection of animals.

Modified CUPRAC spectrophotometric quantification of total polyphenol content in beer samples using Cu(II)/neocuproine complexes

Cu(II)/neocuproine (2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline) complexes were utilized for spectrophotometric determination of total polyphenol content in beers. This procedure is based on the reduction of Cu(II) by polyphenols in hydroethanolic medium (pH 7.0) in the presence of neocuproine, yielding Cu(I)/complexes with maximum absorption at 454 nm. The sensitivity of the proposed method was compared with the AOAC method using tannic and gallic acid as standards. The average apparent molar absorptivity, in L cm(-1) mol(-1), of tannic acid (3.50 +/- 0.20) x 10(5) and gallic acid (5.12 +/- 0.21) x 10(4), was twice as high for the proposed method. A lower limit of detection (LOD) (2.9 x 10(-1) mg L-1) was found when tannic acid was used in the proposed method. Additionally, less interference from the most common additives in beers was noticed. Total content of polyphenols was analyzed in 17 Brazilian samples. Results ranged from 35.5 to 556 mg L-1 of tannic acid, with higher values for recovery rates (45.4-118%, mean 85.0%) than for gallic acid. Although tannic acid is a mixture of polygalloyl glucoses, the total polyphenol content found in the samples suggests that tannic acid should be used as a standard. This is the first attempt to use this particular copper complex to quantify total polyphenol content in beer samples. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Ochratoxin A in wines from 2002 to 2008 harvest marketed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The occurrence of ochratoxin A (OTA) in wine from 2002 to 2008 harvest, traded in Rio de Janeiro State, was evaluated by analysing 43 national and 37 imported wines from Argentina (32) and Chile (5), adding up to 80 samples in total. OTA determination was performed using immunoaffinity columns and high-performance liquid chromatography. In 80 wine samples analysed, 25 (31.3%) were positive, presenting levels greater than 0.020 ng OTA mL(-1). It was not detected in imported wines. Within national wines, 58.1% of the samples were contaminated, with levels ranging from 0.020 to 0.050 ng mL(-1). The toxin was detected in 18 (69.2%) of 26 samples analysed of red table wine. Wines from 2008 harvest presented 84.6% of samples contaminated in 13 samples analysed. Despite the levels found in this study, they are below Brazilian tolerance limits. Nevertheless, the presence of OTA as found contributes to the human exposure to this toxin.

Rapid sample preparation procedure for As speciation in food samples by LC-ICP-MS

This paper describes a rapid method for arsenic (As) speciation by LC-ICP-MS in several types of food samples. Prior to analysis, samples were milled and the As species extracted from biological tissues by sonication in only 2 min with a solution containing MeOH (10%, v/v) plus HNO3 (2%, v/v). As species were separated by LC using an anion exchange column. Method detection limits for AsB, As3+,DMA, MMA and As5+ were 1.3, 0.9, 0.6, 0.7 and 0.8 ng g(-1), respectively. Method accuracy and precision were traceable to Certified Reference Materials SRM1577 bovine liver from the National Institute of Standards and Technology, CE278 mussel tissue from the Institute of Reference Materials and Measurements and DOLT-3 dogfish liver tissue and DORM-3 fish protein from the National Research Council of Canada. Finally, the method was applied to speciate As in food samples (egg, fish muscle, beef and chicken) purchased in Brazilian markets.

Glycerol as a by-product of biodiesel production in Brazil: Alternatives for the use of unrefined glycerol

On January 1 2008, Brazil included yet another element into its energy matrix: biodiesel. The predominant biodiesel production process involves a phase of transesterification that yields glycerol as a by-product. The use of this glycerol is limited since it is considered an unrefined raw material that must be refined for its various types of use. Several studies have addressed identification of possible uses for unrefined glycerol. Given the diversity of uses, an overview is necessary. The purpose of this work is to present alternatives currently being considered for the use of unrefined glycerol as a by-product of biodiesel production, aiming to contribute to the sustainable consolidation of the biofuel market. Exploratory research was carried out to identify these viable alternatives for the use of this by-product. The possibilities include the production of chemical products, fuel additives, production of hydrogen, development of fuel cells, ethanol or methanol production, animal feed, co-digestion and co-gasification, and waste treatment among others. The present research reveals that there are promising possibilities for the use of unrefined glycerol, which may help consolidate the sustainability of the biofuel market. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Magnetic Properties of Liquid-Phase Sintered CoFe2O4 for Application in Magnetoelastic and Magnetoelectric Transducers

Cobalt ferrite is a ferrimagnetic magnetostrictive ceramic that has potential application in magnetoelastic and magnetoelectric transducers. In this work, CoFe2O4 was obtained using a conventional ceramic method and Bi2O3 was used as additive in order to obtain liquid-phase sintered samples. Bi2O3 was added to the ferrite in amounts ranging from 0.25 mol% to 0.45 mol% and samples were sintered at 900 degrees C and 950 degrees C. It was observed the presence of Bi-containing particles in the microstructure of the sintered samples and the magnetostriction results indicated microstructural anisotropy. It was verified that it is possible to get dense cobalt ferrites, liquid-phase sintered, with relative densities higher than 90% and with magnetostriction values very close to samples sintered without additives.

Microencapsulation of Ketoprofen in Blends of Acrylic Resins by Spray Drying

Microparticles of ketoprofen entrapped in blends of acrylic resins (Eudragit RL 30D and RS 30D) were successfully produced by spray drying. The effects of the proportion ketoprofen : polymer (1: 1 and 1: 3) and of spray-drying parameters (drying gas inlet temperatures of 80 and 100 degrees C; microencapsulating composition feed flow rates of 4 and 6 g/min) on the microparticles properties (drug content, encapsulation efficiency, mean particle size, moisture content, and dissolution behavior) were evaluated. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) thermograms and X-ray diffractograms of the spray-dried product, the free drug, and the physical mixture between the free drug and spray-dried composition (blank) were carried out. Microparticles obtained at inlet temperature of 80 degrees C, feed flow rate of 4 g/min, and ketoprofen : acrylic resin ratio of 1: 3 presented an encapsulation efficiency of 88.1%, moisture content of 5.8%, production yield around 50%, and a higher reduction in dissolution rate of the entrapped ketoprofen. Sigmoidal shape dissolution profiles were presented by the spray-dried microparticles. The dissolution profiles were relatively well described by the Weibull model, a showing high coefficient of determination, R-2, and a mean absolute error between experimental and estimated values of between 4.6 and 10.1%.

Evaluation of mannan-oligosaccharides offered in milk replacers or calf starters and their effect on performance and rumen development of dairy calves

The objective of this study was to evaluate the route of administration of mannan-oligosaccharides in the diet of dairy calves and their effects on performance and plasma parameters indicative of rumen development. Following birth, twenty-four male Holstein calves were used in a completely randomized design and assigned to the following treatments: Control; 4 g/d Bio-Mos (R) (Alltech Biotech.) added to starter concentrate; and 4 g/d Bio-Mos (R) mixed into milk replacer. Animals were housed in individual hutches with free access to water, and fed 4L/d of milk replacer until weaning at six weeks. Calves also received 23g/kg crude protein of starter concentrate ad libitum. Fecal scores were evaluated daily. Body weights, growth measurements and blood samples for glucose, urea-N and beta-hidroxibutyrate analyses were taken weekly until 8 weeks of age. There were no significant effects of treatment or treatment x age interactions for mean starter concentrate intake, weight gain or body growth. However, there was a significant age effect for all parameters. Fecal scores were not affected by treatments. Also, plasma concentration of glucose, urea-N or beta-hidroxibutyrate were not affected by treatment or the treatment x age interaction. However, urea-N and beta-hidroxibutyrate concentrations significantly increased with age, suggesting adequate rumen development. Under the conditions of this study, there were no calf performance benefits when mannan-oligosaccharides were incorporated into milk replacer or calf starter concentrate.

Characterization of a thermostable extracellular tannase produced under submerged fermentation by Aspergillus ochraceus

Background: Tannases are enzymes that may be used in different industrial sectors as, for example, food and pharmaceutical. They are obtained mainly from microorganisms, as filamentous fungi. However, the diversity of fungi stays poorly explored for tannase production. In this article, Aspergillus ochraceus is presented as a new source of tannase with interesting features for biotechnological applications. Results: Extracellular tannase production was induced when the fungus was cultured in Khanna medium with tannic acid as carbon source. The extracellular tannase was purified 9-fold with 2% recovery and a single band corresponding to 85 kDa was observed in SDS-PAGE. The native apparent molecular mass was estimated as 112 kDa. Optima of temperature and pH were 40 degrees C and 5.0, respectively. The enzyme was fully stable from 40 degrees C to 60 degrees C during 1 hr. The activity was enhanced by Mn2+ (33-39%) and NH4+ (15%). The purified tannase hydrolyzed tannic acid and methyl gallate with Km of 0.76 mM and 0.72 mM, respectively, and Vmax of 0.92 U/mg protein and 0.68 U/mg protein, respectively. The analysis of a partial sequence of the tannase encoding gene showed an open read frame of 567 bp and a sequence of 199 amino acids were predicted. TLC analysis revealed the presence of gallic acid as a tannic acid hydrolysis product. Conclusion: The extracellular tannase produced by A. ochraceus showed distinctive characteristics such as monomeric structure and activation by Mn2+, suggesting a new kind of fungal tannases with biotechnological potential. Further, it was the first time that a partial gene sequence for A. ochraceus tannase was described.

Hofmeister effects on the colloidal stability of poly(ethylene glycol)-decorated nanoparticles

The colloidal stability of poly(ethylene glycol)-decorated poly(methyl methacrylate), PMMA/Tween-20, particles was investigated by means of phase separation measurements, in the presence of sodium fluoride (NaF), sodium chloride, sodium bromide, sodium nitrate, or sodium thiocyanate (NaSCN) at 1.0 mol L-1. Following Hofmeister's series, the dispersions of PMMA/Tween-20 destabilized faster in the presence of NaF than with NaSCN. After the phase separation, the systems were homogenized and except for the dispersions in NaF, re-dispersed particles took longer to destabilize, indicating that anions adsorbed on the particles, creating a new surface. Except for F- ions, the adsorption of anions on the polar outmost shell was evidenced by means of tensiometry and small-angle X-ray scattering measurements. Fluoride ions induced the dehydration of the polar shell, without affecting the polar shell electron density, and the formation of very large aggregates. A model was proposed to explain the colloidal behavior in the presence of Hofmeister ions.