RCAAP Repository

Introduction: The elements of the NANDA-I nursing diagnosis "Caregiver role strain" may not be able to adequately express the phenomenon, as experienced by family caregivers of elderly, in our sociocultural context. Objective: To validate the NANDA-I nursing diagnosis "Caregiver role strain" in family caregivers of dependent elderly. Method: This is a methodological research subsidized by the validation model of the Hoskins' nursing diagnosis: concept analysis, expert validation and clinical validation. In order to perform the conceptual analysis, we adopted the model proposed by Walker and Avant and the methodological steps of integrative literature review. In the second stage, we had the participation of 30 expert nurses, who assessed the relevance of the elements achieved in the conceptual analysis of the diagnosis under study. In the stage of clinical validation, we had the participation of two diagnostician nurses and 40 family caregivers of dependent elderly cared for by the Home Care Service of Joao Pessoa-PB, in order to verify, in the clinical environment, the elements identified through conceptual analysis and expert validation. Data collection took place from February 2014 to September 2015, and the analysis was held in a quantitative approach. This study was appreciated by the Ethics Committee of the Health Sciences Center of the Federal University of Paraiba and approved under the Protocol record n° 029/14 and CAAE: 26449113.6.0000.5188. Results: In the stage of concept analysis, we identified new elements (definition, defining characteristics and related factors) of the nursing diagnosis under analysis and elements similar to those contained in the NANDA-I, which were defined in the theoretical and operational scope. These findings subsidized the elaboration of the data collection instrument of the stage of expert validation. After appreciation of experts, we identified 48 defining characteristics and 50 related factors relevant to the diagnosis, as well as a new definition. These elements were appreciated in the clinical environment, thereby resulting in the validation of 29 defining characteristics, eleven of which are not covered by the NANDA-I Taxonomy, 28 related factors, seven of which are not included in this Taxonomy, and the following definition for the nursing diagnosis "Caregiver role strain": dynamic state of change in the biopsychosocial welfare of the caregiver, multidetermined and cumulative, resulting from the process of caring for a relative or other significant people. Lastly, when considering the total scores of the analyzed diagnostic of 0,72, concerning the stage of by expert validation, and 0,69 in the stage of clinical validation. Conclusion: We can conclude that the validation of the diagnosis "Caregiver role strain", in our context, was estimated as appropriate. This is a pioneering study with regard to the validation of the diagnosis "Caregiver role strain" in the Brazilian context, thereby subsidizing important contributions to research, teaching and nursing practice.

This research was performed in the State School Immaculate Conception in the city of Cabedelo, with 40 high school students. For this work were developed two learning situations (SA) focusing on the "initial questioning," three stages of the first of a dynamic call pedagogical moments proposed by Delizoicov. To guide the implementation of the SA was developed a teaching situation (SE). The SA were developed with students in the form of texts containing history of Science and questions where students should discuss, argue and develop a response to questions about the text and the daily about the heat and temperature concepts. Completing the practice a pre-test with multiple choice questions about the concepts of heat and temperature was applied. The students' answers were analyzed using the approach of conceptual profiles proposed by Mortimer. The ideas expressed by students were confronted with current scientific ideas to diagnose conceptual cognitive barriers. In the analysis of students' responses to the SA were identified 25 conceptual cognitive barriers, of which 10 were in the category related to cold concepts, heat and temperature, and were classified as belonging to the animist areas, substantialistic and realistic conceptual profile. In the pre-test were identified 9, these two had already been identified in the responses of the students regarding the SA. These 9 conceptual cognitive barriers were classified as belonging to the substantialist and realistic areas of conceptual profile. These conceptual cognitive barriers should be considered by the teacher during the development of classes and, with it, the teacher should seek to develop practices aimed at overcoming them, should make students aware of the need to build new knowledge (scientific) that may better explain phenomena occurring daily, and causing them to rethink about the world they live in.

This study aimed to deepen the comprehension about school’s psychologist’s professional qualification, conceptions and practices. School psychologist composes effectively professional staff of João Pessoa since 98, through law n° 8682/98, joining on schools by public tender or by hires. To obtain information about school psychologist’s professional identity and the conceptions that guide their practices, there were interviewed 55 professionals. The interview were registered by a voice recorder and literally transcript to analysis. The results indicated that the majority of professionals do not present qualification in School Psychology area, relating job’s opportunity as one of the motivations to work in this area, what have consequences to the practices in curse. The majority of professionals concluded Psychology’s university more than 20 years ago and are not involved in a continue qualification in service that makes possible to review identity and practices of school psychologist and the mobilization of the competences that are necessary on the school context. Besides that, were investigated the practices developed by school psychologists and those that the consider favorable to school context. Were verified divergences between these practices, what may be related to the difficulties related by school psychologists. It is suggested the importance of realize constantly studies in the area, aiming to know practices that promote development and learning processes in educational contexts.

It is known that ethanol present in the alcoholic beverages, of acute or chronic ingestion in its various levels, leave to a variety of organic alterations that can interfere with more basic behavioral and cognitive processes. In this sense, the present study aimed to evaluate the influence of acute and chronic ethanol intake in the auditory perception and neuropsychological functioning. Acute ingestion was experimentally manipulated in college students with 18 to 30 years old compared with themselves in two different sessions. In one of days, they had to ingest a quantity of alcohol proportional to their body weight and when they possessed 0.08% of ethanol in the blood they were evaluated. In another day, they drank just a placebo drink. The chronic ingestion of alcohol was evaluated in Alcoholics Anonymous participants, aged 40-60 years, who had 1-15 years of abstinence. They were evaluated in separate groups of three years of abstinence and were compared to a control group of first degree relatives. The auditory perception was evaluated by means of a test for discrimination of musical notes corresponding to standard Western scale sound frequencies. Cognitive functioning was evaluated by means of neuropsychological tests for the processes of memory, attention, and executive functioning. The results showed that both forms of alcohol intake cause perceptual hearing loss as well as the some neuropsychological subfunctions evaluated, suggesting that the use of ethanol may be a path of some cognitive impairment.

Heterogeneous photocatalysis is an important alternative for environmental remediation, with the possibility of its use for degradation of textile dyes effluents, as remazol golden yellow (RNL). Many semiconductors can be employed as photocatalysts, highlighting commercial TiO2 P25 Evonik, a mixture of anatase and rutile phases. Other materials have been studied for such application, including SrSnO3. In this work, strontium stannate was synthesized by the modified Pechini method and its photocatalytic activity on the degradation of the RNL textile was evaluated, as well as the activity for the commercial P25. The aim of this study was determining the role of each active specie on the photodegradation of the RNL system. In order to achieve such objective, some experiments were carried out in the presence of hydroxyl radical, hole and electron scavengers (isopropanol, formic acid and silver, respectively). The photocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XDR), infrared spectroscopy (IV), Raman spectroscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy, surface area by BET method, and zero charge potential. SrSnO3 obtained showed strontium carbonate as secondary phase, and this may have caused a short-range disorder for the material. The photocatalytic performance was evaluated by UV-Vis spectroscopy analysis of the RNL solutions before and after UVC irradiation in the presence of catalysts. The use of scavengers showed that, for both catalysts, hydroxyl radical play a major role, holes have an important participation on the formation of these radicals while electrons have no considerable participation. The results confirm that recombination is a limiting factor for SrSnO3 and P25.

This thesis aimed to know in what extent values, attitudes toward schooling context and learning, and school engagement predict academic performance. Moreover, we intended to develop two psychological measures [Self-Evaluation of Academic Performance Scale (SEAAS) and Attitudes toward Schooling Context Scale (ASCS)], adapt the Attitudes toward Learning Scale (ATLS) to Brazilian context and verify their psychometric parameters. The Study 1 refers to elaboration process of measures and counted with 481 students from 6th to 9th grades of public and private schools from João Pessoa (PB), with average age of 12,9 years-old (sd = 1,59), equally distributed by sex. Participants answered a questionnaire with opened questions regarding academic performance and school context. The answers were examined by an automatic content analysis (ALCESTE) and items were formulated from them to compose both SEAAS and ASCS. The Study 2, presents the psychometric parameters of referred measures, and also of ATLS. Participated 200 students from High School, mostly females (53,5%), with average age of 12,6 years-old (sd = 1,50). The exploratory analysis of SEAAS, distinguished two components: satisfaction (α = 0,92, rm.i. = 0,39) and dissatisfaction with academic performance (α = 0,80, rm.i. = 0,25). Regarding the ASCS, were extracted three components from its items: attitudes toward teachers (α = 0,90, rm.i. = 0,45), school (α = 0,85, rm.i. = 0,43) and classmates (α = 0,85, rm.i.). Lastly, the original four-factor structure of ATLS were confirmed in this context: openness (α = 0,86, rm.i = 0,40), negative disposition (α = 0,77, rm.i = 0,40), expectative (α = 0,76, rm.i = 0,35) and anxiety (α = 0,73, rm.i = 0,31) related to learning. Since the measures reached suitable patterns of validity and precision, we performed the Study 3. With a sample of 210 students, basically with same characteristics of samples from previous studies, this study aimed to confirm the factorial structure of these three measures. The results showed that all of them presented satisfactory fit indexes, although they also have showed that for SEASS it is more adequate consider only one factor. In the Study 4, we looked for knowing in what extent academic performance is related to variables aforementioned. To reach this goal we counted with 200 students who answered to Basic Values Survey (BVS), School Engagement Scale (SES) and socio-demographic questions, besides the three measures from study 3. Academic performance was correlated with all variables considered, except with excitement values and expectations from learning. In this sense, we performed multiple linear regressions to know the predictive relations between these variables, resulting in an explanatory model of academic performance. The study 5, describes the testing of hierarchical model: values (normative, interactive and suprapersonal) → educational attitudes (toward school context and learning) → school engagement → academic performance. With a sample of 425 students from High School, this model has shown promising, with satisfactory fit indexes [²/gl = 1,99, GFI = 0,96, AGFI = 0,92, CFI = 0,94 e RMSEA = 0,07 (IC90% = 0,03-0,10)]. The goals of this thesis were reached, emphasizing the functional theory of human values. We hope that the results presented here might be useful to ground future researches and interventions to promote improvement in students’ academic performance.

This dissertation aimed to identify the relationships between voting intention and religious, educational and values aspects. Two studies were conducted, each one with two steps. Study 1 initially gathered evidence of validity and reliability of the Voting Intention by Political Positions Scale and the Non-conventional Political Participation Scale. Participated 374 undergraduate students with a mean age of 23.7 years (SD = 7.25). For the first instrument, its items were grouped into a single factor that explained 78.2% of the variance (α = 0.95). The second measure had its three-factor structure supported by a Principal Component Analysis (PC): legal demonstration (α = 0.74), violence using (α = 0.62) and passive participation (α = 0.69), which together account for 49% of the variance. Participated in the second stage 351 students with a mean age of 23.7 years (SD = 7.28), answering the above measures and: Basic Values Survey, Religious Practices Scale, Religious Beliefs Scale and a list of attributes. Hypothetical candidate profiles were randomly distributed, deriving from religious orientation vs schooling. The results showed positive correlations between Catholic and Protestant beliefs with the Catholic and Evangelical profiles voting intention, respectively; higher definition by positive attributes and higher voting intention on the profiles with higher education level; and values congruence between participants and candidates in general. About the Study 2, participants were 226 people online recruited, with a mean age of 24.9 (SD = 5.77). This first stage focused on the psychometric properties of the Religious Fundamentalism Scale and the Four Basic Dimensions of Religiousness Scale. For the first one, it was found a solution unifactorial through a PC, with its component explained 50% of the variance (α = 0.90). The second one had its four-factor model supported by a Confirmatory Factor Analysis [χ²/df = 2.67, GFI = 0.91, AGFI = 0.86, CFI = 0.97 and RMSEA = 0.08 (90% CI = 0.068 - 0.104)], with the following factors: community (α = 0.95), morality (α = 0.93), emotions (α = 0.89) and meaning (α = 0.85). The second step included 165 subjects with a mean age of 25.1 (SD = 5.47), also recruited virtually. Were applied the following instruments: Politician-religiousness IAT, Voting Intention by Political Positions Scale, the Basic Values Questionnaire, Social Dominance Orientation, and Right-Wing Authoritarianism. The results showed a faster association of the Politician-religiousness IAT’s congruent block (religious politician + positive); D score was positively correlated with fundamentalism and normative values; there was explicitly greater voting intention in the non-religious candidate, with influence of the religiousness level and the importance of religion. It is estimated that the objectives of this dissertation were achieved, contributing to the knowledge about the religious, educational and values aspects of the voting intention; and about implicit attitudes towards religious politicians.

Introduction: The present study had as general objective to analyze the vulnerability and preventive practices against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) affective-sexual relations. Methods: this was an exploratory study and descriptive, transversal and qualitative character. The sample was composed of 18 participants defined lesbian women, with ages ranging from 19 to 42 years (M = 26; DP = 6.1). For the collection of data was used a demographic questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. The collection came from a participant matrix and followed the selection of new participants by the method of "snowball". The data from the demographic questionnaire were analyzed through descriptive statistics in PASW Statistics Software (SPSS) for Mac-23 version, the data obtained in the interviews were analyzed by analyzing thematic category MAXQDA software 11-Data Analysis Qualitative Software (qualitative data analysis Software). Results: Were applicants in the accounts the idea of greater vulnerability associated with the male presence in the relationship, getting behind in speeches that the only relationship between women could be a protective factor. Reports emerged about the absence of further clarification about the existence, use and effectiveness of preventive inputs to STD's that can be used in relations between women. Were highlighted in the speeches that the alleged methods available would not own, or designed to prevent the STDs among women, considering that most of these means of prevention would be adaptations of existing methods, as the male condom or unlubricated adaptations of items which originally would be used for other purposes (plastic film, PVC gloves, latex barrier use in dentistry). Confidence in the partnership and in the existence of a presumed fidelity were cited as elements of prevention strategies. The bias was related to lack of campaigns that drive the lesbians on the need to prevent sexual relations, and stigma to the myth that lesbians would be marginalized women. The presence of the element constraint was highlighted as a factor preventing the search for Gynecological medical care. The lack of preparation of health professionals emerged as an element that can influence on increasing the vulnerability of this population health. More than half of the participants stated that often reveal their sexual orientation to doctors gynecologists, which may indicate a breakthrough for Lesbian visibility. It is concluded that the factors of programmatic can influence more evident to the worsening in the situations of vulnerability to health of lesbians, although elements of individual and social dimension also are associated and these misdeeds. These findings may serve as a framework that highlights elements of individual, social order, as well as deficiencies in programmatic, that relate and can influence for the most vulnerable situation in health of lesbians.

In this work the properties of the Sb(III) and Bi(III) complexes with mesoionic 1,3-thiazolium-5-thiolates and derivatives of the 1,3,5-triazine have been investigate from theoretical and experimental perspectives. This thesis was divided in three parts. In the first part, the performance of the semiempirical methods was assessed regarding to the prediction of the geometries of 54 Sb(III) complexes and 75 of Bi(III) with ligands, macrocyclic, heterocyclic, amine carboxylate tiocompounds and organometallic. The results indicated that AM1 and PM3 correctly predict the geometries of Sb complexes. PM6 is more accurate to predict the geometries of both Sb and Bi tiocompounds. However, PM6 presented an inability to reproduce the geometries of complexes with Sb−N bonds. In general, PM6 is more accurate to Bi complexes. In the second part, a theoretical and experimental study of Sb(III) and Bi(III) complexes with mesoionic 1,3-thiazólio-5-thiolates ligands has been performed. Five new complexes of formulas [Sb4Cl12(M1)3], [SbCl3(M2)]·H2O, [Bi4Cl12(M1)3], [Bi4Br12(M1)3] and [Bi4Br12(M2)3] have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, 13C NRM and conductivity measurements. Both complexes and mesoionic ligands were studied for their antimicrobial activity against species of bacteria Estafilococos aureus and fungi C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. krusei. Sb complexes and their corresponding mesoionic ligands exhibited active against all the bacteria and fungi with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in the range 256-1024 μg/mL. On the other hand, the Bi complexes not exhibit such activities. The theoretical study of the ground state geometries, electronic structures, thermodynamic stabilities and chemical bonds of the complexes [MX3(L)] (X = F, Cl, Br, L= M1, M2, M3) in gas phase have been carried out at DFT and MP2 theoretical level. Potential energy curves (PECs) were calculated using B3LYP, M06-2X and MP2 level of theory with 6-31G basis set for all element, except Sb and Bi which we applied the 6-31G(d) basis set coupled to relativistic pseudopotentials. The PECs calculated with MP2 and M06-2X indicated that the minima structures are stable by multiple intramolecular interactions. The analysis considering NBO charges indicated which the metal coordination led to the loss of mesoionic character, producing large charge delocalization in the ring. The analysis considering the frontier molecular orbitals calculated at M06-2X/cc-pVTZ pointed out a large contribution from atomic orbitals of the exocyclic sulfur and metal atoms to HOMO. However, the atomic orbitals of the metal did not contribute to LUMO, suggesting a process of charge transfer metal to ligand. QTAIM study of the complexes have pointed out that the metal-sulfur bonds are closed shell, with small degree of electron sharing. Besides, the QTAIM study has indicated the intramolecular interactions as hydrogen bonds, halogen bonds and metal-π interactions. In the final part of this thesis, we have been synthesized the complexes [SbCl3(TMT)], [Sb3Cl9(TMT)2], [Bi3Cl9(TMT)2], [Sb2Cl6(PIPT)]·4H2O, [Bi2Cl6(PIPT)]·2H2O and characterized them by elemental analysis, IR, 13C NRM and thermal analysis. Biological activities of both triazines and their complexes with Sb and Bi against bacteria E. aureus and fungi C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. krusei have been obtained. Sb complexes exhibited activities against all bacteria and fungi with CIM ranging in the interval of 512-1024 μg/mL. Both triazine ligands and their bismuth compounds did not exhibit such activities.

This work presents two methods based on digital image analysis, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy in the visible espectral range and multivariate analysis to classify seeds castor with respect to the type of cultivar and genotype. For this purpose, two groups of seeds commonly used in Brazilian plantations were evaluated: BRS Nordestina e BRS Paraguaçu (group I), BRS Energia cultivar and CNPA 2009-7 (group II) The diffuse reflectance spectra were recorded in the region 400-800 nm obtained by a spectrophotometer VIS-NIR. The Images of these two groups were registered from a webcam and frequency distribution of color indixes in the red-green-blue channels, hue, saturation, intensity and grayscale was obtained. The discriminant analysis by partial least squares (PLS-DA) and linear discriminant analysis were applied separately for each group of seed. The best results were obtained using the PLS-DA model correctly classified samples to visible 96.2% and 92.5% of test samples for the group I and II, respectively. For digital images PLS-DA also achieved the best result hitting 98.7% and 100% for group I and II, respectively. The methods here proposed based on digital image analysis and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy in the visible range has advantages for not using reagents, are fast, inexpensive and are promising in the classification of castor alternatives, according to the type of cultivar and genotypes

A spectrophotometer for absorption measurements / emission, simple, portable and as partially partial dual mode for quantitative experiments was constructed using cheap and available materials is proposed in this paper. The instrument, here called SpectroPhone consists of modules made of MDF, one DVD as a diffraction grating media, two mini white incandescent lamps as radiation source and a Smartphone to acquire images and perform data processing, such as detector. The pixels of a region produced in a spectral images provide qualitative and quantitative information after the application of the concepts and HSV color model RGB, respectively. A simple algorithm based on HSV was developed for the conversion of the hue values (H) in their corresponding λ. Its analytical performance was assessed by quantitative analysis based on analytical curves, specimens of which have been validated by analysis of variance (ANOVA). The SpectroPhone was applied to the determination of Fe2+ in the absorption mode in pharmaceutical samples, and Na+, in emission mode and in natural saline water. For comparison purposes, a commercial spectrophotometer for absorption mode and a photometer for commercial flame emission mode were used to construct the calibration curves of the reference instrument. Applying the paired t test at 95% confidence for the results of concentrations obtained with the instruments, it is observed that there was no statistically significant difference showing high precision and accuracy. SpectroPhone can be considered a good alternative to instrumental spectrometric measurements, not just limited to educational and academic purposes.

The effects of the cattle manure on either yield and physiological quality of the anise seeds were studied during the period from April 2005 to July 2006, in the Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Areia -PB. Cattle manure at the doses 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 t. ha-1 were used under the absence and presence of the mineral fertilization. The following cropping systems were adopted: single and associated with sweet potato, maize and caupi-bean. The following associate crops were used: sweet potato (Rainha Branca cv.), maize (Hybrid AG - 1051) and caupi bean (IPA 206 cv.). The anise seedlings with 20cm average height were transplanted into four rows with eight plants, so totaling 32 anise plants in each plot at spacing 1.50 x 1.00m, and those located among the associate crops were evaluated. The following characteristics were appraised: plant height, number of primary and secondary umbels per plant, seed yield, water content, plantlet emergency, first emergency counting, emergency speed index (IVE), root length and the aerial part length. The randomized block experimental design was used, whereas the treatments were distributed under split-plot arrangement, with three replicates. The plant height was reduced as a function of the cattle manure dose and at the presence of mineral fertilization in the single cropping system. The maximum values of the primary and secondary anise umbels were 19 and 138.4 at the doses 10.1 and 11.2 t. ha-1 cattle manure, respectively, with mineral fertilization in the anise associated with maize. Productivity reached the highest value (156.8 kg ha-1) in the single cropping system and mineral fertilizer. The plantlet emergency attained the highest percentages (88.8%), when applying 5.8 t. ha-1 cattle manure, without mineral fertilization, in anise associated with caupi bean. In consortium of the anise with sweet potato, some 20 t. ha-1 cattle manure and mineral fertilization provided the highest values at the first emergency counting (83%), emergency speed index and root length. The maximum length of the aerial part was obtained with the application of 10.9 t. ha-1 cattle manure, without mineral fertilization in the cropping system of anise with caupi bean.

The studies were driven in the Experimental Station the State Company of Agricultural Research of Paraíba - EMEPA - PB, mucicipality to Alagoinha - PB, aiming at to acquire information on the productive behavior of maize plants, the physiologic quality of its seeds and decomposition of cultural rests, identifying a more advantageous system, more vigorous seeds and more persistent cultural rests in direct sowing. The first trial followed experimental drawing in random block designs, with subdivided plots and three replications. The main plots (5x16 m) consisted of three systems of cultivations {maize, (Zea mays) cultivar BR-106 in monosowing, maize + guandu bean (Cajanus cajan) and maize + faba bean (Phaseolus lunatus)}, sowed in the beginning of the rainy period, and the subplots (5x4 m) of two doses of mineral manuring {0 kg/ha and 825 kg/ha of the formulation 90-60-45}, were applied in strips. Green manuring (absence and presence), assuming the form of black mucuna (Styzolobium aterrinum), was sowed every year around eighty-five days after the sowing of the cultivations systems, was accomplished in strips in the blocks (sub-blocks with 15x8 m). Spacing used in maize was 1,0 x 0,20 m (50.000 plants/ha), guandu bean was planted inserted among alternate maize rows, sowed in spaced ditches of 0,50 m (10.000 plants/ha), faba bean was sowed in alternate maize rows in spaced ditches of 1,0 m, two plants for ditch (10.000 plants/ha) while black mucuna was sowed inserted among maize rows, eighty-five days after the systems sowing, in spaced ditches of 0,25 m (40.000 plants/ha). For the second trial, after the crop, samples of maize seeds were conditioned in packings of polyethylene, maintained through the period of three months in cold and dry camera. Then they were led to the Seeds Analysis Laboratory, from the Center of Agrarian Sciences of the Federal University of Paraíba in Areia - PB in order to get physiologic quality evaluation, being submitted to the following tests: germination, first germination counting, electric conductivity, emergency of seedlings in sand, emergency speed index, dry mass of the aerial part of seedlings, cold with and without soil. Cultural rests of maize were used; braquiarian grass (Braquiaria decumben); faba bean; guandu bean and black mucuna, dry to the air and fractionated in small pieces (0,01 - 0,05 m). After that, they were conditioned in 20 x 30 cm nylon bags, with 1,0 mm2 mesh. Each nylon bag received 60 g of dry cultural rest, equivalent to 10 t/ha, distributed and fastened in the soil surface. Nitrogen, assuming the form of urea (1,07 g/bag), was diluted in water and applied immediately on the nylon bags (0 and 80 kg/ha), with a watering of 600 ml/bag, equivalent to a 10 mm rain. The nylon bags crop was accomplished in consecutive periods of 36 days. Material contained in each bag was clean, dry in a stove and weighted, evaluating this way the decomposition of the cultural rests. Along the experiment process, pluvial precipitation, air temperature, soil humidity and temperature to 2 cm depth were quantified. Taking the results into consideration, it was possible to conclude that: mineral manuring elevated grains income, soil covering, dry mass production, length and diameter of ear maize, plant and ear height and stem diameter of maize plants; the black mucuna sowed eighty-five days after the systems sowing of cultivations increased maize grains income and dry mass production; intercrop corn + faba bean emphasized faba bean as a second culture of economical value and maize + guandu did so for the largest dry mass production; the mineral fertilizer favored the viability and the maize seeds vigor; black mucuna, besides not having competed with the culture systems, favored the physiologic quality of maize seeds coming from intercropping and the intercropping maize + guandu bean favored the vigor the seed maize; decomposition of cultural rests was influenced by pluvial precipitation, soil humidity and temperature and air temperature, during the experimental period; nitrogened manuring promoted larger reduction in the cultural rests dry mass; the braquiarian grass and guandu bean cultural rests were the most resistant to decomposition, while the black mucuna ones presented an intermediate behavior, and the maize and faba bean cultural rests were the least resistant ones.

The caatinga, larger bioma of the Brazilian Northeast, is still not very well-known and protected, with great part of its area being already degraded and presenting serious desertificação risks. In spite of the significant importance that carries in the regional economy, public politics don't exist for its recovery and maintainable use, staying the extrativism as the only exploration form. The aims of this work was to floristic characterize and to accomplish phytossociologic analysis of the shrub-tree component of the bioma; to quantify the litter production and of the three species with larger value of importance (IV); to characterize the pattern of the deposition dynamics of nutrients through litter of the vegetation and to evaluate of the decomposition process, nutrients liberation of the senescents leaves and litter accumulation. The work was developed in thirty plots of 20 m x 10 m in the caatinga of the Seridó Ecological Station, Serra Negra do Norte-RN. In the floristic study all individuals with 3 cm diameter at the level of the soil surface and larger height to 1 m were inventoried. For the phytossociologic analysis it was calculated the density, frequency and relative dominance, basal area and importance value (IV) for species and family, besides the floristic diversity floristic and richness taxionomic index. The quantification of the litter production was accomplished through twelve monthly collections in 30 collectors of 1 m2, embracing a rainy and dry period, with the material being dry for 48 hours, separated in the leaves of the bioma, leaves of the three species with greater IV, bark and branches, reproductive organs, miscellany and litter of the caatinga, and weighed. Were established correlations among the production for fraction and some varied climatic. The liberation of the macronutrientes (N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S) contained in the litter was determined by fractions and a month, being calculated in Mg.ha-1.ano-1. Was calculated the nutreint use efficiency by the leaves of the bioma and of the species with greater VI. The decomposição study was developed for twelve months, using 10 g of biomass to leaves drought in litterbags, contents a mixture of leaves of all the species of the bioma in the first treatment and leaves of the three species with larger VI in the other three treatments, with five repetitions. Were calculated the monthly medium loss of biomassa, the macronutrientes liberation, the time to degraded 50 % of the initial biomassa, the serapilheira accumulation in the rainy and dry season, besides the medium time return of the litter leaves and litter of the bioma. Was also determined the initial and final concentration of cellulose and lignin for the leaves fractions of the bioma and of the three species with greater VI. The medium density was of 3,372 individuals.ha-1 and area basal of 13.47 m2.ha-1, being identified 2,026 individuals, distributed in 22 species, 20 genera and 12 families. The species with greater VI was Croton sonderianus, Caesalpinia pyramidalis and Aspidosperma pyrifolium. The litter production was of 2.068 Mg.ha-1.year-1, being almost 80 % of leaves. The deposition pick happened in May, in the begin of the dry period, except for Aspidosperma pyrifolium and miscellany fraction. Correlation was not observed with the pluviosidade in the experimental period. The litter of the caatinga returned to the soil, in kg.ha-1, about 31,97 of N; 2,74 of P; 20,60 of K; 60,48 of Ca; 5,38 of Mg and 3,52 of S. Among the three studied species, C. pyramidalis leaves presented the largest amounts of N, P, K, Ca and S, while Mg was more elevated in the A. pyrifolium leaves. The nutrient efficiency use by the vegetation was small, suggesting that the primary productivity of the studied caatinga is not limited by the readiness of the analyzed nutrients. The largest decomposition rate happened in C. pyramidalis and the smallest in C. sonderianus, with larger degradation happening in the beginning of the rains, being almost null in the dry period. The losses were better correlated with the relationship C/N and the temperature, but not with the pluviosity. The potassium was the element with larger and faster liberation in all the treatments, arriving more than 88 % soon in the rainy period begin. The time to degrade half of the serapilheira varied of 174 to 349 days, for C. pyramidalis and C. sonderianus, respectively. The litter accumulation was of 6.286 Mg.ha-1, being 60 % larger in the dry period than in the rainy season. The medium return was of almost 20 months for the litter leaves and 36 months for the caatinga litter.

The coconut tree is an originary plant of southeastern Asian. Although the cultivation of this fruitbowl occurs predominantly in the Northeast region, currently, new regions of the country are exploring this culture. Coconut tree is the bigger economic expression in the income generation, feeding and a products variety. In relation to the fruit, few studies had been carried out relating development, harvest point and the water quality. Given the importance of the coconut cultivation and the expansion of the new areas planting with dwarf coconut tree, the aimed of this research was to evaluate the development of fruits of different dwarf cultivars aiming to get subsidies for the determination of more adjusted indices of harvest for the market to in natura and/or industrialized coconut water. To this, three experiments with Green Dwarf of Jiqui, Yellow of Malaysia, Yellow of Gramame, Red of Gramame, Red of Cameroon and Malaysia Red cultivars cultivated in an experimental area located at Unidade de Execução de Pesquisa da Embrapa Meio-Norte, in Parnaíba, Piauí state. In the first phase of the research, plants were selected at random and inflorescences that presented fertile flowers were marked, that is, fifteen days after the opening of the espata. After that, harvests since marking until the 210 days age were made. The analyses were carried out at Laboratório de Fisiologia e Tecnologia Pós-colheita da Embrapa Agroindústria Tropical, in Fortaleza, Ceará state. Was used a completely randomized design in 6 x 10 factorial scheme with three composed replications with five fruits for plot. During the development, the fruits were evaluated about fresh and dry mass, color, diameter and length (fruit and internal cavity), solid endosperm thickness, volume and water mass. In the second and third phases of the research the water was evaluated in relation to soluble solids content (TSS), total soluble sugars (TSA), reducing sugar (AIR), trititable acidity (AT), pH, SST/AT ratio, turbidez, sensorial and mineral analysis. The period understood between 120 and 180 days, corresponded the biggest growth taxes of the fruit, increase in the fresh mass and final volume of water in almost all cultivars. The harvest of the fruits for the in natura and/or industrialized water consumption can be made between 180 and 210 days, after anteses, when the same ones reach the maximum growth with better quality of waters. The water of cultivars presented expressive calcium, sodium and phosphorus amounts, being potassium the mineral element more exported by the coconut fruit.

The photoluminescence efficiency in compounds of lanthanide ions is a result of the complex balance between absorption of photons, energy transfer and quenching mechanisms, among which the multiphonon decay and suppression mediated by low energy ligand-to-metal charge transfer states (LMCT) which might be generated by ligands that have a low oxidation potential, for instance the NCS–. Less than a decade ago, this process was described mainly in terms of the energy transfer between 4f states and LMCT states, not being considered the participation of intraligands states. In the present study, we investigated the photoluminescent properties of new lanthanide isothiocyanates coordination complexes with N-acetyl-2-aminopyridine, N-benzoyl-2-aminopyridine and N-benzoyl-2- aminopyrimidine as ligands. We also synthesized the well-known complexes of formulas [Ln(NCS)3(phen)3] (H2O), and [Ln(NO3)3(Phen)2] with phen = 1,10-phenanthroline. The complexes were characterized via CHN elemental analysis, vibrational spectroscopy, complexometric titration and thermogravimetric analysis. Their spectroscopic properties were investigated via molecular diffuse reflectance, excitation and emission spectroscopy along with time decay of the emitting states. The results from the analysis of emission spectroscopy and photoluminescence excitation, as well as the lifetimes measurements of the emitting states of the investigated complexes provided what we believe to be the most expressive experimental demonstration of the luminescence quenching via triplet-LMCT energy transfer process in Eu(III) complex so far.

In recent years, commercial cotton lint have been developed with better quality, presenting different characteristics, but with similar coloring. This can be a problem because these samples is identified, large-scale, performed by a visual inspection, which is a very subjective method and error prone. Another way available for classification of samples is the use of HVI system (High Volume Instruments) to determine physical quality parameters. However, this apparatus has a high cost when compared to digital imaging technique, furthermore has the need for adequate infrastructure and a trained analyst for analysis procedure. This work proposes the development of a novel analytical method based on the use of digital image and multivariate analysis to (1) naturally colored cotton plumes classification according to the type of cultivar and (2) simultaneous determination of degree of yellowness (+b), reflectance (Rd) and wax content (WAX). The acquisition of digital images of cotton lints was carried out through a webcam and histograms containing distributions in levels of colors in standard RGB (red-green-blue), grayscale and HSV system (hue-saturation-value) they were obtained. In the classification of samples, models based discriminant analysis by partial least squares (PLS-DA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) with variable selection by the successive projections algorithm (SPA) or stepwise (SW) were evaluated. For the determination of the parameters +b, Rd and WAX, PLS models and multiple linear regression (MLR) with variable selection by the SPA were developed and compared. The best classification results were obtained with LDA / SW model with a correct classification rate (TCC) of 96% for the test group using the HSV combination. As the calibration methods, satisfactory prediction results were obtained for both models (PLS and MLR-SPA) with values of RMSEP near repeatability of the reference method. Furthermore, no systematic error was observed and there were no significant differences between the predicted values and reference, according to a paired t-test at 95% confidence. As advantages of the method is simple, low cost, does not use reagent, does not destroy the sample and realizes analysis at short time intervals.

Triclocarban (TCC) is a bactericide and fungicide widely used in personal care products, while carbendazim (MBC) is a fungicide widely used in cereal crops and a variety of fruits and vegetables, both are considered environmental contaminants. In this paper, propose the study of oxidation and determination of TCC using glassy carbon electrode (ECV) and the use of a carbon paste electrode modified with carbon nanotubes functionalized multi walled (EPC-NTCPMF) to determine MBC. Electrochemical detection of TCC and MBC was studied using different voltammetric techniques on a wide range of pH and the determination was performed on samples of soaps, only the TCC and drinking water at low concentrations, for both contaminants. For TCC, various oxidation processes were observed, however the peak P1 had greater sensitivity and selectivity in acetate buffer, pH 5.4 and was therefore used for the development of voltammetric methods, direct VOQ and adsorptive stripping voltammetry. For adsorptive stripping voltammetry, the linear response range was from 1.8 to 21 × 10-9 mol L-1 with a detection limit (LD) of 3.2 × 10-10 mol L-1, 1,000 times smaller than the LD obtained by direct VOQ. The method of adsorptive stripping voltammetry showed satisfactory levels of repeatability, 4.1% and reproducibility, 5.4% and was applied to determine TCC in soaps samples and an average recovery of 95.3% and drinking water with an average recovery apparent 95.4%. The MBC peaked main oxidation, almost reversible; the better sensitivity was achieved in H2SO4, pH 1.0 on the EPC-NTCPMF using VOQ. The linear response range is between 3 and 150 × 10-10 mol L-1 to LD 1.1 × 10-11 mol L-1. The method developed showed acceptable levels of repeatability, 4.6% and reproducibility, 6.2% and was applied for MBC determination in drinking water samples obtained average apparent recovery of 95.6%. The results obtained in the development of methods for determination of TCC and MBC showed excellent applicability for the studied samples, in addition to having advantages such as low cost instrumentation, analytical fast response, high sensitivity and selectivity.

The use of practices of low impact, as the inoculation of bacteria fixadoras of atmospheric nitrogen, it has been contributing for elevating the productivity of the bean caupi in some producing areas. The objective of the work was to evaluate the efficiency of Rhizobium strains in the production and physiologic quality of cowpea seeds, to cultivate "Corujinha". The research consisted of evaluation of the efficiency of Rhizobium strains and her influence in the production and quality of seeds (Chapter I); influence of those strains in the absorption of nutrients (Chapter II) and, agronomic evaluation of the Rhizobium strains and her influence in the production and quality of seeds (Chapter III). The same treatments were used in the different times of planting of the culture (2005 and 2006) in Neossolo Regolítico. DBC was used with four repetitions, being the treatments: Rhizobium strains (BR 3301, BR 3302, BR 3267, BR 3299 and BR 3262); nitrogen fertilizer (50 kg ha-1; 80 kg ha-1), and control (without inoculation and without N). The portions had 24 m2, with plants spaced in 0,5m x 0,5m, with three plants for hole and useful area of 6 m2. The results were submitted to the variance analysis with averages compared by the test of Scott-Knott to 5%. As for the productivity, a similar development was verified among the strains no recommended officially (BR 3262 and BR 3299) and those already suitable as official strains for the cowpea, however without differing of the fertilized treatments (80 and/or 50 kg ha-1) with N, in the two years of planting. The best ones percentile of germination they were observed with the use of the strains BR 3301 and BR 3302, in the two planting times. The plantules came more vigorous (mass dries of plantules) when originating from big seeds. The absorption of nutrients (NPK) in the plants inoculated by strains was similar that reached by plants fertilized with mineral nitrogen (50 and 80 kg ha-1) and to the treatment it controls. The native strains (it controls) they presented similar acting of the inoculated strains in the two years of cultivation of the cowpea.

In this work it was developed a new strategy for intervals selection using the successive projections algorithm (SPA) coupled to N-PLS and U-PLS models, both with residual bilinearização (RBL) as a post-calibration step. The new algorithm coupled to N-PLS/RBL models was evaluated in two cases of studies. The first was simulated data for quantitation of two analytes (A and B) in the presence of a single interfering. On the second study was conducted a quantitation of ofloxacin in water in the presence of interferents (ciprofloxacin and danofloxacin) by means of liquid chromatography with diode array detection (LC-DAD) data modeling. The results were compared to the N-PLS/RBL model and the variables selection with the genetic algorithm (GA-N-PLS/RBL). In the first case of study (simulated data) were observed RMSEP values (x 10-3 in arbitrary units) for the analytes A and B in the order of 6.7 to 47.6; 10.6 to 11.4; and 6.0 to 14.0 for the N-PLS/RBL, Ga-N-PLS/RBL and the proposed method, respectively. On the second case of study (HPLC-DAD data) RMSEP value (mg/L) of 0.72 (N-PLS/RBL); 0.70 (GA-N-PLS/RBL) and 0.64 (iSPA N-PLS/RBL) were obtained. When combined with the U-PLS/RBL, the new algorithm was evaluated in the EEM modeling in the presence of inner filter effect. Simulated data and quantitation of phenylephrine in the presence of acetaminophen in water sample and interferences (ibuprofen and acetylsalicylic acid) were used as a case of studies. The results were compared to the U-PLS/RBL and e twell established method PARAFAC. For simulated data was observed the following RMSEP values (in arbitrary units) 1.584; 0.077 and 0.066 for PARAFAC; U-PLS/RBL and the proposed method, respectively. In the quantitation of phenylephrine the found RMSEP (in μg/L) were of 0.164 (PARAFAC); 0.089 (U-PLS/RBL) and 0.069 (ISPA-U-PLS/RBL). In all cases it was shown that variables selection is a useful tool capable of improving accuracy when compared with the respective global models (model without variables selection) leading to more parsimonious models. It was observed in all cases, that the sensitivity loss promoted by variables selection is compensated by using more selective channels, justifying the obtained RMSEP smaller values. Finally, it was also observed that the models based on variables selection such as the proposed method were free from significant bias at 95% confidence.