RCAAP Repository

Zinc stannate (Zn2SnO4) and zinc titanate (Zn2TiO4) are inverse spineltype oxides and stand out due to their optical, electrical, magnetic, semiconductor and photocatalytic properties. In this work, the two materials were combined in order to obtain a solid solution, Zn2Sn1-xTixO4 (x= 0; 0.25; 0.50; 0.75; 1.0), using the modified-Pechini method, in order to evaluate the influence of the Sn4+ ions substitution by Ti4+ ones in the spinel lattice for application as catalysts in the photodiscoloration of the golden yellow remazol. Catalysts were characterized by the X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (IR), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Raman spectroscopy and surface area measurements (BET). XRD results showed that the materials presented a high long range order when heat treated at 700 °C, using zinc acetate and pH = 1. IR and Raman spectra confirmed the presence of the [TiO6] and [SnO6] octahedra and (ZnO4) tetrahedron. The parameters used in the dye discoloration were: catalyst mass and irradiation times. The results showed that a higher irradiation time provided a better efficiency. Zn2SnO4 presented the best result, with 81 % of discoloration after 4 h of irradiation. As tin was replaced by titanium in the spinel structure, the catalyst efficiency decreased, achieving 37 % for the Zn2TiO4.

In this paper are reported the preparation, characterization and investigation of the photoluminescence properties of new hybrid materials containing EDTA lanthanide ions ( Eu3+ , Gd3+ and Tb3+ ) complexes covalently bonded on the chitosan surfaces matrices of low (QPB) and medium (QPM) molecular weights, precursor and previously crosslinked with epichlorohydrin (EPH). The materials were prepared by the reactions between the solution of dianhydride of EDTA in 2-metilpirolidone and the surfaces of chitosan at around 60oC, while the complexes were obtained from the reaction resulting matrices with the solutions of the ions Ln3+ chloride. The new luminescent materials are defined by the following formulas: QPB-EDTA-Ln-L, QPM-EDTA-Ln-L, QPB-EPH-EDTA-Ln-L and QPB-EPH-EDTA-Ln-L, where L = H2O and diketonates ligands ( ACAC, BZAC, DBM and TTA). All matrices were characterized by elemental analyzes of C, H and N, absorption spectroscopy in the IR region and thermogravimetric analysis TG/DTG. The elemental analysis data showed an increase of the functionalization process with EDTA on the crosslinked surfaces, as compared to the precursor ones. IR spectra showed the main bands of the EDTA ligand indicating the efficiency of the functionalization process. The TG/DTG curves showed that the materials decompose in approximately two stages: the first process corresponding to the dehydration (50-150oC ) and the second one is associated with the decomposition of the biopolymer piranosílicos ring. The data TG/DTG also indicated a decrease in thermal stability of the functionalized materials, as compared with the matrix precursor. New materials containing lanthanide ions exhibited high luminescence intensities. Emission spectra of materials containing the Eu3+ and Tb3+ ions were characterized by the intraconfigurational-4fN transitions, 5D07FJ e 5D47FJ (J= 0-6), respectively. Some broad bands from the polymeric matrix were also observed in the emission spectra, however, their relative intensities decrease significantly in systems with diketonate ligands in the same order as the increases in antenna effect. The values of the intensity parameters 2 e 4 of the Eu3+ complexes on the surfaces showed little variation with water molecules substitution by the diketonates ligands, suggesting that the chemical environment is dominated by the EDTA ligand. The values of the radiative rates of Arad of the hybrid systems containing diketonate ligands were higher than those ones of the compounds containing water molecules. The values of the non-radiative rates Anrad showed otherwise behavior. These data contributed to an increase in the values of emission quantum efficiency (). Finally, the results show that the biopolymer surfaces have great potential for applications in molecular devices light converters (MDLCs).

Nutrient cycling is fundamental to forest maintenance, and involves the deposition of organic material, its decomposition and nutrient release for reabsorption by superior plants. These processes are regulated by biotic and abiotic factors that determine the environmental sustainability. This study had the objectives to determine the monthly litter production and the time necessary to the accumulated litter to disappear, characterize the process of decomposition, evaluate the microbial activity and the effect of climatic and soil conditions on it, determine the fluctuations of the microorganisms and mesofauna communities in a Caatinga forest site, and, finally, analyze liter quality in order to identify the different phases of the process of organic matter decomposition and nutrient enrichment. Field work was carried out at the RPPN of the Fazenda Tamanduá, located in Santa Terezinha (PB), from October 2003 to September 2004 (period 1 = P1) and from October 2004 to September 2005 (period 2 = P2) in seven transects systematically located in the RPPN area. Litter production were estimated from monthly litter collection from 20 1mx1m collector boxes randomly distributes in the transects. The collected litter was fractioned into leaves, stems, reproductive structures and miscellany, and then dried and weighed. Every three months the deposited litter on the soil was collected from 0,5mx0,5m frames, dried and weighed, to calculate the decomposition factor (K) and the time required to 50 and 95% of litter decomposition. The rate of litter decomposition was estimated in nylon bags with 30g of dried litter. These 480 nylon bags were divided equitably and placed around the 20 collector boxes. Every month, one nylon bag from each collector bag was recovered from the field and the litter inside was taken out, cleaned and weighed to determine its weight loss. Diurnal and nocturnal microbial activity was measured by means of soil respiration. Macronutrients composition of the deposited litter and in the litter inside the nylon bag was determined. Litter production during P1 and P2 was 1290.9 kg ha-1 and 1947.5 kg ha-1, respectively, totaling 3238.5 kg ha-1. Leaf, stem, reproductive structure and miscellany fractions corresponded to 64.14, 23.48, 10.9 and 1.46% of total litter production, respectively. More litter deposition was observed in the beginning of the dry season. The values of the coefficient of litter decomposition were 1.1 and 1.4 for P1 and P2, respectively, and mean a fast nutrient transfer from litter to soil. The time required to 50 and 95% litter decomposition was 229.9 and 996.4 days, respectively, in P1, and 178.8 and 770.1 days, respectively, in P2. Initial litter weight loss in nylon bags was fast due to the degradation of labile composts by microorganisms, and decreased afterward due to the more resistant and more lignified materials of the remaining litter. Fungi population was larger than the bacteria population, favored by soil water availability. Mesofauna was mainly represented by Diptera’s 67.24% of the total number of counted mesofauna individuals or of the total biomass of mesofauna individuals and Acarine’s (53.49%), in P1 and P2, respectively. The low values of Shannon (0.38) and Pielou (0.15) indexes denoted the distribution heterogeneity of the mesofauna representatives. The order of macronutrient concentrations in the accumulated litter was as follow: N > Ca > S > K > Mg > P. Litter P content was higher than the expected for dry tropical forests.

In the present work, it has been investigated the influence of the position of electron-donor substituents in aromatic carboxylate ligands on the photoluminescent properties of Tb3+ and Eu3+complexes. It was synthesized complexes of general formula [Ln (R-2-Bz)3fen] and [Ln (4-R-Bz)3fen] with Ln = Eu3+, Gd3+ and Tb3+; R =-NH2,-NH (CO) CH3,-OH,-O (CO) CH3,-O (C4H9); phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, which were characterized by complexometric titration, elemental analysis, absorption IR spectra and diffuse reflectance. The phosphorescence spectra of the complexes [Gd (2-R-Bz)3fen] and [Gd (4-R-Bz)3fen] showed that the energies of the triplet states of the ligands are coordinated above and in a good resonance condition with the emitting states of both ions Eu3+ and Tb3+ and it is favorable to the efficient process of ligand-metal energy transfer. Such states are localized on the 1,10-phenanthroline ligands in all complexes. For the complexes of the Tb3+ ion, it was found that acetylation of both substituents N or O-donors caused an increase in the lifetimes for most compounds, which is much higher at ambient temperature than at low temperature. For the Eu3+ complex it was observed a strong dependence of the intensity parameters Ω2 and quantum efficiency of luminescence with the nature and position of the electron-donors substituents, which could be rationalized on the basis of electronic and steric effects. Such effects exerted strong influence on the LMCT charge transfer states, directly contributing to the dependence of the quantum efficiency of luminescence with the position of the electron-donor substituents the carboxylate ligands. Steric interactions promoted conjugation breakage due to the removal of the aromatic ring from the conjugation plane of the carboxylate group, reducing the ability of the electron-donating oxygen atoms and consequently increasing the LMCT energy states. It was demonstrated, for the first time, that the loss of conjugation by steric interaction may eliminate or reduce the effect of LMCT states as a suppression channel of luminescence in Eu3+ complexes.

Among species that are being prospected for biodiesel production, the pinhão-manso (Jatropha curcas) has been outstanding as an oleaginous plant with essential qualities in biodiesel production. Perennial plant of the Euphorbiaceous family resistant to the adverse climate and soil conditions whose oil production's potential has been considered high. In the last years, a lot of researches had appeared around the crops for a better comprehension, once there's a lack of information regarding the agronomic plant requirements. By knowledge necessity for farming enlargement of that species, this work addressed to verify and to quantify the fertilizing effects in the edaphic and foliar region in pinhão-manso’s (Jatropha curcas) initial growth, as well as evaluate the Nitrogen and Potassium dosage effects in the initial plant growth through the foliar fertilization. The researches were accomplished in the period of April, 2006 to April, 2007, in the National Center of Research and Cotton - CNPA - EMBRAPA. Two experiments were implanted with randomized experimental design in blocks, in which the first one consisted of 17 treatments with three repeated sessions and four fertilizers application (bovine manure, biosolids, castor presscake and urea) each one with four different dosage (85, 170, 225 and 340 Kg/ha) via soil. The second experiment applied through foliar fertilization consisted by a factorial [(4 x 4) +1], with three repetitions, about seventeen treatments in four dosages types of Urea (6, 8, 10 and 12%) and Chloride of Potassium (2, 4, 6 and 8%). The following variables were estimated: stem height, diameter, foliar area, phytomass and vegetable analysis to the 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105, 120, 135 DAE through soil. The same variables were estimated through foliar fertilization in the period of 65, 80, 95, 110, 125 and 140 DAE. When fertilized with biosolids and castor presscake treatments, the Pinhão Manso’s crops increased significantly, the plant growth promoting an additional of 40,90% to the height under the biosolid treatment and 40,60% to the stem diameter when fertilized with castor presscake, compared to the control. The pinhão-manso plants were benefited by fertilization, especially with the NPK-mineral, increasing the height of 96,14% when compared to the control, without the fertilizers usage. The crop through foliar/leaf fertilization had no significant differences among the practical treatments, obtaining a stem height addition with N4K4 dosage (amount) of 11,47% at the end of the experiment relatively to the control. The root length in the KCl/N45 dosage presented an increase of 172% in relation to witness when compared to the 24Kg/ha proportion.

The knowledge the great diversity of soils in the landscape is through the survey of data related to the nature of the soils, their physical, chemical, mineralogical, and biological properties, their geographical distribution and territorial extension. Only in this way will it be possible to comprehend the particularities of each soil, its environment of occurrence and to carry out a better handling and conservation of them, in the sense of obtaining greater agricultural productivity. The aim of this work were to characterise the different agricultural environments and the main soils in the municipality of Guarabira – PB, to know the physical and chemical characteristics of these soils, to discuss their main agricultural potentialities and limitations of use. In order to help with the work in the countryside, a cartographic base was elaborated to gave rise to the tematics maps. According to the classes of slope, 13 areas were chosen for the opening of the soil profiles, which were analysed for their morphological, physical and chemical characteristics. According to the physical characteristics of the municipality, it was possible to distinguish three large agricultural environments: I – Brejo Region, II – Brejo - Caatinga transition Region, and III – Caatinga Region. Environment I comprises a set of soils order Ultisol with regular availability of nutrients, however they are acid, rather susceptible to erosion and they have difficult mechanisation, being more indicated for the preservation of fauna and flora. In Environment II, it Ultisols and Entisols predominate. The Ultisols are similar to those in Environment I, and they are the most indicated for agricultural use, given the condition in which they are found in waved relief and soft-waved relief. The Entisol Ustifluvent has a rather high nutritional potential, able to be used in farming allotments of handling levels A, B and regular in handling level C. On the other hand, the Litolic Soil, even though it presents severe physical restrictions and low humidity, offers chemical attributes that minimise such restrictions. In Environment III, Alfisols Natrustalfs and Haplustalfs predominate, with severe restrictions for agricultural use, although with a natural high fertility that contributes to the development of most of the regional farming.

To evaluate the fertilization with cattle manure and concentrations of biofertilizer in potato-sweet, White Queen Cultivar, was conducted an experiment in the period from May to September 2006, the Experimental Station, Lagoa Seca - PB, EMEPA. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with four replications in Scheme split plot 6 x 4 X 2 + 1. The main plot consisted of six doses of cattle manure (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 t ha-1) the subplot of four doses of biofertilizer (0, 15, 30 and 45%) and subsubplot in two ways for the implementation of biofertilizer in the soil and leaf and an additional treatment with conventional fertilization (NPK). The highest total yield of roots was 17.37 t ha-1, obtained with 30.84, t ha-1 of cattle manure and 15.39 and 13.11 t ha-1, achieved at concentrations of 29 and 28 % of biofertilizer, applied in the soil and leaf, respectively. The higher productivity of commercial roots was 13.11 t ha-1, achieved with the application of 31.24 t ha-1 of cattle manure and 11.01 and 9.70 t ha-1 obtained at concentrations of 30 and 27% of biofertilizer applied, respectively, in the soil and pot leaf. The dose cost was 22.46 t ha-1 of cattle that provided a production of 12.67 t ha-1 roots of commercial potato-sweet. The dose of 28.82 t ha-1 of cattle manure produced 4.26 t ha-1 of sweet potato non-commercial roots and the concentrations of 23 and 27%, biofertilizer applied to the soil and leaf, respectively, provided by 4.22 and 3.61 t ha-1 of roots. With 31.34, t ha-1 of cattle got up a production plant-1 of 393.82 g and the concentrations of 30 and 27% of biofertilizer applied in the soil and pot leaf, respectively, reached up 237.68 and 209.70 grams of plant-1 roots. The maximum number of commercial plant-1 roots was 2.63, reached with 31.15 t ha-1 of cattle manure and 2.10 and 1.69 plant-1 roots hit in the concentrations of biofertilizer of 29 and 18% applied in the soil and pot leaf, respectively. The maximum weight of commercial root was 302.27 g, obtained on the maximum dose of cattle and of 246.22 and 210.05 g, achieved at concentrations of biofertilizer of 26 and 33% provided by the soil and leaf, respectively . The dry leaf on the potato-sweet increased in a linear fashion with increased doses of cattle to 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 DAP with accumulation of 66.58, 86.42, 110.14, 86.33 and 77 , 97 g, respectively, obtained with 50 t ha-1 of cattle manure. The highest levels of MO, N, P and K were 20.66 mg dcm-3, 36.58, 4.55 and 36.34 g kg-1 obtained with 40.26, t ha-1 and 50 t ha -1 of cattle, respectively. The best responses of the levels of N, P and K were achieved at concentrations of 24 to 34% of biofertilizer. The biofertilizer applied in the soil was higher than that provided to the ground for all variables studied. The organic fertilization showed behavior similar to conventional fertilization (N, P and K), for features was more productive and efficient in raising the level of OM in the soil, while the conventional had better response to the components of production and dry leaf.

Statistical process control is becoming increasingly important in the pharmaceutical industry, since it can act on the product quality assurance and monitoring of production efficiency. Regulatory agencies worldwide already include multivariate statistical process control on their recommendations. In this work we perform three applications of multivariate control charts to detect small variations in monitoring pharmaceutical process. The studies were performed in the Laboratório Farmacêutico do Estado de Pernambuco Governador Miguel Arraes - LAFEPE using process data and addressing real problems of the industry routine. The first one consists in the elaboration of the Annual Product Review using multivariate control charts based on Principal Component Analysis, accompanied by a simple and unique methodology for identification of multivariate signal out of control, which was performed by decomposition of T2 statistics based on the loadings of VARIMAX rotation. The method developed has allowed the sector responsible for the Quality Assurance industry to verify the variables that most impact the process. The second application consists in monitoring of the degradation of captopril in tablets by High Performance Liquid Chromatograph measurements. For this aim multivariate control charts based on residuals of principal component analysis were built. The weighting of the retention time of the chromatogram in the region of captopril disulfide highlights the residual chart for revealing slight changes in the chromatographic standards. The third and last application consists in monitoring of the degradation of captopril in tablets by near infrared and middle infrared measurements. For this aim T2 control charts were built by using a variable selection method and a CUSUM-COT scheme. Both the techniques showed to be able for detection of expired samples and Middle infrared was able to identify slight changes during degradation process. Keywords: Monitoring of Process, Multivariate Control Charts, Annual Prod

The single-phase extraction is based on the formation of a homogeneous mixture formed ideally between two immiscible phases (aqueous and organic) and a third component in the two immiscible phases, is added to achieve opalescence. In this mixture the complexation reactions occur and the subsequent extraction is performed by breaking the phase equilibrium by addition of an excess of the components of the mixture. However, the automation of this method by analyzing flow injection requires a device with a significant degree of complexity and difficult to control operating parameters. The objective of this study was to develop an automatic method of extracting single phase using flow-batch in question applied to the quantification of chromium in water and in commercial samples of vinegar by atomic absorption spectrometry graphite furnace. To this end, modifications have been made both in the mixing chamber (two outputs) as the extraction method, in which more suited to this proposal chemical systems were studied. The performance of the method was attested by statistical tests, in terms of precision (RSD <12%), accuracy (recovery between 82 and 108%), (m0 = 0.32 pg L-1 and LOQ = 0.86 μgL -1) and analytical frequency (26h-1). In this new strategy, the whole process of extraction was performed in mixing chamber quickly, simply and with adequate sensitivity to GF AAS technique. Moreover, it was possible to analyze samples of different matrices using the same method

The management of the pineapple plant fertilization requires the applications of N and K at high doses, besides the establishment of appropriate relationships among them. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the different K/N relationships on the mineral nutrition, yield and quality of the pineapple fruits 'Pérola'. The experiment was carried out in a low fertile and sandy-textured Espodossolo Ferrocárbico at Santa Rita county of Paraíba State, during the period from March 2006 to September 2007. The randomized block experimental design was adopted, with three replicates. The slip type suckers were planted at spacing 0.80 × 0.30 m under simple row system. Thirteen treatments resulting from four relationships K/N (0.85:1; 1:1; 2:1 and 3:1) generated from two N doses, as being one considered low (7.2 g/plant N) and another high (10.8 g/plant N) were evaluated. Other four additional treatments (source, plotting, time and the application form of the potassium fertilizer) and control (without fertilization). At 0-20cm depth of the soil, the following variables were determined: pH and contents of the organic matter, P, K, Ca, Mg and Al. At 120, 240 and 330 days after planting, the leaf contents of N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S were determined and the values of the relationships K/N, K/Ca and K/Mg were estimated. The harvest was accomplished at 17 months after planting and the following variables were evaluated: average weight of the fruits, total productivity and percent fruits of the classes I (0.8-1.2 kg), II (1.20- 1.50 kg) and III (1.51-1.80 kg). Concerning to quality, the following characteristics were determined in the fruits pertaining to classes I and II: length and average diameter; length and weight of the crown; weights of the husk, of the pulp and of the stem; pH, soluble solids (obrix), titrable acidity and relationship SS/AT . The evaluation of the economical viability of the treatments were based on the cost/benefit relationship (C/B). The results showed that the K/N relationships and the additional treatments did not affect the attributes of soil fertility, except for the contents of K and S. The K/N relationships did not affect the weight of the 'D' leaf neither the leaf contents of N, P, K, Ca and Mg in the samplings accomplished at four, eight months and at the floral induction time. They also did not affect the average weight, the productivity and the percent fruits pertaining to classes I, II and III. Higher N doses (450 kg/ha) increased the average weight, total productivity and the percent fruits of the classes II and III, but reduced the percent fruits of the class I. The K sulfate increased either average weight and percent fruits of the class III, whereas the N and K doses from which half was applied on the soil and half through leaf rather increased the productivity of fruits. The K/N relationships did not affect the quality attributes of the fruits, although the N and K applications after floral induction and that of K sulfate reduced the acidity of the fruits. The use of the K sulfate resulted into higher gross revenue and higher additional value, although the highest B/C relationship was obtained with the application of half doses on the soil and half ones via leaf (R$ 1,46).

Currently, due to climate change, there is a major emerging trend to use agricultural products as substitutes for fossil fuels. We find then that the search for environmentally safe energy sources has become a focal point and where the incentive to use these sources of energy (especially biodiesel) is beginning to receive attention from federal, state and municipal levels of government. The physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.) is a multipurpose plant, a producer of oil (average of 37%) with all the qualities needed to be converted into biodiesel, making it noteble as a probable source as an alternative supply of raw material. This conclusion is based on the expectation that the plant has high concentration of vegetable oil, low cost of production, can be cultivated throughout the year, and can subsist in areas of limited rainfall and/or limited water sources. The objective of this study was to acquire information and a better understanding about the proper management techniques of cultured physic nut using mineral fertilization and appropriate time of pruning; which, in turn, should aid in the increased productivity and provide new technical information. The research was conducted at EMBRAPA-Algodão in the city of Campina Grande-PB, under conditions of natural environment. The soil used in the experiment was a Typic Regolithic and the treatments were formed by 4 doses of nitrogen fertilizer (urea) 0, 40, 80 and 120 kg ha-1 and 5 periods of pruning (0, 15, 20, 25 and 30 Insertions leaf). The variables studied for fresh phytomass epigeous were: stem height, stem diameter, number of leaves and leaf area. The variables for the dry mass were dry and epigeous hypogeal: dry leaves, stem and root. The use of the fertilization and pruning resulted in growth of phytomass and epigeous hypogeal with increases in height, stem diameter, number of leaves and leaf area of 111.54%, 19.43%, 714.00% and 424, 00%, respectively, and in increases dry the leaves, stem and root of 146.79%, 14.84% and 12.25% respectively, when compared to the plants which were not fertilized and not pruned. Based on research data, we can conclude that the physic nut responded very well to nitrogen fertilization resulting in significant gains in biomass and epigeous hypogeal when fertilized with urea at a dose of 80 kg ha-1 and pruning with 25 leaf inserts. Although the practice of pruning the plant helped increment gains in biomass epigeous and hypogeal in addition to obtaining a better crown, it was shown that this practice should only be implemented when combined with nitrogen fertilization.

This work deals with the computational quantum study of structural, electronic , vibrational and topological properties of hydrogen complexes C6H6•••HX , with proton, donor species , HF , HCl , H2O , HCN , NH3 , CH4 and C2H6 , interacting with a region of high electron density of the type π present in benzene. The computational methods of electronic structure Density Functional Theory with Hybrid functional B3LYP and PBE1PBE and Perturbative Theory of Many Bodies of order 2 were employed, all with the Pople basis set 6-311 ++ G ( d, p ) . The values of hydrogen bonding energy were submitted to Basis set superposition error and Vibrational Zero Point Energy corrections. The complexes of hydrogen HF, HCl, HCN, H2O and NH3 showed increments in H-X bond length, while CH4 and C2H6 have presented a shortening, H-C bond length due to formation of the intermolecular bond. The corrected intermolecular energy values follow the reverse trend of the values obtained for the increase, in H-X bond length. With the exception of ethane, all redshift values are positive, with higher values when the symmetry was not fixed. The employment of quantum theory of atoms in molecules shows the change in electron density of both interacting species, and in addition the density values are small and the density of the Laplacian are positive. The methods followed the same trend for the properties of interest, suggesting the use of calculations via density functional theory due to lower computational requirements, to study such systems.

Among the methods of controlling insect pests, the use of pesticides has been reduced in negative consequences on the beneficial fauna and the environment, so it is therefore necessary to search for alternatives that minimize the adverse effects of pesticides on the environment. As alternatives to control pests, are being studied, several other techniques, which includes the use of origin plant substances because they have low toxicity to humans and animals, and for presenting performance against several species of pests, which assumes increasing importance in programs of integrated pest management (MIP), especially at a time when it discusses very integrated production towards sustainable agriculture. The insects belonging to the order Dermaptera, are still not well known and the information in the literature, characterized as predatory bodies with good ability. Among the biological agents with characteristics suitable for this purpose, the dermápteros have attracted great attention because predators are greedy, that is, with high ability to attack and feeding on different prey, particularly of eggs and immature stages insects of the orders Lepidoptera, Hemiptera, Coleoptera and Diptera. Considering the potential use of preying on programs for biological control, studies related to their biology and their selectivity in plant extracts become indispensable. Thus, the aim of this work was to study the biological aspects of Euborellia annulipes fed on Spodoptera frugiperda and Hyadaphis foeniculi and selectivity of this predator to products of plant origin in laboratory conditions.

Potassium niobates are mixed oxides that can be applied to various photocatalytic processes. The synthesis of these materials by assisted microwave solvothermal method is proposed, considered impactful due to several factors. The literature contains little information on the employment this synthesis method to obtain potassium niobates. This study evaluates the influence of various synthesis parameters, such as reaction time, pH of the reaction medium, concentration of K+ in the composition of the synthesized material and implementing them in photodegradation tests Remazol Golden Yellow Dye. The powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (IR), Raman spectroscopy, ultraviolet and visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), surface area analysis by the BET method, thermogravimetric analysis (TG), and field emission scanning electronic microscopy (FE-SEM). The evaluation short and long range allows inferred through that the SMO method there was obtained two materials in pH function, the Lindquist salt (pH 14) and amorphous materials (pH 5 and pH 6). These materials when undergo to calcination temperatures of 650 °C lead to the formation of KNbO3 and two lamellar perovskite materials (KNb3O8 and K4Nb6O17) respectively . The powders obtained after calcination also were assessed as to their organization in the short and long range, and the results are in agreement with literature. The obtained semiconductors were tested as photocatalysts, and the results obtained show that the perovskite phase has no direct activity on the other hand, the lamellar niobates had satisfactory photocatalytic activity.

Inga striata Benth. is a native Brazilian tree that grows in tropical and gallery forests and is distributed in the Antilles, and tropical South America and Bolivia. In Brazil this species occurs in the Amazon, in the northeastern region, and in Minas Gerais State. It is used in the recuperation of soils in degraded areas, as a fruit tree, and in urban landscaping. The present work sought to determine the best indices of seed maturity and the ideal time to harvest them by evaluating their physiological quality during maturation. The experiments were performed between Novembro/2006 and Abril/2007 and in Novembro/2007 and May/2008 in an altitudinal forest on Campus II of the Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB), in Areia, Paraíba State, Brazil. The treatments consisted of six different times of fruit harvesting after anthesis (95, 110, 125, 140, 155 and 170 days after anthesis), during two different periods of observations, utilizing all of the possible combinations (a 2 x 6 factorial scheme). During each harvest the dimensions of the fruits and seeds were evaluated, as well as their water content, seed dry weight, and germination and vigor (first germination count, germination velocity index, and the length and dry weight of the primary root and aerial shoot). The results indicated that, for the study area, I. striata demonstrated same periods of fruiting not differing periods of fruit maturation during the two study periods, with the seeds reaching physiological maturity in 156 days after anthesis in the first assessment s periods and after 155 days in the second year. The principal indices of maturity were seed size, water content, dry weight, germination capacity of seeds, and the dry weight of the aerial portion of the seedlings. Harvesting of the fruits should be performed 155 days after anthesis, with fruits having a green color and only beginning to initiate seed dispersal.

Liquid crystals (LCs) are functional soft materials of dynamic nature with shape and anisotropic properties. Control of the intrinsic self-assembly and self-organization properties in LCs may be accomplished by incorporating an optical switch within the mesogenic structure, such as a photoresponsive azo group. In this context, this dissertation shows the synthesis and characterization of the mesomorphic and optical properties of compounds derived from 1,4-disubstituted azobenzenes. The molecules are designed in order to contain an azobenzene rod-shaped rigid core. At one end, the molecules hold substituents with different sizes, polarity, and electronic properties (NO2, Cl or OR groups). At the other end of the molecules are connected, via an eter bond, to chains of 6 or 11 carbons possessing a terminal polar hydrophilic group, such as hydroxyl or imidazolium salt. In another series of molecules, the peripheral region is built on anhydrophobic portion. They contain an high dipole moment carbonyl group of aliphatic and aromatic ester with or without mesogenic extension. The chemical structures of final compounds were characterized by spectrometric methods (IR,1H and 13C NMR). The mesomorphic properties were investigated by Polarizing Optical Microscopy and Differential Scanning Calorimetry. Among the eighteen molecules synthesized, seven are LCs. Our studies reveal an interesting relation between the stereoeletronic nature of terminal groups and the observed LC phase. The hydroxyl group generated nematic phase, while compounds with ester carbonyl show a lamellar polymorphism with SmA and SmC phases, indicating the carbonyl increase the stability of liquid crystalline phases. The compounds containing terminal imidazolium salts show only SmA phase with an interesting characteristic of keeping the phase up to room temperature. Preliminar studies of the azo group photoisomerization indicate that the phase may be broken by expose to UV light. Thus, this molecular system may have potential technological applications in the photocontrol of liquid crystalline phase and enhanced functions in optoelectronic devices.

Alcoholic beverage consumption increases annually worldwide and consequently the higher is the intake of harmful compounds that is present in these products, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH's) which has attracted the attention of researchers because of their carcinogenic capacity. The spirits is the class of drinks most affected by the presence of this group of contaminants (HPA's) that reaches it by burning the raw material used in the production. Despite the existing concern about the HPA's there is still no legislation or control for these contaminants in spirits, so as soon as possible the creation of legislation is necessary and for this, is necessary to develop rapid, robust and low waste production analytical methods. Most quantitation methods for PAH's in food uses HPLC-FLU or GC-MS, but the use of liquid or gas chromatography coupled to mass spectra generates huge amount of waste beyond the analysis time and high associated costs. In this work we present a rapid methodology, relatively simple and low cost to simultaneous quantification of five HPA's (BaP, FL, AC, AN and P) in three types of spirits (rum, cachaça and vodka) using fluorescence spectroscopy EEM 3D and second order calibration to circumvent the problems caused by the complexity of the matrix by the second order advantage. Calibration models were built by PARAFAC and U-PLS/RBL using pure analyte individual standard solutions. And the models were validated using a set of analytes mixtures adding an interfering (FE). For the development of validation blends the Taguchi design was used. The validation parameters obtained were satisfactory for both models (PARAFAC and U-PLS / RBL), with REP on a range from 4.58% to 8.55% and 1.75% to 9.16% respectively. The application of calibration models in real samples is still being processed. processed. The application of calibration models in spirits showed good performance with recovery values in the range of 85.99% to 115.18% for PARAFAC and 81.02% to 106.05% for U-PLS / RBL. Therefore, we can say that the models built had satisfactory performance for the determination of PAH's in spirits, reaching the second advantage, with little generation of waste, simplicity and low cost associated.

The compressed natural gas (CNG) is a fossil derivative mostly comprised of light hydrocarbons (methane, ethane, and propane), which has great energy importance for modern society. Considering the growing demand for CNG, it is also necessary to an effective control of the composition of the majority gases, which are mainly responsible for the energy efficiency of this fuel. The composition of these gases in CNG follows a certain pattern of conformity (control group) established by the ANP (National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels), to ensure the energy efficiency of CNG sold in Brazil. This work proposes the development of a methodology for automatic preparation of gas mixtures of methane standards, ethane and propane, in order to chromatographic determination of these gases levels in CNG, employing elaborate calibration models and validated by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and test recovery. The automatic system is of the dynamic type and is fully controlled by a program in order to prepare, as programmed by the user, binary mixtures of nitrogen / methane / nitrogen and nitrogen ethane / propane at levels (at fraction mol / mol) ranging in order to obtain good calibration models that consider the concentrations of these gases in the CNG. The evaluation methodology using ANOVA was quite satisfactory, the models built for the three gases methane, ethane and propane showed a high correlation (R2> 0.99) and significant in the regression, and showed no lack of fit and systematic variation at the residual plot. The performance parameters obtained from built models had lower detection and quantification limits 10-2 to 10-1, the analytical frequency was 4 samples per hour. A recovery study , involving three gas mixtures of certified composition and Natural Gas sample Vehicle (NGV) was also performed and the percentage values mean were 99.7 ± 3.1; 100.7 ± 4.4 and 98.0 ± 5.8 for methane, ethane and propane, respectively. The conclusion is based on the recovery values, as well as ANOVA, the proposed method was validated, with satisfactory precision and accuracy.

Life support in various ecosystems is made possible by a group of organisms, called primary producers. Because they are mostly photoautotrophic, these individuals secure the middle nutrients (in higher carbon part) through the process of photosynthesis. In aquatic ecosystems phytoplankton (microalgae) is responsible for most of the primary production. As a link between individuals of the first trophic level and individuals of higher trophic levels are the organisms belonging to the zooplankton. Thus, the study of the biochemical composition of the zooplankton community can be used as an indicator of nutritional status in aquatic ecosystems. Thus, this study aimed to build PLS multivariate calibration models for the simultaneous spectrofluorimetric determination of neutral and polar lipid classes. In order to simplify the procedures involved in the construction of models, commercial standards were used to perform the calibration mixtures. These solutions were previously defined by conducting a Brereton mixture design of three levels and two factors. In a preliminary step, the models built were used to predict the concentrations of the two commercial lipids, triolein (TO) and phosphatidylcholine (PC), a set of external standards. In evaluating the performance parameters related to this step, it was observed that the models were in an acceptable condition for application to real samples. However, when evaluating the synchronous fluorescence spectra of the samples (macro and mesozooplankton), it was observed that máx the band corresponding to the neutral lipids varies between samples, so that the proposed method can not be applied to real system.

Hydroxyapatite has been the subject of research because of being similar to the crystal phase of the crystalline phase and the bone mineral part of the teeth, moreover possesses good biocompatibility, therefore it has become quite a biomaterial used today. In this study, hydroxyapatites have been modified with silver obtained by the method of coprecipitation and impregnation with a view to implementing the various solids such as antimicrobial agents. The synthesis started by coprecipitation of calcium chloride and dibasic ammonium phosphate using buffer such as sodium hydroxide and silver nitrate at different concentrations in amounts of 0.25, 0.5 and 1 mol% with respect to the calcium to obtain the solid doped in different percentages. In the method for impregnating the pure hydroxyapatite reacted with aqueous solutions of silver nitrate in concentrations of 0.125, 0.25 and 0.5 mmol dm -3 at room temperature. The obtained solids were characterized by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The results of X-ray diffraction showed the presence of metallic silver in 2Θ≈38º compounds besides the peaks corresponding to the stoichiometric hydroxyapatite. The modified hydroxyapatites with silver obtained by impregnation and co-precipitation of proved to be effective in inhibiting bacterial growth when tested in vitro bacterial adhesion through direct contact and method for Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria showing its potential for use as an antimicrobial agent.