ABSTRACT Technologies that improve water use efficiency (WUE) and increase crop yields are essential for the development of a responsible and productive agriculture. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate economical planting beds with the use of mulching and application of different irrigation water depths as a water-saving technology, and determine the irrigation water depth that promote the optimal plant development and fruit yield and quality of two cherry tomato cultivars. The experiment was conducted at the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Serra Talhada, PE, Brazil. A randomized block experimental design with split-plots (5×2) was used, with plots consisting of five irrigation water depths (25%, 50%, 75%, 100%, and 125% of the crop evapotranspiration - ETc) and subplots consisting of two cherry tomato cultivars (Carolina and Yubi), with four replications, totaling 40 experimental units. The development of tomato plants was evaluated through biometric measurements of stem diameter, plant height, and canopy area. Additionally, the following variables were evaluated during fruit harvest: number of fruits, mean fruit weight, fruit diameter, fruit yield, WUE, titratable acidity, pH, and soluble solids content. The economical planting beds promoted increases in WUE. Irrigation water depths lower than 100% of ETc resulted in better plant development and higher fruit yield, number of fruits, and WUE for the evaluated cherry tomato plants. The cultivar Carolina exhibited higher production performance compared to Yubi.

RESUMO Tecnologias que promovam o aumento da eficiência do uso da água (EUA) e incremento na produtividade é indispensável para o desenvolvimento de uma agricultura responsável e produtiva. Nesse sentido, objetivou-se avaliar ‘canteiros econômicos’ com a utilização de mulching, aplicando diferentes lâminas de irrigação para consolidar o uso desses canteiros como uma tecnologia que propicia a economia de água, da mesma forma que, encontrar a lâmina de irrigação que promova o melhor desenvolvimento, rendimento produtivo e qualidade de duas cultivares de tomatecereja. A pesquisa foi conduzida na Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco em Serra Talhada - PE. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados com parcelas subdivididas (5 x 2), onde foram consideradas parcelas cinco lâminas de irrigação (25, 50, 75, 100, e 125% da Evapotranspiração da cultura - ETc) e subparcelas duas cultivares de tomate-cereja (Carolina e Yubi), com quatro repetições, totalizando 40 unidades experimentais. O desenvolvimento do tomateiro foi avaliado mediante coletas biométricas de diâmetro do caule, altura da planta e área da copa. Ademais, durante a colheita foi avaliado o número de frutos, massa média dos frutos, diâmetro dos frutos, produtividade, EUA, acidez titulável, potencial hidrogeniônico e sólidos solúveis dos frutos. Os canteiros econômicos promoveram aumento da EUA. Lâminas de irrigação inferiores a 100% da ETc possibilitaram maior desenvolvimento, produtividade, número de frutos e EUA do tomatecereja. A cultivar Carolina apresentou melhor desempenho produtivo comparado a Yubi.

ABSTRACT Objectives: Currently, not much is known about the interactions between voice and growth hormone (GH). We have described large kindred with isolated GH deficiency (IGHD) due to a GHRH receptor mutation, resulting in severe short stature and high-pitched voice. These IGHD individuals have little interest in GH treatment, as they consider themselves “short long-lived people”, rather than patients. Interestingly, they report normal general quality of life, but they rate their Voice-Related Quality of Life (V-RQOL) as low. Here, we assessed the social and auditory-perceptual impacts of artistic-intervention voice therapy with semioccluded vocal tract exercises (SOVTE) and choral singing, on their voices. Material and methods: Seventeen GH-naïve adult IGHD individuals were enrolled in a single-arm interventional pre-post study with 13 weekly sessions of choir singing over 90 days. Outcome measures were V-RQOL scores, self-assessment of voice, and auditory-perceptual analysis (GRBAS scale, G: grade of the severity of dysphonia; R: roughness; B: breathiness; A: asthenia; and S: strain). Results: Marked improvements in total (p = 0.0001), physical (p = 0.0002), and socioemotional (p = 0.0001) V-RQOL scores and in self-assessment of voice (p = 0.004) were found. The general grades of vocal deviation (p = 0.0001), roughness (p = 0.0001), breathiness (p = 0.0001) and strain (p = 0.0001) exhibited accentuated reductions. Conclusions: Voice therapy with semioccluded vocal tract exercises and choral training improved social impact and perceptual voice assessments in IGHD subjects and markedly improved their voice-related quality of life. This is particularly important in a setting where GH replacement therapy is not widely accepted.

Abstract The continental margin off the southeastern Brazilian coast is punctuated by a series of geological-geomorphological features, such as subsurface saline diapirs and pockmarks at the seafloor interface, which evidence the abundant presence of oil and gas in the region. In several of these sites, hydrocarbons can be naturally released into the water column, areas are cold seep areas. These are marked by the presence of oil- and gas-dependent ecosystems, where specific organisms are able to fix carbon from hydrocarbon chemosynthesis. In addition, light hydrocarbon fluid flow through the sediment may build up authigenic carbonates that can be further colonized by cold-water corals, generating large carbonate mounds over geological time, normally positioned at the border of these pockmark features. The present work reports on a multidisciplinary oceanographic cruise carried out in the Santos Basin, SW Atlantic, to seek, map, and collect geological, chemical, and biological data from different deep-sea habitats. The cruise occurred in November 2019 on the R/V Alpha Crucis of the Oceanographic Institute of the University of São Paulo (IOUSP). We intended to discover and detail different geomorphological features, characterize free-living and symbiotic microorganisms, determine the chemosynthetic rates in relation to heterotrophic microbial production, and characterize the fauna and study their ecological and evolutionary links within and across ocean basins. All discoveries made during the cruise and their respective results will be presented separately in several papers that comprise this special volume.

RESUMO Este trabalho propõem o uso da Matemática Intervalar em conjunto com o Método dos Mínimos Quadrados e a linguagem Python para obter a melhor solução aproximada para sistemas intervalares obtidos de experimentos físicos. Este método de resolução será aplicado para obter a melhor função aproximada que ajusta um conjunto de dados oriundos de um experimento físico, no qual um carro se desloca com aceleração constante sob um trilho de ar inclinado. Ao fazer esse tipo de abordagem usando a Matemática Intervalar, busca-se inferir como as incertezas provenientes do experimento, assim como os erros gerados pelas representações e operações numéricas em computadores, interferem no resultado obtido. Para isso, se fez necessário a utilização da biblioteca Python for Extended Scientific Computing (Python- XSC), a qual é baseada na estrutura da aritmética intervalar e fornece funções para a resolução de sistemas lineares intervalares. A aplicação do estudo feito se mostrou bastante eficiente e de fácil utilização, o que motiva sua utilização.

ABSTRACT In this work, we used the Interval Mathematics, Method of Least Squares and Python language to obtain the best approximate solution for interval systems obtained from physical experiments. This resolution method will be applied to obtain the best approximate function that fits a data set from a physical experiment, in which a car was travels with constant acceleration under an inclined air trail. When doing this type of approach using Interval Mathematics, we seek to infer how the uncertainties arising from the experiment, as well as the errors generated by the representations and operations on computer, interfere with the obtained result. For this, it was necessary to use the Python for Extended Scientific Computing (Python-XSC) library, which is based on the interval arithmetic structure and provides functions for the solving of interval linear systems. The application of the study was very efficient and easy to use, which motivates its use.

An infection of the fungus Moniliophthora perniciosa in cocoa trees reduces productivity of the plant. In this study, the concentrations of mineral nutrients in healthy leaves and in leaves of vegetative broom of the cocoa plant were determined, and the relationship between the disease and the nutritional composition of the leaves was assessed. The samples were analyzed using the wet digestion method and the concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry and the Kjeldahl method. Results indicate that leaves of vegetative broom have lower concentrations of Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, and Ni than healthy leaves. Concentrations of P and Cu were lower in healthy leaves and higher in leaves of vegetative broom. In contrast, concentrations of K, N, and Zn were the same for both types of leaves. In short, plant-fungal interaction was reflected in the nutritional composition of the leaves, demonstrated by the differences in nutrient concentrations between healthy and infected leaf tissue.

Resumo Catorze novos loci microsatélites são descritos e caracterizados em duas espécies de poraquês, Electrophorus varii e E. voltai de planícies alagadas e rios da floresta amazônica. Esses loci são polimórficos, altamente informativos e têm a capacidade de detectar níveis confiáveis de diversidade genética. Da mesma forma, o alto valor de exclusão de paternidade combinado com a baixa probabilidade de identidade genética demonstra que o novo conjunto de loci exibe adequação para estudos de paternidade em poraquês. Além disso, a amplificação cruzada de espécies de peixes elétricos implica que também pode ser útil no estudo da espécie intimamente relacionada E. electricus, e de outras espécies de peixes elétricos neotropicais (Gymnotiformes).

Abstract Fourteen novel microsatellite loci are described and characterized in two species of electric eels, Electrophorus variiand E. voltaifrom floodplains and rivers of the Amazon rainforest. These loci are polymorphic, highly informative, and have the capacity to detect reliable levels of genetic diversity. Likewise, the high combined probability of paternity exclusion value and low combined probability of genetic identity value obtained demonstrate that the new set of loci displays suitability for paternity studies on electric eels. In addition, the cross-amplification of electric eel species implies that it may also be useful in the study of the closely related E. electricus, and to other Neotropical electric fishes (Gymnotiformes) species as tested herein.

Resumo As argilas são componentes fundamentais das massas para produção de materiais cerâmicos tradicionais, pois garantem plasticidade na etapa de conformação e resistência mecânica após a queima; também podem ser utilizadas nas formulações de cerâmicas refratárias devido ao desenvolvimento da fase mulita em temperaturas elevadas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da composição, tempo de maturação e temperatura de queima em formulações à base de argilas para uso na fabricação de materiais refratários. As argilas foram caracterizadas por análise granulométrica, análise química, refratariedade, difração de raios X, análise térmica diferencial e termogravimétrica. As formulações contendo caulim mais ball clay e caulim mais esmectita foram submetidas à maturação por um período de 1 a 4 semanas. Em seguida, as massas foram conformadas por prensagem uniaxial obtendo-se corpos de prova, que foram submetidos a tratamento térmico em 1200, 1300 e 1400 °C, e, posteriormente, analisados quanto às propriedades: absorção de água, retração linear de queima e resistência à flexão em três pontos. Os resultados obtidos evidenciaram que as formulações em estudo apresentaram após queima fases de quartzo, cristobalita e mulita como fase majoritária. A temperatura de queima foi o parâmetro que apresentou maior influência nas propriedades avaliadas, com maior efeito da temperatura mais alta (1400 °C).

Abstract Clays are key components of mass for traditional ceramic materials production because they ensure plasticity in the shaping step and mechanical resistance after firing. They can also be used in refractory ceramic formulations due to the development of mullite phase at high temperatures. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of composition, maturation time, and firing temperature on clay formulations for use in manufacturing refractory materials. The clays were characterized by particle size analysis, chemical analysis, refractoriness, X-ray diffraction, as well as differential thermal and thermogravimetric analyses. Formulations containing kaolin with ball clay and kaolin with smectite were submitted to a maturation period of 1 to 4 weeks. Next, the masses were shaped by uniaxial pressing to obtain test specimens, which were then subjected to heat treatment at 1200, 1300 and 1400 °C, and the following properties were subsequently analyzed: water absorption, linear firing shrinkage, and three-point flexural strength. The results showed that after firing the samples had quartz, cristobalite and mullite phases, with the latter as the major phase. The firing temperature was the parameter that had the greatest influence on the evaluated properties, with the highest temperature (1400 °C) exerting the most influence.

Abstract: A method to estimate the pulmonary fibrosis in computed tomography (CT) imaging is presented. A semi-automatic segmentation algorithm based on the Chan-Vese method was used. The proposed method shows a similar fibrosis región with respect to clinical expert. However, the results need to be validated in a bigger data base. The proposed method approximates a fibrosis percentage that allows to achieve this procedure easily in order to support its implementation in the clinical practice minimizing the clinical expert subjectivity and generating a quantitative estimation of fibrosis region.

Resumen: En este trabajo se presenta un método para calcular los niveles de fibrosis pulmonar en imágenes de tomografía axial computarizada. Se utilizó un algoritmo de segmentación semiautomática basado en el método de Chan-Vese. El método mostró similitudes de forma cualitativa en la región de la fibrosis con respecto al experto clínico. Sin embargo es necesario validar los resultados con una base de datos mayor. El método propuesto aproxima un porcentaje de fibrosis de forma fácil para apoyar su implementación en la práctica clínica minimizando la subjetividad del experto médico y generando una estimación cuantitativa de la región de fibrosis.

Resumo A região nordeste do Brasil possui grandes depósitos de argilas plásticas do tipo ball clay situados geralmente na Formação Barreiras e são usados em cerâmica branca e materiais refratários. Essas argilas são constituídas por caulinitas secundárias e matéria orgânica, sendo muito plásticas e quando submetidas a elevadas temperaturas queimam com cores brancas e ocorrem transformações de fases, principalmente formação de cristais de mulita e cristobalita. Este trabalho tem como objetivo estudar novos jazimentos de argilas plásticas visando utilizá-los na produção de materiais refratários. As argilas foram caracterizadas por difração a laser, difração de raios X (DRX), fluorescência de raios X, refratariedade, análise térmica e microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). Os corpos de prova foram prensados e sinterizados a 1000, 1150, 1250, 1280 e 1400 °C. A caracterização após queima foi realizada por DRX e MEV. Em seguida foram determinadas as propriedades físico-mecânicas: absorção, porosidade e tensão de ruptura à flexão. Os resultados evidenciaram que as argilas apresentaram a formação de cristais de mulita com propriedades físicas, químicas e mineralógicas adequadas para uso em cerâmica refratária.

Abstract The northeast of Brazil has large deposits of ball clays generally situated in Barreiras Formation and are used in white ceramic and refractory materials. These clays are composed of secondary kaolinite and organic matter, being very plastic and when subjected to elevated temperatures burn with white colors and present phase transformations showing mainly crystals formation of mullite and cristobalite. This work aims to study new deposits of ball clays in order to use them to refractory materials production. The clays were characterized by laser diffraction, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence, refractoriness, thermal analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The samples were pressed and sintered at 1000, 1150, 1250, 1280 and 1400 °C. The characterization after firing was carried out by XRD and SEM. Then, the physical and mechanical properties - absorption, porosity and flexural strength, were determined. The results showed that the clays presented formation of mullite crystals with physical, chemical and mineralogical properties suitable for use in refractory ceramics.

Abstract In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest concerning solid-state cultivation processes due to a number of advantages over submerged cultivation. However, studies on oxygen transfer and the performance of bioreactors are lacking. Processes that use inert supports loaded with chemically-defined liquid media have several potential applications and offer numerous advantages, such as improved process control and monitoring and enhanced process consistency compared with cultivation on natural solid substrates. The aim of this research was to study the oxygen transfer for the production of allergenic proteins from a biomass of Drechslera (Helminthosporium) monoceras cultured in a packed-bed reactor filled with polyurethane foam. The results show that a high protein concentration can be produced on an inert support with a high overall oxygen transfer coefficient (KLa) during cultivation.

Resumo O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a ação do extrato hidroalcólico do ritidoma de Hymenaea stigonocarpa frente a um composto mutagênico, utilizando como sistema teste as células meristemáticas de raízes de A. cepa. Os grupos tratamentos avaliados foram: Controle Negativo (CN) – água destilada; Controle Positivo (CP) – paracetamol na concentração de 0,008 mg/mL, Controle Jatobá (CJ) – fração aquosa de jatobá-do-cerrado na concentração de 0,5 ou 1,0 ou 1,5 mg/mL, e Tratamento Simultâneo (TS) – fração aquosa de jatobá-do-cerrado na concentração de 0,5 ou 1,0 ou 1,5 mg/mL associada a solução de paracetamol na concentração de 0,008 mg/mL. Todos os grupos foram analisados nos tempos de 24 e 48 h. Para cada grupo tratamento cinco bulbos de cebolas (cinco repetições) foram utilizados. As radículas foram fixadas em Carnoy e as lâminas preparadas pela técnica de esmagamento. Analisaram-se células em todo ciclo celular, totalizando 5.000 para cada grupo tratamento em cada tempo de exposição. Os índices mitóticos obtidos foram submetidos à análise estatística do Qui-quadrado (p<0,05). A partir dos resultados verificou-se que o grupo TS, nas três concentrações, potencializou o efeito antiproliferativo significativo as células do sistema teste quando comparado ao CP, CN e TJ nas três concentrações. Ainda, o TS nas três concentrações reduziu de forma significativa o número de aberrações celulares quando comparado com o número de células aberrantes obtidas para o CP, demonstrando ação antimutagênica as células do sistema teste A. cepa.

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the action of Hymenaea stigonocarpa bark hydroalcoholic extract against a mutagenic compound using A. cepa meristematic root cells as a test system. The treatment groups were: Negative Control (NC) – distilled water; Positive Control (PC) – paracetamol at a concentration of 0.008 mg/mL, Jatoba Control (JC) – aqueous fraction jatobá-do-cerrado at 0.5 or 1.0 or 1.5 mg/mL, and Simultaneous Treatment (ST) - jatobá-do-cerrado aqueous fraction at a concentration of 0.5 or 1.0 or 1.5 mg/mL associated with paracetamol solution at a concentration of 0.008 mg/mL. All groups were analyzed at 24 and 48 h. Five onion bulbs (five replications) were used for each treatment group. The root tips were fixed in Carnoy and slides prepared by the crush technique. Cells were analyzed throughout the cell cycle, totaling 5,000 for each treatment group at each exposure time. Mitotic indices were subjected to statistical analysis using the chi-square test (p<0.05). From the results it was found that the ST group, at the three concentrations, significantly potentiated the antiproliferative effect of the test system cells when compared to PC, NC and TJ at the three concentrations. Furthermore, the three ST concentrations significantly reduced the number of cell aberrations when compared to the number of aberrant cells obtained for the PC, demonstrating antimutagenic action on the A. cepa test system cells.

Resumo A geração de resíduos é cada vez maior e o destino adequado desses tornou-se crucial para a preservação do meio ambiente. Portanto, a utilização de alguns resíduos sem massas utilizadas nas indústrias da cerâmica tradicional, além de ser uma solução ambientalmente correta, pode vir a reduzir os custos de processamento. Este trabalho tem como objetivo estudar a viabilidade da incorporação do resíduo de quartzito em uma massa que é utilizada na fabricação de produtos de cerâmica estrutural. As matérias-primas foram submetidas à caracterização física, química e mineralógica. Foram formuladas massas com 5, 10 e 15% em massa de resíduo de quartzito e, posteriormente, conformadas por prensagem uniaxial, e queimadas a 800, 900 e 1000 ºC. Após queima dos corpos de prova, foram determinadas as propriedades físico-mecânicas: absorção de água, retração linear, porosidade aparente e resistência à flexão. Foi avaliada também a cor e fases mineralógicas formadas. O resíduo e as massas foram analisados quanto às características de toxicidade. Os resultados evidenciaram que, para a massa estudada, poderá ser adicionado até 15% do resíduo de quartzito.

Abstract The waste generation is increasing and the appropriate destination of these became crucial for the preservation of the environment. Therefore, the use of some residues in masses that are used in industries of traditional ceramics, in addition to be an environmentally friendly solution, can reduce processing costs. This work aims to study the feasibility of incorporating quartzite residue in a mass that is used in the manufacture of structural ceramic products. The raw materials were subjected to physical, chemical and mineralogical characterization. The masses were formulated with 5, 10 and 15 wt% of quartzite residue and subsequently molded by uniaxial pressing, and sintered at 800, 900 and 1000 ºC. After sintering, the samples were subjected to the physico-mechanical properties: water absorption, apparent porosity, linear shrinkage and bending strength. The color and mineralogical phases formed were also evaluated. The toxicity characteristics of residue and masses were analyzed. The results showed that, for the studied mass, it is possible to add up to 15% of the residue of quartzite.

RESUMONós determinamos os parâmetros reprodutivos e distúrbios clínicos em cabras gestantes infectadas e reinfectados com Toxoplasma gondii, e posteriormente, foi estimada a perda de receita bruta devido à toxoplasmose congênita. Das 25 fêmeas não prenhes negativas para T. gondii, 20 foram inoculadas oralmente (cepa ME 49) e, destas, 15 fêmeas gestantes infectadas cronicamente foram reinoculadas (cepa VEG), via oral, com oocistos de T. gondii. Cinco grupos foram formados (n = 5): GI, GII e GIII (reinoculações aos 40, 80 e 120 dias de gestação, respectivamente), GIV (inoculação) e GV (não inoculação). Exames clínicos e sorológicos foram realizados nos dias 0 (antes da inoculação), 3, 6 9, 15 e 21 e a cada sete dias após a inoculação. Os exames também foram realizados nos dias 3 e a cada sete dias de pós-reinoculação. Manejo reprodutivo foi realizado em todas as fêmeas e iniciou-se quando as fêmeas infectadas exibiram títulos de anticorpos IgG<1.024. A partir dos índices médios de prolificidade de cada grupo experimental foram estimados: a produção total de kg de peso vivo (total kg PV) de cabritos para o abate, receita bruta e perda de receita bruta em dólares norte-americanos (US$), projetadas para um rebanho de 1000 matrizes. Os índices de prolificidade inviáveis foram de 0,8 (GI), 1.2 (GII) e 0,2 (GIII). Distúrbios clínicos afetaram 57,1% (GI), 75,0% (GII) e 16,7% (GIII) das crias de cabras reinfectados com T. gondii. A toxoplasmose congênita em crias das cabras reinfectadas com T. gondii resultou na perda de 26,5% da receita bruta, sendo GI (US $ 10,577.60 e 57,1%) e GII (US $ 12,693.12 e 60.0%) os detentores dos mais altos valores e porcentagens de perdas econômicas. Verificou-se que a reinfecção toxoplásmica congênita causa distúrbios clínicos em cabras cronicamente infectadas com T. gondii e sua prole com o nascimento de animais inviáveis e perda de receita bruta, em diferentes fases da gestação (40, 80 e 120 dias de gestação), sendo nas fases inicial e intermediária da gestação verificadas as maiores estimativas destes prejuízos.

ABSTRACTWe determined the reproductive parameters and clinical disorders in pregnant goats infected and reinfected with Toxoplasma gondii, and posteriorly the loss of gross revenue due to congenital toxoplasmosis was estimated. Of the 25 non-pregnant females negative for T. gondii, 20 were orally inoculated (ME 49 strain) and of these, 15 pregnant females chronically infected were orally reinoculated (VEG strain) with T. gondii oocysts. Five groups were formed (n=5): GI, GII and GIII (reinoculations at 40, 80 and 120 days of gestation, respectively), GIV (inoculation) and GV (no inoculation). Clinical and serological exams were performed on days 0 (prior to inoculation), 3, 6 9, 15 and 21 and every 7 days post-inoculation. Exams were also performed on day 3 and every 7 days post-reinoculation. Reproductive management was performed on all females and initiated when the females infected displayed IgG titers IFAT<1,024. From the average prolificacy indexes of each experimental group were estimated: total production of kilograms of live weight (total kg LW) of goats for slaughter, gross revenue and loss of gross revenue in U.S. dollars (US$), designed for a herd of 1,000 matrices. The unviable prolificacy indexes were 0.8 (GI), 1.2 (GII) and 0.2 (GIII). Clinical disorders affected 57.1% (GI), 75.0% (GII) and 16.7% (GIII) of the offspring of goats reinfected with T. gondii. Congenital toxoplasmosis in goats reinfected resulted in the loss of 26.5% of gross revenues, being GI (US$ 10,577.60 or 57.1%) and GII (US$ 12,693.12 or 60%) holders of the highest values and percentages of economic losses. It was found that congenital toxoplasmosis reinfection cause clinical disorders in goats chronically infected with T. gondii and their offspring with birth of unviable animals and loss of gross revenue, at different stages of pregnancy (40, 80 and 120 days of gestation), being in the initial and intermediate stages of pregnancy the largest estimates of these losses.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) microparticles crosslinked with divinyl sulfone (DVS) are primarily used in viscosupplementation to restore the viscoelastic properties of synovial fluid in the treatment of joint diseases. The crosslinking degree provides the swelling and rheological properties required for injectable application and biological stability. In this work, we studied the effects of alkaline medium on the crosslinking performance between HA and DVS. The crosslinking degree was evaluated based on the modification of the swelling and rheological properties of HA microparticles crosslinked at 1/1 HA/DVS mass ratio. Stable microparticles were obtained by shearing in the narrow pH range of 11.79 to 12.63. The microparticles exhibited gel-like dynamic mechanical behavior in the frequency range examined. Alkalinity increased the swelling and decreased the viscoelasticity of the HA microparticles. Ultimately, the interplay between the chemical modification and conformation of HA chains may control viscoelasticity and swelling at the levels required for specific applications.

As principais reservas de argilas bentonitas no Brasil encontram-se nos estados de S. Paulo, Bahia, Piauí e Paraíba, sendo este ultimo como maior produtor nacional. Os grandes depósitos dessas argilas provem do município de Boa Vista, PB, que atualmente encontra-se em fase exaustão devido à exploração desordenada. Outros novos depósitos foram descobertos nos municípios de Cubati, PB e Pedra Lavrada, PB, sendo o mais recente o município de Sossego, PB, fato que pode representar uma interessante alternativa tecnológica à futura escassez das argilas bentoníticas na Paraíba, ampliação da produção mineral na região e consolidação do estado como o maior produtor do país. Este trabalho tem por objetivo estudar as argilas esmectíticas do município de Sossego, PB. Inicialmente as amostras foram submetidas a uma caracterização física, química e mineralógica através das seguintes técnicas: análise granulometrica por difração a laser, composição química por fluorescência de raios X, difração de raios X, análise térmica diferencial e termogravimetrica. Após os ensaios de caracterização foram determinadas as propriedades reológicas com base na norma da Petrobrás para fluidos base água. Os resultados evidenciaram que as argilas apresentaram em sua composição mineralógica esmectita, caulinita, feldspato e quartzo. Em relação às propriedades reológicas, os resultados foram promissores para algumas amostras para uso em fluidos de perfuração.

The main reserves of bentonite clays in Brazil are located in the states of S. Paulo, Bahia, Piauí and Paraíba, the latter being as a major national producer. Large deposits of these clays are found in Boa Vista, PB, which is currently in depletion phase due to uncontrolled exploitation. Other deposits were discovered in Districts of Cubati, and Pedra Lavrada, PB, and recently in the Sossego district, PB, Brazil, was discovered a new deposit which may represent an interesting alternative technology to future shortages of Paraíba bentonite clays, expansion of mineral production in region and consolidation of the state as the largest producer in the country. This work aims to study the smectite clays from Sossego District, PB. Initially the samples were submitted to characterize physical, chemical and mineralogical through the following techniques: granulometric analysis by laser diffraction, chemical composition by X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, thermal differential and thermogravimetric analysis. After those tests, were determined the rheological properties, based on standard Petrobras, for drilling water based fluids. The results showed that mineralogical composition clays were smectite, kaolinite, feldspar and quartz. The rheological properties results indicated that some samples were promising for use in drilling fluids.