ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of improving the economic value of integrated crop-livestock systems (ICLS) compared to conventional systems specialized in monoculture. The experimental area was 16.02 ha, divided into 18 paddocks of 0.89 ha each, organized in a randomized block design, with three replicates and six models of production systems: crop system [corn ( Zea mays ) grain production], livestock system (beef cattle under grazing conditions), and four ICLS, identified as: ICLS-1, corn integrated with Marandu palisadegrass [ Urochloa brizantha (Hoechst. ex A. Rich.) R.D. Webster cv. Marandu (syn. Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu] sown simultaneously without herbicide; ICLS-2, corn and Marandu palisadegrass sown simultaneously with herbicide; ICLS-3, corn and Marandu palisadegrass with lagged sowing; and ICLS-4, corn and Marandu palisadegrass sown simultaneously, with herbicide in rows and between-rows of corn. We demonstrated the economic impact analysis combined with the risk optimization and discounted cash flow techniques based on Monte Carlo simulation, considering price and productivity uncertainties. The indicators of added value and return on investment of ICLS had an economic advantage compared with conventional systems. It was also found that ICLS needed a smaller operational area than conventional systems for the economic break-even point. Integrated systems provide lower financial and operational risk levels and greater economic value per hectare compared with conventional systems specialized in monoculture.

Abstract This research aimed to evaluate the economic viability of different scenarios for the first thinning in Khaya ivorensis monocultures and present an estimate of age and thinning intensity that provide a higher invested capital return. There were carried out 576 simulations considering different implementation and maintenance costs, ages for first thinning, thinning intensities, and recipes for standing wood sale. The Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) were calculated. The minimum price for standing wood, which all simulations were economically feasible, was 1 638 R$ m-3 for 10% thinning intensity, from 819 R$ m-3 to 20%, from 546 R$ m-3 for 30%, and 410 R$ m-3 for 40%. The simulations that maximized the NPV values were those with thinning prediction at five years of age. The percentage planning of thinned volume can be carried out by adopting economic criteria such as NPV and IRR. To obtain a return from the capital invested from the first thinning at five years of age, the percentage estimate from the thinned volume can be obtained according to the standing wood sale price for different minimum rates of attractiveness.

Resumo O objetivo da presente pesquisa foi avaliar a viabilidade econômica de diferentes cenários para a realização do primeiro desbaste em monocultivos de Khaya ivorensis e apresentar uma estimativa de idade e intensidade de desbaste que proporcionem maior retorno de capital investido. Foram realizadas 576 simulações considerando diferentes custos de implantação e manutenção, idades para primeiro desbaste, intensidades de desbaste e receitas para a venda de madeira em pé. Calcularam-se o Valor Presente Líquido (VPL) e Taxa Interna de Retorno (TIR). O preço mínimo da madeira em pé para o qual todas as simulações foram viáveis economicamente foi de 1 638 R$ m-3 para uma intensidade de desbaste de 10%, de 819 R$ m-3 para 20%, de 546 R$ m-3 para 30% e 410 R$ m-3 para 40%. As simulações que maximizaram os valores de VPL foram aquelas com previsão de desbaste aos 5 anos de idade. O planejamento do percentual de volume desbastado pode ser realizado adotando critérios econômicos como o VPL e a TIR. Para que haja retorno do capital investido logo no primeiro desbaste aos 5 anos idade, a estimativa percentual do volume desbastado pode ser obtida em função do preço de venda da madeira em pé para diferentes taxas mínimas de atratividade.

Abstract: COVID-19 rapidly spread across the world in an unprecedented outbreak with a massive number of infected and fatalities. The pandemic was heavily discussed and searched on the internet, which generated big amounts of data related to it. This led to the possibility of attempting to forecast coronavirus indicators using the internet data. For this study, Google Trends statistics for 124 selected search terms related to pandemic were used in an attempt to find which keywords had the best Spearman correlations with a lag, as well as a forecasting model. It was found that keywords related to coronavirus testing among some others, such as “I have contracted covid”, had high correlations (≥0.7) with few weeks of lag (≤4 weeks). Besides that, the ARIMAX model using those keywords had promising results in predicting the increase or decrease of epidemiological indicators, although it was not able to predict their exact values. Thus, we found that Google Trends data may be useful for predicting outbreaks of coronavirus a few weeks before they happen, and may be used as an auxiliary tool in monitoring and forecasting the disease in Brazil.

ABSTRACT The impacts caused on Chaco plant communities by the removal of woody species, together with the effects on the composition and functional structure of herbaceous plants, are still unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the effects of anthropization on herb-subshrub communities in preserved and disturbed Chaco areas. Specifically, we examined differences and similarities in species diversity, composition and proportion of life forms in eight areas of Brazilian Chaco. Samples were taken from herb-subshrub communities using 800 1x1m² plots located in disturbed and preserved areas. Among 130 recorded species, 46 were exclusive to disturbed areas. The composition of species differed between preserved and disturbed areas (PERMANOVA; p = 0.001). PCoA ordination analysis showed greater aggregation of the plots in disturbed areas than in preserved areas. In preserved areas, an analysis of indicator species showed Hemicryptophytes species as the most representative life form. In disturbed areas, the proportion of life forms among indicator species was Hemicryptophytes, followed by Therophytes and Chamaephytes. Our study shows evidence that alterations in species composition, structure, and diversity, as well as sets of indicator species, occur in herb-subshrub communities. The removal of trees and bushes leads to a new configuration of this component in Chaco environments.

Resumo Intervenções educacionais podem desencadear ações que contribuam para a prevenção de doenças parasitárias, como a doença de Chagas (DC). Este estudo teve como objetivo investigar o impacto de um vídeo instrucional denominado “Documentário Doença de Chagas” no conhecimento sobre DC e seus vetores exibidos a uma população que vive em área endêmica no Brasil, para validá-lo como uma ferramenta educacional. O vídeo foi exibido para 226 indivíduos, divididos em dois grupos. O grupo 1 foi composto por usuários das Unidades Básicas de Saúde (UBS) de Pelotas e Pinheiro Machado, cidades do estado do Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brasil, onde a DC é endêmica. O grupo 2 foi formado por estudantes que frequentam três escolas públicas localizadas na zona rural de Pinheiro Machado, RS. Dois questionários com perguntas sobre conhecimentos sobre triatomíneos e DC foram aplicados, antes e depois da exibição do documentário. Após a exibição do vídeo, houve um aumento significativo no conhecimento dos indivíduos (em ambos os grupos) sobre “triatomíneos”, sua notificação, a doença e sua prevenção. Além disso, os observadores consideraram que a qualidade do material era satisfatória. Como o “Documentário DC” pode ser facilmente acessado na Internet e ser eficaz no ensino à população que vive em áreas endêmicas, seu uso deve ser incentivado em locais e reuniões relacionadas à saúde, que visam combater os triatomíneos e exibir uma informação atualizada sobre a DC.

Abstract Educational interventions may trigger actions that contribute to prevent parasitic diseases, such as Chagas disease (CD). This study aimed at investigating the impact of an instructional video named “Documentary on Chagas Disease” on knowledge about CD and its vectors displayed by a population that lives in an endemic area in Brazil, so as to validate it as an educational tool. The video was shown to 226 subjects, divided into two groups. Group 1 was composed of users of Basic Health Units (BHU) in Pelotas and Pinheiro Machado, cities located in Rio Grande do Sul (RS) state, Brazil, where CD is endemic. Group 2 consisted of students who attend three public schools located in the rural area in Pinheiro Machado, RS. Two questionnaires with questions about their knowledge about triatomines and CD were applied, before and after the documentary was shown. After the video was shown, there was significant increase in individuals’ knowledge (in both groups) about “kissing bugs”, their notification, the disease and its prevention. Besides, watchers considered that the quality of the material was satisfactory. Since the “Documentary on CD” can be easily accessed on the internet and was effective in teaching the population that lives in endemic areas, its use should be encouraged in places and meetings connected to health that aim at fighting against triatominae and at exposing an updated view of CD.

This study describes the stereoselective synthesis of two new γ-lactones in 6 and 3 steps and 19 and 32% yield, respectively, directed toward the total synthesis of the natural product (−)-cleistenolide. The starting material was an enantiomerically pure diacetonide diol, derived from d-mannitol with the required stereocenters for (−)-cleistenolide synthesis. γ-Lactone syntheses were based on highly selective protection and deprotection of hydroxyls from d-mannitol. The formation of γ-lactone rings was the culmination of this approach, made possible by a Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons Z-olefination between diacetal aldehyde and ethyl 2-(bis(o-tolyloxy)phosphoryl)acetate to produce an unsaturated ester. The Z-isomer ester was highly favored in relation to the E-isomer (Z/E ratio of 94:6), allowing the formation of the γ-lactone ring under acid catalysis. This strategy precluded the use of chiral auxiliaries or catalysts for the control of stereocenters in the novel γ-lactones.

RESUMO Testaram-se as hipóteses de que, assim como em reservatórios de grande áreas de superfície, volumes e vazão, em reservatórios pequenos também ocorrem a diluição gradual e contínua da riqueza, da diversidade e abundância de microcrustáceos (Cladocera e Copepoda) a jusante dos mesmos, sem a recomposição da riqueza a jusante pela falta de rios tributários, lagoas marginais e até pelo pequeno porte do riacho, sem condições para o desenvolvimento do potamoplâncton próprio do sistema. Foram estudados dois pequenos reservatórios e seus trechos a jusante, com coletas diárias a cada seis horas em oito pontos de amostragem, sendo dois lênticos e seis lóticos a jusante de cada. Foram encontradas 19 espécies (11 de Cladocera e oito de Copepoda), com destaque para o maior número de espécies litorâneas do que pelágicas, e a maior abundância de cladóceros litorâneos nos pontos a jusante dos reservatórios. Não houve diferença entre os horários, indicando que a escala espacial foi mais importante que a temporal. Houve maiores valores dos atributos ecológicos nos ambientes lênticos, porém houve aumentos significativos de riqueza e diversidade nos últimos pontos dos trechos de riacho, enquanto que a abundância diminuiu gradativamente a jusante. Não foram encontradas correlações significativas da abundância dos táxons com nenhuma variável limnológica (temperatura, pH, oxigênio dissolvido, turbidez, sólidos totais dissolvidos e transparência), indicando pouco ou nenhum efeito destas variáveis. A análise de cluster com distância euclidiana separou dois grandes grupos, o primeiro formado pelo trecho a jusante do primeiro reservatório e o segundo com os demais pontos. Além da presença dos táxons litorâneos vindos dos reservatórios, houve incremento de táxons litorâneos residentes nos riachos. Pode-se concluir que houve uma diluição da abundância das espécies a jusante dos riachos, mas a riqueza e a diversidade permaneceram estáveis devido à contribuição de táxons litorâneos.

ABSTRACT The hypotheses tested were that, as well as in reservoirs of large surface areas, volumes and flow, in small reservoirs there is also a gradual and continuous dilution of the richness, diversity and abundance of microcrustaceans (Cladocera and Copepoda) downstream reservoirs, without the recomposition of richness downstream due to the lack of tributary rivers, marginal lagoons and even the small size of the stream, with no conditions for the development of its own potamoplankton. Two small reservoirs were studied and in their downstream stretches, with daily collections every six hours at eight sampling points, two lentic and six lotic downstream from each. Nineteen species were found (11 from Cladocera and eight from Copepoda), with emphasis on the greater number of coastal species than pelagic ones, and the greater abundance of coastal cladocerans at the points downstream of the reservoirs. There was no difference between the times, indicating that the spatial scale was more important than the temporal scale. There were higher values of ecological attributes in lentic environments, but there were significant increases in richness and diversity in the last points of the stretches of the stream, while the abundance decreased gradually downstream. No significant correlations were found for the abundance of taxa with any physical and chemical variable (temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, total dissolved solids and transparency), indicating little or no effect of these variables. The cluster analysis with Euclidean distance separated two large groups, the first formed by the stretch downstream of the first reservoir and the second with the other points. In addition to the presence of litoranean taxa coming from reservoirs, there was an increase in litoranean taxa resident in streams. It can be concluded that there was a dilution of the abundance of species downstream of the streams, but the richness and diversity remained stable due to the contribution of litoranean taxa.

ABSTRACT During a survey of Mucorales in soil from an upland forest area in Pernambuco, Brazil, two specimens were isolated and characterized based on their morphological, physiological, and molecular data (ITS and LSU rDNA). Phylogenetic analyses of the isolates revealed that the strains URM 8209 and URM 8210 are closely related to species of Absidia. URM 8209 forms conical, subglobose, and strawberry-shaped columellae and the sporangiospores are cylindrical and ellipsoid. URM 8210 produces hemispheric, subglobose, and strawberry-shaped columellae and the sporangiospores are globose, subglobose, ellipsoid, and short cylindrical. Based on evidence obtained through analysis of datasets (LSU and ITS rDNA regions), A. saloaensis sp. nov. (URM 8209) and A. multispora sp. nov. (URM 8210) are proposed here as novel species of Absidia. A table with morphological characteristics of Neotropical Absidia spp. is provided.

RESUMO O uso de escórias de alto forno (EAF) como matéria-prima em cimento Portland (CP) tem sido considerado há décadas visando à redução da emissão de CO2 e da exploração de reservas de calcário e argila envolvidos na produção do clínquer. Recentemente, o interesse por cimentos isentos ou com baixo teor de clínquer tem crescido, como é o caso de cimentos supersulfatados (CSS), os quais são compostos majoritariamente por escórias de alto forno, em até 90%. As características químicas exigidas para a escória para uso em CSS, no entanto, não são as mesmas exigidas para uso em CP. Uma das características mais importantes das escórias é a relação do teor de CaO e SiO2. Escórias geradas em fornos a carvão vegetal, apresentam relação CaO/SiO2 baixa, sendo assim consideradas ácidas e aquelas geradas em fornos a carvão mineral são consideradas básicas. Este trabalho tem por objetivo avaliar o comportamento do CSS obtido de duas escórias, A e B, geradas em fornos a carvão vegetal e mineral. A cura térmica também foi empregada como forma de intensificar a cinética de hidratação e aumentar as propriedades mecânicas. Os resultados mostraram que, embora ambas as escórias atendessem às condições estipuladas pela norma europeia (EN 15743), a B se mostrou mais adequada para uso em CSS. Através da cura térmica à 40 °C, foi possível aumentar a formação de silicato de cálcio hidratado (CSH) e consequentemente a resistência mecânica do CSS feito com escória A. O menor teor de cálcio da escória A foi a provável causa da sua baixa reatividade.

ABSTRACT The use of blast furnace slag (BFS) as a raw material in Portland cement (PC) has been considered for decades to reduce CO2 emissions and the exploitation of limestone and clay reserves involved in clinker production. Recently, interest in free or low clinker cements has grown, such as supersulfated cements (SSC), which are composed mostly of blast furnace slag, up to 90%. The chemical characteristics required for slag for use in SSC, however, are not the same as those required for use in PC. One of the most important characteristics of the slag is the ratio of the CaO and SiO2 content. Slags generated in charcoal kilns have a low CaO/SiO2 ratio and are considered acidic and those generated in coal kilns are considered basic. This study aims to evaluate the behavior of SSC obtained from two slag, A and B, generated in kilns with charcoal and mineral. Thermal curing was also used to improve the hydration kinetics and mechanical properties. The results showed that, although both slags met the standard limits of (EN 15743), the B was more suitable for use in SSC. Using thermal cure at 40 °C, it was possible to increase the formation of calcium silicate hydrate (CSH) and consequently the mechanical resistance of the SSC made with slag A. The lower calcium content of slag A was the probable cause of its low reactivity.

Abstract In the last decade, various works have demonstrated that a class of artificial material called metamaterials (MTM) can synthesize mu-negative (MNG) media capable of evanescent-wave focusing which largely enhances the magnetic coupling between coils, which is the basic mechanism of Inductive Power Transmission (IPT) systems. In the present work, MTM-enhanced coupling in IPT systems is examined through analytical and numerical results, which are validated by experimental data. Adopting a transmission-line (TL) based approach to describe the general MTM-enhanced IPT system, it is evidenced that MNG MTMs can be interpreted as a negative impedance from a circuital point of view.

ABSTRACT Peeling of crambe fruits, besides increasing the yield of mechanical oil extraction, can increase its apparent specific mass from about 330 to 700 kgm−3, reducing transport and storage operating costs, as well as increasing cake protein content. However, there is no information on the quality of the oil extracted from the stored unpeeled crambe. This study aimed to assess the possible effects of peeling fruits submitted to different storage systems. For nine months, peeled and unpeeled crambe fruits were stored in conventional (permeable) and hermetic packages and water content, fatty acid, and acidity and oil peroxide indices were monitored. The experimental design was a completely randomized design in a 2 x 2 x 3triple factorial, with three replications. After analysis of variance, the mean data were compared by the Tukey’s test, being considered significant when p<0.05. The results showed that peeled crambe had better conservation in relation to that unpeeled, mainly when submitted to the hermetic storage system.

The stereoselective total synthesis of (+)-epi-cytoxazone was performed satisfactorily in 8 steps, in 17% overall yield, via a novel route from 2,3-O-(3-pentylidene)-(R)-glyceraldehyde. The bulky group alkene-ketal allowed intramolecular control of the target molecule's asymmetric centers in the dihydroxylation step by promoting the approach of OsO4 to the face opposite to that of the ketal group.

Resumo Este trabalho foi desenvolvido visando auxiliar os profissionais de soldagem quanto as incertezas relacionadas às atividades de fabricação, montagem e manutenção de tubulações em plantas industriais no qual se refere à maneira adequada para a condução de atividades de qualificação de procedimentos de soldagem. Discorre sobre a metodologia de qualificação de procedimentos de soldagem de tubulações industriais conforme os parâmetros dos códigos ASME B31.3 (Tubulação de Processos), sobre trabalhos executados em tubulações de processos industriais e ASME BPV Code SECTION IX (Qualificação de Soldagem, Brasagem e Fusão), norma largamente empregada para a qualificação de operadores e procedimentos de soldagem. O enfoque desse estudo é uma abordagem interpretativa destas normas visando à aplicabilidade para a qualificação de procedimento de soldagem destinados à fabricação de tubulações industriais. A condução desta qualificação, em conformidade com as normas citadas, apresentou resultados bastante satisfatórios dos corpos-de-prova submetidos aos ensaios mecânicos de dobramentos e de resistência à tração. Esses resultados demonstraram a assertividade das variáveis de soldagem empregadas na qualificação a partir dos códigos utilizados. Viabiliza-se, ainda, possibilidades do emprego desse material como complemento e apoio didático nos currículos de engenharia – mais precisamente – nas disciplinas de processos de fabricação.

Abstract This work was developed to help welding professionals concerning the uncertainties related to the activities of manufacturing, assembly and maintenance of pipes in industrial plants in which it refers to the proper way to conduct activities to qualify welding procedures. It discusses about the methodology for the qualification of industrial tube welding procedures according to the parameters of the ASME B31.3 code (Processes Piping), about work performed on industrial process pipes and ASME BPV code SECTION IX (Welding, Brazing and Fusing Qualification), widely used for the qualification of welders and welding procedures. The purpose of this study is an interpretative approach of these codes aiming at the applicability of the qualification of welding procedure intended for the manufacture of industrial pipes. The conduction of this qualification, in accordance with the cited codes, presented quite satisfactory results of the specimens submitted to the mechanical bend and tensile strength tests. These results demonstrated the confidence of the welding variables used in the qualification from the codes used. It also makes possible the use of this material as a complement and didactic support in engineering curriculum - more precisely - in the disciplines of manufacturing processes.

A novel one-pot sequence (in 2 or 3 steps) was developed for the synthesis of the tetrahydroquinoline alkaloids (±)-galipinine, (±)-cuspareine, (±)-galipeine and (±)-angustureine, and the derivative (±)-11-methoxy-5,6,6a,7,8,13-hexahydro-13a-aza-benzo[5,6]cyclohepta [1,2-a]naphthalene-12-ol from their respective Wittig adducts in moderate and high yields. The solvolytic N-methylation reaction was shown to be catalyzed by Pt0, generated in situ by reduction of PtO2. The evaluation of biofilm inhibition and antibacterial activity of the compounds against Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from cows with mastitis revealed that the alkaloid derivative is a promising candidate for an antibiotic drug.

Abstract This paper presents a method for equivalent emission source determination by application of LLAs (Large Loop Antennas). A review of different types of LLAs is carried out and their characteristics regarding emission source evaluation are emphasized. A hybrid technic is applied for obtaining the electric fields based on previous measurement of magnetic fields combined with an analytical and numerical approach. This methodology is proposed as an alternative to face the constraints concerning to the near electric fields measurements and calculations.