The polyphagous shot hole borer (PSHB) beetle is a recent invader in South Africa. Together with its fungal symbiont, Fusarium euwallaceae, it can rapidly kill highly susceptible host plants. Its impact is most profound in urban areas, but it has also been found infesting important forestry, agricultural crop and native species. Since its first detection in 2012, PSHB has spread to all but one province in the country. The beetle-fungus complex has several biological traits that enhance its anthropogenically mediated dispersal, establishment and survival in novel environments - factors that have likely facilitated its rapid spread across the country. We review the history of the PSHB invasion in South Africa, its taxonomic status and the reasons for its rapid spread. We highlight its potential impact and challenges for its management. Finally, we provide an updated distribution map and list of confirmed host plants in South Africa. Of the 130 plant species identified as hosts, 48 of these (19 indigenous and 29 introduced) are reproductive hosts able to maintain breeding PSHB populations. These reproductive hosts may succumb to beetle infestations and act as 'pest-amplifiers'. The economic impact on urban forests, plantation forestry and agricultural crops may be severe, but the ecological impact of PSHB invasion in native ecosystems should not be underestimated.SIGNIFICANCE: • We provide an updated host list and distribution map for South Africa of the globally significant tree pest, the polyphagous shot hole borer (PSHB, Euwallacea fornicatus). The South African PSHB invasion represents the largest outbreak of this pest in its global invaded range. PSHB was confirmed to infest 130 plant species in urban, agricultural, and native ecosystems in South Africa, including 44 previously unreported hosts. Impact in South Africa is in its infancy but will likely be substantial to local economies and ecosystems. Mitigation has proven difficult, but numerous research projects have been initiated throughout the country.

Keggin heteropolyacids (HPW) supported on niobia have been considered for both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis due to its special features, like the strong Brönsted acidity, low volatility, high activity and high selectivity for various reactions in comparison with mineral acids. Literature reports many different preparation methods for these catalysts through the addition of HPW solutions, in either water or acid, over niobia under stirring. However not much is known about the way how HPW interacts with the support, neither how the temperature influences this interaction. In order to contribute to expand the knowledge on this field we report here a new way of preparing HPW supported catalysts over niobia calcined at 500 and 600 ºC, followed by a theoretical study meant to check the influence of the temperature increase on the adsorption behavior of the catalysts over the support. Our proposed method showed to be an efficient alternative for impregnation of HPW over niobia, while the theoretical results suggest that pseudohexagonal and orthorhombic are the most likely crystalline forms for these catalysts.

The precursor sols of Al2O3 and mixed NbxOy/Al2O3 oxides were synthesized by the sol-gel process using acetylacetone to control the reaction kinetics of the organometallic oxides in the mixture. The layers of the precursor sols of Al2O3 and NbxOy/Al2O3 were deposited on AISI steel 1020 by manual immersion (dip coating). The lyophilized sols were characterized by X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis and scanning electron microscopy with EDXS before the recoating process. The influence of the ceramic coating of corrosive processes of AISI steel 1020 were investigated by electrochemical measurements. The only identified phase was poorly crystallized boehmite with homogeneous mixture of Al, Nb, O and C ions in mixed NbxOy/Al2O3 oxides. The ceramic layers deposited appeared to have physical and chemical homogeneity and the steel samples with these deposits had lower corrosion potential. However, the precursor sol Al2O3 showed better steel corrosion protection with lower current density, and more corrosive potential.

Os processos industriais mais utilizados na produção de combustíveis líquidos semelhantes ao diesel usam catalisadores homogêneos básicos através das metanólise e etanólise de óleos tais como os de soja, canola, palma entre outros. Desse modo, se obtém o biodiesel. Por sua vez, transformações termo-catalíticas usando as facilidades existentes nas refinarias de petróleo são alternativas que merecem atenção devido a sua viabilidade econômica. De fato, três processos industriais já estão em funcionamento e novos projetos estão em fase final para comercialização. O presente trabalho analisa os experimentos já realizados por pesquisadores brasileiros nas áreas do craqueamento, do craqueamento catalítico e do hidrocraqueamento catalítico dos óleos vegetais puros ou modificados. A partir dos resultados descritos, são sugeridas novas direções destas pesquisas para os próximos anos.

The most used industrial processes for the production of liquid fuels like diesel type are based on the methanolysis and ethanolysis of various oil reactants, such as palm, soybean and rapeseed oils, in the presence of homogeneous base catalysts. However, thermal and catalytic transformations of vegetable oils using available reactors and industrial processes are possible alternatives and deserve attention. In fact, three industrial processes are operating and new projects are announced. The present work analyses the experimental studies performed up to now by Brazilian researchers in the field of cracking, catalytic cracking and hydrocracking of pure or modified vegetable oils. From the published results, some research areas for the near future are suggested.

Al2O3 and H3PO4/Al2O3 catalysts were investigated in the conversion of oleic acid to biofuels and biolubricant at 1 atm and at 623 K. The catalytic tests were performed in a fixed bed and continuous flow reactor, using an oleic acid-catalyst ratio of 4 and N2 as the carrier gas. The reaction products were analyzed by gas chromatography and acidity measurements. N2 adsorption-desorption, X ray diffraction, 31P nuclear magnetic resonance and FT-IR spectroscopy were also employed to evaluate the textural, structural and acidic properties of the catalysts. The results showed that phosphoric acid impregnation improved the alumina decarboxylation activities, generating hydrocarbons in the range of gasoline, diesel oil and lubricant oil. The best catalytic performance was achieved with the highest surface area alumina impregnated with H3PO4, which was the solid that allied high total acidity with a large quantity of mesopores.

The catalytic properties of niobium based catalysts were investigated in the conversion of oleic acid to liquid fuels at atmospheric pressure and at 623 K. The catalytic tests were performed in a fixed bed and continuous flow reactor using an acid to catalyst ratio equal to 4 and N2 as carrier gas. The reaction products were analyzed by gas chromatography and acidity measurements. NH3 temperature programmed desorption, N2 adsorption-desorption (BET method) and Xray diffraction were also performed in order to determine the structural and acidic properties of the catalysts. From the catalytic tests, it was detected the formation of compounds in the range of gasoline, diesel and lubricant oils. Higher catalytic activity and selectivity for diesel fuel were observed for the catalysts NbOPO4 and H3PO4/Nb2O5 that possesses higher acidities and surface areas.