ABSTRACT Soil erosion studies using rainfall simulators are generally expensive and time consuming. Thus, the aim of this study was to develop a prototype of an automatic runoff collector, capable of real-time quantifying runoff volume and soil loss in field trials using a rainfall simulator. The used sensors were chosen based on the type A uncertainty computed from different volumes of water and concentrations of sediment. Through specific programming, the runoff volume, sediment concentrations and the time of occurrence of the collections corresponding to each 200 cm³ of runoff were recorded on a micro-SD card. The robustness of the calibration and the programming developed were also evaluated in the Arduino Mega® 2560 microcontroller. The pressure (PSI.420) and turbidity (ST100) sensors were selected for developing the prototype, which was evaluated in the field with the InfiAsper rainfall simulator. Then, the data collected automatically by the sensors were compared to those obtained by manual measurement. The automatic runoff collector equipped with the PSI.420 and ST100 sensors has potential to obtain and store runoff data, and it was effective in evaluating the erosion process, generating mean errors of 12.25 and 13.16% for runoff volume and soil loss, respectively. The proposed prototype has a low cost of manufacture, in addition to optimizing the collection of erosion data in studies with rainfall simulators.

RESUMO Estudos relacionados à erosão do solo usando simuladores de chuva são geralmente onerosos e demorados. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi desenvolver um protótipo de coletor automático de escoamento superficial, capaz de quantificar em tempo real o volume de escoamento superficial e a perda de solo em ensaios de campo utilizando um simulador de chuva. Os sensores utilizados foram escolhidos com base na incerteza tipo A calculada a partir de diferentes volumes de água e concentrações de sedimentos. Por meio de programação específica, o volume da enxurrada, as concentrações de sedimentos e o tempo de ocorrência das coletas correspondentes a cada 200 cm³ de enxurrada foram registrados em um cartão micro-SD. A robustez da calibração e a programação desenvolvida também foram avaliadas no microcontrolador Arduino Mega® 2560. Os sensores de pressão (PSI.420) e de turbidez (ST100) foram selecionados para o desenvolvimento do protótipo, o qual foi avaliado em campo com o simulador de chuva InfiAsper. Em seguida, os dados coletados automaticamente pelos sensores foram comparados com os obtidos por medição manual. O coletor automático equipado com os sensores PSI.420 e ST100 tem potencial para obter e armazenar dados de escoamento, e foi eficiente na avaliação do processo erosivo, gerando erros médios de 12,25 e 13,16% para volume de escoamento e perda de solo, respectivamente. O protótipo proposto possui baixo custo de fabricação, além de otimizar a obtenção de dados de erosão em estudos com simuladores de chuva.

Abstract Graphene oxide (GO) is one of the main precursors for the production of graphene and other graphene-based materials. We report a simple, safe, and fast synthesis method to obtain graphene oxide as a functional material for battery-type electrodes. Washing and lyophilization processes were performed to evaluate their effects on exfoliation and removal of functional groups from graphene sheets. Sample GO1 consisted of a 10-layer stack of oxidized graphene, while sample GO2 had 8 stacked layers. The difference between them was an extra washing and lyophilization process in the GO2 sample. The electrochemical performance of graphene oxide-based electrodes, classified as battery-type, indicated an improved specific capacity of 10.15 C.g-1 for GO1 against 4.55 C.g-1 for GO2 at a specific current of 0.5 A.g-1. This superior battery-type behavior of the GO1 electrode, also confirmed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, was most likely due to a higher degree of oxygenated groups on its surface, as shown by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) studies.

Abstract The effect of synthesis parameters on the microstructural behavior and morphology during the yttrium oxide (Y2O3) formation is reported. Y2O3 crystals were produced by a modified sol-gel route assisted by polyvinyl alcohol solution varying the calcination temperature and solution pH. The crystalline phase formation was investigated using X-ray powder diffraction combined with the Rietveld refinement method. The microstructural properties were analyzed by using the Williamson-Hall formalism. The calcination temperature followed the thermal events observed in the differential thermal analysis combined with the thermogravimetric analysis of the precursor xerogel. It was seen that the combination of PVA and pH variation can be used to minimize the calcination time and temperature. The morphological analysis showed samples with different sizes and appearances depending on pH and calcination temperature. Therefore, it was shown that the parameters in the synthesis process can be used to tailor the properties of Y2O3, such as crystallite size, degree of structural ordering, and morphology, and consequently, improve the desired application. YO Y O (Y2O3 reported Y2O solgel sol gel Xray X ray method WilliamsonHall Williamson Hall formalism xerogel Therefore size ordering consequently application (Y2O

Abstract Ortho-eugenol is a synthetic derivative from eugenol, the major compound of clove essential oil, which has demonstrated antidepressant and antinociceptive effects in pioneering studies. Additionally, its effects appear to be dependent on the noradrenergic and dopaminergic systems. Depression and anxiety disorders are known to share a great overlap in their pathophysiology, and many drugs are effective in the treatment of both diseases. Furthermore, high levels of anxiety are related to working memory deficits and increased oxidative stress. Thus, in this study we investigated the effects of acute treatment of ortho-eugenol, at 50, 75 and 100 mg/kg, on anxiety, working memory and oxidative stress in male Swiss mice. Our results show that the 100 mg/kg dose increased the number of head-dips and reduced the latency in the hole-board test. The 50 mg/kg dose reduced malondialdehyde levels in the prefrontal cortex and the number of Y-maze entries compared to the MK-801-induced hyperlocomotion group. All doses reduced nitrite levels in the hippocampus. It was also possible to assess a statistical correlation between the reduction of oxidative stress and hyperlocomotion after the administration of ortho-eugenol. However, acute treatment was not able to prevent working memory deficits. Therefore, the present study shows that ortho-eugenol has an anxiolytic and antioxidant effect, and was able to prevent substance-induced hyperlocomotion. Our results contribute to the elucidation of the pharmacological profile of ortho-eugenol, as well as to direct further studies that seek to investigate its possible clinical applications.

Resumo Ortho-eugenol é um derivado sintético do eugenol, composto principal do óleo essencial de cravo, que demonstrou efeitos antidepressivos e antinociceptivos em estudos pioneiros. Além disso, seus efeitos parecem ser dependentes dos sistemas noradrenérgico e dopaminérgico. Sabe-se que os transtornos de depressão e ansiedade compartilham uma grande sobreposição em sua fisiopatologia, e muitas drogas são eficazes no tratamento de ambas as doenças. Além disso, altos níveis de ansiedade estão relacionados a déficits de memória de trabalho e aumento do estresse oxidativo. Assim, o presente estudo investigou os efeitos do tratamento agudo de orto-eugenol, nas doses de 50, 75 e 100 mg/kg, na ansiedade, memória de trabalho e estresse oxidativo em camundongos Swiss machos. Nossos resultados mostram que a dose de 100 mg/kg aumentou o número de mergulhos e reduziu a latência no teste da placa perfurada. A dose de 50 mg/kg reduziu os níveis de malondialdeído no córtex pré-frontal e o número de entradas no labirinto em Y em comparação com o grupo de hiperlocomoção induzida por MK-801. Todas as doses reduziram os níveis de nitrito no hipocampo. Também foi possível avaliar uma correlação estatística entre a redução do estresse oxidativo e a hiperlocomoção após a administração do orto-eugenol. No entanto, o tratamento agudo não foi capaz de prevenir os déficits de memória de trabalho. Portanto, o presente estudo mostra que o orto-eugenol tem efeito ansiolítico e antioxidante, sendo capaz de prevenir a hiperlocomoção induzida pela substância. Nossos resultados contribuem para a elucidação do perfil farmacológico do orto-eugenol, bem como para direcionar novos estudos que busquem investigar suas possíveis aplicações clínicas.

The bone formation process is an example of how both time and nature acted harmonically to pave the path for life as we know. The unique association between calcium phosphate (CaP) and collagen in a single building block, gave rise to one of the most remarkable biomaterials that we know. Our aim in this revision is to provide a brief glance at the different organization levels of the bone tissue, by describing the main their main features. We start with a brief discussion regarding the thermodynamic conditions for mineral formation and how living organisms surpass them. Then we present collagen, the major organic component of bone, in the light of its hierarchical organization as well as its association to CaP crystals. The mechanisms that control both mineral formation and the association with the organic phase are further presented, in which cells and other components of the extracellular matrix, such as matrix vesicles and noncollagenous proteins, become agents of bone construction. Finally, we underline the difficulty of studying the complex process of bone mineralization and present liposomes, proteoliposomes, and Langmuir monolayers as biomimetic approaches to this end.

The beetle Amerrhinus ynca Sahlberg, 1823 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) causes damage to several species of the Arecaceae family. The larvae of this palm weevil damage palm trees by causing perforations in the leaf rachis, obstructing the flow of nutrients to the plant. To date, are no registered insecticides for the control of A. ynca. An efficient control strategy would be the use of synthetic pheromones of this beetle for integrated pest management tactics. In this work, the aggregation pheromone of A. ynca was identified from adults collected as larvae and pupae from the rachis of coconut palm. The volatile compounds produced by A. ynca were collected via headspace aeration of adult beetles, and the identification of the pheromone was performed with gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS), GC-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (GC-FTIR) and GC-electroantenographic detector (GC-EAD). Dual-choice olfactometry experiments were performed to evaluate the bioactivity of the synthetic pheromone. GC analyses showed the presence of a male-specific compound that was identified as octadecanal. In GC-EAD analyses, synthetic octadecanal elicited responses of A. ynca female antennae. Behavioral bioassays showed attractiveness of synthetic compound for males and females, indicating octadecanal as the aggregation pheromone of A. ynca.

Abstract The combination of ethnobotanical and ecological knowledge is an important tool in indicating priority species for conservation. We sought to gather ethnobotanical knowledge on the diversity and use of woody medicinal plants in the Chapada Araripe region, assessing the real availability of woody medicinal resources in the Araripe Forests in the cerrado and carrasco areas, and indicate priority species for conservation. A total of 107 species were recorded in the ethnobotanical surveys, classified into 39 families and 83 genera, of which 92 species, 36 families and 70 genera for the cerrado areas, and 47 species, 25 families and 39 genera, for the carrasco areas. 59% were present in the phytosociological surveys for cerrado and 38% for carrascos. Species with high versatility of medicinal use did not necessarily have high local availability, and some were not recorded in the sampling. Thirteen species in cerrados and four in carrascos were indicated as conservation priorities. Use not aligned of species with the reality of the present time can indeed affect the vegetation landscape, and in a future scenario, not taking local measures to conserve protected forest resources, besides increasing the lists of local conservation priorities, can affect economic practices, increasing social and environmental conflicts.

This work describes the first determination of the absolute configuration (AC) of (−)-cubebin by means of electronic circular dichroism (ECD), supported by quantum chemical calculations. The comparison of experimental ECD with the corresponding quantum chemical prediction for the proper diastereoisomer resulted in the definitive assignment of the AC of the naturally occurring (−)-cubebin as (8R,8aR,9S). The challenging determination of the relative configuration (RC) of cubebin based only on experimental nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods is stressed. Computation of the 13C and 1H NMR chemical shifts for all the possible diastereoisomers leads to values of mean absolute error and root mean square deviation that do not allow distinguishing among them. Thus, errors in stereochemical determination can easily occur even when using two-dimensional methods, which clearly demonstrate the complexity of this special case. To determine the RC of this bioactive natural compound with high level of confidence, it was necessary to combine the DP4+ method with X-ray crystallography. Therefore, employing the commonly used empirical methods to determine the AC of (−)-cubebin can easily lead to misassignment of its stereochemistry.

Resumo Este estudo descreve a formação de novas ligações C-C através da reação de alilação de diferentes aldeídos promovida pela zeólita beta. Este método ecologicamente amigável foi caracterizado por sua eficiência, versatilidade e quimiosseletividade, na formação de diferentes álcoois homoalílicos. Os álcoois homoalílicos foram obtidos em bons rendimentos (80% a 96%), tempos reacionais curtos (30 a 75 min) em temperatura ambiente e sem a necessidade de purificações adicionais. Além disso, foi utilizada água como cossolvente garantindo ao método um desenvolvimento no âmbito da química verde. Adicionalmente, constatou-se que a zeólita beta pode ser reutilizada por até um ciclo reacional sem perda de sua eficiência.

Abstract This study describes the formation of new C-C bonds through the allylation reaction of different aldehydes promoted by beta zeolite. This environmentally friendly method was characterized by its efficiency, versatility, and chemoselectivity in the formation of different homoallylic alcohols. Homoallylic alcohols were obtained in good yields (80% to 96%), short reaction times (30 to 75 min) at room temperature, and without the need for additional purifications. In addition, water was used as a co-solvent, ensuring the method a development in the field of green chemistry. Moreover, it was found that the zeolite beta can be reused for up to one reaction cycle without loss of its efficiency.

Abstract In the present study, we evaluated the effects of the hydrolysis of phytate of defatted rice bran (DRB) by a pretreatment with non-commercial phytase produced by Saccharomyces cerevisiae (DRB-PS) compared to the application of Natuphos® (commercial phytase produced by the BASF Company) (DRB-PN) in diets for grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella. Fish (57.55 ± 0.4 g) fed one of the experimental diets in triplicates for 35 days. Effects of the phytase used on blood parameters, intestinal proteases and hepatic glucose were not observed (p > 0.05). Similarly, no differences were found for serum phosphorus (P). However, were found higher levels of calcium (9 and 5.25%) in the control treatment in relation to DRB-PS and DRB-PN respectively, besides higher calcium-phosphorus ratio was found in this treatment. For the fish carcass composition was not statistically different (p > 0.05) except total lipids, which showed its highest content in fish fed on the DRB-PN diet (p < 0.05). The obtained results suggested that the use of the phytase, irrespective to its source may eliminate the use of traditional P sources in fish diets.

As sementes estão continuamente expostas ao processo de deterioração, o qual envolve alterações fisiológicas, bioquímicas, físicas e citológicas. Assim, este estudo teve por objetivo avaliar alterações fisiológicas e bioquímicas em sementes de Acacia mangium durante o armazenamento em três ambientes. Para este fim, as sementes foram armazenadas em sacos de polietileno semipermeáveis durante os períodos de 0, 3, 6, 9, 12 e 15 meses em três condições de armazenamento: congelador (T = -20 ± 3 ºC; U.R. = 49 ± 15%), frigorífico doméstico (T = 6 ± 3 ºC; U.R. = 55 ± 14%) e sala climatizada (T = 27 ± 4 ºC; U.R. = 56 ± 13%). Foram realizadas as seguintes determinações e testes: teor de água, germinação, primeira contagem de germinação, índice de velocidade de germinação, massa seca de plântulas, emergência, índice de velocidade de emergência, açúcares solúveis totais, açúcares não redutores, aminoácidos livres totais, amido e proteínas solúveis. As sementes de A. mangium conservam a qualidade fisiológica durante 12 meses quando armazenadas quer em congelador, frigorífico doméstico ou sala climatizada. Não foi possível verificar um padrão de alteração no conteúdo de amido, açúcares solúveis totais e açúcares não redutores.

Seeds are continually exposed to the deterioration process, which involves physiological, biochemical, physical and cytological changes. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate physiological and biochemical changes in Acacia mangium seeds during storage in three environments. For this purpose, the seeds were stored in semi-permeable polyethylene bags during periods of 0, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 months under three conditions: frezer (T = -20 ± 3 ºC, RH = 49 ± 15%), refrigerator (T = 6 ± 3 °C, RH = 55 ± 14%) and air-conditioned room (T = 27 ± 4 °C, RH = 56 ± 13%). The following determinations and tests were performed: water content, germination, first germination count, germination speed index, seedling dry mass, emergence rate, emergence speed index, total soluble sugars, non-reducing sugars, total free amino acids, starch and soluble proteins. The seeds of A. mangium retain the physiological quality for 12 months when stored in a frezer, domestic refrigerator and heated room. It was not possible to verify a pattern of change in the content of starch, total soluble sugars and non-reducing sugars.

Resumo Membranas cerâmicas são de grande interesse industrial em processos de separação. Elas são caracterizadas por elevada estabilidade química/térmica e capacidade de filtração em temperaturas acima de 500 °C em uma larga faixa de valores de pH. Entretanto, a grande desvantagem das membranas cerâmicas é o elevado custo de produção envolvendo matérias-primas sintéticas, geralmente alumina e zircônia. Nesse contexto, membranas cerâmicas de baixo custo foram preparadas por sinterização reativa usando uma mistura de argila caulinítica e cinza de bagaço de cana de açúcar. Análises de distribuição de tamanho de partícula, térmica, mineralógica e de composição química foram realizadas para estudar as matérias-primas. As propriedades tecnológicas e de permeabilidade à água foram determinadas em amostras queimadas entre 800 e 1000 °C. A eficiência de filtração foi medida através de análises comparativas entre a água bruta e o filtrado. O tamanho médio dos poros entre 2,5 e 6,0 µm viabiliza o uso das membranas derivadas de cinza de bagaço de cana de açúcar em processos de microfiltração.

Abstract Ceramic membranes are of great industrial interest in separation processes. They are characterized by high chemical and thermal stabilities and filtration capacity at high temperatures (>500 °C) in a wide range of pH values. However, the major disadvantage of ceramic membranes is the high-cost of production involving synthetic raw materials, usually alumina and zirconia. In this work, low-cost ceramic membranes were prepared by solid-state reactive firing using a mixture of kaolinite clay and sugarcane bagasse ash. Particle size distribution, thermal, mineralogical, and chemical composition analyses were carried out to study the raw materials. Technological properties and water permeability were investigated in samples fired between 800 and 1000 °C. The filtration efficiency was measured by comparative analyses between the raw water and the filtrate. The mean pore size ranging from 2.5 to 6.0 μm makes the sugarcane bagasse ash derived ceramic membranes suitable for microfiltration processes.

ABSTRACT Stingless bee products such as honey, pollen, propolis, and geopropolis have been used for centuries in traditional medicine for the treatment of several illnesses. Investigation of the biological activity of stingless bee products, especially propolis and geopropolis, has revealed promising therapeutic properties. About 20% of total Neotropical stingless bees can be found in Brazil. Despite the species diversity, studies on their biological activity are scarce. The present review focuses on the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of propolis and geopropolis from Brazilian stingless bees. In addition, the toxicity of these natural products was addressed. In order to provide new evidences for the toxic potential of propolis and geopropolis components, an in silico analysis was performed using the ADMET PredictorTM software. We observed that most of studies evaluated only crude ethanol extracts of a limited number of stingless bees species. Propolis and geopropolis displayed antioxidant capacity and antimicrobial activity. Concerning the toxic potential, the extracts of stingless bees propolis and geopropolis were considered safe. Nonetheless, in vitro and in vivo toxicological studies are still necessary.