Adaptability, Stability and Multivariate Selection by Mixed Models

The aim of this work was to estimate the adaptability and stability of grain yield per hectare and percentage of crude protein of maize grains combined in an index, and to establish a multicharacter selection through mixed models based on an objective character and 15 auxiliary traits. The trials were conducted in the 2013/2014 agricultural year in four growing environments of the Rio Grande do Sul, BR state. The experimental design was randomized blocks arranged in a factorial scheme, being four growing sites × 15 single cross maize hybrids, arranged in three repetitions. The genotypic index, composed by the grain yield and the crude protein percentage in the grains, is the best selection strategy to achieve maize superior genotypes. The multivariate genotypes selection, considering grain yield and crude protein, is efficient. The genotypes FORMULA TL®, AS1656PRO®, P30F53Hx®, LG6304YG®and 30F53 are more adapted and stable for grain yield and percentage of crude protein, in the conditions of this study. The mixed models were efficient to employ the multicharacter selection and to contribute for maize genetic breeding.

Physiological Quality of Soybean Seeds Treated with Carboxymethyl Cellulose and Fungicide

Soybean is the most produced oil crop in the world, with great increase in its annual production as well as great generation of waste from its industrialization. The soybean hulls can be used for the elaboration of products such as carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), adding high value to this residue and it can be used as a coating polymer in seeds. The objective of this work was to analyze the physiological quality of soybean seeds treated with CMC and fungicide, recording images to verify the effectiveness of the coating in the seeds. The experiment was randomized into factorial scheme 2 × 4 with four replicates, two soybean cultivars M-7110 and M-7739 and four types of coating: without (control), CMC, fungicide and fungicide/CMC. The variables analyzed were: vigor (first count), germination test, accelerated aging, length and dry mass of the radicle and hypocotyl length. The images were made with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) with zoom of 50 and 200 times. The CMC used alone or with fungicide, provided good physiological quality of soybean seeds. In some analyzes there was difference between the cultivars M 7110 and M 7739. The combination of CMC and fungicide provided a better coating on the seeds.

Antifungal Activity and Toxicity of the 3,4,5-Trihydroxybenzoic and 3,4,5-Tris(Acetyloxy)Benzoic Acids

Invasive fungal infections have been gaining notoriety due to several factors, mainly their increasing incidence in immunocompromised patients. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antifungal activity and toxicity of the 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid (3,4,5-THB) and of its derivative, the 3,4,5-tris(acetyloxy)benzoic acid (3,4,5-TAB). The 3,4,5-THB was purchased and its derivative was obtained by purifying and characterizing performed using semisynthesis reactions (esterification), recrystallization, column chromatography and infrared analytical techniques and nuclear magnetic resonance. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum lethal concentration (MLC) were determined in order to evaluate the antifungal activity of the compounds against four clinical isolates and four standard strains of Candida sp. and five clinical isolates of dermatophytes, following the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute protocols. The toxicity of the compounds was evaluated by determining the lethal dosis (LD50) using lethality assay of Artemia salina. The most sensitive yeasts to the 3,4,5-THB were C. albicans ATCC 10231 and C. krusei ATCC 6258, both presenting a MIC of 128 μg·mL-1. For Trichophyton sp. and Epidermophyton floccosum, the MIC was 32 μg·mL-1. The 3,4,5-TAB showed a lower inhibitory activity against Candida and dermatophyte species tested. The LD50 of 3,4,5-THB was 222.60 μg·mL-1 and the 3,4,5-TAB showed 481.69 μg·mL-1 of LD50. In conclusion, the 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid showed antifungal activity against species of medical importance, mainly dermatophytosis-causing fungi, and the 3,4,5-tris(acetyloxy)benzoic acid showed no increasing antifungal activity and toxicity in relation to the original compound.

Dimensioning Urban Drainage Systems in Housing Subdivisions in the Amazon Using Different Hydrological Models

Hydrological studies for sizing urban drainage systems in the Amazon have often been neglected and little investigated for rainwater projects. This research evaluated alternative hydrological models used in sizing urban drainage network projects in subdivisions with subsidized houses in the Amazonian region in Brazil. Statistical tests of these models were performed for both original and alternative scenarios. The methodological steps we conducted as follows: 1) evaluate the dimensioning of infrastructure project networks, considering two case studies contemplated by the Calha Norte Program (CNP) in the state of Amapá;2) test the statistical significance of the dimensioning of network diameters (α < 0.05), considering a) benchmark project (MD or M1) approved by the Ministry of Defense;b) determination of concentration time (Ct) and rainfall intensity-duration-frequency (IDF) relationships, as well as estimating diameters using alternative models. The results indicated a significant influence on the diameters of the projected rainfall networks (p < 0.05), suggesting that alternative models predicted more unfavorable flow peaks than the original model. We conclude that the benchmarking model underestimated the diameter of the project compared to alternative models, which means the optimized Ct parameter significantly impacts dimensioning estimates in rainwater projects in these Amazonian municipalities. This suggests that underestimated parameters in MD may cause inefficiency in the stormwater system projects in future similar scenarios.

Impacts of Residual Phosphorus on the Production of Cowpea in the Cerrado Region

Phosphate fertilizers when applied to the soil, besides being harvested by the crops, promote a residual effect that can be offered to subsequent crops. The objective of this research was to evaluate the residual effect of phosphate fertilization applied to maize cultivation on the successor crop, cowpea, in the Cerrado region in Maranhao. The research was carried out in the experimental area of Federal University of Maranhao (UFMA), located in the city of Chapadinha, MA (3°44'30"S, 43°21'37''W). The experimental design was in randomized blocks, with six treatments and four replications. The treatments were composed of the following residual P doses: 0, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100 kg·ha-1 of P2O5. The cultivation of cowpea (cultivar BRS guariba) was sown at a spacing of 1.0 × 0.20 m. The cowpea proved to be efficient in the use of residual phosphate fertilization, since it promoted grain yield close to the national average. The cultivation of cowpea in previously cultivated areas is feasible, in order to take advantage of the residual phosphate fertilization in the Cerrado of East of Maranhao. The phosphorus dose applied in the predecessor crop corresponding to 80 kg·ha-1 of P2O5 promoted higher grain yield (393.44 Mg·ha-1) and a greater profit margin (US $326.26). Thus, it is feasible to grow cowpea in previously cultivated areas, in order to take advantage of residual phosphate fertilization.

Use of Fractals Channels to Improve a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Performance

One of the most important and effective hardware elements for improvement of efficiency and power density of proton exchange membrane fuel cells is the flow field plate. The design and the pattern of the flow field plate have a considerable effect on the effectiveness of mass transport as well as on the electrochemical reactions inside the cell. The configuration of the flow field plate aims at ensuring a low pressure-drop over all channels in the stack. In this work, a FPFFP （fractal parallel flow field plate）, with bio-inspired configuration by insertion of fractals in a classic PFFP （parallel flow field plate）, is proposed, increasing the flow area of the hydrogen at anode side without increasing the section＇s area of the flow field plate. By simulating was observed that, the use of channels in fractal shape can increase the hydrogen flow area without occuring pressure loss in the cell. The fluid dynamic behavior in the FPFFP at smaller scales was replicated in the same plate, with better advantage of the active area of the electrode. Increasing the hydrogen flow area without causing pressure loss could be a good tactic to increase the power density of fuel cells, and consequently improving the cell performance.

Why Sustainable Porous Carbon Should be Further Explored as Radar-Absorbing Material? A Comparative Study with Different Nanostructured Carbons

Radar Absorbing Materials(RAM)are a class of composites that can attenuate incident electromagnetic waves to avoid radar detection.Most carbon allotropes that have the potential to be used as RAM are either carbon nano-tubes(CNTs),graphene,carbon black(CB)and ultimately,sustainable porous carbon(SPC).Here,black wattle bark waste(following tannin extraction)was used as a sustainable source to produce SPC made from biomass waste.It was characterized and used as afiller for a silicone rubber matrix to produce aflexible RAM.The elec-tromagnetic performance of this composite was compared with composites made with commercial CB and CNT through reflection loss(RL),where-10 dB is equivalent to 90%of attenuation.These composites were evaluated in single-layer,double-layer,and as radar absorbing structures(RAS)with the aim of improving their effective absorption bandwidth(EAB)performances and a reduction in costs.The CNT composite presented a RL of-26.85 dB at 10.89 GHz and an EAB of 2.6 GHz with a 1.9 mm thickness,while the double-layer structures using CNT and SPC provided a RL of-19.74 dB at 10.75 GHz and an EAB of 2.51 GHz.Furthermore,the double-layer structures are~42%cheaper than the composite using only CNT since less material is used.Finally,the largest EAB was achieved with a RAS using SPC,reaching~2.8 GHz and a RL of-49.09 dB at 10.4 GHz.Summarizing,SPC made of black wattle bark waste can be a competitive,alternative material for use as RAM and RAS since it is cheaper,sustainable,and suitable for daily life uses such as absorbers for anechoic chambers,sensors,and elec-tromagnetic interference shields for electronics,wallets,vehicles,and others.