Extração e purificação da cera da casca de cana-de-açúcar/ Extraction and purification of sugarcane bark wax

O presente trabalho avaliou os rendimentos de extração da cera da casca da cana-de-açúcar bruta e purificada em função de diferentes condições de tamanho de partícula e tempo de extração. Para tal, foi realizado um planejamento do tipo composto central utilizando o software Statistica 7.0 (Statsoft Inc.). A diminuição do tamanho da partícula proporcionou maiores rendimentos de cera bruta (12,75%), sem contudo, influenciar nos rendimentos de cera purificada. Estes resultados sugerem que a diminuição do tamanho da partícula favoreceu a extração de outros componentes além da cera. Portanto, objetivando-se a obtenção de cera purificada como produto final, não haveria necessidade de adicionar etapas de cominuição e classificação de partículas ao processo

Selection Models for the Internal Quality of Fruit, based on Time Domain Laser Reflectance Spectroscopy

Time domain laser reflectance spectroscopy (TRS) was applied for the first time to evaluate internal fruit quality. This technique, known in medicine-related knowledge areas, has not been used before in agricultural or food research. It allows the simultaneous measurement of two optical characteristics of the sample: light scattering inside the tissues and light absorption. Models to estimate non-destructively firmness, soluble solids and acid contents in tomato, apple, peach and nectarine were developed using sequential statistical techniques: principal component analysis, multiple stepwise linear regression, clustering and discriminant analysis. Consistent correlations were established between the two parameters measured with TRS, i.e. absorption and transport scattering coefficients, with chemical constituents (soluble solids and acids) and firmness, respectively. Classification models were created to sort fruits into three quality grades (‘low’, ‘medium’ and ‘high’), according to their firmness, soluble solids and acidity

Notes on the larval habitat preference and microdistribution of Potamophylax rotundipennis (Insecta: Trichoptera) in a stream reach of the Börzsöny Mountains (Northern Hungary)

Larval habitat preference of Potamophylax rotundipennis (Insecta: Trichoptera) was examined under natural conditions. The result of this study indicated a high preference for stone to sand and detritus, and preference for the low depth of water. This preference resulted that P. rotundipennis larvae showed a homogenous distribution along the stream-reach, but not across it

Deriving Biomass Models for Small-Diameter Loblolly Pine on the Crossett Experimental Forest

Foresters and landowners have a growing interest in carbon sequestration and cellulosic biofuels in southern pine forests, and hence need to be able to accurately predict them. To this end, we derived a set of aboveground biomass models using data from 62 small-diameter loblolly pines (Pinus taeda) sampled on the Crossett Experimental Forest in southeastern Arkansas. Of the 25 equations initially evaluated, we chose 17 that best fit our dataset and compared them using a suite of conventional test statistics, including pseudo-R2 , root mean squared error (RMSE), and bias. Because most of the 17 models varied little in pseudoR 2 (ranging between 0.96 and 0.99), bias (all were within ± 0.01), and RMSE, an additional comparison was done using Akaike’s Information Criterion corrected for small sample size (AICc). This test statistic produced considerably more discrimination between the biomass models. Of the 17 models evaluated, six produced ΔAICc scores that met or exceeded the threshold for substantial support. To recommend a single preferred model, we then extrapolated beyond our actual data and qualitatively compared model predictions with those from the National Biomass Estimator. Our “best” model did not have the minimum AICc score, but rather predicted logically consistent aboveground biomass values at both the upper and lower ends of our extrapolation

WALLER CREEK STATUS REPORT 2002

This short report contains information on Waller Creek's estimated population, fecal coliform levels, land use distribution, mean baseflow, total phosphorus, and other water quality indicators.Water chemistry and biological data from Waller Creek were reviewed in order to evaluate temporal and spatial trends on this urban stream. The results of site analysis of variance indicated little discernable difference among sites and variability was high for conventional water chemistry constituents. Temporal trends were inconsistent with no notable degradation or improvements. Benthic macroinvertebrate surveys showed some significant site differences that appear to relate primarily to flow and possibly to nutrient enrichment. These surveys documented decreasing water quality over time; however, this result is apparently an artifact of the final survey, which took place after a long dry period. Overall, Waller Creek has low water quality and biological integrity when compared to other Austin area streams (worse than 75 percent of the watersheds for most measures).Waller Creek Working Grou

Comparison of species richness of light trap-collected caddisfly assemblages (Insecta: Trichoptera) using rarefaction

ConselVation value of light trap-collected caddisfly assemblages(Insecta: Trichoptera) was evaluated on the basis of their species richness. The assemblage coming from an artificial stream showed a higher conservation value based on species richness than the natural ones. In contrast, using rarefaction, the conservation value of the assemblage in the artificial stream was lower in comparison with assemblages in natural habitats. Further examples are given to demonstrate the importance of rarefaction in comparing species richness of assemblages

Global distribution of two fungal pathogens threatening endangered sea turtles

This work was supported by grants of Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Spain (CGL2009-10032, CGL2012-32934). J.M.S.R was supported by PhD fellowship of the CSIC (JAEPre 0901804). The Natural Environment Research Council and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council supported P.V.W. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Thanks Machalilla National Park in Ecuador, Pacuare Nature Reserve in Costa Rica, Foundations Natura 2000 in Cape Verde and Equilibrio Azul in Ecuador, Dr. Jesus Muñoz, Dr. Ian Bell, Dr. Juan Patiño for help and technical support during samplingPeer reviewedPublisher PD

Loss of genetic diversity and increased genetic structuring in response to forest area reduction in a ground dwelling insect: a case study of the flightless carabid beetle Carabus problematicus (Coleoptera, Carabidae)

1.Old growth temperate broadleaved forests are characterised by a large proportion of forest specialists with low dispersal capability. Hence, species bound to this habitat are expected to be highly susceptible to the effects of decreasing patch size and increasing isolation. 2. Here, we investigate the relative effect of both factors by genotyping individuals of a flightless and forest specialist beetle Carabus problematicus from 29 populations, sampled in 21 different forest fragments in Belgium, at eight microsatellite loci. 3. A high degree of genetic differentiation among fragments was observed, with populations from smaller forests being considerably more differentiated and characterised by a lower genetic diversity compared to those of larger forests. 4. A more detailed study on forest remnants of a former historic continuous woodland area revealed that population differentiation was high among, but not within remnants, irrespective of geographical distance. This suggests that patch fragmentation rather than geographical distance is the ultimate factor that hampers gene flow in this species. 5. he results indicate that gene flow among suitable habitat patches is primarily reduced by the inability of this specialised species to traverse the landscape matrix. This lack of dispersal may pose a serious threat for the persistence of C. problematicus and ecologically similar species, and suggests that present populations can best be protected by securing or increasing the size of existing habitat patches

ALTERNATIVE CYCLING STRATEGIES FOR SHRIMP FARMING IN ARID ZONES OF MEXICO: DEALING WITH RISK AND UNCERTAINTY

Northwest Mexican coastal waters have large seasonal temperature variations, high salinity, and are subject to intense solar radiation. Shrimp farms in this region have been using two annual production strategies; six- to eight-month cycle with one complete harvest and several partial harvests, or two, three- to four-month cycles with complete harvests. The preferred strategy depends on two uncertain variables; shrimp growth, which varies across the region, and market price, which varies across the season. A bioeconomic model was used to compare the economic yield of the two cycling strategies for three zones across the region, under three alternative average annual temperatures states. Simple decision theory criteria are used to show that the two-cycle strategy dominates the one-cycle strategy in the Bahia de La Paz zone. Results for central and northern Sonora are conditional on temperature.Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Garbage in the diet of carnivores in an agricultural area

Human food waste is considered to be richer in carbohydrates, lipids and proteins than most natural food supplies; however, it is very well digested in scats. So, as an indication of this kind of food in the diet, we have used each indigestible, anthropogenic origin element found in faeces (e.g., glass, plastic, rubber, etc.). There are few studies discussing the importance of garbage in the diet of mammalian predators living in farmland; definitely,  most focus on this issue in urban areas. We studied the contribution of garbage in the diet of raccoon dog  (Nyctereutes procyonoides), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), marten (Martes sp.), polecat (Mustela putorius), stoat (Mustela erminea), American mink (Neovison vison) and Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) in the agricultural areas of western Poland in 2006-2010. In addition, we examined the spatial changes in the diet of red fox and polecat. The largest contribution of garbage was found in scats of raccoon dog (8.8%), red fox (4.8%) and marten (4.3%). The diet of polecat, stoat and Eurasian otter contained 2.5%, 1.7% and 0.2% garbage items respectively. The most frequent item was plastic. Our analysis showed that garbage consumption by red fox and polecat was greater  closer to human settlements. The results reveal a continuous gradient in the garbage consumption that corresponds with the degree of synanthropization of particular species