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Rootstock adequacy and planting density are necessary for new grapevine varieties in new regions. The objective of this work was to select the rootstock that confers the best productive performance to the ‘Vermentino’ variety, and to adjust the ideal spacing for this combination. The experimental design used was randomized blocks in a 5x3 factorial scheme, in which the treatments studied consisted of the combination of five rootstocks (‘101-14 Mgt’, ‘Harmony’, ‘IAC 572’, ‘Paulsen 1103’, and ‘VR 043-43’) and three spacings between plants (1.0, 1.2 and 1.5 m). The phenological cycle of the plants and the productive and quality characteristics of the grapes were evaluated during 2018/19, 2019/20, and 2020/21 harvests. Bud break of ‘Paulsen 1103’ and ‘VR 043-43’ rootstocks occurred the latest in 2019/20 and 2020/21. ‘101-14 Mgt’ and ‘Paulsen 1103’ rootstocks induced the highest yields in 2019/20 and 2020/21. The 1.0 m spacing between plants provided the highest productivity in all seasons. Thus, it can be concluded that the ‘Paulsen 1103’ and ‘VR 043-43’ rootstocks delayed bud break and decreased phenological sub-periods. ‘Paulsen 1103’ and ‘101-14 Mgt’ rootstocks contributed to increase the productivity; the ‘IAC 572’ rootstock presented the lowest contribution to the polyphenols content and antioxidant activity, and the 1.0 m spacing between plants resulted in greater productivity of the vineyard.

Searching for technologies to combat emerging pollutants such as dyes and pharmaceuticals is arduous. Plant polysaccharides have been used to synthesize photocatalysts as strategies for green technology. The present study aimed to synthesize TiO2nanostructure photocatalytic using cashew tree gum. Structural, morphological, and optical characterization was carried out to verify the gum's effect on the growth of nanostructures. Photocatalytic tests were performed with Methylene dye (MB) and Ibuprofen (IBP) pollutants under UV irradiation. Structural characterization demonstrated the formation of anatase-type TiO2, with a band gap at 3.15 eV. Photocatalytic assays using CGT showed that the material was more efficient in removing MB (43.17 %) when compared to IBP (29.86 %). In addition, scavenger studies indicated that electrons are the species involved in dye degradation. Therefore, the results are promising for using TiO2nanoparticles obtained with gum to remove pollutants.

AbstractThe L46 (Hypancistrus zebra) stands out as one of the most valuable Amazonian species in the international market for ornamental fish and faces a notable problem: the risk of extinction versusthe demand for new specimens for aquariums. Considering that breeding in captivity can be a conservational tool for aquatic species and an alternative source for generating income, the objective of the present paper was to verify the economic feasibility of producing H. zebrain recirculation aquaculture systems (RAS), in different scenarios of rearing: residential breeding (S1), mid-size store production (S2) and large-scale production as a supplier (S3). The main profitability indicators used were: net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR) and payback period (PP). The selling price per unit was fixed in US$260.15 (S1/S2) and US$156.09 (S3). The largest investments were made with the acquisition of broodstocks (S1/S2) and property (S3), while the highest costs were with labor (S2/S3) and taxes (S1). Only S1 demonstrated economic profitability (NPV 8.50% = US$28,187.85; IRR = 74.71%; PP = 1.80 years). Conclusion: the production in this study appeared to be profitable on smaller scales, however the profitability of large-scale production depends upon reducing expenses and increasing the selling price.

There are reports that the production of panels with various mixtures is quite feasible. However, the knownlogment of production of panels with other residues is litle, except wood. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of water absorption on panels produced with elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) and Eucalyptus sp. leaves, Consolidated with urea-formaldehyde adhesive. For the production of the panels, the elephant grass (CA) was used, without particle size reduction, and Eucalyptus sp. (EU), freshly collected and crushed as powder. Two panels were produced, one consisting of 100% elephant grass (CA) and another in the proportion (1: 1, from CA: EU), with urea-formaldehyde adhesive. From each panel, 4 specimens were removed and the water absorption test was carried out for 2 hours, in addition to the determination of the apparent density. Panel test specimens (CA) showed, on average, an initial apparent density of 0.5953 g.cm-3 and final (water absorption) of 0.5465 g.cm-3, while those of CA + EU showed an apparent density of 0.5478 g.cm-3 and 0.6881 g.cm-3. The panels (CA) and (CA + EU) produced showed good consolidation after pressing, but It was verified that there are possibilities of improvement in order to minimize water absorption and improve the stability of this product.

Soil-cement bricks are sustainable and economically viable alternatives due to the possibility of residue utilization. CNSL (Cashew nut shell liquid ) is an example of residue from the cashew industry that can be reused in many applications. Therefore, the present work had as its objective to produce soil-cement bricks having CNSL as a constituent of the formulation. The samples were obtained from the mixture of pure CNSL, soil and cement (1:10). The soils used in the research were extracted from the south of the state and the mixture was pressed in a modular manual press. The samples were submitted to resistance and permeability tests and the results related to resistance and compression showed that the bricks presented an average of 2,3 MPa and were in accordance with what is suggested by NBR 8491/12. The presence of CNSL also altered the permeability of the material which was obtained. Hence, one may conclude that the presence of CNSL satisfactorily influences upon the properties of soil-cement bricks.

Beer is a complex product, which can use a large diversity of matters as adjuncts. Beet peels (BP) is as a food waste generated from restaurant kitchens/industries. This study investigated the effect of BP as a brewing adjunct on volatile/phenolic compounds, and antioxidant properties of Beer. Worts supplemented with BP were produced using 4 treatments (including a control, B1, B2, and B3). Fermentations were conducted for 11 days at 18 °C, aged for 15 days at 3 °C, and bottled using 7 g of sucrose per bottle. Then maturated for 15 days at 20 °C. Samples were analysed using HPLC (non-volatile compounds), GC-MS (volatile compounds), and antioxidant activity. Increasing the amount of BP during wort preparation revealed a significant increase of volatile profile, phenolic composition, and antioxidant activity. In contrast, was observed a significant decrease in glycerol content. Finally, B2 contained a higher content of acetate esters, hydroxybenzoic/hydroxycinnamic acids and antioxidant activity.

Soil-cement bricks are good examples of environmentally friendly products. This brick is the combination of soil with compacted cement with no combustion in its production. In this work the physical chemical characteristics of the soil from Piaui for producing this material were investigated. Samples of the soil were collected in three potteries from the county of Bom Jesus and pH analysis were carried out, as well as the rate of organic matter, texture, particle density, limits of liquidity and plasticity rates. The results have shown that the soils have acid tones (pH 5,49 a 6,11), which can be neutralized by adding cement, and organic matter percentages up to 1%. The samples have shown predominantly clay-rich textures with adequate plasticity limits, however, values of liquidity limits and particle density above recommended. Altogether, these soils tend to present viability concerning soil-cement brick production, provided that corrections with additives are made in order to minimize this effect.

A series of heterogeneous α-olefin polymerization catalysts were prepared by the immobilization of bis(butylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride, (nBuCp)2ZrCl2, on a commercial silica support (Grace 948) using different procedures. The preparation parameters, namely, silica activation temperature, grafting temperature, grafting time, and solvent, were evaluated in terms of metal content on silica and ethylene homopolymerization activity. Metal contents were determined by Rutherford back-scattering spectrometry (RBS). In the temperature activation range between 373 and 723 K, silica surface saturation in Zr was found to be around 0.34 wt.-% Zr/SiO2. However, polymer polydispersity is shown to decrease with increasing support activation temperature. A better control in the generation of the active surface species was achieved with thermal pretreatment temperatures close to 723 K. The grafting reaction was seen to be immediate. Longer grafting times or higher temperatures bore deactivated species. Practically all the systems were active in ethylene polymerization in the presence of MAO, but the highest yield was obtained after grafting at 353 K for 1 h in toluene solution, employing silica pretreated at 723 K.

A series of heterogeneous α-olefin polymerization catalysts were prepared by the immobilization of bis(butylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride, (nBuCp)2ZrCl2, on a commercial silica support (Grace 948) using different procedures. The preparation parameters, namely, silica activation temperature, grafting temperature, grafting time, and solvent, were evaluated in terms of metal content on silica and ethylene homopolymerization activity. Metal contents were determined by Rutherford back-scattering spectrometry (RBS). In the temperature activation range between 373 and 723 K, silica surface saturation in Zr was found to be around 0.34 wt.-% Zr/SiO2. However, polymer polydispersity is shown to decrease with increasing support activation temperature. A better control in the generation of the active surface species was achieved with thermal pretreatment temperatures close to 723 K. The grafting reaction was seen to be immediate. Longer grafting times or higher temperatures bore deactivated species. Practically all the systems were active in ethylene polymerization in the presence of MAO, but the highest yield was obtained after grafting at 353 K for 1 h in toluene solution, employing silica pretreated at 723 K.

The effects of polymerization conditions were evaluated on the production of polyethylene by silica-supported (n-BuCp)2ZrCl2 grafted under optimized conditions and cocatalyzed by methylaluminoxane (MAO). The Al : Zr molar ratio, reaction temperature, monomer pressure, and the age and concentration of the catalyst were systematically varied. Most reactions were performed in toluene. Hexane, with the addition of triisobutilaluminum (TIBA) to MAO, was also tested as a polymerization solvent for both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalyst systems. Polymerization reactions in hexane showed their highest activities with MAO : TIBA ratios of 3 : 1 and 1 : 1 for the homogeneous and supported systems, respectively. Catalyst activity increased continuously as Al : Zr molar ratios increased from 0 to 2000, and remained constant up to 5000. The highest activity was observed at 333 K. High monomer pressures (≈ 4 atm) appeared to stabilize active species during polymerization, producing polyethylenes with high molecular weight (≈ 3 × 10⁵ g mol⁻¹). Catalyst concentration had no significant effect on polymerization activity or polymer properties. Catalyst aging under inert atmosphere was evaluated over 6 months; a pronounced reduction in catalyst activity [from 20 to 13 × 10⁵ g PE (mol Zr h)⁻¹] was observed only after the first two days following preparation. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 1987–1996, 1999