Abstract The performance of three successive generations of Mahanarva spectabilis (Distant) (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) fed on four forages exposed to environments with different CO2 concentrations was evaluated. In the first bioassay, we utilized the following scenarios: A) plants and insects were kept at high and constant CO2 (700 ppm) and B) the insects were kept at CO2 700 ppm and fed on plants from the greenhouse (average of 390 ppm). In the second bioassay, we utilized the following scenarios: C) plants and insects were kept in a greenhouse and D) the insects were kept in the greenhouse and fed on plants kept at CO2 700 ppm. The survival and duration of the nymphal and adult stages and the number of eggs/female of M. spectabilis were evaluated. It was only possible to evaluate the cumulative effects of the increase of CO2 on three successive generations of M. spectabilis kept in a greenhouse, due to the reduced survival of the insects in the first generation in the laboratory. A greater direct than indirect effect of the CO2 level on the performance of M. spectabilis was observed. Furthermore, it should be considered that the effect of CO2 elevation on the survival, periods of development, and fecundity, when taken together, can significantly impact the population dynamics of M. spectabilis in future climate scenarios.

Resumo Avaliou-se o desempenho de três gerações sucessivas de Mahanarva spectabilis (Distant) (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) alimentadas com quatro forrageiras expostas à ambientes com diferentes concentrações de CO2. No primeiro bioensaio, utilizamos os seguintes cenários: A) plantas e insetos foram mantidos em fitotron com CO2 alto e constante (média de 700 ppm) e, B) os insetos foram mantidos em nível de 700 ppm de CO2 e alimentados com plantas advindas da casa de vegetação (média de 390 ppm). No segundo bioensaio, utilizamos os seguintes cenários: C) plantas e insetos foram mantidos em casa de vegetação e, D) os insetos foram mantidos em casa de vegetação e alimentados com plantas mantidas em fitotron. A sobrevivência e duração das fases ninfal e adulta e o número de ovos/fêmea de M. spectabilis foram avaliados. Só foi possível avaliar os efeitos cumulativos do aumento do CO2 em três gerações sucessivas de M. spectabilis mantidas em casa de vegetação, devido à reduzida sobrevivência dos insetos na primeira geração quando mantidos em fitotron. Observou-se maior efeito direto do que indireto do nível de CO2 sobre o desempenho de M. spectabilis. Além disso, deve-se considerar que o efeito da elevação de CO2 sobre a sobrevivência, períodos de desenvolvimento e fecundidade, quando tomados em conjunto, podem impactar significativamente a dinâmica populacional de M. spectabilis em cenários climáticos futuros.

Resumo Os híbridos derivados de grafeno ou óxido de grafeno e o argilomineral montmorillonita são materiais cuja matriz do filossilicato oferece estabilização das camadas nanométricas das estruturas carbonáceas, além de melhoramento das propriedade físico-químicas e da biocompatibilidade. Por sua vez, o grafeno e seus derivados agregam novas funcionalidades à montmorillonita e ao aumento da reatividade. Os materiais funcionais resultantes do sinergismo entre os constituintes têm sido explorados em diferentes aplicações, como em processos de remediação ambiental por meio de adsorção e catálise, ciência de materiais, áreas biológicas e biomédicas. No âmbito dessa revisão, as principais rotas para obtenção dos híbridos de grafeno e derivados com montmorillonita são apresentadas, relacionando os fatores estruturais e interações entre os constituintes para formação dos compósitos. Ainda os principais métodos de caracterização são discutidos e as aplicações mais recentes são relacionadas às características estruturais, morfológicas, térmicas e texturais.

Abstract In hybrids derived from graphene or graphene oxide and montmorillonite (MMT) clay, the phyllosilicate matrix of MMT provides stability to the carbonaceous layer structure of graphene. The formation of hybrids improves the physicochemical properties and biocompatibility of the individual components. In addition to enhancing the chemical reactivity of MMT, the synthesis of hybrids with graphene or its derivatives may offer enhanced properties. The synergistic properties of the organic and inorganic components of the hybrids result in functional materials, as demonstrated in various fields, such as environmental remediation, adsorption, catalysis, materials science, biology, and biomedical sciences. In this review, we present the main routes for synthesizing the hybrids of graphene and its derivatives with MMT. We discuss the effects of the structure and interactions between the constituents on the formation of composites. Furthermore, major characterization techniques and material properties, such as structural, morphological, textural, and thermal properties, are discussed.

Resumo Óxido de zinco puro (ZnO) e dopado com 5% de Al (ZNAL) foram sintetizados pelo método Pechini modificado e caracterizados por difração de raios X (DRX), fluorescência de raios X (FRX), espectroscopia Raman, espectroscopia no infravermelho e espectroscopia UV-visível. A análise por FRX confirmou a relação estequiométrica teórica, enquanto DRX e espectroscopia Raman indicaram que o Al3+ foi incorporado no retículo de wurtzita do ZnO sem fases secundárias, conduzindo a uma diminuição no valor do band gap e a um aumento significativo dos sítios básicos de Lewis. ZnO puro e dopado foram utilizados como catalisadores na transesterificação etanólica do óleo de algodão utilizando um planejamento fatorial para determinar as melhores condições de síntese. Os índices de conversão do óleo em biodiesel foram avaliados através de medidas da viscosidade e por espectroscopia RMN 1H. Os resultados analisados pelo planejamento fatorial indicaram que o tipo de catalisador e a temperatura foram os fatores determinantes nos índices de conversão. O aumento do caráter básico do catalisador ZNAL conduziu a um aumento significativo do potencial catalítico, atingindo uma redução da viscosidade do óleo próxima de 71% a 130 °C e superior a 85% a 200 °C.

Abstract Pure zinc oxide (ZnO) and 5% Al-doped ZnO (ZNAL) were synthesized using the modified Pechini method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Raman spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy and UV-visible spectroscopy. XRF confirmed the theoretical stoichiometry, while XRD and Raman spectroscopy indicated that Al3+ was incorporated into the ZnO wurtzite lattice with no secondary phases, leading to a decrease in the band gap value and to a meaningful increase of the Lewis basic sites. Pure and doped ZnO were used as catalysts in the ethylic transesterification of cottonseed oil using a factorial design to determine the best synthesis conditions. Oil conversion into biodiesel was evaluated by viscosity measurements and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The results analyzed by factorial design indicated that the catalyst type and temperature were the determinant factors in the conversion indices. The highest basicity of the ZNAL lead to a significant increase of the catalytic potential, reaching a reduction of the oil viscosity next to 71% at 130 °C and greater than 85% at 200 °C.

Recently, horse breeding has achieved greater prominence in the Brazilian society and now it started to appear as a part of the Brazilian agribusiness. The state of Minas Gerais stands out as the main producer of equidae in Brazil. The aim of this work was to characterize the breeding of equidae in this State in order to support future researches in this sector. By the evaluation of records from 1990 to 2009 provided by the "Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics" (IBGE) and also 967 interviews with breeders of equidae, it was possible to characterize some important points. It was observed that equidae breeding in this State moves over R$1,500,000,000 per year and employs 86,000 people. The main investments of the properties are made in purchasing saddles, accessories and commercial feeds. The main goal of equidae breeders in Minas Gerais has been the work in rural properties (49.49%) complementing many farming activities, especially the work with cows. Although Minas Gerais holds the main herd of equidae in the country, the number of animals has decreased. On the one hand, the equidae breeding sector has demonstrated its social and economic importance in agribusiness; on the other, hand further researches are needed to develop public policies to improve the breeding of equidae in Minas Gerais.

The objective of this study was to detect the presence of local edema and hemorrhage caused by Crotalus durissus terrificus envenoming using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Six patients bitten by Crotalus durissus terrificus snakes were treated at the Emergency Unit and Tropical Diseases Unit of Botucatu School of Medicine, UNESP, São Paulo State, Brazil. After receiving specific serotherapy, the patients were submitted to MR of the bite site. Post contrast T1 and T2 spin-echo MRI were obtained revealing the following lesions: edema associated with hemorrhage in subcutaneous and muscular tissue (n=3), edema in subcutaneous tissue (n=2), and perimuscular hemorrhage (n=1). In this study, MR demonstrated a local effect of Crotalus durissus terrificus envenoming in inducing edema and hemorrhage, mainly in muscular tissues and perimuscular areas. These results indicate that Crotalus durissus terrificus venom cause a local muscular tissue damage in human envenoming represented by edema and hemorrhage.

The objective of this clinical study was to evaluate local tissue damage caused by Bothrops sp envenoming in relation to lesion type and damaged tissues using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Fifteen patients bitten by Bothrops snakes were treated at the Emergency Unit of the Tropical Diseases Unit at the University Hospital, Botucatu School of Medicine, UNESP, São Paulo State, Brazil. After receiving specific serotherapy, the patients were submitted to MR of the bite site. T1 spin-echo MRI were obtained revealing the following lesions: edema (n=9), edema associated with hemorrhage (n=5), and hemorrhage (n=1). Perimuscular areas (n=6) and subcutaneous tissues (n=5) were the most affected, followed by muscular tissues (n=4). It is important to mention that MRI did not show myonecrosis of the bite site, a widely reported finding in anatomical and histopathological experimental studies.