Abstract: Heterogeneous photocatalytic solar degradation of dichloroacetic acid (DCA) in a pilot-scale flat plate reactor, with effects of initial concentration of substrate and TiO2-P25 catalyst loading, was evaluated. Kinetic analysis shown that DCA degradation is controlled by photocatalytic process effects only. Also, the initial concentration of substrate and catalyst load favorably affect the process. Degradation by direct photolysis was not observed and the molecular absorption does not affect the performance. The measurements were done using TOC and chloride ion. Conversions between 60% of 90% were obtained confirming the effectivity of treatment. Analysis of TOC and ion chloride did not show the presence of reaction intermediates. The proposed mathematical model guarantied the prediction of the experimental data with a regression coefficient of 0.92 and average global error of 2.3%.

Resumen: La fotodegradación heterogénea solar de ácido dicloroacético (DCA) en un reactor placa plana a escala piloto, con los efectos de concentración inicial de sustrato y carga de catalizador TiO2-P25 fue evaluada. El análisis cinético mostró que la degradación de DCA es controlada por los efectos del proceso fotocatalítico solamente. Además, la concentración inicial del sustrato y la carga de catalizador afectan favorablemente el proceso. No se presentaron degradaciones por fotólisis directa y la adsorción molecular no afectó el desempeño. El seguimiento se llevó usando TOC y ion cloruro. Se obtuvieron conversiones entre 60% y 90% confirmando la efectividad del tratamiento. Las técnicas de seguimiento de TOC y cloruros (Cl-) mostraron la ausencia de intermediarios de reacción. El modelo matemático propuesto garantizó la predicción de los datos experimentales con un coeficiente de correlación de 0.92 y un error medio global de 2.3%.

ABSTRACT: The substantial generation of organic waste together with increasing interest in developing sustainable agriculture heralds an opportunity for mobilizing the recycling of these materials as a source of organic matter and nutrients into a viable management strategy option. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the use of compost derived from waste produced by the winery and distillery industries in a drip-irrigated melon crop traditionally grown in the area where these wastes are generated. A randomized complete block design was used with four treatments consisting of three different dose levels of compost: 7 (D1), 13 (D2) and 20 (D3) t ha−1 and a control (D0) without the application of compost. The effects of these treatments on plant growth, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) accumulation as well as fruit yield and quality were studied. The application of compost produced a slight increase in plant biomass accompanied by changes in the relative growth rate (RGR) and net assimilation rate (NAR). As a result, a significant improvement in fruit yield was observed in the plots amended with D2, which met all the requirements to obtain elevated yields. In terms of environmental correctness applications were below the limits established by a number of impact indexes. Additionally, the application of compost improved fruit quality resulting in an enhancement of Brix degrees. Although the potential effects of N and P derived from compost were partially masked by other inputs of these nutrients into the system (N in irrigation water, P supplied through fertigation), an effect of P was observed resulting in an increase in the number of individual fruits in the plots amended with compost.

RESUMO Este trabalho teve por objetivo selecionar, por meio de técnicas da pesquisa operacional, regimes de manejo de Pinus taeda L. que maximizem a receita com a madeira produzida, considerando diferentes taxas de atratividade. Foi utilizado o software OpTimber-LP® para a otimização florestal, o qual realiza as simulações por meio do software SisPinus®. Os regimes foram compostos por diferentes combinações de sítios florestais, densidades de plantio, regimes de desbaste e idades para corte raso, totalizando 17.760 regimes por sítio. A produção de madeira foi quantificada e valorada mediante classes de sortimento. Custos de plantio, desbaste e colheita foram considerados. O Valor Presente Líquido Anualizado (VPLA) e a Taxa Interna de Retorno (TIR) de cada regime de manejo foram calculados. Como resultado, a densidade de 1.600 plantas por ha otimizou o VPLA para a maioria dos casos. Os regimes otimizados incluíram nenhum ou apenas um desbaste e forneceram VPLA de 2.753 e 158 reais por ha e TIR de 22,9% e 2,9%, para os sítios I e IV, respectivamente. Concluiu-se que o número ideal de desbastes é reduzido em sítios com qualidade inferior, e quanto menos produtivo for o sítio, mais tardio será o ano ideal para o corte raso. A taxa de atratividade é um parâmetro que contribui para a determinação de regimes de desbaste, pois quanto maior for essa taxa, maior deve ser o número de desbastes, bem como mais precoces devem ser suas aplicações.

ABSTRACT The objective of this work was to select, using operational research techniques, management regimes of Pinus taeda L. that maximize the revenue generated by the wood, considering different attractiveness rates. The OpTimber-LP® software, which performs the simulations using SisPinus® software, was used for forest optimization. The regimes consisted of different combinations of forest sites, planting densities, thinning regimes and clearcutting ages, totaling 17,760 regimes per site. Wood production was quantified and evaluated by assortment classes. Planting, thinning and harvesting costs were considered. The Annualized Net Present Value (ANPV) and the Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of each management regime were calculated. As a result, the density of 1,600 plants per ha optimized ANPV for most cases. Optimized regimes included no or only one thinning and provided ANPV of 2,753 and 158 BRL per ha and IRR of 22.9% and 2.9% for sites I and IV, respectively. It was concluded that the optimal number of thinning is reduced in lower quality sites, and the less productive the site, the later the optimal year for clearcutting. The attractiveness rate is a parameter that contributes to the selection of thinning regimes, because the larger the rate, the larger the number of thinning and the earlier they should be carried out.

Objetivou-se, neste trabalho, testar diferentes modelos matemáticos para o ajuste de curvas de índice de sítio e avaliar o modelo de Clutter para predição do crescimento e da produção em povoamentos de Pinus taeda na região norte do Estado de Santa Catarina. Os dados de altura dominante foram obtidos por meio da medição de 216 parcelas, com área de 400 m², em 2009. Para o modelo de Clutter, utilizaram-se dados de inventário contínuo, realizado entre os anos de 2004 e 2008, em talhões com idades entre 5 e 34 anos. As estatísticas coeficiente de determinação ajustado (R²aj), erro padrão da estimativa (Syx), erro padrão da estimativa em porcentagem (Syx%) e distribuição de resíduos em porcentagem foram utilizadas para selecionar o melhor modelo. Verificou-se que o modelo de sítio mais adequado foi o de Silva-Bailey e o modelo de Clutter foi considerado eficiente para estimar o crescimento e a produção em m³.ha-1, do ponto de vista estatístico e biológico.

The objective of this study was to test different models for fitting site index curves and evaluat the Clutter model for predicting Pinus taedagrowth and yield in the northern State of Santa Catarina. The dominant height data were obtained from 216 plots measured in 2009, with an area of 400 m². To fit the Clutter model we used data from permanent plots, conducted between 2004 and 2008 in areas aged between 5 and 34 years. The coefficient of determination (R²adj), standard error of estimate (Syx), standard error of estimate in percentage (Syx%) and residual percentage distribution were the statistics used to select the best model. The Silva-Bailey model was the most appropriated to represent site index curves, while the Clutter model performed well for estimating the growth and yield (m³.ha-1), from a statistical and biological point of view.

Se evaluó el efecto de la adición de 0, 5, 10, 15 y 20% de pollinaza al subproducto de yuca en el proceso de ensilaje. Tanto las características de composición nutricional como las fermentativas fueron evaluadas. Se determinó que la adición de pollinaza favorece significativamente el incremento de MS, PC, EE, Ce, Ca, FDN, FDA, Cel y Hem en el ensilado, sin encontrar tendencias claras en el contenido de lignina. Por el contrario, la adición de pollinaza promovió un efecto detrimental en la concentración de CNF y en la DIVMS del ensilado. Se evaluaron además el pH, la capacidad amortiguadora, el contenido de nitrógeno amoniacal y las características sensoriales del ensilado en función del nivel de pollinaza. El pH mostró una tendencia al aumento conforme la adición de pollinaza, mientras la capacidad amortiguadora y el nitrógeno amoniacal se incrementaron significativamente al aumentar la proporción de pollinaza utilizada. La evaluación organoléptica dio como resultado mejores características en los tratamientos con mayor contenido de subproducto avícola, debido a un leve olor alcohólico en los tratamientos con menor contenido de pollinaza y la ausencia de aroma amoniacal en los 5 tratamientos estudiados. Se definió el nivel de 10% de pollinaza como el mejor en términos de características nutricionales y fermentativas del material obtenido.

The addition of poultry litter at 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% to cassava by product in the ensiling process was evaluated. Both nutritional and fermentative characteristics were determined. Increasing levels of poultry litter had a significant effect on DM, CP, EE, Ash, Calcium, NDF, ADF, Cellulose and Hemicellulose content of the silage; however, no clear tendencies were found for lignin content. On the other hand, poultry litter addition decreased NFC concentration and IVDMD of the silage. Buffer capacity, pH, N-NH3 and organoleptic traits of silage were also evaluated for all treatments. The pH showed a growing tendency as poultry litter was increased, whereas buffer capacity and N-NH3 were significantly increased with higher rates of poultry litter added to the silage. Organoleptic evaluation indicated better characteristics in treatments with higher poultry litter content. Treatments with low poultry litter content showed a slight alcoholic smell and no ammonia smell was evident for the 5 treatments evaluated. The 10% poultry litter treatment was defined as the best to preserve nutritional and fermentative characteristics of the silage.

Latin America and the Caribbean region make up one of the largest areas of the world, and this region is characterized by a complex mixture of ethnic groups sharing Iberian languages. The area is comprised of nations and regions with different levels of social development. This region has experienced historical advances in the last decades to increase the minimal standards of quality of life; however, several factors, such as concentrated populations in large urban centers and isolated and poor communities, still have an important impact on medical services, particularly genetics services. Latin American researchers have greatly contributed to the development of human genetics and historic inter-ethnic diversity, and the multiplicity of geographic areas are unique for the study of gene-environment interactions. As a result of regional developments in the fields of human and medical genetics, the Latin American Network of Human Genetics (Red Latinoamericana de Genética Humana -RELAGH) was created in 2001 to foster the networking of national associations and societies dedicated to these scientific disciplines. RELAGH has developed important educational activities, such as the Latin American School of Human and Medical Genetics (ELAG), and has held three biannual meetings to encourage international research cooperation among the member countries and international organizations. Since its foundation, RELAGH has been admitted as a full regional member to the International Federation of Human Genetics Societies. This article describes the historical aspects, activities, developments, and challenges that are still faced by the Network.

O nitrogênio (N) é um nutriente importante para a produção de melão (Cucumis melo L.), porém existe pouca informação sobre a quantidade necessária para se obter um balanço entre o crescimento e a produtividade. Os órgãos vegetativos do melão precisam se desenvolver suficientemente para interceptor luz, acumular água e nutrients, mas também é importante alcançar uma grande relação de massa seca produtiva-vegetativa para maximizar a produção de frutos. Investigou-se a influência de quantidades de N no crescimento, na produção de matéria seca e na produtividade do melão tipo 'Pele de sapo'. Foi conduzido experimento com três anos de duração, de maio a setembro, com irrigações de 100% da evapotranspiração e 11 doses de adubação de N, no intervalo de 11 a 393 kg ha-1 em três anos. A produção de massa seca de folhas e caules aumentou com o aumento das doses de N. A matéria seca da planta toda foi afetada de maneira semelhante, enquanto a dos frutos decresceu com o aumento de N acima de 112, 93 e 95 kg ha-1, em 2005, 2006 e 2007, respectivamente. O índice de área foliar máxima (LAI) mais aulto (3.1) foi obtido com a dose de 393 kg N ha-1de N. A dose mais baixa de N reduziu a produtividade de frutos em 21%, enquanto a dose mais alta aumentou o crescimento vegetative, LAI e a duração de área foliar (LAD), mas reduziu a produtividade em 24% em relação ao tratamento N93. Aplicações excessivas de N aumentam o crescimento vegetativo às expensas do crescimento vegetativo. Para este tipo de melão, doses da ordem de 90-100 kg ha-1 de N são suficientes para crescimento adequado e produção máxima. Para obter produções próximas ao máximo, a concentração de N na folha no final do ciclo da cultura não deve ser maior que 19.5 g kg-1.

Nitrogen (N) is an important nutrient for melon (Cucumis melo L.) production. However there is scanty information about the amount necessary to maintain an appropriate balance between growth and yield. Melon vegetative organs must develop sufficiently to intercept light and accumulate water and nutrients but it is also important to obtain a large reproductive-vegetative dry weight ratio to maximize the fruit yield. We evaluated the influence of different N amounts on the growth, production of dry matter and fruit yield of a melon 'Piel de sapo' type. A three-year field experiment was carried out from May to September. Melons were subjected to an irrigation depth of 100% crop evapotranspiration and to 11 N fertilization rates, ranging 11 to 393 kg ha-1 in the three years. The dry matter production of leaves and stems increased as the N amount increased. The dry matter of the whole plant was affected similarly, while the fruit dry matter decreased as the N amount was increased above 112, 93 and 95 kg ha-1, in 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively. The maximum Leaf Area Index (LAI), 3.1, was obtained at 393 kg ha-1 of N. The lowest N supply reduced the fruit yield by 21%, while the highest increased the vegetative growth, LAI and Leaf Area Duration (LAD), but reduced yield by 24% relative to the N93 treatment. Excessive applications of N increase vegetative growth at the expense of reproductive growth. For this melon type, rates about 90-100 kg ha-1 of N are sufficient for adequate plant growth, development and maximum production. To obtain fruit yield close to the maximum, the leaf N concentration at the end of the crop cycle should be higher than 19.5 g kg-1.