Peepoo, self-sanitising, biodegradable toilet is characterized by low carbon to nitrogen (C-N) ratio and low dry matter (DM) content. Principal nutrients (nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and potassium (K)) are also not in a balance as required by most crops. It was expected that the mixing of used Peepoos with other organic materials might balance its chemical characteristics. In this thesis, availability and suitability of common organic materials produced in Kenya has been investigated for mixing with used Peepoo bags to obtain a balanced fertilizer product from the crop nutrition aspect. Seven organic residues were selected from the list of 13 on the basis of their availability near the processing site in Nairobi. The selected residues were then chemically analyzed for their individual plant nutrient content. The analysis results were used subsequently to simulate the chemical composition of a wide range of Peepoo-Residue mixtures. The evaluation of the theoretical mixtures based on DM content, C-N ratio and NPK ratio showed that the majority of investigated mixtures had DM content below 60 %. Majority of the mixtures showed C-N ratio between 10-1:1. All the mixtures deviated from the common nutrient uptake ratio of crops (1:0.5:1.4). Composite mixtures with more than 2 ingredients resulted in a balanced fertilizer product. The study concludes and recommends that the composite mixtures with more than two ingredients should be considered for practical processing of Peepoos into a commercial fertilizer product.

Tropical latitudes play an important role in global climate as they export moisture and energy pole-ward. Recent tests of predictive climate models against Holocene paleoclimate data show discrepancies between predicted and observed values in Tropical regions. Terrestrial paleoclimate records could help resolve these discrepancies by all allowing for better understand of the sensitive ocean-atmosphere climate dynamics in the tropics and by providing additional information from a diverse source of proxies. The Caribbean is an ideal location for study as its climate is influenced by both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. However, there are relatively few sources of paleoclimate proxies in this region due to its archipelagic nature. If Caribbean climate is to be thoroughly investigated, additional environments and climate proxies need to be investigated. As coastal systems are ubiquitous throughout the Caribbean, they are ideal for investigation of Holocene paleoclimate in this region. However, they can be ephemeral on millennial timescales making them challenging to use in paleoclimate analysis. This dissertation discusses new methods and basins that facilitate the study of these systems. Several important contributions have been made by this thesis. (1) Core scanning XRF data, when examined with additional proxies such as foraminifera, can be used to infer shifts in regional precipitation patterns in a coastal setting. Though these methods have been used before in deep basins, this represents the first use of core scanning XRF in a littoral setting. (2) The evolution of sinkhole sedimentation is reliant on both the morphology of the sinkhole and water level within the feature. This thesis shows that coastal systems are a viable source of paleoclimate information and which can hold valuable information for reconstructing climate. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

This bachelor’s essay aims to discuss breastfeeding and complications related to breastfeeding within archaeological contexts. Why complications have arisen when such a natural act is per- formed and how individuals have tried to manage them. By looking at different methods of recording breastfeeding patterns I aim to broaden the interpretations of breastfeeding in differ- ent time periods and locations. Isotope analysis will be an important part as well as paleopatho- logical analysis of human remains. Information from three completed studies from Öland and Västerhus in Sweden and Quarto Cappello del Prete in Rome will be presented and discussed. In conclusion I suggest that breastfeeding is a complex act surrounded by difficulties such as diseases and cultural norms. There is variation within populations regarding breastfeeding and weaning. People have been struggling as well as fighting for the survival of their children.

Transition metal catalysis is a necessary branch of organic synthesis. Both monometallic and bimetallic catalysts can reduce reaction times, improve regio- and enantioselectivity, and minimize byproducts. Additionally, bimetallic catalysts can cooperatively activate substrates, which can enable new reactions and mechanistic pathways. The first half of this work will describe the synthesis and catalytic ability of our novel Pd(I) and Pd(II) dimers. Both dimers use a 2-phosphinoimidazole ligand scaffold to bring the metal centers in close proximity. The Pd(II) dimer can catalyze the synthesis of 1,3-disubstituted naphthalene rings from commercially available aryl iodides and methyl ketones with high regioselectivity and yields. Mechanistic and theoretical studies suggest the mechanism undergoes a Pd(III)–Pd(III) like intermediate. Additionally, we studied the impact of precatalyst oxidation state on C–N bonding reactions. We found that our Pd(I) dimer performed better in Buchwald-Hartwig aminations, while our Pd(II) dimer was shown to be extremely active in aminocarbonylation reactions. Both reactions gave C–N bonding products in good to excellent yield. The second portion of this work describes our novel Pd N–H NHC complex and its application in Suzuki-Miyaura cross couplings. In the presence of methanol, a Pd(II) salt will insert into the C–P bond of a 2-phosphinoimidazole ligand to give a protic NHC complex. The acidic hydrogen can be deprotonated under reaction conditions to give an anionic complex, which further increases the electron density on palladium as shown in Tolman Electronic Parameter studies. Application of the catalyst in Suzuki-Miyaura and Sonogashira coupling reactions gave product in high yield. Since our Pd N–H NHC complex with a diphenylphosphine ligand could not activate aryl chlorides, we then applied 2-dialkylphopshinoimidazole ligands. When the dialkyl ligands were stirred with Pd(II) salts in methanol, an equilibrium was observed between N–H NHC and P–N coordination complexes. When the catalytic mixture was applied to Suzuki-Miyaura cross-couplings, (hetero)aryl chlorides gave high yields with low catalyst loadings.

FEITOSA, Antonio Glaydson de Sousa. Modulação da fotossíntese e assimilação do nitrogênio por condições de elevado CO2 atmosférico em plantas de soja. 2014. 71 f. : Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Ceará, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Departamento de Ciências do Solo, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Agronomia - Solos e Nutrição de Plantas, Fortaleza-CE, 2014 / Submitted by Nádja Goes (nmoraissoares@gmail.com) on 2016-05-19T12:25:16Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2014_dis_agsfeitosa.pdf: 836229 bytes, checksum: f77f1e9d446fce346b7ef1c4f7d05eb7 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Nádja Goes (nmoraissoares@gmail.com) on 2016-05-19T12:52:29Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2014_dis_agsfeitosa.pdf: 836229 bytes, checksum: f77f1e9d446fce346b7ef1c4f7d05eb7 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-05-19T12:52:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2014_dis_agsfeitosa.pdf: 836229 bytes, checksum: f77f1e9d446fce346b7ef1c4f7d05eb7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / High atmospheric CO2 concentrations limit the assimilation of CO2 and nitrogen in many species of C3 plants Thus the aim of this study was to identify how the high CO2 regulates photosynthesis and assimilation of nitrogen in soybean Therefore an experiment was conducted in growth chamber using soybean plants, 25 days old CO2 levels were applied environment ( 40 Pa) high (100 Pa) and transition to ambient conditions ( 100-40 Pa ) High CO2 was able to strongly affect trade gas with stomatal closure leading to sharp reductions in leaf transpiration (88%) and CO2 assimilation ( 48%) Recovering 69% of the initial value of net photosynthesis after the transition period at environmental conditions , however the internal CO2 concentration ( Ci) was increased by 17 times returning to the level of control after the transition the initial activity and the total Rubisco decreased 44 % and 34 % respectively Taking a 9% reduction in enzyme activation state but after the transition to the conditions of CO2 environment the initial activity and total recovered 74 % and 84 % respectively have the nitrate reductase showed a strong inhibition over that period compared to the ambient condition reaching a maximum reduction of 64 % after four days of exposure to elevated CO2 contrary this enzyme had recovered its initial capacity at 90 % after the transition period in conclusion we can say that photosynthesis and nitrate reductase activity are practically inhibited by high atmospheric CO2 mainly controlled by stomatal and metabolic limitations / Altas concentrações de CO2 atmosférico limitam a assimilação de CO2 e de nitrogênio em muitas espécies de plantas C3 Dessa forma o objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar como o elevado CO2 regula a fotossíntese e a assimilação do nitrogênio em plantas de soja Para tanto foi realizado um experimento em câmara de crescimento utilizando plantas de soja com 25 dias de idade Os níveis de CO2 aplicados foram ambiente (40 Pa) elevado (100 Pa) e transição para as condições ambiente (100 – 40 Pa) O elevado CO2 foi capaz de afetar fortemente as trocas gasosas com fechamento estomático levando a fortes reduções na transpiração foliar (88%) e assimilação de CO2 (48%) Recuperando 69% do valor inicial da fotossíntese líquida após o período de transição para a condição ambiente Entretanto a concentração interna de CO2 (Ci) foi elevada em 17 vezes retornando para o nível de controle após a transição A atividade inicial e a total da Rubisco decresceram 44% e 34% respectivamente Levando a uma redução de 9% no estado de ativação da enzima porém após a transição para as condições de CO2 ambiente a atividade inicial e a total recuperaram 74% e 84% respectivamente Já a redutase do nitrato apresentou uma forte inibição ao longo desse período quando comparada com a condição ambiente chegando a uma redução máxima de 64% após quatro dias de exposição ao elevado CO2 Contrariamente esta enzima teve sua capacidade inicial recuperada em 90% após o período de transição Em conclusão podemos afirmar que a fotossíntese e a atividade da redutase do nitrato são praticamente inibidas por elevado CO2 atmosférico controladas principalmente por limitações estomáticas e metabólicas

Submitted by Biblioteca de Pós-Graduação em Geoquímica BGQ (bgq@ndc.uff.br) on 2017-05-11T17:24:08Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação Completa.pdf: 4492376 bytes, checksum: 676d473676c9c53901a55c556909987f (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-11T17:24:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação Completa.pdf: 4492376 bytes, checksum: 676d473676c9c53901a55c556909987f (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / Universidade Federal Fluminense. Instituto de Química. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Geoquímica, Niterói, RJ / Alterações na cobertura original do solo, devido o desenvolvimento de atividades antrópicas, e o lançamento de esgoto doméstico diretamente em rios, são fatores que causam a redução na qualidade de água e sedimentos em ecossis temas aquáticos. A bacia do rio Jacuecanga (Angra dos Reis, R.J) vem sofrendo com crescentes alterações no uso do solo, principalmente, pelo crescimento populacional e o desenvolvimento de diferentes atividades industriais , o que pode acarretar a degradaçã o dos seus recursos hídricos . Esse estudo propõe a caracterização da matéria orgânica presente no canal principal d esse sistema fluvial , e de seus principais afluentes e ainda na sua região estuarina. Foram avaliados parâmetros físico - químicos da água e marcadores orgânicos moleculares, elementares e isotópicos nos sedimentos com o objetivo de compreender a influência das modificações da cobertura primária do solo sobre o aporte de material orgânico terrígeno para esses sistemas aquáticos. Foram realizada s cinco campanhas para a coleta de águas em 16 estações nos rios Jacuecanga, Caputera e Vermelho, contemplando as diferentes situações climatológicas do ano e um evento de chuva. Coletas dos sedimentos superficiais foram realizadas em 14 estações no rio e 15 na enseada. A estação (RJ2) localizada a jusante da Vila Caputera apresentou tendências a eutrofização devido ao desmatamento, exp osição do solo e ocupação humana desordenada caracterizada pelo maior aporte de carbono, nitrogênio, MPS e DBO . N a zona est uarina, o adensamento urbano da Vila de Jacuecanga foi relacionado aos altos percentuais de carbono e nitrogênio, principalmente durante eventos de chuva. As águas pluviais que drenam o pátio da Transpetro e são lançadas no rio Jacuecanga no final do trech o de água doce apresentou características alternadas entre as campanhas, com períodos de alta condutividade, e o período s com elevada concentração de MPS, sem , no entanto , interferir de forma relevante na qualidade das águas do rio Jacuecanga. Da mesma for ma a entrada lateral de águas oriundas da lagoa de estabilização e as águas do rio Vermelho com baixa concentração de oxigênio e elevado teor de material orgânico não demonstr aram alterações significativas n o rio Jacuecanga. N os sedimentos do rio Jacuecang a , o predomínio da fração arenosa seguida do cascalho demonstra a intensa hidrodinâmica e ausência de depósitos orgânicos ao longo da bacia. Na porção estuarina foi registrado elevação nos teores de matéria orgânica com a identificação de fontes de restos vegetais e de coprostanol a partir do maior adensamento urbano que ocorre em sua margem direita. Os sedimentos da enseada localizados próximo à foz do rio Jacuecanga e influenciados pela dispersão da pluma apresentaram maiores teores de matéria orgânica de qualidade terrígena (restos vegetais e efluentes domésticos). Os sedimentos marinhos, mais distantes da foz do rio, apresentaram menores teores de matéria orgânica com características fitoplânctonicas, sendo os sedimentos localizados na zona da água de mi stura com valores intermediários. Foi verificada contaminação fecal na estação mais próxima a foz do rio e influência fecal em duas estações pró ximas, porém situadas em frente ao canal de drenagem da Vila de Jacuecanga pertencente à bacia hidrográfica vizi nha / Changes in the original land use and cover due to human activities development and and launch of domestic sewage directly into rivers, are factors causing the reduction in water quality and sediments in aquatic ecosystems. The Jacuecanga river basin (Angra dos Reis, RJ) has been suffering with growing changes in land use, mainly by population growth and development of different industrial activities, which can lead to degradation of its water resources. This study proposes the characterization of organic ma tter present in the main channel of this river system, its tributaries and its estuary. We evaluated the physical - chemical and sediments molecular markers as molecular, elemental and isotopic compositions with the aim of understanding the influence of chan ges in the primary coverage of the ground on the input of terrigenous organic material for these aquatic systems. A total of five samples were obtained at 16 stations on the rivers Jacuecanga, Caputera and Vermelho rivers , contemplating the various climate conditions of the year and a rain event. Sampling of surface sediments were performed at 14 stations in the river and 15 at the bay. The station (RJ2) located downstream of Vila Caputera showed trends of eutrophication due to deforestation, soil exposure and disorderly urban occupation characterized by greater intake of carbon, nitrogen, BOD and SPM . In the estuarine zone, the density of the urban Vila Jacuecanga was related to high percentages of carbon and nitrogen, especially during rain events. Rainwat er draining Transpetro Plant are discharged into the river at the end of the stretch of Jacuecanga freshwater and showed features alternating between the dry season with high conductivity, and the rainy season with high concentrations of SPM , but did not interfere relevant ly in water quality of river Jacuecanga. Likewise, the side entrance of water coming from the stabilization pond and the waters of the Vermelho River with low oxygen and high content of organic material did not show significant changes in river. In the sediments of Jacuecanga river were observed the p redominance of the sandy fraction demonstrat ing the intense hydrodynamics and lack of organic deposits along the basin. In the estuarine portion was recorded high er organic matter content with the identification of sources of vegetal remains and coprostanol from the greater urban density that occurs in the right margin. The sediments of bay located near the mouth of the river Jacuecanga and influenced by the plume showed higher levels of terrig enous organic matter quality ( vegetal remains and effluents). Marine sediments, most distant from the river mouth, had lower levels of organic matter with phytoplankton characteristic . S ediments located in the zone of mixing water presented intermediate va lues. Fecal contamination was checked at the station nearest the river mouth and fecal influence in two nearby stations, but located outside the drainage channel of the Village of Jacuecanga belonging to neighboring watershed.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-20T13:44:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertacao_alberto_bohn.pdf: 586241 bytes, checksum: 0568eec20a5d22d087fb11ebc9a8fb75 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-03-17 / The experiment was conducted at the Experimental Station of Embrapa Clima Temperado/Lowlands and Seed Analysis Laboratory of the Department of Plant Science, UFPel. Different densities in the soil seeds (T1 - 777.70 kg.ha-1; T2 - 736.63 kg.ha-1; T3 - 624.59 kg.ha-1 and T4 - 234.42 kg.ha-1) were tested in annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) in succession to soybean crop. Forage harvesting has occurred twice and after the second defoliation, were tested different levels of urea (null; 45; 90 and 135 kg.ha-1). The highest densities produced more rapid crop establishment and greater mass of harvested forage, both at first and in the second cut. In this sense, from the application of different doses of urea was found, only significant effect of nitrogen on seed yield, so the addition of a unit of urea increased by 1.7 units seeds. Occurred relationship between levels of SPAD when the assessment was conducted before flowering. Prior to harvest seed regression models between SPAD and urea levels were not significant. The seed physiologic quality was not affected by the levels of in the soil seeds and urea. / O experimento foi conduzido na Estação Experimental da Embrapa Clima Temperado/Terras Baixas e no Laboratório de Análises de Sementes do departamento de Fitotecnia da Universidade Federal de Pelotas - UFPel. Foram avaliadas diferentes densidades de sementes no solo (T1 - 777,70 Kg.ha-1; T2 - 736,63 Kg.ha-1; T3 - 624,59 Kg.ha-1 e T4 - 234,42 Kg.ha-1) de azevém anual (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) em sucessão a cultura da soja. Ocorreu a colheita de forragem em duas ocasiões e, após a segunda desfolha, utilizada diferentes doses de ureia (zero; 45; 90 e 135 kg.ha-1). As maiores densidades proporcionaram mais rápido estabelecimento da cultura e maior massa de forragem colhida, tanto no primeiro, quanto no segundo corte. Neste sentido, a partir da aplicação das diferentes doses de ureia verificou-se, apenas, efeito significativo do nitrogênio sobre o rendimento de sementes, de modo que o acréscimo de uma unidade de ureia aumentou 1,7 unidades de sementes. Através do clorofilômetro foi possível predizer o rendimento de sementes pelos níveis de SPAD, quando comparadas antes do florescimento. Previamente a colheita da semente os modelos de regressão entre SPAD e níveis de nitrogênio não foram significativos. A qualidade fisiológica da semente não influenciada pelos fatores avaliados.

Le but de ce travail est d'élaborer de nouveaux revêtements anti-usure à base de nitrure de chrome, de carbure et de carbonitrure de titane par dépôt physique en phase vapeur afin d'améliorer la résistance à l'usure à sec des outils de coupe du bois.Des revêtements binaires de CrN et de MoN, ternaires de Cr-Mo-N et de Ti-W-C et quaternaires de Ti-W-C-N ont été déposés sur des outils de coupe en carbure de tungstène et en acier et sur des substrats de silicium par pulvérisation magnétron RF en utilisant différentes cibles (Cr, Mo, Ti et WC) sous différentes atmosphères (Ar, Ar + N2, Ar + CH4 et Ar + N2 + CH4).L'influence de la pression de travail, des ratios des gaz plasmagènes, des tensions d'auto-polarisation des cibles, de la température des substrats et de celle du recuit sur les propriétés des revêtements ont été étudiées, en utilisant l'EDS, la WDS, l'XPS, la DRX, le MEB, le MET, l'AFM, la microscopie optique, l'interférométrie optique (2D et 3D), le Scratch test, l'essai Daimler, la nanoindentation et la tribométrie alternative et rotative. L'objectif est d'établir une corrélation entre le comportement tribologique des revêtements étudiés et leurs propriétés physico-chimiques et mécaniques.Les revêtements optimaux présentant la meilleure résistance à l'usure à sec ont été testés en usinage de l'épinette noire à l'échelle industrielle dans des conditions sévères (-20/-25 °C). Les résultats montrent que grâce à l'emploi des revêtements de Cr-Mo-N, Ti-W-C et de Ti-W-C-N, la durée de vie des outils coupants a été augmentée de 47 à 77 % par rapport à l'outil non revêtu.Mots clés: revêtement, (Cr-Mo)N, (Ti-W)(C,N), propriétés physico-chimiques, propriétés mécaniques, comportement tribologique, usinage bois / The objective of the present work is to deposit new protective coatings based on chromium nitride, titanium carbide and carbonitride by using physical vapor deposition in order to improve the dry wear resistance of wood cutting tools.Binary CrN, and MoN layers, ternary Cr–Mo–N and Ti-W-C films and quaternary Ti-W-C-N coatings were deposited on carbide inserts, iron cutting tools and silicon substrates by dual radio–frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering using different targets (Cr, Mo, Ti and WC) in different atmospheres (Ar, Ar+N2, Ar+CH4 and Ar+N2 +CH4).The influence of the working pressure, gas ratio, targets voltage, deposition temperature and heat temperature on the coating's properties has been studied by EDS, WDS, XPS, XRD, SEM, TEM, AFM, optical microscopy, 2D and 3D interferometric profilometer, Scratch test, Daimler test, nanoindentation, alternative and rotary tribometer. The objective is to correlate the tribological behavior of the studied coatings and their physico-chemical and mechanical properties.The coatings showing the best wear resistance against dry wear have been tested in industrial wood machining (-20/-25 °C). Results showed that Cr-Mo-N, Ti-W-C and Ti-W-C-N coating have improved the cutting tool's life from 47 to 77 % compared to uncoated one,Keywords: Coatings, (Cr-Mo)N, (Ti-W)(C,N), physico-chemical properties, mechanical properties, tribological behavior, wood machining

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Please refer to full text for abstract

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