Precision management of cotton production can increase profitability by decreasing inputs. The overall objective of this project is to improve cotton production by minimizing seeding rates while still maximizing yields and lint quality in water-limited soils. The research for this study was conducted at the Texas AgriLife Research IMPACT Center located in the Brazos River floodplain. In 2008 and 2009, 27 measurement locations were selected in production-sized center-pivot irrigated fields and planted in cotton variety Deltapine 164 roundup ready flex / bollgard II. Sites were selected based on soil apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) values, in a low, medium, and high ECa zones. Three seeding rates (74,100; 98,800; and 123,500 seeds ha-1) were established in each of the three ECa zones with three replications. In 2009, an additional seeding rate was added at 49,400 seeds ha-1. At each measurement location, soil texture, soil moisture (weekly), lint quantity and quality (High Volume Instrument) were measured. An additional replication for each ECa zone and seeding rate was selected for lint quantity and quality (HVI) measurements. Results indicated that cotton lint yield increased as ECa values, clay content, and water holding capacity of the soil increased. The seeding rates did not consistently affect cotton lint yield or quality. Seeding rates of 74,100 and 49,400 seeds ha-1 in a low and medium ECa zone for IMPACT-08 and -09 yielded more lint (300 kg ha-1), respectively. HVI lint quality parameters, such as, micronaire, fiber length, strength, uniformity, and elongation were significantly better in ECa zone 3. While the seeding rates did not affect the amount of soil water used throughout the season, lint yield variations between ECa zones can be explained by the rate at which soil water was used. Lower rates at which soil water was used within ECa zone 3 resulted in higher lint yields when compared to ECa zones 1 and 2, which used soil water faster and at greater depths. The findings suggest that irrigation applied to the low ECa zone was not sufficient to meet the plants demand, while in a high ECa zone, irrigation could have been reduced, resulting in cost savings through reduced inputs.

Unlike polymer electrolyte fuel cells, solid-oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) have the potential to use a wide variety of fuels, including hydrocarbons and gasified coal or different types of ample carbonaceous solids. However, the conventional anode for an SOFC, a composite consisting of nickel and yttria-stabilized-zirconia (YSZ), is highly susceptible to carbon buildup (coking) and deactivation (poisoning) by contaminants commonly encountered in readily available fuels. Further, the low ionic conductivity of the electrolyte and the poor performance of the cathode at lower temperatures require SOFCs to operate at high temperatures (>800°C), thereby increasing costs and reduce system operation life. Thus, in order to make SOFCs fully fuel-flexible, cost-effective power systems, the issues of anode tolerance to coking and sulfur poisoning as well as the slow ionic conduction in the electrolyte and the sluggish kinetics at the cathode need to be addressed. In this thesis, a novel electrolyte was shown to have the highest ionic conductivity below 750°C of all known electrolyte materials for SOFCs applications, which allowed for fabrication of a thin-electrolyte cell with high power output at lower temperatures. The detailed electrochemical analyses of BZCYYb conductor revealed that the conductivities were sensitive to doping and partial pressure of oxygen, hydrogen, and water. When used in combination with Ni as a composite anode (Ni-BZCYYb), it was shown to provide excellent tolerance to coking and sulfur poisoning. Extensive investigations on surfaces of BZCYYb and Ni by Raman Spectroscopy and Scanning Auger Nanoprobe disclosed that its unique ability appears linked to the mixed conductor's enhanced catalytic activity for sulfur oxidation and hydrocarbon cracking/reforming, as well as enhanced multilayer water adsorption capability. In addition, the nanostructured oxide layers on Ni from dispersion of BZCYYb traces during high-temperature calcinations may effectively suppress the formation of carbon from dehydrogenation. Based on the fundamental understanding on surface properties, a new and simple modification strategy was developed to hinder the carbon-induced deactivation of the state-of-the-art Ni-YSZ anode. Compared to the complex Ni-BZCYYb anode, this modified Ni-YSZ anode could be readily adopted in the latest fuel cell systems based on YSZ electrolyte. The much-improved power output and tolerance to coking of the modified Ni-YSZ anode were attributed to the nanostructured BaO/Ni interfaces observed by synchrotron-based X-ray and advanced electron microscopy, which readily adsorbed water and facilitated water-mediated carbon removal reactions. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations predicted that the dissociated OH from H₂O on BaO reacted with C on Ni near the BaO/Ni interface to produce CO and H species, which were then electrochemically oxidized at the triple-phase boundaries of the anode. Also, some new insights into the sulfur poisoning behavior of the Ni-YSZ anode have been revealed. The so-called "second-stage poisoning" commonly reported in the literatures can be avoided by using a new sealant, indicating that this poisoning is unlikely the inherent electrochemical behavior of a Ni-YSZ anode but associated with other complications. Furthermore, a new composite cathode with simultaneous transport of proton, oxygen vacancies and electronic defects was developed for low-temperature SOFCs based on oxide proton conductors. Compared to the conventional oxygen ion-electron conducting cathode, this cathode is very active for oxygen reduction, extending the electrochemically active sites and significantly reducing the cathodic polarization resistance. Towards the end, these findings have great potential to dramatically improve the economical competitiveness and commercial viability of SOFCs that are driven by cost-effective and renewable fuels.

Η συνεχώς αυξανόμενη χρήση σύνθετων υλικών στην αεροδιαστημική βιομηχανία στις κρίσιμες δομικές εφαρμογές έχει οδηγήσει στην ανάγκη ανάπτυξης μη καταστροφικών μεθόδων βλάβης. Οι έως τώρα χρησιμοποιούμενες μέθοδοι για την παρακολούθησης βλάβης όπως είναι η ενσωμάτωση πιεζο-κεραμικών αισθητήρων και οπτικών ινών σε σύνθετες κατασκευές έχουν ως αποτέλεσμα την συγκέντρωση υψηλών τάσεων και ροών στην κατασκευή. Η παρούσα διατριβή αποτελεί μια πρωτότυπη προσπάθεια στη ευρύτερη επιστημονική και τεχνολογική κατεύθυνση της ενσωμάτωσης της νάνο-τεχνολογίας στο τομέα σχεδιασμού και κατασκευής νέων συνθέτων υλικών. Πρωταρχικός στόχος είναι η επίτευξη αυξημένων δυνατοτήτων για αποτελεσματική παρακολούθηση της αναπτυσσόμενης βλάβης στο υλικό και κατά προέκταση ελέγχου της δομικής ακεραιότητας των κατασκευών τους. Στο πλαίσιο αυτής της προσπάθειας προτείνεται η καινοτόμα ιδέα της αξιοποίησης των νάνο-σωληνίσκων άνθρακα ως εμποτισμένους αισθητήρες βλάβης μέσα σε συμβατικά ινώδη σύνθετα υλικά άνθρακα με απώτερο στόχο τον καλύτερο μη καταστροφικό έλεγχο της βλάβης με τη μέτρηση της ηλεκτρικής αντίστασης. Οι εξαιρετικά αγώγιμοι ΝΣΑ όταν εμποτιστούν σε πολυμερή (κύρια υλικά μήτρας συνθέτων υλικών) δημιουργούν ένα ηλεκτρικό δίκτυο (percolation network) το οποίο παρέχει την δυνατότητα αγωγής ηλεκτρικού φορτίου αυξάνοντας πολλές τάξεις μεγέθους την αγωγιμότητα του πολυμερούς. Η παρουσία του προαναφερθέντος ηλεκτρικού δικτύου ταυτόχρονα με αυτό των αγώγιμων ινών άνθρακα σε σύνθετα υλικά όπου η μήτρα έχει εμποτιστεί με ΝΣΑ αναμένεται να αυξήσει άμεσα ή έμμεσα τη διακριτική ικανότητα ανίχνευσης της βλάβης μέσω της μέτρησης της ηλεκτρικής αντίστασης. Αρχικά έγινε η επιλογή των υλικών και της διαδικασίας παραγωγής με βάση την υπάρχουσα βιβλιογραφία. Μια τυποποιημένη ρητίνη αεροδιαστημικών εφαρμογών επιλέχθηκε ως υλικό εποξικής μήτρας και χρησιμοποιήθηκε σε όλη τη διάρκεια της εργασίας, όπως αντίστοιχα ο τύπος και οι προδιαγραφές των ανθρακονημάτων που αποτέλεσαν την ινώδη ενίσχυση άνθρακα. Επίσης από την υπάρχουσα βιβλιογραφία διερευνήθηκαν οι διαθέσιμοι τύποι και είδη νάνο-σωληνίσκων άνθρακα (ΝΣΑ) και έγινε η επιλογή τους βάση των ηλεκτρικών ιδιοτήτων τους. Η ερευνητική μεθοδολογία που ακολουθήθηκε στην συνέχεια για την επίτευξη του παραπάνω στόχου μπορεί να χωριστεί σε δύο φάσεις. Στην πρώτη φάση έλαβε χώρα η διερεύνηση και ο προσδιορισμός των καταλληλότερων διαδικασιών/ μεθοδολογιών για ενσωμάτωση των ΝΣΑ στην εποξική μήτρα, που αποτελεί σημαντικό παράγοντα της ποιότητας της διασποράς και ως εκ τούτου της επίτευξης βέλτιστης ηλεκτρικής αγωγιμότητας. Στο στάδιο αυτό, αναζητήθηκαν στη βιβλιογραφία όλες οι υπάρχουσες τεχνικές ανάμιξης και αναγνωρίστηκαν οι βασικές παράμετροι που επηρεάζουν τη διαδικασία. Πιο συγκεκριμένα το ιξώδες του συστήματος (ρητίνη+ΝΣΑ), ο χρόνος και η θερμοκρασία της ανάδευσης και η χημική τροποποίηση των ΝΣΑ αποτέλεσαν ορισμένες από τις παραμέτρους που εξετάστηκαν. Η αξιολόγηση της ποιότητας των μίξεων έγινε με κριτήριο την επίτευξη βέλτιστης ηλεκτρικής αγωγιμότητας μέσω μετρήσεων AC και DC σε συνδυασμό με την χρήση SEM. Μία από τις βέλτιστες τεχνικές ανάδευσης επιλέχθηκε στη συνέχεια για τη μελέτη της επίδρασης της περιεκτικότητας σε ΝΣΑ στην ηλεκτρική αγωγιμότητα της εποξικής ρητίνης σε ένα εύρος περιεκτικοτήτων από 0-1% κ.β. Μέσω αυτής της μεθόδου προσδιορίστηκαν το «κατώφλι διήθησης» ή αλλιώς η κρίσιμη περιεκτικότητα καθώς και η βέλτιστη περιεκτικότητα των ΝΣΑ σε εποξική ρητίνη. Η πρώτη φάση ολοκληρώθηκε με τον ηλεκτρομηχανικό χαρακτηρισμό των νάνο-ενισχυμένων με ΝΣΑ πολυμερών μέσω της μέτρησης της μεταβολής της ηλεκτρικής αντίστασης κατά την παραμόρφωσή τους υπό (α) την επίδραση μόνο-αξονικού ψευδό-στατικού εφελκυστικού φορτίου και (β) την υποβολή εναλλασσόμενου εφελκυστικού φορτίου ως Κυκλική Φόρτιση Αποφόρτιση-Επαναφόρτιση. Η πειραματική μακροσκοπική συμπεριφορά κατέδειξε ενδιαφέρουσα συμπεριφορά που δεν απαντάται σε προγενέστερα αγώγιμα πολυμερή (πχ. Carbon Black, Carbon -Nano-Fibers κτλ.). Στην δεύτερη φάση η έρευνα επικεντρώθηκε στη παρασκευή και στον ηλεκτρομηχανικό χαρακτηρισμό των ινωδών συνθέτων υλικών, όπου η μήτρα είναι η προαναφερθείσα τροποποιημένη με ΝΣΑ. Πρώτο βήμα αποτέλεσε η μελέτη της επίδρασης της παρουσίας και ειδικότερα της περιεκτικότητας των ΝΣΑ στην εποξική μήτρα στην ανισότροπη ηλεκτρική αγωγιμότητα τέτοιων υλικών. Αρχικά επιλέχθηκε ένας ισχυρά ανισότροπος τύπος, αυτός του πολύστρωτου συνθέτου μονής διεύθυνσης (unidirectional CFRP) [0]16. Στο πλαίσιο αναπτύχθηκαν με χρήση της με CFRPs [0]16 με μήτρα τριών διαφορετικών περιεκτικοτήτων σε ΝΣΑ 0% (υλικό αναφοράς), 0.5% και 1% κ.β. Τα δοκίμια που προέκυψαν υποβλήθηκαν σε ηλεκτρομηχανικό χαρακτηρισμό σε (α) μονο-αξονικό ψευδό-στατικό εφελκυσμό και σε (β) Κυκλική Εφελκυστική Φόρτιση-Αποφόρτιση-Επαναφόρτιση. Τα αποτελέσματα επιβεβαίωσαν τις αρχικές εκτιμήσεις και η παρουσία των ΝΣΑ αυξάνει την ευαισθησία της ηλεκτρικής απόκρισης με την εφαρμοζόμενη φόρτιση. Στη συνέχεια, έχοντας αποδείξει ότι η παρουσία των ΝΣΑ έχει θετική επίδραση στην ηλεκτρική παρακολούθηση της βλάβης ακολούθησε η μελέτη της ηλεκτρομηχανικής απόκρισης σε συνθήκες κόπωσης, που αντιπροσωπεύει και τον πιο διαδεδομένο τύπο φόρτισης στις κατασκευές από σύνθετα υλικά. Επίσης για τα ίδια δοκίμια μετρήσεις ηλεκτρικής αγωγιμότητας AC και DC έδειξαν πως η παρουσία των ΝΣΑ στην μήτρα μειώνει την ανισοτροπία του υλικού ως προς αυτή την ιδιότητα. Συνέχεια της παραπάνω έρευνας αποτέλεσε η ανάπτυξη ψευδό- ισότροπων ινωδών σύνθετων υλικών CFRPs [0,+45,90,45]nS (τυπική σύνθετη δομή αεροπορικών κατασκευών) μήτρας εποξικής ρητίνης και εμποτισμένης εποξικής ρητίνης με ΝΣΑ περιεκτικότητας 0.5% κ.β. στην παρούσα φάση εκτός από τα προαναφερθέντα πειράματα κατά κύριο λόγω διερευνήθηκε η ηλεκτρομηχανική απόκριση του υλικού σε κόπωση. Η συχνότητα της κόπωσης παρέμεινε σταθερή, όπως και ο λόγος της ελάχιστης εφαρμοζόμενης τάσης προς την μέγιστη (λόγος R), ενώ εξετάστηκαν τρία (3) διαφορετικά επίπεδα φόρτισης (Stress levels) με σκοπό την μελέτη πιθανή εξάρτησης της ηλεκτρομηχανικής απόκρισης. Παράλληλα καταγράφηκε και η θερμοκρασία του υλικού για την αφαίρεση τυχόν επιδράσεων της στη απόκριση της ηλεκτρικής αντίστασης. Ταυτόχρονα, χρησιμοποιήθηκε σύστημα ακουστικής εκπομπής με απώτερο στόχο την συσχέτιση των μετρήσεων των 2 τεχνικών ΜΚΕ. Η ανάλυση των πειραματικών αποτελεσμάτων έδειξε ότι η συμπεριφορά των ψευδους ισότροπων συνθέτων υλικών σε σχέση αυτής των μονής διεύθυνσης και αυτής των ορθότροπων υλικών εμπεριέχει πιο σύνθετη απόκριση λόγω της ύπαρξης των [45ο] στρώσεων. Παράλληλα, η ηλεκτρική απόκριση τους συσχετίστηκε με τις μετρήσεις της υποβάθμισης του μέτρου ελαστικότητας αλλά και τις μετρήσεις της ακουστικής εκπομπής επιβεβαιώνοντας «ηλεκτρικά» χαρακτηριστικές περιοχές βλάβης. Βάση αυτών των παρατηρήσεων έγινε μια απόπειρα μελέτης της δυνατότητας πρόγνωσης της τελικής αστοχίας μέσω της μετρούμενης ηλεκτρομηχανικής απόκρισης με πολύ ενθαρρυντικά αποτελέσματα. Προς σε αυτή τη κατεύθυνση, η παρουσία των ΝΣΑ έδειξε μια πιο ομαλή ηλεκτρομηχανική συμπεριφορά που βελτιστοποιεί την αξιοπιστία της πρόβλεψης, παρατήρηση που αποτελεί και την ολοκλήρωση του κύριου όγκου έρευνας της παρούσας διδακτορικής εργασίας. / The increasing usage of composite materials in the aerospace industry in critical structural applications has proved the need for health monitoring of those structures. In the past piezo-ceramic particles and optic fibres have been integrated into composite structures so as to serve as health monitoring sensors but they introduced flaws and high stress concentration to the structures. In the current PhD thesis a different approach was used; to use the material itself as an inherent structural monitoring sensor. In order to achieve that the matrix material of the epoxy reinforced composite has to be doped with Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs). Carbon nanotubes are reported to have excellent mechanical, thermal and electrical properties. The CNTs have to be dispersed into the epoxy matrix and above certain per weight percentage into the matrix where they form a conductive percolating network. By monitoring the changes of the electrical resistivity of this network is possible to track any load, strain or even damage stages of the material. In other words a step towards a multifunctional material is made since an enhancement also in the mechanical properties is expected from the presence of the CNTs. At the first chapters of the PhD an extensive evaluation of the dispersion method takes place. Different times and speeds of the high-shear mechanical device that was used for the dispersion of the Multi-Wall CNTs (MWCNTs) into the epoxy polymer are evaluated via electrical measurements (both DC and AC) along with SEM investigations. The next step involved the investigation on the % p.wt of the CNTs into the polymer matrix ranging from 0-1%. With this method both the optimum CNT concentration and the percolation network were established. Beside the aforementioned tests, tensile tests with on line Electrical Resistivity Changes Measurement (ERCM) along the loading axis, took place using a digital multimeter. The tensile tests were both quasi static and loading-unloading. It was proved that the load-strain variation can be tracked for the nano-doped polymers. The percolation threshold for the given system was calculated for both AC and DC to be above 0.3% p.wt and that the optimum CNT content was established at 0.5% while at 0.1% the CNTs tended to behave as flaws due to the large number of agglomerations. The next chapter describes the work of using the conclusion of the previous chapter to manufacture unidirectional CFRPs with aerospace epoxy matrix with 0,0.1,0.5 and 1% p.wt CNT. The CFRP were manufactured by wet lay-up and autoclave methods. The specimens were subjected to both quasi static and loading-unloading tensile test with on-line ERCM. The nano-enhanced composites proved to have inherent sensing abilities and as the CNT content increased the more sensitive the load monitoring was. Moreover, for the loading-unloading tests (5 cycles) it was noted that the nano-composites were able to track the initial damage of the coupons by irreversible ERCM changes. The AC and DC conductivity was also measured and it was proved that the presence of the CNTs in the matrix reduce the electrical anisotropy of the composite. The 0.5 % p.wt CNTs into the epoxy matrix proved to be the optimised content for FRP manufacturing since not only proved to give very good all overall results but also it is easier to manufacture when compared with 1% (high viscosity). Further in the research two quasi-isotropic CFRPs were manufactured as above with 0 and 0.5% CNTs. The quasi lay-up was chosen so as to be representative of a typical aerospace structural component. Besides the aforementioned tensile tests with ERCM, the main investigation took place on tension-tension fatigue tests with ERCM. In this case due to the nature of the samples (many fiber contacts) the differences in the ERC measurements were not as obvious as before, but by further mathematically-statistically analyzing the results a model of estimation of fatigue life life is presented. The principal of health monitoring of composite structures enhanced with CNTs, was also proved for cross-ply Kevlar FRPs (KFRPs) with 1% p.wt in the matrix material and with the same amount of CNTs in gramms in as received form spread by hand at the mid-plane. Finally one can highlight the results of the current PhD thesis as follows: the principle of manufacturing and testing a multi-functional composite material with the use of CNTs has been proved. The dispersion of the nano-fillers took place using a high shear mixing device and the parameters were optimised. The percolation threshold was calculated above 0.3% p.wt and wt and that the optimum CNT content was established at 0.5% while at 0.1% the CNTs tended to behave as flaws due to the large number of agglomerations. The nano-reinforced polymers became semi-conductors and showed the ability to track load-starin variation via ERCM. The nano-reinforced polymer was used as matrix materials for CFRPs. The optimum CNT contents was established at 0.5% p.wt. The presence of CNTs not olny improved the mechanical properties but also provided to the materials sensing abilities via ERCM on several load cases i.e.tensile and fatigue. The proof of concept was also demonstrated using KFRPs.

Darbo tikslas: Ištirti karvių pieno elektrinio laidumo fenotipinio ir genetinio kinta¬mumo rodiklius bei veiksnius Lietuvos pieninių galvijų populiacijoje ir ryšius su selekcionuojamais požymiais. Darbo uždaviniai: 1. Ištirti karvių pieno elektrinio laidumo fenotipinius pokyčius Lie¬tuvos pieninių galvijų populiacijoje ir įvertinti negenetinių veiksnių įtaką. 2. Įvertinti pieno elektrinio laidumo ir karvių produktyvumo, pieno su¬dėties, somatinių ląstelių skaičiaus, melžimo parametrų, repro¬dukcinių ir kitų savybių fenotipinę priklausomybę. 3. Ištirti genetinių veiksnių įtaką karvių pieno elektrinio laidumo po¬kyčiams. 4. Nustatyti pieno elektrinio laidumo genetinio kintamumo parametrus ir genetinę koreliaciją su karvių pieno produktyvumu, sudėtimi ir kokybe, taip pat ištirti pieno elektrinio laidumo panaudojimo tikslingumą Lietuvos pieninių galvijų selekcijoje. Pirmą kartą šalyje ištirtas Lietuvoje veisiamų pieninių galvijų popu¬liacijos karvių pieno elektrinio laidumo fenotipinis bei genetinis kinta¬mumas ir ryšys su pieno produktyvumu, sudėtimi ir karvių sveikatingumu. Nustatytas aukštas karvių pieno elektrinio laidumo paveldimumo koeficientas ir genetinė koreliacija su somatinių ląstelių skaičiumi rodo, kad Lietuvos pieninių galvijų veislininkystės apskaitos informacinėje sistemoje ir selekcijos programose tikslinga naudoti automatizuotų melžimo sistemų pieno elektrinio laidumo duomenis, siekiant pagerinti karvių produktyvumą ir sveikatingumą. / Aim of the research: To examine indicators and factors of phenotypic and genetic variability of electrical conductivity of cows’ milk in Lithuanian dairy cattle popula¬tion and its relationship with selective traits. Main objectives of the research: 1. To examine the phenotypic variability of electrical conductivity of cows’ milk and to assess the influence of non-genetic factors in Lithuanian dairy cattle population. 2. To assess the phenotypic relationship between electrical conductivity of milk and productivity, milk composition, somatic cell count, milking parameters, reproduction and other factors. 3. To examine the influence of genetic factors on variability of elec¬trical conductivity of milk. 4. To determine the parameters of genetic variability of electrical con¬ductivity of milk and its genetic correlation with productivity, milk composition and quality, also to examine the expedience of using electrical conductivity of milk in Lithuanian dairy cattle breeding programs. Phenotypic and genetic variability of electrical conductivity of cows’ milk and its relationship with productivity, milk composition and health of cows in Lithuanian dairy cattle population was examined for the first time nationwide. A high heritability coefficient of electrical conductivity of cows’ milk and its genetic correlation with somatic cell count, as determined in the research, indicate that it is appropriate to use automated milking system data on the electrical conductivity of milk in... [to full text]

We develop methods how to calculate charge transport in disordered systems applicable in all disorder regimes. They allow to calculate vertex corrections to the electrical conductivity and the diffusion coefficient in models of elastically scattered electrons in the presence of random scatterers. These methods are based on an asymptotic limit to high spatial dimensions. The resulting formulas lead to reliable results free of unphysical behavior, as illustrated on a gallery of numerical examples.

Resumo: A cenoura (Daucus carota L.) é uma hortaliça amplamente empregada na alimentação do brasileiro, constituindo uma rica fonte de cálcio e vitamina A, de fácil digestão e baixo teor de calorias. A cultivar Brasília foi desenvolvido para ser cultivada no verão, apresentando resistência ao calor, com produtividade média de 30 t ha-1 e ciclo médio de 85 a 100 dias. O presente trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar os possíveis efeitos do estresse hídrico e salino no crescimento e nas características morfológicas da cultivar Brasília. O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação, no Departamento de Engenharia Rural da Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas, Botucatu-SP, nos meses de setembro de 2009 e janeiro de 2010. O manejo hídrico foi estabelecido com base no potencial de água no solo e foram determinados três níveis de água (-0,01; -0,04 e -0,06 MPa), fazendo-se a reposição de água evapotranspirada por pesagem dos vasos. Foram utilizadas quatro doses de cloreto de sódio (1,41; 2,50; 4,50 e 6,45 dS m-1). O ensaio constituiu-se de um fatorial 3x4 (três níveis de água x quatro doses de salinidade). Os parâmetros morfológicos observados foram: altura da parte aérea, massas fresca e seca de parte aérea; massas fresca e seca da parte radicular (bulbo), comprimento da parte radicular (bulbo), diâmetro da parte radicular (bulbo) e produtividade. Foram realizadas três avaliações morfológicas durante os 100 dias após plantio e avaliações diárias de sobrevivência. A análise estatística dos dados foi feita pela análise de variância e teste de Tukey com 5% de probabilidade. Os resultados nas condições deste experimento permitiram as seguintes conclusões: Não foram observadas diferenças significativas... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The carrot (Daucus carota L.) is a vegetable widely used in the Brazilian diet, constituting a rich source of calcium and vitamin A, digestible and low in calories. The cultivar Brasilia was designed to be cultivated in summer, showing resistance to heat, with an average yield of 30 t ha-1 and average cycle from 85 to 100 days. This study aimed to evaluate the possible effects of water stress and salinity on growth and morphological characteristics of the Brasilia cultivar. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at the Department of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, Botucatu-SP, on September 2009 until January 2010. The water management was based on soil water potential determined and three water levels (-0.01, -0.04 and -0.06 MPa), but with the replacement of water transpired by weighing the pots. We used four doses of sodium chloride (1.41, 2.50, 4.50 and 6.45 dS m-1). The test consisted of a 3x4 factorial (three levels of water salinity x four doses). The morphological parameters were: shoot height, fresh and dry shoot, fresh and dry weight of roots (bulb), length of roots (bulb), diameter of the root (bulb) and productivity. They performed three morphological evaluations during the 100 days after planting and daily assessments of survival. The statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA and Tukey test at 5% probability. The results allowed the following conclusions: there are not observed significant differences on plant development subjected to different minmum soil water potentials (Ψs) = -0,01; -0,04 e -0,06 MPa; the treatments that did not received saline doses showed higher development in relation to aereal part height and bulb length on three available periods (60, 80 e 100 days after planting); the applied saline doses (1,41; 2,50; 4,50 e 6,45 dS m-1 NaCl) did not statistically affect plant development in relation to fresh and dry of aereal... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Orientador: Antonio Evaldo Klar / Coorientador: Antonio Ismael Inácio Cardoso / Banca: Hélio Grassi Filho / Banca: Elisandro Pires Frigo / Mestre

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-31T13:24:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 KellyKRPR_DISSERT.pdf: 488451 bytes, checksum: a6d146b1f3943be73e577bdb0ed0f798 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-10-08 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Given the scarcity of good quality water in the Brazilian semi-arid northeast is necessary to resort to the use of lower quality water, so there must be planning to allow the best use of these waters. One way of classifying water quality is by means of indexes, which can summarize a series of parameters in a single number, facilitating the interpretation of long lists of variables or indicators, allowing the classification of water quality. Thus, the object of this study was to develop an index based on statistics to classify the water according to the Irrigation Water Quality Index (IQAI), to evaluate the ionic composition of irrigation water, and sort it by source. To accomplish these tasks, a database was used, which was generated during the Technology Generation and Adaptation Program (GAT), starting in 1988, when water samples were collected monthly from sources in the states of Paraiba, Rio Grande do Norte and Ceara, where the sampling period was of 34, 19 and 11 months, respectively. To evaluate water quality, the electrical conductivity of irrigation water (EC) was taken as reference, which value corresponds to 0,7 dS m-1. Physical-chemical parameters used in this study were: pH, EC, Ca, Mg, Na, K, Cl, HCO3, CO3 and SO4. These values were to calculate RAS (Sodium Absorption Ratio) and EqCaCO3 (Calcium Carbonate Equivalent); plus the following relations: Na/Cl, Ca/Mg, Na/Ca and HCO3/Cl. Data of all variables showed adjustment to normality, tested by Lilliefors method. Afterwards, the irrigation water quality index was determined by means of one equation relating the standardized value a variable correlated with the number of characteristics evaluated. Thus, IQAI was classified from indices, considering the normal distribution. Finally, these indices were subjected to regression analysis, thus allowing evaluating the sensitivity of the indices as a function of EC, by means of the slope adjusted for each source. The proposed methodology for IQAI allowed classifying satisfactorily the irrigation water quality, and to make its estimative based on the EC of the three sources. Ionic composition variation was observed among the three sources and in a same source. Although different water qualities were classified, there was predominance of good quality water, with a quality index of II. / Devido à escassez de águas de boa qualidade nas condições do semi-árido do nordeste brasileiro é necessário recorrer à utilização das águas de qualidade inferior, sendo assim, deve existir um planejamento que permita o melhor uso possível destas águas. Uma forma de classificar a qualidade da água é por meio de índices, que podem resumir uma série de parâmetros analisados em um único número, facilitando a interpretação de extensas listas de variáveis ou indicadores, possibilitando classificar a qualidade da água. Com isso, o objetivo desse trabalho foi desenvolver um índice com base estatística para classificar as águas de acordo com o Índice de Qualidade de Água para Irrigação (IQAI), avaliar a composição iônica da água para uso na irrigação e classificá-la por fonte. Para isto, foi utilizado o banco de dados gerado durante o programa Geração e Adaptação de Tecnologia (GAT), no qual, a partir do ano de 1988, foram coletadas mensalmente amostras de água em fontes dos estados da Paraíba, Rio Grande do Norte e Ceará, onde foram realizadas coletas por períodos de 34, 19 e 11 meses, respectivamente. Para avaliar a qualidade da água, tomou-se como referência a condutividade elétrica da água de irrigação (CE) cujo valor corresponde a 0,7 dS m-1. Os parâmetros físico-químicos utilizados nesse trabalho foram: pH, CE, Ca, Mg, Na, K, Cl, HCO3, CO3 e SO4 e, com esses valores, foram calculados os valores da RAS (Razão de Absorção de Sódio) e EqCaCO3 (Equivalente Carbonato de Cálcio); e das relações Na/Cl, Ca/Mg, Na/Ca e HCO3/Cl. Para todas as características avaliadas observou-se a normalidade dos dados pelo método de Lilliefors. Em seguida, foi determinado o índice de qualidade de água para irrigação por meio de uma equação que relaciona o valor padronizado da variável analisada com o número de características avaliadas. Assim, classificou-se o IQAI a partir de índices, considerando a distribuição normal. Finalmente, esses índices foram submetidos à regressão, permitindo, desta maneira, avaliar a sensibilidade dos índices em função da CE, pelo coeficiente angular da reta ajustada para cada fonte. A metodologia proposta para o IQAI permitiu classificar satisfatoriamente a qualidade da água para irrigação, podendo-se estimá-lo em função da CE para as três fontes. Observou-se variação na composição iônica entre as três fontes e em uma mesma fonte. Apesar de terem sido observadas águas de diferentes qualidades, predominaram águas de boa qualidade, com índice II.

SOUSA, Alan Bernard Oliveira de. Germinação e desenvolvimento inicial de plântulas de cajueiro anão precoce sob irrigação salina. 2011. 60 f. : Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Ceará, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Departamento de Engenharia Agrícola, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia Agrícola, Fortaleza-CE, 2011. / Submitted by demia Maia (demiamlm@gmail.com) on 2016-05-31T15:08:45Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2011_dis_abosousa.pdf: 2702929 bytes, checksum: 5935ebeb426ae2088b48284bb26727da (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by demia Maia (demiamlm@gmail.com) on 2016-05-31T15:09:17Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2011_dis_abosousa.pdf: 2702929 bytes, checksum: 5935ebeb426ae2088b48284bb26727da (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-05-31T15:09:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2011_dis_abosousa.pdf: 2702929 bytes, checksum: 5935ebeb426ae2088b48284bb26727da (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010 / Considering the socio-economic importance of cashew to the Brazilian northeast and the northeastern problems with water scarcity and quality of irrigation water, the objective of this work was set to study the development of dwarf cashew clones at different stages of development under irrigation with saline water. The first experiment was aimed at evaluating the germination and early growth of seedlings of precocious dwarf cashew (clones: CPC 06, BRS 189, BRS 226 and BRS 265) in greenhouse when irrigated with different salt solutions, in order to observe the differences between the respective responses. The treatments were arranged in a 5 x 4 factorial with four replications, referring y to saline solutions with respective salinities corresponding to the electrical conductivities (ECw) 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 dS m-1, and four cashew clones (CCP 06 , BRS 189, BRS 226 and BRS 265). Thirty days after seedling emergence, the data were collected and analyzed statistically. All emergence variables were influenced by the salinity. The irrigation with saline water resulted in increased levels of Na+ and Cl- in different plant parts, adversely affecting all the variables of the initial growth of the dwarf cashew clones, with the CCP 06 clone showing the highest salinity tolerance among the clones. The second experiment was aimed at evaluating the growth of dwarf cashew clone BRS 189 under irrigation with saline water. The experiment was conducted at the Pacajus Experimental Field of the Embrapa Agroindústria tropical. The BRS 189 seedlings on the CCP 06 clone rootstock, were transplanted to the ground and subjected to the treatments, from the second month onwards. The treatments were arranged in blocks with four replications and four plants per plot, refering to saline solutions corresponding to the electrical conductivities (ECw) 0.8, 3.0, 6.0, 9.0 and 12.0 dS m-1. After five months, the data were obtained, and subjected to statistical analysis. All the development variables and the leaf dry mass (LDM, or MSF) were influenced by salinity. Only perspiration (of the gas exchanges) was affected by salinity. The salinity limit found in this study corresponded to an electrical conductivity of 1.56 dS m-1, to a fall in potential yield of up to 10% / Diante da importância sócio-econômica do cajueiro para região nordeste do Brasil bem como as dificuldades relacionadas à escassez hídrica e qualidade de água para irrigação, objetivouse estudar o desenvolvimento de clones de cajueiro anão precoce em diferentes estádios de desenvolvimento sob irrigação com água salina. O primeiro experimento objetivou avaliar a germinação e o desenvolvimento inicial de plântulas de cajueiro anão-precoce (clones: CCP 06, BRS 189, BRS 226 e BRS 265), em ambiente protegido e irrigadas com diferentes soluções salinas, visando observar respostas diferenciadas entre os clones. Os tratamentos foram dispostos em esquema fatorial 5 x 4 com quatro repetições, referentes a soluções salinas ajustadas para as condutividades elétricas (CEa) (0, 3, 6, 9 e 12 dS m-1), e 4 clones de cajueiro (CCP 06, BRS 189, BRS 226 e BRS 265). Trinta dias após a emergência das plântulas, os dados foram coletados e submetidos à análise estatística. Todas as variáveis de emergência foram influenciadas pela salinidade. A irrigação com água salina proporcionou um acréscimo nos teores de Na e Cl nas diversas partes das plantas, afetando negativamente todas as variáveis de crescimento inicial dos clones de cajueiro anão precoce. Sendo o clone CCP 06 o mais tolerante a salinidade comparado aos demais clones estudados. O segundo experimento objetivou avaliar o desenvolvimento de plantas de cajueiro anão precoce clone BRS 189 sob irrigação com água salina. O experimento foi conduzido no Campo Experimental de Pacajus da Embrapa Agroindústria tropical. Mudas do clone BRS 189, sobre porta enxerto do clone CCP 06, foram transplantadas para solo e a partir do segundo mês iniciou-se a aplicação dos tratamentos. Os tratamentos foram dispostos em blocos ao acaso com quatro repetições e quatro plantas por parcela experimental, referentes às soluções salinas ajustadas para as condutividades elétricas (CEa) (0,8, 3,0, 6,0, 9,0 e 12,0 dS m-1). Decorridos cinco meses obteve-se os dados e aplicou-se análise estatística. Todas as variáveis de desenvolvimento e a MSF foram influenciadas pela salinidade. Das trocas gasosas apenas a transpiração foi afetada pela salinidade. A salinidade limite encontrada no presente estudo foi de CEa de 1,56 dS m-1 para diminuição no rendimento potencial de até 10% .

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:33:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2007-07-27Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:25:22Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 lopes_mm_dr_jabo.pdf: 330970 bytes, checksum: aa76d1b477a1c43224f03c7bd118f385 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Essa pesquisa teve como objetivo adequar os testes de deterioração controlada, de envelhecimento acelerado, de condutividade elétrica e de lixiviação de potássio, na avaliação da qualidade fisiológica de sementes de quiabo (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench). O experimento foi conduzido utilizando-se quatro lotes de sementes de quiabo, cv. Santa Cruz. Na primeira etapa do trabalho foram realizados os testes de germinação, primeira contagem da germinação, índice de velocidade de germinação, emergência de plântula em campo e estudos específicos para os testes de deterioração controlada (teores de água de 18, 21 e 24%, temperaturas de 41 e 45ºC durante 24 horas). O envelhecimento acelerado, com e sem solução salina (períodos 48, 72, 96 e 120 horas, a 41ºC e 45ºC). A condutividade elétrica (temperaturas de 25 e 30ºC, volumes de 25 e 50 mL de água, 25 e 50 sementes e períodos de 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 18 e 24 horas). A lixiviação de potássio (25 sementes, 25 mL de água a 25ºC, durante 2, 4, 6, 12, 18 e 24 horas). Na segunda etapa, os procedimentos considerados mais promissores para cada teste na primeira etapa, foram repetidos. De acordo como os resultados obtidos, concluiu-se que os testes de deterioração controlada com 24% de teor de água das sementes a 41ºC por 24 horas, o envelhecimento acelerado com e sem solução salina utilizando 41ºC por 72 horas e o teste de condutividade elétrica, 25 sementes com 25mL de água a 25ºC durante 24 horas foram os testes mais indicados para avaliação da qualidade fisiológica de sementes de quiabo. O teste de lixiviação de potássio necessita de estudos adicionais para adequar seu método e viabilizar a sua utilização para sementes de quiabo. / The objective of this research was to study the physiological tests of controlled deterioration, accelerated aging, electrical conductivity and potassium leakage, for okra seeds, to evaluate it’s physiological quality. The experiment was carried out by using four okra seed lots cv. “Santa Cruz”. In the first stage were performed the standard germination, first germination count, speed of germination index, field seedling emergence, controlled deterioration seed (water content of 18, 21 and 24%, 45ºC, during 24 hours). The accelerated aging with and without salt solution with period of 48, 72, 96 and 120 hours at 41 and, 45ºC. For the electrical conductivity were used temperatures of 25 and, 30ºC, volumes of 25 and 50 mL of water, 25 and 50 seeds and periods of 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 18 and, 24 hours. The potassium leakage (25 seeds, 25mL of water at 25ºC during 2, 4, 6, 12, 18 and 24 hours. In the second stage, the procedure considered more relevant for every test was repeated. According to the obtained results was concluded that the controlled deterioration test with 24% of seed water content at 41ºC for 24 hours. The accelerated aging with and without salt solution using 41ºC for 72 hours and the electrical conductivity test 25 seeds with 25mL of water at 25ºC during 24 hours were the most indicated tests to evaluate the physiological seed quality of okra seeds. The potassium leakage needs additional studies to adequate it’s methods and to make viable it’s use for okra seeds.

La protection cathodique par courant imposé (PCCI) est l’une des techniques adoptées pour limiter ou annihiler la corrosion dans le béton armé. Le but de cette thèse est de développer des revêtements suffisamment conducteurs et autonomes pour s’affranchir de l’utilisation des anodes primaires métalliques lors de la PCCI. Ce mémoire est formé de quatre parties principales :I. La première partie résume la recherche bibliographique réalisée. II. Cette partie sera consacrée à la formulation des revêtements électro-conducteurs par dispersion des poudres-pigmentaires conductrices (métallique ou carbone) dans une résine acrylique ou polyuréthane. III. L’efficacité des revêtements électro-conducteurs en tant qu’anode autonome est étudiée dans cette partie. IV. La dernière partie présente des essais de PCCI réalisés en continu pendant 6 mois sur des dallettes corrodées. Des spécimens témoins non corrodés sont aussi placés dans le même environnement sans protection cathodique. / Impressed Current Cathodic Protection (ICPP) is one of the electrochemical techniques applied to limit or annihilate corrosion. The aim of this thesis is to develop sufficiently conductive and autonomous coatings to overcome the use of primary anodes during ICPP. This thesis is based on four main parts:I. The first part summarizes a bibliographic review of corrosion in reinforced concrete. II. This part will focus on the formulation of electroconductive coatings by mixing conductive powders (metallic or carbon) with an acrylic or polyurethane resin. III. The effectiveness of electroconductive coatings as an autonomous anode is studied in this section. IV. The last part presents ICCP tests carried out continuously for 6 months on corroded slabs. Non-corroded specimens are also placed in the same environment without cathodic protection in order to make a comparative analysis.