Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:29:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2003-06-27Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:39:24Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 duarte_ass_me_ilha.pdf: 121383 bytes, checksum: 74f628c10e56c3e002db89a79da3f51b (MD5) / O milho ocupa o segundo lugar entre as culturas, cujos produtos constituem fonte de alimento para a população mundial, o que o torna de importância social e econômica. Este fato tem sido um dos motivos para o milho tornar-se material de estudo e pesquisa, com o objetivo de melhorar o rendimento tanto qualitativa como quantitativamente. Um dos fatores que pode limitar a produção em culturas é a disponibilidade de nutrientes em particular o nitrogênio. As plantas absorvem, preferencialmente, o nitrogênio do solo na forma de nitrato, que deve ser reduzido para NH4+ , para que este seja incorporado em esqueletos carbônicos. A redução do nitrato é feita em duas etapas e a primeira é mediada pela enzima redutase do nitrato. Por outro lado, sabe-se que a redutase do nitrato é uma das enzimas que podem ser utilizadas para caracterizar genótipos de milho. O presente trabalho foi proposto para verificar a eficiência de utilização do N, através da determinação da atividade das enzimas redutase do nitrato (NR) e glutamina sintetase (GS), em nove variedades de milho: Dentado 1 e Dentado 10 (ciclos de melhoramento no Composto Dentado PB), Flintisa 0, Flintisa 7, Flintisa Alta Tecnologia 11 e Flintisa Baixa Tecnologia 11 (ciclos de melhoramento no Composto Flintisa), Sol da Manhã, BR106e AL30 (variedades comerciais). O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação e no campo. Na casa de vegetação as nove variedades, foram cultivadas em vasos, tendo como substrato a vermiculita, regadas com solução nutritiva de Hoagland modificada contendo nitrato e amônio, como fontes de N, nas proporções: N1 = 100% NO3- , N2 = 100% NH4+ , N3 = 50% NO3- :50% NH4+ e N4 = 0% NO3- :0% NH4+ . O delineamento experimental foi fatorial 9 x 4 e no campo as nove variedades foram cultivadas sob diferentes condições de nitrogênio... . / Among the cultivated crops corn stands on second place as food source by its the associated social and economical importance. This has been one of the reasons aiming to improve corn yield both qualitative and quantitatively. One of the factors that limits corn yield is the nutrients availability, and nitrogen in particular. Plants take up nitrogen from soil preferable in its nitrate form, which has to be reduced to NH4+ before incorporated into carbon skeleton. Nitrate reduction is usually attained in two steps, with the first one mediated by the enzyme nitrate reductase (NR). By the other side, it is known that NR can be used on screening of corn genotypes. This research aimed to determine the efficiency of N utilization, by determining the activity of the enzymes NR and glutamine synthase (GS) by nine corn varieties: Dentado 1and Dentado 10(from additional breeding cycles of the composto Dentado PB)), Flintisa 0,Flintisa 7, Flintisa Alta Tecnologia 11, Flintisa Baixa Tecnologia 11(from additional breeding cycles of the composto Flintisa), Sol da Manhã, BR 106and AL30 (commercial varieties). The experiments were held on both greenhouse and field conditions. On greenhouse the nine varieties were cropped on pots containing vermiculite as substrate amended with conventional Hoagland nutrient solution, modified on its ammonium and nitrate content (as N source) according to the following proportions: N1= 100% NO3-, N2 = 100% NH4+, N3 = 50% NO3-:50% NH4+ and N4 = 0% 0% NH4+. The experimental design was a 9x4 factorial with four repetitions. In the field, the same nine varieties were cropped under the distinct nitrogen source content as above (N1, N2, N3 and N4) in a complete randomized block design with three repetition and a total of 108 plots. There was high activity of the enzyme NR (NRA) at 100% NO3- content. When the N... (Complete abstract click electronic address below).

O pastejo é considerado um fator determinante para a manutenção e conservação da vegetação campestre (campos) no sul do Brasil, sendo considerado o responsável por construir a heterogeneidade estrutural, a composição de espécies e a diversidade dos campos. Porém o manejo do pastejo é fundamental para sucesso da atividade pecuária, uma vez que longos períodos de pastejo excessivo e intenso ao invés de manter áreas campestres pode degradá-las, diminuindo a diversidade e produtividade, tornando os campos suscetíveis a invasão por espécies exóticas. Para o sucesso da relação construída entre o manejador, os animais e a vegetação, as estratégias de manejo que possibilitem uma pecuária rentável, mas que busque conservar a vegetação campestre, são fundamentais. O objetivo desta tese foi verificar os efeitos do pastejo sobre a vegetação campestre, tendo como ferramenta principal para isso, diferentes manejos. Os efeitos do pastejo foram avaliados através de índices de diversidade taxonômica e funcional, e da variação de atributos funcionais de gramíneas, analisando especificamente: (1) como estratégias de manejo contínuo e rotativo influenciam a dinâmica da vegetação campestre (biomassa, diversidade, riqueza e equitabilidade); (2) a influência do manejo do pastejo na composição e diversidade funcional de comunidades campestres descritas por gramíneas, e os efeitos sobre a variação intra- e interespecífica de atributos foliares (SLA e LDMC) das espécies de gramíneas; (3) o efeito de diferentes intensidades de pastejo (ofertas de forragem) nas diversidades alfa e beta das comunidades de plantas. Foram verificadas mudanças na diversidade, equitabilidade, riqueza de espécies, biomassa condicionadas pelo pastejo rotativo, que se mostrou benéfico para vegetação campestre. O pastejo rotativo proporcionou também um incremento na diversidade funcional, condicionado pela variação intra- e interespecífica nos atributos das gramíneas. Diferentes intensidades de pastejo promoveram diferenças de alfa e beta diversidade sob diferentes intensidades de pastejo. O pastejo demonstrou exercer papel determinante em toda a dinâmica campestre, tendo efeitos consideráveis em todos os níveis de avaliação, desde a riqueza de espécies até na diversidade funcional, ficando evidente que a decisão do manejo é fundamental tanto para a produtividade quanto para a manutenção da vegetação campestre. / Grazing is considered a determining factor for the maintenance and conservation of grasslands in southern Brazil and is considered one of the main driver of the structural heterogeneity, species composition and diversity of the grasslands. But the management of grazing is key to the success of livestock farming, since long periods of excessive and intense grazing instead of maintaining grassland, can degrade them, reducing the diversity and productivity, leading the grassland susceptible to invasion of exotic species. For the success of the relationship built between managers, animals and vegetation, a strategic management that allows an efficient farming together with the conservation of grassland vegetation is essential. The objective of this thesis was to investigate the effects of grazing on the grassland, based on different managements of grazing. The effects of grazing were evaluated by taxonomic and functional diversity indices, and the variation of functional traits of grasses, analyzing specifically: (1) how continuous and rotational grazing management influence the dynamics of grassland vegetation (biomass, diversity, richness and evenness); (2) the influence of grazing management on the functional composition and functional diversity in grassland communities described by grasses, and its effects on the intra- and interspecific variation of leaf traits (SLA and LDMC) of grass species; (3) the effect of different grazing intensities (forage dry matter offer) in the alpha and beta diversity of plant communities. Changes in diversity, evenness, species richness, and biomass were verified, which were conditioned by the rotational grazing that proved beneficial to grassland. The rotational grazing provided also an increase in functional diversity, due to intra and interspecific variation of the grasses traits. Different grazing intensities promoted differences in alpha and beta diversity under different grazing intensities. Grazing demonstrated to have a decisive role in the whole dynamics of grassland communities, with considerable effects on all levels here assessed, from the species richness to the functional diversity, becoming apparent that the management decision is very important for both the productivity and the maintenance of grassland structure and diversity.

A asma é definida como uma doença inflamatória crônica de caráter multifatorial, caracterizada pela obstrução reversível das vias aéreas, denso infiltrado inflamatório e hiper-reatividade brônquica a estímulos externos. Clinicamente, a doença é marcada por sintomas episódicos de dispneia, sibilo, tosse seca e sensação de aperto no peito. A terapia convencional da asma compreende o uso de anti-inflamatórios e broncodilatadores. A budesonida é um glicocorticoide esteroide e é dos fármacos mais utilizados na terapêutica da asma. No entanto, a budesonida apresenta baixa biodisponibilidade oral e o uso prolongado pode levar a efeitos adversos graves como afinamento da pele e supressão adrenocortical. No desenvolvimento de novas formulações, a avaliação da toxicidade é de extrema importância. Por conseguinte, o uso de cultura celular é de grande valia no desenvolvimento de protocolos para avaliação da toxicidade de novas formulações. Adicionalmente, a nanotecnologia é uma ferramenta importante para resolver problemas de biodisponibilidade e para contornar efeitos adversos da terapêutica convencional. Desta forma, o objetivo desta tese foi desenvolver um novo sistema nanoestruturado na forma de pó seco para inalação (Dry powders inhalers – DPI), obtido por aspersão contendo budesonida encapsulada, visando o tratamento da asma aguda e crônica. Essa proposta foi baseada na obtenção de um sistema pulverulento nanoestruturado com tamanho reduzido e controlado, visando a entrega pulmonar da budesonida. Na etapa de pré-formulação foi realizado um estudo fatorial avaliando diferentes métodos de preparação das nanocápsulas e os adjuvantes de secagem utilizados. As análises de tamanho de partícula, da formulação selecionada (nanocápsulas contendo budesonida e secas por aspersão com leucina) mostraram um tamanho reduzido e adequado para a administração pulmonar (2,7 μm). A morfologia demonstrou que estas partículas possuem um tamanho reduzido, forma esférica e superfície irregular, características importantes para a administração pulmonar. Quando analisada a distribuição pulmonar in vitro, em Impactador de Andersen, a formulação apresentou uma fração de partículas finas (Fine Particle Fraction – FPF) de 28%. Analisando os resultados dos experimentos em modelos de asma aguda e crônica induzidos por ovalbumina, os resultados da mecânica respiratória e função pulmonar mostraram uma diminuição na resistência e na elastância pulmonar, quando a budesonida nanoencapsulada foi utilizada, quando comparada com uma formulação comercial de budesonida, nas duas doses utilizadas (0,5 e 1,0 mg/Kg). Esse tratamento com nanocápsulas também mostrou eficiência na redução da inflamação, pela redução do número de leucócitos totais no fluido de lavagem bronco alveolar (Broncho Alveolar Lavage Fluid – BALF) e, principalmente, redução significativa no número dos eosinófilos no infiltrado pulmonar. Corroborando esses resultados, a quantificação da eotaxina – 1 e das citocinas pró-inflamatórias foram reduzidas, quando comparadas ao tratamento comercial. A análise histopatológica mostrou que quando o tratamento com as nanocápsulas foi utilizado, a produção de muco foi reduzida, bem como a produção de fibrose sub-epitelial, sugerindo um possível efeito sobre o remodelamento tecidual. Os resultados de toxicidade utilizando linhagem celular epitelial pulmonar (H441) mostrou uma redução na toxicidade da budesonida, quando encapsulada nas nanopartículas, tanto na forma de suspensão como na forma pulverulenta. Essa redução da toxicidade foi de 75% e de 50%, na dose de 100 μg/mL, para a suspensão e para o DPI, respectivamente. O conjunto dos resultados obtidos mostrou a potencial aplicabilidade da budesonida nanoencapsulada para o tratamento da asma, utilizando esse novo sistema DPI. / Asthma is characterized as a chronic inflammatory disease developed by multifactorial aspects such as genetic predisposition and exposure to environmental factors such as pollution, smoke and microorganisms. The conventional asthma therapy comprises the use of bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory. Budesonide is a glucocorticoid and is the most frequently used therapy in the treatment of asthma. However, this drug has low oral bioavailability and long term use may lead to adverse effects such as skin thinning and adrenal suppression. The evaluation of the toxicity of new formulation has critical role in the pharmaceutical development. The use of cell culture experiments can help this aspect. Additionally, nanotechnology is an important tool to solve problems regarding bioavailability and to circumvent adverse effects of conventional therapy. The aim of this work was to develop a nanostructured system as dry powder inhaler (DPI) containing budesonide loaded, obtained by spray-drying, targeting the treatment of acute and chronic asthma. This proposal was based on obtaining a nanostructured powder system with reduced and controlled size, aiming an alternative to treatment of asthma. A factorial study comparing different methods to produce the nanocapsules as well as the type of drying adjuvants was performed. The particle size of the selected formulation was 2.7 μm, an adequate reduced size suitable for pulmonary administration. The morphology of these particles showed a small size, spherical shape and irregular surface. All these characteristics are important for pulmonary administration. When analyzed the in vitro pulmonary distribution of the DPI, using an Andersen Cascade Impactor, showed a fine particle fraction (FPF) of 28%. Analyzing the results of the biological experiments, the mechanical respiratory and pulmonary function showed a decrease in lung elastance and resistance when budesonide was used nanoencapsulated compared with a commercial formulation of budesonide in two doses (0.5 and 1.0 mg / kg). Both treatments also showed nanocapsules efficiency in reduction of inflammation by reducing the total of leukocytes in the bronchial alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and especially significant reduction in eosinophil infiltration in the lung tissue. Corroborating with these results, the quantification of eotaxin - 1 and proinflammatory cytokines was reduced when compared to commercial budesonide treatment. Histopathological analysis showed that when treatment with the nanocapsules was used, mucus production was reduced and reversed the phenomena of airway remodeling. The cytotoxicity assay by Alamar blue using the bronchial epithelium cell line (H441) showed a reduction on the toxicity of budesonide when the nanocapsules were used even in suspension or in the DPI. The cytotoxicity reduction were 75 and 50%, at 100 μg/mL, for the suspension and the DPI, respectively. All these results show that budesonide-loaded nanocapsules in dry powder inhaler is a promising approach for the treatment of asthma.

Este trabalho fez parte de um projeto de pesquisa financiado pelo ITV - Instituto Tecnológico Vale, realizado em parceria com a UFRGS. Devido a heterogeneidade dos carvões, partículas que apresentam baixo ou nenhum contéudo de carbono estão misturadas ao carvão de excelente qualidade podendo representar uma parcela significativa do carvão ROM, implicando em aumento de custos no processamento de estéreis e transporte de rejeitos. Diante da disponibilidade de equipamento comerciais utilizados na separação de minerais grosseiros em unidades móveis ou semi-móveis junto as minas, estima-se que a técnica de SBS possa ser utilizada na pré-concentração de carvões Moçambicanos, com objetivo de reduzir a quantidade de rejeitos enviados a planta de beneficiamento, reduzindo custos operacionais e impactos ao meio ambiente, uma vez que a pré-concentração é realizada a seco. A técnica de SBS foi aplicada a 4 diferentes camadas do carvão da mina de Moatize e sua eficiência avaliada. Os resultados demonstraram ser possível reduzir o teor de cinzas da alimentação de minério ROM. Por meio da remoção de minério de baixa qualidade foi possível reduzir de 10 a 14% da massa, promovendo a redução do teor de cinzas de 10 a 20%, na fração grosseira estudada. / This research is part of a project financed by ITV - Vale Technological Institute, in partnership of UFRGS. Due to coal heterogeneity, particles with low or no content of carbon are mixed with high quality coals and constitute a significant part of the run of mine, which promotes an increase in costs of waste processing and transportation. Commercially available mobile and semi-mobile sorting equipments for mining ores implement dry processes for preconcentration. Therefore, it is estimated that the SBS technique could be used in preconcentration of Mozambique's coal, with the aim to reduce the waste sent to the concentration plant, thus reducing operational costs and environmental impacts. The SBS technique was applied to four different coal's of the Moatize Mine seam and the efficiency was evaluated. The results shows it is possible reduce the ash content in the coarse fraction from feed plant. Through removal of the low quality ore was possible reduce 10 to 14% of mass, which promoted the reduction of ash content from 10 to 20% in coarse fraction feeding the concentration plant.

Grasslands are an important stabilizing and conservative part of agriculture-system through mid-europian conditions. Permanent and temporary grasslands have a lot of production and non-production functions. The aim of thesis is an assessment of fodder and agro-technical qualities of selected new varieties, cultivation of fodder grass and clovers in monocultures and simple mixtures and proposal of instruction to use of tested fodder species. The experiment has been taken at breeding station TAGRO Červený Dvůr s. r. o. The fodder grass experiment at small plots started in 2006. The clovers experiment at small plots started in 2007. The fodder grass experiment has been analyzed for 1st, 2nd and 3rd utilitarian year and the clover experiment for 1st and 2nd utilitarian year. Average production of dry grass material has been found of 16,24 t.ha-1 (Bromus inermis Tabrom) to 20,43 t.ha-1 (Arrhenatherum elatius Median). Average production of dry clovers material has been found of 11,31 t.ha-1(Trifolium pretense Tábor) to 13,28 t. ha-1(Bromus marginatus Tacit + Medicago sativa Pálava). The highest yield of dry biomass show Arrhenatherum elatius Median, Dactylis glomerata Trerano and Festulolium Hykor. These varieties are suitable to grow as a monoculture. The highest yield of dry clovers material show Lotus corniculatus Lotar, Taborak and Malejovský. Suitable mixtures are Bromus marginatus Tacit + Medicago sativa Pálava and Bromus inermis Tabrom + Medicago sativa Pálava.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o desempenho de diferentes tipos de coberturas secas utilizadas em células experimentais preenchidas com rejeitos piritosos de carvão mineral. Quatro células de igual dimensão foram preenchidas com rejeitos piritosos, provenientes do beneficiamento de carvão mineral da Unidade Mineira II – Verdinho, pertencente à Carbonífera Criciúma S.A., situada no município de Forquilhinha, Estado de Santa Catarina. Em relação à composição das células, a primeira foi construída sem cobertura; a segunda, com somente pré-cobertura, constituída de mistura de rejeitos; a terceira, com cobertura de argila compactada; e a quarta elaborada com sistema de barreira capilar dupla. Todas foram expostas às mesmas condições meteorológicas. Para avaliação do desempenho das coberturas analisou-se o volume e características químicas e físico-químicas da água de percolação no período compreendido entre 2009 e 2010. Os parâmetros físicoquímicos considerados foram os seguintes: pH, Eh, acidez, alcalinidade e condutividade enquanto que os parâmetros químicos foram Fe, Al, Mn, Zn e sulfato. A partir dos resultados obtidos, fez-se uma análise técnica dos diferentes tipos de cobertura seca utilizados. De acordo com análise técnica constatou-se que o melhor desempenho no tocante ao volume e à qualidade da água percolada ocorreu na célula em que se utilizou cobertura com argila compactada e na célula em que se empregou cobertura do tipo barreira capilar dupla. / This work aimed to evaluate the performance of different types of dry cover employed in experimental cells filled with pyritic waste of mineral coal. Four cells with the same dimension were filled with coal tailings from the coal preparation plant of Unidade Mineira II –Verdinho, which belongs to Carbonífera Criciúma SA, located in Forquilhinha, Santa Catarina State. The first cell was constructed without any kind of cover, the second one was built with a cover composed by a mixture of coal wastes, the third one was built with a layer of compacted clay, and the forth one was constructed with a system composed by a dual-capillary barrier. All were exposed to the same meteorological conditions. To evaluate the performances of dry covers we analyzed the volume and the chemical and physicochemical characteristics of seepage between 2009 and 2010. The water was analyzed in terms of pH, Eh, acidity, alkalinity, conductivity and the concentration of Fe, Al, Mn, Zn, and sulfate. The experimental results showed that the best performance concerning the volume and the quality of the percolated water was obtained in the cell that received a cover of compacted clay and in the one that received a cover composed by dualcapillary barrier.

Submitted by IVAN BARRETO (ivanbarreto22@terra.com.br) on 2018-09-27T20:12:49Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação-Ivan Barreto.pdf: 1001061 bytes, checksum: 28e1d67d6c8915d96e31a86d453616a6 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Fabio Sampaio Rosas null (fabio@dracena.unesp.br) on 2018-09-28T18:28:55Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 barreto_i_me_dra.pdf: 1001061 bytes, checksum: 28e1d67d6c8915d96e31a86d453616a6 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-09-28T18:28:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 barreto_i_me_dra.pdf: 1001061 bytes, checksum: 28e1d67d6c8915d96e31a86d453616a6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-08-06 / A pecuária no Brasil está baseada no potencial de produção de forragens, sendo a pastagem a fonte de alimento mais usada e econômica. No entanto, aumentar os índices de produção de forragem consiste no manejo adequado da pastagem, especialmente com adubação equilibrada de macro e micronutrientes. Com o objetivo de avaliar fósforo e potássio associados a enxofre, boro e zinco na adubação de formação de pastagem de Urochloa brizantha cultivar Marandu, foi conduzido um experimento em Argissolo Vermelho Amarelo distrófico, na área experimental da Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Tecnológicas, UNESP, Campus de Dracena. O delineamento experimental foi em bloco casualizados, com quatro repetições. Em todos os tratamentos foram aplicados 120 kg ha-1 de N, na forma de nitrato de amônio, a qual foi dividida em quatro doses iguais, na semeadura e após os três cortes subsequentes. Os tratamentos foram os seguintes: T1) Controle - sem adubação, exceto N; T2) PK via fosfato monoamônio (MAP) e cloreto de potássio (KCl); T3) PKS via superfosfato simples (SS) e KCl; T4) PKS via S15 e KCl; T5) PKSB via S15 e KB; T6) PKSZn via SZ e KCl; T7) PKSBZn via SZ e KB; T8) PKSBZn via SZ, KB e Oxisulfato Zn. Nos tratamentos com PK foi aplicada a dose de 80 kg ha-1 de P2O5 e 50 kg ha-1 de K2O, respectivamente. As doses de enxofre, boro e zinco foram proporcionais a concentração na formulação de cada fertilizante, exceto o tratamento oito no qual foi acrescido o oxisulfato de Zn para fornecer o dobro do micronutriente em relação ao tratamento sete. MAP: (11%N, 52%P2O5); KCl: (60%K2O); SS (21%P2O5, 12%S); S15: (13% N, 33%P2O5, 15%S); KB: (58%K2O, 0,5%B); SZ: (12%N, 32%P2O5, 15%S, 1%Zn). Os resultados evidenciaram menor produção de massa verde e de massa seca de capim-marandu na ausência da aplicação de fósforo, potássio, enxofre, boro e zinco. A aplicação de fósforo e potássio na presença de enxofre mais boro ou enxofre mais zinco aumentou 24% a produção de massa seca acumulada em relação ao controle. A produção de folhas do capim-marandu variou no primeiro corte com as maiores médias no T3 e T5 e nos demais cortes não foi observado efeito significativo. Os teores de fibras insolúveis em detergente neutro e fibras insolúveis em detergente ácido da forragem de capim-marandu não variaram em função da adubação, enquanto o teor de proteína bruta diferiu somente no período seco, com as menores médias nos tratamentos T1 e T4. Na camada de 0-0,2 m do solo foi possível constatar o incremento na disponibilidade de fósforo, enxofre, boro e zinco, após um ano da aplicação dos nutrientes via fertilizante mineral. Na camada de 0,2-0,4 m do solo o boro e zinco apresentaram aumento na disponibilidade, após um ano de aplicação dos nutrientes via fertilizantes minerais. No período das águas, a menor concentração de fósforo na parte aérea do capim-marandu foi observada no tratamento controle, enquanto os demais nutrientes não diferiram. / Livestock production in Brazil is based on the potential of forage production, with pasture being the most used and economical source of food. However, increasing forage yield indexes is adequate management of pasture, especially with balanced fertilization of macro and micronutrients. In order to evaluate phosphorus and potassium associated with sulfur, boron and zinc in the cultivation of Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu, an experiment was carried out in a dystrophic Ultisol in the experimental area of the Faculty of Agrarian and Technological Sciences, UNESP, Campus of Dracena. The experimental design was randomized block, with four replicates. In all treatments, 120 kg ha-1 of N, as ammonium nitrate, was applied, which was divided into four equal doses at sowing and after three subsequent cuts. The treatments were as follows: T1) Control - without fertilization, except N; T2) PK via monoammonium phosphate (MAP) and potassium chloride (KCl); T3) PKS via single superphosphate (SS) and KCl; T4) PKS via S15 and KCl; T5) PKSB via S15 and KB; T6) PKSZn via SZ and KCl; T7) PKSBZn via SZ and KB; T8) PKSBZn via SZ, KB and Oxisulfate Zn. In the treatments with PK the dose of 80 kg ha-1 of P2O5 and 50 kg ha-1 of K2O was applied, respectively. The sulfur, boron and zinc doses were proportional to the concentration in the formulation of each fertilizer, except treatment eight in which Zn oxysulphate was added to provide twice the micronutrient over treatment seven. MAP: (11% N, 52% P2O5); KCl: (60% K2O); SS (21%P2O5, 12%S); S15: (13%N, 33%P2O5, 15%S); KB: (58%K2O, 0.5%B); SZ: (12%N, 32%P2O5, 15%S, 1%Zn). The results showed lower production of green mass and dry mass of marandu grass in the absence of the application of phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, boron and zinc. The application of phosphorus and potassium in the presence of sulfur plus boron or sulfur plus zinc increased 24% the accumulated dry mass production in relation to the control. The production of leaves of the marandu grass varied in the first cut with the highest means in T3 and T5 and in the other cuts no significant effect was observed. The neutral detergent insoluble fiber content and acid detergent insoluble fiber of the fodder of the marandu grass did not vary according to the fertilization, while the crude protein content differed only in the dry period, with the lowest averages in the treatments T1 and T4.In the 0-0.2 m depth of the soil, it was possible to verify the increase in the availability of phosphorus, sulfur, boron and zinc, after one year of nutrient application via mineral fertilizer. In the 0.2-0.4 m soil depth, boron and zinc showed an increase in availability after one year of nutrient application via mineral fertilizers. During the water period, the lowest phosphorus concentration in the aerial part of the marandu grass was observed in the control treatment, while the other nutrients did not differ.

abstract: This dissertation presents methods for the evaluation of ocular surface protection during natural blink function. The evaluation of ocular surface protection is especially important in the diagnosis of dry eye and the evaluation of dry eye severity in clinical trials. Dry eye is a highly prevalent disease affecting vast numbers (between 11% and 22%) of an aging population. There is only one approved therapy with limited efficacy, which results in a huge unmet need. The reason so few drugs have reached approval is a lack of a recognized therapeutic pathway with reproducible endpoints. While the interplay between blink function and ocular surface protection has long been recognized, all currently used evaluation techniques have addressed blink function in isolation from tear film stability, the gold standard of which is Tear Film Break-Up Time (TFBUT). In the first part of this research a manual technique of calculating ocular surface protection during natural blink function through the use of video analysis is developed and evaluated for it's ability to differentiate between dry eye and normal subjects, the results are compared with that of TFBUT. In the second part of this research the technique is improved in precision and automated through the use of video analysis algorithms. This software, called the OPI 2.0 System, is evaluated for accuracy and precision, and comparisons are made between the OPI 2.0 System and other currently recognized dry eye diagnostic techniques (e.g. TFBUT). In the third part of this research the OPI 2.0 System is deployed for use in the evaluation of subjects before, immediately after and 30 minutes after exposure to a controlled adverse environment (CAE), once again the results are compared and contrasted against commonly used dry eye endpoints. The results demonstrate that the evaluation of ocular surface protection using the OPI 2.0 System offers superior accuracy to the current standard, TFBUT. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Industrial Engineering 2012

abstract: This study evaluates two 16 year old photovoltaic power (PV) plants to ascertain degradation rates and various failure modes which occur in a "hot-dry" climate. The data obtained from this study can be used by module manufacturers in determining the warranty limits of their modules and also by banks, investors, project developers and users in determining appropriate financing or decommissioning models. In addition, the data obtained in this study will be helpful in selecting appropriate accelerated stress tests which would replicate the field failures for the new modules and would predict the lifetime for new PV modules. The two power plants referred to as Site 4A and -4B with (1512 modules each) were initially installed on a single axis tracking system in Gilbert, Arizona for the first seven years and have been operating at their current location in Mesa, Arizona for the last nine years at fixed horizontal tilt Both sites experience hot-dry desert climate. Average degradation rate is 0.85%/year for the best modules and 1.1%/year for all the modules (excluding the safety failed modules). Primary safety failure mode is the backsheet delamination though it is small (less than 1.7%). Primary degradation mode and reliability failure mode may potentially be attributed to encapsulant browning leading to transmittance/current loss and thermo-mechanical solder bond fatigue (cell-ribbon and ribbon-ribbon) leading to series resistance increase. Average soiling loss of horizontal tilt based modules is 11.1%. About 0.5-1.7% of the modules qualify for the safety returns under the typical 20/20 warranty terms, 73-76% of the modules qualify for the warranty claims under the typical 20/20 power warranty terms and 24-26% of the modules are meeting the typical 20/20 power warranty terms. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S.Tech Engineering 2013

As Uganda works to transform itself into an industrialized, middle-income country in the coming decades, the country is faced with a number of problematic trends that could hinder this transition. High population growth and urbanization are quickly forcing small towns to deal with issues of limited space and the aesthetic conditions within sanitation systems, while declining soil fertility in surrounding rural areas calls into question the future nutritional security of the growing population. Ecological Sanitation (Eco-San) systems, which are designed to recover nutrients from human excreta, may help to address these trends. Improved sanitation coverage in Uganda is currently estimated to be 34%, with most people using either improved or unimproved pit latrines. Eco-San systems, especially Urine-Diverting Dry Toilets (UDDTs, also referred to as composting toilets), have been promoted in the country, but uptake has been slow. Additionally, while UDDTs generally treat human feces to a greater degree than pit latrines and composting toilets (another type of Eco-San system), concerns have been raised as to the inactivation of environmentally persistent pathogens, such as Ascaris lumbricoides eggs. This research focused on two potential solutions to the issues of effective promotion and Ascaris inactivation, evaluating them in the context of Kalisizo, a small town in southern Uganda. Demonstration facilities have been reported to effectively convince local stakeholders of the benefits and advantages of UDDTs, thereby increasing long-term uptake of the technology in the surrounding community. However, an unresolved question concerns whether these facilities should be installed in household or institutional settings. The initial effects of demonstration facilities constructed at local primary schools in Kalisizo were evaluated by assessing local knowledge and attitudes regarding UDDTs, both before installation and after several months of operation, through focus group discussions and key informant interviews. In general, this promotion strategy proved to be successful. After installation, students exhibited a marked increase in knowledge regarding these facilities and their benefits, and opinions were strongly positive. These changes were seen in users of the facilities as well as non-users, and students expressed clear acceptance of using the products of the toilets to fertilize crops. The introduction of an improved sanitation system at the schools also appears to have sparked other improvements related to sanitation and hygiene. In the future, it is likely that students will be compelling representatives for UDDTs within their households and communities. Regarding the treatment of persistent pathogens, previous work has demonstrated that the elevation of free ammonia levels to levels that can inactivate Ascaris eggs can be achieved through the urea addition. In this research, use of stored urine as an ammonia source for treatment of fecal products from UDDTs in Uganda was investigated. Mixtures of stored urine, fecal products from UDDTs, and wood ash were prepared, and treatment conditions (pH, temperature, ammonia concentration) were compared to the results of previous Ascaris inactivation studies to determine whether this strategy would be a feasible and effective treatment alternative. Results indicated that a volumetric mixture containing two parts stored urine and one part fecal products could provide 4-log1¬0 inactivation of Ascaris eggs after five months of indoor storage or after three months of outdoor storage. This strategy could improve the safety of recovered products while maintaining their agricultural value. Social acceptance of the treatment system appears to be possible with proper education efforts, and a cost comparison showed that this system may be more economically favorable than typical double-vault UDDTs.