The effects of cultural intensity (operational and intensive) and planting densities (741, 1483, 2224, and 2965 ha-1) on modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR) and specific gravity (SG) of small clear samples obtained from 15 and 16 year-old loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) from the Lower Coastal Plain and Piedmont region of the southeastern United State were examined. Planting density and distance from pith showed a significant (p < 0.0001) and strong main effect on stiffness (MOE) and strength (MOR) for the samples. Regardless of planting density, MOE, MOR and SG of samples increased significantly from pith toward bark. A significant culture × density interaction (p < 0.0001) was observed for the samples obtained from the Lower Coastal Plain. The project also determined the feasibility of measuring microfibril angle (MFA) on solid wood loblolly pine samples using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy with the angle analyzed using image analysis. Measurements of MFA revealed minor differences (5⁰) between juvenile wood and mature wood.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T15:18:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 AntonioJMV.pdf: 40604 bytes, checksum: 837880de27f78652daed108818974b9f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-02-23 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior / The Anguiliformes is constituted by 15 families, 141 sorts and 737 species. In this group eight families possess at least one karyotyped species, where a prevalence of karyotypes with 2n=38 is evidenced chromosomes and high NF, apparently basal for the Anguiliformes. The only family who shows a different karyotypic pattern from the others is the Muraenidae family. In this, of the eight species already described, all of them present 2n=42 chromosomes. Despite the dimension of this Order, few species present karyotypics descriptions. In the present work, a species of Ophichthidae, Myrichthys ocellatus (2n=38, 8m+14sm+10st+6a, NF=70) and three species of Muraenidae, Enchelycore nigricans (2n=42, 6m+8sm+12st+16a, NF=68), Gymnothorax miliaris (2n=42, 14m+18sm+10st, NF=84), Gymnothorax vicinus (2n=42, 8m+6sm+28a, NF=56) and Muraena pavonina (2n=42, 6m+4sm+32a, NF=52), collected in the coast of the Rio Grande do Norte state, Saint Peter and Paul Rocks and in the coast of Bahia state were analyzed. Mitotics chromosomes had been gotten through mitotic stimulation with yeasts. Among the analyzed species, it is observed the presence of characteristic large metacentric chromosomic pairs (&#8773;10?m). As for the structural standard, heterochromatics regions in these species in centromeric position of the majority of the chromosomic pairs and simple ribosomal sites had been evidenced. For the Ophichthidae family, the gotten data corroborate the hypothesis of karyotypic diversification mediated by the occurrence of pericentrics inversions and robertsonians rearrangements, while in the Muraenidae, the identification of larger chromosomic values (2n=42), suggests derived karyotypes, possibly caused by possible chromosomic fissions / Os Anguiliformes s?o constitu?dos por 15 fam?lias, 141 g?neros e 737 esp?cies. Neste grupo oito fam?lias possuem pelo menos uma esp?cie cariotipada, onde ? evidenciada uma preval?ncia de cari?tipos com 2n=38 cromossomos e NF elevados, aparentemente basal para os Anguiliformes. A ?nica fam?lia que exibe um padr?o cariot?pico diferente das demais ? a fam?lia Muraenidae. Nesta, das oito esp?cies j? descritas, todas apresentam 2n=42 cromossomos. Apesar da dimens?o desta Ordem, poucas esp?cies apresentam descri??es cariot?picas. No presente trabalho, uma esp?cie de Ophichthidae, Myrichthys ocellatus (2n=38; 8m+14sm+10st+6a; NF=70) e quatro esp?cies de Muraenidae, Enchelycore nigricans (2n=42; 6m+8sm+12st+16a; NF=68), Gymnothorax miliaris (2n=42; 14m+18sm+10st; NF=84), Gymnothorax vicinus (2n=42; 8m+6sm+28a; NF=56) e Muraena pavonina (2n=42; 6m+4sm+32a; NF=52), coletadas no litoral do Rio Grande do Norte, Arquip?lago de S?o Pedro e S?o Paulo e litoral da Bahia, foram analisadas. Cromossomos mit?ticos foram obtidos atrav?s de prepara??es de curto termo, precedidas por estimula??o mit?tica com levedura. Entre as esp?cies observa-se a presen?a de grandes pares cromoss?micos metac?ntricos (&#8773;10?m) caracter?sticos. Quanto aos padr?es estruturais nestas esp?cies foram evidenciadas regi?es heterocrom?ticas em posi??o centrom?rica da maioria dos pares cromoss?micos e s?tios ribossomais simples. Para a fam?lia Ophichthidae, os dados obtidos corroboram a hip?tese de diversifica??o cariot?pica mediada pela ocorr?ncia de invers?es peric?ntricas e rearranjos robertsonianos, enquanto que nos Muraenidae, a identifica??o de valores cromoss?micos maiores (2n=42), sugere cari?tipos mais derivados, possivelmente ocasionados por poss?veis fiss?es cromoss?micas

Modeling and design of high frequency electronic systems such as antennas and microwave devices require the rigorous numerical solution of Maxwell’s equa- tions. The frequency-domain (time-harmonic) tangential vector finite element method (TVFEM) for Maxwell equations results in a second-order dynamical electromagnetic model that must be repeatedly solved for multiple frequencies, excitation or material parameters each design loop. This leads to extremely long design turnaround that often is not optimal. This work will propose an accurate, error controllable and ef- ficient multi-parametric model order reduction scheme that significantly accelerate these parameters sweep. At the core of this work is the proper orthogonal decompo- sition (POD) sampling technique and balanced truncation (BT) algorithm that are used to reduce multi-parameter spaces that include frequency, material parameters and infinite array scan angles. The proposed methodology employs a novel computa- tional scheme based on adaptive POD sampling and the singular value decomposition (SVD) of the low-rank Hankel matrix. Numerical examples confirm the significant time savings and good accuracy of the method for a diverse set of high-frequency electromagnetic systems.

Moa Martinson var politiskt aktiv syndikalist och feminist, hon debuterade 1933 med Kvinnor och äppelträd och blev en del av den svenska modernismens genombrott, en motröst och en kvinnlig föregångare. I den här uppsatsen gör jag en närläsning av den första delen i debutromanen, “Mor badar”, varvid jag undersöker äppelträdens symboliska funktion, mor Sofis mytiska roll och berättelsens legendartade drag. “Mor badar” handlar om två kvinnor som gör uppror mot samhällets normer i 1800-talets Sverige och fungerar som en sorts urmyt både inuti och utanför texten; den lever vidare hos mor Sofis ättlingar i romanens andra del och gör ett starkt intryck på läsaren. Med utgångspunkt i Bibelns skapelseberättelse, i dialog med Ebba Witt-Brattströms avhandling Moa Martinson – Skrift och drift i trettiotalet och med stöd av historik och artiklar i Pia Laskars bok Anarkafeminism analyserar jag Moa Martinsons text och tolkar den som en feministisk urscen, en påminnelse om ett kvinnornas, eller mänsklighetens, förlorade paradis, eller en framtida vision, en utopi, där människan står i förbund med naturen på ett mera genomgripande, grundläggande, självklart sätt. Mor Sofi blir i denna tolkning en “omedveten anarkist” – en länk i en kedja av tankar och handlingar, individuella och kollektiva, spontana och organiserade, som enligt anarkafeminismen så småningom kommer att leda fram till en omvandling av samhället. På så vis blir “Mor badar” ytterst en berättelse om hopp, en dröm om det goda livet, där den patriarkala, hierarkiska dualism vi har levt med sedan århundraden tillbaka kommer att ersättas av en ny helhetssyn. Splittringen mellan himmel och jord, mänskligt och gudomligt, ande och materia, kvinna och man, ifrågasätts och i stället framträder en vision av skapande, tillit och gemenskap, där förändringsprocessen är det viktiga och kvinnan har modet att leva i samhällets utkant.

Sob a influência da glaciação permo-carbonífera gondvânica, depositaram-se complexas associações de fácies que originaram o Subgrupo Itararé (Grupo Tubarão), na bacia do Paraná. Numa das fases interglaciais por que passou o Estado de São Paulo, desenvolveu-se a vegetação que originou a tafoflora do sítio Volpe (ex-sítio da Mina) em Monte Mor (SP). Trata-se de assembléia fitofossilífera ocorrente na porção mediano-basal do Subgrupo, constituída predominantemente de Brasilodendron, Paranocladus, Ginkgophyllum, e subordinadamente de outros gêneros licofíticos tais como Bumbudendron, Leptophloeum e cf. Cyclodendron, bem como gêneros esfenofíticos como Trizygia, Koretrophyllites e Paracalamites, além dos morfogêneros gimnospérmicos Botrychiopsis, Nothorhacopteris, Noeggerathiopsis e Buriadia. Com base em novas amostras e estudos cuticulares, foi possível melhor relacionar neste conteúdo fitofossilífero a presença de Paranocladus dusenii com sementes platispérmicas de Paranospermum cambuiense e registrar formas inéditas para a assembléia, como por exemplo, Ginkgophyllum cf. G. diazii, G. cf. G. kidstonii, (?) Ginkgophyllum spathulifolia, Cordaicarpus cesarii e Samaropsis cf. S. cuerdai. O estudo de megásporos demonstrou ser a espécie Sublagenicula brasiliensis a mais abundante. Registra-se ainda, a ocorrência de duas formas inéditas para a localidade: Banksisporites tenuis e B. vulgatus. A análise palinológica revelou um conteúdo diversificado, predominantemente esporofítico, com significativa abundância dos gêneros Lundbladispora e Vallatisporites e de tipos subsidiários como Horriditriletes, e Calamospora, entre outros, além de grãos de pólen dos gêneros Plicatipollenites, Potonieisporites, Meristocorpus, Limitisporites, e Scheuringipollenites. A flora interglacial do sítio Volpe se desenvolveu numa latitude ao redor de 60° Sul, em condições paleoclimáticas frias. A retração da geleira e a proximidade com o mar, provavelmente, tornaram o clima mais ameno, propiciando o desenvolvimento de comunidades hidro-higrófilas (licófitas e esfenófitas), higro-mesófilas (Koretrophyllites, Botrychiopsis, Nothorhacopteris), mesófilas (cordaitales) e meso-xerófilas (Ginkgophyllum, Paranocladus e Buriadia). As comunidades registradas na lapa do carvão, provavelmente, estariam instaladas em áreas de planície de maré (com licófitas formando associações praticamente puras). As comunidades registradas na capa do carvão, estariam instaladas em planícies de inundação (associações de licófitas, progimnospermas) ou em áreas mais altas (coníferas e ? ginkgoales). Num contexto geral, haveria certo autoctonismo/parautoctonismo, no caso de licófitas e esfenófitas, e aloctonismo para as ginkgoales (?) e voltziales. O clima frio corroboraria para a ocorrência de formas de porte herbáceo a arbustivo. Contudo, esse clima, provavelmente, não foi tão rigoroso, pois possibilitaria a formação de camada de carvão, ainda que de pequena espessura. A presença de algas do tipo Botryococcus denotaria ambientes de água doce e a presença de conchostráceos reforçaria esta hipótese. Um melhor posicionamento bioestratigráfico desta tafoflora é aventado dentro da palinozona Intervalo Crucisaccites monoletus e da III associação megaflorística \"Paranocladus-Ginkgophyllum-Brasilodendron\" do Estado de São Paulo. A mais provável correlação, na Argentina, seria com a Zona Intervalo, ainda que estejam presentes elementos da Zona NBG. Embora não se possa ainda ssegurar uma idade estefaniana para a tafoflora, esta atribuição apresenta-se como a mais provável. O trabalho de revisão e complementação do conteúdo da tafoflora interglacial neocarbonífera do sítio Volpe (ex-Sítio da Mina), Monte Mor (SP) foi desenvolvido como parte integrante do Projeto Temático Fapesp 97/3639-8: \"Levantamento da composição e sucessão paleoflorísticas do Neocarbonífero-Eopermiano (Grupo Tubarão) no Estado de São Paulo\". / Under the Gondwanan Permo-Carboniferous glaciation influence, complex associations of facies were deposited, originating the Itararé Subgroup (Tubarão Group), in the Paraná Basin. In one of the interglacial phases that the São Paulo State has been through it was developed the vegetation which originated the taphoflora of the Volpe ranch (ex-Mine ranch) in Monte Mor Municipality (SP). It is composed by a phytofossiliferous assembly, which occurs in the mid-basal portion of the Subgroup, constituted mainly by Brasilodendrom, Paranocladus, Ginkgophyllum, and subordinately by other sphenophytic genera such as Trizygia, Koretrophyllites and Paracalamites, and gymnospermous morphogenera Bothryopsis, Nothoehacopteris, Noeggerathiopsis and Buriadia. Based on new samples and on cuticular studies, it was possible to relate better in this fossiliferous content, the association on Paranocladus dusenii with platyspermic seeds of Paranospermum cambuiense, and register not yet recognized forms for the assembly, as Ginkgophyllum cf. G. diazii, G. cf. G. kidstonii, (?) Ginkgophyllum spathulifolia, Cordaicarpus cesarii and Samaropsis cf. S. cuerdae. The megaspores study, has demonstrated the species Sublagenicula brasiliensis, to be the most abundant. Two forms not yet registered for the locality were detected: Banksisporites tenuis and B. vulgatus. The palynological analysis revealed a diversified content, mainly sporophytic, with significant presence of the genera Lundbladispora and Vallatisporites, and subsidiary types as Horriditriletes and Calamospora. Among the pollen grains there were those of the genera Plicatiopollenites, Potonieisporites, Meristocorpus, Limitisporites and Scheuringipollenites. The interglacial flora of the Volpe Ranch was developed in latitude near 60° S, under cold paleoclimatic condjítions. The retraction of the glaciers and the proximity to the sea, are likely reasons for a cooler climate, which proportionate the development of hidro-higrophilic communities (Lycophytes and Sphenophytes), higro-mesophilic communities (Koretrophyllites, Botrychiopsis, Nothorhacopteris), mesophilic communities (Cordaitales) and meso-xerophilici communities (Ginkgophyllum, Paranocladus and Buriadia). The recorded communities in the coal footwall probably were apparently installed in the tide plain areas (forming almost exclusive associations of Lycophytes). On the other hand, the communities recorded in the coal hanging-wall, would be placed in flooding plains (Lycophytes and Progymnosperms associations), or in higher areas (Conifers and ?Ginkgoales). From a general perspective, there would be a sort of autochthonism/para-authochthonism for the Lycophytes, as an allochthonism for the Ginkgoales (?) and Voltziales. A cold climate would corroborate the occurrence of herbaceous to arbustive forms. However, that climate probably was not so rigorous, as it would allow the formation of coal layers even though of small thickness. The presence of Botryococcus-type algae would detonate fresh water environments. This hypothesis would be reinforced by the presence of conchostraceans. A better biostratigraphic positioning for this tafoflora is suggested, into the interval palynozone Crusisaccites monoletus and into the megafloristic association III \"Paranocladus-Ginkgophyllum-Brasilodendron\" of the São Paulo State. The most probable correlation in Argentina would be with the \"Interval Zone\", even if there are elements of the NBG Zone among them. Altough a Stephanian age for the taphoflora can not be assured, this attribution seems to be the most likely. The revision and complementing work of the content of the Late Carboniferous Interglacial Taphoflora from the Volpe Ranch (ex-Mine Ranch), Municipality of Monte Mor (SP), was carried out as a part of the FAPESP Thematic Project 97/3639-8: \"Survey of the paleofloristic composition and succession of Late Carboniferous- Early Permian (Tubarão Group) in the São Paulo State\".

Opioids are powerful analgesics. Despite their high efficacy for the management of moderate to severe pain, their clinical utility is limited due to the occurrence of adverse effects. The main problem associated with opioid use is the differential rate of tolerance development to the various pharmacological effects of opioids, with tolerance to respiratory depression occurring at a slower rate than analgesic and euphoric effects. The development of analgesic tolerance, where the efficacy of the drug progressively diminishes with repeated administration, requires higher doses of the drug to achieve a maximum effect. Reports have implicated inflammation as a major driver of analgesic tolerance development. With surmounting evidence that the prototypical opioid, morphine induces pro-inflammatory cytokine release in the brain, spinal cord, and gastrointestinal tract, a question arises of whether pro-inflammatory cytokine release in the gut as a result of chronic morphine treatment is paralleled with the development of morphine antinociceptive tolerance. This dissertation investigated the rate at which antinociceptive tolerance to various doses of morphine developed to a different degree in the presence of colonic inflammation. Using a mouse model, colonic inflammation was induced with 2,4,6-Trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) and then the mice were pelleted with 25 mg, 50 mg (2x25), or 75 mg morphine pellet. Antinociceptive tolerance to morphine was determined in a warm-water tail-immersion assay upon an administration of a morphine challenge dose (10 mg/kg). Inflammatory cytokine expressions and protein levels were measured from whole colon using qPCR and ELISA, respectively. Morphine antinociceptive tolerance was significantly enhanced in the presence of colonic inflammation in a dose and time dependent manner. With a daily injection of 0.5 mg/kg peripheral opioid receptor antagonist 6β-N-heterocyclic substituted naltrexamine derivative (NAP), mice pelleted with 25 mg, 50 mg (2x25), or 75 mg morphine pellets were tested on day 5, 4, or 3, respectively. Tolerance to morphine as well as the enhanced tolerance observed in the presence of colonic inflammation was prevented with daily NAP treatment. However, NAP did not block morphine-induced or TNBS-induced inflammation. Collectively, our findings indicate that inflammation is a major modulator of morphine antinociceptive tolerance and peripheral opioid receptors may be responsible for mediating antinociceptive tolerance.

Biological invasions are currently a global problem. They often cause a loss of biodiversity and severely disrupt the balance of entire ecosystems. One of the most dangerous among the many species of crayfish known to be invasive is the marbled crayfish or Marmorkrebs (Procambarus fallax f. virginalis Martin et al., 2010). The marbled crayfish is a major ornamental crayfish species. It is a known vector of infectious crayfish plague, which is lethal for crayfish species of non-North American origin. Marbled crayfish is also very tolerant to different water temperatures. The most important feature making it an especially dangerous invasive species, is the way of its reproduction. Marbled crayfish reproduces via apomictic parthenogenesis. Therefore, only females are able to reproduce and males of this taxon has not been recorded. This crayfish is characterised by a very quick maturation and extremely rapid growth. Even though some established populations of this taxon in the wild have already been recorded, and probability of the establishment in selected regions was evaluated, no predictions for expansion on a global scale have been conducted. The program CLIMATCH was used in this thesis to match the climate conditions between the source area (distribution of established populations of marbled crayfish in the wild) and target areas (all continents excluding Antarctica) based on temperatures during the coldest and warmest quarters of the year. The results showed that marbled crayfish can probably survive and reproduce in even colder regions of the temperate zone. The presented findings additionally indicate that temperate zones contain slightly higher potentially suitable regions than in the case of tropics. There are temperature conditions most suitable for the survival and reproduction of the marbled crayfish within Europe in comparison of the rest of the world; and the least favourable temperature conditions are within Australia. The marbled crayfish introduction and ability to survive and reproduce in the wild is a potential threat to native biota and entire ecosystems on all continents assessed. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that the breeding of and the pet trade with this crayfish should be regulated by policymakers and wildlife managers by improvement of legislative restrictions (such as in the EU) and intensive future education of general public. It is obvious that the monitoring of invasive crayfish species might be continuous. Nevertheless, the most important step is to make producers and hobbyists aware of the risks related with marbled crayfish.

This thesis discusses the historical development of the Syriac Orthodox Church of Anti- och based upon its origins in the Tur 'Abdin region up to the time of its believers' emig- ration to Europe. The difficulties with which the Church was confronted are discussed, duly referencing instances of conflict, division and political upheaval. The topic of the persecution of Christians is depicted by way of an excursus. The positive develo- pments, the golden ages through history and the current (continued) subsistence of old traditions and culture in European nations are also addressed. Concomitantly, a picture is presented of the situation of those believers who live in a diaspora and may be affec- ted by discrimination and difficulties in terms of integration. The current situation in the Near East is prompting the westward migration of persecuted peoples of the most diverse ethnicities and faiths. This thesis may serve as the basis for a comparative retro- spective, since it portrays the manner in which integration in Europe was once achieved.

Sob a influência da glaciação permo-carbonífera gondvânica, depositaram-se complexas associações de fácies que originaram o Subgrupo Itararé (Grupo Tubarão), na bacia do Paraná. Numa das fases interglaciais por que passou o Estado de São Paulo, desenvolveu-se a vegetação que originou a tafoflora do sítio Volpe (ex-sítio da Mina) em Monte Mor (SP). Trata-se de assembléia fitofossilífera ocorrente na porção mediano-basal do Subgrupo, constituída predominantemente de Brasilodendron, Paranocladus, Ginkgophyllum, e subordinadamente de outros gêneros licofíticos tais como Bumbudendron, Leptophloeum e cf. Cyclodendron, bem como gêneros esfenofíticos como Trizygia, Koretrophyllites e Paracalamites, além dos morfogêneros gimnospérmicos Botrychiopsis, Nothorhacopteris, Noeggerathiopsis e Buriadia. Com base em novas amostras e estudos cuticulares, foi possível melhor relacionar neste conteúdo fitofossilífero a presença de Paranocladus dusenii com sementes platispérmicas de Paranospermum cambuiense e registrar formas inéditas para a assembléia, como por exemplo, Ginkgophyllum cf. G. diazii, G. cf. G. kidstonii, (?) Ginkgophyllum spathulifolia, Cordaicarpus cesarii e Samaropsis cf. S. cuerdai. O estudo de megásporos demonstrou ser a espécie Sublagenicula brasiliensis a mais abundante. Registra-se ainda, a ocorrência de duas formas inéditas para a localidade: Banksisporites tenuis e B. vulgatus. A análise palinológica revelou um conteúdo diversificado, predominantemente esporofítico, com significativa abundância dos gêneros Lundbladispora e Vallatisporites e de tipos subsidiários como Horriditriletes, e Calamospora, entre outros, além de grãos de pólen dos gêneros Plicatipollenites, Potonieisporites, Meristocorpus, Limitisporites, e Scheuringipollenites. A flora interglacial do sítio Volpe se desenvolveu numa latitude ao redor de 60° Sul, em condições paleoclimáticas frias. A retração da geleira e a proximidade com o mar, provavelmente, tornaram o clima mais ameno, propiciando o desenvolvimento de comunidades hidro-higrófilas (licófitas e esfenófitas), higro-mesófilas (Koretrophyllites, Botrychiopsis, Nothorhacopteris), mesófilas (cordaitales) e meso-xerófilas (Ginkgophyllum, Paranocladus e Buriadia). As comunidades registradas na lapa do carvão, provavelmente, estariam instaladas em áreas de planície de maré (com licófitas formando associações praticamente puras). As comunidades registradas na capa do carvão, estariam instaladas em planícies de inundação (associações de licófitas, progimnospermas) ou em áreas mais altas (coníferas e ? ginkgoales). Num contexto geral, haveria certo autoctonismo/parautoctonismo, no caso de licófitas e esfenófitas, e aloctonismo para as ginkgoales (?) e voltziales. O clima frio corroboraria para a ocorrência de formas de porte herbáceo a arbustivo. Contudo, esse clima, provavelmente, não foi tão rigoroso, pois possibilitaria a formação de camada de carvão, ainda que de pequena espessura. A presença de algas do tipo Botryococcus denotaria ambientes de água doce e a presença de conchostráceos reforçaria esta hipótese. Um melhor posicionamento bioestratigráfico desta tafoflora é aventado dentro da palinozona Intervalo Crucisaccites monoletus e da III associação megaflorística \"Paranocladus-Ginkgophyllum-Brasilodendron\" do Estado de São Paulo. A mais provável correlação, na Argentina, seria com a Zona Intervalo, ainda que estejam presentes elementos da Zona NBG. Embora não se possa ainda ssegurar uma idade estefaniana para a tafoflora, esta atribuição apresenta-se como a mais provável. O trabalho de revisão e complementação do conteúdo da tafoflora interglacial neocarbonífera do sítio Volpe (ex-Sítio da Mina), Monte Mor (SP) foi desenvolvido como parte integrante do Projeto Temático Fapesp 97/3639-8: \"Levantamento da composição e sucessão paleoflorísticas do Neocarbonífero-Eopermiano (Grupo Tubarão) no Estado de São Paulo\". / Under the Gondwanan Permo-Carboniferous glaciation influence, complex associations of facies were deposited, originating the Itararé Subgroup (Tubarão Group), in the Paraná Basin. In one of the interglacial phases that the São Paulo State has been through it was developed the vegetation which originated the taphoflora of the Volpe ranch (ex-Mine ranch) in Monte Mor Municipality (SP). It is composed by a phytofossiliferous assembly, which occurs in the mid-basal portion of the Subgroup, constituted mainly by Brasilodendrom, Paranocladus, Ginkgophyllum, and subordinately by other sphenophytic genera such as Trizygia, Koretrophyllites and Paracalamites, and gymnospermous morphogenera Bothryopsis, Nothoehacopteris, Noeggerathiopsis and Buriadia. Based on new samples and on cuticular studies, it was possible to relate better in this fossiliferous content, the association on Paranocladus dusenii with platyspermic seeds of Paranospermum cambuiense, and register not yet recognized forms for the assembly, as Ginkgophyllum cf. G. diazii, G. cf. G. kidstonii, (?) Ginkgophyllum spathulifolia, Cordaicarpus cesarii and Samaropsis cf. S. cuerdae. The megaspores study, has demonstrated the species Sublagenicula brasiliensis, to be the most abundant. Two forms not yet registered for the locality were detected: Banksisporites tenuis and B. vulgatus. The palynological analysis revealed a diversified content, mainly sporophytic, with significant presence of the genera Lundbladispora and Vallatisporites, and subsidiary types as Horriditriletes and Calamospora. Among the pollen grains there were those of the genera Plicatiopollenites, Potonieisporites, Meristocorpus, Limitisporites and Scheuringipollenites. The interglacial flora of the Volpe Ranch was developed in latitude near 60° S, under cold paleoclimatic condjítions. The retraction of the glaciers and the proximity to the sea, are likely reasons for a cooler climate, which proportionate the development of hidro-higrophilic communities (Lycophytes and Sphenophytes), higro-mesophilic communities (Koretrophyllites, Botrychiopsis, Nothorhacopteris), mesophilic communities (Cordaitales) and meso-xerophilici communities (Ginkgophyllum, Paranocladus and Buriadia). The recorded communities in the coal footwall probably were apparently installed in the tide plain areas (forming almost exclusive associations of Lycophytes). On the other hand, the communities recorded in the coal hanging-wall, would be placed in flooding plains (Lycophytes and Progymnosperms associations), or in higher areas (Conifers and ?Ginkgoales). From a general perspective, there would be a sort of autochthonism/para-authochthonism for the Lycophytes, as an allochthonism for the Ginkgoales (?) and Voltziales. A cold climate would corroborate the occurrence of herbaceous to arbustive forms. However, that climate probably was not so rigorous, as it would allow the formation of coal layers even though of small thickness. The presence of Botryococcus-type algae would detonate fresh water environments. This hypothesis would be reinforced by the presence of conchostraceans. A better biostratigraphic positioning for this tafoflora is suggested, into the interval palynozone Crusisaccites monoletus and into the megafloristic association III \"Paranocladus-Ginkgophyllum-Brasilodendron\" of the São Paulo State. The most probable correlation in Argentina would be with the \"Interval Zone\", even if there are elements of the NBG Zone among them. Altough a Stephanian age for the taphoflora can not be assured, this attribution seems to be the most likely. The revision and complementing work of the content of the Late Carboniferous Interglacial Taphoflora from the Volpe Ranch (ex-Mine Ranch), Municipality of Monte Mor (SP), was carried out as a part of the FAPESP Thematic Project 97/3639-8: \"Survey of the paleofloristic composition and succession of Late Carboniferous- Early Permian (Tubarão Group) in the São Paulo State\".

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) are attractive power sources as they offer high conversion efficiencies with low or no pollution. One of the major advantages DMFCs has over PEMFCs is that methanol is a liquid and can be easily stored where in the case for PEMFCs storing hydrogen requires high pressures and low temperatures. However, several challenging factors especially the sluggish oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and the high cost of Pt catalysts, prolong their commercialization. With the aim to search for more active, less expensive more active ORR catalysts and methanol tolerant catalysts than pure Pt, this dissertation focuses on the development of low loading Pt electrocatalyst and the understanding of their physical and electrochemical properties. Pt-Sn/C electrocatalsyts have been synthesized by a modified polyol reduction method. The effect of temperature, pH, water, sonication and addition of carbon form were studied before a standard polyol method was established. From XRD patterns, the Pt-Sn/C peaks shifted slightly to lower 2Ө angles when compared with commercial Pt/C catalyst, suggesting that Sn is alloying with Pt. Based on HRTEM data, the Pt-Sn/C nanoparticles showed small particle sizes well-dispersed onto the carbon support with a narrow particle distribution. The particle sizes of the different as-prepared catalysts were found to be between 2-5 nm. The Pt-Sn/C HA Slurry pH3 catalysts was found to be the best asprepared catalyst and was subjected to heat-treatment in a reducing atmosphere at 250-600 °C which led to agglomeration yielding nanoparticles of between 5-10 nm. The Methanol Oxidation Reaction (MOR) on the as-prepared Pt-Sn/C HA Slurry pH3 catalyst appeared at lower currents (+7.11 mA at 860 mV vs. NHE) compared to the commercial Pt/C (+8.25 mA at +860 mV vs. NHE) suggesting that the Pt-Sn/C catalyst has „methanol tolerance capabilities‟. Pt-Sn/C HA Slurry pH3 and Pt-Sn/C 250 °C catalysts showed better activity towards the ORR than commercial Pt/C with specific and mass activities higher than Pt/C at +0.85 V vs NHE. The Tafel slopes of Pt-Sn/C HA Slurry pH3 catalyst was -62 and -122 mV dec-1 for the low and high current regions respectively and suggests that the ORR mechanism is similar to that of commercial Pt/C indicating that the ORR kinetics was not negatively influenced by the addition of tin. It was found that the electrochemical oxidation reduction reaction follows first order kinetics of a multi-electronic (n=4ē) charge transfer process producing water. All the Pt-Sn/C catalysts showed resistance towards MOR and it was found for the heat-treated catalysts that an increase in temperature resulted in an increase in methanol tolerance. The synthesized Pt-Sn/C HA Slurry pH3 catalysts were also tested in a fuel cell environment. Electrodes were prepared by either spraying on Toray carbon paper with the Asymtek machine or by VI spraying directly on the membrane with a hand spray gun the catalysts coated membrane (CCM) technique. Polarization curves obtained in DMFC with CCM showed superior performance than electrode prepared by spraying on the carbon paper with the machine. In our study, the Pt-Sn/C catalyst appears to be a promising methanol tolerant catalyst with activity towards the ORR in the DMFC.