Collisions between animals and motor vehicles are frequent and often result in animal mortality. In Australia, macropods are regular victims of these collisions. This has serious implications for animal welfare and conservation as well as aesthetics and tourism. Collisions with large animals and secondary collisions caused by the presence of animals on road easements, can lead to serious personal injury and property damage. A range of mitigative measures to prevent animal-vehicle collisions exists, but no single measure can be fully effective and the efficacy of many mitigation measures remains untested. An integrated management approach, employing many mitigative techniques is required to reduce vehicle-animal collisions. Repellents have recently been identified as a potential mitigative measure for reducing vehicle-animal collisions. The aim of this study was to identify the potential role of repellents in reducing macropod-vehicle collisions in New South Wales. This required the identification and assessment of potential repellents since research investigating repellents in an Australian context is scant. Macropus rufogriseus banksianus was selected as a test species for this research as a high abundance of this species exists in southeastern Australia and it is a common victim of roadkill in New South Wales. Preliminary screening trials of four potential macropod repellents highlighted the utility of two of the substances: Plant Plus, a synthetic compound based on the chemistry of dog urine; and a formulation consisting of chicken eggs. Feeding by M. rufogriseus banksianus was significantly reduced when these substances were applied near feed trays. Modest results were also detected for Δ3-isopentenyl methyl sulfide (a constituent of fox urine), while a commercial animal repellent (SCAT® Bird and Animal Repellent) was ineffective in altering feeding by M. rufogriseus banksianus. A barrier trial conducted with the two most successful repellents indicated that Plant Plus was a more effective macropod repellent then the egg formulation. Plant Plus displayed qualities of an area repellent and elicited a stronger response from M. rufogriseus banksianus when compared to the egg formulation. Further captive trials determined that the habituation of response to Plant Plus by M. rufogriseus banksianus was minimal after six weeks of constant exposure and Plant Plus retained repellent properties after exposure to ambient environmental conditions for at least ten weeks. Field trials to establish the effectiveness of Plant Plus with free ranging macropods (M. rufogriseus banksianus and M. giganteus) were unsuccessful due to methodological limitations stemming from high background variance in observed responses, equipment failure and site disturbance from outside influences. The potential role of Plant Plus as a repellent for managing macropod-vehicle collisions was highlighted by the captive trials. However, several factors requiring further research were identified. This included assessing the repellent abilities of Plant Plus in the field and further defining the properties of Plant Plus with captive trials. The effects of Plant Plus on non-target species and an assessment of potential environmental impacts also requires attention. Research assessing the potential role of repellents in other management contexts in Australia would be beneficial and the identification and assessment of repellents for other species should proceed. However, in the context of assessing repellents for use in the management of vehicle-macropod collisions, immediate focus should concentrate on extending the research to assess the effects of Plant Plus with other species of large macropod, and assessing if Plant Plus can reduce the numbers of macropods in road easements.

Many failures of external walls made of porous buildingmaterials are caused by excessive moisture content,particularly after driving rain and under long duration ofmoist conditions. Lack of sufficient protection againstexposure conditions is one of the reasons for external wallsprematurely demonstrating failures, i.e. properties andperformance above/below critical levels. Silicon-based waterrepellants are increasingly used in order to improve theperformance of both old and new buildings. Water repellants areexpected to prolong the service life and improve the durabilityof wall components by preventing or minimising water ingressinto the structure and thus delaying the deteriorating effectsof the atmosphere. To date, various kinds of water repellantshave been developed. However, only limited research has beencarried out, particularly on the long-term field exposuretesting. Existing research is mainly focused on the performanceof surface treatments of concrete structures and the protectionof historical buildings built of stone, brick and wood, and isprimarily based on short-term laboratory testing. The aim ofthis research work is to study the long-term performance,degradation processes and ageing characteristics of renderedautoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) with and without waterrepellants. Investigations are carried out by physical andchemical analysis of fresh samples, samples naturally weatheredby long-term field exposure and samples artificially aged byshort-term accelerated laboratory tests. Two differentapplication of water repellants are employed: impregnation ofrendering surface with an aqueous product and as additive inpowder form mixed into the fresh rendering mortar. Continuousmoisture and temperature monitoring of naturally exposed testsamples are also included in the study. Wetcorr sensors andresistance-type nail electrodes are used to measure the surfacemoisture and the moisture content in the material,respectively. This thesis describes the experimental set-upand presents the results from site monitoring and laboratorytests of unexposed, naturally and artificially exposed samples(freeze-thaw and UV+water). The results from the continuousmoisture measurements are compared with the results obtainedfrom the full-scale test cabin built within the EUREKA-projectE 2116 DurAAC. The test cabin has the same basic measurementinstruments for continuous monitoring of moisture andtemperature. An attempt has been made to develop methods forlong-term performance assessment of water repellants to be usedin service life prediction. The combination of data obtainedfrom the field measurements with data obtained from thelaboratory tests and analysis may also meet practical needs ofthe end-users.

<p>Many failures of external walls made of porous buildingmaterials are caused by excessive moisture content,particularly after driving rain and under long duration ofmoist conditions. Lack of sufficient protection againstexposure conditions is one of the reasons for external wallsprematurely demonstrating failures, i.e. properties andperformance above/below critical levels. Silicon-based waterrepellants are increasingly used in order to improve theperformance of both old and new buildings. Water repellants areexpected to prolong the service life and improve the durabilityof wall components by preventing or minimising water ingressinto the structure and thus delaying the deteriorating effectsof the atmosphere. To date, various kinds of water repellantshave been developed. However, only limited research has beencarried out, particularly on the long-term field exposuretesting. Existing research is mainly focused on the performanceof surface treatments of concrete structures and the protectionof historical buildings built of stone, brick and wood, and isprimarily based on short-term laboratory testing. The aim ofthis research work is to study the long-term performance,degradation processes and ageing characteristics of renderedautoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) with and without waterrepellants. Investigations are carried out by physical andchemical analysis of fresh samples, samples naturally weatheredby long-term field exposure and samples artificially aged byshort-term accelerated laboratory tests. Two differentapplication of water repellants are employed: impregnation ofrendering surface with an aqueous product and as additive inpowder form mixed into the fresh rendering mortar. Continuousmoisture and temperature monitoring of naturally exposed testsamples are also included in the study. Wetcorr sensors andresistance-type nail electrodes are used to measure the surfacemoisture and the moisture content in the material,respectively. This thesis describes the experimental set-upand presents the results from site monitoring and laboratorytests of unexposed, naturally and artificially exposed samples(freeze-thaw and UV+water). The results from the continuousmoisture measurements are compared with the results obtainedfrom the full-scale test cabin built within the EUREKA-projectE 2116 DurAAC. The test cabin has the same basic measurementinstruments for continuous monitoring of moisture andtemperature. An attempt has been made to develop methods forlong-term performance assessment of water repellants to be usedin service life prediction. The combination of data obtainedfrom the field measurements with data obtained from thelaboratory tests and analysis may also meet practical needs ofthe end-users.</p>

Abiotic factors may interfere in production of plant secondary metabolites and consequently influence the bioactivity of these compounds on insect pests. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the influence of different agricultural practices (irrigation, mineral fertilizer and organic manure) in chemical composition of the essential oil (EO) of Lippia gracilis and its effects on the maize weevil Sitophilus zeamais.The chemical compositions of EO from plants of L. gracilis cultured on different treatments were analyzed using GC-MS and GC-FID. The carvacrol was the major component of EO in different agricultural practices followed by thymol and ñ-cymene.These three monoterpenes were used in subsequent bioassays. Cultivation practices did not significantly affect the composition of the OEs of L. gracilis. However, small variations in the composition of EOs resulted in different biological responses to S. zeamais. All EOs of L. gracilis and its main monoterpenes applied topically showed low toxicity on S. zeamais after 84 hours exposure at a dose 10 mg g-1. However, these same compounds were highly toxic to S. zeamais by fumigation. The time required to cause 50% mortality of the pest was 28.4 hours on average, ranging from 17.3 to 40.8 hours between treatments. The toxic action of carvacrol, thymol and EOs of L. gracilis (no irrigation/fertilization mineral and 40 t ha-1 organic fertilizer) were the fastest, LT50=18,3. The magnitude of the variation of CL50 and CL99 were 1.9 and 2.1 times. The concentration needed to cause 50 to 99% mortality of the pest was on average 69 and 260 ìl l-1, respectively.Considering the LC50 and LC99, the more toxic OEs of L. gracilis were obtained from plants grown in the absence of mineral fertilizer and in the presence of organic manure with of 20, 40 and 60 t ha-1 (no irrigation) and 40 and 60 t ha-1 (with irrigation). Much of the activity of the EOs of L. gracilis is due to the major compound carvacrol. It took only 27.2 and 92.2 l ìl l-1 to cause 50% and 99 % mortality of adult S. zeamais. The toxic activity of this monoterpene was still one of the fastest (LT50 = 17.3 and LT99 = 70.8 hours). Already the thymol and ñ-cymene awere compounds of low toxicity to adult S. zeamais (LC50= 4,4 e 26,1 respectively). Generally, the EOs of L. gracilis and the monoterpenes applied at lower concentrations (0.01 and 0.1% v/v) showed a neutral effect (not significant) or attractive (negative and significant) in all periods analyzed. At concentration 10% (v/v) almost all treatments were repellents to S. zeamais at any time analyzed (repellence > 50%). Major indexes repellency (54-86%) were observed in treatments irrigated and with maximum organic manure, at concentrations of 1 and 10% (v/v). Thus, our results show the great potential of EO of L. gracilis and its major compound for the development of new products and programs for use in integrated pest management of stored grain. / Fatores abioticos podem interferir na producao de metabolitos secundarios de plantas e consequentemente influenciar na bioatividade destes compostos sobre insetos-praga. Assim, neste trabalho objetivou-se avaliar a influencia de diferentes praticas agricolas (irrigacao, adubacao quimica e organica) na composicao quimica do oleo essencial (OE) de Lippia gracilis e seus efeitos na mortalidade e repelencia do gorgulho do milho Sitophilus zeamais. As composicoes quimicas dos OEs das plantas de L. gracilis cultivadas sobre diferentes tratamentos foram analisadas usando CG-MS e CG-FID. As praticas de cultivo nao afetaram significativamente a composicao dos OEs de L. gracilis, o carvacrol foi o componente majoritario dos OEs nas diferentes praticas agricolas, seguido pelo timol e Ï-cimeno. Estes tres monoterpenos foram utilizados nos bioensaios posteriores. Pequenas variacoes na composicao dos OEs resultaram em diferentes respostas biologicas de S. zeamais. Todos os OEs de L. gracilis aplicados topicamente mostraram baixa toxicidade sobre S. zeamais apos 84 horas de exposicao na dose 10 mg g-1. Contudo, estes mesmos compostos foram altamente toxicos a S. zeamais por fumigacao. O tempo necessario para causar 50% de mortalidade desta praga foi em media 28,4 horas; variando de 17,3 a 40,8 horas entre os tratamentos. A acao toxica do carvacrol, timol e do OEs de L. gracilis (ausencia de irrigacao/adubacao mineral e 40 t ha-1 de adubacao organica) foram as mais rapidas, TL50=18,3. A magnitude da variacao das CL50 e CL99 foram de 1,9 e 2,1 vezes. A concentracao necessaria para causar 50 e 99% de mortalidade desta praga foi em media 69 e 260 Êl l-1, respectivamente. Considerando as CL50 e CL99, os OEs de L. gracilis mais toxicos foram obtidos de plantas cultivadas na ausencia de adubacao mineral e presenca de adubacao organica com 20, 40 e 60 t ha-1 (sem irrigacao) e 40 e 60 t ha-1 (com irrigacao). Grande parte da atividade dos OEs de L. gracilis deve-se ao composto majoritario carvacrol. Foram necessarios apenas 27,2 e 92,2 Êl l-1 para causar 50 e 99% de mortalidade a adultos de S. zeamais. A atividade toxica deste monoterpeno foi de TL50 = 17,3 e TL99 = 70,8 horas. Ja o timol e Ï-cimeno foram os compostos de menor toxicidade a adultos de S. zeamais (CL50= 4,4 e 26,1 respectivamente). De forma geral, os OEs de L. gracilis e os monoterpenos utilizados nas menores concentracoes (0,01 e 0,1% v/v) apresentaram efeito neutro (nao significativo) ou atrativo (negativo e significativo) em todos os tempos analisados. Ja na concentracao 10% (v/v) quase todos os tratamentos foram repelentes a S. zeamais em qualquer tempo analisado (repelencia > 50%). Maiores indices de repelencia (54-86%) foram observadas nos tratamentos irrigados com maxima adubacao organica e concentracao 1 e 10% (v/v). Assim, nossos resultados mostram o grande potencial do OE de L. gracilis e seu composto majoritario para o desenvolvimento de novos produtos e utilizacao em programas de manejo integrado de pragas de graos armazenados.

As medidas defensivas contra tomadas de controle constituem o núcleo de estudo desta dissertação. São instrumentos jurídicos adotados principalmente por companhias abertas com dispersão acionária, visando à proteção contra uma eventual tentativa de tomada de controle. O assunto é de especial interesse no atual momento do mercado de capitais brasileiro, que vem apresentando significativo desenvolvimento nos últimos anos e propiciando meios para a proliferação no Brasil de companhias abertas com dispersão acionária. O estudo do tema é feito concomitantemente à crescente utilização no Brasil de proteções contra tomadas de controle, inclusive por companhias não dotadas de dispersão acionária. Algumas medidas defensivas são inspiradas na experiência prática de outros países e vêm sendo transplantadas para o Brasil sem a adequada harmonização às características do nosso regime jurídico. Este trabalho analisa os efeitos da utilização de medidas defensivas e, na medida do possível, a admissibilidade da adoção de determinadas defesas no Brasil. São também abordados os balizamentos para a postura da administração de companhias diante de tentativas de tomada de controle. São estudados os padrões de tratamento do tema nos principais modelos existentes na experiência internacional, a fim de fornecer subsídios para a criação de uma identidade brasileira no tratamento das defesas contra tentativas de tomada de controle. / The defensive anti-takeover measures constitute the core area of study in this dissertation. These are legal devices adopted mainly by publicly-held companies with widespread ownership dispersion, aiming at protection against an eventual takeover attempt. The subject is of special interest at the current moment of the Brazilian capital markets, which have shown significant development in the recent years, providing means for the proliferation in Brazil of publicly-held companies with widespread ownership dispersion. The study of the issue is done concomitantly with the increase of utilization in Brazil of anti-takeover protections, including by companies without widespread ownership dispersion. Some defensive measures are inspired by the practical experience of other countries, being transplanted to Brazil without the proper harmonization with the characteristics of our own legal system. This work analyzes the effects of the utilization of defensive measures and, to the extent possible, the admissibility of adoption of certain defenses in Brazil. The boundaries for the behavior of the management of companies under takeover attempts are also approached. The patterns for the treatment of this issue in the main existing models in foreign experience are studied, so as to provide subsidies to the creation of a Brazilian identity in the treatment of the defenses against takeover attempts.

As medidas defensivas contra tomadas de controle constituem o núcleo de estudo desta dissertação. São instrumentos jurídicos adotados principalmente por companhias abertas com dispersão acionária, visando à proteção contra uma eventual tentativa de tomada de controle. O assunto é de especial interesse no atual momento do mercado de capitais brasileiro, que vem apresentando significativo desenvolvimento nos últimos anos e propiciando meios para a proliferação no Brasil de companhias abertas com dispersão acionária. O estudo do tema é feito concomitantemente à crescente utilização no Brasil de proteções contra tomadas de controle, inclusive por companhias não dotadas de dispersão acionária. Algumas medidas defensivas são inspiradas na experiência prática de outros países e vêm sendo transplantadas para o Brasil sem a adequada harmonização às características do nosso regime jurídico. Este trabalho analisa os efeitos da utilização de medidas defensivas e, na medida do possível, a admissibilidade da adoção de determinadas defesas no Brasil. São também abordados os balizamentos para a postura da administração de companhias diante de tentativas de tomada de controle. São estudados os padrões de tratamento do tema nos principais modelos existentes na experiência internacional, a fim de fornecer subsídios para a criação de uma identidade brasileira no tratamento das defesas contra tentativas de tomada de controle. / The defensive anti-takeover measures constitute the core area of study in this dissertation. These are legal devices adopted mainly by publicly-held companies with widespread ownership dispersion, aiming at protection against an eventual takeover attempt. The subject is of special interest at the current moment of the Brazilian capital markets, which have shown significant development in the recent years, providing means for the proliferation in Brazil of publicly-held companies with widespread ownership dispersion. The study of the issue is done concomitantly with the increase of utilization in Brazil of anti-takeover protections, including by companies without widespread ownership dispersion. Some defensive measures are inspired by the practical experience of other countries, being transplanted to Brazil without the proper harmonization with the characteristics of our own legal system. This work analyzes the effects of the utilization of defensive measures and, to the extent possible, the admissibility of adoption of certain defenses in Brazil. The boundaries for the behavior of the management of companies under takeover attempts are also approached. The patterns for the treatment of this issue in the main existing models in foreign experience are studied, so as to provide subsidies to the creation of a Brazilian identity in the treatment of the defenses against takeover attempts.

In the last decade, the adoption of technologies in corn crop provided a significant productivity and yield increase in Sergipe State, Brazil. In this state, soils classified as Inceptisols are very adequate for corn cropping. The only limitation presented by those soils is the low levels of available P for plants. Fertilization to increase soil P level through rock phosphates should be considered in order to increase P response to annual P fertilization in the row, which is related to the crop requirement. On the other hand, direct application of rock phosphates in soils which have pH (H2O) above 5,5 and a high calcium content, like those above mentioned, has not been recommended because they could slow down the dissolution of rock phosphates. A strip split plot in a complete randomized blocks design with four replications experiment, was set up in order to study the agronomic effectiveness of Bayóvar and Itafós rock phosphates applied for soil P correction in an Inceptisol with pH 6,0 and high calcium content. Rock phosphates and triple superphosphate, used as a reference source, were broadcasted in the main plots and incorporated by disk plowing. A main plot without soil P correction also was included in the study. In the subplots annual P application at rates of 0, 60 e 120 kg.ha-1 as triple superphosphate were accomplished in the planting rows. Corn was grown in the raining seasons of 2011 and 2012. Yield and P leaf content indicated that less P from annual application was needed in treatments corrected by those sources with higher P solubility. Mehlich-1 and mixed resin method removed more soil P from rock phosphates plots than the reference TSP plot. The relative agronomic effectiveness (RAE) of Bayóvar and Itafós rock phosphates were 77,19% and 45,66%, respectively, calculated based on two years. / Na última década, a modernização da tecnologia de cultivo do milho no Estado de Sergipe proporcionou significativos aumentos de produção e produtividade. Neste sentido, as áreas de Cambissolos vêm se destacando por serem muito adequadas a esta cultura, apresentando limitações somente quanto aos níveis de P. Uma das formas para contornar a baixa disponibilidade deste nutriente no solo pode ser a realização de uma adubação corretiva através de fontes fosfatadas alternativas de baixo custo e/ou solubilidade. Esta prática visa elevar o teor de P disponível no solo com a finalidade de propiciar uma melhor resposta da cultura às doses de P aplicadas no sulco de plantio. Desta forma, foi conduzido um experimento de dois anos para avaliar a eficiência agronômica dos fosfatos de Bayovar e Itafós, como fontes corretivas de P, em um Cambissolo Háplico Ta Eutrófico vertissólico, de elevado teor de cálcio trocável e pH em torno de 6. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos ao acaso, com parcelas subdivididas em faixas, e quatro repetições. As parcelas consistiam das adubações corretivas realizadas no primeiro ano com as fontes Fosfato Natural Reativo de Bayóvar, Fosfato de Rocha Itafós e superfosfato triplo (fonte de referência), na dose de 200 kg ha-1 de P2O5, e um tratamento sem correção. As subparcelas foram compostas pelos três níveis de adubação de manutenção, no sulco de plantio, aplicados anualmente através de superfosfato triplo, nas doses de 0, 60 e 120 kg.ha-1 de P2O5. No período avaliado, a produtividade de grãos e o teor de P na folha do milho indicaram menores necessidades de reposição de P para as plantas, conforme maior era a solubilidade da fonte corretiva aplicada ao solo. Com relação à determinação de P disponível no solo, tanto Mehlich-1 quanto a Resina de Troca Iônica removeram mais P do solo dos tratamentos em que os fosfatos naturais foram aplicados. O índice de eficiência agronômica médio dos fosfatos para os dois anos foi de 77,19 % e 45,66 % para o Bayóvar e Itafós, respectivamente.