Bioecological representations and social characteristics of students influence their attitudes toward wild vertebrates.

Background: The origin of different human emotions directed towards animals (whether in the utilitarian, affective, conflictual, or cosmological context) is strongly influenced by sociocultural factors, although our genetic predispositions also play an important role in the origin of these emotions. Such emotions guide people's representations of different species, which in turn affect their attitudes toward them. For this reason, understanding the factors that guide such attitudes becomes a key element in making conservationist decisions.

What are the factors influencing the aversion of students towards reptiles?

Background: Reptiles form a paraphyletic group with significant roles for human society, including species that are considered important for food, medicinal and mystical use and as pets. Some species are considered to be aversive, whereas others are captivating among people. Aversion is an important factor which should be considered in the conservation policies of these animals.

Essential oil toxicity on biological and reproductive parameters of Alabama argillacea (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae).

Several studies have demonstrated the effects of essential oils on insect pests. These effects vary and affect fundamental parameters for the survival of these organisms. However, there is a scarcity of research on the effect of these substances on Alabama argillacea (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae), the main defoliating pest of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.

Host preference, acaricides effects and population growth of Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks) (Acari: Tarsonemidae) on white and colored cotton cultivars.

Background: White and colored fiber cotton cultivars have been developed to increase production and opportunities for family farming. The broad mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks) is an important pest in cotton crops, nevertheless, different cotton cultivars may influence its host selection and population growth. For P.

Efficacy of bioactive compounds and their association with different cowpea cultivars against their major stored pest.

Background: Stored grain insects are controlled with fumigant insecticides which can select resistant insect populations and cause environmental and applicator contamination. Thus, resistant cultivars and chemical constituents of essential oils are an alternative to the almost exclusive use of these insecticides. The effects of the combination of cowpea cultivars Vigna unguiculata (L.

Fauna and conservation in the context of formal education: a study of urban and rural students in the semi-arid region of Brazil.

Background: In addition to playing a key role in the dynamics of ecosystems, animal diversity, especially that of wild vertebrates, is intimately linked with human evolutionary history, which has resulted in diverse interactions that must be emphasized in formal education processes. We analyzed several methods of approaches used for biological education in order to teach about wild vertebrates and their conservation in urban and rural schools in the semi-arid region of Brazil.

Methods: Data were obtained via questionnaires applied to 990 students, of which 528 were urban and 462 rural, distributed among the seven grades/years that comprise the last two cycles of basic education in Brazil.

Lipases in liquid formulation for biodiesel production: Current status and challenges.

Enzymatic synthesis of biodiesel showed advantageous characteristics in relation to other technologies once it works under bland conditions, no generation of wastewater, no occurrence of saponifications reactions and production of a biodiesel with high quality. Although many researches still apply immobilized lipases, the high costs associated with this biocatalyst hamper the economic viability of the process. Lipases in free/soluble/liquid formulation employed to biodiesel production via hydroesterification reaction have attracted interest from researchers because they are more cost effective than the immobilized form, making the enzymatic route more competitive.

Wild vertebrates and their representation by urban/rural students in a region of northeast Brazil.

Background: Recognition of the diversity of living beings, including the classification and naming of species, is a fundamental condition for biological literacy with the aim of developing critical awareness of human relationships with nature, and for which formal education plays an important role. The present study aimed to analyze the representation that urban/rural students have for wild vertebrates and their main sources of knowledge.

Methods: Data collection took place in three public schools, one urban and two rural, in the municipality of Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil.

Strategies to improve the fertility of fresh and frozen donkey semen.

Fertility rates of donkey semen in jennies are lower compared to mares. The aims of this study were to evaluate different sperm cryopreservation methods and insemination strategies to improve the fertility of donkey semen in jennies. Three experiments were performed: (1) the comparison of two freezing methods of donkey semen (conventional method and automated method); (2) the determination of a suitable insemination dose of fresh donkey semen for jennies and mares; and (3) the influence of the semen deposition site on fertility of jennies inseminated with frozen donkey semen.

Identification of organic sulfur compounds in coal bitumen obtained by different extraction techniques using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometric detection.

The determination of organic sulfur compounds (OSC) in coal is of great interest. Technically and operationally these compounds are not easily removed and promote corrosion of equipment. Environmentally, the burning of sulfur compounds leads to the emission of SO(x) gases, which are major contributors to acid rain.

[Selection of isolates of entomopathogenic fungi for controlling Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) and their compatibility with insecticides used in tomato crop].

The activity of Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana towards eggs and larvae of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) was evaluated. Our data showed that the isolates were pathogenic to both developmental stages tested and the eggs were more susceptible than the 1st instars. The isolates URPE-6 and URPE-19 of M.

[Compared biology and behavior of Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) and Phytoseiulus macropilis (Banks) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on Bollgard and non-transgenic isoline cotton].

The two spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, is a nontarget herbivore of Bt-cotton, but acquires and accumulates higher levels of Cry toxin than that expressed by transgenic plants. This work investigated the development and reproduction of T. urticae and of the predator Phytoseiulus macropilis Banks, during three successive generations looking for potential nontarget effect.

[Potential of Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana isolates and neem oil to control the Aphid Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae)].

This work aimed to determine the efficiency of the entomopathogenic fungi Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana to control the aphid Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in kale Brassica oleracea var acephala D.C.

[Morphology of the alimentary canal of Spodoptera frugiperda (J E Smith) larvae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) fed on neem-treated leaves].

Research involving plants with insecticide activity evolved significantly in the last decades. Among these plants, the neem tree, Azadirachta indica, is commonly used against several insects, mainly Lepidoptera. The neem efficiency depends on the target insect and on the concentration used.

Pressurized liquid extraction of mate tea leaves.

The objective of this work is to investigate the influence of process parameters on the pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) of Ilex paraguariensis leaves. A factorial 2(6-2) experimental design was employed using responses as the extraction yield and the chromatographic profile of the extracts. The extraction time, polarity of solvent, amount of sample, numbers of PLE cycles, flushing volume and extraction temperature were selected as independent variables (factors).

Extraction of grape seed oil using compressed carbon dioxide and propane: extraction yields and characterization of free glycerol compounds.

The main objective of this work was to compare the extraction of grape seed oil with compressed carbon dioxide and propane on the extraction yields and chemical characteristics of free glycerol compounds. The experiments were performed in a laboratory scale unit in the temperature range of 30 to 60 degrees C and pressures from 60 to 254 bar. The results showed that propane is a more suitable solvent for grape seed oil extraction than carbon dioxide, as higher extractions yields and a very fast kinetic of extraction were achieved with this solvent.

[Biology of Amblyseius largoensis (Muma) (Acari: Phytoseiidae), a potential predator of Aceria guerreronis Keifer (Acari: Eriophyidae) on coconut trees].

Aceria guerreronis Keifer is considered one of the main pests of coconuts around the world. Amongst the Phytoseiidae recorded on this crop, Amblyseius largoensis (Muma) has been reported in association with A. guerreronis.

[Biology, thermal requirements and fertility life table of the broad mite Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks) (Acari: Tarsonemidae) in grape (Vitis vinifera L.) cv. Italia].

The mite Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks) constitutes one of the main pest of grape crop at the Submédio São Francisco Valley. The objective of this work was to study the biology of the broad mite Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks), to determine its thermal requirements and its fertility life table in grape (Vitis vinifera L.) cv.

Chemical composition of mate tea leaves (Ilex paraguariensis): a study of extraction methods.

The objective of this work was to investigate the extraction of Ilex paraguariensis leaves by means of three extraction techniques: pressurized liquid extraction (PLE, also called accelerated solvent extraction--ASE), maceration, and sonication. Samples of mate tea leaves were collected from an experiment conducted under agronomic control at Indfistria e Comércio de Erva-Mate Barão LTDA, Brazil. Six solvents with increasing polarities (n-hexane, toluene, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, acetone, and methanol) were used in this investigation.

[Toxicity of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) formulations for twospotted spider mite and Euseius alatus de leon and Phytoseiulus macropilis (Banks) (Acari: Phytoseiidae)].

The toxicity of selected commercial formulations of neem on Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) and two predatory mites Euseius alatus De Leon and Phytoseiulus macropilis (Banks) was studied. Topical toxicity was tested with the commercial formulations (Natuneem, Neemseto and Callneem) and extract of neem's seeds at concentration 1%, compared to the standard acaricide abamectin at concentration of 0.3 ml/L and the control treatment (distilled water).

The use of ultrasound in the extraction of Ilex paraguariensis leaves: a comparison with maceration.

The objective of this work is to discuss the main parameters that influence the sonication extraction of Ilex paraguariensis leaves. For this purpose, the extraction time, solvent polarity, solvent volume, sample mass and particle size were evaluated. Results showed that the main variable affecting the extraction process was the solvent polarity.

Optimization of alkaline transesterification of soybean oil and castor oil for biodiesel production.

This article reports experimental data on the production of fatty acid ethyl esters from refined and degummed soybean oil and castor oil using NaOH as catalyst. The variables investigated were temperature (30-70 degrees C), reaction time (1-3 h), catalyst concentration (0.5-1.

Kinetics of enzyme-catalyzed alcoholysis of soybean oil in n-hexane.

This work investigated the production of fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) from soybean oil using n-hexane as solvent and two commercial lipases as catalysts, Novozym 435 and Lipozyme IM. A Taguchi experimental design was adopted considering the variables temperature (35-65 degrees C), addition of water (0-10 wt/wt%), enzyme (5-20 wt/wt%) concentration, and oil-to-ethanol molar ratio (1:3-1:10). It is shown that complete conversion in FAEE is achieved for some experimental conditions.

Optimization of enzymatic production of biodiesel from castor oil in organic solvent medium.

We studied the production of fatty acid ethyl esters from castor oil using n-hexane as solvent and two commercial lipases, Novozym 435 and Lipozyme IM, as catalysts. For this purpose, a Taguchi experimental design was adopted considering the following variables: temperature (35-65 degrees C), water (0-10 wt/wt%), and enzyme (5-20 wt/wt%) concentrations and oil-to-ethanol molar ratio (1:3 to 1:10). An empirical model was then built so as to assess the main and cross-variable effects on the reaction conversion and also to maximize biodiesel production for each enzyme.