102 results match your criteria: "Federal University of Itajubá (UNIFEI)[Affiliation]"

Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates the influence of hooked-end steel fibers on modified self-compacting concrete (SCC) by incorporating residues like marble, granite, and rubber.
  • It finds that increased rubber content improves energy absorption, suggesting a viable alternative for structural materials.
  • The research assesses both fresh and hardened properties of SCC, revealing that mixtures with these additives can enhance damping ratios while also reducing cement usage, offering potential environmental benefits.
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A new species of tanager (Aves: Thraupidae) from the Eastern slopes of the Andes.

Zootaxa

June 2024

Seção de Aves; Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo; Avenida Nazaré; 481; 04218-970; São Paulo; SP; Brazil.

Article Synopsis
  • - The Black-goggled Tanager (Trichothraupis melanops) has two separated populations in the Atlantic Forest and Andes, prompting a taxonomic revision due to observed morphological differences in museums.
  • - This revision identified the Andean population as a new species, Trichothraupis griseonota sp. nov., distinguished by unique plumage patterns that differ from T. melanops.
  • - The new species thrives at elevations between 400 m and 1,700 m in the Andes, highlighting the need for ongoing research and examination of museum specimens to discover potentially overlooked species and patterns in biodiversity.
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The spread of bacterial resistance has become a significant public health concern, resulting in increased healthcare costs, mortality, and morbidity. Phytochemicals such as Eugenol, the major component of Indian clove and cinnamon essential oils, have attracted attention due to their antimicrobial potential. Thus, this systematic review aims to analyze the existing literature on the antibacterial potential of Eugenol concerning its activity against biofilms, bacterial communication systems (quorum sensing - QS), and associated virulence factors.

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In an island power system, optimizing energy management is fundamental since there are renewable sources with their limitations. This management includes the allocation and capacity of energy sources to supply the loads. In this context, optimizing losses in the system contributes to improve the efficiency of this management.

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Bio-energy systems with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) will be essential if countries are to meet the gas emission reduction targets established in the 2015 Paris Agreement. This study seeks to carry out a thermodynamic optimization and analysis of a BECCS technology for a typical Brazilian cogeneration plant. To maximize generated net electrical energy (MWe) and carbon dioxide CO capture (Mt/year), this study evaluated six cogeneration systems integrated with a chemical absorption process using MEA.

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Conventional magnetophotonic nanostructures typically function within narrow wavelength and incident angle ranges, where resonance is observed and magneto-optical (MO) effects are amplified. Expanding these operational ranges may allow for improved applications, including in (bio)sensing devices. In this study, we describe a hybrid magnetoplasmonic waveguide grating (HMPWG) in which the coupling of plasmonic resonances and waveguide modes leads to enhanced MO effects and sensitivity, according to full-wave electromagnetic simulations.

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Circles of a single size can pack together densely in a hexagonal lattice, but adding in size variety disrupts the order of those packings. We conduct simulations which generate dense random packings of circles with specified size distributions and measure the area fraction in each case. While the size distributions can be arbitrary, we find that for a wide range of size distributions the random close-packing area fraction ϕ_{rcp} under this general protocol is determined to high accuracy by the polydispersity and skewness of the size distribution.

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Black liquor (BL) is the major bioproduct and biomass fuel in pulp mill processes. However, the high viscosity of BL makes it a challenging material to work with, resulting in issues with evaporators and heat exchangers during its transport and processing. The thermal and rheological properties of BLs from Pinus sp.

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Here, we report a study of the effect of the blocking agent on the properties of the lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosus (TLL) immobilized on a heterofunctional support (Purolite C18-ethylnediamina (EDA)- vinyl sulfone (VS)-TLL-blocking agent) in different reactions. The performance of the biocatalysts was compared to those immobilized on standard hydrophobic support (Purolite C18-TLL) and the commercial one (TLL-IM). The nature of the blocking agent (Cys, Gly and Asp) altered the enzyme features.

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The Amazon rivers constitute the largest river basin in the world, with a high level of biodiversity. The Tocantins River is one of the most important rivers in this region, which has been impacted by different land uses. The objective of this study was to carry out a multi-evidence analysis focusing on the water quality of the Tocantins River, close to the municipality of Marabá-PA.

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This study evaluated the health-related weighted ultraviolet radiation (UVR) due to the total ozone content (TOC) and the aerosol optical depth (AOD) changes. Clear-sky Ultraviolet Index (UVI), daily doses, and exposure times for erythema induction (D and T) and vitamin D synthesis (D and T) were computed by a radiative transfer estimator. TOC and AOD data were provided by six Earth System Models (ESMs) from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6).

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Glowing wonders: exploring the diversity and ecological significance of bioluminescent organisms in Brazil.

Photochem Photobiol Sci

July 2024

Instituto de Recursos Naturais (IRN), Universidade Federal de Itajubá (UNIFEI), Itajubá, MG, Brazil.

Bioluminescence, the emission of light by living organisms, is a captivating and widespread phenomenon with diverse ecological functions. This comprehensive review explores the biodiversity, mechanisms, ecological roles, and conservation challenges of bioluminescent organisms in Brazil, a country known for its vast and diverse ecosystems. From the enchanting glow of fireflies and glow-in-the-dark mushrooms to the mesmerizing displays of marine dinoflagellates and cnidarians, Brazil showcases a remarkable array of bioluminescent species.

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Assessment of characteristics and treatment processes of wastewater from slaughterhouses in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

J Environ Manage

May 2024

Program in Biotechnology, Federal University of Alfenas, 37130-001, Alfenas-MG, Brazil; Institute of Natural Resources, Federal University of Itajubá, 37500-903, Itajubá-MG, Brazil. Electronic address:

The state of Minas Gerais is one of Brazil's largest animal protein producers, and its slaughterhouses generate highly polluting wastewater, which needs to be treated for discharge or reuse. As a novelty, this review article focused on assessing the characteristics and methods to treat wastewater from slaughterhouses in the state of Minas Gerais, and verifying its compliance with environmental regulatory agencies. The aim was to present data that helps to better manage this residue in other Brazilian states and countries.

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Exploring novel pyrazole-nitroimidazole hybrids: Synthesis and antiprotozoal activity against the human pathogen trichomonas vaginalis.

Bioorg Med Chem

March 2024

Laboratório de Síntese de Sistemas Heterocíclicos (LaSSH), Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Federal University of Itajubá, 1303 BPS Avenue, Pinheirinho, Itajubá-MG, 37500-903, Brazil. Electronic address:

Trichomoniasis, a prevalent sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis, has gained increased significance globally. Its relevance has grown in recent years due to its association with a heightened risk of acquiring and transmitting the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other STIs. In addition, many publications have revealed a potential link between trichomoniasis and certain cancers.

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Microalgae biomass has attracted attention as a feedstock to produce biofuels, biofertilizers, and pigments. However, the high production cost associated with cultivation and separation stages is a challenge for the microalgae biotechnology application on a large scale. A promising approach to overcome the technical-economic limitations of microalgae production is using wastewater as a nutrient and water source for cultivation.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study examined the electrical properties of β-AgMoO materials, focusing on both Eu-doped and undoped versions synthesized via microwave-assisted hydrothermal methods.
  • It found that the synthesis time affects defect concentrations, particularly silver vacancies (V), showing that Eu doping initially boosts V concentration but leads to a decrease over time.
  • The research employed various analytical methods, like photoluminescence and impedance spectroscopy, to develop a comprehensive understanding of the conduction mechanisms in these materials.
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Fruit: Unveiling Toughening Mechanisms and Biomimetic Potential for Advanced Materials.

Biomimetics (Basel)

October 2023

Graduate Program in Materials Science and Engineering (PPGCEM), Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos 13565-905, SP, Brazil.

Dry fruits and nutshells are biological capsules of outstanding toughness and strength with biomimetic potential to boost fiber-reinforced composites and protective structures. The strategies behind the fruit mechanical performance were investigated with C-ring and compression tests. This last test was monitored with shearography and simulated with a finite element model.

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Context: The technological advancement of the Internet of Things (IoT) creates opportunities in various social sectors. Patients in clinics or home care have their comfort and safety enhanced with remote monitoring, sensors and applications that control and transfer patient data. These applications must be trustworthy, since they deal with sensitive data.

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Effects of atmospheric low-level jets on the mixing process of a large tropical reservoir.

An Acad Bras Cienc

October 2023

Universidade Federal de Itajubá/UNIFEI, Instituto de Recursos Naturais, Av. BPS, 1303, Pinheirinho, 37500-903 Itajubá MG, Brazil.

Changes in the physical and biogeochemical properties of water columns are frequently associated with cold fronts and mesoscale convective systems due to increased cloud cover. The effects of low-level jet (LLJ) events on thermal stratification and water quality, however, remain undescribed, particularly for tropical reservoirs. Here, water temperature time series are combined with meteorological data, LIDAR observations, ERA5 reanalysis data, and hydrodynamical modeling to investigate the impact of an event of LLJ over the Furnas hydropower reservoir in Brazil.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study focuses on managing leachate from landfills in Minas Gerais, Brazil, examining its composition and transformation processes to mitigate environmental impacts.
  • Various statistical methods, including PCA and LPI calculations, were utilized to analyze leachate data, revealing significant relationships between components like chloride and ammonium nitrogen.
  • Key findings indicate high pollution potential from biochemical and chemical oxygen demands, while trace metals showed minimal impact due to specific waste characteristics and pH changes.
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The susceptibility to climate change concerns the coffee market worldwide due to possible severe productivity losses. Brazil is the world's largest Arabica coffee producer and has crops in regions considered persistent climate change hotspots. Our study analyzed risks, vulnerabilities, and susceptibilities to pests and diseases in these regions under current and future climates and outlined adaptive measures to reduce future vulnerabilities.

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Behavioural, developmental and biochemical effects in zebrafish caused by ibuprofen, irgarol and terbuthylazine.

Chemosphere

December 2023

Institute of Marine Sciences of Andalusia (CSIC), Department of Ecology and Coastal Management, Campus Universitario Río San Pedro, s/n, 11510, Puerto Real, Spain. Electronic address:

The increasing use of chemicals and their release into aquatic ecosystems are harming aquatic biota. Despite extensive ecotoxicological research, many environmental pollutants' ecological effects are still unknown. This study examined the spatial avoidance, behavioural and biochemical impacts of ibuprofen, irgarol, and terbuthylazine on the early life stages of zebrafish (Danio rerio) under a range of ecologically relevant concentrations (0-500 μg/L).

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The increase in greenhouse gasses (GHG) anthropogenic emissions and deforestation over the last decades have led to many chemical and physical changes in the climate system, affecting the atmosphere's energy and water balance. A process that could be affected is the Amazonian moisture transport in the South American continent (including La Plata basin), which is crucial to the southeast Brazilian water regime. The focus of our research is on evaluating how local (i.

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In the wood processing industry, working with machines exposes workers to occupational risks. This study evaluates the biomechanics of work activities carried out in a wood processing operation in tropical forest regions to identify risks associated with the development of musculoskeletal injuries. Data were collected in a wood processing industry from a tropical forest region in Midwest Brazil.

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Monocrepidius Eschscholtz, 1829, previously Conoderus Eschscholtz, 1829, is one of the largest genera in Elateridae, with about 380 species distributed worldwide, with the majority of diversity in Australian and Neotropical regions. Several species groups have been recognized in Monocrepidius. Monocrepidius fuscofasciatus (Eschscholtz 1829) belongs to Candèze's section I with seven species distributed in South America, predominantly in Brazil.

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