Federal University of São Carlos

About: Federal University of São Carlos is a education organization based out in São Carlos, Brazil. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Microstructure. The organization has 16471 authors who have published 34057 publications receiving 456654 citations. The organization is also known as: UFSCar & Federal University of São Carlos.

Seasonal reproductive endothermy in tegu lizards

Abstract: With some notable exceptions, small ectothermic vertebrates are incapable of endogenously sustaining a body temperature substantially above ambient temperature. This view was challenged by our observations of nighttime body temperatures sustained well above ambient (up to 10°C) during the reproductive season in tegu lizards (~2 kg). This led us to hypothesize that tegus have an enhanced capacity to augment heat production and heat conservation. Increased metabolic rates and decreased thermal conductance are the same mechanisms involved in body temperature regulation in those vertebrates traditionally acknowledged as “true endotherms”: the birds and mammals. The appreciation that a modern ectotherm the size of the earliest mammals can sustain an elevated body temperature through metabolic rates approaching that of endotherms enlightens the debate over endothermy origins, providing support for the parental care model of endothermy, but not for the assimilation capacity model of endothermy. It also indicates that, contrary to prevailing notions, ectotherms can engage in facultative endothermy, providing a physiological analog in the evolutionary transition to true endothermy.

Open cell geopolymer foams by a novel saponification/peroxide/gelcasting combined route

Abstract: Using a novel saponification/peroxide/gelcasting combined route it was possible to produce geopolymer foams with a total porosity of ∼85 vol%, open porosity as high as ∼70 vol%, average cell size (D50) of 318 μm, and possessing a specific surface area of 50 m2/g. The in situ formation of surfactants by the saponification reaction of oil in the geopolymer alkaline environment led to increased total and open porosity in comparison to alternative methods for the fabrication of geopolymer foams.

Seasonal grazing rates and food processing by tropical herbivorous fishes

Abstract: Seasonal variability in grazing rates and food-processing characters were assessed for three abundant fishes in a tropical rocky shore: the damselfish Stegastes fuscus, the parrotfish Sparisoma atomarium, and the surgeonfish Acanthurus bahianus. Significant differences were found in grazing rates among hour of day and seasons, and in food-processing characters among seasons for the three fishes. Grazing rates for S. atomarium and A. bahianus peaked at 1300 and 1400 hours for S. fuscus. Three main periods of different intensity in bite rates, low, intermediate and intense, were identified for all fishes. As expected, total bite rates, ingestion rates and gut fullness were highest in A. bahianus, the largest species studied, followed by S. atomarium and S. fuscus. S. atomarium with fused jaw teeth, holds the highest bite size and S. fuscus the lowest one. Gut turnover was high for S. fuscus and similar for S. atomarium and A. bahianus. Grazing rates and food-processing characters seem to vary between seasons not only due to changes in temperature, but also affected by other factors. Fishes employ different food-processing mechanisms and bear some differences in food-processing characters to achieve optimal energetic supplies from a poor nutrient food resource.