Abelisauroidea (Theropoda, Dinosauria) from Africa: a review of the fossil record

The Continental African abelisauroid theropod dinosaur fossil record from the Jurassic-Cretaceous periods is becoming increasingly better understood, and offers great insight into the evolution and biogeography of this long-lived group of carnivores. Abelisauroidea is among the most familiar groups of theropod dinosaurs from Gondwana, with fossil records in South America, Australia, India and Africa, along with Europe. The objective of the present study is to review the fossil record of abelisauroids in continental Africa. Based on the literature and records from the online databases "The Paleobiology Database" and "The Theropod Database", we review the distribution of these theropods in Africa and comment on their evolution. The African continent is a major region of importance when it comes to 26 Abelisauroidea fossil findings, including records of both major subdivisions of the clade: the Abelisauridae and Noasauridae families. The oldest Abelisauroidea fossil record found in Africa dates from the Late Jurassic, while the final records date from the end of the Cretaceous. This indicates that clade was the longest surviving lineage of the large theropods of Africa, and they filled a variety of ecological roles, including apex predators, at the end of the Cretaceous, when tyrannosaurids occupied similar niches in the northern continents.

Scorpions trapped in amber: a remarkable window on their evolution over time from the Mesozoic period to present days

This synoptic review aims to bring some general information on fossil scorpions, namely those trapped in amber - fossilized resin - ranging from Lower Cretaceous through the Palaeocene and up to the Miocene. The question to be addressed is how the study of these fossils can be connected with possible present scorpionism problems. A precise knowledge of these ancient lineages provides information about the evolution of extant lineages, including the buthoids, which contain most known noxious species. Among the Arthropods found trapped in amber, scorpions are considered rare. A limited number of elements have been described from the Late Tertiary Dominican and Mexican amber, while the most ancient Tertiary amber from the Baltic region produced more consistent results in the last 30 years, primarily focusing on a single limited lineage. Contrarily, the Cretaceous amber from Myanmar, also called Burmite, has yielded and continues to yield a significant number of results represented by several distinct lineages, which attest to the considerable degree of diversity that existed in the Burmese amber-producing forests. As in my previous similar contributions to this journal, the content of this note is primarily addressed to non-specialists whose research embraces scorpions in various fields such as venom toxins and public health. An overview knowledge of at least some fossil lineages can eventually help to clarify why some extant elements associated with the buthoids represent dangerous species while others are not noxious.(AU)

Scorpions trapped in amber: a remarkable window on their evolution over time from the Mesozoic period to present days

This synoptic review aims to bring some general information on fossil scorpions, namely those trapped in amber - fossilized resin - ranging from Lower Cretaceous through the Palaeocene and up to the Miocene. The question to be addressed is how the study of these fossils can be connected with possible present scorpionism problems. A precise knowledge of these ancient lineages provides information about the evolution of extant lineages, including the buthoids, which contain most known noxious species. Among the Arthropods found trapped in amber, scorpions are considered rare. A limited number of elements have been described from the Late Tertiary Dominican and Mexican amber, while the most ancient Tertiary amber from the Baltic region produced more consistent results in the last 30 years, primarily focusing on a single limited lineage. Contrarily, the Cretaceous amber from Myanmar, also called Burmite, has yielded and continues to yield a significant number of results represented by several distinct lineages, which attest to the considerable degree of diversity that existed in the Burmese amber-producing forests. As in my previous similar contributions to this journal, the content of this note is primarily addressed to non-specialists whose research embraces scorpions in various fields such as venom toxins and public health. An overview knowledge of at least some fossil lineages can eventually help to clarify why some extant elements associated with the buthoids represent dangerous species while others are not noxious.(AU)

Fuel consumption by agricultural machinery: a review of pollutant emission control technologies / Consumo de combustível por máquinas agrícolas: uma revisão das tecnologias de controle de emissão de poluentes

ABSTRACT: Most energy used to operate agricultural machines in the field is generated from fossil fuel combustion. The combustion process emits atmospheric pollutants, increasing the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs). In this context, this review is to discuss technologies for mitigating diesel engine GHG emissions to advance sustainable development in the agricultural machinery sector. This paper presents strategies and technologies widely adopted by agricultural machinery manufacturers in controlling pollutant emissions during fuel combustion. The findings of this study encompass sustainable alternative technologies, such as selective catalytic reduction, exhaust gas recirculation, diesel particulate filter, and fuels. This study helps reveal the environmental impact of agricultural field operations that generate GHG emissions.

RESUMO: Grande parte da energia utilizada para o funcionamento das máquinas agrícolas em suas operações no campo ainda é resultante da combustão de combustíveis fósseis. O processo de combustão provoca a emissão de poluentes atmosféricos que contribuem para o aumento dos Gases de Efeito Estufa (GEE). Neste contexto, esta revisão tem como objetivo descrever as tecnologias que contribuem para mitigar as emissões de GEE pelos motores de ciclo Diesel, a fim de contribuir para a compreensão e o desenvolvimento da sustentabilidade no setor de máquinas agrícolas. São apresentadas as estratégias e tecnologias que comumente estão sendo adotadas pelos fabricantes de máquinas agrícolas para o controle das emissões de poluentes, durante o processo de combustão do combustível. Os achados do estudo apresentam as alternativas tecnológicas sustentáveis como a Selective Catalytic Reduction, Exhaust Gas Recirculation, Diesel Particulate Filter, e sobre o uso de combustíveis alternativos. Ainda, contribui para o entendimento do impacto ambiental das operações agrícolas em campo, que provocam as emissões de GEE.

Validation of Chronocancer camilosantanai† Santana, Tavares, Martins, Melo & Pinheiro (Crustacea, Decapoda, Brachyura) from the Romualdo Formation, Araripe Sedimentary Basin, Brazil

Santana et al. (2022) described a new genus and species of fossil crab, Chronocancer camilosantanai, from carbonate concretions of the Romualdo Formation of the Araripe Sedimentary Basin. The journal in which the description appeared was published online only and the new name did not include a ZooBank registration number (LSID), as required for validation of new names in electronic-only publications. The present note serves to validate the name Chronocancer camilosantanai by fulfilling the ICZN conditions for nomenclatural availability. The date and authorship of the specific name, accordingly, are those of this note, not Santana et al. (2022).(AU)

Fuel consumption by agricultural machinery: a review of pollutant emission control technologies / Consumo de combustível por máquinas agrícolas: uma revisão das tecnologias de controle de emissão de poluentes

Most energy used to operate agricultural machines in the field is generated from fossil fuel combustion. The combustion process emits atmospheric pollutants, increasing the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs). In this context, this review is to discuss technologies for mitigating diesel engine GHG emissions to advance sustainable development in the agricultural machinery sector. This paper presents strategies and technologies widely adopted by agricultural machinery manufacturers in controlling pollutant emissions during fuel combustion. The findings of this study encompass sustainable alternative technologies, such as selective catalytic reduction, exhaust gas recirculation, diesel particulate filter, and fuels. This study helps reveal the environmental impact of agricultural field operations that generate GHG emissions.

Grande parte da energia utilizada para o funcionamento das máquinas agrícolas em suas operações no campo ainda é resultante da combustão de combustíveis fósseis. O processo de combustão provoca a emissão de poluentes atmosféricos que contribuem para o aumento dos Gases de Efeito Estufa (GEE). Neste contexto, esta revisão tem como objetivo descrever as tecnologias que contribuem para mitigar as emissões de GEE pelos motores de ciclo Diesel, a fim de contribuir para a compreensão e o desenvolvimento da sustentabilidade no setor de máquinas agrícolas. São apresentadas as estratégias e tecnologias que comumente estão sendo adotadas pelos fabricantes de máquinas agrícolas para o controle das emissões de poluentes, durante o processo de combustão do combustível. Os achados do estudo apresentam as alternativas tecnológicas sustentáveis como a Selective Catalytic Reduction, Exhaust Gas Recirculation, Diesel Particulate Filter, e sobre o uso de combustíveis alternativos. Ainda, contribui para o entendimento do impacto ambiental das operações agrícolas em campo, que provocam as emissões de GEE.

Brazilian Miocene crabs I. Taxonomic review of Cyclocancer tuberculatus Beurlen, 1958 and Hepatella amazonica Beurlen, 1958 (Pancrustacea, Decapoda, Brachyura)

In describing Cyclocancer to accommodate his new species C. tuberculatus, Beurlen highlighted that his new genus was a cancroid intermediate in form between Atelecyclus and Cancer, but with enough characters to be placed in a new genus. Examination of C. tuberculatus type material revealed that Cyclocancer is a junior synonym of Hepatus. Therefore, C. tuberculatus is herein transferred into Hepatus as H. beurleni nomen novum because H. tuberculatus (Beurlen, 1958) is a junior homonym of H. tuberculatusSaussure (1858), a junior synonym of Hepatus pudibundus (Herbst, 1785). Miohepatus gen. nov., comb. nov. is proposed here to accommodate Hepatella amazonica Beurlen from the Pirabas Formation, Neogene, Pará, Brazil, based on new morphological evidence from the type material.(AU)

Anomocephalobus, a new genus of minute marsh-loving beetles from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber (Coleoptera: Limnichidae)

Limnichidae are currently a moderately diverse beetle family with a sparse fossil record. Here we describe a new limnichid genus and species, Anomocephalobus liuhaoi Li, Jäch & Cai gen. et sp. nov., from the mid-Cretaceous amber from northern Myanmar. Anomocephalobus gen. nov. is tentatively assigned to the extant subfamily Cephalobyrrhinae, based on its transverse metacoxae, 5-segmented protarsi, and absence of grooves on the ventral surface for reception of legs, though its oval body shape is somewhat deviating from extant Cephalobyrrhinae. The generic placement of the recently described Erichia cretacea Yu, Ślipiński, Ren & Pang, 2018 is also discussed.(AU)

Earliest teredid beetle from mid-Cretaceous amber of northern Myanmar (Coleoptera: Coccinelloidea: Teredidae): new genus and species

The earliest fossil member of Teredidae, Delteredolaemus hei Li & Cai gen. et sp. nov., is reported from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber. Delteredolaemus is assigned to the extant tribe Teredini, and shares a generally similar morphology with the extant genus Teredolaemus Sharp, 1885, although it can be distinguished from all other members in the tribe by the shape of the pronotum and mesoventral process, as well as the anteromedially tumid metaventrite.(AU)

Leiosolenus (Labis) patagonicus (Bivalvia: Mytilidae) from Argentinean sea, taxonomic revision and anatomical notes

The taxonomic status and anatomy of Leiosolenus (Labis) patagonicus (d'Orbigny, 1846 in 1834-1847) has been revised. This boring bivalve, belonging to the family Mytilidae, is the only Lithophaginae species distributed along the Argentinean coast. None of the fossil species mentioned for this area must be considered as a synonym of d'Orbigny´s species. Leiosolenus patagonicus is characterized by a thin shell, longitudinally elongated, with subterminal umbos and commarginal striae. The calcareous depositions on the outer surface of the shell are extended beyond the posterior margin. This species has well developed purple siphons, well differentiated morphologically from each other. Incurrent siphon is wider than excurrent, opened at the ventral edge and provided with a basal siphon valve at the base. Two pairs of demibranchs type B (1) from Atkins were observed. The shell characters and internal morphology were compared with other related species of the genus living along the South American coast. Finally, repository, type locality and habitat conditions were informed.(AU)

Gas emissions from an agricultural compression-ignition engine using diesel, biodiesel and ethanol blends / Emissões de gases de um motor agrícola de ignição por compressão utilizando misturas de óleo diesel, biodiesel e etanol

Partial fuel replacement strategies arising from fossil sources used in compression ignition engines involve mixtures of mineral Diesel oil, biodiesel and ethanol to minimize the gas emissions. In this study, experimental assessments were performed on a multi-cylinder, turbocharged aftercooler, compression-ignition, agricultural tractor engine provided with electronic injection management and an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) gas treatment system. Diesel oil containing low (BS10 -10 ppm) and high sulfur concentrations (BS500 - 500 ppm) was utilized, with 10% of biodiesel as a constituent established by Brazilian legislation, in blends with 5, 10, 15 and 20% of the total volume, made up of anhydrous ethanol with additives. Thus, there were eight fuels blends and two reference conditions (without ethanol). The emissions of CO, HC, NOx and the HC+NOx gases were estimated, corresponding to the eight operating modes (M) of the ABNT NBR ISO 8178-4 standard. From the findings, it was evident that with the rise in the ethanol concentrations in the fuel blends there was a corresponding increasing in the CO, NOx and HC+NOx emissions. The HC, on the contrary, exhibited a pattern of higher emissions for the high-sulfur fuels (BS500) at low loads. No difference was observed for the NOx emissions at high loads. In the other operation modes, different behaviors were expressed for the BS10, which sometimes showed an increase, while at other times a reduction in the NOx emissions. Regarding the BS500, the NOx emission increased when the ethanol concentrations rose. As the specific emissions of the NOx were higher than those of the HC (in g.kW-¹.h-¹), the behavior exhibited by the HC+NOx showed similarity to that of the NOx. When the directly analysis of the operating modes was taken into consideration, the use of ethanol triggered an upswing in the emissions, exceeding the threshold of MAR-1 and EURO V standards.

Misturas de óleo Diesel mineral, biodiesel e etanol formam estratégias de substituição parcial do combustível de origem fóssil, aplicáveis em motores de ignição por compressão, com o intuito de redução das emissões de gases. Neste trabalho realizaram-se avaliações experimentais em um motor de trator agrícola de ignição por compressão, multi-cilíndrico, turboalimentado com aftercooler, gerenciamento eletrônico da injeção e sistema de tratamento de gases EGR. Foram utilizados óleo Diesel de baixo (BS10 -10 ppm) e alto teor de enxofre (BS500 - 500 ppm), com 10% de biodiesel em sua constituição, em misturas com concentrações de 5%, 10%, 15% e 20% do volume total, compostas por etanol anidro aditivado, totalizando oito combustíveis em mistura e duas condições de referência (sem etanol). Foram avaliadas as emissões de gases CO, HC, NOx e HC+NOx, segundo os oito modos de operação (M) da norma ABNT NBR ISO 8178-4. Dentre os resultados encontrados, com o incremento das concentrações de etanol nas misturas ocorreu o aumento das emissões de CO, NOx e HC+NOx. Já o HC apresentou um comportamento de maiores emissões para combustíveis com alto teor de enxofre (BS500) em baixas cargas. Não houve diferença para as emissões de NOx em altas cargas. Já nos demais modos de operação, para o BS10 ocorreram comportamentos diversos, em alguns momentos aumentando e em outros diminuindo as emissões de NOx. Já para o BS500, o comportamento das emissões de NOx foi de aumento com o incremento das concentrações de etanol. Devido as emissões específicas de NOx serem maiores que as de HC (em g.kW-¹.h-¹), o comportamento do HC+NOx foi similar ao do NOx. Considerando apenas a análise direta dos modos de operação, a utilização de etanol causa o aumento das emissões, superando os valores limites da MAR-1 e EURO V.

A new fossil species of Procellaria(Aves: Procellariiformes) from the Pliocene of New Zealand

We describe a new Procellaria petrel species from the late Pliocene of Taranaki, New Zealand. The new species is most similar morphologically to the White‑Chinned Petrel (P. aequinoctialis), Spectacled Petrel (P. conspicillata) and the Westland Petrel (P. westlandica). Compared with those taxa, the new species has a deeper and shorter premaxilla, longer coracoid and shorter wings, while its legs are a similar size. Today, New Zealand is the centre of global diversity of the genus, with four breeding species. This is the first fossil species of Procellaria to be described from New Zealand, attesting to a reasonably long history of this genus in the region.

A new fossil species of Procellaria(Aves: Procellariiformes) from the Pliocene of New Zealand

We describe a new Procellaria petrel species from the late Pliocene of Taranaki, New Zealand. The new species is most similar morphologically to the White‑Chinned Petrel (P. aequinoctialis), Spectacled Petrel (P. conspicillata) and the Westland Petrel (P. westlandica). Compared with those taxa, the new species has a deeper and shorter premaxilla, longer coracoid and shorter wings, while its legs are a similar size. Today, New Zealand is the centre of global diversity of the genus, with four breeding species. This is the first fossil species of Procellaria to be described from New Zealand, attesting to a reasonably long history of this genus in the region.(AU)

A new fossil species of Procellaria (Aves: Procellariiformes) from the Pliocene of New Zealand

Abstract We describe a new Procellaria petrel species from the late Pliocene of Taranaki, New Zealand. The new species is most similar morphologically to the White-Chinned Petrel (P. aequinoctialis), Spectacled Petrel (P. conspicillata) and the Westland Petrel (P. westlandica). Compared with those taxa, the new species has a deeper and shorter premaxilla, longer coracoid and shorter wings, while its legs are a similar size. Today, New Zealand is the centre of global diversity of the genus, with four breeding species. This is the first fossil species of Procellaria to be described from New Zealand, attesting to a reasonably long history of this genus in the region.

First dinosaur record from the Marília Formation (Maastrichtian) in the Gurinhatã municipality, Minas Gerais state, Brazil

Titanosaurs are one of the most common dinosaurs found in Cretaceous outcrops, especially in Brazil. In this article we describe a proximal portion of an ulna (Paleo-UFG/V-0039) which was found isolated Paleo-UFG/V-0039 comes from a sandstone outcrop, with fine to medium granulation, of the Marília Formation (Bauru Group) that appears irregularly in the municipality of Gurinhatã, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The occurrence described here is the first dinosaur osteological remains documented in this municipality. Although incomplete, Paleo-UFG/V-0039 could be identified as an indeterminate lithostrotian titanosaur whose morphology is similar to some appendicular elements of European species than South American ones. However, the incompleteness of the specimen has difficult complex interpretations. Finally, Paleo-UFG/V-0039 highlights the importance of the Gurinhatã outcrops and other sites in this region for future discoveries.(AU)

A miniaturized ommatid beetle in mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber (Coleoptera: Archostemata: Ommatidae)

Abstract Recent findings of ommatids from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber have greatly increased our knowledge on the Mesozoic diversity of Ommatidae. Here, we report the first distinctly miniaturized ommatid species, Miniomma chenkuni gen. et sp. nov., entombed in mid-Cretaceous amber from northern Myanmar. This new fossil species is characterized by its small body size (less than 2 mm long) and subglobular metacoxae. Our discovery of miniaturization in extinct Ommatidae suggests a high ecological diversity of this family in the Mesozoic.

A miniaturized ommatid beetle in mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber (Coleoptera: Archostemata: Ommatidae)

Recent findings of ommatids from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber have greatly increased our knowledge on the Mesozoic diversity of Ommatidae. Here, we report the first distinctly miniaturized ommatid species, Miniomma chenkuni gen. et sp. nov., entombed in mid-Cretaceous amber from northern Myanmar. This new fossil species is characterized by its small body size (less than 2 mm long) and subglobular metacoxae. Our discovery of miniaturization in extinct Ommatidae suggests a high ecological diversity of this family in the Mesozoic.

A miniaturized ommatid beetle in mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber (Coleoptera: Archostemata: Ommatidae)

Recent findings of ommatids from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber have greatly increased our knowledge on the Mesozoic diversity of Ommatidae. Here, we report the first distinctly miniaturized ommatid species, Miniomma chenkuni gen. et sp. nov., entombed in mid-Cretaceous amber from northern Myanmar. This new fossil species is characterized by its small body size (less than 2 mm long) and subglobular metacoxae. Our discovery of miniaturization in extinct Ommatidae suggests a high ecological diversity of this family in the Mesozoic.(AU)

Analysis of different tracking intervals for parabolic trough collectors for water disinfestation in agricultural applications / Análise de diferentes intervalos de rastreamento de coletores solares parabólicos para desinfestação de água em aplicações agrícolas

The use of renewable energy is growing every year as an alternative to fossil fuel technology. Solar energy presents itself as a good alternative due to its great availability and energy potential. Solar thermal energy uses heat to warm fluids, and can also generate electricity, as well as being used in industrial processes and water desalination. The research and use of Parabolic Trough Collectors (PTCs) has been growing in recent years due to their ability to heat fluids at high temperatures in a relatively small area. In this work, two small PTCs were manufactured and tests were performed to improve the arrangements in order to increase the absorbed energy to reach temperature values for water disinfestation, aiming at the control of phytopathogens to control soil pathogens in small and medium farms. To control the automatic tracker, a low-cost system with Arduino, Light Dependent Resistors (LDRs) and step motors was used. The tracking times intervals analyzed were 1, 5 and 15 minutes. For the 1-minute tracking interval, the PTCs presented a thermal efficiency of 25.87%, with temperatures between 45 and 70 C and an average of 63.73 C. For the 5-minute tracking interval, the thermal efficiency was 18.48%, reaching temperatures between 41 and 68 ºC and an average of 57.9 ºC. For the 15-minute tracking interval, the PTCs presented a thermal efficiency of 14.80%, with temperatures between 39 and 62 °C and an average of 51.88 °C. The results showed that the tracking intervals of 1 and 5 minutes present more values between the lethal temperature range of 45 and 60 °C for phytopathogens. For agricultural application, the usage of a tracking interval of 5 minutes could be a good option for reducing the waste of system energy compared to the interval of 1 minute.

O uso de energia renovável está crescendo a cada ano como alternativa à tecnologia de combustíveis fósseis. A energia solar apresenta-se como uma boa alternativa devido à sua grande disponibilidade e potencial energético. A energia solar térmica utiliza o calor para aquecer os fluidos e também pode gerar eletricidade, bem como ser usada em processos industriais e dessalinização da água. A pesquisa e o uso de Coletores Solares Parabólicos (PTCs) têm crescido nos últimos anos devido à capacidade de aquecer fluidos em altas temperaturas em uma área relativamente pequena. Neste trabalho, dois pequenos PTCs foram fabricados, e testes foram realizados para melhorar os arranjos, a fim de aumentar a energia absorvida para atingir valores de temperatura para desinfestação de água, visando o controle de fitopatógenos no controle de patógenos de solo em pequenas e médias fazendas. Para controlar o rastreador automático foi utilizado um sistema de baixo custo com Arduino, Resistores de Potência Luminosa (LDRs) e motores de passo. Os intervalos de tempo de rastreamento analisados foram de 1, 5 e 15 minutos. Para o intervalo de rastreamento de 1 minuto, os PTCs apresentaram uma eficiência térmica de 25,87%, com temperaturas entre 45 e 70 ºC e 63,73 ºC de temperatura média. Para o intervalo de rastreamento de 5 minutos, a eficiência térmica foi de 18,48%, atingindo temperaturas entre 41 e 68 ° C e 57,9 ° C de temperatura média. Para o intervalo de rastreamento de 15 minutos, os PTCs apresentaram uma eficiência térmica de 14,80%, com temperaturas entre 39 e 62 ° C e 51,88 ° C de temperatura média. Os resultados mostraram que os intervalos de rastreamento de 1 e 5 minutos apresentam mais valores entre a faixa de temperatura letal de 45 e 60 ° C para fitopatógenos. Para aplicações agrícolas, o uso de um intervalo de rastreamento de 5 minutos poderia ser uma boa alternativa para uma redução no desperdício da energia do sistema em comparação com o intervalo de 1 minuto.

Analysis of different tracking intervals for parabolic trough collectors for water disinfestation in agricultural applications / Análise de diferentes intervalos de rastreamento de coletores solares parabólicos para desinfestação de água em aplicações agrícolas

The use of renewable energy is growing every year as an alternative to fossil fuel technology. Solar energy presents itself as a good alternative due to its great availability and energy potential. Solar thermal energy uses heat to warm fluids, and can also generate electricity, as well as being used in industrial processes and water desalination. The research and use of Parabolic Trough Collectors (PTCs) has been growing in recent years due to their ability to heat fluids at high temperatures in a relatively small area. In this work, two small PTCs were manufactured and tests were performed to improve the arrangements in order to increase the absorbed energy to reach temperature values for water disinfestation, aiming at the control of phytopathogens to control soil pathogens in small and medium farms. To control the automatic tracker, a low-cost system with Arduino, Light Dependent Resistors (LDRs) and step motors was used. The tracking times intervals analyzed were 1, 5 and 15 minutes. For the 1-minute tracking interval, the PTCs presented a thermal efficiency of 25.87%, with temperatures between 45 and 70 C and an average of 63.73 C. For the 5-minute tracking interval, the thermal efficiency was 18.48%, reaching temperatures between 41 and 68 ºC and an average of 57.9 ºC. For the 15-minute tracking interval, the PTCs presented a thermal efficiency of 14.80%, with temperatures between 39 and 62 °C and an average of 51.88 °C. The results showed that the tracking intervals of 1 and 5 minutes present more values between the lethal temperature range of 45 and 60 °C for phytopathogens. For agricultural application, the usage of a tracking interval of 5 minutes could be a good option for reducing the waste of system energy compared to the interval of 1 minute.(AU)

O uso de energia renovável está crescendo a cada ano como alternativa à tecnologia de combustíveis fósseis. A energia solar apresenta-se como uma boa alternativa devido à sua grande disponibilidade e potencial energético. A energia solar térmica utiliza o calor para aquecer os fluidos e também pode gerar eletricidade, bem como ser usada em processos industriais e dessalinização da água. A pesquisa e o uso de Coletores Solares Parabólicos (PTCs) têm crescido nos últimos anos devido à capacidade de aquecer fluidos em altas temperaturas em uma área relativamente pequena. Neste trabalho, dois pequenos PTCs foram fabricados, e testes foram realizados para melhorar os arranjos, a fim de aumentar a energia absorvida para atingir valores de temperatura para desinfestação de água, visando o controle de fitopatógenos no controle de patógenos de solo em pequenas e médias fazendas. Para controlar o rastreador automático foi utilizado um sistema de baixo custo com Arduino, Resistores de Potência Luminosa (LDRs) e motores de passo. Os intervalos de tempo de rastreamento analisados foram de 1, 5 e 15 minutos. Para o intervalo de rastreamento de 1 minuto, os PTCs apresentaram uma eficiência térmica de 25,87%, com temperaturas entre 45 e 70 ºC e 63,73 ºC de temperatura média. Para o intervalo de rastreamento de 5 minutos, a eficiência térmica foi de 18,48%, atingindo temperaturas entre 41 e 68 ° C e 57,9 ° C de temperatura média. Para o intervalo de rastreamento de 15 minutos, os PTCs apresentaram uma eficiência térmica de 14,80%, com temperaturas entre 39 e 62 ° C e 51,88 ° C de temperatura média. Os resultados mostraram que os intervalos de rastreamento de 1 e 5 minutos apresentam mais valores entre a faixa de temperatura letal de 45 e 60 ° C para fitopatógenos. Para aplicações agrícolas, o uso de um intervalo de rastreamento de 5 minutos poderia ser uma boa alternativa para uma redução no desperdício da energia do sistema em comparação com o intervalo de 1 minuto.(AU)