Bee communities (Hymenoptera: Anthophila) of the Cerrado ecosystem in São Paulo State, Brazil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

In vivo assessment of DNA damage and protective effects of extracts from Miconia species using the comet assay and micronucleus test

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

In vitro and in vivo safety evaluation of Dipteryx alata Vogel extract

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Oleanane Saponins and Glycerogalactolipids from the Leaves of Guapira graciliflora

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

A novel intelligent system to nitrogen content prediction in plants using indirect chlorophyll measurements

The accurate identification of the nitrogen content in plants is extremely important since it involves economic aspects and environmental impacts, Several experimental tests have been carried out to obtain characteristics and parameters associated with the health of plants and its growing. The nitrogen content identification in plants involves a lot of non-linear parameters and complexes mathematical models. This paper describes a novel approach for identification of nitrogen content thought SPAD index using artificial neural networks (ANN). The network acts as identifier of relationships among, crop varieties, fertilizer treatments, type of leaf and nitrogen content in the plants (target). So, nitrogen content can be generalized and estimated and from an input parameter set. This approach can form the basis for development of an accurate real time system to predict nitrogen content in plants.

Nitrogen content identification in crop plants using spectral reflectance and artificial neural networks

The accurate identification of the nitrogen content in crop plants is extremely important since it involves economic aspects and environmental impacts. Several experimental tests have been carried out to obtain characteristics and parameters associated with the health of plants and its growing. The nitrogen content identification involves a lot of nonlinear parametes and complexes mathematical models. This paper describes a novel approach for identification of nitrogen content thought spectral reflectance of plant leaves using artificial neural networks. The network acts as identifier of relationships among pH of soil, fertilizer treatment, spectral reflectance and nitrogen content in the plants. So, nitrogen content can be estimated and generalized from an input parameter set. This approach can be form the basis for development of an accurate real time nitrogen applicator.

Desempenho de híbridos de milho em diferentes arranjos espaciais de plantas

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Analysis of the Electrical Characteristics of an Alternative Solution for the Brazilian-Amazon Transmission System

This article analyzes the electrical parameters of a 3-phase transmission line using a 280-m-high steel tower that has been proposed for the Amazon transmission system in Brazil. The height of the line conductors and the distance between them are intrinsically related to the longitudinal and transverse parameters of the line. Hence, an accurate study is carried out in order to show the electrical variations between a transmission line using the new technology and a conventional 3-phase 440-kV line, considering a wide range of frequencies and variable soil resistivity. First, a brief review of the fundamental theory of line parameters is presented. In addition, by using a digital line model, simulations are carried out in the time domain to analyze possible and critical over-voltage transients on the proposed line representation.

Uso de etil-trinexapac em cultivares de arroz de terras altas

O acamamento de plantas em cultivares de arroz, no momento da colheita, acarreta perdas significativas à produtividade. O uso de reguladores vegetais é uma das alternativas para reduzir o acamamento, entretanto, as informações sobre este assunto ainda são escassas. Este trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de avaliar o uso de doses de etil-trinexapac (0 g ha-1, 50 g ha-1, 100 g ha-1, 150 g ha-1 e 200 g ha-1 do i.a.), aplicadas por ocasião da diferenciação floral, em cultivares de arroz com diferentes tipos de plantas (Caiapó - tradicional; BRS Primavera e BRS Soberana - intermediário; e IAC 202 - moderno), avaliando o desenvolvimento e a produtividade de grãos. O experimento foi desenvolvido no município de Selvíria (MS), durante o ano agrícola de 2007/2008. Concluiu-se que a aplicação de 50 g ha-1, 100 g ha-1 e 150 g ha-1 de etil-trinexapac, por ocasião da diferenciação do primórdio da panícula das cultivares Caiapó, BRS Soberana e BRS Primavera, respectivamente, reduziu a altura de plantas e proporcionou ausência de acamamento; a cultivar IAC 202 dispensou o uso de regulador de crescimento, considerando-se que a mesma praticamente não apresentou acamamento; a aplicação de 50 g ha-1 e 150 g ha-1 de etil-trinexapac, por ocasião da diferenciação do primórdio da panícula, melhorou a produtividade da cultivar Caiapó e BRS Primavera, respectivamente, e a dose de 100 g ha-1 interferiu pouco na cultivar BRS Soberana.

Recovery of soil physical properties by green manure, liming, gypsum and pasture and spontaneous native species

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Ensaio comparativo de cultivares de soja em época convencional em Selvíria, MS: características agronômicas e produtividade

The performance evaluation it's an important procedure for recommendation of a cultivar to an specific region, because the better adapted will present superior development and bigger level of productivity. The work aimed evaluates the behavior of soybean cultivars IAC 15-1, IAC 18, IAC 20, BRS 133, FT-2000, KI-S 602 RCH, MT/BRS-55 (Uirapuru), MT/BR-45 (Paiaguas), MT/BRS-51 (Xingu), KI-S 801, MSOY 7701, MT/BR-49 (Pioneer), Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (EMBRAPA) 65 (Itapoty), Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (EMBRAPA) 64 (Ponta Pora), Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (EMBRAPA) 61, IAC 8-2, IAC 19, Crystalline FT RCH, KI-S 702, IAC Foscarin 31, IAC-PL1 and MT/BRS-46 (Conquista), related to agronomical characteristics of plants (cycle, height, height of first beans insertion and stand) and productivity of grains, when sowed in conventional time. The experimental design was randomized blocks with four replicates, and the averages compared with Tukey Test (5%). It is viable soybean production at Selviria, MS, because practically all cultivars evaluated are adapted to the soil and climate conditions of that area. To cultivar KI-S 801, the use of smaller stand to the observed in that work it can avoid lodging. Caution should be had to use cultivar MT/BRS-55 (Uirapuru).

Produtividade, estabilidade e adaptabilidade em progênies de Myracrodruon urundeuva F.F. & M.F. Allemão – Anacardiaceae

The use and inadequate exploitation of natural resources is restricting the occurrence of aroeira (Myracrodruon urundeuva F.F. & M.F. Allemao), which now is on the FAO list of endangered species. This exploitation causes a decrease in the genetic base of M. urundeuva populations, which makes it difficult to find genotypes with stability and adaptability to different growing conditions. This study aimed at estimating the genetic variation and productivity, stability and adaptability of progenies of a M. urundeuva natural population, from the Ecological Station of Paulo de Faria - SP, under different planting systems. DBH (diameter at breast height) was evaluated in four progeny tests of M. urundeuva: i) planted with Anandenanthera falcata and Guazuma ulmifolia (TP-AMA); ii) single (TP-ASO); iii) planted with annual crops (TP-SAF) and iv) planted with Corymbia citriodora (TP-EUCA), installed in Selviria-MS. The experimental design consisted of complete randomized blocks with three replications and a variable number of plants per plot in each of the four planting systems. From the joint analysis of the planting systems studied, it was found that: i) there were variations among planting systems particularly in TP-SAF; ii) only in TP-EUCA it was possible to detect variations among the progenies; iii) the effects of the genotype x environment interaction were not significant. Thereby, the harmonic mean of genotypic values (MHVG), the relative performance of genotypic values from the mean of each site (PRVG) and the harmonic mean of the relative performance of genotypic values (MHPRVG) for DBH showed, respectively: progenies with greater stability, adaptability, and stability and simultaneous adaptability within different planting systems. The use of these selection criteria provided a more refined selection of the best progenies of M. urundeuva under the different planting systems studied.

Influence of the elevation of the left ventricular diastolic pressure on the values of the first temporal derivative of the ventricular pressure (dP/dt)

PURPOSE: To assess the effects of the elevation of the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) on the value of the 1st temporal derivative of the ventricular pressure (dP/dt). METHODS: Nineteen anesthetized dogs were studied. The dogs were mechanically ventilated and underwent thoracotomy with parasympathetic nervous system block. The LVEDP was controlled with the use of a perfusion circuit connected to the left atrium and adjusted to the height of a reservoir. The elevation of the LVEDP was achieved by a sudden increase in the height of a reservoir filled with blood. Continuous recordings of the electrocardiogram, the aortic and ventricular pressures and the dP/dt were performed. RESULTS: Elevation of the LVEDP did not result in any variation of the heart rate (167±16.0bpm, before the procedure; 167±15.5bpm, after the procedure). All the other variables assessed, including systolic blood pressure (128±18.3mmHg and 150±21.5mmHg), diastolic blood pressure (98±16.9mmHg and 115±19.8mmHg), LVEDP (5.5±2.49 and 9.3±3.60mmHg), and dP/dt (4,855 ± 1,082 mmHg/s and 5,149±1,242mmHg/s) showed significant increases following the expansion of the ventricular cavity. Although the elevation of the dP/dt was statistically significant, 6 dogs curiously showed a decrease in the values of dP/dt. CONCLUSION: Sudden elevation of the LVEDP resulted in increased values of dP/dt; however, in some dogs, this response was not uniform.

Genetic diversity of three size classes of seeds of Eucalyptus globulus ssp. globulus

Variation in seed size is often observed in samples of eucalypt seeds and this leads to heterogeneous populations of plants, principally through variation in the early stages of plant development. It follows that samples of seeds more uniform in size could produce more uniform populations of plants. In studies of Eucalyptus globulus ssp. globulus it was of interest to determine whether or not the genetic diversity within a population, through the use of isozyme markers, was altered in the subpopulations developed from seeds of different size classes. A commercial sample of seed was separated by seed size into three subpopulations and the percentage germination and mean fresh weight of the seedlings were determined. Proteins extracted from leaves of the seedlings were separated by electrophoresis and tested for activity of eight different enzymes. These eight enzymes showed activity at 20 loci and mean genetic diversity and fixation index were determined using 13 of these loci. The subpopulation of the smallest seeds contained a greater proportion of abnormal seeds and had a lower percentage germination and plant weight compared to the other subpopulations. No significant differences were found in the number of alleles per locus, percentage of polymorphic loci, mean heterozygosity. The major part of the endogamy, indicated by F statistic, was found within the subpopulations: F-(IS) = 0.518; F-(ST) = 0.010 and F(IT) = 0.523. We conclude that the use of seeds of uniform size will lead to more uniform germination and plant growth without alteration in overall genetic diversity.

Ovarian morphometric characterization and in vitro maturation of oocytes obtained from buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) ovaries - partial results

Buffalo ovaries were collected from a slaughterhouse (Frigol, Brazil) and transported to the laboratory in saline solution at 36 degrees C. The ovaries were dissected to realize the evaluations (weight, length, width and height of the ovary; corpus luteum and dominant follicle diameters). The Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were recovered by aspiration of 2-8 mm follicles. Selected COCs were matured in TCM 199 supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, sodium pyruvate, LH, FSH, estradiol and gentamicin. In vitro maturation was carried out at 38.5 degrees C for 22-24 h and 34-36 h. For the evaluation of the nuclear maturation the oocytes were placed in TCM 199 medium added with type v hialuronidase where the granulosa cells were extracted. The denuded oocytes were transferred to 10 mu l of Hoescht 33342 and the chromosomic configuration was evaluated. The oocytes were classified according to meiosis stage in: Germinal Vesicle, Germinal Vesicle Breakdown, Metaphase I, Metaphase II and Degenerated. The means of weight, length, width and height of the ovary were 3.83 g, 2.27 cm, 1.08 cm and 1.56 cm, respectively. The means of corpus luteum and dominant follicle diameters were 1.40 cm and 7.77 mm. The proportion of oocytes that reached metaphase II stage was: 36.68%.