Effect of substrata on the development of stem cuttings of Lippia alba (Mill.) N. E. BR. - Limonene-carvone chemotype

Studies were conducted to show the effect of different substrata on the development of stem cuttings of Lippia alba made of limonene-carvone chemotype. The experiment was done in the College of Agronomical Sciences, UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brazil in 2000. The cuttings were planted in polystyrene trays consisting of 72 cells. The cuttings had about 0.20 m of length and were put in the following substrata: Fine sand (T1), commercial substratum (T2), carbonised rice peel and local soil (T3), local soil, cow manure and carbonised rice peel (T4), vermiculite (T5), and carbonised rice peel (T6). After 40 days the development of stem cuttings were evaluated. High rate of rooting of stem cuttings was verified, with average of 95% and no significant difference between the treatments. In relation to dry mass of aerial parts and dry mass of roots, significant differences were found. For dry mass production of aerial parts the commercial substratum (T2) and the local soil, cow manure, carbonised rice peel (T4) were optimal. For mass of roots the local soil, cow manure, carbonised rice peel (T4) proved to be the best.

Purification and characterization of two β-glucosidases from the thermophilic fungus Thermoascus aurantiacus

β-Glucosidase from the fungus Thermoascus aurantiacus grown on semi-solid fermentation medium (using ground corncob as substrate) was partially purified in 5 steps-ultrafiltration, ethanol precipitation, gel filtration and 2 anion exchange chromatography runs, and characterized. After the first anion exchange chromatography, β-glucosidase activity was eluted in 3 peaks (Gl-1, Gl-2, Gl-3). Only the Gl-2 and Gl-3 fractions were adsorbed on the gel matrix. Gl-2 and Gl-3 exhibited optimum pH at 4.5 and 4.0, respectively. The temperature optimum of both glucosidases was at 75-80°C. The pH stability of Gl-2 (4.0-9.0) was higher than Gl-3 (5.5-8.5); both enzyme activities showed similar patterns of thermostability. Under conditions of denaturing gel chromatography the molar mass of Gl-2 and Gl-3 was 175 and 157 kDa, respectively. Using 4-nitrophenyl β-D-glucopyranoside as substrate, Km values of 1.17 ± 0.35 and 1.38 ± 0.86 mmol/L were determined for Gl-2 and Gl-3, respectively. Both enzymes were inhibited by Ag+ and stimulated by Ca2+.

Energy and angular momentum of the gravitational field in the teleparallel geometry

The Hamiltonian formulation of the teleparallel equivalent of general relativity is considered. Definitions of energy, momentum and angular momentum of the gravitational field arise from the integral form of the constraint equations of the theory. In particular, the gravitational energy-momentum is given by the integral of scalar densities over a three-dimensional spacelike hypersurface. The definition for the gravitational energy is investigated in the context of the Kerr black hole. In the evaluation of the energy contained within the external event horizon of the Kerr black hole, we obtain a value strikingly close to the irreducible mass of the latter. The gravitational angular momentum is evaluated for the gravitational field of a thin, slowly rotating mass shell. © 2002 The American Physical Society.

Productivity of beet and roquette cultivation as a function of time of establishing intercropping

With the aim of evaluating the effect of intercropping on the productivity of beet and roquette crops, a study was conducted in the Section of Vegetable and Aromatic-Medicinal Plants, FCAV-UNESP, Jaboticabal/SP. The treatments consisted of co-cultivations of roquette (Cultivada) and beets (Early Wonder) established at 0, 7, 14 and 21 days after the transplanting of beets, and as monocultures of beets and roquette. The experiments were delineated in a randomized block design. The productivity of beets in monoculture was not superior to that obtained with intercropping with roquette. The production of dry mass of roquette with intercropping was less than that with monoculture and the reduction was more marked with more delayed establishment of co-cultivation. Intercropping established at 0 and 7 days after the transplanting of beets was the most efficient, with indices of efficient use of land of 1.26 and 1.27, respectively.

Productivity of lettuce and radish cultivations as a function of spacing and of time of establishment of intercropping

The experiment was conducted at UNESP, Jaboticabal-SP, during the period of September to November of 2000, with the objective of evaluating the productivity of the cultivation of lettuce and radishes as a function of spacing between plants and of the time of establishment of intercropping. The experimental design was a completely randomized blocks and four replications. The 14 treatments consisted of combinations of spacing between lines (0.30 and 0.40 m), cultivation systems (intercropping and monoculture), and time of sowing of radish seeds to establish intercropping (0, 7 and 14 days after transplant of lettuce). The cultivars of lettuce and radish were, 'Tainá' and 'Crimson Gigante', respectively. A greater yield of commercial radish roots was obtained with intercropping cultivation. The fresh mass of lettuce in monoculture did not differ from that produced with intercropping. These results suggest that intercropping cultivation between these species is advantageous.

Effects of protecting broccoli plants with nonwoven polypropyleno

This investigation was conducted between June and September, in an experimental area, whose coordinates are latitude 21°15'22 south and longitude 48°18'58 east, situated at a mean altitude of 575 m. The soil of the area is classified as Red Latossolo (Commission of Soils, 1960), Haplorthox soil. The effects of two cultivation systems: protection with nonwoven polypropyleno and in an open field, on broccoli cultivars 'Baron', 'Shigimori', 'Pinacco' were evaluated. The experiments were a randomized block experimental design, using a factorial arrangement of 3 (cultivars) x 2 (cultivation systems), with four replicates. The characteristics evaluated were precociousness, longitudinal and transverse diameters of broccoli heads, fresh mass of broccoli heads and number of leaves per plant. The 'Baron' cultivar was more precocious, having its harvest at 86 days after transplanting in both cultivation systems. 'Baron', despite being more precocious, had inferior results in relation to the other cultivars. The open field cultivation system was optimum for cultivars 'Shigimori' and 'Pinacco'.

Treatment of developmental defect of upper lip with carbon dioxide laser radiation (CO2): First surgical time

With the exception of the cleft lip, developmental defects (DD) of the lip are rare. The upper lip originates from the ectomesenchyme and is formed by the merging of the nasal medial and lateral processes with the maxillary process. Disturbances during this formation period can cause DD with functional and/or esthetic repercussions. We present a case of DD of the upper lip in a patient with a history of progressive growth of the left lateral portion of the upper lip that occurred from the time of birth until the age of 22 years. Clinical examination revealed hypertrophy of the area from the left philtral columns to the left commissure of the lip, extending the portion of the surface mucosa creating a flaccid and asymptomatic tissue mass. All other buccal structures appeared to be within normal limits and without any evidence of defects or deformities. In the surgical planning we decided to carry out corrective surgery in two phases. The first phase accomplished a conservative excision of the total abnormal labial tissue mass with a CO2 laser radiation (5 W in continuous mode, bunch diameter φ = 0.6 mm with a power density of 768 W/cm2 and fluency of 0.231 J/cm2) being careful to preserve the vermilion portion of the lip. Postsurgical clinical evaluations were done every three days until the skin sutures were removed and then every seven days until two months post surgery. While the entire mass of excessive tissue could not be completely removed, the removal of the excessive mucosal tissue produced a very good outcome relative to lip function, with a good esthetic result without scarring, and good tissue mobility. The results showed that the CO2 laser is an extremely useful instrument that can provide excellent control of the surgical field and allow for healing that produces excellent functional and esthetic results. © 2005 Taylor & Francis.

Measurement of the tt̄ production cross section in pp̄ collisions at √s = 1.96 TeV in dilepton final states

We present a measurement of the top quark pair (tt̄) production cross section in pp̄ collisions at √s=1.96 TeV using events with two charged leptons in the final state. This analysis utilizes an integrated luminosity of 224-243 pb-1 collected with the DØ detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. We observe 13 events in the e+e -, eμ and μ+μ- channels with an expected background of 3.2±0.7 events. For a top quark mass of 175 GeV, we measure a tt̄ production cross section of σtt̄=8. 6-2.7 +3.2(stat)±1.1(syst)±0.6(lumi) pb, consistent with the standard model prediction. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Morphometric study of the postnatal growth of the parotid gland of the mouse

The growth of the mouse parotid glands during 7 and 35 days of postnatal life was studied by morphometric methods. The mass of the gland, the volume of each morphological compartment, and the cell number in each compartment were evaluated. The data obtained for each evaluated dimension were adjusted by an exponential equation, of the type Y = a.e KX, thus permitting the calculation of their mean duplication time (T D), i.e., an estimation of their growth rate. Analysis of the results showed a marked 1,424% increase in the gland mass during the whole studied period, with T D = 7.10 days. This growth occurred by increases in absolute volume of acini, intercalated ducts, striated ducts, excretory ducts and stroma, with percentual increases of 3,048%, 417%, 2,662%, 2,594% and 367%, respectively, and T Ds of 5.62, 11.71, 5.55, 5.47 and 14.45 days, respectively. Analysis of the cell number growth in each compartment showed increases of 1,904%, 285%, 1,228%, 1,090% and 286%, respectively, and T Ds of 6.62, 20.40, 7.19, 7.26 and 14.51 days, respectively. Based on the present results, we concluded that the growth of the mouse parotid glands from day 7 to day 35 of age occurred by intense cell accumulation, mainly in the acini, striated ducts and excretory ducts, with a growth rate sensibly higher than that of the intercalated ducts and stroma.

Biological aspects of Amblyomma brasiliense (Acari: Ixodidae) under laboratory conditions

Although Amblyomma brasiliense Aragão 1908 has been reported as one of the most aggressive ticks to humans in Brazil, information about the biology of this tick species is virtually inexistent. This work reports data on the life cycle of A. brasiliense fed on rabbits and pigs and maintained in an incubator at 20°C, 90% RH and 12 h of light for off-host development. Tick yield of adult females fed on pigs and rabbits was 81.2% and 58.3%, respectively. Females fed on pigs had mean engorgement weight of 862.3 mg and egg mass of 208 mg, while females fed on rabbits had mean engorgement weight of 606.1 mg and egg mass of 160 mg; these values did not differ statistically between host species. Feeding period of female ticks fed on pigs (10 days) was significantly shorter than that on rabbits (17 days). Mean preoviposition period was slightly longer (35.9 days) for ticks fed on pigs than on rabbits (30 days). The minimum incubation period of eggs of ticks from both host species was similar and over 100 days. Egg production efficiency was low for females fed on both hosts (less than 30% and 20% for ticks from pigs and rabbits, respectively). More than 55% of larvae and 79% of nymphs fed on rabbits, set free inside the feeding chambers, engorged successfully. These ticks attained an engorgement weight of 1.3 and 18.2 mg, respectively, and fed for approximately 5 days. The minimum pre-molt period was 30 days for engorged larvae and over 44 days for nymphs. Molting success was low, less than 50% in the case of larvae and less than 20% for nymphs. Further studies are required to better determine the off-host requirements of this tick species. © 2008 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

Physiological maturity of Cnidosculus quercifolius Pax & K. Hoffm. seeds

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

Search for Randall-Sundrum gravitons with 1 fb(-1) of data from p(p)over-bar collisions at root s=1.96 TeV

We search for decays of Kaluza-Klein excitations of the graviton in the Randall-Sundrum model of extra dimensions to e+e- and in 1 fb-1 of pp collisions at s=1.96 TeV collected by the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron. We set 95% confidence level upper limits on the production cross section times branching fraction, which translate into lower limits on the mass of the lightest excitation between 300 and 900 GeV for values of the coupling k/M Pl between 0.01 and 0.1. © 2008 The American Physical Society.

A structure excited by a DC motor of limited power supply and controlled by a pendulum like device

In this paper, a mathematical model is derived via Lagrange's Equation for a shear building structure that acts as a foundation of a non-ideal direct current electric motor, controlled by a mass loose inside a circular carving. Non-ideal sources of vibrations of structures are those whose characteristics are coupled to the motion of the structure, not being a function of time only as in the ideal case. Thus, in this case, an additional equation of motion is written, related to the motor rotation, coupled to the equation describing the horizontal motion of the shear building. This kind of problem can lead to the so-called Sommerfeld effect: steady state frequencies of the motor will usually increase as more power (voltage) is given to it in a step-by-step fashion. When a resonance condition with the structure is reached, the better part of this energy is consumed to generate large amplitude vibrations of the foundation without sensible change of the motor frequency as before. If additional increase steps in voltage are made, one may reach a situation where the rotor will jump to higher rotation regimes, no steady states being stable in between. As a device of passive control of both large amplitude vibrations and the Sommerfeld effect, a scheme is proposed using a point mass free to bounce back and forth inside a circular carving in the suspended mass of the structure. Numerical simulations of the model are also presented Copyright © 2007 by ASME.

Observation of the Bc meson in the exclusive decay Bc→J/ψπ

A fully reconstructed Bc→J/ψπ signal is observed with the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron pp̄ collider using 1.3fb-1 of integrated luminosity. The signal consists of 54±12 candidates with a significance that exceeds 5 standard deviations, and confirms earlier observations of this decay. The measured mass of the Bc meson is 6300±14(stat)±5(syst) MeV/c2. © 2008 The American Physical Society.

Modulation of the pharmacological effects of enzymatically-active PLA 2 by BTL-2, an isolectin isolated from the Bryothamnion triquetrum red alga

Background. An interaction between lectins from marine algae and PLA 2 from rattlesnake was suggested some years ago. We, herein, studied the effects elicited by a small isolectin (BTL-2), isolated from Bryothamnion triquetrum, on the pharmacological and biological activities of a PLA 2 isolated from rattlesnake venom (Crotalus durissus cascavella), to better understand the enzymatic and pharmacological mechanisms of the PLA 2 and its complex. Results. This PLA2 consisted of 122 amino acids (approximate molecular mass of 14 kDa), its pI was estimated to be 8.3, and its amino acid sequence shared a high degree of similarity with that of other neurotoxic and enzymatically-active PLA2s. BTL-2 had a molecular mass estimated in approximately 9 kDa and was characterized as a basic protein. In addition, BTL-2 did not exhibit any enzymatic activity. The PLA2 and BTL-2 formed a stable heterodimer with a molecular mass of approximately 24-26 kDa, estimated by molecular exclusion HPLC. In the presence of BTL-2, we observed a significant increase in PLA2 activity, 23% higher than that of PLA2 alone. BTL-2 demonstrated an inhibition of 98% in the growth of the Gram-positive bacterial strain, Clavibacter michiganensis michiganensis (Cmm), but only 9.8% inhibition of the Gram-negative bacterial strain, Xanthomonas axonopodis pv passiflorae (Xap). PLA2 decreased bacterial growth by 27.3% and 98.5% for Xap and Cmm, respectively, while incubating these two proteins with PLA2-BTL-2 inhibited their growths by 36.2% for Xap and 98.5% for Cmm. PLA2 significantly induced platelet aggregation in washed platelets, whereas BTL-2 did not induce significant platelet aggregation in any assay. However, BTL-2 significantly inhibited platelet aggregation induced by PLA2. In addition, PLA 2 exhibited strong oedematogenic activity, which was decreased in the presence of BTL-2. BTL-2 alone did not induce oedema and did not decrease or abolish the oedema induced by the 48/80 compound. Conclusion. The unexpected results observed for the PLA2-BTL-2 complex strongly suggest that the pharmacological activity of this PLA2 is not solely dependent on the presence of enzymatic activity, and that other pharmacological regions may also be involved. In addition, we describe for the first time an interaction between two different molecules, which form a stable complex with significant changes in their original biological action. This opens new possibilities for understanding the function and action of crude venom, an extremely complex mixture of different molecules. © 2008 Oliveira et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.