Effects of female diet and age on offspring sex ratio of the solitary parasitoid Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae (Rondani) (Hymenoptera, Pteromalidae)

Effects of female diet and age on offspring sex ratio of the solitary parasitoid Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae (Rondani) (Hymenoptera, Pteromalidae). Theories predict that females of parasitoid wasps would adjust the offspring sex ratio to environmental conditions in the oviposition patch, but the diet and age of females would also affect the sex ratio adjustment. Our focus was to test the effects of female diet and age on offspring sex ratio of the solitary parasitoid wasp, Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae (Rondani, 1875). Our results showed that females fed with honey had significantly less female biased offspring sex ratio than those fed only with water. Offspring sex ratio (male percentage) decreased with female age or female longevity at the beginning of oviposition but increased at the end. There should be a sperm limitation in P. vindemmiae females at the end of oviposition, and a higher frequency of unfertilized eggs were laid then. Females also laid more unfertilized eggs at the beginning of oviposition, which would be necessary to insure the mating among offspring. Male offspring developed faster and emerged earlier, which would also reduce the risk of virginity in offspring with female-biased sex ratio.

Rearing the southern green stink bug using an artificial dry diet and an artificial plant

Laboratory and greenhouse studies were conducted with an artificial dry diet to rear nymphs, and with an artificial plant as substrate for egg laying by the southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula (L.). The artificial diet was composed of: soybean protein (15 g); potato starch (7.5 g); dextrose (7.5 g); sucrose (2.5 g); cellulose (12.5 g); vitamin mixture (niacinamide 1 g, calcium pantothenate 1 g, thiamine 0.25 g, riboflavin 0.5 g, pyridoxine 0.25 g, folic acid 0.25 g, biotin 0.02 mL, vitamin B12 1 g - added to 1,000 mL of distilled water) (5.0 mL); soybean oil (20 mL); wheat germ (17.9 g); and water (30 mL). Nymphs showed normal feeding behavior when fed on the artificial diet. Nymphal development time was longer than or similar to that of nymphs fed on soybean pods. Total nymphal mortality was low (ca. 30%), both for nymphs reared on the artificial diet, and for nymphs fed on soybean pods. At adult emergence, fresh body weights were significantly (P<0.01) less on the artificial diet than on soybean pods. Despite the lower adult survivorship and fecundity on artificial plants than on soybean plants, it was demonstrated for the first time that a model simulating a natural plant, can be used as a substrate for egg mass laying, in conjunction with the artificial diet.

Biology and morphometrics of the immature stages of Epinotia aporema on artificial diet

The objective of this work was to establish a life table for the immature stages of Epinotia aporema, as part of a wider investigation on its biological control. Insects were reared on an artificial diet at 25±1ºC and a 16:8 (light:dark) hour photoperiod. For the identification of larval instars for the study of pathogen-insect interactions under laboratory conditions, head capsule widths (HCWs) were also determined. The egg incubation period was 4.13±0.30 days, larval stage took 11.64±0.49 days, and the development time of the pupal phase was sex-dependent with 8.51±0.69 days for the females and 9.41±0.65 days for the males. Five larval instars were identified.

Reproductive performance of Santa Inês ewes fed protected fat diet

The objective of this work was to evaluate the reproductive performance of Santa Inês ewes fed a diet supplemented with protected fat. Intervals from lambing to first clinical estrus and to conception, conception rate, prolificacy, live weight and body condition were determined. After lambing, 60 ewes and their offsprings were weighted and randomly assigned to three treatments, based on age, body weight and number of born lambs. Treatments consisted of: control diet, or control diet plus 30 g of protected fat, from lambing to day 25 of post-lambing (Sup25), or to day 60 of post-lambing (Sup60). Out of 60 evaluated ewes, 93.3% returned to estrus, and 74.5% got pregnant, with 73.53% lambing rate and 196.5 days lambing interval. The average periods from lambing to first estrus were 32.4, 27.2 and 35.5 days for ewes fed the control diet, Sup25, and Sup60, respectively. The intervals from lambing to conception were 45.2, 46.5 and 45.2 days, and the supplemented diets did not show differences in comparison to the control diet. Supplementation with protected fat to well-nourished Santa Inês ewes does not improve their reproductive performance.

Comparative demography of the exotic Harmonia axyridis with other aphidophagous coccinellids reared on artificial diet

The objective of this work was to compare biological aspects and life table parameters of the coccinellids Harmonia axyridis, Cycloneda sanguineaand Hippodamia convergens. Insects were fed eggs of Anagasta kuehniella, and reared at 24.5±1ºC, 70±10% relative humidity, with a 12 hour photophase. Hippodamia convergenstook about 1.6 day to complete development, longer than H. axyridis, and 2.4 day longer than C. sanguinea.At immature stages, H. axyridisexhibited the highest survival percentage (49.2%), in comparison to the other coccinellids. For mean adult longevity, H. convergenswas deficient, in comparison with the other species. Mean period of pre oviposition was the longest in C. sanguinea; the longest oviposition time occurred for H. axyridis; and the post oviposition period was similar between the coccinellids. Considering the reproductive parameters, H. axyridisshowed the best performance in all aspects. For life table, the values of H. convergenswere higher than, although close, to those of H. axyridis. Nevertheless, the high net reproductive rate of H. axyridis showed this species potential to increase population size. The biological characteristics of the exotic H. axyridis favors its invasion and establishment in Brazil, corroborating results noticed in other countries.

Fish oil replacement by soybean oil in the diet of fat snook juveniles

The objective of this work was to evaluate fish oil replacement by soybean oil in diets, as for the effects on the performance and body composition of juveniles of fat snook (Centropomus parallelus). The experiment was carried out in a randomized block design, with three treatments (lipid sources) and six replicates, in a 60-day period. Fat snook juveniles (24.17±0.28g) were distributed in 18 experimental tanks of 200 L each, equipped with aeration and heating systems, under continuous water renovation (800% per day). Three isoproteic (44% CP) and isoenergetic (4,635 kcal CE kg-1) diets were formulated to comprise three replacement rates (0, 50, and 100%) of fish oil by soybean oil. Biometric analyses were done to evaluate fish performance, and two entire specimens from each replicate were used for body composition analyses. The zootechnical indices of weight gain (38.68±5.41 g), feed conversion (1.38±0.10), and specific growth at 1.70±0.18% weight gain per day were considered satisfactory. Lipid source substitution does not affect the performance and body composition of fat snook juveniles, which suggests that soybean oil can replace fish oil in diet formulation.

Common snook fed in alternate and continuous regimens with diet supplemented with Bacillus subtilis probiotic

The objective of this work was to evaluate the addition of Bacillus subtilis probiotic to the feed of common snook (Centropomus undecimalis) fingerlings, in alternate and continuous regimens. Six hundred and sixty fish, with average length of 5.90±0.88 cm and weight of 1.92±0.28 g, were stocked in 12 cages of 1.0 m3, with 55 fish each. The experimental design was completely randomized, with three treatments and four replicates. The treatments consisted of diet with the addition of probiotic, provided in alternate regimen for 7 days and in continuous regimen; besides a control without probiotic in the feed. Zootechnical performance, body composition, immune response, and blood parameters were evaluated. No significant differences were observed in zootechnical performance indexes and in body composition of fish treated with probiotic, when compared to the control. Fish from the alternate regimen showed an increment in respiratory burst and a lower total erythrocyte count than fish from the continuous regimen and the control. Fish from the continuous regimen did not differ from those of the control. The addition of Bacillus subtilis does not increase growth rates of common snook fingerlings; however, it has an immunostimulant action when supplied in alternate regimen.

PROTETOR SOLAR DIMINUI A INCIDÊNCIA DAS PODRIDÕES ‘OLHO-D-BOI’ E ‘BRANCA’ EM MAÇÃS ‘FUJI STANDARD’ E ‘PINK LADY’

RESUMO A podridão-olho-de-boi (Cryptosporiosis perennans) e a podridão-branca (Botryosphaeria dothidea) estão entre as principais doenças de verão da macieira no Brasil. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de uma película protetora constituída de cera de carnaúba e argilas (Raynox® ), nas doses de 2,5 e 5,0%, na infecção por C. perennans e por B. dothidea em maçãs das cultivares Fuji Standard e Pink Lady. As macieiras foram pulverizadas cinco vezes de dezembro de 2007 a março de 2008, conforme previsão de condições adequadas para ocorrência dos danos e crescimento dos frutos. Na colheita, as maçãs foram inoculadas com os dois patógenos e avaliadas quanto à incidência das podridões. Indiferente à dose, o uso de Raynox® reduziu a incidência da podridão-branca e da podridão-olho-de-boi em 67% e 42% na ‘Fuji Standard’, e 43% e 42% na ‘Pink Lady’, respectivamente. O incremento da dose aumentou a eficiência do produto para o controle da podridão-olho-de-boi. Na dose de 2,5%, o controle da podridão-olho-de-boi foi de 19% e 20%, respectivamente, em maçãs ‘Fuji Standard’ e ‘Pink Lady’, enquanto para as mesmas cultivares, mas com a dose de 5,0%, estes valores foram de 65% e 63%. Mais estudos são necessários para o ajuste de dose e critérios de aplicação para que o protetor solar possa ser recomendado.

Internal standard versus external standard calibration: an uncertainty case study of a liquid chromatography analysis

Traditionally, in the cigarettes industry, the determination of ammonium ion in the mainstream smoke is performed by ion chromatography. This work studies this determination and compares the results of this technique with the use of external and internal standard calibration. A reference cigarette sample presented measurement uncertainty of 2.0 μg/cigarette and 1.5 μg/cigarette, with external and internal standard, respectively. It is observed that the greatest source of uncertainty is the bias correction factor and that it is even more significant when using external standard, confirming thus the importance of internal standardization for this correction.

Straightforward synthesis of 2,2,4,4,5,7,7-d7-cholestane: a new deuterated standard in petroleum analysis

A short and efficient synthesis of heptadeuterated 2,2,4,4,5,7,7-d7-cholestane (1) from cholesterol (3) is described. The deuterated material will be useful for the analysis of different sources of petroleum in analytical geochemistry laboratories as internal standard for quantification of steranes via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).

Flow-batch analyser for preparation of calibration standard mixtures in simultaneous multicomponent spectrometric analysis

The application of multivariate calibration techniques to multicomponent analysis by UV-VIS molecular absorption spectrometry is a powerful tool for simultaneous determination of several chemical species. However, when this methodology is accomplished manually, it is slow and laborious, consumes high amounts of reagents and samples, is susceptible to contaminations and presents a high operational cost. To overcome these drawbacks, a flow-batch analyser is proposed in this work. This analyser was developed for automatic preparation of standard calibration and test (or validation) mixtures. It was applied to the simultaneous determination of Cu2+, Mn2+ and Zn2+ in polyvitaminic and polymineral pharmaceutical formulations, using 4-(2-piridilazo) resorcinol as reagent and a UV-VIS spectrophotometer with a photodiode array detector. The results obtained with the proposed system are in good agreement with those obtained by flame atomic absorption spectrometry, which was employed as reference method. With the proposed analyser, the preparation of calibration and test mixtures can be accomplished about four hours, while the manual procedure requires at least two days. Moreover, it consumes smaller amounts of reagents and samples than the manual procedure. After the preparation of calibration and test mixtures, 60 samples h-1 can be carried out with the proposed flow-batch analyser.

Comparison of Potassium and Sodium Content in Diet and Non-Diet Soft Drinks by Using Capillary Electrophoresis with Capacitively Coupled Contactless Conductivity Detection

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection (C4D) was used for determination of sodium and potassium concentrations in diet and non-diet soft drinks. Higher sodium concentrations were found in the diet samples due to the utilization of sodium salts of cyclamate and saccharine as sweeteners. The CE-C4D method can be used by food industries and health regulatory agencies for monitoring sodium and potassium content, not only in soft drink but in many others food products.

Estimation of standard enthalpy of formation of alkanes in gaseous state by calculating size, structural and electronic parameters in the molecules

A quantitative analysis is made on the correlation ship of thermodynamic property, i.e., standard enthalpy of formation (ΔH fº) with Kier's molecular connectivity index(¹Xv),vander waal's volume (Vw) electrotopological state index (E) and refractotopological state index (R) in gaseous state of alkanes. The regression analysis reveals a significant linear correlation of standard enthalpy of formation (ΔH fº) with ¹Xv, Vw, E and R. The equations obtained by regression analysis may be used to estimate standard enthalpy of formation (ΔH fº) of alkanes in gaseous state.

Mathematical analysis of maximum power generated by photovoltaic systems and fitting curves for standard test conditions

The rural electrification is characterized by geographical dispersion of the population, low consumption, high investment by consumers and high cost. Moreover, solar radiation constitutes an inexhaustible source of energy and in its conversion into electricity photovoltaic panels are used. In this study, equations were adjusted to field conditions presented by the manufacturer for current and power of small photovoltaic systems. The mathematical analysis was performed on the photovoltaic rural system I-100 from ISOFOTON, with power 300 Wp, located at the Experimental Farm Lageado of FCA/UNESP. For the development of such equations, the circuitry of photovoltaic cells has been studied to apply iterative numerical methods for the determination of electrical parameters and possible errors in the appropriate equations in the literature to reality. Therefore, a simulation of a photovoltaic panel was proposed through mathematical equations that were adjusted according to the data of local radiation. The results have presented equations that provide real answers to the user and may assist in the design of these systems, once calculated that the maximum power limit ensures a supply of energy generated. This real sizing helps establishing the possible applications of solar energy to the rural producer and informing the real possibilities of generating electricity from the sun.

Estudo da linfadenectomia radical comparada à linfadenectomia standard no tratamento cirúrgico do adenocarcinoma da papila de Vater

OBJETIVO: avaliar a morbidade e a mortalidade cirúrgica em pacientes submetidos a gastroduodenopancreatectomia (GDP) com linfadenectomia padrão e radical para adenocarcinoma de papila, analisando os fatores prognósticos com relação à sobrevida global e livre de doença. MÉTODOS: foram analisados retrospectivamente no período de 1999 a 2007, no Serviço de Cirurgia Abdômino-Pélvica do INCa-RJ, 50 casos de GDP para adenocarcinoma da papila duodenal divididos em dois grupos de acordo com a linfadenectomia (grupo A: linfadenectomia padrão e grupo B: linfadenectomia radical). RESULTADOS: A mediana de idade foi semelhante nos dois grupos, assim como a distribuição entre os sexos. Na comparação entre as linfadenectomias somente o número de linfonodos ressecados (grupo A: 12,3 e grupo B: 26,5) e o tempo operatório (grupo A: 421 e grupo B: 474) foram significativamente diferentes. Não ocorreram diferenças estatisticamente significativas nos dois grupos com relação a morbi-mortalidade operatória e tempo de internação. A sobrevida livre de doença (grupo A: 35 meses e grupo B: 51 meses) e sobrevida global (grupo A: 38 meses e grupo B: 53 meses) foi maior no grupo da linfadenectomia radical, porém não foram significantes estatisticamente. CONCLUSÃO: no presente estudo não ocorreram casos de linfonodos metastáticos para outros grupos nodais sem o acometimento linfonodal das cadeias pancreato-duodenais (13 e 17), sugerindo um padrão de disseminação linfonodal. Apesar da linfadenectomia radical apresentar taxas de sobrevida livre de doença e sobrevida global maiores esses dados não foram significativos estatisticamente. Novos estudos devem ser realizados para avaliar o real papel da linfadenectomia radical no adenocarcinoma da papila duodenal.