Quantitative structure-retention relationships analysis of retention index of essential oils

Genetic algorithm and multiple linear regression (GA-MLR), partial least square (GA-PLS), kernel PLS (GA-KPLS) and Levenberg-Marquardt artificial neural network (L-M ANN) techniques were used to investigate the correlation between retention index (RI) and descriptors for 116 diverse compounds in essential oils of six Stachys species. The correlation coefficient LGO-CV (Q²) between experimental and predicted RI for test set by GA-MLR, GA-PLS, GA-KPLS and L-M ANN was 0.886, 0.912, 0.937 and 0.964, respectively. This is the first research on the QSRR of the essential oil compounds against the RI using the GA-KPLS and L-M ANN.

PREDICTING THE BOILING POINT OF PCDD/Fs BY THE QSPR METHOD BASED ON THE MOLECULAR DISTANCE-EDGE VECTOR INDEX

The quantitative structure property relationship (QSPR) for the boiling point (Tb) of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) was investigated. The molecular distance-edge vector (MDEV) index was used as the structural descriptor. The quantitative relationship between the MDEV index and Tb was modeled by using multivariate linear regression (MLR) and artificial neural network (ANN), respectively. Leave-one-out cross validation and external validation were carried out to assess the prediction performance of the models developed. For the MLR method, the prediction root mean square relative error (RMSRE) of leave-one-out cross validation and external validation was 1.77 and 1.23, respectively. For the ANN method, the prediction RMSRE of leave-one-out cross validation and external validation was 1.65 and 1.16, respectively. A quantitative relationship between the MDEV index and Tb of PCDD/Fs was demonstrated. Both MLR and ANN are practicable for modeling this relationship. The MLR model and ANN model developed can be used to predict the Tb of PCDD/Fs. Thus, the Tb of each PCDD/F was predicted by the developed models.

Effect of Fusarium graminearum and infection index on germination and vigor of maize seeds

Pathogens in maize (Zea mays) seeds cause serious problems, such as the loss of their capacity to germinative. The objectives of this study were to identify the optimal period for infection of maize seeds on agar colonized by Fusarium graminearum, when incubated for 4, 8, 16 and 32 h, and to evaluate the effect of the fungus on the germination and vigor of seeds with different infection levels. After the respective incubation periods, the seeds were removed from the culture medium and submitted to the blotter test for 3 min with and without superficial disinfection with 1% solution of sodium hypochlorite. Once the optimal period for seed incubation was identified, seeds from the same sample were again placed on the colonized agar for infection. Germination and vigor tests (accelerated aging and cold test) were performed with a mixture of healthy seeds (placed on PDA medium) and inoculated seeds, resulting in seeds with 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100% rates of infection. The results showed that a period of 32 h was long enough to obtain seeds infected by the pathogen. There were no significant effects of fungal infection on seed germination at any of the infection levels, probably due to the high vigor of the maize seed lot tested. Regarding vigor tests, infection levels differed significantly from the control (0% infection), but there were no significant differences among the infection levels.

Riparian vegetation affected by bank erosion in the Lower São Francisco River, Northeastern Brazil

Changes in the hydrological regime of the Lower São Francisco River, located in Northeastern Brazil have brought negative environmental impacts, jeopardizing the flora and fauna of a global biodiversity hotspot, due to implementation of hydroelectric power dams and surface water withdrawal for irrigation in public and private perimeters. Remnants of the riparian stratum associated to the riverbank destabilization in six fragments were studied by surveying trees, shrubs, herbs, and aquatic species. The calculation of the Factor of Safety (FS) was performed in order to understand the riverbank's stability related to soil texture and vegetation cover. An overall number of 51 botanic families distributed in 71 genera and 79 species were recorded, predominantly from the families Mimosaceae, Myrtaceae, and Fabaceae. The fragmented riparian vegetation is mostly covered by secondary species under a strong anthropogenic impact such as deforestation, mining and irrigation, with an advanced erosion process in the river margins. Strong species that withstand the waves present in the river flow are needed to reduce the constant landslides that are mainly responsible for the river sedimentation and loss of productive lands. A lack of preservation attitude among the local landholders was identified, and constitutes a continuing threat to the riparian ecosystem biodiversity.

Canopy openness and lai estimates in two seasonally deciduous forests on limestone outcrops in central Brazil using hemispherical photographs

Patches of seasonally dry tropical forests occur on limestone outcrops in Central Brazil surrounded by the dominant savanna vegetation. They contain valuable timber species but are threatened by farming and mining activities. The objective of this study was to describe canopy opening and light relations in two seasonally deciduous dry forests on slopes and limestone outcrops, in the Paranã valley at the northeastern region of the Goiás state, Brazil. The studied forests were in the Fazenda Sabonete in Iaciara-Go and Fazenda Forquilha in Guarani-GO. Woody plants were sampled in 25 (20 x 20 m) plots in each forest. In the Sabonete forest 40 species, 705 ind./ha-1 with a basal area of 15.78 m²/ha-1 were found, while in Forquilha there were 55 species, 956 ind./ha-1 with a basal area of 24.76 m²/ha-1. Using hemispherical photographic techniques, 25 black and white photographs were taken at each site, during the dry season, totaling 50 photographs. These were taken at the beginning of each vegetation-sampling plot. The photographs were scanned in grey tones and saved as 'Bitmap'. The canopy opening and leaf area index (LAI) were calculated using the software Winphot. The mean canopy opening was 54.0% (±9.36) for Fazenda Sabonete and 64.6% (±11.8) in Fazenda Forquilha, with both sites presenting significant differences in the opening estimates (P < 0.05). Their floristic richness and structure also differed with the more open canopy forest, Forquilha, being richer and denser, suggesting the need for further studies on species-environment relationships in these forests.

Secondary seed dispersal of Ricinus communis Linnaeus (Euphorbiaceae) by ants in secondary growth vegetation in Minas Gerais

In this study, I tested the efficacy of ants as secondary seed dispersers of Ricinus communis in southeastern Brazil. In a natural population of 143 individuals, I determined the ballistic dispersal distance for 62 seeds and 100 additional seeds were experimentally offered to ants in groups of ten seeds along a transect of 50 m. Fifty-three seeds were removed by ants, mainly by the leafcutter Atta sexdens (90.4%). The dispersal distance by ants was high, compared to the global average (4.38 m ± 0.74 m vs. 0.96 m), but was lower than the ballistic distance (7.27 m ± 0.13 m). Ants increased the total dispersal distance (8.66 m ± 0.60 m), but the main benefit for the plant was the directed dispersal, with seed deposition on the enriched soil of ant nests.

POPULATION STRUCTURE AND SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF Bauhinia cheilantha (Bong.) Steud. IN TWO FRAGMENTS AT DIFFERENT REGENERATION STAGES IN THE CAATINGA, IN SERGIPE, BRAZIL

ABSTRACTThis study aimed to analyze the vertical and diameter structure and the spatial distribution pattern of Bauhinia cheilantha in two Caatinga fragments in Sergipe, Brazil, at different regeneration stages. Thirty plots were demarcated in area I (Canindé de São Francisco and Poço Redondo), which has vegetation regeneration, and 25 plots in area II (Porto da Folha) with preserved vegetation, both having 400 m2. All B. cheilanthaindividuals had their height and circumference (circumference at breast height > 6 cm) measured. Possible differences in height and diameter at breast height were tested in the two populations by using Student’s T-test. The distribution pattern of species was calculated through Payandeh’s index. We sampled 154 B. cheilantha individuals, equivalent to 33.3% of the plots in area I and in 1,027 individuals in area II, totaling 100% frequency. Height and the diameter of the two populations were statistically different, where AI achieved all values lower than AII. The spatial distribution pattern of B. cheilantha found in both areas was aggregate, with values of 11.85 and 9.00, respectively. Thus, it became clear that the population in AII is at a more advanced successional status than AI, due to its longer conservation time.

DYNAMICS OF LEAF FALL FROM RIPARIAN VEGETATION AND THE ACCUMULATION IN BENTHIC STOCK IN NEOTROPICAL STREAMS1

ABSTRACT Considering the importance of the riparian vegetation leaves as an energetic source to first order streams, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the leaf biomass contribution to the system and its temporal dynamics. With this purpose, monthly samples from July 2008 to June 2009 were collected using four sampling devices installed in three streams, in order to collect the vertical, lateral and terrestrial loads, and the benthic stock. We tested the following hypothesis: (1) leaf biomass input is higher after hydric stress periods; and (2) benthic stock biomass increase with higher loads from vertical and lateral entrances. Leaves represented 71.9% (on average) of all sampled allochthonous matter, with seasonal significant variation along the studied year. Peaks of leaf input were registered in September-October, after an increase in rainfall, and also in January, after a decrease in rainfall. Leaf input was higher in the lateral load.

NATURAL REGENERATION STRATUM AS AN INDICATOR OF RESTORATION IN AREA OF ENVIRONMENTAL COMPENSATION FOR MINING LIMESTONE, MUNICIPALITY OF BARROSO, MG, BRAZIL

ABSTRACT This study was conducted in a forest under restoration process, which belongs to the company Holcim Brasil S/A, in the municipality of Barroso, state of Minas Gerais (21º00'to 22º00'S and 43º00' to 44º00'W), where 40 plots (2 x 2 m) were set, spaced at 10 m, forming eight strata parallel to the watercourse present in the area. Floristic composition and natural regeneration stratum were characterized, and the formed strata allowed evaluating whether the riparian vegetation and watercourse influence on the local regeneration. It was found 162 individuals of 13 families, 18 genera and 22 species, and 10,125 individuals/ha were estimated. Successional classes from pioneer and early secondary and zoochory dispersion syndrome prevailed among species and individuals. The watercourse and riparian vegetation did not exercise significant influence (p> 0.05) on the number of species and regenerating individuals among the different strata of the forest. The diversity index of Shannon-Wiener (H') and equability of Pielou (J') were 2.691 and 0.870, respectively. The species Psidium guajava and Myrtaceae families presented the highest VI (value of importance). Natural regeneration analysis showed the low floristic diversity in the area, suggesting that corrective management actions should be adopted.

Spatial variability of air dry bulb temperature and black globe humidity index in a broiler house during the heating phase

The air dry-bulb temperature (t db),as well as the black globe humidity index (BGHI), exert great influence on the development of broiler chickens during their heating phase. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the structure and the magnitude of the t db and BGHI spatial variability, using geostatistics tools such as semivariogram analysis and also producing kriging maps. The experiment was conducted in the west mesoregion of the states of Minas Gerais in 2010, in a commercial broiler house with heating system consisting of two furnaces that heat the air indirectly, in the firsts 14 days of the birds' life. The data were registered at intervals of five minutes in the period from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. The variables were evaluated by variograms fitted by residual maximum likelihood (REML) testing the Spherical and Exponential models. Kriging maps were generated based on the best model used to fit the variogram. It was possible to characterize the variability of the t db and BGHI, which allowed observing the spatial dependence by using geostatistics techniques. In addition, the use of geostatistics and distribution maps made possible to identify problems in the heating system in regions inside the broiler house that may harm the development of chicks.

Coverage mobilization by different no-tillage in-line handling mechanisms

Vegetation cover on soil acts positively in maintaining temperature and soil moisture, yet, it has been imposing specific operational conditions on seeders. The objective of this study was to evaluate performance of different mechanisms regarding straw mobilization, employed in a no-till seeder. The experimental area was conducted on clayey soil under no-tillage with a large quantity of sorghum residue. The experiment was established in a randomized block design, as the treatments consisted of a combination of two mechanisms at front of the furrow opener composed of cutting disc and row cleaners, and three mechanisms behind the seed furrower, covering discs prototype model M1, Spider and commercial model, with the combination of cutting disc and Spider model not being evaluated. We assessed the coverage permanence on soil index, vegetation mass on surface and inside the line. The treatment containing the row cleaner mechanism efficiently removed straw from the surface of sowing line as well as the return one acted on straw replacement. It was identified that use of the cutting disc at the front of seeder contributed to the increase of straw installation inside the line, three times more than in the row cleaner system when operating individually. Covering mechanism with row cleaners reduced straw inside the line and kept line covering similar to treatment of cutting disc operating alone.

Natural shading and productivity index of broiler chickens

The appropriate use of natural resources in the design of broiler houses provides a reduction in farming operating costs and optimization of production conditions. Therefore, the natural shading around the broiler house can be an alternative for improving internal conditions of comfort. This study verified the efficiency of natural shading in the broiler productivity index (PI) in East-West oriented commercial housings. The PI of 32 commercial broiler houses in five flocks divided throughout a year was compared. The sheds had the same management, density and the same structural features, except from tree shading: on the North face; on the South face; on both faces and without shading. It was observed that broiler house in East-West direction with shading on the South face had higher productivity index compared to houses with shading only on the North face or on both sides, between autumn and spring. For the summer period, sheds without shading showed productivity indexes superior to others.

SOFTWARE TO ASSESS BEEF CATTLE BODY MASS THROUGH THE FUZZY BODY MASS INDEX

ABSTRACT The Body Mass Index (BMI) can be used by farmers to help determine the time of evaluation of the body mass gain of the animal. However, the calculation of this index does not reveal immediately whether the animal is ready for slaughter or if it needs special care fattening. The aim of this study was to develop a software using the Fuzzy Logic to compare the bovine body mass among themselves and identify the groups for slaughter and those that requires more intensive feeding, using "mass" and "height" variables, and the output Fuzzy BMI. For the development of the software, it was used a fuzzy system with applications in a herd of 147 Nellore cows, located in a city of Santa Rita do Pardo city – Mato Grosso do Sul (MS) state, in Brazil, and a database generated by Matlab software.

Tradução para português, adaptação cultural e validação do Female Sexual Function Index

OBJETIVO: traduzir para o português, adaptar culturalmente e validar o questionário Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). MÉTODOS: dois tradutores brasileiros, cientes dos objetivos desta pesquisa, preparam duas versões do FSFI para o português, as quais foram retro-traduzidas por outros dois tradutores ingleses. As diferenças foram harmonizadas e pré-testadas em um estudo piloto. As versões finais do FSFI e de outro questionário, o Short-Form Health Survey, já vertido e publicado em português, foram simultaneamente administradas a cem pacientes. Foram testadas as propriedades psicométricas do FSFI, como confiabilidade (consistência interna e teste-reteste) e validades de construto. O reteste foi realizado após quatro semanas, a partir da primeira entrevista. RESULTADOS: o processo de adaptação cultural não alterou a versão em português do FSFI comparado ao original. O alfa de Cronbach padronizado do questionário foi 0,96; avaliado por domínios, variou de 0,31 a 0,97. Como medida de confiabilidade teste-reteste, foi aplicado o coeficiente de correlação intra-classes, que foi considerado forte e idêntico (1,0). O coeficiente de correlação de Pearson entre o FSFI e o Short-Form Health Survey foi positivo, mas fraco na maioria dos domínios afins, variando de 0,017 a 0,036. CONCLUSÕES: a versão do FSFI foi traduzida para o português e adaptada culturalmente e é válida para avaliação da resposta sexual das mulheres brasileiras.

Adaptação para o português de questionário de avaliação da informação científica em saúde na imprensa (Index of Scientific Quality)

OBJETIVO: Adaptação para a língua portuguesa e avaliação da aplicabilidade do questionário Index of Scientific Quality (ISQ) em textos sobre saúde da mulher, apresentados por revistas brasileiras. MÉTODOS: O estudo é de corte transversal. Foram coletados textos publicados entre agosto de 2005 e julho de 2006 nas principais revistas semanais: Veja, Época e Isto É. O questionário utilizado possui oito itens, que variam de um a cinco, e medem a aplicabilidade, o grau de opinião, a validade e o alcance da descoberta, precisão, coerência e consequência dos dados, além de um item global, que resume os outros itens. O ISQ foi traduzido, retrotraduzido e submetido à prova piloto até a versão definitiva, utilizada por dois médicos e dois jornalistas. Após a análise dos textos, foi verificada a consistência interna dos itens do questionário pelo coeficiente alfa de Cronbach e a concordância inter e intraobservador para cada item por meio do índice Kappa. RESULTADOS: A amostra conteve 80 textos. A consistência interna dos itens variou entre 0,81 e 0,96. A concordância interavaliadores foi de -0,03 a 0,48 e a intraobservador variou entre 0,27 e 0,34. (IC 95%). CONCLUSÃO: Os itens do questionário mensuraram de forma adequada a qualidade científica, porém a baixa concordância inter e intraobservadores indica a necessidade de novos estudos para se avaliar a versão brasileira do ISQ.