A morphometric study of the mud crab, Panopeus austrobesus Williams, 1983 (Decapoda, Brachyura) from a subtropical mangrove in South America

The relative growth of the xanthid crab, Panopeus austrobesus was investigated by means of the allometric method. Crabs were obtained in the mangrove formed by the estuary of the rivers Comprido and Escuro (23degrees29'24S 45degrees10'12W), Ubatuba, São Paulo State, Brazil. All crabs were measured to obtain their carapace width (CW) and length (CL), abdomen width (AW) at the basis of the 5(th) somite, and major cheliped propodus length (PL) and height (PH). Males were also measured for their gonopod length (GL). The size of crabs based on CW ranged from 4.0 to 44.8 mm for males and 3.1 to 34.5 mm for females. The relative growth equation (Y = aX(b)) based on the relationship between GL and CW suggested that males reach their sexual maturity near 14.6 mm CW. Such relationship shows a positive allometry during the juvenile phase and an isometric growth in adult life. In females, the estimated size at 50% maturity is 13.0 mm CW, based on the relationship AW vs. CW. Males reach larger sizes than females, which probably provides them better conditions to protect females during courtship. Concerning cheliped size, approximately 73% of the crabs analysed (N = 209), disregarding sex, have the right PL larger than the left. The PL growth shows that specimens with a left major cheliped (26%) have a higher allometric coefficient, despite being smaller considering their CW. Such a difference may compensate the smaller size of the crab during defense or prey capture.

Acute and subchronic exposure of diplopods to substrate containing sewage mud: Tissular responses of the midgut

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

Ultrastructural Alterations in the Midgut of Diplopods after Subchronic Exposure to Substrate Containing Sewage Mud

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

Caste Differences in Polybia emaciata, a Mud-Nesting Eusocial Wasp (Hymenoptera: Vespidae), that Bear on Pre-Imaginal Determination but not Size Differences

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

Compositional and structural changes at the anodic surface of thermally poled soda-lime float glass

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

Red Mud from Brazil: Thermal Behavior and Physical Properties

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

Fruit quality of 'Tahiti' lime (Citrus latifolia Tanak) grafted on twelve different rootstocks

No presente trabalho, avaliou-se a influência de doze porta-enxertos sobre a qualidade dos frutos da lima-ácida 'Tahiti' (Citrus latifolia Tanaka), clone 'IAC-5', amostrados em duas posições nas plantas, em experimento conduzido na Estação de Citricultura de Bebedouro, em um pomar de três anos. O espaçamento utilizado foi de 8.0 x 5.0m. Os porta-enxertos utilizados foram: citrangeiro 'Carrizo' (C. sinensis (L.) Osbeck x Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf.); os híbridos 'Cravo' x 'Swingle' (C. limonia Osbeck x P. trifoliata (L.) Raf. x C. paradisi Macf.) e 'Changsha' x 'English Small' (C. sunki Hort. ex Tan. x P. trifoliata Raf.); as tangerineiras 'Sun Chu Sha Kat' (C. reticulata Blanco) e 'Sunki' (C. sunki Hort. ex Tanaka); os limoeiros 'Cravo Limeira' e 'Cravo FCAV' (C. limonia Osbeck); o citrumeleiro 'Swingle' (P. trifoliata Raf. x C. paradisi Macf.), o tangeleiro 'Orlando' (C. reticulata Blanco x C. paradisi Macf.) e os trifoliateiros 'Rubidoux', 'FCAV' e 'Flying Dragon' (Poncirus trifoliata Raf.). Foi utilizado um delineamento em blocos casualizados, com doze tratamentos e seis repetições. Os distintos porta-enxertos induziram diferenças na qualidade dos frutos, entretanto todas as características de qualidade foram consideradas aceitáveis para a variedade, sendo bons substitutos para o limão 'Cravo'.

ROOT-GROWTH AND MINERAL-NUTRITION OF CORN HYBRIDS AS AFFECTED BY PHOSPHORUS AND LIME

The effects of triple superphosphate (TS) and liming on macronutrient accumulation and root growth of Pioneer 3072 and Cargill 505 com hybrids were studied. Com plants were grown up to 30 days in pots with 7 L of a dark red Latosol sandy loam (Haplortox). Lime was applied to raise base saturation to 30, 50, and 70%, in two levels of phosphorus (P) fertilization with TS (0 and 200 ppm P). There was an increase in root surface due to lime only in pots without TS, with no effects on plant growth or nutrition. Both com hybrids responded to P fertilization, but Pioneer yielded more dry matter than Cargill. The roots of Cargill were thicker and, when in TS presence, were longer and had a larger surface than Pioneer. There was an increase in macronutrient uptake in the P fertilized pots. Pioneer required more nutrients and showed a higher efficiency in acquiring and utilizing the nutrients from the soil. A higher response of Pioneer in dry matter and nutrient acquisition was more related to the physiological efficiency than to root morphology.

Yield and nitrogen uptake of peanuts as affected by lime, cobalt, and molybdenum

Peanut response to lime has been associated to calcium (Ca) nutrition, but a higher nitrogen (N) uptake has been observed in limed plots probably due to an increase in molybdenum (Mo) availability. A two-year experiment was conducted to study the effects of Mo, cobalt (Co), and liming on peanut yields and N nutrition. Peanut seeds were treated with Mo and/or Co and grown in soil with base saturation about 13, 41, 57, and 71%. There was no effect of seed treatment with Co on peanut yields or N nutrition. Liming and Mo application increased N contents in the leaves. Nitrogen uptake was increased by Mo and liming in cv. Tatu and only by liming in cv. Tupa. Manganese (Mn) contents in the leaves were decreased by liming. The higher yields were observed when the Ca/Mn ratio in the leaves was above 25. In acid soils, low availability of Mo and Mn toxicity can impair N acquisition by peanut plants and decrease grain yields.

Effects of plant regulators and potassium nitrate, on Rangpur lime seeds germination

The effects of plant regulators and potassium nitrate were studied on 'Rangpur' lime (Citrus limonia Osbeck) seeds germination. The seeds were removed from ripe fruits, washed, dried and stored at 4 - 5 degrees C, and treated for 24 hours before sowing and the treatments were: KNO3 0,1% and 0,2%; GA(3) 50 ppm, 100 ppm and 250 ppm; GA(4+7)+phenylmethylaminepurine 100 ppm; phenylmethylaminepurine 20 ppm and control. The germination was evaluated begining 13 days after sowing. Best results were obtained with KNO3 0,2%, which proved most beneficial in enhancing percentage and germination rate.

Probabilistic neural network to predict cracks in taphole mud used in blast furnaces

One of the major problems facing Blast Furnaces is the occurrence of cracks in taphole mud, as the underlying causes are not easily identifiable. The absence of this knowledge makes it difficult the use of conventional techniques for predictability and mitigation. This paper will address the application of Probabilistic Neural Network using the Matlab software as a means to detect and control such cracks. The most relevant BF operational variables were picked through the statistic tool "Principal Component Analysis - PCA." Based upon the selection of these variables a probabilistic neural network was built. A set of BF operational data, consisting of 30 controlling variables, was divided into 2 groups, one of which for network training, and the other one to validate the neural network. The neural network got 98% of the cases right. The results show the effectiveness of this tool for crack prediction in relation to clay intrinsic properties and as a result of the fluctuation in operational variables.

Soil-lime reactions: the behaviour of a Brazilian red soil.

A red tropical soil was selected, with the main purpose of investigating how it reacted with calcitic and dolomitic limes, and which products are formed. Under normal (23-28oC) or slightly accelerated (40o and 60oC) conditions there is a rapid and substantial interaction between lime (calcitic or dolomitic) and the soil. The reactions take place in two steps, one before 7 g lime/100 g soil, and the other after 8 g lime/100 g of soil, either for calcitic or dolomitic lime. A morphologically discrete reaction product (tri-calcium aluminate hexahydrate) was found in the study, and in spite of the difference in morphology the product is shown to be the same by XRD for all compositions and T.-J.M.H.

Ascomycetous yeasts from tropical intertidal dark mud of southeast Brazilian estuaries

Four different intertidal estuarine sediments had distinct yeast communities. One-hundred-ninety-three yeast isolates were classified in 47 species, with 34 of these in the genus Candida. Candida tropicalis was the only ascomycetous species isolated from all four sites. Other opportunistic pathogens including Candida glabrata, Candida guilliermondii, Candida parapsilosis and Candida krusei were present, especially at the more polluted sites. Pichia species were also frequent isolates with Pichia membranaefaciens, and its anamorph, Candida valida, and other phenotypically similar low assimilation profile species the most frequent. Kluyveromyces aestuarii was prevalent at the only site with well established mangrove vegetation, but not present at the other sites. The sediment yeast communities were distinct from each other, but more similar to each other than to the yeast communities of other ecosystems in the same geographic region.

Caste differences in Polybia ematiata, a mud-nesting eusocial wasp (hymenoptera: Vespidae), that bear on pre-imaginal determination but not size differences

The Epiponini is a group of social wasps living in polygynic societies. The caste dimorphism varies from incipient to well distinct. Morphometric analyses on twelve body parts and ovarian development of Polybia emaciata Lucas 1879, were used to estimate the level of caste differentiation in seven colonies. Physiologic differences were found. Among queens the ovaries were inseminated and presented as highly developed; in intermediate females, ovaries were slightly developed and uninseminated, and for the workers the ovaries were not developed or inseminated. In addition, the coloration of the mesosoma and metasoma were darker in workers and intermediates. Morphometric analysis evidenced slight morphological differences. Even though body proportions were not enough to discriminate castes, the fifth sternite of the gaster had important characters that were able to differentiate queens from workers and intermediates. We propose that P. emaciata presents a case of pre-imaginal caste determination, which is not strictly based on size.

Evolution of the mechanical properties of a tropical soil stabilized with lime and ash of rice rind

The ash of rice rind is a pozzolanic material that reacts with the calcium hydroxide (Ca (OH)2) forming bonding composites, when finely worn out and in water presence. Considering this behavior, the objective of the present work was to evaluate the potential use of this residue in the enrichment of the content of pozzolanic materials of a tropical soil stabilized with a commercial hydrated lime. The laboratory testing program incorporated unconfined compression strength tests performed on the soil and on its mixtures with contents of 8% of lime enriched with 5 and 10% of ash of rice rind in relation to the soil dry mass. The results of the testing program supported that the use of the residue was effective in increasing the degree of reactivity of the soil that was also directly related with the increase in the ash content and the period of cure of the mixtures.