Forage production of elephant grass under intermittent stocking

The objective of this work was to evaluate the dry matter production of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) genotypes, managed under intermittent stocking. A completely randomized design was used, with two genotypes and three replicates. The treatments consisted of factorial combinations (2x2x2) of genotypes ('BRS Kurumi' and the clone CNPGL 00‑1‑3), two light interception levels (LI) at the onset of grazing (90 and 95%), and two post‑grazing canopy heights (30 and 50 cm). A total of 24 Holstein x Zebu crossbred heifers were used. The stocking density varied in order to finish the grazing periods in two days. The interval between the defoliation, based on 95% LI, resulted in a higher leaf mass per grazing cycle. The post‑grazing height of 30 cm did not affect the number of grazing cycles but provided a greater herbage accumulation rate. The cultivar BRS Kurumi has higher pasture growth, lower rest period, and greater number of grazing cycles, which results in increased forage production in the growing season.

Yield and quality of elephant grass biomass produced in the cerrados region for bioenergy

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of two genotypes of elephant grass, fertilized with and without N, for biomass production for energy use under the edaphoclimatic conditions of the Cerrado. The genotypes Roxo and Paraíso, grown in a field experiment in a Latosol in the Cerrado region were evaluated for biomass yield, nitrogen accumulation, C:N and stem:leaf ratios, fibre, ash and P and K contents and calorific value. The accumulated dry biomass ranged from 30 to 42 Mg ha-1 and showed no response to nitrogen fertilization with the lowest biomass obtained by the genotype Paraíso and the highest by Roxo. The total N accumulation followed the same pattern as for dry matter, ranging from 347 to 539 kg N ha-1. C:N and stem:leaf ratio of the biomass produced did not vary with treatments. The fibre contents were higher in genotype Paraíso and the highest levels of ash in the genotype Roxo. The K content in the biomass was higher in genotype Roxo and P did not vary between genotypes. The calorific value averaged 18 MJ kg-1 of dry matter and did not vary with the levels of N in leaves and stems of the plant. Both genotypes, independent of N fertilization, produced over 30 Mg ha-1 of biomass under Cerrado conditions.

Seed quality parameters of three interspecific hybrids of elephant grass x pearl millet

An interspecific hybrid resulting from the crossing of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach) x pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Brown) has been developed. This hybrid, however, revealed low phenotypic uniformity and low production of pure seeds. Through recurrent selection, two improved populations were obtained (genotypes Corte and Pastoreio). The aim of this study was assessing seed quality of the three hybrids (genotypes Corte, Pastoreio and Paraiso) by tests of: seed purity; seed germination; accelerated aging test, at 42 ºC; 1,000 seeds weight; drying curves; and sorption and desorption isotherms. Recurrent selection altered the seed size and increased initial quality of population for genotype Pastoreio. Drying curves for the three hybrids have shown similar behavior and reached moisture contents of 2.1%, 1.9%, and 1.8%, respectively, after 63 days. The accelerated aging test showed that hybrid Pastoreio was the most vigorous.

The elephant and the bad baby.

Ilustraciones humorísticas y un texto repetitivo para enseñar a los niños sobre la importancia de buenos modales. Un día un elefante pregunta a un niño pequeño si le gustaría dar un paseo por la ciudad y tomar un helado y otras cosas más. Así comienza una persecución de todos los tenderos a través de la ciudad, hasta que el elefante de repente se da cuenta de que el bebé no dice por favor.

The obvious elephant.

Un día, aparece un elefante en las calles de un pueblo, pero nadie ha visto uno antes y no tienen idea de lo que es. Todo el mundo intenta adivinar la identidad y la función de esta extraña bestia. El maquinista del tren lo pone de locomotora, los bomberos lo usan para luchar contra un incendio, el basurero lo emplea para tirar la basura, hasta que Un muchacho descubre cual es la identidad del extraño animal. Para niños hasta ocho años.

The silly elephant.

Mumbo es un elefante del zoológico y su cuidador es Mr. Moon. Éste le ofrece una manzana pero Mumbo no la quiere, él prefiere las bananas guardadas en una caja grande. Cuando se dispone a abrirla, la caja cae encima del cuidador.

The Elephant in the classroom : helping children learn and love Maths.

Jo Boaler ha analizado el progreso del aprendizaje de las matemáticas de miles de alumnos en Estados Unidos y Gran Bretaña, durante su etapa escolar y después en su vida adulta, destacando el impacto que los diferentes métodos de enseñanza pueden tener en una generación entera. Dirigido a profesores, padres y educadores en general, en el libro la autora ofrece diferentes formas de enseñar las matemáticas y de ayudar a los niños en casa a aprender de un modo nuevo y más eficaz, enseñándoles a razonar y a resolver problemas.

Jeotgalicoccus pinnipedialis sp nov., from a southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina)

A previously unknown Gram-positive, catalase-positive, facultatively anaerobic, non-spore-forming, coccus-shaped bacterium (A/G14/99/10(T)), originating from the mouth of a female southern elephant seal, was subjected to a taxonomic analysis. Comparative 16S rRNA gene-sequencing showed that the organism formed a hitherto unknown subline within the catalase-positive, low-G+C, Gram-positive cocci, exhibiting a specific association with species of the genus Jeotgalicoccus. Sequence divergence values of approximately 7%, together with phenotypic differences, showed the unknown bacterium to be distinct from the two described species of this genus, Jeotgalicoccus halotolerans and Jeotgalicoccus psychrophilus. Based on phenotypic and phylogenetic considerations, it is proposed that strain A/G14/99/10(T)=CCUG 42722(T)=CIP 107946(T) from the mouth of a seal be classified as the type strain of a novel species of the genus Jeotgalicoccus, Jeotgalicoccus pinnipedialis sp. nov.

Facklamia miroungae sp. nov., from a juvenile southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina)

An unusual gram-positive, catalase-negative, facultatively anaerobic, coccus-shaped organism that originated from a juvenile elephant seal was characterized by phenotypic and molecular taxonomic methods. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that the unknown coccus represents a new subline within the genus Facklamia. The unknown strain was readily distinguishable from all currently recognized species of the genus Facklamia (Facklamia hominis, Facklamia languida, Facklamia ignava, Facklamia sourekii and Facklamia tabacinasalis) by biochemical tests and electrophoretic analysis of whole-cell proteins. Based on phylogenetic and phenotypic evidence, it is proposed that the unknown bacterium be classified as Facklamia miroungae sp. nov. The type strain of F. miroungae is CCUG 42728T (= CIP 106764T). F. miroungae is the first member of the genus Facklamia to be isolated from an animal other than man.

A double-decker bus, an elephant and 300 Girl Guides: analyzing 'space' and 'place' in Blue Peter

This article draws upon Karen Lury's definitions of 'space' and 'place' in relation to the BBC children's programme Blue Peter (1958–present). Through an analysis of the Blue Peter studio over the past 53 years, Amanda Beauchamp highlights its evolution from a 'space' to a 'place' within the history of children's television. Her article considers how the Blue Peter studio's 'infinite nature' was achieved, alongside the role it played in creating the programme institution. She addresses the impact of major changes in the studio layout since 2005, when the studio went from being 'tardis-like' to a 'cosy cubbyhole'. Amanda concludes by questioning the impact that this change has had on programme identity and whether the 'place' that pre-2005 Blue Peter took 47 years to create has been compromised.

Seeing the Whole Elephant in the Room: A Holistic approach to ebooks

This presentation was offered as part of the CUNY Library Assessment Conference, Reinventing Libraries: Reinventing Assessment, held at the City University of New York in June 2014.