Descrição taxonômica de Cruzia sp. nov. e Aspidodera sp. nov. (Nematoda, Ascaridida), parasitas de intestino grosso de Philander opossum Linnaeus, 1758, Marsupial de Carajás-Pará, Brasil

O Brasil possui a maior biodiversidade do planeta, apresentando ecossistemas importantes como a Floresta Amazônica, Mata Atlântica, Cerrado, Pantanal e a Caatinga. A Região Amazônica por suas características geográficas e sócio-econômicas, propicia a ocorrência de várias doenças infecciosas e parasitárias emergentes e re-emergentes. O objetivo deste trabalho é realizar estudo taxonômico dos helmintos encontrados no sistema digestivo de marsupiais da espécie Philander opossum, oriundos da Floresta Nacional de Tapirapé-Aquiri – Serra dos Carajás. Este animal silvestre da ordem Didelphimorfia e Família Didelphidae apresenta hábitos noturnos, alimenta-se de frutos pequenos; importante para dispersão das sementes e é comum em ambientes urbanos. O P. opossum é um reservatório silvestre de protozoários (Trypanosoma cruzi e Nuttallia brasiliensis) e vários helmintos. Análises preliminares do intestino deste hospedeiro, mostraram numerosos nematódeos, que foram analisados por microscopia de luz e microscopia eletrônica de varredura para identificação de espécies. A colheita dos nematódeos foi realizada em PBS (Phosphate Buffer Saline) e os parasitos foram transferidos para solução fixadora de AFA (Álcool 70%, Formol P.A. e Ácido acético P.A.), posteriormente estes helmintos foram processados por desidratação em série etanólica crescente, clarificação com Lactofenol de Aman, montagem entre lâmina e lamínula. Realização de análises, desenhos e fotografias foram feitas no microscópio Olympus BX 41 com câmara clara e também processados para microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV). Os resultados indicaram a presença de parasitos do filo nematoda de intestino grosso de P. opossum de Carajás-PA, pertencentes às famílias Kathlaniidae e Aspidoderidae, sendo que pelos dados morfológicos estes parasitos são espécies novas dos gêneros Cruzia e Aspidodera, respectivamente.

Morcegos frugívoros no uso do hábitat fragmentado e seu potencial para recuperação de áreas degradadas: subsídios para uma nova ferramenta voltada à conservação

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Alternative methods for detecting soybean seeds genetically modified for resistance to herbicide glyphosate

The objective of this study was to verify application of two methodologies: substrate moistened with herbicide solution (SM) and immersion of seeds in herbicide solution (IH) for detecting soybean seeds genetically modified. For this, non-transgenic and transgenic soybean seeds, harvested in the 2008/2009 crop seasons were used. The treatments with substrate moistened were: SM1) 0.03% herbicide solution, at 25 ºC, with evaluation in the sixth day (hs -0.03% -25 ºC, 6th d); SM2) HS -0.03% -35 ºC, 5th d; SM3) HS -0.03% - 40 ºC, 5th d; and SM4) hs -0.06% -5 ºC, 5th d. In the methodology of immersion of seeds the following treatments were performed: IH1) seed immersion in a 0.6% herbicide solution, at 25 ºC, for 1 h, (si -0.06% -25 ºC, 1 h; IH2) si -0.06% - 35 ºC, 30 min.; IH3) si -0.06% -40 ºC, 30 min.; IH4) si -0.12% -35 ºC, 30 min.; and IH5) si -0.12% -40 ºC, 30 min. Bioassays allow detecting soybean seeds tolerant to glyphosate herbicide within five days. The seeds of non-genetically modified and genetically modified soybean cultivars may be easily distinguished through the treatments SM2 and SM4 of the moistened substrate methodology; and treatments IH3, IH4, and IH5 of seed immersion methodology. Both methodologies are easily feasible, practical, and applicable in seed analysis laboratories, once do not require special equipments.

Multivariate approach in the selection of superior soybean progeny which carry the RR gene

Efficiency in the use of genetic variability, whether existing or created, increases when properly explored and analysed. Incorporation of biotechnology into breeding programs has been the general practice. The challenge for the researcher is the constant development of new and improved cultivars. The aim of this experiment was to select progenies with superior characteristics, whether or not carriers of the RR gene, derived from bi-parental crosses in the soybean, with the help of multivariate techniques. The experiment was carried out in a family-type experimental design, including controls, during the agricultural year 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 in Jaboticabal in the Brazilian State of São Paulo. From the F3 generation, phenotypically superior plants were selected, which were evaluated for the following traits: number of days to flowering; number of days to maturity; height of first pod insertion; plant height at maturity; lodging; agronomic value; number of branches; number of pods per plant; 100-seed weight; number of seeds per plant; grain yield per plant. Given the results, it appears possible to select superior progeny by principal component analysis. Cluster analysis using the K-means method links progeny according to the most important characteristics in each group and identifies, by the Ward method and by means of a dendrogram, the structure of similarity and divergence between selected progeny. Both methods are effective in aiding progeny selection.

Distribuição espacial e plano de amostragem sequencial para Piezodorus guildinii (Westwood, 1837) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) na cultura de soja transgênica RR®

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Entomologia Agrícola) - FCAV

MICROSTRUCTURAL CHARACTERIZATION OF DUAL AND MULTIPHASE STEELS APPLIED TO AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

TRIP (Transformation Induced Plasticity) and DP (Dual-Phase) steels are written in a new series of steels which present excellent mechanical properties. As for microstructure aspect, TRIP steels consist on a ferrite matrix with a second phase dispersion of other constituents, such as bainite, martensite and retained austenite, while dual-phase steels consist on martensite dispersion in a ferrite matrix. In order to identify the different microconstituents present in these materials, microstructure characterization techniques by optical microscopy (using different etchants: LePera, Heat-Tinting and Nital) and scanning electron microscopy were carried out. This being so, microstructures were correlated with mechanical properties of materials, determined by means of tensile tests. It is concluded that steels assisted by TRIP effect have a strength and elongation relation higher than the dual-phase one. With microstructure characterization, it was observed phases present in these materials microstructure.

Seed germination performances of Styrax species help understand their distribution in Cerrado areas in Brazil

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Origin and distribution of AT-rich repetitive DNA families in Triatoma infestans (Heteroptera)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Microsatellite analysis supports clonal propagation and reduced divergence of Trypanosoma vivax from asymptomatic to fatally infected livestock in South America compared to West Africa

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Phytotoxicity of ethanolic extract of turnip leaves (raphanus sativus l.)

The study of allelopathic activity has been aim of research that evaluates mainly species used in green fertilization. Raphanus sativus L. stands out among these species, because it shows high capacity for nutrient recycling, specially nitrogen and phosphorus, what makes it an advantageous cover plant in crop rotation systems. Considering the exposed, the present study had as objective the evaluation of the allelopathic and phytotoxic potentials of different concentrations of the R. sativus leaves ethanolic extract by mean of seeds germination analyses and development of lettuce seedlings, evaluating the phytotoxicity by determination of the mitotic index of lettuce root cells, realizing the phytochemical profile and investigating the antioxidant activity. It was possible to verify that the R. sativus extract interferes in the germination index, decreasing the germinability (5 mg. mL(-1) = 9.84%; 10 mg. mL(-1) = 11.91% and 20 mg. mL(-1)= 57.51%). In the lettuce seedlings growth, the extract of this species affected the roots and hypocotyls growth. It was possible to observe phenols and total flavonoids in the extract for the concentration of 1000 mu g. mL(-1)(161mg and 83.57 mg, respectively). It was also observed, higher antioxidant activity for the concentration of 1000 mu g. mL(-1) (89.76%). In the phytotoxicity assay was observed a dose dependent effect in the mitotic index and in the cellular events during cellular division. In this study it was possible to conclude that this species has allelochemical compounds which are able to interfere directly on the stabilization and development of other species.

Effect of Pursed-Lip Breathing in Patients With COPD: Linear and Nonlinear Analysis of Cardiac Autonomic Modulation

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of pursed-lip breathing (PLB) on cardiac autonomic modulation in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) while at rest. Methods: Thirty-two individuals were allocated to one of two groups: COPD (n = 17; 67.29 +/- 6.87 years of age) and control (n = 15; 63.2 +/- 7.96 years of age). The groups were submitted to a two-stage experimental protocol. The first stage consisted of the characterization of the sample and spirometry. The second stage comprised the analysis of cardiac autonomic modulation through the recording of R-R intervals. This analysis was performed using both nonlinear and linear heart rate variability (HRV). In the statistical analysis, the level of significance was set to 5% (p = 0.05). Results: PLB promoted significant increases in the SD1, SD2, RMSSD and LF (ms(2)) indices as well as an increase in alpha(1) and a reduction in alpha(2) in the COPD group. A greater dispersion of points on the Poincare plots was also observed. The magnitude of the changes produced by PLB differed between groups. Conclusion: PLB led to a loss of fractal correlation properties of heart rate in the direction of linearity in patients with COPD as well as an increase in vagal activity and impact on the spectral analysis. The difference in the magnitude of the changes produced by PLB between groups may be related to the presence of the disease and alterations in the respiration rate.

Auditory stimulation with music influences the geometric indices of heart rate variability in men

Background: Chronic classical music was reported to increase parasympathetic activitywhen evaluating heart rate variability (HRV). It is poor in the literature investigation of the acute effects of baroque and heavy metal styles of musical auditory stimulation on HRV. In this study we evaluated the acute effects of relaxant baroque and excitatory heavy metal music on the geometric indices of HRV in healthy men. Method: The study was performed in 12 healthy men between 18 and 30 years old. We excluded persons with previous experience with music instrument and those who had affinity with the song styles. We analyzed the following indices: RRtri, TINN and Poincaré plot (SD1, SD2 and SD1/SD2 ratio). HRV was recorded at rest for ten minutes. Subsequently they were exposed to relaxant baroque or excitatory heavy metal music for five minutes through an earphone. After the first music exposure they remained at rest for more five minutes and them they were exposed again to Baroque or Heavy Metal music (65–80 dB). The sequence of songs was randomized for each individual. Results: The RRTri and SD2 indices were reduced during the heavy metal musical auditory stimulation (p < 0.05). No changes were observed regarding TINN, SD1 and SD1/SD2 ratio (p > 0.05).The qualitative Poincaré plot analysis indicated that during relaxant classical baroque music there was observed a higher beat-to-beat dispersion of RR intervals compared with no music exposure and during excitatory heavy metal musical auditory stimulation, showing higher HRV. Conclusion: We suggest that excitatory heavy metal music acutely decreases global HRV.

Investigation of the dielectric relaxation processes in PbZr0.65Ti0.35O3-BaFe12O19 multiferroic ceramic composites

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

Rapid Assessment of Seed Removal and Frugivore Activity as a Tool for Monitoring the Health Status of Tropical Forests

Ecological processes in tropical forests are being affected at unprecedented rates by human activities. Yet, the continuity of ecological functions like seed dispersal is crucial for forest regeneration. It thus becomes increasingly urgent to be able to rapidly assess the health status of these processes in order to take appropriate management measures. We tested a method to rapidly evaluate seed removal rates on two animal-dispersed tree species, Virola kwatae and V.michelii (Myristicaceae), at three sites in French Guiana with increasing levels of anthropogenic disturbance. We counted fallen fruits, fruit valves, and seeds of each focal fruiting tree in a single 1m2 quadrat, and calculated two indices: the proportion of seeds removed and the proportion of fruits opened by mammals. They both provide an indirect and rapid assessment of frugivore activity. Our results showed a significant decrease in the proportion of removed seeds (16%) and fruits opened (19%) at the most impacted site in comparison with the other two sites (79% for seeds, 60% and 35% for fruits). This testifies to an increased impoverishment of the primate and toucan communities at the disturbed sites. This standardized protocol provides fast information about the health status of the community of seed dispersers and predators and of their seed removal services. It is time- and cost-effective and is not species-specific, allowing comparisons among sites or over time. We suggest using it with the pantropical Myristicaceae and any other capsule-producing family to rapidly assess the health status of seed removal processes across the tropics.

ORGANIC RESIDUE AND PHOSPHORUS AS CONDITIONERS OF DEGRADED SOIL AND EFFECTS ON THE INITIAL GROWTH OF Dipteryx alata Vog.

In northwestern Sao Paulo State, it was established, in 1965, the hydroelectric station of Ilha Solteira (CESP) that produced extensive degraded areas, from where it was removed the soil superficial layers. For the re-establishment of the vegetation, in areas like these, it is necessary the addition of chemical inputs and organic material. Associating the presence in the area of macrophytes, to the need of recovery of degraded areas and the availability of seeds from native species of Cerrado, it was intended the development of this work, with the objective of evaluating the addition effects of organic residue and phosphorus on the material of degraded soil and on the initial growth of Dipteryx alata, arboreal species of 'cerrado'. The soil material was collected in area of degraded soil by the construction of Ilha Solteira hydroelectric station. The experiment was conducted in two environmental conditions, greenhouse and plenty of sun. The treatments consisted of four phosphorus doses (0, 100, 200 and 300 mg dm(-3) of P2O5), with or without macrophytes addition, with 16 treatments and 10 repetitions each one. The used macrophytes, collected at Jupia hydroelectric station, in Mato Grosso do Sul state, were dried, sliced, incorporated to the soil material and incubated during 60 days. The seeds of Dipteryx alata, collected around of the area, were sowed in washed sand and after 60 days introduced in the treatments. The plants were appraised monthly for height, stem diameter and leaves chlorophyll. After 210 days, the plants were collected and evaluated for fresh and dry weight of aerial part and radicular system and the soil material was evaluated for fertility and microbial activity by the carbon of liberated CO2. The organic residue, incorporated to the material of soil degraded, positively affects the soil fertility and the soil microbial activity. The applied phosphorus doses influenced the behavior of Ca, SB, H+Al and CTC, when applied in the absence of organic residue, it promoted significant and linear increments for values of potential acidity, and indicated the organic residue importance. The initial growth of the Dipteryx alata was favored by the protected cultivation, for the incorporation of organic residue and for the phosphorus addition to the soil. At the end although the material of degraded soil comes as good perspective for disposal of this residue, studies about the field conditions are necessary.