Phosphorus utilization by corn as affected by green manure, nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers

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

Effect of daminozide, paclobutrazol and chlormequat on development and quality of potted 'persian carpet' zinnia

In Brazil zinnias have good prospect for the flowering potted plant market, once consumers demand for new forms of products is stimulated by novelty. 'Persian Carpet' is a highly ornamental plant, with fast growth, minimal labor requirements and low cost seeds. The present study evaluated the effect of growth regulators on development and quality of 'Persian Carpet' grown as a potted plant. Growth regulators are commonly used to control growth and produce short and compact plants. Paclobutrazol (0.5, 0.75 and 1.0 mg a.i./pot) and chlormequat (1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 g. L-1) were applied as a single drench, and daminozide (2.5, 3.75 and 5.0 g. L-1) as a single foliar spray to runoff. Regulators were applied at apical flower bud stage. Daminozide (5.0 g. L-1), paclobutrazol (0.5, 0.75 and 1.0 mg a.i./pot) and chlormequat (1.0 g. L-1) significantly reduced plant height and side branches length compared to the control. Plant height showed a negative linear response to the increasing concentration of daminozide or paclobutrazol. Paclobutrazol (1.0 mg a.i./pot) and chlormequat (1.0 g. L-1) increased foliage and flowers harvest index. Plant spread diameter and canopy shape were improved with paclobutrazol (0.75 mg a.i./pot). Chlormequat (2.0 and 3.0 g. L-1) caused phytotoxicity symptoms, turning plants unsuitable for commercialization. Studied regulators concentrations did not affect flower diameter and production cycle. Although regulators controlled height and side branches growth significantly, plants were not short and compact enough to attend market quality.

Alterations in levels of NPK, electrical conductivity and pH of substrate, in cultivation of peppers

The objective of this work was to evaluate the chemical alterations of the substrate in the cultivation of pepper in coconut husk fiber, in a protected environment. Initially, 160 pepper plants ('Eppo') were divided into four blocks, where two pots per block were analyzed every 21 days after transplanting. The cultivation of pepper was carried out in plastic pots of 13 L, containing coconut husk fiber, and placed in double rows with a spacing of 0.5×0.8 m between single rows and 1.10 m between double rows. After removal of the plants from the pots, individual samples of substrate (approximately 1 L) were collected from each pot and dried at ambient temperature. Electrical conductivity (EC), pH, and levels of NH4 +-N, NO3 -, P and K were determined for all periods of the cultivation. These analyses were performed using the method of extraction 1:1.5 v/v. For the conditions which the experiment was conducted, there was an increase in substrate EC, as well as in the levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

Estudo comparativo de imunomarcações (OC, VEGF, TRAP) em humanos, nas cirurgia de levantamento do assoalho de seio maxilar utilizando osso autógeno e heterógeno

Pós-graduação em Odontologia - FOA

Phosphorus utilization by corn as affected by green manure, nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers

The objective of this work was to evaluate the utilization by corn plants of P from triple superphosphate fertilizer labeled with P-32 (P-32-TSP), and of P from soil as affected by N rates and by the green manures (GM) sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea) and millet (Pennisetum glaucum). The experiment was carried out using pots filled with 5 kg Oxisol (Rhodic Hapludox). A completely randomized design was used, in a 4x4x2 factorial arrangement, with four replicates. The treatments were: four P rates as TSP (0, 0.175, 0.350, and 0.700 g P per pot); four N rates as urea (0, 0.75, 1.50, and 2.25 g N per pot); and sunn hemp or millet as green manure. The additions of N and P by the GM were taken into account. After grain physiologic maturation, corn dry matter, P contents, accumulated P, and P recovery in the different treatments were measured. P-32-TSP recovery by corn increased with N increasing rates, and decreased with increasing rates of P-32-TSP. The mineral fertilizer provides most of the accumulated P by corn plants. The recovery of P-32-TSP by corn was 13.12% in average. The green manure species influence the assimilation of P-32-TSP by the plants.

Design and Characterization of Luminescent Silica Nanoparticles

The aim of this thesis was to design, synthesize and characterize dye-doped silica nanoparticles (DDSNPs) to be used as chemosensors or labels in bioanalytical applications. DDSNPs represent one of the most versatile and useful components in nanomedicine displaying important features such as high colloid stability in water, low toxicity, one-pot inexpensive synthesis and tunable fluorescence emission. Starting from the one-pot and highly reproducible synthesis of “silica-core/PEG shell” DDSNPs based on the use of micelles of Pluronic F127, in which take place both hydrolysis and condensation of the silica precursor and of the dyes functionalized with a triethoxysilane group, we developed DDSNPs suitable for optical and optoacustic imaging, drug loading and chemical sensing obtaining very interesting results for the further development of nanomedicine.

Platelets increase while serum reduces the differentiation and activity of osteoclasts in vitro

Platelets modulate formation of osteoclasts and osteoblasts, but research with different preparations of platelets remains inconclusive. Here, we assessed whether serum components modulate the effect of platelet preparations. In murine bone marrow cultures, osteoclastogenesis was investigated in the presence of platelet-released supernatant (PRS), serum containing PRS (SC-PRS), and serum. Osteoclastogenesis was quantified by the numbers of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive multinucleated cells, TRAP activity and resorption assays. Also human osteoclastogenesis assays were performed. Viability and proliferation were tested by MTT and (3) [H]thymidine incorporation assays, respectively. Osteoblastogenesis was assessed by histochemical staining for alkaline phosphatase-of murine bone marrow cultures and human MG63 cells. We found PRS to increase the number of TRAP(+) multinucleated cells in the early phase and TRAP activity in the later phase of osteoclastogenesis. SC-PRS and serum decreased the number and activity of TRAP(+) multinucleated cells. Both serum containing preparations reduced viability and proliferation of hematopoietic progenitors. PRS decreased the numbers of alkaline phosphatase-positive colonies while SC-PRS and serum increased osteoblastmarkers in MG63. Proliferation of MG63 was stimulated by all preparations. These results show that activated platelets support osteoclastogenesis, while platelet preparations that contain serum components decrease osteoclastogenesis and increase osteoblastogenesis in vitro, suggesting that serum components modulate the effects of platelets on osteoclastogenesis and osteoblastogenesis.

Incorporation of RANKL promotes osteoclast formation and osteoclast activity on β-TCP ceramics.

β-Tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) ceramics are approved for the repair of osseous defects. In large defects, however, the substitution of the material by authentic bone is inadequate to provide sufficient long-term mechanical stability. We aimed to develop composites of β-TCP ceramics and receptor activator of nuclear factor κ-B ligand (RANKL) to enhance the formation of osteoclasts and promote cell mediated calcium phosphate resorption. RANKL was adsorbed superficially onto β-TCP ceramics or incorporated into a crystalline layer of calcium phosphate by the use of a co-precipitation technique. Murine osteoclast precursors were seeded onto the ceramics. After 15 days, the formation of osteoclasts was quantified cytologically and colorimetrically with tartrate-resistant acidic phosphatase (TRAP) staining and TRAP activity measurements, respectively. Additionally, the expression of transcripts encoding the osteoclast gene products cathepsin K, calcitonin receptor, and of the sodium/hydrogen exchanger NHA2 were quantified by real-time PCR. The activity of newly formed osteoclasts was evaluated by means of a calcium phosphate resorption assay. Superficially adsorbed RANKL did not induce the formation of osteoclasts on β-TCP ceramics. When co-precipitated onto β-TCP ceramics RANKL supported the formation of mature osteoclasts. The development of osteoclast lineage cells was further confirmed by the increased expression of cathepsin K, calcitonin receptor, and NHA2. Incorporated RANKL stimulated the cells to resorb crystalline calcium phosphate. Our in vitro study shows that RANKL incorporated into β-TCP ceramics induces the formation of active, resorbing osteoclasts on the material surface. Once formed, osteoclasts mediate the release of RANKL thereby perpetuating their differentiation and activation. In vivo, the stimulation of osteoclast-mediated resorption may contribute to a coordinated sequence of material resorption and bone formation. Further in vivo studies are needed to confirm the current in vitro findings.

Methanol and ethanol analysis in marine sediment pore water

Low-molecular-weight (LMW) alcohols are produced during the microbial degradation of organic matter from precursors such as lignin, pectin, and carbohydrates. The biogeochemical behavior of these alcohols in marine sediment is poorly constrained but potentially central to carbon cycling. Little is known about LMW alcohols in sediment pore waters because of their low concentrations and high water miscibility, both of which pose substantial analytical challenges. In this study, three alternative methods were adapted for the analysis of trace amounts of methanol and ethanol in small volumes of saline pore waters: direct aqueous injection (DAI), solid-phase microextraction (SPME), and purge and trap (P&T) in combination with gas chromatography (GC) coupled to either a flame ionization detector (FID) or a mass spectrometer (MS). Key modifications included the desalination of samples prior to DAI, the use of a threaded midget bubbler to purge small-volume samples under heated conditions and the addition of salt during P&T. All three methods were validated for LMW alcohol analysis, and the lowest detection limit (60 nM and 40 nM for methanol and ethanol, respectively) was achieved with the P&T technique. With these methods, ambient concentrations of volatile alcohols were determined for the first time in marine sediment pore waters of the Black Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. A strong correlation between the two compounds was observed and tentatively interpreted as being controlled by similar sources and sinks at the examined stations.

Characteristics and stomach contents of Greenland sharks (Somniosus microcephalus) caught in Svalbard during June 2008-2009

Harbour seals in Svalbard have short longevity, despite being protected from human hunting and having limited terrestrial predation at their haulout sites, low contaminant burdens and no fishery by-catch issues. This led us to explore the diet of Greenland sharks (Somniosus microcephalus) in this region as a potential seal predator. We examined gastrointestinal tracts (GITs) from 45 Greenland sharks in this study. These sharks ranged from 229 to 381 cm in fork length and 136-700 kg in body mass; all were sexually immature. Seal and whale tissues were found in 36.4 and 18.2%, respectively, of the GITs that had contents (n = 33). Based on genetic analyses, the dominant seal prey species was the ringed seal (Pusa hispida); bearded seal (Erignathus barbatus) and hooded seal (Cystophora cristata) tissues were each found in a single shark. The sharks had eaten ringed seal pups and adults based on the presence of lanugo-covered prey (pups) and age determinations based on growth rings on claws (<1 year and adults). All of the whale tissue was from minke whale (Balenoptera acutorostrata) offal, from animals that had been harvested in the whale fishery near Svalbard. Fish dominated the sharks' diet, with Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), Atlantic wolffish (Anarhichas lupus) and haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) being the most important fish species. Circumstantial evidence suggests that these sharks actively prey on seals and fishes, in addition to eating carrion such as the whale tissue. Our study suggests that Greenland sharks may play a significant predatory role in Arctic food webs.

Sediment Trap Data from the CARIACO Ocean Time Series (1995-2010)

The Cariaco Basin is a 1400-m-deep depression approximately 160 km long by 70 km wide located off the central Venezuelan coast . It is connected to the Atlantic Ocean by a sill ~100-m-deep, and two slightly deeper channels that breech it; Canal Centinela (146-m-deep) and Canal de la Tortuge (135-m-deep). High surface production rates and restricted circulation result in anoxic waters below ca. 275 m. The depth of the oxycline varies between 250 and 320 m and is independent of density. Rather, fluctuations in oxycline depth appear to be due to lateral intrusions of Caribbean Sea water that are linked to eddies along the continental shelf. A mooring with five sediment traps (Z, A-D) is located in the eastern Cariaco Basin. Traps A-D have been in place since November 1995. Trap A is located in oxic waters at 226 ± 6 m. Trap B is located at 407 ± 3 m and Trap D is located at 1205 ± 3 m. Trap C was located at a depth of 880 ± 2 m from Jan. 1996 to Nov. 2000, and was moved to 807 ± 2 m in Nov. 2000. A fifth trap, Z, was added in November 2003 at 110 m for the first 6 months, and at 150 m thereafter. All five sediment traps are coneshaped with a 0.5 m**2 opening that is covered with a baffle top to reduce turbulence. The mooring is deployed for six-month intervals and each sample collection cup is filled with a buffered 3.2% formalin solution as a preservative for the accumulating organic matter. The cups are numbered 1-13, with cup 1 collecting for the two-week interval immediately following deployment, and cup 13 collecting for the 2 weeks immediately before recovery.

Age and growth parameters of skates of the genus Bathyraja obtained between 2003-2005 along the Argentine continental shelf

In the last 20 years directed shark and ray fishery has increased alarmingly everywhere in the world. For most species though, no data on growth rate, mortality, fecundity and other life history aspects exist as of now and management of the fishery is therefore insufficient. Also there still exist methodological difficulties in the age determination of elasmobranchs fishes, a fact which complicates the investigation of growth parameters. This study tried to identify the best ageing methods and estimate growth parameters for ten skate species of the genus Bathyraja, all occurring in the southwest Atlantic in depths of 50m and more. 720 samples were collected on board of argentine research vessels in between 2003 and 2005. Crystal violet and a new staining method using potassium permanganate, both applied on sagittal sections of vertebral centra, proved to be most effective in enhancing the banding pattern in most of the species. Thorns were also tested and readings were consistent with the ones made on vertebral sections. Growth parameters could be derived for six species and for the other four estimates could be made. Growth rate as well as infinite length varied between species, with those attaining bigger sizes having lower growth rates. No latitudinal differences in growth rate could be detected but a comparison with samples from other studies showed that total lengths were always reported to be higher around the Malvinas Islands.

The Marine Mammal Commission compendium of selected treaties, international agreements, and other relevant documents on marine resources, wildlife, and the environment /

Mode of access: Internet.