Genetic characterisation of populations of the critically endangered Goliath grouper (Epinephelus itajara, Serranidae) from the Northern Brazilian coast through analyses of mtDNA

The Goliath grouper (Epinephelus itajara) is one of the most endangered species of fish of the subfamily Epinephelinae. Slow to develop and mature, and dependent on mangrove habitats for breeding, the species also suffers intense harvesting, which has reduced drastically in numbers in many areas. To contribute to the understanding of the characteristics of E. itajara populations, we conducted a molecular genetics study of the species, focusing on populations from the Northern Brazilian coast. The mtDNA control region (D-loop) of 116 individuals from five localities (Bragança, Ajuruteua, Parnaíba, Fortaleza and Natal) was analysed, and a sequence of 499 base pairs identified. Analyses of the sequences indicated that genetic variability was generally lower in E. itajara than in other endangered species of the genus. AMOVA found no significant grouping structure among the populations. Nested Clade Analysis revealed a significant association between genetic variability and geographic distribution among only three populations (Ajuruteua, Parnaíba and Natal). Genetic diversity was higher in populations from the Amazon region, which may be related to the better conservation of mangrove habitats in this area. Therefore, the present study could be used for the implementation of conservation and management measures in order to protect and consolidate these populations.

Qualidade física e sensorial de biscoitos doces com fécula de mandioca

Neste trabalho, foi avaliada a substituição de 5,10 e 15% de farinha de trigo por fécula de mandioca na elaboração de biscoito doce. Ambas, farinha e fécula, foram submetidas à caracterização físico-química, reológica e análise térmica diferencial (DTA). Os biscoitos produzidos foram comparados por meio de análises sensoriais e microbiológicas. O resultado da análise térmica diferencial não mostrou qualquer alteração no comportamento de gelatinização do amido. O teste de aceitação sensorial mostrou que a crocância foi o único atributo que apresentou diferença significativa, indicando a viabilidade técnica de substituição da farinha de trigo por 15% de fécula de mandioca.

Rheological behavior of Brazilian Cherry (Eugenia uniflora L.) pulp at pasteurization temperatures

Neste trabalho, foi estudado o comportamento reológico da polpa de pitanga na faixa de temperatura de pasteurização de 83 a 97 °C. Os resultados indicaram que a polpa apresentou comportamento pseudoplástico e o modelo de Herschel-Bulkley foi considerado o mais adequado para representar o comportamento reológico do produto nas temperaturas estudadas. Os índices de comportamento de fluido (n) variaram na faixa de 0,448 a 0,627. O efeito da temperatura sobre a viscosidade aparente pôde ser descrito pela equação análoga à de Arrenhius, observando-se a diminuição da viscosidade aparente da polpa de pitanga com o aumento da temperatura.

Reutilization of chemical waste in methodologies for analyses of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber

The disposal of chemical waste and the precision of analyses of the neutral (NDF) and acid (ADF) detergent fiber contents were evaluated utilizing conventional (Van Soest) and alternative methods of analyses. The recovery of acetone promoted both economic and environmental gains, with a recovery rate of 84.12%. The precision of the analyses was not observed in most of the determinations with reutilization of chemical waste in all the analytical methods tested, in spite of promoting decrease in cost, time invested in the preparation of solutions and the disposal of chemical waste.

Cluster and meta-analyses of genetic parameters for feed intake traits in growing beef cattle

A data set based on 50 studies including feed intake and utilization traits was used to perform a meta-analysis to obtain pooled estimates using the variance between studies of genetic parameters for average daily gain (ADG); residual feed intake (RFI); metabolic body weight (MBW); feed conversion ratio (FCR); and daily dry matter intake (DMI) in beef cattle. The total data set included 128 heritability and 122 genetic correlation estimates published in the literature from 1961 to 2012. The meta-analysis was performed using a random effects model where the restricted maximum likelihood estimator was used to evaluate variances among clusters. Also, a meta-analysis using the method of cluster analysis was used to group the heritability estimates. Two clusters were obtained for each trait by different variables. It was observed, for all traits, that the heterogeneity of variance was significant between clusters and studies for genetic correlation estimates. The pooled estimates, adding the variance between clusters, for direct heritability estimates for ADG, DMI, RFI, MBW and FCR were 0.32 +/- 0.04, 0.39 +/- 0.03, 0.31 +/- 0.02, 0.31 +/- 0.03 and 0.26 +/- 0.03, respectively. Pooled genetic correlation estimates ranged from -0.15 to 0.67 among ADG, DMI, RFI, MBW and FCR. These pooled estimates of genetic parameters could be used to solve genetic prediction equations in populations where data is insufficient for variance component estimation. Cluster analysis is recommended as a statistical procedure to combine results from different studies to account for heterogeneity.

Pseudoplatystoma metaense and P. orinocoense (Siluriformes: Pimelodidae) from the Orinoco basin, Venezuela: cytogenetic and molecular analyses

The genus Pseudoplatystoma includes catfish species distributed throughout the fresh waters of South America. These species are important fisheries resources and play a significant ecological role due to their piscivorous and migratory habits. The taxonomy of this genus is still debated: traditionally, only three species have been recognised, but recently, this number was raised to eight. The validity of these eight morphospecies, however, was not confirmed by two subsequent molecular phylogenetic studies, which identified either five or four main clades. In this study, we focused on the two morphospecies restricted to the Orinoco basin, P. metaense and P. orinocoense, which have been assigned to either the same or different clades in previous studies. We carried out cytogenetic analyses to describe their unknown karyotypes and to look for cytotaxonomic markers. We also analysed their mitochondrial sequences in order to assign the sampled specimens to the previously identified molecular clades. The two presumptive species show similar karyotypes (2n=56, 42 biarmed and 14 uniarmed chromosomes) and cytogenetic features in terms of the constitutive heterochromatin distribution and the number and location of minor and major ribosomal genes. Thus, no species-specific chromosome markers could be identified. The analysis of cytochrome b and cytochrome oxidase I mitochondrial genes (carried out by retrieving all the mtDNA Pseudoplatystoma sequences available in GenBank) distributed the sampled specimens into two distinct molecular clades and confirmed the need to re-evaluate, by parallel morphological and molecular analyses, the monophyly of some lineages.

Vibration Control Applied in a Semi-Active Suspension using Magneto Rheological Damper and Optimal Linear Control Design

In this paper we study the behavior of a semi-active suspension witch external vibrations. The mathematical model is proposed coupled to a magneto rheological (MR) damper. The goal of this work is stabilize of the external vibration that affect the comfort and durability an vehicle, to control these vibrations we propose the combination of two control strategies, the optimal linear control and the magneto rheological (MR) damper. The optimal linear control is a linear feedback control problem for nonlinear systems, under the optimal control theory viewpoint We also developed the optimal linear control design with the scope in to reducing the external vibrating of the nonlinear systems in a stable point. Here, we discuss the conditions that allow us to the linear optimal control for this kind of non-linear system.

Comparison of changes in dental and bone radiographic densities in the presence of different soft-tissue simulators using pixel intensity and digital subtraction analyses

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

Elapid Snake Venom Analyses Show the Specificity of the Peptide Composition at the Level of Genera Naja and Notechis

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

Mechanical and chemical analyses across dental porcelain fused to CP titanium or Ti6Al4V

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Silicone insulators of power transmission lines with a variable inorganic load concentration: Electrical and physiochemical analyses

Polymeric insulation is an increasing tendency in projects and maintenance of electrical networks for power distribution and transmission. Electrical power devices (e. g., insulators and surge arresters) developed by using polymeric insulation presents many advantages compared to the prior power components using ceramic insulation, such as: a better performance under high pollution environment; high hydrophobicity; high resistance to mechanical, electrical and chemical stresses. The practice with silicone insulators in polluted environments has shown that the ideal performance is directly related to insulator design and polymer formulation. One of the most common misunderstandings in the design of silicone compounds for insulators is the amount of inorganic load used in their formulation. This paper attempts to clarify how the variation of the inorganic load amount affects physicochemical characteristics of different silicone compounds. The physicochemical evaluation is performed from several measurements, such as: density, hardness, elongation, tensile strength. In addition, the evaluation of the physicochemical structure is carried out using infrared test and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). The electrical analysis is performed from the electric tracking wheel and erosion test, in agreement with the recommendation of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Rheological behavior of Peruvian carrot starch gels as affected by temperature and concentration

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

Release of Cyanopyridine from a Ruthenium Complex Adsorbed on Gold: Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering, Electrochemistry, and Density Functional Theory Analyses

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

Inter- and intra-specific diversity of Cuban Pinguicula (Lentibulariaceae) based on morphometric analyses and its relation with geographical distribution

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Origin and Evolution of B Chromosomes in the Cichlid Fish Astatotilapia latifasciata Based on Integrated Genomic Analyses

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