Incorporation of Ca, P, and Si on bioactive coatings produced by plasma electrolytic oxidation: The role of electrolyte concentration and treatment duration

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

Effects of pH and fluoride concentration of dentifrices on fluoride levels in saliva, biofilm, and biofilm fluid in vivo

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

Cassava root husks as a sorbent material for the uptake and pre-concentration of cadmium(II) from aqueous media

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

Imunohistoquímica em órgãos de tilápias-do-Nilo imunizadas com antígeno insolúvel de Streptococcus agalactiae

Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária - FCAV

Carbohydrate concentration in 'BRS Rubimel' peach trees during the annual cycle

The carbohydrate storage is necessary to support the plant growth in periods of stress, during the dormancy, in the beginning of the vegetative development and during the fruiting time. In this context, this work intended to evaluate the carbohydrate concentrations of the peach (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) tree ‘BRS Rubimel’, cultivated under subtropical conditions. The experiment was performed at the experimental farm Lageado, of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of UNESP at Botucatu/SP. The evaluated peach trees were two years old and were cultivated in the spacing of 6.0 x 4.0 m. The adopted experimental delineation was in randomized blocks, making use of four plants per parcel with four repetitions. The treatments corresponded to the period of the collection of leaves and branches, during the annual cycle, corresponding to January to May and July to December 2012. The sample collection of the roots was performed in January, April, August, November and December 2012. Four fruits per plant were collected. The concentration of starch in the roots of the peach tree were superior to the ones from the branches, from August to December. The carbohydrate with the higher storage level in the peach tree ‘BRS Rubimel’ was starch.

Avaliação da capacidade de renovação do epitélio do mesêntero e seus efeitos no potencial reprodutivo de fêmeas adultas de Ceraeochrysa claveri (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) alimentadas durante a fase larval com óleo de nim (azadirachta indica A. JUSS)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Parameterization of bio-optical models for estimating chlorophyll-a concentration in a tropical eutrophic reservoir

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Evaluation of operational SSM/I ice-concentration algorithms

The United States National Ice Center (NIC) provides weekly ice analyses of the Arctic and Antarctic using information from ice reconnaissance, ship reports and high-resolution satellite imagery. In cloud-covered areas and regions lacking imagery, the higher-resolution sources are augmented by ice concentrations derived from Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSMII) passive-microwave imagery. However, the SSMII-derived ice concentrations are limited by low resolution and uncertainties in thin-ice regions. Ongoing research at NIC is attempting to improve the utility of these SSMII products for operational sea-ice analyses. The refinements of operational algorithms may also aid future scientific studies. Here we discuss an evaluation of the standard operational ice-concentration algorithm, Cal/Val, with a possible alternative, a modified NASA Team algorithm. The modified algorithm compares favorably with CallVal and is a substantial improvement over the standard NASA Team algorithm in thin-ice regions that are of particular interest to operational activities.

Relatin Dissolved Oxygen Concentration to Fish Distribution in Jarecki Lake

Abstract Water temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) profiles were measured once every month from mid July to mid February in a relatively deep sand-pit lake in southeast Nebraska. These profiles showed depleted DO concentrations below the thermocline during summer stratification indicating areas fish will likely avoid in summer months. Colder temperatures in fall caused complete mixing of the water column allowing fish to inhabit all depths of the lake. An inverse temperature stratification occurred directly below the ice during winter months as ice cover cooled the surface water to below 4 degrees Celsius. Ice cover also blocked air – water oxygen transfer and reduced light for photosynthesizing algae. Associated with winter ice cover, DO concentrations in the hypolimnion decreased significantly, once again reducing available fish habitat. It is likely anglers will have a higher success rate catching fishing in water above 6 meters (m) (~20 feet) in a eutrophic sandpit lake during hot summer months and below ice cover in winter. Fish can utilize all depths of the lake during fall turnover and could theoretically be caught by anglers anywhere in the lake.

SEASONAL, HABITAT AND SEX-SPECIFIC PATTERNS OF FOOD UTILIZATION BY RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS (Agelaius phoeniceous) IN EASTERN ONTARIO AND THEIR ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE

Crop depredation by red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) causes serious economic losses to agricultural crops each year in both Canada and the United States. The concentration of vulnerable, monocultural crops, particularly corn, during periods when large flocks of blackbirds congregate in roosting areas prior to migration has invariably led to heavy feeding pressure (Stone et al., 1972; Wiens and Dyer, 1975; Tyler et al., 1978). Efforts to reduce damage levels by mechanical and chemical dispersal agents have been largely unsuccessful, at least in terms of a long-term solution to the problem. Recently, the lethal control of blackbird populations using surfactants has been proposed. However, the potential repercussions of the removal of substantial numbers of birds from northern breeding areas are virtually unknown (Robertson et al., 1978). Much of the research dealing with the feeding ecology of red-winged blackbirds has been limited to fall and winter periods when large aggregations of birds are actively involved in crop depredation (Goddad, 1969; Williams, 1976; Dolbeer et al., 1978) or pose a potential health hazard (Monroe and Cronholm, 1976). However, what is not known is the degree to which the removal of deleterious weed seed and insect pests cited in several studies (Bird and Smith, 1964; Mott et al., 1972; Robertson et al., 1978) might be of potential value to agriculture. The issue of whether the benefits derived from redwing foraging compensate for the negative aspects associated with crop depredation and health hazards remains largely unresolved. The present study attempted to evaluate the pest status of this species using diet information derived from food habits analysis conducted during the residency of red- winged blackbirds in a northern breeding area. By determining how the feeding ecology of red-winged blackbirds varies on a seasonal basis, among different breeding habitats and between sexes, we hoped to determine more realistically which segments of the population might be responsible for the greatest benefits or detriments and, thereby, more accurately evaluate the economic impact of the species as a whole. To achieve this aim, the study provides an accurate description of the common insects and weed pests utilized by redwings. By determining the relative proportions of those items known to be detrimental, we hoped to illustrate, at least qualitatively, the degree to which redwing foraging is comprised of both beneficial and harmful components.

Concentration of floating biogenic material in convergence zones

Some organisms that live just below the sea surface (the neuston) are known more as a matter of curiosity than as critical players in biogeochemical cycles. The hypothesis of this work is that their existence implies that they receive some food from an upward flux of organic matter. The behaviour of these organisms and of the associated organic matter, hereafter mentioned as floating biogenic material (FBM) is explored using a global physical-biogeochemical coupled model, in which its generation is fixed to 1% of primary production, and decay rate is of the order of I month. The model shows that the distribution of FBM should depart rapidly from that of primary production.. and be more sensitive to circulation patterns than to the distribution of primary production. It is trapped in convergence areas, where it reaches concentrations larger by a factor 10 than in divergences, thus enhancing and inverting the contrast between high and low primary productivity areas. Attention is called on the need to better understand the biogeochemical processes in the first meter of the ocean, as they may impact the distribution of food for fishes, as well as the conditions for air-sea exchange and for the interpretation of sea color.

Lethal effects of abamectin on the aquatic organisms Daphnia similis, Chironomus xanthus and Danio rerio

Abamectin is used as an acaricide and insecticide for fruits, vegetables and ornamental plants, as well as a parasiticide for animals. One of the major problems of applying pesticides to crops is the likelihood of contaminating aquatic ecosystems by drift or runoff. Therefore, toxicity tests in the laboratory are important tools to predict the effects of chemical substances in aquatic ecosystems. The aim of this study was to assess the potential hazards of abamectin to the freshwater biota and consequently the possible losses of ecological services in contaminated water bodies. For this purpose, we identified the toxicity of abamectin on daphnids, insects and fish. Abamectin was highly toxic, with an EC50 48 h for Daphnia similis of 5.1 ng L-1, LC50 96 h for Chironomus xanthus of 2.67 mu g L-1 and LC50 48 h for Danio rerio of 33 mu g L-1. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Lipid and selenium sources on fatty acid composition of intramuscular fat and muscle selenium concentration of Nellore steers

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of lipid and selenium sources in diets for finishing Nellore steers on the fatty acid composition and selenium concentration of the longissimus muscle. Fifty Nellore steers (body weight = 458 +/- 39 kg) were assigned to one of six dietary treatments: 1) diet containing sunflower seed and inorganic selenium; 2) sunflower seed and organic selenium; 3) whole cottonseed and inorganic selenium; 4) whole cottonseed and organic selenium; 5) soybeans and inorganic selenium; and 6) soybeans and organic selenium. Diets were formulated with the same amount of nitrogen and calories and supplied once daily to steers in collective pens, with three animals per pen, for 120 d. At the end of the trial, steers were slaughtered and samples of the longissimus muscle were collected for fatty acid and selenium analysis. Effect of selenium sources was detected for selenium concentration in the longissimus muscle. Organic selenium had higher concentrations in the meat compared with inorganic selenium. The total saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids did not differ between the sources of lipids and selenium. For selenium sources, no differences were observed between the concentrations of polyunsaturated fat. Also, no differences in C18:2 cis-9 trans-11 concentrations were noted; however, steers fed sunflower seed presented greater proportions of this fatty acid in the meat. The results indicated that the use of sunflower seed, cottonseed or soybeans and organic or inorganic selenium in feedlot diets to Nellore cattle does not alter the great part of the fatty acid profile of the longissimus muscle. However, the inclusion of sunflower seed in the diet increases the meat CLA cis-9, trans-11, which is desirable and beneficial for the health of consumers.

Photo-Fenton oxidation of phenol and organochlorides (2,4-DCP and 2,4-D) in aqueous alkaline medium with high chloride concentration

A highly concentrated aqueous saline-containing solution of phenol, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 2,4-dichlorophenol (2.4-DCP) was treated by the photo-Fenton process in a system composed of an annular reactor with a quartz immersion well and a medium-pressure mercury lamp (450 W). The study was conducted under special conditions to minimize the costs of acidification and neutralization, which are usual steps in this type of process. Photochemical reactions were carried out to investigate the influence of some process variables such as the initial concentration of Fe2+ ([Fe2+](0)) from 1.0 up to 2.5 mM, the rate in mmol of H2O2 fed into the system (F-H2O2,F-in) from 3.67 up to 7.33 mmol of H2O2/min during 120 min of reaction time, and the initial pH (pH(0)) from 3.0 up to 9.0 in the presence and absence of NaCl (60.0 g/L). Although the optimum pH for the photo-Fenton process is about 3.0, this particular system performed well in experimental conditions starting at alkaline and neutral pH. The results obtained here are promising for industrial applications, particularly in view of the high concentration of chloride, a known hydroxyl radical scavenger and the main oxidant present in photo-Fenton processes. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.