Production of Acetic Acid for CMA Deicer, HR-304, 1988

Although the overall objective for undertaking this project is to help decide on the best way to produce CMA, the tasks to be performed deal primarily with acetic acid itself. The objectives of our part of this project can be restated here: A. Evaluate the cost and composition of potential low-cost fermentation substrates that are available in large quantity at central locations in Iowa. B. Compare the nutritional and physiological properties of a variety of homoacetogenic bacteria relative to acetic acid production, based on information available in the literature. C. Using both of these pools of information, evaluate the possibilities for use of substrates for acetic acid production that are significantly cheaper than the previous sugar, starch hydrolysate or whole corn based studies; also, compare the different acetogens encountered with the most commonly discussed acetogen, Clostridium thermoaceticum; arrive at conclusions on 1-3 of the best agriculture-derived substrates that should be further examined, and on 1-3 of the best organisms to evaluate experimentally. D. Collect experimental data at the tube and fermentor scale on 1-2 of the possibilities in C above. E. Comment on our understanding of acetic acid production possibilities from our perspective as microbiologists, and provide all this above information to Paul Peterschmidt for him to consider for his portion of this report. F. In addition, we would like to point out the possible advantage of examining the use of an agricultural by-product, corn steep liquor, as a direct, non-fermented feedstock for a non-acetic acid deicer.

Whitefly, aphids and thrips attack on cabbage

The objective of this work was to investigate the relationships between predators and parasitoids, leaf chemical composition, levels of leaf nitrogen and potassium, total rainfall, relative humidity, daylight and median temperature on the intensity of whitefly, aphid, and thrips attack on cabbage. Whitefly, aphids and thrips population tended to proliferate in the final stage of plant or reached a peak population about 40 days after plantation. The whitefly and thrips tended to increase with an increase in the median temperature. A dependence of Cheiracanthium inclusum and Adialytus spp. populations on whitefly and aphids populations, respectively, was observed. No significant effect was detected between K and nonacosane leaf content and aphid population. However, an increase in leaf N content was followed by a decrease of this insect population. No significant relation was observed between leaf N, K and nonacosane and whitefly and thrips populations. Highest nonacosane levels were observed in plants 40 days after transplant, and relative humidity correlated negatively with nonacosane. Natural enemies, especially the parasitoid Adialytus spp. and the spiders can be useful controlling agents of the whitefly and aphids in cabbage. Median temperature can increase whitefly and thrips populations.

Body lipid deposition in Nile tilapia fed on rations containing tannin

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of tannin sources and levels in rations, on the productive performance and body lipid deposition of Nile tilapias (Oreochromis niloticus) during the finishing phase. Three hundred and forty-two fishes were distributed in 18 tanks. Rations were prepared using corn, sorghum varieties, with low and high tannin content, and tannic acid at 0.08, 0.34, and 0.60%. Weight gain, apparent feed conversion and protein efficiency rate were not influenced by the treatments. The highest body lipid deposition was observed for the tannic acid treatment (14.39%), while the diet containing sorghum with high tannin content yielded leaner body (12.01%) than that of sorghum with low tannin content (13.31%). Diets containing sorghum provided lower levels of visceral fat. Rations with tannin contents did not harm the productive performance of Nile tilapia.

Polyhydroxyalknoate synthesis in plants as a tool for biotechnology and basic studies of lipid metabolism.

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are polyesters of hydroxyacids naturally synthesized in bacteria as a carbon reserve. PHAs have properties of biodegradable thermoplastics and elastomers and their synthesis in crop plants is seen as an attractive system for the sustained production of large amounts of polymers at low cost. A variety of PHAs having different physical properties have now been synthesized in a number of transgenic plants, including Arabidopsis thaliana, rape and corn. This has been accomplished through the creation of novel metabolic pathways either in the cytoplasm, plastid or peroxisome of plant cells. Beyond its impact in biotechnology, PHA production in plants can also be used to study some fundamental aspects of plant metabolism. Synthesis of PHA can be used both as an indicator and a modulator of the carbon flux to pathways competing for common substrates, such as acetyl-coenzyme A in fatty acid biosynthesis or 3-hydroxyacyl-coenzyme A in fatty acid degradation. Synthesis of PHAs in plant peroxisome has been used to demonstrate changes in the flux of fatty acids to the beta-oxidation cycle in transgenic plants and mutants affected in lipid biosynthesis, as well as to study the pathway of degradation of unusual fatty acids.

Soil compaction due to forest harvest operations

The objective of this work was to determine, through the use of the bearing capacity model, the traffic effects of the forest harvest operations on the preconsolidation pressure (sigmap), during one cycle of the eucalyptus plantation. The work was conducted using undisturbed soil samples, collected at the surface of the A horizon and in the top of the B horizon of an Udult (PA), Aquox (FX) and Udox (LA) soils. The undisturbed soil samples were used in the uniaxial compression tests. The soil sampling was done before and after the harvest operations. The operations performed with the Forwarder caused greater soil compaction than the ones done with the Feller Büncher and Harvester. The percentage of soil samples, in the region with additional soil compaction, indicated that the Udult was the soil class more susceptible to soil compaction, followed by the Aquox and Udox. Despite Udult is the more susceptible to soil compaction, the regeneration of the soil structure in this soil class was more efficient than in Aquox. The percentage of soil samples with sigmap values in the region with additional soil compaction in 1996, 1998 and 2004, after harvest operations, indicated a sustainable forest exploration in this period.

Apparent digestibility of ingredients in diets for Salminus brasiliensis

The objective of this work was to determine the nutritional value of different protein sources for "dourado" (Salminus brasiliensis). Thirty juveniles per group (33.51±1.4 g) were hand fed on a reference diet (70%) added of tested ingredients (30%) and chromium oxide III (0.1%). Apparent digestibility coefficients of the gross energy (ADC GE), crude protein (ADC CP) and amino acids of the tested ingredients were evaluated. Corn gluten meal yielded the best results for ADC GE and ADC CP (95.7 and 96.9%, respectively) amongst plant ingredients. Spray-dried blood meal yielded the best values of ADC GE and ADC CP amongst animal ingredients (94.1 and 96.3%, respectively). Wheat bran yielded poorest ADCs coefficients (77 for ADC GE and 88.2% for ADC CP).

Qualité de vie avant et 6 mois après angioplastie coronaire transluminale percutanée

Summary Background: Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is an effective and minimally invasive treatment for angina pectoris, but its impact on patient's quality of life has not been extensively studied with specific questionnaires. Methods: Over a 6 month period, ail patients suffering from angina, planned for elective PTCA, and available for a 6 months follow-up, were included in the study. The specific "Seattle Angina Questionnaire" (SAQ) was administered the day before and 6 months after PTCA. The decision to implant a coronary stent was left to the cardiologist in charge of the procedure. Results: 112 patients were initially included (39 PTCA and 62 PTCA with stent im-plantation). There was no difference in gender, age, angina severity and type of coronary lesion between the two groups. Follow-up at 6 months was available for 101 patients (90%). Quality of life was dramatically improved in 4 of 5 SAQ dimensions (physical limitation, angina stability, angina frequency, disease perception, p <0.001). Only treatment satisfaction was worse at follow-up then before the procedure (p = 0.03), in particular satisfaction with received explanations, belief that everything possible was donc to treat angina, and global satisfaction. A stent implantation had no impact on these results. Conclusions: PTCA for ischaemic cardiac disease improved not only physical abilities, but also quality of life dramatically. Dissatisfaction with treatment could be corrected with better information during follow-up. SAQ is easy to use and could be selected as a monitoring instrument. Résumé Contexte: Le traitement de l'angine de poitrine par angioplastie coronaire transluminale per-cutanée (PTCA) est efficace et peu invasif, mais son impact sur la qualité de vie des patients a été relativement peu étudié avec des questionnaires spécifiques. Méthode: Durant 6 mois, tous les patients souffrant d'une angine de poitrine pour qui une PTCA élective était envisagée, et qui étaient disponibles pour un suivi à 6 mois ont été inclus dans l'étude. Le questionnaire spécifique «Seattle Angina Questionnaire» (SAQ) a été utilisé le jour avant et 6 mois après la procédure. La décision d'implanter un stent était laissée au cardiologue au moment de la procédure. Résultats: 112 patients ont été initialement inclus. Trente-neuf d'entre eux ont été traités avec une PTCA, et 62 avec une PTCA et l'implantation de stent. Il n'y avait pas de différence de sexe, d'âge, de sévérité de l'angine de poitrine, et de type de lésion coronaire entre les deux groupes. Un suivi à 6 mois a été possible pour 101 patients (90% de la cohorte initiale). La qualité de vie a été améliorée de façon spectaculaire dans 4 des 5 dimensions du SAQ (limites physiques, stabilité de l'angor, fréquence de l'angor, perception de l'angor, p <0,001). Seule, la satisfaction avec le traitement était pire lors du suivi qu'avant l'intervention (p = 0,03), en particulier la satisfaction avec les explications reçues, la conviction que tous les moyens avaient été utilisés pour le traitement, et la satisfaction globale. L'implantation d'un stent n'a eu aucun impact sur ces résultats.

Organic compounds from plant extracts and their effect on soil phosphorus availability

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of organic compounds from plant extracts of six species and phosphate fertilization on soil phosphorus availability. Pots of 30 cm height and 5 cm diameter were filled with Typic Hapludox. Each pot constituted a plot of a completely randomized design, in a 7x2 factorial arrangement, with four replicates. Aqueous extracts of black oat (Avena strigosa), radish (Raphanus sativus), corn (Zea mays), millet (Pennisetum glaucum), soybean (Glycine max), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), and water, as control, were added in each plot, with or without soluble phosphate fertilization. After seven days of incubation, soil samples were taken from soil layers at various depths, and labile, moderately labile and nonlabile P fractions in the soil were analysed. Plant extracts led to an accumulation of inorganic phosphorus in labile and moderately labile fractions, mainly in the soil surface layer (0-5 cm). Radish, with a higher amount of malic acid and higher P content than other species, was the most efficient in increasing soil P availability.

Occurrence of Aceria tosichella in Brazil

The objective of this work was to evaluate the occurrence of Aceria tosichella Keifer (Prostigmata: Eriophyidae), the wheat curl mite, in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Samples to detect A. tosichella specimens were collected in wheat, corn, oat crops and potential host grasses in 46 localities, in October 2006, August and October 2007. Samples of wheat were also collected in experimental greenhouses at Embrapa Trigo, Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil. A. tosichella specimens were found in wheat samples from Passo Fundo, Palmeira das Missões, São Luís Gonzaga, and Santo Antônio das Missões, RS, Brazil. Symptoms due to A. tosichella infestations were observed only in greenhouse conditions. This is the first report of A. tosichella in Brazil and the second in South America.

Faunistic analysis of Carabidae and Staphylinidae (Coleoptera) in five agroecosystems in northeastern São Paulo state, Brazil

The objective of this study was to determined species composition and community structure of Carabidae and Staphylinidae in five areas of forest fragment and soybean/corn crops or orange orchard, from December 2004 to May 2007. Beetles were captured in pitfall traps distributed along two parallel transects of 200 m in length, placed across crop land/forest boundary fragment, with 100 m each. The Shannon-Wiener diversity and evenness indexes and Morisita similarity index were calculated. The carabids Abaris basistriatus Chaudoir, Calosoma granulatum Perty, Megacephala brasiliensis Kirby, Odontochila nodicornis (Dejean) and Selenophorus seriatoporus Putzeys. are dominant and are widely distributed in northeastern São Paulo state, Brazil. Point-scale species diversity was greatest at the transition between forest fragment and cultivated area. The carabid and staphylinid communities of the forest fragment were more similar to the community of orange orchard than that of soybean/corn crops.

DNA sequence of the gene encoding the Zc1 protein from Zea mays W64A

The Zein-2 component named Zc 1 corresponds to a storage protein of an apparent M.W. of 16 kDa present in maize endosperm.

DNA sequence of the gene encoding the Zc1 protein from Zea mays W64A

The Zein-2 component named Zc 1 corresponds to a storage protein of an apparent M.W. of 16 kDa present in maize endosperm.

Sequence analysis of a genomic clone encoding a Zc2 protein from Zea mays W64A

A genomic clone (p268c) coding for the 28 kD storage protein Zc2 from maize endosperm has been isolated and sequenced.

Sequence analysis of a genomic clone encoding a Zc2 protein from Zea mays W64A

A genomic clone (p268c) coding for the 28 kD storage protein Zc2 from maize endosperm has been isolated and sequenced.

Tropical terrestrial model ecosystems for evaluation of soil fauna and leaf litter quality effects on litter consumption, soil microbial biomass and plant growth

The aim of this work was to evaluate whether terrestrial model ecosystems (TMEs) are a useful tool for the study of the effects of litter quality, soil invertebrates and mineral fertilizer on litter decomposition and plant growth under controlled conditions in the tropics. Forty-eight intact soil cores (17.5-cm diameter, 30-cm length) were taken out from an abandoned rubber plantation on Ferralsol soil (Latossolo Amarelo) in Central Amazonia, Brazil, and kept at 28ºC in the laboratory during four months. Leaf litter of either Hevea pauciflora (rubber tree), Flemingia macrophylla (a shrubby legume) or Brachiaria decumbens (a pasture grass) was put on top of each TME. Five specimens of either Pontoscolex corethrurus or Eisenia fetida (earthworms), Porcellionides pruinosus or Circoniscus ornatus (woodlice), and Trigoniulus corallinus (millipedes) were then added to the TMEs. Leaf litter type significantly affected litter consumption, soil microbial biomass and nitrate concentration in the leachate of all TMEs, but had no measurable effect on the shoot biomass of rice seedlings planted in top soil taken from the TMEs. Feeding rates measured with bait lamina were significantly higher in TMEs with the earthworm P. corethrurus and the woodlouse C. ornatus. TMEs are an appropriate tool to assess trophic interactions in tropical soil ecossistems under controlled laboratory conditions.