Factors affecting hydrogen uptake by bacteria growing in the human large intestine

The human large intestine is a highly complex ecosystem that contains somewhere in the region of 400 different species of bacterial1.The vast majority of these bacteria are strict anaerobes and grow on a wide variety of substrates that have either escaped digestion in the small bowel or have been produced by the host2. In Western populations, between 10–60g of carbohydrate and 6–18g of proteinaceous material are potentially available for fermentation each day, producing a total bacterial mass of approximately 90g3.

Increasing thermal plant flexibility in a high renewables power system

Thermal generation is a vital component of mature and reliable electricity markets. As the share of renewable electricity in such markets grows, so too do the challenges associated with its variability. Proposed solutions to these challenges typically focus on alternatives to primary generation, such as energy storage, demand side management, or increased interconnection. Less attention is given to the demands placed on conventional thermal generation or its potential for increased flexibility. However, for the foreseeable future, conventional plants will have to operate alongside new renewables and have an essential role in accommodating increasing supply-side variability. This paper explores the role that conventional generation has to play in managing variability through the sub-system case study of Northern Ireland, identifying the significance of specific plant characteristics for reliable system operation. Particular attention is given to the challenges of wind ramping and the need to avoid excessive wind curtailment. Potential for conflict is identified with the role for conventional plant in addressing these two challenges. Market specific strategies for using the existing fleet of generation to reduce the impact of renewable resource variability are proposed, and wider lessons from the approach taken are identified.

The effects of UV radiation on photosynthesis estimated as chlorophyll fluorescence in Zygnemopsis decussata (Chlorophyta) growing in a high mountain lake (Sierra Nevada, Southern Spain)

The effect of increased UV radiation on photosynthesis estimated as in vivo chlorophyll fluorescence i.e. optimal quantum yield (F(v)/F(m)) and electron transport rate (ETR) in the green filamentous alga Zygnemopsis decussata (Streptophyta, Zygnematales) growing in the high mountain lake ""La Caldera"" (Sierra Nevada, Spain) at 3050 m altitude was evaluated. Two sets of in situ experiments were conducted: (1) On July 2006, F(v)/F(m) was measured throughout the day at different depths (0.1, 0.25, 0.5 and 1 m) and in the afternoon. ETR and phenolic compounds were determined. In addition, in order to analyze the effect of UV radiation, F(v)/F(m) was determined in algae incubated for 3 days at 0.5m under three different light treatments: PAR+UVA+UVB (PAB). PAR+UVA (PA) and PAR (P). (2) On August 2007, F(v)/F(m) was determined under PAB, PA and P treatments and desiccation/rehydration conditions. F(v)/F(m) decreased in algae growing in surface waters (0.1 m) but also at 1 m depth compared to that at 0.5 in depth. The decrease of F(v)/F(m) at noon due to photoinhibition was small (less than 10%) except in algae growing at 1 m depth (44%). The maximal electron transport rate was 3.5-5 times higher in algae growing at 0.25-0.5 m respectively than that at 0.1 and 1 m depth. These results are related to the accumulation of phenolic compounds: i.e. the algae at 0.25-0.5 in presentedrespectively about a 3-5 times higher concentration of phenolic compounds than that of algae at 0.1-1 m depth. The protection mechanisms seem to be stimulated by UVB radiation, since F(v)/F(m) was higher in the presence of UVB (PAB treatment) compared to PA or P treatments. UVA exerts the main photoinhibitory effect, not Only at midday, but also in the afternoon. UVB radiation also had a protective effect in algae grown under desiccation conditions for three days. During re-hydration, the rapid increase of F(v)/F(m) (after 1 h) was higher in the UVB-grown algae than in algae grown under UVA radiation. After 5 h. F(v)/F(m) values were similar in algae submitted to desiccation/rehydration under PAB and P treatments as they were in the control (submerged algae). The combined effect of desiccation and UVA produced the greatest decrease of photosynthesis in Z. decussata. Thifs UVB, in contrast to other species, may support the recovery process. Z. decussata can acclimate to severe stress, conditions in this high mountain lake by the photoprotection mechanism induced by UVB radiation through dynamic photoinhibition and the accumulation of phenolic compounds (UV screen and antioxidant substances).

Fungi, mycotoxins and phytoalexin in peanut varieties, during plant growth in the field

The aim of the present study was to analyze the mycobiota, occurrence of mycotoxins (aflatoxins and cyclopiazonic acid), and production of phytoalexin (trans-resveratrol) in two peanut varieties (Runner IAC 886 and Caiapo) during plant growth in the field. Climatic factors (rainfall, relative humidity and temperature) and water activity were also evaluated. The results showed a predominance of Fusarium spp. in kernels and pods, followed by Penicillium spp. and Aspergillus flavus. Aflatoxins were detected in 20% and 10% of samples of the IAC 886 and Caiapo varieties, respectively. Analysis showed that 65% of kernel samples of the IAC 886 variety and 25% of the Caiapo variety were contaminated with cyclopiazonic acid. trans-Resveratrol was detected in 6.7% of kernel samples of the IAC 886 variety and in 20% of the Caiapo variety. However, trans-resveratrol was found in 73.3% of leaf samples in the two varieties studied. (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Species composition and plant use in old urban homegardens in Rio Claro, Southeast of Brazil

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Dimorphic cypsela germination and plant growth in Synedrella nodiflora (L.) Gaertn. (Asteraceae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Anatomia quantitativa da folha e do colmo de Brachiaria brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Stapf e B. humidicola (Rendle) Schweick

As características da digestão das forragens podem ser mais bem compreendidas quando complementadas com estudos de anatomia dos tecidos de plantas forrageiras. Com o objetivo de agregar novas informações ao tema, determinou-se a área dos diversos tecidos presentes na folha e no colmo de Brachiaria brizantha e B. humidicola, em três diferentes níveis de inserção no perfilho. O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação, com plantas mantidas em vasos plásticos contendo areia esterilizada e recebendo solução nutritiva de macro e micronutrientes. Após 70 dias do corte de uniformização das parcelas (vasos), coletou-se o segmento do colmo e da folha (limbo e bainha) situado na porção mediana de cada um dos três diferentes níveis de inserção do perfilho estudado. As amostras foram emblocadas em GMA, seccionadas em micrótomo e o laminário fotomicrografado. As fotografias foram digitalizadas e as áreas de tecidos, mensuradas com software Image Tool. Observou-se que o limbo das folhas basilares apresentou menor área de tecido vascular lignificado. Maior área de tecido parenquimático foi observada na bainha e no colmo da B. brizantha. em relação à B. humidicola, a B. brizantha apresentou maior área de tecido vascular lignificado no limbo, bainha e colmo. Maior distância entre os feixes vasculares foi observada no limbo e na bainha, sendo o número de feixes maior no limbo e no colmo.

Biomass production and chemical composition of Lippia alba (Mill.) NEBr. ex Britt & Wilson in leaves on different plant parts in different seasons

Lippia alba, family Verbenaceae, is widely spread in Central and South American. It's a shurb with a quadrangular branch reaching 1,7m tall. The leaves are membranaceous, petiolate, pubescent with a strong flavor. It's limbs have variable forms with pointed apex, cuneiform or decumbent base, and serrated or crenated hordes. It was determined the best harvest season to biomass production, essential oil content and chemical composition, on different plant parts (apical, medium, basal). It has been observed that, both apical and medium parts represented around 80 % of the fresh leaf mass. The foliar biomass yields are about 5 ton/ha in four harvests during an year. The average yield of essential oil considering the three plant parts were 0.15%, 0.47%, 0.46%, 0.55% and 0.61% for summer/98, autumn/98, winter/98, spring/98 and summer/99, respectively. Essential oils showed similar chemical composition either in relation to seasonality, neral, geranial and t-cariofilene were the majority compounds.

Behavior of plant tissue in osmotic solutions

The effect of the concentration of sucrose solutions on the cellular structure of potato tissue in equilibrium at 27 degreesC was Studied. Two different methods of investigation were used to determine the volume of the different phases composing the cellular tissue of the potato when in equilibrium with the solutions. one based on data of the concentration itself and the overall volume of 2 mm slices after 48 h at equilibrium, and the other on microscopic images of cells in thin slices of fresh tissue stained with neutral red after an hour in equilibrium to show protoplasts, vacuoles and plasmolysis spaces. The results of these methods were compared with those obtained by a predictive thermodynamic approach considering the semipermeability of cell membranes. Phase volume data obtained from microscopic analysis were more similar to what was predicted by the theoretical model than those obtained by means of composition measurement. where the long equilibrium time apparently led to the loss of semi permeability of the cell membranes, since total volumes calculated without consideration of the cell membranes were similar to those measured. This suggests that the length of time of osmotic dehydration brings about a change in cell structure and the consequent involvement of a different mechanism in mass transfer. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. Ltd. All rights reserved.

Anatomical changes induced by selection for plant architecture in maize (Zea mays L.)

The original brachytic population 'Dent Single Cross Composite' (DSCC-br2br2) and a selection-derived sub-population with modified plant architecture (DSCC-br2br2-Lg3Lg3, selected for erect leaves), were evaluated for the following characteristics number of vascular bundles of greater and smaller size, total vascular tissue area (phloem and xylem), sustaining tissue area (vascular tissue plus sclerenchyma), phloem and sclerenchyma areas in apical, medial and basal portions from midclub and in apical and basal sheath regions (from second leaf above and first below ear insertion). These variables had different values for the five different sections studied in each leaf and these differences did not have the same pattern in the two DSCC populations (brachytic and with modified architecture). Selection for architectural modification caused some indirect foliar anatomical modifications. With the exception of the phloem and the vascular tissue areas in apical leaf and sheath base regions, the modified plant architecture population showed smaller values of sustaining tissue area, sclerenchyma area, vascular tissue area and number of smaller vascular bundles than the original one. In the ligule region the modified maize leaves had smaller vascular and sustaining tissue areas, reducing transportation area, which could reduce gram yield.

Plant nutrients in a degraded soil treated with water treatment sludge and cultivated with grasses and leguminous plants

The objective of this work was to evaluate rates for applications of water treatment sludge (WTS) as a nutrient source for grasses and leguminous plants cropped in a soil degraded by tin mining in the Amazon Region (Natural Forest of Jamari, Rondonia State, Brazil). The treatments consisted of three rates of nitrogen supplied by WTS (100, 150 and 200 mg kg -1 soil), five combinations of plants, two controls (absolute control, without fertilization; and chemical control, soil+lime+chemical fertilizers). WTS modified the contents of macro and micronutrients in the degraded soil, but it was not, as used in the present study, sufficient for the rehabilitation of the degraded area. © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Phosphorus and potassium budget in the soil-plant system in crop rotations under no-till

Soil management and crop rotations can affect P and K budget in soil, decreasing losses, and increasing fertilizer use efficiency. The P and K budget in the soil-plant system at depths up to 60. cm was studied for different soil managements and crop rotations under no-till for three years in Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil. The investigated crop rotations were: triticale (X Triticosecale) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus) cropped in autumn-winter; pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), and Sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea) were grown in the spring, as well as an additional treatment with chiseling followed by a fallow period; and soybean (Glycini max, L., Merril) was cropped in the summer. Each year triticale and sunflower were grown in plots and pearl millet, forage sorghum, Sunn hemp and of chisel/fallow in sub-plots. The triticale/millet rotation led to the largest decrease in available P within the 0-0.60. m layer of the soil profile and the largest K increase within the 0-0.05. m layer. Potassium mobility in the soil profile and the increases in the available K content in the 0.40-0.60. m layer were independent of the management system. Crop rotations with or without chiseling are not effective in preventing soil P losses. There is considerable K leaching below 0.60. m, but chiseling and the use of high K accumulating plants as triticale results in lower K losses. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.