Semeadura direta de soja sobre diferentes plantas de cobertura e manejos de palhada, na região norte fluminense.

Com o objetivo de avaliar as características agronômicas da cultura da soja em rotação a plantas de cobertura com dois manejos dos resíduos, foi realizado um experímento em campo na região norte fluminense. O delineamento utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições em esquema de parcelas subdivididas. As parcelas foram constituídas dos manejos (roçado e não-roçado) e as subparcelas constaram das plantas de cobertura (aveia-preta, milheto, sorgo, teosinto, nabo-forrageiro, mucuna-anã, tremoço-branco, guandu-anão e vegetação espontânea com predomínio de capim-colchão). No manejo não roçado a produtividade média de soja nas sucessões com aveia preta e vegetação espontânea foi 50% superior à das sucessões com mucuna-anã, milheto, guandu-anão e sorgo. Já no manejo com roçada, a produtividade média nas sucessões com milheto, teosinto e vegetação espontânea foi 79% superior às sucessões com tremoço-branco e mucuna-anã. Além disso, o manejo mecânico do milheto resultou em acréscimo de 1.154 kg ha' de soja, comparado à ausência da roçada

Comparison of soybean oil and different sources of corn oil on nursery pig growth performance

A total of 350 pigs (PIC 1050; initially 26.45 ± 0.09 lb and 45 d of age) were used in a 21-d study to compare the effects of soy oil and 2 sources of corn oil on nursery pig growth performance. The 7 dietary treatments consisted of a corn-soybean meal–based control diet with no added oil or the control diet with 2.5 or 5% soybean oil (NE = 3,422 kcal/lb) or corn oil from 2 different sources (NE = 3,383 kcal/kg for both sources). There were 5 pigs per pen and 10 pens per treatment. Pig weight and feed disappearance were measured on day 0, 7, 14, and 21 of the trial to determine ADG, ADFI, and F/G. Overall (d 0 to 21), increasing corn or soybean oil improved (linear; P \u3c 0.02) ADG, F/G, and final (d-21) BW, but a source × level interaction was observed (P \u3c 0.05) for ADG, F/G, and caloric efficiency (CE; caloric intake/total BW gain). For ADG, increasing soy oil or corn oil source 1 from 2.5 to 5% increased ADG, whereas increasing corn oil source 2 from 2.5 to 5% decreased ADG. Feed efficiency also improved at a greater rate for pigs fed increasing corn oil source 1 compared with the other oil sources. Caloric efficiency was not influenced by soy oil or corn oil source 2 but was improved (linear, P \u3c 0.05) as corn oil source 1 increased in the diet. The improved CE for corn oil source 1 indicated that the energy value of this source was underestimated. In conclusion, soybean or corn oil improved ADG and F/G as expected; however, growth performance varied among the 3 oil sources. This study shows the benefits of adding an oil source in late-phase nursery pig diets to achieve improved ADG, F/G, and CE, but more research is needed to determine the cause of the varied responses between corn oil sources.; Swine Day, Manhattan, KS, November 20, 201

Mitochondrial echoes of first settlement and genetic continuity in El Salvador

Background: From Paleo-Indian times to recent historical episodes, the Mesoamerican isthmus played an important role in the distribution and patterns of variability all around the double American continent. However, the amount of genetic information currently available on Central American continental populations is very scarce. In order to shed light on the role of Mesoamerica in the peopling of the New World, the present study focuses on the analysis of the mtDNA variation in a population sample from El Salvador. Methodology/Principal Findings: We have carried out DNA sequencing of the entire control region of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genome in 90 individuals from El Salvador. We have also compiled more than 3,985 control region profiles from the public domain and the literature in order to carry out inter-population comparisons. The results reveal a predominant Native American component in this region: by far, the most prevalent mtDNA haplogroup in this country (at ~90%) is A2, in contrast with other North, Meso- and South American populations. Haplogroup A2 shows a star-like phylogeny and is very diverse with a substantial proportion of mtDNAs (45%; sequence range 16090–16365) still unobserved in other American populations. Two different Bayesian approaches used to estimate admixture proportions in El Salvador shows that the majority of the mtDNAs observed come from North America. A preliminary founder analysis indicates that the settlement of El Salvador occurred about 13,400±5,200 Y.B.P.. The founder age of A2 in El Salvador is close to the overall age of A2 in America, which suggests that the colonization of this region occurred within a few thousand years of the initial expansion into the Americas. Conclusions/Significance: As a whole, the results are compatible with the hypothesis that today's A2 variability in El Salvador represents to a large extent the indigenous component of the region. Concordant with this hypothesis is also the observation of a very limited contribution from European and African women (~5%). This implies that the Atlantic slave trade had a very small demographic impact in El Salvador in contrast to its transformation of the gene pool in neighbouring populations from the Caribbean facade

First-time mothers’ experiences of pregnancy and birth following assisted reproductive technology treatment in Taiwan

Background Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) treatment tends to involve significant physical and emotional commitments that can impact maternal, infant and family health and well-being. An in-depth understanding of experiences is necessary to provide adequate support for women and their families during pregnancy and transition to parenthood following ART treatment. The aim of this study was to explore first-time mothers’ experiences of pregnancy and transition to parenthood following successful ART treatment in Taiwan. Method Twelve first-time mothers who conceived and gave live birth using ART treatment were purposively selected from a fertility centre in Taipei, Taiwan. Women’s experiences in pregnancy and in their transition to motherhood were explored using semi-structured in-depth interviews. All interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analysed using the Colaizzi strategy. Results The mothers’ accounts reflected three main themes: ‘being different from mothers who became pregnant naturally’; ‘ensuring health and safety of the foetus’; and ‘welcoming new lives with excitement’. The difference mothers felt about themselves was evident in four subthemes: becoming pregnant after a long wait, feeling vulnerable during pregnancy, relying on family’s assistance and support, and worrying about the impact of ART on health. The theme on ‘ensuring health and safety of the foetus’ encompassed three subthemes: activities to protect the unborn baby, monitoring foetal movement constantly to maintain peace of mind, and receiving foetal reduction for the sake of the pregnancy. Narratives around ‘welcoming new lives with excitement’ reflected four subthemes: overcoming hardship for worthwhile results, realising one’s life and dreams, proving to be fertile enough to give birth, and return to normal life track. Conclusion Findings indicate the need for educational and psychosocial interventions to support women and their families physically and psychologically during ART treatment. The stigma related to infertility and the psychosocial support from family are aspects to consider while planning intervention programmes