Sensitivity of bovine blastocyst gene expression patterns to culture environments assessed by differential display RT-PCR.

The use of culture media to support the development of preimplantation embryos to the blastocyst stage is often associated with detrimental effects on normal development. These effects have been uncovered largely by investigating the phenotypic abnormalities displayed by fetuses and newborns derived from cultured preimplantation embryos. Research to understand the impact of culture on the embryonic developmental programme has focused on embryo metabolism, gene expression and genomic imprinting. We have used differential display RT-PCR to examine culture influences on global transcript pools in bovine embryos. Others have examined culture influences on candidate marker genes in cultured murine, ovine and bovine embryos. These studies have demonstrated that culture conditions influence the amount of marker gene transcripts and downregulate or induce the expression of novel genes during early development. Optimized defined culture media maintain embryonic gene expression patterns closely resembling those displayed by embryos derived in vivo. Preimplantation mammalian embryos display an impressive capacity to respond to the pressures that suboptimal culture environments place upon them. However, this plasticity operates within a defined range of tolerances. Continued research using molecular techniques will lead to increased understanding of developmental mechanisms causing culture-related phenotypic abnormalities in post-implantation embryos

Atributos químicos do solo tratado com composto orgânico de carcaça e despojo de abate de caprinos e ovinos.

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Efeitos da aplicação de composto orgânico de carcaça e despojo de abate de caprinos e ovinos em micronutrientes, enxofre e alumínio do solo.

Resumo: A compostagem é uma forma de minimizar os impactos ambientais e o uso do composto orgânico melhora as características físicas e químicas do solo. Com o objetivo de avaliar a aplicação de doses do composto de carcaça de caprinos e ovinos nos atributos químicos em um Latossolo, em condições controladas, foi conduzido experimento no Departamento de Solos e Adubos da FCAV/Unesp ? Jaboticabal com o composto gerado pela Embrapa Caprinos e Ovinos. As doses do composto foram: zero; metade da dose padrão; a dose padrão; uma vez e meia e, duas vezes a dose padrão de composto orgânico. Para a dose padrão foi considerada a aplicação de 200 kg ha-1 de N e a quantidade presente no nutriente no composto. O delineamento experimental foram cinco doses do composto, sendo: zero; 5; 10; 15 e 20 t ha-1 de resíduo, com quatro repetições e três unidades por parcela, totalizando 60 unidades experimentais. As unidades foram acondicionadas em um recipiente de polietileno, com capacidade de 250 dm-3, contendo solo juntamente com os diferentes tratamentos, mantida em condições ambiente. No prazo de 90 dias, o solo contido em cada recipiente foi seco ao ar, peneirado e analisado quimicamente para micronutrientes, enxofre e alumínio. Com os resultados obtidos procedeu-se a análise de variância. Houve aumento das concentrações de B e de S-SO4 2-, e para Fe e Mn houve diminuição da concentração com aplicação do composto

Two-photon final states in peripheral heavy ion collisions

We discuss processes leading to two photon final states in peripheral heavy ion collisions at RHIC. Due to the large photon luminosity we show that the continuum subprocess $\gamma \gamma \to \gamma \gamma$ can be observed with a large number of events. We study this reaction when it is intermediated by a resonance made of quarks or gluons and discuss its interplay with the continuum process, verifying that in several cases the resonant process ovewhelms the continuum one. It is also investigated the possibility of observing a scalar resonance (the $\sigma$ meson) in this process. Assuming for the $\sigma$ the mass and total decay width values recently reported by the E791 Collaboration we show that RHIC may detect this particle in its two photon decay mode if its partial photonic decay width is of the order of the ones discussed in the literature.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figure

Produção de mudas de caramboleiras 'B-10' e 'Golden Star': II. Marcha de absorção e acúmulo de nutrientes.

A participação do Brasil no mercado externo de frutas tem aumentado consideravelmente e com potencial para crescer ainda mais. A constante ascensão dos dados de exportação brasileira é resultado da combinação de avanços tecnológicos do setor produtivo e de acesso a novos mercados consumidores. A caramboleira apresenta-se como uma excelente opção de cultivo de frutas exóticas, com grande potencial para atender ao mercado interno e às exportações. Assim, objetivou-se avaliar a marcha de absorção e de acúmulo de nutrientes em mudas de caramboleiras cultivadas em solução nutritiva. O experimento foi realizado em parcelas subdivididas, sendo utilizadas como parcela as duas cultivares de caramboleira (?B-10? e ?Golden Star?) e, como subparcelas, cinco épocas de coleta de plantas, realizadas aos 208; 233; 258; 283 e 308 dias após o transplantio para a solução nutritiva. O delineamento foi inteiramente casualizado, com três repetições. As mudas foram cultivadas em vasos (8L) com solução nutritiva (pH=5,5 ± 0,5), com aeração. O experimento iniciou-se em 24-08-2005. Nos diferentes órgãos das mudas (folhas, caule e raízes), determinaram-se a marcha de absorção, o acúmulo de nutrientes e os índices nutricionais. Não houve diferenças no acúmulo de nutrientes entre as mudas de caramboleira de ambas as cultivares, sendo a ordem decrescente dos nutrientes em cada muda de ?B-10?, no final do período experimental: N > K > Ca > Mg > S > P > Fe > Mn > B > Cu > Zn. Para a ?Golden Star?, a ordem foi: N > K > Ca > Mg > P > S > Fe > Mn > B > Cu > Zn. Para as duas cultivares, o acúmulo médio foi maior nas folhas > caule > raízes. O período de maior exigência para ?B-10? foi entre 208 ? 233 e, para ?Golden Star?, entre 233 ? 283 dias após o transplantio. As diferentes taxas de acumulação líquida dos nutrientes, nos diferentes órgãos da caramboleira, nem sempre acompanharam a taxa de acumulação de nutrientes do respectivo órgão. Production of star fruit ?B-10? and ?Golden Star? seedlings: II ? Absorption rate and acumulation of nutrients. Abstract ? Brazil?s participation in the external market of fruits has increased considerably with the potential to grow further. The constant rise of the Brazilian exportation data is the result of a combination of technological advances in the productive sector and access to new markets. The star fruit is presented as an excellent option for cultivation of exotic fruits, with great potential to attend the domestic market and exportation. Thus, the objective was to assess absorption rate and accumulation of nutrients in star fruit seedlings, grown in nutrient solution. The experiment was conducted in split plots being used as part of the two cultivars of star fruit (?B-10? and ?Golden Star?) and as subplots, five plant collecting periods, realized at 208, 233, 258, 283 and 308 days after transplanting to the nutrient solution. The experimental design was completely randomized with three replications. The seedlings were grown in pots (8L) with nutrient solution (pH = 5.5 ± 0.5) with aeration. The experiment started on 08.24.2005. In different plant organs (leaves, stems and roots), absorption rate, accumulation of nutrients and nutritional indices were determined. It did not have differences in the accumulation of nutrients in the star fruit seedlings for both cultivars, the decreasing order of the nutrients in each ?B-10?seedlings, in the end of the experimental period, was: N > K > Ca > Mg > S > P > Fe > Mn > B > Cu > Zn. For ?Golden Star? the decreasing order was: N > K > Ca > Mg > P > S > Fe > Mn > B > Cu > Zn. For the two cultivars, the average accumulation was bigger in leaves > stem > roots. The period of bigger requirement for ?B-10? was between 208 - 233 and, for ?Golden Star?, between 233 - 283 days after the transplantation. The different rates of nutrient liquid accumulation, in the different organs of star fruit trees, not always followed the nutrient accumulation rate of the respective organ

Produção de mudas de caramboleiras 'B-10' e 'Golden Star': I. Parâmetros biológicos.

O Brasil é um dos maiores produtores de carambola do mundo, entretanto há poucas informações científicas, especialmente estudos de nutrição mineral com mudas dessa frutífera. Objetivando contribuir com o conhecimento desse importante aspecto, desenvolveu-se estudo que permitisse avaliar o crescimento e o acúmulo de nutrientes em mudas de caramboleiras, cultivadas em solução nutritiva. O experimento foi realizado em parcelas subdivididas, sendo utilizadas como parcela as duas cultivares de caramboleira ('B-10' e 'Golden Star') e, como subparcelas, as cinco épocas de coleta de plantas, realizadas aos 208; 233; 258; 283 e 308 dias após o transplantio para a solução nutritiva. O delineamento foi inteiramente casualizado, com três repetições. As mudas foram cultivadas em vasos (8L) com solução nutritiva (pH=5,5 ± 0,5), com aeração. O experimento iniciou-se em 24-08-2005. Nos diferentes órgãos das mudas (folhas, caule e raízes), avaliaram-se o crescimento e o acúmulo de nutrientes, e os índices nutricionais. Não houve diferenças no crescimento e, em geral, no acúmulo da massa da matéria seca entre as duas cultivares. Houve acúmulo linear da massa da matéria seca das mudas de caramboleira com o tempo de cultivo, sendo maior nas folhas > caule > raízes. O período de maior acúmulo da massa de matéria seca e da taxa de crescimento relativo na planta inteira esteve compreendido entre 208 ? 233 e 233 258 dias após o transplantio para a 'B-10' e a 'Golden Star', respectivamente. Production of seedlings of star fruit 'B-10' and 'Golden Star': I biological parameters. Abstract ? Brazil is one of the greatest producer of star fruit in the world, however, there are few scientific information, especially studies of mineral nutrition with seedlings of this fruitful. In order to contribute with the knowledge of this important aspect, it was developed a study that allowed evaluating the growth and the accumulation of nutrients in seedlings of star fruits trees, cultivated in nutritional solution. The experiment was realize in split plot, with two cultivars ('B-10' and 'Golden Star') and as subplots, five collecting periods of plants, realized in 208, 233, 258, 283 and 308 days after the transplantation to nutritional solution, with 3 repetitions. The seedlings had been cultivated in pots (8L) with nutritional solution (pH=5.5 ± 0.5), with aeration. The experiment started on 08-24-2005. In the different parts of the seedlings (leaves, stem and roots), it was evaluated the growth and the accumulation of nutrients and nutritional ratios. It did not have differences in the growth and, in general, in the accumulation of the dry matter between the two cultivars. There was linear accumulation of the dry matter of the seedlings of star fruit trees with the cultivation period, it was bigger in leaves > stem > roots. The period of greater accumulation of dry matter and the tax of relative growth in the entire plant was between 208 - 233 and 233 - 258 days after the transplantation for 'B-10' and 'Golden Star' respectively

The BaR-SPOrt Experiment

BaR-SPOrt (Balloon-borne Radiometers for Sky Polarisation Observations) is an experiment to measure the linearly polarized emission of sky patches at 32 and 90 GHz with sub-degree angular resolution. It is equipped with high sensitivity correlation polarimeters for simultaneous detection of both the U and Q stokes parameters of the incident radiation. On-axis telescope is used to observe angular scales where the expected polarization of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMBP) peaks. This project shares most of the know-how and sophisticated technology developed for the SPOrt experiment onboard the International Space Station. The payload is designed to flight onboard long duration stratospheric balloons both in the Northern and Southern hemispheres where low foreground emission sky patches are accessible. Due to the weakness of the expected CMBP signal (in the range of microK), much care has been spent to optimize the instrument design with respect to the systematics generation, observing time efficiency and long term stability. In this contribution we present the instrument design, and first tests on some components of the 32 GHz radiometer.Comment: 12 pages, 10 figures, Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation (Polaimetry in Astronomy) Hawaii August 2002 SPIE Meetin

Cultivation of Gongolaria barbata (Fucales, Phaeophyceae) with a seaweed-derived biostimulant in order to improve photophysiological fitness and promote fertility to advance the restoration of marine macroalgal forests

As a result of several anthropogenic factors, Cystoseira sensu lato forests have declined or become regionally extinct in many coastal regions of the Mediterranean. Given the low natural recovery of lost populations, research efforts have been encouraged to develop sustainable and efficient restoration of macroalgal forests on a large scale. By promoting growth and fertility of collected thallus branches under controlled laboratory conditions, the availability of seedlings for restoration could be ensured without jeopardizing natural populations. Here we investigated the effect of a commercial algal biostimulant (AlgatronCifo (R)) on the photophysiology, growth and fertility of Gongolaria barbata (Stackhouse) Kuntze (Fucales, Phaeophyceae). In a factorial laboratory experiment, two different temperatures (10 oC and 14 degrees C) and two culture media [i.e. seawater (SW) and Algatron (AT)] were tested. The photosynthetic performance of G. barbata doubled after three weeks of culture with AT, while it decreased by 25% when cultivated in SW. The highest photosynthetic performance and growth were achieved at 14oC with AT, where fertile receptacles also developed, followed by seedling settlements. The thalli cultured in AT had similar or better photosynthetic performance than the initial control thalli. AT-cultured thalli had a greater ability to quench energy via photochemical pathways (q(P)) than those from the SW, which on the contrary, had higher levels of non-photochemical responses (q(N), NPQ(max)). This limited photosynthetic performance was probably linked to the higher P-limitation experienced under that treatment. The algal biostimulant enhanced the physiological performance and induced fertility of G. barbata, demonstrating its valorization potential and setting a new path for improved restoration applications

Modelagem fuzzy para previsão da produtividade de goiabeira 'Paluma' em sistema agroindustrial em função da época de poda e do estado nutricional.

Abstract. As incertezas inerentes ao processo de produção de goiaba Paluma, principalmente quando se considera a época de poda e a avaliação do estado nutricional das plantas, podem interferir nos ganhos do fruticultor, pois a adubação representa boa parte dos custos de produção. Neste trabalho, apresentamos um modelo fuzzy para estimar a produtividade da goiabeira Paluma incorporando ao modelo as incertezas nos teores foliares de NPK e a época da poda. Consideraram-se nas relações fuzzy as tabelas de suficiência dos nutrientes e a experiência dos pesquisadores e produtores. O controlador fuzzy foi bem sucedido na tarefa de predizer a produtividade da goiabeira. Os resultados estimados quando comparados com os observados no campo apresentaram erro inferior a 10% para a maioria das amostras analisadas

First results on Martian carbon monoxide from Herschel/HIFI observations

We report on the initial analysis of Herschel/HIFI carbon monoxide (CO) observations of the Martian atmosphere performed between 11 and 16 April 2010. We selected the (7-6) rotational transitions of the isotopes ^{13}CO at 771 GHz and C^{18}O at 768 GHz in order to retrieve the mean vertical profile of temperature and the mean volume mixing ratio of carbon monoxide. The derived temperature profile agrees within less than 5 K with general circulation model (GCM) predictions up to an altitude of 45 km, however, show about 12-15 K lower values at 60 km. The CO mixing ratio was determined as 980 \pm 150 ppm, in agreement with the 900 ppm derived from Herschel/SPIRE observations in November 2009.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics (special issue on HIFI first results); minor changes to match published versio