Trophic niche of Dendropsophus minutus (Anura: Hylidae) in southern Brazil

Trophic niche of Dendropsophus minutus (Anura: Hylidae) in southern Brazil. The feeding biology of the Neotropical tree frog Dendropsophus minutus is described based on identifcation of the items consumed by the anuran. Samples were collected monthly samplings for one year in an Araucaria forest in the state of Paraná in southern Brazil. Of the total of 101 gastrointestines examined, 51 were empty or contained digested remains or plant items. The 50 samples of gastrointestinal contents contained three classes and 10 orders of arthropods. The results suggest that D. minutus is a generalist predator that feeds on arthropods, primarily those in the orders Araneae, Lepidoptera, and Diptera. The diet varies seasonally depending upon prey activity, which determines the breadth of the trophic niche of the frog.Nicho trófco de Dendropsophus minutus (Anura: Hylidae) no sul do Brasil. A biologia alimentar da perereca neotropical Dendropsophus minutus é descrita a partir da identifcação dos itens predados pela espécie. Amostras foram coletadas mensalmente por um ano em uma área de Floresta de Araucária no estado do Paraná, sul do Brasil. Um total de 101 estômagos foi analisado, sendo que desses 51 estavam vazios ou continham itens digeridos ou fragmentos de plantas. As 50 amostras de conteúdo gastrintestinais estudadas continham três classes e 10 ordens de artrópodes. Os resultados sugerem que D. minutus é um predador generalista que se alimenta de artrópodes, principalmente das ordens Araneae, Lepidoptera e Diptera. A dieta varia sazonalmente, dependendo da atividade das presas, o que determina a amplitude do nicho trófco da espécie

Interlab study on nanotoxicology of representative graphene oxide

The graphene sample GO: Single-layer graphene oxide, purity 99%, thickness 0.7-1.2 nm (AFM); similar to 300-800nm X&Y dimensions is the standard size 50 mu g/mL) were observed. Genotoxic study using the Comet assay showed slight DNA damage in lymphocytes at all concentrations tested, while more significant effects was observed in CHO cells. Econanotoxicity was carried out by lethality assays in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, d in the freshwater coelenterate Hydra, Daphania amd in Shrimp with no signs of toxicity at concentrations varying from 0.1-100 mu g/mL of GO. However, death and disintegration of Hydra was observed after exposition to 100 mu g/mL for 72 h. In in vivo studies, no changes in biochemical parameters of Fischer 344 rats were observed after the i. p. administration of GO. Some black agglomerates were found in the intraperitoneal cavity of rats injected with GO. However, in Fisher 344 rats-bearing prostate tumors, treatment with GO (up to 100 mu g/mL) negatively affected the hepatic parameters, whilst in the renal ones, an improvement was observed. Studies are in progress to understand the mechanisms involved in the uptake of GO by RES. GO appears as a potential non-toxic in vitro and in vivo assays at the concentrations used in this interlab experiments.The graphene sample GO:Single-layer graphene oxide, purity 99%, thickness 0.7-1.2 nm (AFM); ~300-800nm X&Y dimensions is the standard size <450 nm & 1-20 μm lateral dimensions. Cheap Tubes Inc., Bratleboro, USA was selected for our study. Exhaustive chara617CNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOFAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOsem informaçãosem informação4th International Conference on Safe Production and Use of NanomaterialsSupport from the Brazilian Network of Nanotoxicology (CIGENANOTOX) (MCTI/CNPq), INOMAT (MCTI/CNPq), NanoBioss (MCTI) and FAPESP are acknowledged

Perfil de pecuaristas da microrregião de São Joaquim no Planalto Catarinenese.

Introdução: A pecuária de corte é uma atividade tradicional que carece de informações sobre suas características. Conhecer a realidade é fundamental para balizar intervenções técnicas na busca da eficiência zootécnica, no cenário atual de aquecimento da cadeia produtiva. Objetivo: Diagnosticar os sistemas produtivos da pecuária de corte da microrregião de São Joaquim no Planalto Catarinens

Caracterização de minerais em farelo de arroz.

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a variação da composição de minerais nas amostras de farelo de arroz fornecidas pela EMBRAPA, cultivadas em sistema irrigado e sequeiro e submetidas a diferentes processamentos e técnicas de estabilização, tendo em vista que o farelo pode ser utilizado como alimento e/ou ingrediente com propriedades nutricionais

Índice de vegetação por diferença normalizada (NDVI) de cultivares de soja sob três níveis de disponibilidade hídirca no solo.

bitstream/item/71971/1/ID-30959.pd

Prospecting microorganisms for lactic acid production from resitual glycerin from biodiesel.

Lactic acid is an organic acid widely used in the food, chemical, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries (Yuwaamornpitak and Chookietwatana, 2018; Hong et al., 2009). Lactic acid can be obtained from different raw materials, agri-industrial residues and co-products, which demonstrates the potential that Brazil has to produce this chemical, within the concept of bio refinery. The objective of this work was to select microorganisms capable of producing lactic acid from residual glycerin from biodiesel production.23º SINAFERM; 14º SHEB; 14º ENZITEC

Epicoccum nigrum P16, a Sugarcane Endophyte, Produces Antifungal Compounds and Induces Root Growth

Background: Sugarcane is one of the most important crops in Brazil, mainly because of its use in biofuel production. Recent studies have sought to determine the role of sugarcane endophytic microbial diversity in microorganism-plant interactions, and their biotechnological potential. Epicoccum nigrum is an important sugarcane endophytic fungus that has been associated with the biological control of phytopathogens, and the production of secondary metabolites. In spite of several studies carried out to define the better conditions to use E. nigrum in different crops, little is known about the establishment of an endophytic interaction, and its potential effects on plant physiology. Methodology/Principal Findings: We report an approach based on inoculation followed by re-isolation, molecular monitoring, microscopic analysis, plant growth responses to fungal colonization, and antimicrobial activity tests to study the basic aspects of the E. nigrum endophytic interaction with sugarcane, and the effects of colonization on plant physiology. The results indicate that E. nigrum was capable of increasing the root system biomass and producing compounds that inhibit the in vitro growth of sugarcane pathogens Fusarium verticillioides, Colletotrichum falcatum, Ceratocystis paradoxa, and Xanthomomas albilineans. In addition, E. nigrum preferentially colonizes the sugarcane surface and, occasionally, the endophytic environment. Conclusions/Significance: Our work demonstrates that E. nigrum has great potential for sugarcane crop application because it is capable of increasing the root system biomass and controlling pathogens. The study of the basic aspects of the interaction of E. nigrum with sugarcane demonstrated the facultative endophytism of E. nigrum and its preference for the phylloplane environment, which should be considered in future studies of biocontrol using this species. In addition, this work contributes to the knowledge of the interaction of this ubiquitous endophyte with the host plant, and also to a better use of microbial endophytes in agriculture.State of Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP)FAPESP (State of Sao Paulo Research Foundation) [02/14143-3, 10/08286-2]Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq

Efect of maleated anhydride on mechanical properties of rice husk filler reinforced PLA Matrix Polymer Composite

Polylactic acid (PLA) formulated from corn starch has a bright potential to replace the non-renewable petroleum-based plastics. The combination of PLA and natural fbre has gained interest due to its unique performance, as reported in many researches and industries. Meanwhile, rice husk produced as the by-product of rice milling can be utilised, unless it is turned completely into waste. Therefore, in the present study, the rice husk powder (RHP) was used as a fller in the PLA, so to determine the infuence of the fller loading on the mechanical properties of the PLA composite. A coupling agent was selected for treatment from two options, i.e., maleic anhydride polypropylene (MAPP) and maleic anhydride polyethylene (MAPE), by applying the agents with various loading contents, such as 2, 4 and 6 wt%. The composite was fabricated by using the hot compression machine. Both the treated and untreated RHP–PLA composites were characterised via the tensile, fexural and impact strength tests. The increase in the RHP loading content led to the decrease in the tensile and fexural strengths. The applications of the coupling agents (MAPE and MAPP) did not improve the tensile and impact strengths, but the fexural strength was enhanced