Reproductive biology of Heros efasciatus Heckel,1840 (Pisces, Cichlidae) in the Amanã Sustainable Reserve (Amazonas, Brazil), aiming at sustainable management of the species

Com o principal objetivo de fornecer ferramentas para auxiliar na implementação do manejo sustentável de peixes ornamentais na Reserva de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Amanã, Amazonas, foi realizado o estudo da biologia reprodutiva de Heros efasciatus Heckel, 1840, um ciclídeo com potencial ornamental e com poucos trabalhos sobre a sua biologia e ecologia, apesar de já ser comercializado em algumas regiões amazônicas. Coletas bimestrais foram realizadas de fevereiro de 2006 a janeiro de 2007 em dez igarapés contribuintes do Lago Amanã e Urini, sendo utilizados três aparelhos de pesca (rede de arrasto, rapiché e armadilha tipo matapi) e ainda galhadas artificiais nas amostragens realizadas próximas aos lagos. Foram capturados 140 exemplares de H. efasciatus, sendo 50 fêmeas, 42 machos, e 46 indivíduos cujo sexo não foi identificado devido ao pequeno tamanho. O tipo de crescimento encontrado foi isométrico, sendo que o maior indivíduo observado apresentava 174 mm e o menor 14 mm. Os resultados encontrados auxiliarão na adoção de medidas de manejo, como a determinação de tamanhos mínimos de captura, superiores aos tamanhos médios de maturação (97 mm para as fêmeas) e o estabelecimento de períodos de defeso durante a época de sua reprodução (outubro a janeiro). A pequena abundância de indivíduos da espécie, quando comparada com o total de exemplares capturados (apenas 0,07%) e a baixa fecundidade média, de 2502 ovócitos, indica que se deve trabalhar anualmente apenas com um pequeno número de indivíduos, a fim de garantir a continuidade do estoque.The aim if the present work is to supply basic information that may help the management of ornamental fishes in the Amanã Sustainable Reserve, State of Amazonas, Brazi. A study of the reproductive biology of Heros efasciatus, a cichlid fish with ornamental potential, was performed using specimens collected bi-monthly between February 2006 and January 2007 in ten creeks contributing to Lakes Amanã and Urini. The sample collection gear included hand net, seine and traps. In addition, artificial tree branches were used for sampling near the lakes. A total of 140 specimens of H. efasciatus were captured, which corresponded to only 0.07% of all specimens collected. Of this total, 50 were male, 42 were female, and 46 individuals could not be sexed due to their small size. The type of growth founded was isometric; with individuals’ sizes varying from 14 mm to 174 mm. Average fecundity was estimated at 2,502 oocytes. The results of this study will help in implementing several sustainable management measures, such as establishing a minimum size for capture (higher than 97 mm) and imposing a no-fishing restriction during the spawning season of this species (from October till January). To ensure stock continuity due to the low density and low fecundity of H. efasciatus, we suggest that exploitation of this species for ornamental trade be kept to a small number of individuals per year.CNP

Resposta fisiológica e produção do vinhedo de 'Syrah' em função dos sistemas de condução

A arquitetura da planta e sua interação com práticas agronômicas e variáveis ambientais determinam a estrutura do dossel vegetal, que está envolvida na assimilação de carbono, fertilidade das gemas e qualidade da fruta. Neste contexto, avaliou-se o comportamento de um vinhedo de 'Syrah' conduzido nos sistemas espaldeira (VSP) e Dupla Cortina de Geneva modificado (GDC). As avaliações da superfície foliar primária, relações hídricas e assimilação líquida de carbono foram realizadas no final do período de maturação da uva. Foi feita estimativa da produção por planta e por hectare e avaliados o peso e diâmetro das bagas e teores de sólidos solúveis, pH e acidez titulável durante o amadurecimento das bagas. As plantas conduzidas em espaldeira apresentaram melhor hidratação, sendo observadas diferenças no potencial hídrico da folha (ψpd) e do caule (ψstem). A assimilação líquida de CO2 não foi afetada pelos sistemas adotados, e a redução no ψpd e ψstem observada no sistema GDC não alterou a taxa fotossintética. A exposição da fruta foi maior no sistema em espaldeira, o que contribuiu para aumento na temperatura das bagas. Na colheita, as bagas do sistema GDC atingiram valores próximos a 23 ºBrix, enquanto no sistema em espaldeira, os valores não passaram de 21 ºBrix.Plant architecture and its interaction with agricultural practices and environmental constraints is determinant for grapevine canopy structure, which is related to carbon assimilation, bud fertility and fruit quality. In this context, this study evaluated the performance of field-grown 'Syrah' grapevines conducted by two management systems: Vertical Shoot Position (VSP) or a modified Geneva Double Curtain (GDC), in Pirapora, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, during the winters of 2007 and 2008. The evaluations of leaf area, water relations and net CO2 assimilation were made at the end of the ripening period. Yield per vine and per hectare were estimated and mean berry weight and diameter, total soluble solids, pH and titratable acidity were evaluated during berry ripening. The grapevines trained in VSP had higher water status as compared to GDC, shown by differences in pre-dawn leaf water potential (ψpd) and stem water potential (ψstem). However, the CO2 assimilation was similar in both training systems. Fruit exposure was higher in VSP than in GDC, which contributed to increasing berry temperature. At harvest, the berries in GDC reached values near to 23 ºBrix whereas berries in VSP showed values near 21 ºBrix

Physico-chemical composition of wine grapes berries in summer and winter growing seasons

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o potencial de maturação das cultivares Pinot Noir, Tempranillo, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Chardonnay e Sauvignon Blanc submetidas ao regime de dupla poda, em Cordislândia, região cafeeira do sul de Minas Gerais. As plantas foram submetidas a dois ciclos de produção, um de primavera-verão, compreendido entre agosto e janeiro, e outro ciclo de outono-inverno, entre janeiro e julho. Como parâmetros de qualidade, foram avaliados os diâmetros transversal e longitudinal da baga, acidez, ácidos tartárico e málico, pH, sólidos solúveis, antocianinas, fenólicos totais e os teores de glicose, frutose e sacarose. Todas as variedades apresentaram maiores teores de pH, sólidos solúveis, açúcares, antocianinas e fenólicos totais, e redução nos diâmetros transversal e longitudinal na safra de inverno. A cultivar Syrah destacou-se das demais no conteúdo de antocianinas e fenólicos totais tanto no verão quanto no inverno, entretanto apresentou o menor conteúdo de açúcares. A alteração do ciclo de produção da videira através da técnica da dupla poda para colheita, no período de inverno, na região cafeeira de Minas Gerais, favorece a maturação dos frutos e melhora consideravelmente a qualidade das uvas para vinificação.This work aimed to evaluate some ripening parameters of cultivars Pinot Noir, Tempranillo, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc submitted to the double-pruning management in Cordislândia, in the coffee region of the south of Minas Gerais State. Grapevines were cultivated in two different growing seasons, spring-summer from August to January and autumn-winter from January to July. Quality parameters such as berry transversal and longitudinal diameters, acidity, tartaric and malic acids, pH, soluble solids, anthocyanins, phenolic compounds, glucose, fructose and sucrose were evaluated. All cultivars showed higher pH, soluble solids, sugars, anthocyanins and phenolic compounds levels and lower transversal and longitudinal diameters in winter cycle. Syrah cultivar pointed out with higher anthocyanin and phenolic compounds levels in summer and winter cycles however showed lower reducing sugars levels in must. The alteration of the production cycle through double-pruning management in order to harvest grapes in the winter in the coffee region of Minas Gerais favours the ripening of the fruits and improves the quality of wine grapes.(FAPEMIG) Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas GeraisConselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

Fruit composition of 'Niágara Rosada' and 'Folha-de-Figo' grapevines under different training systems

RESUMO Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a influência do sistema de condução na qualidade de bagas de uvas 'Niágara Rosada' e 'Folha-de-Figo' cultivadas em Caldas-MG. Foram avaliados a produção por planta, o diâmetro, a massa, o teor de potássio e a temperatura das bagas, pH, teor de sólidos solúveis, açúcares redutores, acidez total e ácidos orgânicos do mosto, compostos fenólicos nas cascas e sementes, e antocianinas. As plantas foram conduzidas em espaldeira, lira, latada ou cordão simples, e os frutos, avaliados nas safras de 2006 e 2007. As videiras de 'Niágara Rosada' cultivadas em latada e 'Folha-de-Figo' em lira apresentaram produção significativamente superior aos demais sistemas de condução. Em todos os casos, as bagas apresentaram temperatura inferior à ambiente, indicando sombreamento completo ou parcial dos cachos. No sistema latada, houve menor acúmulo de sólidos solúveis e açúcares redutores nas duas cultivares. Estes resultados preliminares indicam que a composição das bagas foi pouco influenciada pelo sistema de condução.ABSTRACT This work aimed on evaluating the influence of training systems in berries composition of 'Niágara Rosada' and 'Folha-de-Figo' grapevines grown in Caldas, MG. Yield per plant; diameter, weight, temperature and potassium content of the berries; pH, soluble solids, reducing sugars, total acidity and organic acids of the must; anthocyanins and phenolic compounds of the skins and phenolic compounds of the seeds were evaluated in grapevines training in vertical shoot position, lyre trellis, pergola Veronese or simple string in 2006 and 2007 seasons. 'Niágara Rosada' and 'Folha-de-Figo' grapevines training in pergola Veronese and lyre trellis, respectively, showed higher yield than the other training systems under study. Berries grown under the four different training systems were cooler than ambient temperature, resulting from partial or deep shade clusters. Berries harvested from pergola Veronese trellis system showed lower soluble solids and reducing sugars levels in both cultivars. These preliminary data show that training systems exerted little influence on berries composition.FAPEMIG e CNP

Anatomical characteristics of the strawberry seedlings micropropagated using different sources of silicon

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de diferentes fontes de silício, utilizadas na micropropagação, nas características anatômicas de mudas de morangueiro (Fragaria x ananassa). Foram utilizados propágulos da cv. Oso Grande cultivados em meio Murashige e Skoog (MS), acrescido de 30 g L-1 de sacarose, 6 g L-1 de ágar e 1 mg L-1 de 6-benzilaminopurina. Os tratamentos consistiram da adição ao meio MS dos silicatos de cálcio, de sódio e de potássio, na dosagem de 1 g L-1. O tratamento testemunha foi o meio MS sem fonte de silício. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente ao acaso, com dez repetições. Os propágulos foram mantidos por 45 dias em sala de crescimento, em condições controladas. Avaliaram-se características fitotécnicas e anatômicas dos propágulos in vitro. Verificou-se que o aumento da massa de matéria fresca e seca dos propágulos de morangueiro ocorreu na presença de silicato de sódio. A suplementação do meio de cultura com silício proporcionou maior teor de clorofila. A adição de silicato de sódio ao meio MS resultou em aumento da espessura dos tecidos do limbo foliar e da deposição de cera epicuticular e na formação de depósito de silício nas células.The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of different silicon sources, used in micropropagation, on the anatomical characteristics of strawberry's (Fragaria x ananassa) seedlings. Propagules of cv. Oso Grande were cultivated on a Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 30 g L-1 of sucrose, 6 g L-1 of agar and 1 mg L-1 of 6-benzylamino purine. The treatments consisted of calcium, sodium, or potassium silicates added to the MS medium, at the dosage of 1 g L-1. The MS medium without added silicon was the check treatment. The experimental design was completely randomized with ten replications. The propagules were maintained during 45 days in a growth chamber, under controlled conditions. Developmental and anatomical characteristics of the in vitro propagules were evaluated. Fresh and dry weight of the propagules increased in the presence of sodium silicate. The supplementation of the culture medium with silicon increased the content of chlorophyll. The addition of sodium silicate in the MS medium resulted in increased thickness of leaf tissues and epicuticular wax deposition and in increased silicon deposit in the cells

Effects of modified Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy on relaxation, heart rate, blood pressure and flexibility

Background: Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy (REST) promotes physiological and behavioral changes that reduce the deleterious effects of stress. However, it requires expensive equipment and is accessible to a limited number of professionals and patients. We aimed to evaluate the physiological and behavioral effects of modified REST (mREST) in healthy young women. Method: Twenty-one healthy young women (20-25 yrs) participated. mREST consists of positioning the patient floating in the pool with 32oC for about 15 minutes, for twelve sessions, with blindfolded and wearing earplugs. The evaluation was performed before and after the intervention. The analysis of the state of relaxation was investigated by a questionnaire and the self-reports were categorized. Measures of heart rate and blood pressure were used as indicators of the cardiovascular response. Flexibility, measured by the finger-to-floor test, was used as an indicator of muscle relaxation. Results: Heart rate and blood pressure significantly decreased while flexibility and relaxation increased after the sessions (p<0.001 for all comparisons). Self-reports of relaxation were consistent with the blood pressure measures and indicated that the participants showed states of relaxation associated with the decrease of blood pressure and the increase of flexibility (p<0.001 for all comparisons). Conclusion: Healthy women undergoing mREST reported relaxation, with effects on muscular and cardiovascular systems. mREST is a simple, practical and affordable option for therapy in the aquatic environment

Efficacy of different interaction devices using non-immersive virtual tasks in individuals with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: a cross-sectional randomized trial

Background. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a rapid progressive neurodegenerative disease, characterized by a selective loss of motor neurons, brain stem and spinal cord which leads to deterioration of motor abilities. Devices that promote interaction with tasks on computers can enhance performance and lead to greater independence and utilization of technology. Objective. To evaluate performance on a computer task in individuals with ALS using three different commonly used non-immersive devices. Method. Thirty individuals with ALS (18 men and 12 women, mean age 59 years, range 44–74 years) with a mean score of 26, (minimum score of 14 and maximum 41) on the Revised Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R) and 30 healthy controls matched for age and gender, participated. All participants were randomly divided into three groups, each using a different device system (motion tracking, finger motion control or touchscreen) to perform three task phases (acquisition, retention and transfer). Results. Both the ALS and control group (CG) showed better performance on the computer task when using the touchscreen device, but there was limited transfer of performance onto the task performed on the Finger Motion control or motion tracking. However, we found that using the motion tracking device led to transfer of performance to the touchscreen. Conclusion. This study presents novel and important findings when selecting interaction devices for individuals with ALS to access technology by demonstrating immediate performance benefits of using a touchscreen device, such as improvement of motor skills. There were possible transferable skills obtained when using virtual systems which may allow flexibility and enable individuals to maintain performance overtime