Total Accumulative Losses during the Fermentation of Pioneiro Grass (\u3cem\u3ePennisetum purpureum\u3c/em\u3e Schumach) Silages with Addition of Whole Plant Maize and Maize Grain

Pioneiro grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach) has gained importance in silage production mainly due to its robust habit, perenniality and high yield capacity, although its typically high moisture content may influence negatively its potential for ensiled conservation. High moisture content at the time of ensilage has resulted in increased losses by gases and effluents (Balsalobre et al. 2001, Nussio 2005). Despite these losses, the high yields of tropical forages still justifies their use and study as roughage and silage in ruminant nutrition. Although tropical forages present an interesting alternative for conservation, maize silage still has widespread use across different systems because of its set of favorable natural characteristics for fermentation resulting in production of high quality silage (Anaya-Ortega et al. 2009). An experiment was conducted to evaluate the individual and combined effect of maize and Pioneiro grass on the total losses of the silages

Changes to the Fermentative Profiles of Pioneiro Grass (\u3cem\u3ePennisetum purpureum\u3c/em\u3e Schumach) and Maize Silages in Different Mixtures after Aerobic Stability

Silages arte widely used in animal production systems to overcome the seasonality of forage production around the world. The preservation of nutritional value of silages depends on the maintenance of an anaerobic environment during the fermentation and storage phases, as well from aerobic stability during the feed out stage (Nussio, 2005). Aerobic exposure usually promotes intense activity of fungi, yeast and aerobic bacteria. If the time of aerobic exposure is long enough, huge changes can happen in the chemical composition of the silages affecting negatively their nutritional value. These changes can be followed by decreasing lactic acid concentration and increasing pH, temperature and ammonia nitrogen (Addah et al. 2011). The present work was carried out to evaluate the levels of ammonia nitrogen, pH, buffer capacity and electric conductivity in silages of Pioneiro grass and maize in different mixtures at silo opening and during the first 7 and 14 days of aerobic exposure

Radiografia simples e tomografia computadorizada do crânio em crianças e adolescentes vítimas de traumatismo craniano leve

OBJECTIVE: To identify which pediatric patients with mild head trauma are candidates for skull radiographs or cranial computed tomography (CCT) scans. METHOD: Patients with mild head trauma aged from 0 to 19 years presenting to the Emergency Department of a trauma centre from Salvador City, Brazil, between May 2007 and May 2008. RESULTS: A total of 1888 mild head trauma patients were admitted; mean age was 7.4 (±5.5) years. A total of 1956 skull radiographs and 734 CCT scans were performed. About 44.4% patients with Glasgow coma score (GCS) 13 and 55.4% with GCS 14 had abnormal CCT scans. In patients with multiple traumas, 16% had abnormal findings on CCT scans. CONCLUSION: We strongly recommend routine CCT studies to patients with GCS of 13 and 14 or to multiple trauma victims, independently of score. Routine screening skull radiographs were not useful in the evaluation of mild head trauma patients in this study.OBJETIVO: Identificar quais os pacientes na faixa pediátrica com trauma craniencefálico leve são candidatos para a realização de radiografia simples ou tomografia computadorizada do crânio (TCC). MÉTODO: Pacientes com trauma craniano leve, entre 0 e 19 anos, admitidos em um centro de referência em traumatologia, na cidade do Salvador, Brasil, entre maio 2007 e maio 2008. RESULTADOS: Foram atendidos 1888 pacientes com trauma craniano leve, com idade média de 7,4 (±5,5) anos. Um total de 1956 radiografias simples e 734 TCC foram realizadas. Em 44,4% dos pacientes com escala de coma de Glasgow (GCS) 13 e 55.4% com GCS 14, tiveram TCC com achados anormais. Em pacientes com múltiplos traumas, 16% possuíam alterações na TCC. CONCLUSÃO: Recomendamos TCC em pacientes com GCS 13 e 14 ou naqueles com traumas múltiplos, independente do GCS. Radiografias simples do crânio como rotina, não foram identificadas como úteis, no presente estudo

Growth Characteristics of Kikuyu Grass with Different Sources and Doses of Phosphorus

Growth is defined as the increase in size, volume and mass as a function of time. Growth analysis allows evaluating the final growth of the plant as a whole and the contribution of the different organs in total growth (Benincasa, 1988). The experiment had as objective to evaluate specific leaf area (SLA), leaf area per unit of leaf DM, leaf area ratio (LAR), leaf area per unit of whole plant DM, leaf weight ratio (LWR), leaf weight per unit of plant weight, leaf area index (LAI), leaf area per unit of soil area, leaf/stem ratio (LSR), leaf weight per unit stem weight, of 35 days old kikuyu grass with different sources and doses of P

Canopy Height and Its Relationship with Leaf Area Index and Light Interception of Tropical Grasses

Photosynthetic tissues, mainly green leaves, are the major component of forage growth and development. The amount of these tissues in a forage plant is influenced directly by the cutting management, which is based on cutting frequency and stubble height. It is usual to recommend as a management practice to cut (or graze) the forage whenever it reaches a given stubble height. Brougham (1956) stated that, when the forage canopy is intercepting 95% of the photosynthetic active radiation, this is the critical leaf area index (LAI), which means the forage is near its maximum growth rate without shading itself. There is also the optimum LAI, where the forage reaches the maximum point of mass accumulation, indicating time to start grazing or cut. Generally the critical and optimum LAI have close values, but they are not necessarily the same (Brown and Blaser, 1968). This trial evaluated the relationship among canopy height, leaf area index, and light interception in ten different tropical grasses

Seasonality of Forage Production of Coastcross-1 with Different Sources and Applications of Phosphorus

Brazil presents high potential for meat production from pastures. However, the feeding of ruminants depends on the conditions and the climate. Approximately 80% of the annual production of dry matter (DM) occurs in the period October to March (spring - summer). In the autumn and winter production is low associated with high humidity and low temperatures in the south and low rainfall in the tropical north. The situation is exacerbated by inadequate management practices and low soil fertility, particularly low levels of phosphorus (P). The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the seasonality of production of DM of coastcross-1 (Cynodon dactylon) with different sources and applications of P for two consecutive years

Aplicação de redes neurais em modelos preditivos de deterioração de pontes rodoviárias

A funcionalidade da malha rodoviária é vital para o desenvolvimento econômico e social de um país. Portanto, uma gestão otimizada das pontes é determinante para garantir o estado operacional da rede de transportes, visto a grande importância destes elementos no modal. Os estudos prospectivos de desenvolvimento econômico para o planejamento da manutenção, reparo e reabilitação de pontes consideram a previsão do estado de condição dos ativos rodoviários como um dos fatores determinantes para a gestão. Com o intuito de contribuir para o planejamento econômico, esse trabalho tem como objetivo a obtenção de modelos de degradação mais confiáveis, baseados em Redes Neurais Artificiais (RNA). Para o desenvolvimento deste trabalho, foi utilizada uma base de dados representativa do parque de obras no Brasil, incluindo inspeções visuais de mais de treze mil pontes. Com o modelo calibrado realizaram-se simulações de deterioração para diferentes cenários. Fica evidenciado que os modelos de degradação desenvolvidos seguindo a metodologia proposta fornecem uma previsão precisa da deterioração das pontesEste trabalho foi parcialmente financiado pela FCT/MCTES através de fundos nacionais (PIDDAC) no âmbito da Unidade de I&D Instituto para a Sustentabilidade e Inovação em Engenharia Estrutural (ISISE), sob a referência UIDB /04029/2020, e parcialmente financiado pelo programa de pesquisa e inovação Horizonte 2020 da União Europeia, com a referência nº 955337, e contou com o apoio do programa de capacitação de docentes do Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia de Minas Gerais (IFMG)

Ilex paraguariensis extract as drugs alternative for pain

Pain is a common and distressing symptom of many diseases and its clinical treatment generally involves analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs. This study evaluated the toxicity of Ilex paraguariensis A. St.-Hil. (Aquifoliaceae) aqueous extract (leaves, petioles and branches) and its performance in nociceptive response. Hepatotoxicity, psychostimulant test and evaluation of enzyme markers for liver damage were also tested. Chromatographic analysis by UPLC-MS demonstrated a series of isomeric monocaffeoylquinic acids, isomers of dicaffeoylquinic acids, flavonol glycosides, and saponins. Phase I and II of nociception were obtained for meloxicam, dexamethasone and aqueous Ilex paraguariensis extract. Ilex paraguariensis extract concentration was negatively correlated (R = –0.887) with alanine aminotransferase (p < 0.05) in acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity test, indicating an hepatoprotective activity of this extract. Ilex paraguariensis extract also presented analgesic properties equivalent to drugs that already have proven efficacy. Notably, administration of multiple doses of Ilex paraguariensis extract was considered safe from the therapeutic point of view

Effect of hydrogen peroxide on natural phytoplankton and bacterioplankton in a drinking water reservoir: mesocosm-scale study.

Cyanobacterial blooms are increasingly reported worldwide, presenting a challenge to water treatment plants and concerning risks to human health and aquatic ecosystems. Advanced oxidative processes comprise efficient and safe methods for water treatment. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) has been proposed as a sustainable solution to mitigate bloom-forming cyanobacteria since this group presents a higher sensitivity compared to other phytoplankton, with no major risks to the environment at low concentrations. Here, we evaluated the effects of a single H2O2 addition (10 mg L−1) over 120 h in mesocosms introduced in a reservoir located in a semi-arid region presenting a Planktothrix-dominated cyanobacterial bloom. We followed changes in physical and chemical parameters and in the bacterioplankton composition. H2O2 efficiently suppressed cyanobacteria, green algae, and diatoms over 72 h, leading to an increase in transparency and dissolved organic carbon, and a decrease in dissolved oxygen and pH, while nutrient concentrations were not affected. After 120 h, cyanobacterial abundance remained low and green algae became dominant. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that the original cyanobacterial bloom was composed by Planktothrix, Cyanobium and Microcystis. Only Cyanobium increased in relative abundance at 120 h, suggesting regrowth. A prominent change in the composition of heterotrophic bacteria was observed with Exiguobacterium, Paracoccus and Deinococcus becoming the most abundant genera after the H2O2 treatment. Our results indicate that this approach is efficient in suppressing cyanobacterial blooms and improving water quality in tropical environments. Monitoring changes in abiotic parameters and the relative abundance of specific bacterial taxa could be used to anticipate the regrowth of cyanobacteria after H2O2 degradation and to indicate where in the reservoir H2O2 should be applied so the effects are still felt in the water treatment plant intake