An explanation of yield differences in three potato cultivars

Under ideal growing conditions, yield is the product of intercepted photosynthetically active radiation (PARi) and its conversion efficiency to dry matter (radiation use efficiency, RUE). For potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) the ability of the leaf to convert the PARi into carbohydrates (source) and the storage capacity of the tubers (sink) affect the potential growth of individual tubers and therefore crop yield. This study describes these mechanisms for three commercial potato cultivars (Bondi, Fraser, and Russet Burbank) grown in non-limiting field conditions. At final harvest Bondi had the largest tuber yield and produced heavier but fewer tubers compared with Fraser and Russet Burbank. All crops had similar total accumulated radiation interception (Rcum), and yield differences were explained by the RUE which was highest for Bondi, lowest for Fraser, with Russet Burbank intermediate. Fraser had the lowest rate of canopy senescence, maintained the lowest specific leaf area (SLA) for most of the period of tuber bulking and maintained the highest dry matter (DM) allocated to leaves at the end of the tuber filling phase. Throughout the crop growing period Bondi had a larger tuber sink compared with Fraser and Russet Burbank. These results suggest that potato tuber production was limited by the “sink strength” and RUE in the lower yield varieties. The larger sink in Bondi, caused by shorter stolons, enabled higher rates of tuber filling which produced the largest tubers in the middle node positions and the highest average tuber weight per plant among these cultivars

Avaliação de ganho de peso e peso a desmama em bezerros pantaneiros e pantaneiro X nelore, criados a pasto.

O bovino Pantaneiro é uma raça local brasileira que possui entre outras características, grande adaptabilidade às condições ambientais extremas aos quais são submetidos esses animais, no seu habitat natural, o Pantanal. Devido ao sério risco de extinção, a Embrapa Pantanal e parceiros têm dedicado suas pesquisas a conservação e uso desse patrimônio genético, divulgando suas potencialidades como forma de estimular a criação dessa raça em diferentes sistemas produtivos. Com o objetivo de avaliar o ganho de peso diário (GPD) e peso a desmama (PD) de animais da raça Pantaneiro e mestiços Pantaneiro X Nelore, foram coletados pesos de machos e fêmeas ao nascimento e próximo a idade de desmama. Não houve diferença de GPD entre os grupamentos raciais para ambos os sexos. A média de GPD de bezerras Pantaneiras e mestiças foi 0,575 kg/dia e 0,654 kg/dia, respectivamente. Para bezerros Pantaneiros e mestiços, os valores encontrados foram 0,643 kg/dia e 0,692 kg/dia, respectivamente. Não houve diferença de médias comparadas para o peso a desmama entre os grupamentos raciais para ambos os sexos. A média de PD, ajustado para 205 dias, de bezerras Pantaneiras e mestiças foi 148,3 kg e 161,6 kg, respectivamente. Para bezerros Pantaneiros e mestiços, os valores encontrados foram 161,7 kg e 172,3 kg, respectivamente. Os resultados encontrados foram semelhantes aos descritos na literatura para raça Nelore, principal raça bovina criada em sistema extensivo a pasto, em áreas de Cerrado. Sendo assim, considera-se que a inclusão de bovinos Pantaneiros pode ser uma alternativa viável do uso desse patrimônio genético em sistemas produtivos de cria

Validity Of Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis To Estimation Fat-free Mass In The Army Cadets

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) is a fast, practical, non-invasive, and frequently used method for fat-free mass (FFM) estimation. The aims of this study were to validate predictive equations of BIA to FFM estimation in Army cadets and to develop and validate a specific BIA equation for this population. Methods: A total of 396 males, Brazilian Army cadets, aged 17-24 years were included. The study used eight published predictive BIA equations, a specific equation in FFM estimation, and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) as a reference method. Student's t-test (for paired sample), linear regression analysis, and Bland-Altman method were used to test the validity of the BIA equations. Results: Predictive BIA equations showed significant differences in FFM compared to DXA (p < 0.05) and large limits of agreement by Bland-Altman. Predictive BIA equations explained 68% to 88% of FFM variance. Specific BIA equations showed no significant differences in FFM, compared to DXA values. Conclusion: Published BIA predictive equations showed poor accuracy in this sample. The specific BIA equations, developed in this study, demonstrated validity for this sample, although should be used with caution in samples with a large range of FFM.83Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel-CAPES [23001.000422/98-30]Sao Paulo Research Foundation-FAPESP [2011/23460-1]Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Structural and Morphological Characterization of Micro and Nanofibers Produced by Electrospinning and Solution Blow Spinning: A Comparative Study

Nonwoven mats of poly(lactic acid) (PLA), poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) were prepared at a nano- and submicron scale by solution blow spinning (SBS) and electrospinning in order to compare crystalline structure and morphology developed by both processes during fiber formation. Polymer solutions were characterized by rheometry and tensiometry. Spun fibers were characterized by several analytical steps. SEM analyses showed that both solution blow spun and electrospun fibers had similar morphology. Absence of residual solvents and characteristic infrared bands in the solution blow spun fibers for PLA, PCL, and PEO was confirmed by FTIR studies. XRD diffraction patterns for solution blow spun and electrospun mats revealed some differences related to distinct mechanisms of fiber formation developed by each process. Significant differences in thermal behavior by DSC were observed between cast films of PLA, PCL, and PEO and their corresponding spun nanofibers. Furthermore, the average contact angles for spun PLA and PCL were higher than for electrospun mats, whereas it was slightly lower for PEO. When comparing electrospun and solution blow spun fibers, it was possible to verify that fiber morphology and physical properties depended both on the spinning technique and type of polymer

Structure-activity relationships of hypervalent organochalcogenanes as inhibitors of cysteine cathepsins V and S

A new series of organotelluranes were synthesized and investigated, and the structure-activity relationships in cysteine proteases inhibition were determinated. It was possible to identify the relevance of structural components linked to the reactivity of these compounds as inhibitors. for example, dibromo-organotelluranes showed to be more reactive than dichloro-organotelluranes towards cysteine cathepsins V and S. Besides, no remarkable enantio-selectivity was verified. in general the achiral organotelluranes were more reactive than the chiral congeners against cysteine cathepsins V and S. A reactivity order for organochalcogenanes and cysteine cathepsins was proposed after the comparison of the inhibitory potencies of organotelluranes with the related organoselenanes. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Biofis, Escola Paulista Med, BR-04044200 São Paulo, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Inst Quim, BR-05508900 São Paulo, BrazilUniv British Columbia, Dept Dent, Fac Dent, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, CanadaUniv British Columbia, UBC Ctr Blood Res, Fac Dent, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, CanadaUniv Fed ABC, CCNH, BR-09210580 Santo Andre, SP, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Biofis, Escola Paulista Med, BR-04044200 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Neutralizing antibodies for venezuelan equine encephalitis virus in horses from brazilian Pantanal.

The Brazilian Pantanal hosts large concentrations of diverse wildlife species, including migratory birds, and therefore this region is potentially important for arbovirus studies in South America. Neutralizing antibodies for equine encephalitis viruses, including Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) and Western equine encephalitis virus (WEEV) have been reported in Pantanal equines.Trabalho apresentado no XXIV Congresso Brasileiro de Virologia & VIII Reunião do Mercosul de Virologia, Porto Seguro, BA. VV561