Preliminary Measurements of Be-10/Be-7 Ratio in Rainwater for Atmospheric Transport Analysis

The meteoric cosmogenic beryllium has been used as an essential geophysical tracer in the analysis of atmospheric flows and erosion soils since 1960. The first measurements Be-7 and Be-10 concentrations in rainwater from Mexico, have been carried out by using gamma decay spectroscopy and AMS techniques, respectively for each isotope. With this it was possible to report a preliminar value for the Be-10/Be-7 isotopic ratio in such environmental samples. The present work described preliminary results related to rainwater collected at mountain and metropolitan areas. Results are compared with predictions and previous measurements for both radioisotopes, observing a very sensible behavior particularly for the case of Be-7 activities

La acetabuloplastia de Staheli en el tratamiento de la enfermedad de Legg-Calvé-Perthes en mayores de 6 años. Estudio preliminar

Objetivo: Valorar los resultados funcionales y radiográficos de la acetabuloplastia de Staheli como alternativa terapéutica en el tratamiento quirúrgico de la enfermedad de Legg-Calvé-Perthes de debut tardío.Material y método: Estudio retrospectivo de 7 pacientes con enfermedad de Legg-Calvé-Perthes tratados mediante acetabuloplastia de Staheli con un tiempo de seguimiento medio de tres años y tres meses. Se analizan parámetros clínicos (movilidad prequirúrgica y al final del seguimiento) así como parámetros radiográficos (clasificación de Herring, índice acetábulo-cabeza de Heyman-Herndon y el ángulo centro-borde de Wiberg) previos al tratamiento quirúrgico, tras el tratamiento quirúrgico y al final del seguimiento. Resultados: Tras el análisis estadístico de los índices radiográficos (índice acetábulo-cabeza de Heyman-Herndon así como ángulo de Wiberg) se objetivaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre la radiografía prequirúrgica y postquirúrgica, pero no se objetivaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre la postquirúrgica y la realizada al final del seguimiento. Por lo tanto, los índices radiográficos mostraron una mejora en sus parámetros que además se mantuvo estable en el tiempo. Ningún paciente presentó complicaciones debidas a la cirugía. La exploración física mostró una mejoría media de 10º en la rotación interna de la cadera. Conclusiones: La técnica de acetabuloplastia según Staheli es una opción quirúrgica que conduce a la mejora de los resultados radiográficos y funcionales con pocas complicaciones debidas al procedimiento.Objective: To evaluate the functional and radiographic results of Staheli's acetabuloplasty as therapeutic option in the surgical treatment of Legg-Calvé-Perthes's disease of late debut. Material and method: we did a retrospective study of seven patients with Legg-Calvé-Perthes's disease treated by means of Staheli's acetabuloplasty with an average follow-up of three years and three months. We analyzed clinical parameters (preoperative and "end of the follow-up" mobility) as well as radiographic parameters (Herring's classification, Heyman-Herndon's index and Wiberg's center-edge angle) before the surgical treatment, after the surgical treatment and at the end of the follow-up. Results: Any patients presented complications due to the surgery. The physical exploration showed an average improvement of 10º in the internal rotation of the hip. After the statistical analysis of the radiographic indexes (Heyman-Herndon's index as well as Wiberg's angle), there were statistically significant differences between the preoperative X-ray and the postoperative one, but there were no statistically significant differences between the postoperative one and the X-ray done at the end of the follow-up. Therefore, the radiographic indexes showed an improvement in these parameters that in addition kept stable in time. Conclusions: The technic of acetabuloplasty according to Staheli is a surgical option that leads to a good radiographic and functional result with few complications due to the procedure

Health status and productivity of sheep fed coffee pulp during fattening

The objective of this study was to evaluate the productivity and health of fattening lambs fed different levels of coffee pulp in their diets. Thirty-five crossbred lambs with an average weight of 21.8 kg were fed isoproteic and isoenergetic diets with different percentages of coffee pulp (T0: control; T1: 7%; T2: 14%, T3: 21% and T4: 28%), the base diet was formulated with corn, soybean meal, alfalfa stubble, molasses, urea and mineral salt. The fattening period was 98 days. Productivity was measured by weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion. At the beginning and end of the study, blood samples were taken to determine the health status using a biochemical profile and blood count. Analysis of variance was performed using the initial weight as the covariate for the productive variables and the initial values of the analytes in the blood chemistry and hematological analysis tests. The coffee pulp did not affect productivity, although the amount of neutrophils decreased (P<0.05) as the coffee pulp in the diet increased. In all treatments, urea exceeded the reference values, whereas creatinine was below the reference values. We concluded that the inclusion of up to 28% coffee pulp in the diet did not affect the productive parameters, decreases the neutrophil count without affect health status of lambs during fattening

Breeding schemes for the implementation of genomic selection in wheat (Triticum spp.)

In the last decade the breeding technology referred to as ‘genomic selection’ (GS) has been implemented in a variety of species, with particular success in animal breeding. Recent research shows the potential of GS to reshape wheat breeding. Many authors have concluded that the estimated genetic gain per year applying GS is several times that of conventional breeding. GS is, however, a new technology for wheat breeding and many programs worldwide are still struggling to identify the best strategy for its implementation. This article provides practical guidelines on the key considerations when implementing GS. A review of the existing GS literature for a range of species is provided and used to prime breeder-oriented considerations on the practical applications of GS. Furthermore, this article discusses potential breeding schemes for GS, genotyping considerations, and methods for effective training population design. The components of selection intensity, progress toward inbreeding in half- or full-sibs recurrent schemes, and the generation of selection are also presented

Durum Wheat Breeding: In the Heat of the Senegal River

Global warming may cause +4 degrees C temperature increases before the end of this century. Heat tolerant bred-germplasm remains the most promising method to ensure farm productivity under this scenario. A global set of 384 durum wheat accessions were exposed to very high temperatures occurring along the Senegal River at two sites for two years. The goal was to identify germplasm with enhanced tolerance to heat. There was significant variation for all traits. The genetic (G) effect accounted for >15% of the total variation, while the genotype by environment interaction (G x E) reached 25%. A selection index that combines G and a G x E wide adaptation index was used to identify stable high yielding germplasm. Forty-eight accessions had a stable grain yield above the average (2.7 t ha(-1)), with the three top lines above 3.5 t ha(-1). Flowering time, spike fertility and harvest index were the most critical traits for heat tolerance, while 1000-kernel weight and spike density only had environment-specific effects. Testing of six subpopulations for grain yield across heat-prone sites revealed an even distribution among clusters, thus showing the potential of this panel for dissecting heat tolerance via association genetics

Putting Plant Genetic Diversity and Variability at Work for Breeding: Hybrid Rice Suitability in West Africa

Rice is a staple food in West Africa, where its demand keeps increasing due to population growth. Hence, there is an urgent need to identify high yielding rice cultivars that fulfill this demand locally. Rice hybrids are already known to significantly increase productivity. This study evaluated the potential of Asian hybrids with good adaptability to irrigated and rainfed lowland rice areas in Mali, Nigeria, and Senegal. There were 169 hybrids from China included in trials at target sites during 2009 and 2010. The genotype × environment interaction was highly significant (p < 0.0001)for grain yield indicating that the hybrids’ and their respective cultivar checks’ performance differed across locations. Two hybrids had the highest grain yield during 2010 in Mali, while in Nigeria, four hybrids in 2009 and one hybrid in 2010 had higher grain yield and matured earlier than the best local cultivar. The milling recovery, grain shape and cooking features of most hybrids had the quality preferred by West African consumers. Most of the hybrids were, however, susceptible to African rice gall midge (AfRGM) and Rice Yellow Mottle Virus (RMYV) isolate Ng40. About 60% of these hybrids were resistant to blast. Hybrids need to incorporate host plant resistant for AfRGM and RYMV to be grown in West Africa

Wild dogs at stake: deforestation threatens the only Amazon endemic canid, the short-eared dog (Atelocynus microtis)

The persistent high deforestation rate and fragmentation of the Amazon forests are the main threats to their biodiversity. To anticipate and mitigate these threats, it is important to understand and predict how species respond to the rapidly changing landscape. The short-eared dog Atelocynus microtis is the only Amazon-endemic canid and one of the most understudied wild dogs worldwide. We investigated short-eared dog habitat associations on two spatial scales. First, we used the largest record database ever compiled for short-eared dogs in combination with species distribution models to map species habitat suitability, estimate its distribution range and predict shifts in species distribution in response to predicted deforestation across the entire Amazon (regional scale). Second, we used systematic camera trap surveys and occupancy models to investigate how forest cover and forest fragmentation affect the space use of this species in the Southern Brazilian Amazon (local scale). Species distribution models suggested that the short-eared dog potentially occurs over an extensive and continuous area, through most of the Amazon region south of the Amazon River. However, approximately 30% of the short-eared dog's current distribution is expected to be lost or suffer sharp declines in habitat suitability by 2027 (within three generations) due to forest loss. This proportion might reach 40% of the species distribution in unprotected areas and exceed 60% in some interfluves (i.e. portions of land separated by large rivers) of the Amazon basin. Our local-scale analysis indicated that the presence of forest positively affected short-eared dog space use, while the density of forest edges had a negative effect. Beyond shedding light on the ecology of the short-eared dog and refining its distribution range, our results stress that forest loss poses a serious threat to the conservation of the species in a short time frame. Hence, we propose a re-assessment of the short-eared dog's current IUCN Red List status (Near Threatened) based on findings presented here. Our study exemplifies how data can be integrated across sources and modelling procedures to improve our knowledge of relatively understudied species

Rendimiento y características organolépticas del queso fresco elaborado con leche positiva a la prueba del alcohol

Objective: To determine yield and organoleptic characteristics from cheese made with positive milk to alcohol test. Design/methodology: Fresh milk was used from cows’ crosses of Brahman x American Brown Swiss, which were maintained in grazing. Eleven judges with semi-trained category were selected. The sensorial analysis was made using triangular, two of five, acceptance, flavor and texture profiles tests. In the taste and texture profiles, a ten-centimeter line was used to indicate intensity. Acceptance test was made with fifty untrained consumers. Data obtained were subjected to an analysis of variance, with the positive or negative response of milk to the alcohol test as the fixed effect; a difference between averages was determined by Tukey's test (P?0.05). Results: Cheese made with Positive Milk to Alcohol, presented less consumer acceptance (P?0.05), a higher intensity of hardness, porosity and a lower residual taste (P?0.05). Limitations on study/implications: Alcohol test is variable, so it is necessary to do the test daily to separate the milk. Finding/conclusion: Cheese made from positive milk to alcohol test has less consumer acceptance due to its organoleptic characteristics.Objetivo: Determinar el rendimiento y las características sensoriales de quesos frescos elaborados con leche Positiva a la Prueba del Alcohol. Diseño/metodología: Se utilizó leche fresca proveniente de vacas cruzas de Brahman x Suizo Pardo Americano, las cuales se mantuvieron en pastoreo. Se seleccionaron once jueces con categoría de semientrenados. En el análisis sensorial se utilizaron las pruebas, triangular, dos de cinco, de aceptación, perfil de textura y perfil de sabor. En los perfiles de sabor y textura se utilizó una línea de 10 cm para señalar la intensidad. La prueba de aceptación se realizó a 50 consumidores sin entrenamiento. Los datos obtenidos se sometieron a un análisis de varianza, el efecto fijo y la respuesta positiva o negativa de la leche a la prueba del alcohol; la diferencia entre promedios se determinó con la prueba de Tukey (P? 0.05). Resultados: Se observó que el queso elaborado con leche Positiva a la Prueba del Alcohol presenta una menor aceptación (P?0.05), mayor intensidad de dureza y porosidad y un menor sabor residual (P?0.05). Limitaciones del estudio/implicaciones: El resultado a la prueba del alcohol es variable, por lo que es necesario hacer la prueba diariamente para separar la leche. Hallazgo/conclusión: El queso elaborado con leche positiva a la prueba del alcohol tiene menor aceptación por el consumidor debido a sus características organolépticas