The Effect of Sward Surface Height on Sheep Grazing Activities

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) sward height on grazing activities. The experiment was carried out at the Research Station of Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Yearling no-castrated male lambs behavior was assessed in terms of diurnal grazing, ruminating and idling time in three periods: 27 September 11 and 25 October. Sward surface height was monitored using a sward stick and samples of 0.25 m2 were cut to ground level to estimate herbage and leaf lamina mass. The experiment was carried out in a randomised block design with three replications of four treatments: sward surface heights (5, 10, 15 and 20 cm). Grazing time and ruminating time were somewhat interchangeable, decreasing grazing time and increasing ruminating time with increasing sward surface heights. Idling time remained relatively constant. Sward height showed a small effect on biting rate

On the Relevance of Considering the Intermolecular Interactions on the Prediction of the Vibrational Spectra of Isopropylamine

The effects of implicitly considering the effects of hydrogen bonding on the molecular properties, such as vibrational frequencies, were inferred on the basis of DFT calculations. Several clusters of isopropylamine were assembled and theoretically characterized. The results showed that maximum H-bond cooperativity is achieved when the amine group acts simultaneously as donor and acceptor. The effect of H-bond cooperativity manifests itself in the relative cluster stability and on the structural and vibrational frequency predictions. Referring to the vibrational frequencies it was found that the NH2 stretching and torsion vibrational modes are the most affected by the amine involvement in hydrogen bonding. Both stretching modes were found to be significantly redshifted relative to the monomer. The NH2 torsional mode, on the other hand, was found to be blueshifted up to 350 cm(-1). Finally, the comparative study between the theory levels performed allows to conclude that the small 6-31G* basis set is able to stabilize weak C-H center dot center dot center dot N interactions as long as the new dispersion corrected DFT methods are considered. The impairments observed with conventional DFT methods for describing weak interactions may be overcome with the improvement of basis set, but the associated increase of computational costs may turn the calculations unfeasible

ETHNOGRAPHIC APPROACH: A METHODOLOGY, MANY POSSIBILITIES OF USE IN RESEARCH

Este editorial para este número especial da Revista “Brazilian Journal of Education, Technology and Society†(BRAJETS) em parceria com o 6º Congresso Ibero-Americano em Investigação Qualitativa (CIAIQ2017), tem como fio condutor a etnografia, metodologia que permeia o conteúdo dos 06 (seis) artigos nas versões estendidas dos trabalhos selecionados e convidados, pela comissão científica/organizadora do CIAIQ2017. Este número especial da BRAJETS traz como tema central o tema “Abordagem Etnográfica: Uma metodologia, muitas possibilidades de uso em pesquisasâ€. Esta parceria entre o CIAIQ e a BRAJETS busca a promoção e difusão da investigação qualitativa junto à comunidade científica nas áreas alvos da Revista que são: educação, tecnologia e sociedade. Com o objetivo de proporcionar qualidade e representatividade dos artigos publicados nesta revista, nos certificamos de que todos eles passassem por um processo de revisão double-blind, processo este que faz uso dos serviços de uma comissão científica composta de investigadores experientes, qualificados e extremamente ativos em suas respectivas áreas de atuação. Diante do exposto, convidamos a todos a desfrutar uma boa leitura deste número especial da Revista BRAJETS, e que o mesmo possa contribuir com inspirações e ideias para a redação e execução sejam de investigações, e trabalhos/artigos futuros.This editorial for this special issue of Brazilian Journal of Education, Technology and Society (BRAJETS), in partnership with the 6th Ibero-American Congress on Qualitative Research (CIAIQ2017), has its guiding principle the ethnography, methodology that permeates the content of the six (06) articles in the extended versions of the papers selected and invited by the scientific / organizing committee of CIAIQ2017, which address issues of education and health. This special issue of BRAJETS has as its central theme the theme "Ethnographic Approach: A methodology, many possibilities of use in research". This partnership between CIAIQ and BRAJETS seeks to promote and disseminate qualitative research to the scientific community in the target areas of this Journal which are: education, technology and society. In order to provide quality and representativeness of the articles published in this journal, we made sure that all underwent a double-blind review process, which uses the services of a scientific committee composed of experienced, qualified and extremely active researchers in their respective areas of activity. In the light of the above, we invite everyone to enjoy a good reading of this special issue of BRAJETS, and that it can contribute with inspirations and ideas for the writing and execution of future research, work and papers

Variability in herbivore-induced defence signalling across different maize genotypes impacts significantly on natural enemy foraging behaviour

‘Smart’ plants that release volatile defence compounds in response to pest damage, and which recruit beneficial natural enemies, offer an opportunity for exploiting biological control in future crop protection strategies. Using six maize genotypes, Zapalote Chico (‘landrace’), Mirt2A, Sintético Spodoptera (SS), L3, and two commercial hybrids BRS 4103 and BRS 1040, the aim of this work was to evaluate maize responses to larval damage from the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda, a major maize pest in Brazil, and the ability of the egg parasitoid Telenomus remus to respond to HIPVs induced by S. frugiperda damage. Y-tube olfactometer bioassays with T. remus showed preferential responses to the S. frugiperda-induced volatiles of SS and BRS 4103 compared to constitutive volatiles of the same genotypes, but to none of the other genotypes tested. Chemical analysis of maize volatile extracts showed that SS produced more volatile compounds in response to S. frugiperda damage, followed by BRS 4103. In addition, higher levels of mono, homo-, or sesquiterpenes, together with green leaf volatiles (GLVs) were the most attractive blend for T. remus; however, there was no attraction when only GLVs were produced in higher levels. In summary, these results show that volatile defence signalling produced by maize plants due to S. frugiperda damage varies significantly depending on maize genotype and this variability influences T. remus foraging behaviour

An insight into the sialome of Simulium guianense (DIPTERA:SIMulIIDAE), the main vector of River Blindness Disease in Brazil

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Little is known about the composition and function of the saliva in black flies such as <it>Simulium guianense</it>, the main vector of river blindness disease in Brazil. The complex salivary potion of hematophagous arthropods counteracts their host's hemostasis, inflammation, and immunity.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Transcriptome analysis revealed ubiquitous salivary protein families--such as the Antigen-5, Yellow, Kunitz domain, and serine proteases--in the <it>S. guianense </it>sialotranscriptome. Insect-specific families were also found. About 63.4% of all secreted products revealed protein families found only in <it>Simulium</it>. Additionally, we found a novel peptide similar to kunitoxin with a structure distantly related to serine protease inhibitors. This study revealed a relative increase of transcripts of the SVEP protein family when compared with <it>Simulium vittatum </it>and <it>S. nigrimanum </it>sialotranscriptomes. We were able to extract coding sequences from 164 proteins associated with blood and sugar feeding, the majority of which were confirmed by proteome analysis.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results contribute to understanding the role of <it>Simulium </it>saliva in transmission of <it>Onchocerca volvulus </it>and evolution of salivary proteins in black flies. It also consists of a platform for mining novel anti-hemostatic compounds, vaccine candidates against filariasis, and immuno-epidemiologic markers of vector exposure.</p

Beneficial effects of physical activity in an HIV-infected woman with lipodystrophy: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Lipodystrophy is common in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy, and presents with morphologic changes and metabolic alterations that are associated with depressive behavior and reduced quality of life. We examined the effects of exercise training on morphological changes, lipid profile and quality of life in a woman with human immunodeficiency virus presenting with lipodystrophy.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 31-year-old Latin-American Caucasian woman infected with human immunodeficiency virus participated in a 12-week progressive resistance exercise training program with an aerobic component. Her weight, height, skinfold thickness, body circumferences, femur and humerus diameter, blood lipid profile, maximal oxygen uptake volume, exercise duration, strength and quality of life were assessed pre-exercise and post-exercise training. After 12 weeks, she exhibited reductions in her total subcutaneous fat (18.5%), central subcutaneous fat (21.0%), peripheral subcutaneous fat (10.7%), waist circumference (WC) (4.5%), triglycerides (9.9%), total cholesterol (12.0%) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (8.6%). She had increased body mass (4.6%), body mass index (4.37%), humerus and femur diameter (3.0% and 2.3%, respectively), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (16.7%), maximal oxygen uptake volume (33.3%), exercise duration (37.5%) and strength (65.5%). Quality of life measures improved mainly for psychological and physical measures, independence and social relationships.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These findings suggest that supervised progressive resistance exercise training is a safe and effective treatment for evolving morphologic and metabolic disorders in adults infected with HIV receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy, and improves their quality of life.</p

Differential effects of antigens from L. braziliensis isolates from disseminated and cutaneous leishmaniasis on in vitro cytokine production

BACKGROUND: Disseminated leishmaniasis is an emerging infectious disease, mostly due to L. braziliensis, which has clinical and histopathological features distinct from cutaneous leishmaniasis. METHODS: In the current study we evaluated the in vitro production of the cytokines IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-5 and IL-10 by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 15 disseminated leishmaniasis and 24 cutaneous leishmaniasis patients upon stimulation with L. braziliensis antigens genotyped as disseminated leishmaniasis or cutaneous leishmaniasis isolates. RESULTS: Regardless of the source of L. braziliensis antigens, PBMC from cutaneous leishmaniasis patients produced significantly higher IFN-γ than PBMC from disseminated leishmaniasis patients. Levels of TNF-α by PBMC from cutaneous leishmaniasis patients were significantly higher than disseminated leishmaniasis patients only when stimulated by genotyped cutaneous leishmaniasis antigens. The levels of IL-5 and IL-10 production by PBMC were very low and similar in PBMCs from both disseminated leishmaniasis and cutaneous leishmaniasis patients. The immune response of each patient evaluated by the two L. braziliensis antigens was assessed in a paired analysis in which we showed that L. braziliensis genotyped as disseminated leishmaniasis isolate was more potent than L. braziliensis genotyped as cutaneous leishmaniasis isolate in triggering IFN-γ and TNF-α production in both diseases and IL-5 only in cutaneous leishmaniasis patients. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence that antigens prepared from genotypically distinct strains of L. braziliensis induce different degrees of immune response. It also indicates that both parasite and host play a role in the outcome of L. braziliensis infection

The national inventory of geological heritage: methodological approach and results

A existência de um inventário nacional de património geológico é fundamental para se poderem implementar estratégias de geoconservação. Este trabalho apresenta a metodologia usada no desenvolvimento do mais completo inventário de geossítios, realizado até ao momento em Portugal, assim como os principais resultados obtidos. O inventário vai integrar o Sistema de Informação do Património Natural e o Cadastro Nacional dos Valores Naturais Classificados, ambos geridos pelo Instituto de Conservação da Natureza e da Biodiversidade.The existence of a national inventory of the geological heritage is of paramount importance for the implementation of a geoconservation strategy. This paper presents the methodological approach used to produce the most complete geosites inventory in Portugal, so far, and the obtained results. This inventory will be uploaded into the National Database of Natural Heritage managed by the Portuguese authority for nature conservation.Este trabalho é apoiado pela Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, através do financiamento plurianual do CGUP e do projecto de investigação “Identificação, caracterização e conservação do património geológico: uma estratégia de geoconservação para Portugal” (PTDC/CTE-GEX/64966/2006).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio