Sward Structural Characteristics of Perennial Peanut Genotypes as Affected by Harvest Frequency

Despite the high potential of tropical forage species, herbage production, nutritive value and animal productivity in Brazilian livestock production systems are lower than what can be obtained from both a biological and operational point of view (Pedreira and Mello 2000, Da Silva and Sbrissia 2000). Even with these limitations, the livestock industry is often able to sustain high productivity levels (animal product per hectare) by using good animal genetics and supplementation. Reducing production costs, however, will likely depend on the identification and incorporation of a high-quality forage resource, in terms of both improving diet quality of grazing animals and sustaining pasture soil productivity. The search for economically viable and sustainable forage production alternatives has been the subject of a great deal of research in many parts of the world. Among the alternatives explored, the diversification of pastures by the introduction of forage legumes in traditional production systems has been suggested, mainly to improve soil chemical characteristics (increased nitrogen levels) and improve forage quality (Perez 2004, Valentim and Andrade 2004). Promising legume germplasm is available in the tropics, but before these materials are incorporated into commercial systems, they need to be evaluated for adaptation, productivity and persistence in specific micro-environments. In addition, interactions involving grazing management strategies and genotypes should be described and explained, so that their agronomic potential can be explored. The aim of this study was to characterise sward structure of 4 perennial peanut genotypes subjected to 2 harvest management strategies, in south-eastern Brazil

Dry Matter Yield, \u3ci\u3ein Vitro\u3c/i\u3e Digestibility, Protein and Fiber Composition of \u27Tifton 9\u27 Bahiagrass (\u3ci\u3ePaspalum notatum\u3c/i\u3e) at Six Maturities

The objective of this research was to evaluate dry matter yield, in vitro digestibility, and the concentrations of protein and cell wall components in \u27Tifton 9’clipped at six maturities. Herbage was cut at the age of 20, 27, 34, 41, 48 and 55 days. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with six trataments (ages) and four replications. Dry matter yield and acid detergent fiber ranged from 188 g m-2, to 593 g m-2 and 386.9 g kg-1 to 375.1 g kg-1 respectively, with the cubic regression model having the best fit (P\u3c 0.05). Concentrations of crude protein decreased linearly (P\u3c 0.05) from 121 to 69 g kg-1. Neutral detergent fiber concentration and “in vitro” digestibility, were not affected (P\u3e 0.05) by maturity, in the range studied. Dry matter yield, digestibility and concentration of fiber components presented values similar to other tropical forages, whereas the crude protein remained above 100.5 g kg-1, only until the 27th day, according to the regression model

Morphogenic Responses of Two \u3cem\u3eBrachiaria\u3c/em\u3e Genotypes in Response to Clipping Frequency

Tropical grasslands represent an important resource for the Brazilian cattle industry, which is heavily dependent on grazed pastures. Total pasture area in the country totals 196 M ha (23% of the country’s land area) (FAO 2013). The genus Brachiaria represents around 85% of cultivated pastures in Brazil (Moreira et al. 2009), 40% of which are established with B. brizantha cv. Marandu (Barbosa 2006). Mulato II is a new hybrid brachiaria grass cultivar which has been developed to improve agronomic characteristics, broaden the range of adaptation, and to ensure high forage production and nutritive value. It has also been viewed as a means of reducing the dependence on the Marandu palisade grass monoculture (Argel et al. 2007). The use of new cultivars should be based on adequate understanding of physiological processes and growth potential under a range of management practices. Morphogenic characteristics allow for accessing herbage accumulation potential through the measurement of tissue synthesis and senescence in forage plants. Management practices such as defoliation frequency can modify assimilate partitioning in the forage plant, affecting morphogenic characteristics related to growth rate and forage nutritive value. The objective of this research was to describe and explain morphogenic differences between Marandu palisade grass and Mulato II brachiaria grass as affected by harvest frequency

Prediction of Herbage Accumulation of \u3ci\u3eCynodon\u3c/i\u3e Grasses by an Empirical Model Based on Temperature and Daylength

The objective of this work was to estimate dry matter production of Cynodon grasses as a function of photothermal units (PU). Total PU values were calculated for the period from February 1 to April 24, 1996, from a location in southeastern Brazil. Regression analysis was run between PU and herbage production from a published data set on five Cynodon cultivars, with an r2 of 0.9983. Differences between measured and estimated values were under 5%. Model testing using an independent data set on herbage dry matter production from grazed Cynodon pastures showed an overestimation, probably due to water deficit during the experimental period. In addition, grazing intensity may have been a reason for the less than optimal fit. The model was adequate in predicting the variation in production potential throughout the periods studied although modifications to include the effect of water balance, nitrogen fertilization and defoliation intensity may allow for better predictions under sub-optimal environmental conditions and varying management strategies

Photosynthetic Light Response of Tanzania Grass under Four Levels of Leaf Temperature

The purpose of this paper is to establish photosynthetic light response curves for Tanzania grass (Panicum maximum Jacq.) under four leaf temperature levels. Photosynthetic rate was measured as a response to levels of photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) on the youngest fully expanded leaves of 12 representative tillers with an infra red gas analyzer. The effect of PPFD was tested for each leaf temperature level in a randomized complete block design. Photosynthetic light response curves were adjusted for each leaf temperature using a non-linear hyperbolic model. The maximum photosynthetic response was 25,59; 31,43; 34,57 and 27,53 µmol CO2 m-2 s-1 for 25, 30, 35 and 40 oC of leaf temperature, respectively. Although light saturation was not attained, response to light increments declined with light levels higher than 1000 – 2000 µmol photon m-2 s-1, and the response curve approximated saturation slowly. Photosynthetic rates of Tanzania grass depend on light and temperature level and these must be considered when modelling crop yield potential

Ultrasound measures of Nellore cattle supplemented of yeast and probiotic in the north of Mato Grosso.

The search for better results on the performance and carcass traits of cattle under grazing has required efforts in the elaboration of diets that satisfy them both the producer and the consumer; therefore, the supplementation of grazing cattle is one of the main strategies for the intensification of systems. It is important to identify the effects of dietary supplementation on bovine growth through ultrasound imaging, which in addition to being an indication of the carcass composition allows estimation of the thickness of subcutaneous fat, as it helps to protect the carcass cold shortening. The objective of this study was to evaluate bovine carcass alterations, by means of ultrasound images, finished with pasture with additives supplementation. Twenty-eight noncastrated males of the Nellore breed were randomly divided into four supplementation groups (Group 1 = Urea; Group 2 = Urea + Optygen; Group 3 = Group 2 + Yeasts; and Group 4 = Group 3 + Probiotic). The experimental area used was of eight hectares, with Brachiaria brizantha cv. BRS Piatã, subdivided into four pens. The experiment lasted for 98 days, with 14 initial days of adaptation and the remainder subdivided into three sub-periods of 28 days, with the performance of ultrasonic readings at the end of each sub-period. For the measurement of the rib eye area (REA) and the subcutaneous fat thickness of loin (SFTL), images were taken between the 12th and 13th ribs, transversal to Musculus longissimus thoracis. For fat thickness of the rump (P8), the images were taken at the junction between M. gluteos medium and M biceps femoris, with the use of vegetable oil as an acoustic coupling. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Analyzes System software in a completely randomized design. The animal of Group 3 showed high (P 0.05) was observed among treatments, with general means of 5.53 mm in the end period. It can be concluded that the use of yeasts as an additive in the supplementation of cattle to pasture presented beneficial effects on carcass composition

Índice elevado de CPOD em pacientes com doença inflamatória intestinal

The aim of this study was to appraise the presence of decayed, filled, missed teeth (DFMT) and the oral conditions about the oral mucosa in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and compare them with healthy patients. Ninety nine patients with Crohn’s disease (CD), eighty with Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and seventy four control patients (C) were examinated. The intra-oral examination registered the DMFT index, the plaque index and the oral soft tissue lesions. The average age, in years, was 38,99 (± 12,90); 43,33 (± 13,21) and 40,28 (± 12,87) for CD, UC and C, respectively. A high prevalence of DMFT was showed in DC (p= 0.016) and UC ( < 0,0001) groups compared to C group. The mean percentage of plaque was smaller in CD group 44,04 (DP± 30,49) than in C group 54,10 (DP ±26,4), p= 0,017; but there weren´t differences at percentage of plaque between UC and C groups. In relation to the total oral lesions, there was significant difference in CD (p= 0.041) and UC (p= < 0.0001) towards C group, being pyostomatitis vegetans the significant difference lesion between the groups. It was concluded that when the inflammatory bowel disease (DC and UC) are considered separately, a high DMFT index is observed in relation to control group; and patients with intestinal involvement show more oral lesions than the control groups patients, thus when the lesions are observed separated, the pyostomatitis vegetans is the only one that shows significant prevalence in those groups.O objetivo deste estudo foi o de avaliar a presença de lesões cariosas, restauradas, elementos perdidos por cárie (CPOD) e a condição da mucosa oral em pacientes com Doença Inflamatória Intestinal e compará-los com pacientes saudáveis sistemicamente. Foram examinados 99 pacientes com Doença de Crohn (DC), 80 com Colite Ulcerativa (UC) e 74 controles (C). No exame clínico, foram registrados o índice CPOD, o índice de placa e a presença de lesões no tecido mole oral. A idade média, em anos, foi de 38,99 (DP± 12,90); 43,33 (DP ± 13,21) e 40,28 (DP ± 12,87) para os grupos DC, UC e C, respectivamente. Houve aumento significante na prevalência do índice de CPOD no grupo DC (p = 0,016) e UC ( < 0,0001), quando comparado ao C. A porcentagem de placa foi menor no grupo DC 44,04 (DP± 30,49) que no C 54,10 (DP ±26,4), p= 0,017, mas não houve diferença entre UC e C. Com relação ao número total de lesões orais, foi observada diferença significante entre os grupos DC (p= 0.041) e UC (p= < 0.0001) e o grupo C, sendo a pioestomatite a lesão significantemente diferente entre esses grupos. Assim, conclui-se que, quando as doenças inflamatórias intestinais (DC e UC) são avaliadas separadamente, elevado índice de CPOD foi observado em relação ao grupo de controle; e pacientes com comprometimento intestinal apresentam mais lesões bucais que os pacientes do grupo de controle, sendo que, quando as lesões são observadas separadamente, a pioestomatite vegetante é a única que se mostra significantemente prevalente naqueles grupos

Pure cerium dioxide preparation for use as spectrochemical standard and analysed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SF ICP-MS)

Ao longo dos anos, o Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares (IPEN/CNEN-SP) tem realizado diversas pesquisas na produção de Terras Raras (RE) de alta pureza. A metodologia apresentada neste trabalho refere-se à produção econômica e de baixo custo de óxido de cério. O cério produzido pode ser utilizado como um padrão espectroquímico. A obtenção desse padrão está associada à precipitação fracionada pelo sistema RECl3/NH4OH/Ar/H2O2, para enriquecer o óxido de cério de 90% a 99,99% em CeO2. O controle de qualidade do padrão produzido é feito através da técnica da espectrometria de massas com fonte de plasma (ICP-MS) e confirmado pela técnica da ativação de nêutrons. Os valores das impurezas de Terras Raras no óxido, em ppm são: La(36), Pr(19), Nd(161), Sm(11), Eu(5,3), Gd(113), Tb(89), Dy(2), Ho(0,05), Er(1), Tm(<0,05), Yb(11), Lu(19) e Y(2,1), respectivamente. Os valores encontrados das impurezas são comparados aos padrões internacionais e confirmam o alto nível de pureza do óxido de cério produzido no IPEN.For several years, IPEN/CNEN-SP has been working in the separation of the Rare Earth (RE) elements. A simple and economic procedure for the purification of technical grade cerium concentrate is described. The highly pure cerium dioxide is designed to be used as spectrochemical standard. It is obtained by association of the fractional precipitation technique, in the system RECl3/NH4OH/ Air/H2O2, to enrich the cerium up to 90% and then it is upgraded by ion exchange technique to 99.99% CeO2. The quality control warranty was accomplished by inductively coupled mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and neutron activation analysis. The collected values for the accompanying Rare Earth elements in a CeO2 sample are the following (ppm): La(36), Pr(19), Nd(161), Sm(11), Eu(5.3), Gd(113), Tb(89), Dy(2), Ho(0.05), Er(1), Tm(<0.05), Yb(11), Lu(19) and Y(2.1), respectively. The purity of this cerium oxide is comparable to the international spectrographic standards

Automated database-guided expert-supervised orientation for immunophenotypic diagnosis and classification of acute leukemia

Precise classification of acute leukemia (AL) is crucial for adequate treatment. EuroFlow has previously designed an AL orientation tube (ALOT) to guide towards the relevant classification panel (T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), B-cell precursor (BCP)-ALL and/or acute myeloid leukemia (AML)) and final diagnosis. Now we built a reference database with 656 typical AL samples (145 T-ALL, 377 BCP-ALL, 134 AML), processed and analyzed via standardized protocols. Using principal component analysis (PCA)-based plots and automated classification algorithms for direct comparison of single-cells from individual patients against the database, another 783 cases were subsequently evaluated. Depending on the database-guided results, patients were categorized as: (i) typical T, B or Myeloid without or; (ii) with a transitional component to another lineage; (iii) atypical; or (iv) mixed-lineage. Using this automated algorithm, in 781/783 cases (99.7%) the right panel was selected, and data comparable to the final WHO-diagnosis was already provided in >93% of cases (85% T-ALL, 97% BCP-ALL, 95% AML and 87% mixed-phenotype AL patients), even without data on the full-characterization panels. Our results show that database-guided analysis facilitates standardized interpretation of ALOT results and allows accurate selection of the relevant classification panels, hence providing a solid basis for designing future WHO AL classifications