Balanço de nutrientes em cultivos de hortaliças sob manejo orgânico.

bitstream/CNPAB-2010/27146/1/cot021.pd

MODELA DBT: Model-driven elaboration language applied to dynamic binary translation

Industrial solutions design is a highly complex topic due to the challenge of integrating multiple technologies into a single solution, the inherent complexity of the problems to be solved and also because the proposed solutions often require a great level of interoperability among their components and also the outside world. Dynamic Binary Translation has been used as a tool to deal with such interoperability issues, e.g., legacy support, virtualization and secure execution, among others. However its integration in the industry as an end-product is hampered by the intricate variability management required in this subject. To address these issues and in an attempt to power DBT utilization as an interoperability-providing tool, we propose a model-driven DSL modeling language for DBT architectures. The developed DSL proved to be efficient to model an in-house DBT engine, and MODELA DBT, a framework for ready-to-use DBT solutions was obtained. MODELA DBT provides design validation, easy configuration of customizable DBT parameters and components, as well as code generation features.This work has been supported by COMPETE: POCI-Ol-0145-FEDER-007043 and FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e figuration granularity, code generation efficiency and design verification. Tecnologia within the Project Scope: UID/CEC/00319/2013. F. Salgado is supported by FCT (grant SFRH/BD/81681/2011)

Optimization of lipase production by Aspergillus ibericus from oil cakes and its application in esterification reactions

Due to the actual emphasis in revalorization of agro-industrial wastes and cost reduction of enzymes production, this work aimed the optimization of lipase production from different oil cakes (OCs) produced in Brazil, by solid-state fermentation using Aspergillus ibericus MUM 03.49 and the application of the produced lipase in hydrolysis and esterification reactions. Results presented showed higher lipase production using palm kernel oil cake (PKOC), yielding 127 ± 17 U/g. Through SSF optimization, using palm kernel oil cake (PKOC) mixed with sesame oil cake (SOC) in a ratio of 0.45 g/g PKOC per g total substrate at 57% moisture content, a production of 460 ± 38 U/g of lipase per mass of dry substrate was obtained after 6 days of fermentation. The obtained lipase was used in hydrolysis reactions, where it was observed higher production in short-chain triacylglycerols (TAGs) substrates. Also, it was applied in esterification reactions, where the formation of butyl decanoate using 5% (w/v) of biocatalyst was the most efficient. SSF of PKOC and SOC was a low cost competitive process to obtain A. ibericus lipase that can be used in aroma esters production, with application in the food industry.Felisbela Oliveira acknowledges the financial support from FAPERJ N° 43/2013—Programa de Apoio ao Doutorado-Sanduíche Reverso—2013, from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), through the grant SFRH/BD/87953/2012. José Manuel Salgado was supported by grant CEB/N2020 – INV/01/2016 from Project “BIOTECNORTE - Underpinning Biotechnology to foster the north of Portugal bioeconomy” (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000004). This study was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UID/BIO/04469/2013 unit and COMPETE 2020 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006684) and BioTecNorte operation (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000004) funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the scope of Norte2020 - Programa Operacional Regional do Norte. Carlos E. Souza and Verônica R.O.L. Peclat thank the financial support given by CNPq and CAPES from Brazil, respectively. Bernardo D. Ribeiro and Maria A.Z. Coelho thank the financial support given by CNPq and FAPERJ from Brazil

Pre-clinical assessment of Roflumilast therapy in a thoracic model of spinal cord injury

The failure of axons to regenerate after a spinal cord injury (SCI) remains one of the greatest challenges in neuroscience. The initial mechanical trauma is followed by a secondary injury cascade, creating a hostile microenvironment, which not only is not permissive to regeneration but also leads to further damage. One of the most promising approaches for promoting axonal regeneration is to maintain the levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), specifically by a phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitor expressed in neural tissues. Therefore, in our study, we evaluated the therapeutic effect of an FDA-approved PDE4 inhibitor, Roflumilast (Rof), in a thoracic contusion rat model. Results indicate that the treatment was effective in promoting functional recovery. Rof-treated animals showed improvements in both gross and fine motor function. Eight weeks post-injury, the animals significantly recovered by achieving occasional weight-supported plantar steps. Histological assessment revealed a significant decrease in cavity size, less reactive microglia, as well as higher axonal regeneration in treated animals. Molecular analysis revealed that IL-10 and IL-13 levels, as well as VEGF, were increased in the serum of Rof-treated animals. Overall, Roflumilast promotes functional recovery and supports neuroregeneration in a severe thoracic contusion injury model and may be important in SCI treatment.This research was supported by Prémios Santa Casa Neurociências—Prize Melo e Castro for Spinal Cord Injury Research (MC-18-2021) and by national funds, through the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT)—project PTDC/MED-FAR/29751/2017, project UIDB/50026/2020 and UIDP/50026/2020.We would like to acknowledge the financial support by the Foundation for Science and Technology to the following authors: RL (PD/BDE/127836/2016), JRC (SFRH/BD/145860/2019) and NAS (CEECIND/04794/2007). We would like to acknowledge the support of the ICVS Scien tific Microscopy Platform, members of the national infrastructure PPBI—Portuguese Platform of Bioimaging (PPBI-POCI-01-0145-FEDER-022122)

Specialized active leprosy search strategies in an endemic area of the Brazilian Amazon identifies a hypermutated Mycobacterium leprae strain causing primary drug resistance

INTRODUCTION: Leprosy, an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, remains a public health concern in endemic countries, particularly in Brazil. In this study, we conducted an active surveillance campaign in the hyperendemic city of Castanhal in the northeastern part of the state of Pará using clinical signs and symptoms combined with serological and molecular tools to diagnose new cases and to identify drug resistance of circulating M. leprae strains and their distribution in the community. METHODS: During an active surveillance of one week, we enrolled 318 individuals using three different strategies to enroll subjects for this study: (i) an active survey of previously treated cases from 2006 to 2016 found in the Brazil National Notifiable Disease Information System database (n = 23) and their healthy household contacts (HHC) (n = 57); (ii) an active survey of school children (SC) from two primary public schools in low-income neighborhoods (n = 178), followed by visits to the houses of these newly diagnosed SC (n = 7) to examine their HHC (n = 34) where we diagnosed additional new cases (n = 6); (iii) and those people who spontaneously presented themselves to our team or the local health center with clinical signs and/or symptoms of leprosy (n = 6) with subsequent follow-up of their HHC when the case was confirmed (n = 20) where we diagnosed two additional cases (n = 2). Individuals received a dermato-neurological examination, 5 ml of peripheral blood was collected to assess the anti-PGL-I titer by ELISA and intradermal earlobe skin scrapings were taken from HHC and cases for amplification of the M. leprae RLEP region by qPCR. RESULTS: Anti-PGL-I positivity was highest in the new leprosy case group (52%) followed by the treated group (40.9%), HHC (40%) and lowest in SC (24.6%). RLEP qPCR from SSS was performed on 124 individuals, 22 in treated cases, 24 in newly diagnosed leprosy cases, and 78 in HHC. We detected 29.0% (36/124) positivity overall in this sample set. The positivity in treated cases was 31.8% (7/22), while in newly diagnosed leprosy cases the number of positives were higher, 45.8% (11/23) and lower in HHC at 23.7% (18/76). Whole genome sequencing of M. leprae from biopsies of three infected individuals from one extended family revealed a hypermutated M. leprae strain in an unusual case of primary drug resistance while the other two strains were drug sensitive. DISCUSSION: This study represents the extent of leprosy in an active surveillance campaign during a single week in the city of Castanhal, a city that we have previously surveyed several times during the past ten years. Our results indicate the continuing high transmission of leprosy that includes fairly high rates of new cases detected in children indicating recent spread by multiple foci of infection in the community. An unusual case of a hypermutated M. leprae strain in a case of primary drug resistance was discovered. It also revealed a high hidden prevalence of overt disease and subclinical infection that remains a challenge for correct clinical diagnosis by signs and symptoms that may be aided using adjunct laboratory tests, such as RLEP qPCR and anti-PGL-I serology

Meloidogyne paranaensis e Meloidogyne exigua em lavouras cafeeiras da região Sul de Minas Gerais

The cities in the South of Minas Gerais, which is the main coffee producer region in Brazil, would face a serious risk of productivity loss if more aggressive root-knot nematodes species, such as Meloidogyne paranaensis. In order to prevent the dissemination of this nematode, it is necessary to know the occurrence outbreaks and distribution of Meloidogyne spp. in this region. Then, objective was to investigate Coffea arabica plantations of some coffee-producing cities in the South of Minas Gerais by root sampling, diagnosis and mapping of outbreaks. The total of 162 samples was calculated according to the planting area and coffee production in the production areas in some cities. The root-knot nematodes were found in 32.7% of them. The species M. exigua in 90.5%, and M. paranaensis in 9.5% of the detections. The occurrence of M. exigua and M. paranaensis was observed in the cities sampled, except Guaranésia, where no root-knot nematode was present. Esterase phenotypes E1 and E2 were found in M. exigua populations, highlighting the E2 phenotype in most cities (Guaxupé, Monte Belo, Monte Santo de Minas, Muzambinho and São Pedro da União). M. paranaensis (P1 phenotype) was detected in Coqueiral and Alpinópolis causing plant mortality. This suggest that is necessary the use of phytossanitary approaches.Os municípios da Região Sul do Estado de Minas Gerais, maior região produtora de café no Brasil, enfrentam um sério risco de perda na produtividade se espécies dos nematoides das galhas mais agressivas ao cafeeiro, como Meloidogyne paranaensis, estiverem presentes. Para a prevenção da disseminação desse nematoide é necessário conhecer os focos de ocorrência e a distribuição de Meloidogyne spp. nessa Região. Diante do exposto, este trabalho objetivou investigar lavouras cafeeiras de alguns municípios produtores de café do Sul de Minas Gerais por meio da amostragem de raízes, diagnóstico e mapeamento dos focos. O número de amostras foi calculado de acordo com a área de plantio e a produção de café do município. De um total de 165 amostras coletadas, foi constatado o nematóide das galhas em 43,03% delas, sendo identificadas as espécies Meloidogyne exigua em 92,95% e M. paranaensis em 4,22% das detecções e também 2,81% de amostras com populações de M. exigua e M. paranaensis em mistura. A ocorrência de M. exigua e M. paranaensis se deu nos municípios analisados, exceto em Guaranésia, em que nenhum nematoide das galhas estava presente. Os fenótipos E1 e E2 da esterase foram encontrados em M. exigua, se destacando o fenótipo E2 na maioria dos municípios (Guaxupé, Monte Belo, Monte Santo de Minas, Muzambinho e São Pedro da União). M. paranaensis (fenótipo P1) foi detectado parasitando cafeeiros nos municípios de Alpinópolis e Coqueiral, causando intenso depauperamento e morte das plantas. Isso sugere a necessidade da adoção de medidas de contenção da doença na região

<i>Gaia</i> Data Release 1. Summary of the astrometric, photometric, and survey properties

Context. At about 1000 days after the launch of Gaia we present the first Gaia data release, Gaia DR1, consisting of astrometry and photometry for over 1 billion sources brighter than magnitude 20.7. Aims. A summary of Gaia DR1 is presented along with illustrations of the scientific quality of the data, followed by a discussion of the limitations due to the preliminary nature of this release. Methods. The raw data collected by Gaia during the first 14 months of the mission have been processed by the Gaia Data Processing and Analysis Consortium (DPAC) and turned into an astrometric and photometric catalogue. Results. Gaia DR1 consists of three components: a primary astrometric data set which contains the positions, parallaxes, and mean proper motions for about 2 million of the brightest stars in common with the HIPPARCOS and Tycho-2 catalogues – a realisation of the Tycho-Gaia Astrometric Solution (TGAS) – and a secondary astrometric data set containing the positions for an additional 1.1 billion sources. The second component is the photometric data set, consisting of mean G-band magnitudes for all sources. The G-band light curves and the characteristics of ∼3000 Cepheid and RR-Lyrae stars, observed at high cadence around the south ecliptic pole, form the third component. For the primary astrometric data set the typical uncertainty is about 0.3 mas for the positions and parallaxes, and about 1 mas yr−1 for the proper motions. A systematic component of ∼0.3 mas should be added to the parallax uncertainties. For the subset of ∼94 000 HIPPARCOS stars in the primary data set, the proper motions are much more precise at about 0.06 mas yr−1. For the secondary astrometric data set, the typical uncertainty of the positions is ∼10 mas. The median uncertainties on the mean G-band magnitudes range from the mmag level to ∼0.03 mag over the magnitude range 5 to 20.7. Conclusions. Gaia DR1 is an important milestone ahead of the next Gaia data release, which will feature five-parameter astrometry for all sources. Extensive validation shows that Gaia DR1 represents a major advance in the mapping of the heavens and the availability of basic stellar data that underpin observational astrophysics. Nevertheless, the very preliminary nature of this first Gaia data release does lead to a number of important limitations to the data quality which should be carefully considered before drawing conclusions from the data

TRY plant trait database - enhanced coverage and open access

Plant traits-the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants-determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, and influence ecosystem properties and their benefits and detriments to people. Plant trait data thus represent the basis for a vast area of research spanning from evolutionary biology, community and functional ecology, to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem and landscape management, restoration, biogeography and earth system modelling. Since its foundation in 2007, the TRY database of plant traits has grown continuously. It now provides unprecedented data coverage under an open access data policy and is the main plant trait database used by the research community worldwide. Increasingly, the TRY database also supports new frontiers of trait-based plant research, including the identification of data gaps and the subsequent mobilization or measurement of new data. To support this development, in this article we evaluate the extent of the trait data compiled in TRY and analyse emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness. Best species coverage is achieved for categorical traits-almost complete coverage for 'plant growth form'. However, most traits relevant for ecology and vegetation modelling are characterized by continuous intraspecific variation and trait-environmental relationships. These traits have to be measured on individual plants in their respective environment. Despite unprecedented data coverage, we observe a humbling lack of completeness and representativeness of these continuous traits in many aspects. We, therefore, conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements. This can only be achieved in collaboration with other initiatives