Control of temperature to suppress the population of Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera, Bostrichidae) in a grain silo prototype

This note presents some results from laboratory experiments that were conducted to characterize the influence of temperature in the mortality of adults of the insect known as lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.). The insects were separated into strains and were appropriately immersed into a mass of wheat, and the infested wheat was stored in a silo bin of small dimensions with control of temperature. Our experiments indicates that the control of temperature can be used as a successful tool to increase the mortality of R. dominica in grain silos. The paper also describes the construction of the electrical device that implements the control of temperature in the proposed grain silo prototype

Performance And Economic Analysis Of Finished Lambs In Feedlot

This study aimed to evaluate animal performance and economic performance of feedlot crossbred lambs (Santa Inês+ - Suffolk) fed different diets based on hay from Cynodon dactylon genotypes, through the use of financial measures considering only the period of feedlot, without relating it to the complete management cycle. A total of 30 intact crossbred Suffolk lambs, identified with earrings, with an average age of 90 days and an average body weight of 21.5 kg were used in this study. Diets were formulated using as treatments a standard concentrate and hay of the Cynodon dactylon genotypes Jiggs, Vaquero, Tifton 68, Coast-Cross, Tifton 85 and Russell in a 60:40 forage-to-concentrate ratio. The treatments were distributed in a randomized complete block design with five replicates. There were significant differences between diets in terms of total expenditure on food, and the highest values were obtained for the Jiggs genotype (BRL 48.96/animal). The animals fed diets based on Tifton 68 hay had a higher rate of return (2.16%) and profitability (34.63%) compared to the other diets. The use of diets based on Tifton 68 hay for feedlot lambs in the finishing phase brings higher economic returns compared to the remaining diets.37129330

Neuroimmunomodulatory and neuroprotective effects of the flavonoid apigenin in in vitro models of neuroinflammation associated with Alzheimer's disease

Neurodegenerative disorders (ND) are characterized by the progressive and irreversible loss of neurons. Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is the most incident age-related ND, in which the presence of a chronic inflammatory compound seems to be related to its pathogenesis. Different stimuli in the central nervous system (CNS) can induce activation, proliferation, and changes in phenotype and glial function, which can be modulated by anti-inflammatory agents. Apigenin (4,5,7–trihydroxyflavone) is a flavonoid found in abundance in many fruits and vegetables, that has shown important effects upon controlling the inflammatory response. This study evaluated the neuroprotective and neuroimmunomodulatory potential of apigenin using in vitro models of neuroinflammation associated with AD. Co-cultures of neurons and glial cells were obtained from the cortex of newborn and embryonic Wistar rats. After 26 days in vitro, cultures were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 1 μg/ml), or IL-1β (10 ng/ml) for 24 h, or to Aβ oligomers (500 nM) for 4 h, and then treated with apigenin (1 μM) for further 24 h. It was observed that the treatment with apigenin preserved neurons and astrocytes integrity, determined by Rosenfeld’s staining and immunocytochemistry for β-tubulin III and GFAP, respectively. Moreover, it was observed by Fluoro-Jade-B and caspase-3 immunostaining that apigenin was not neurotoxic and has a neuroprotective effect against inflammatory damage. Additionally, apigenin reduced microglial activation, characterized by inhibition of proliferation (BrdU+ cells) and modulation of microglia morphology (Iba-1 + cells), and decreased the expression of the M1 inflammatory marker CD68. Moreover, as determined by RT-qPCR, inflammatory stimuli induced by IL-1β increased the mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-1β, and CCL5, and decreased the mRNA expression of IL-10. Contrary, after treatment with apigenin in inflammatory stimuli (IL-1β or LPS) there was a modulation of the mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines, and reduced expression of OX42, IL-6 and gp130. Moreover, apigenin alone and after an inflammatory stimulus with IL-1β also induced the increase in the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), an effect that may be associated with anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. Together these data demonstrate that apigenin presents neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects in vitro and might represent an important neuroimmunomodulatory agent for the treatment of neurodegenerative conditions

Yield And Nutritive Value Of The Silage Of Corn Intercropped With Tropical Perennial Grasses

The objective of this work was to compare the yield and nutritive value of the silage of corn intercropped with palisade grass (Urochloa brizantha 'Marandu') or guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus 'Tanzânia') with those of the silage of monocropped corn, as well as to evaluate the pasture established in the intercropping systems during two growing seasons (2010-2011 and 2011-2012), in low-altitude Brazilian Cerrado. The treatments consisted of three cropping systems: monocropped corn, corn intercropped with palisade grass, and corn intercropped with guinea grass, with four replicates. Intercropping decreased corn forage dry matter yield for silage; however, due to the addition of grass, total dry matter yield (corn + grass) was similar between treatments. Intercropping also did not negatively affect corn production components and morphological characteristics. The cropping systems provided silages with good nutritive values, and the inclusion of tropical forages increased the silage fiber contents. Intercropping corn with tropical perennial grasses is a viable option for producing large quantities of silage with good nutritive value. The forage yield (silage + pasture) of these intercropping systems is similar to that of monocropped corn in tropical regions and has the advantage of providing a pasture in the off-season.521637

Smartphone app-induced habit: a therapeutic component in psychological treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder

© 2023 Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access conference article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives CC BY-NC-ND licence, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/Peer reviewe

Seleção De Espécies E Procedências De Pinus Para Região De Assis, Estado De São Paulo

The objective of the study was the selection of Pinus species and provenances for the region of Assis, state of São Paulo. The species and provenance test was established at the Assis State Forest, using the randomized blocks design with treatments represented by species (Pinus oocarpa, P. maximinoi and P. tecunumanii) and provenances of the species, four blocks and square plots with 49 plants (7 × 7), at a spacing of 3 × 2.5 m. At 21 years after planting the traits were measured: diameter at breast height (DAP), total height (ALT), individual real volume (VOL) and the survival rate (SOBRE). Significant differences were observed between species and provenances of different species (p< 0.01) for SOBRE, indicating the possibility of selection among species and provenances. The genetic divergence between species varied between growth traits from zero to 0.141, and was 0.683 for SOBRE, indicating that most of the genetic variation is distributed within species for growth traits and between species for SOBRE. Genetic and phenotypic significant and positive correlations were observed between the DAP and VOL (minimum 0.926; p< 0.01) indicating that selection for the DAP will result in an increase in the VOL. The results indicate that there are genetic variations among Pinus species and provenances of different species for SOBRE and P. oocarpa is most suitable for commercial reforestation in environmental conditions of Assis.4411167568

Characteristic Time and Maximum Mixedness: Single Mode Gaussian States in Dissipative Channels

We derive an upper limit for the mixedness of single bosonic mode gaussian states propagating in dissipative channels. It is a function of the initial squeezing and temperature of the channel only. Moreover the time at which von Neumann's entropy reaches its maximum value coincides with that of complete loss of coherence, thus defining a quantum-classical transition.Comment: Accepted versio

Correction model for hs-wim systems based on pavement temperature and vehicle speed

Weight enforcement is essential for highway infrastructure conservation. Overweight vehicles represent an exponentially higher degradation for the pavement then those inside the legal limits. They also represent increased danger to their own safety and of the other road users, due to the possibility that the excessive load compromises the truck’s ability to maneuver and break efficiently. However, performing high-precision weight measurements nowadays demand that the vehicle reduce their speed in order to enter weight enforcement stations. In this aspect, high-speed weight-in-motion (HS-WIM) technology is a viable alternative, where the vehicles’ weights are measured in operational speeds. However, current HS-WIM systems face a challenge of increasing their accuracy in order to compete with low-speed weighing systems. In this context, this paper presents a statistical model for error correction in HS-WIM systems as a function of the pavement temperature and the measured speed, which are parameters that are repeatedly shown to be related to error in these systems. The proposed model is based on a set of fitted linear equations that are created considering temperature and speed intervals, which are determined according to data collected in the field with known-weight trucks. A practical application of the proposed method is presented that shows that it is capable of increasing the system’s performance both by displacing the average closer to zero and also by reducing the deviation of the resulting errors. Therefore, the proposed method is presented as a tool to increase HS-WIM systems’ performance, in hopes that it contributes to the growth of HS-WIM technology and its viability in practical applications.Papers presented at the 40th International Southern African Transport Conference on 04 -08 July 202

The flavonoid agathisflavone modulates the microglial neuroinflammatory response and enhances remyelination

Myelin loss is the hallmark of the demyelinating disease multiple sclerosis (MS) and plays a significant role in multiple neurodegenerative diseases. A common factor in all neuropathologies is the central role of microglia, the intrinsic immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS). Microglia are activated in pathology and can have both pro- and anti-inflammatory functions. Here, we examined the effects of the flavonoid agathisflavone on microglia and remyelination in the cerebellar slice model following lysolecithin induced demyelination. Notably, agathisflavone enhances remyelination and alters microglial activation state, as determined by their morphology and cytokine profile. Furthermore, these effects of agathisflavone on remyelination and microglial activation were inhibited by blockade of estrogen receptor α. Thus, our results identify agathisflavone as a novel compound that may act via ER to regulate microglial activation and enhance remyelination and repair

Study of comparative bioavailability among two formulations containing hydroxyzine hydrochloride in healthy volunteers after a single dose administration

The study was performed to compare the bioavailability of two hydroxyzine hydrochloride 25 mg tablet formulation in 16 volunteers of both sexes. The study was conducted open with randomized two period crossover design and a two weeks wash out period. Plasma samples were obtained over a 96 h interval. Hydroxyzine concentrations were analyzed by Liquid Chromatography with Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Bioequivalence between the products was determined by calculating 90 % confidence intervals (90 % I.C) for the ratio of AUC0-t , AUC0-inf and Cmax values for the test and reference products, using logarithmic transformed data. The 90 % confidence intervals were 81.89-105.85 %, 84.61-105.30 %, and 84.04-108.66 %, respectively. Since the 90 % confidence intervals for Cmax , AUC0-t and AUC0-inf were within the 80-125 % interval proposed by the Food and Drug Administration, it was concluded that the two hydroxyzine hydrochloride formulations are bioequivalent in their rate and extent of absorption.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire