ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the effects of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) associated with dry and rainy seasons on the photochemical activity of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. cv. Gigante. Combinations of N (10.0, 70.0, 100.0, 130.0, and 190.0 kg ha−1 yr−1) and P2O5 (10.0, 70.0, 100.0, 130.0, and 190.0 kg ha−1 yr−1) were evaluated in the dry and rainy seasons in semi-arid regions. A completely randomized block design with split-plot arrangement was adopted with four replications. In Quixadá, the maximum potential quantum efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) was 0.82, observed in third-order cladodes (rainy season and N/P 75.6/10.0 kg ha−1 yr−1), while in Tejuçuoca, the maximum Fv/Fm was 0.81, found in 2nd/3rd order cladodes (rainy season and N/P 10.0/190.0 kg ha−1 yr−1). In Quixadá, the maximum electron transport rate (ETR) was 31.6 μmol m−2 s−1 in 2nd/3rd order cladodes (rainy season and N/P 10.0/190.0 kg ha−1 yr−1), and in Tejuçuoca, the maximum ETR was 24.1 μmol m−2 s−1, in second-order cladodes (rainy season and N/P 110.1/10.0 kg ha−1 yr−1). In Quixadá and Tejuçuoca, higher values of Fv/Fm and ETR were observed in the rainy season. In Quixadá, the maximum fluorescence decrease ratio (FDR) was 4.04 in third-order cladodes (rainy season and N/P 10.0/114.8 kg ha−1 yr−1), while in Tejuçuoca, the maximum FDR was 6.93, found in 2nd/3rd order cladodes (rainy season and N/P 190.0/10.0 kg ha−1 yr−1). In Quixadá and Tejuçuoca, there was predominance of higher FDR values in the rainy season. Nitrogen, phosphorus, and water status modulate the photochemical efficiency of cladodes of cactus pear cv. Gigante in semi-arid regions.

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as características químicas de um processo contínuo de compostagem aeróbia com aeração passiva com material de alimentação proveniente da produção e abate de pequenos ruminantes, realizado com diferentes níveis de umidade. O processo de compostagem foi realizado em celas de tijolos, com resíduos sólidos (esterco e partes de carcaça) do abate de cabras e ovelhas, juntamente com capim-elefante seco picado e aparas de árvores. Os tratamentos empregaram três teores de umidade nas pilhas (30, 50 e 70%) e intervalos de tempo (0, 30, 60 e 120 dias) de avaliação do material compostado, com três repetições. As variáveis avaliadas foram os atributos químicos do composto gerado. O processo de compostagem aumentou as concentrações dos elementos Ca, Mg, S, Cu, Fe, Mn e Zn e reduziu o pH, o teor de lignina e a razão lignina/nitrogênio. O N, P e B apresentaram maior teor com 111, 61 e 94 dias, respectivamente. O K não teve sua concentração alterada. O teor de água de 70% produziu os maiores teores de N e menor razão lignina/N. Ao final do processo de compostagem, em 120 dias, houve aumento dos teores de N, P, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn e condutividade elétrica em 33,7; 6,3; 17,5; 16,3; 666; 22; 31,3; 49,7; 30,4: 29,4 e 16,1%, respectivamente. E houve decréscimo nos valores de pH e lignina em 8,4 e 27,2%, respectivamente.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to assess the chemical characteristics of a continuous aerobic composting process with passive aeration of feed material from the production and slaughter of small ruminants at different moisture levels. The composting process was performed in a brick barn with solid residues (manure and carcass parts) from the slaughter of goats and sheep along with chopped dry elephant grass and tree trimmings. The treatments employed three moisture contents (30, 50, and 70% water) and four sample collections at timed intervals (0, 30, 60, and 120 days), with three repetitions. The variables evaluated were the chemical attributes of the generated compost. The compositing process increased the concentrations of the elements Ca, Mg, S, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn and reduced the pH, lignin, and lignin/nitrogen ratio. The levels of N, P, and B increased up to 111, 61, and 94 days, respectively, whereas no change in the K content occurred. At the end of the process at 120 days, the contents of N, P, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, and electrical conductivity were increased by 33.7, 6.3, 17.5, 16.3, 666, 22, 31.3, 49.7, 30.4, 29.4 and 16.1%, respectively. The pH and lignin values decreased by 8.4 and 27.2%, respectively.

ABSTRACT The application of organic composts derived from animal husbandry or agro-industry is a promising option to improve nutrient cycling and supply of soils and, consequently, forage production. The objective of this study was to evaluate the soil chemical properties and the nutritional state of elephant grass in response to rates of organic fertilizer composted from the waste of small ruminant production and slaughter systems. The experiment was conducted on a Fluvisol of a forage field with elephant grass var. Cameroon, and was arranged in a randomized block design with split-plots with repeated measures over time. Six rates of organic compost (0, 13.3, 26.6, 39.9, 52.3, and 79.8 t ha-1, in plots) and an additional treatment with mineral fertilizers were evaluated in four growth periods (60, 120, 180, and 240 days, in subplots) with four replications, resulting in a total of 28 plots. Soil fertility was evaluated after the fourth growth period, while leaf analysis was determined in every 60-day period. The increasing rates of organic compost increased the concentrations of OM, NH4+, NO3–, NH4+ + NO3–, P and base saturation, while the H+Al values decreased and the N and P contents increased in the plants. Compared with mineral fertilization, soil inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus increased by 34 and 97 % in response to the application of organic compost. In response to the application of organic compost, the leaf contents of all studied nutrients remained adequate in all studied periods, except for the macronutrient N and micronutrient Mn.

RESUMO O cultivo do maracujazeiro-azedo Passiflora edulis (Sims, 1818) vem obtendo destaque na fruticultura nacional devido ao aumento do consumo tanto da fruta fresca, como processada. Contudo, perdas pelo ataque de percevejos (Hemiptera: Coreidae) vêm preocupando fruticultores da região sul do Brasil. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a ocorrência e o controle de percevejos em pomar de maracujazeiro-azedo P. edulis, através da utilização de inseticidas naturais e sintéticos nas safras de 2013/14 e 2014/15 em Araquari/SC. A ocorrência de percevejos foi estudada através de amostragens utilizando a técnica do quadro de madeira com dimensão de 0,25 m2. As avaliações foram realizadas semanalmente durante as duas safras. As espécies e a distribuição dos percevejos nas diferentes partes da planta foram quantificadas. Os inseticidas utilizados foram: Neenmax (Azadiractina 1,0%) na dose de 10 mL/L; Orobor N1 (Ácido cítrico N 1,0% + B 0,20%) 2 mL/L; Decis 25 EC (Deltametrina 2,5%) 1 mL/L, diluídos em solução aquosa. Foram observados exemplares de três espécies de percevejos, sendo 86% Diactor bilineatus (Hemiptera: Coreidae); 13,5% Holhymenia histrio (Hemiptera: Coreidae) e 0,5% de Nezara viridula (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). D. bilineatus apresentou alta frequência, constância e dominância durante as safras avaliadas. Os percevejos encontravam-se 64% sobre os frutos, 18,5% sobre as folhas, 7,3% sobre os botões florais, 5,8% sobre as flores e 4,4 % sobre os ramos. A pulverização com Azadiractina e Deltametrina foram eficientes para reduzir a infestação de percevejos e ocorrência de frutos murchos no pomar de maracujazeiro-azedo.

ABSTRACT Sour passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims, 1818) crops in Brazil are drawing attention due to the national production, and the increasing consumption of this fruit as fresh and processed products. However, fruit losses due to damages caused by stink bugs (Hemiptera: Coreidae) are concerning to fruit growers in southern Brazil. The objective of this study was to evaluate the population fluctuation and control of stink bugs in P. edulis crops grown in the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 crop seasons in Araquari, SC, Brazil, using natural and synthetic insecticides. The stink bug population was evaluated using the 0.25 m2 frame technique. The evaluations were carried out weekly during the two crop seasons. The species and distribution of stink bugs in the different parts of the plant were evaluated. The insecticides and rates used were: Neenmax (azadirachtin 1.0%) at 10 mL L-1; Orobor N1 (N-citric acid 1.0% + 0.20% B) at 2 mL L-1; and Decis 25 EC (deltamethrin 2.5%) at 1 mL L-1, diluted in aqueous solution. Specimens of three stink bug species where found: 86% Diactor bilineatus (Hemiptera: Coreidae); 13.5% Holhymenia histrio (Hemiptera: Coreidae), and 0.5% Nezara viridula (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). The D. bilineatus species presented higher frequency, constancy, and dominance during the evaluated crop seasons; 64% of the stink bugs were found on fruits, 18.5% on leaves, 7.3% on floral buds, 5.8% on flowers, and 4.4% on branches. The use of azadirachtin or deltamethrin was efficient to reduce the stink bug infestation and the number of P. edulis withered fruits.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the processing of millet grain provided at two supplementation frequencies for grazing beef cattle during the dry season on nutritional parameters. Five rumen-cannulated crossbred steers, with 24 to 26 months of age and average body weight of 428.6±26.06 kg, were assigned to a Latin square design (5 × 5) in a 2 × 2 + 1 factorial arrangement, as follows: two forms of millet grain (whole grains - or ground; WG - GG), two strategies of concentrate supplementation (daily distribution - 7X; or three times a week - 3X) and a control treatment (mineral mixture - MM). Animals were kept in five paddocks of 0.24 ha each with Marandu grass pastures. Concentrate supplements were supplied at 2.00 and 4.66 kg/animal/day for treatments 7X and 3X, respectively. The concentrate supplementation enhanced the intake of total dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) and nutrients compared with mineral supplementation. No differences were found between dry matter intake and forage organic matter intake. The values of digestibility coefficients of DM, OM, ether extract, total carbohydrates and non-fiber carbohydrates were increased by concentrate supplementation. Regarding concentrations of rumen ammonia nitrogen, the interactions among time × treatment × day and day × treatment had effects on the measurements of ruminal pH. Plasma urea nitrogen, urinary urea excretion and urinary urea N excretion differed only between MM treatment and the others, with no interference of grain physical form and supplementation frequency on those variables. The millet grain processing does not alter forage intake, but improves digestibility. Daily supplementation increases digestibility of dry matter and neutral detergent fiber.

Objective: The purpose of this case-control study was to evaluate risk factors associated with death in children with severe dengue. Methods: The clinical condition of hospitalized patients with severe dengue who died (cases, n = 18) was compared with that of hospitalized patients with severe dengue who survived (controls, n = 77). The inclusion criteria for this study were age under 13 years; hospital admission in São Luis, northeastern Brazil; and laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of dengue. Results: Severe bleeding (hemoptysis), a defining criterion for dengue severity, was the factor most strongly associated with death in our study. We also found that epistaxis and persistent vomiting, both included as warning signs in the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of dengue, were strongly associated with death. No significant association was observed between any of the laboratory findings and death. Conclusions: The finding that epistaxis and persistent vomiting were also associated with death in children with severe dengue was unexpected and deserves to be explored in future studies. Because intensive care units are often limited in resource-poor settings, any information that can help to distinguish patients with severe dengue with a higher risk to progress to death may be crucial.

Esta pesquisa objetivou avaliar a composição química e degradabilidade in situ do feno de restolho da cultura do milho proveniente de cultura adubada com 40; 120 ou 200 kg de N ha-1 e amonizado com ureia. Para avaliação da degradabilidade in situ, foram incubadas 4 g de amostras no rúmen de um bovino canulado, nos tempos 6; 24 e 72 h. Os teores de fibra em detergente ácido (35,4% da MS) e nitrogênio insolúvel em detergente ácido (18,5% do N total) diminuíram, obtendo-se 32,7% da MS e 9,6% do N total, e o teor de proteína bruta (PB) aumentou de 5,2 para 9,7% da MS em decorrência da amonização com ureia. A degradação da matéria seca (48,7%), PB (56,5%) e fibra em detergente neutro (33,6%) aumentou com a amonização, com médias 54,5; 75,4; e 38,4%, respectivamente, mas não foi influenciada pela interação adubação x amonização x tempo de incubação. A fração solúvel da MS e PB aumentou com a amonização e a taxa de degradação da fração b foi superior a 2% h-1. A amonização do feno de restolho da cultura do milho adubada com 40 ou 120 kg de N ha-1 promoveu redução da FDN, fração do alimento que melhor representa a parede celular. O teor de proteína, a degradabilidade in situ e a cinética de degradação da matéria seca e proteína foram incrementados com a amonização do restolho da cultura do milho com 3% de ureia na MS e adubação com 40 ou 120 kg de N ha-1, não se justificando a amonização do restolho da cultura do milho resultante de culturas adubadas com 200 kg de N ha-1.

The objective of this research was to evaluate the chemical composition and in situ degradability of hay stubble from a maize crop fertilized with 40; 120 or 200 kg N ha-1, ammoniated with urea. To evaluate in situ degradability, 4 g samples were incubated in nylon bags in the rumen of cattle for 6; 24 and 72 hours. The levels of acid detergent fiber (35.4% DM) and acid detergent insoluble nitrogen (18.5% of total N) decreased, resulting in 32.7% of DM and 9.6% of the total N, and crude protein (CP) increased from 5.2 to 9.7% of DM as a result of the ammoniation with urea. The degradation of dry matter (48.7%), CP (56.5%) and neutral detergent fiber (33.6%) increased with ammoniation, averaging 54.5 and 75.4, and 38.4% respectively, but was not influenced by interaction fertilization x ammoniation x incubation time. The soluble fraction of DM and CP increased with ammoniation, and the degradation rate of b fraction was greater than 2% h-1. The ammoniation of the hay of stubble of maize-crop fertilized with 40 or 120 kg N ha-1 resulted in reduction of NDF content, fraction of the feed which best represents the cell wall. The protein content, in-situ degradability and the kinetics of dry-matter and protein degradation of the hay of stubble of maize-crop were increased by ammoniation with urea (3% in DM basis) and fertilization with 40 or 120 kg N ha-1, thus not justifying the ammoniation of corn stubble from crops fertilized with 200 kg N ha-1.

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar as características morfogênicas de três cultivares de Brachiaria brizanthasubmetidos à adubação nitrogenada. O delineamento foi em blocos casualizados em esquema fatorial 4x3; três cultivares de B. brizantha - Marandu, Piatã, Xaraés e quatro níveis de nitrogênio - 0, 80, 160 e 240 kg/ha, com três repetições. As unidades experimentais constaram de vasos plásticos preenchidos com 5 dm3 de solo. Logo após a adubação de estabelecimento, as três variedades foram semeadas diretamente nos vasos, deixando, após o desbaste, cinco plantas por vaso. Quarenta e cinco dias após o plantio, foi feita uma padronização de corte de 10 cm de altura. As doses de nitrogênio foram distribuídas de acordo com os tratamentos, divididas em três aplicações. As características morfogênicas foram avaliadas em três perfilhos por unidade de amostragem e os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e regressão. Para todas as características avaliadas, não houve interação entre os fatores cultivar e doses de nitrogênio, verificando-se apenas os efeitos do nitrogênio sobre a taxa de aparecimento foliar e filocrono. A dose de 240 kg/ha de N corresponde à maior taxa de aparecimento foliar. O cultivar Marandu apresenta maior relação lâmina foliar: pseudocolmo e razão entre taxa de alongamento foliar e alongamento de pseudocolmo, favorecendo a melhor qualidade da forragem.

This study aims to evaluate the morphogenetic characteristics of three cultivars of Brachiaria brizantha subjected to nitrogen fertilization. The design was a randomized block in factorial arrangement 4x3; three cultivars of B. brizantha - Marandu, Piatã, Xaraés and four nitrogen levels - 0, 80, 160 and 240 kg/ha, with three replications. The experimental units consisted of plastic pots filled with 5 dm3 of soil. Thereupon the establishment fertilization, varieties were sowed directly in the pots, leaving, after thinning, five plants per pot. Forty-five days after planting, it was done a standardization cut at 10 cm tall. Nitrogen levels were distributed according to the treatments, divided in three applications. The morphogenetic characteristics were evaluated in three tillers per sampling unit and data were submitted to analysis of variance and regression. For all evaluated characteristics there was no interaction between factors cultivar and nitrogen levels, verifying only the effects of nitrogen on the variables leaf appearance rate and phyllochron. The dose 240 kg/ha of N corresponds to the greater leaf appearance rate. Cultivar Marandu shows the higher leaf blade: pseudostem and ratio of leaf elongation rate and elongation pseudostem, which favors higher forage quality.

This study evaluated the biomass flow of massai grass in regrowth subjected to different nitrogen levels (control - no fertilization; 400; 800; and 1200 N kg ha-1year-1) and under rotational stocking with sheep, in a completely randomized design with repeated measures over time. The leaf elongation rate increased with increasing nitrogen levels (N) and the fourth grazing cycle presented a lower value compared with the others. The stem elongation rate responded linearly with increasing levels of N, but it was not influenced by grazing cycles. The senescence rate of leaves remaining before grazing and after grazing were not influenced by the nitrogen fertilization or amended with successive grazing cycles. The phyllochron was influenced only by the nitrogen fertilization, with a decreasing linear response with nitrogen levels. Quadratic response was observed for the average length of leaves with increasing N levels and the grazing cycle 4 presented the lowest value for this variable. For each kilogram N ha-1 year-1, increases of 0.161 and 0.1604 kg ha-1 day-1 were verified in the herbage growth and accumulation rates, respectively. Nitrogen fertilization favors the biomass flow of massai grass, promoting an expressive increase in the production and accumulation of forage.

O fungo Aspergillus flavus isolado como endofítico da planta Paspalum maritimum Trin. foi avaliado quanto ao seu potencial de aplicação em reações de biotransformações. Os compostos chalcona (1), 3,4,5-trimetoxichalcona (2) e 2,3,4,4'-tetrametoxichalcona (3) foram biotransformados, respectivamente, na diidrochalcona (4), 3,4,5-trimetoxidiidrochalcona (5) e 2,3,4,4'-tetrametoxidiidrochalcona (6). As estruturas destes compostos foram determinadas por análises de RMN uni e bidimensionais e por espectrometria de massas. As diidrochalconas 5 e 6 são substâncias inéditas.

The fungus Aspergillus flavus isolated as endophytic of the plant Paspalum maritimum Trin. was evaluated for its potential application in biotransformation reactions. The compounds chalcone (1), 3,4,5-trimethoxychalcone (2) and 2,3,4,4'-tetramethoxychalcone (3) were biotransformed, respectively, in dihydrochalcone (4), 3,4,5-trimethoxydihydrochalcone (5) and 2,3,4,4'-tetramethoxydihydrochalcone (6). The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including 1D and 2D NMR techniques, and MS analysis. The dihydrochalcones 5 and 6 are new compounds.

Tagging whales with implantable satellite transmitters creates the possibility of disturbing the animals. Between 2003 and 2005, behavioral observations of humpback whales during tag deployment operations were conducted off the coast of Brazil from the flying bridge of a speedboat. The speed achieved by each whale during pursuit was registered by GPS receivers onboard two inflatable zodiac boats. Respiratory frequencies were significantly lower (n = 15, p < 0.05) before (mean = 0.89 ± 0.06 blows/min) compared with after (1.39 ± 0.15) tagging. The same effect was observed for the speed of each animal (mean = 10.96 ± 0.44 km/h and 12.54 ± 0.57 km/h; n = 13, p < 0.05). Both variables were positively correlated with the duration of the pursuit (n = 21, r = 0.88, p < 0.05; n = 13, r = 0.94, p < 0.01) and with each other (n = 26, r = 0.65, p < 0.01). Acute responses were observed in 50% of the 28 tag deployments. Pursuits were shown to generate a longer effect than tagging. We suggest that the behavioral changes presented here are short-term disturbances because the tagging operation ends quickly and is not a repeated procedure. However, protocols must be developed to guarantee the maintenance of the animals' welfare during operations.

The purpose of this study was to compare esophageal infusion with 0.1 N hydrochloridric acid (HCl) to esophageal infusion with saline in patients presenting with typical gastroesophageal reflux symptoms and erosive esophagitis. METHODS: Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed on 44 prospective subjects, 29 of whom were included in the study. Eighteen patients presented with normal esophagi (Control Group "C"), nine of whom were infused with HCl and nine with saline. Eleven patients presented with erosive esophagitis (Lesion Group "L"), five of whom were infused with HCl and six with saline. Biopsies of the esophageal mucosa were collected before and after infusions. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was found between the two types of infusions in terms of the dilation of the intercellular space of the esophageal epithelium, regardless of the status of the patient. CONCLUSIONS: Response to HCl infusion cannot be used as a marker for gastroesophageal reflux disease.

In this work the surface of activated carbon was chemically modified in order to introduce O, S and N containing groups. The activated carbon surface was selectively oxidized with concentrated HNO3 under controlled conditions. Characterization by thermogravimetric analyses, infrared spectroscopy and NaOH titration suggested the formation of mainly -COOH and small amounts of -OH groups, with concentration of approximately 4.10(21) groups/g of carbon. These -COOH functionalized carbons showed high adsorption capacity for metal cations in aqueous solution in the following order: Pb+2>Cu+2>Ni+2 >Cd+2~Co+2>Ca+2 , suggesting a cation exchange mechanism via a surface complex [COO-M+2]. These -COOHsurf groups can be reacted with SOCl2 to produce a surface acylchloride group, -COCl. This surface -COCl group proved to be a very reactive and versatile intermediate for the grafting of different S and N containing molecules onto the carbon surface, such as 1,2-ethaneditiol (EDT-, HSCH2CH2SH) 1,7-dimercapto-4-thioheptane (DMTH-HSCH2CH2CH2SCH2CH 2CH2SH) or 1,2-ethylenediamine (EDA- NH2CH2CH2NH2 ) and triethyltetraamine, TEA (H2NCH2CH2NHCH2CH 2NHCH2CH2 NH2). The characterization of these materials was carried out by TG, IR and TPDMS (Temperature Programmed Decomposition Mass Spectrometry) experiments suggesting the formation of thioesther and amide surface groups, i.e. -COSR and -CONHR, with yields of approximately 50 and 75% for the reaction with DME and EDA, respectively. Preliminary adsorption experiments showed that these materials can efficiently remove metals such as Pb+2, Cu+2 and Ni+2 from aqueous medium.