Showing papers by "Ministry of Agriculture published in 1999"

Position and structure of the Subtropical/Azores Front region from combined Lagrangian and remote sensing (IR/altimeter/SeaWiFS) measurements

Abstract: The position and structure of the North Atlantic Subtropical Front is studied using Lagrangian flow tracks and remote sensing (AVHRR imagery: TOPEX/POSEIDON altimetry: SeaWiFS) in a broad region ( similar to 31 degree to similar to 36 degree N) of marked gradient of dynamic height (Azores Current) that extends from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR), near similar to 40 degree W, to the Eastern Boundary ( similar to 10 degree W). Drogued Argos buoy and ALACE tracks are superposed on infrared satellite images in the Subtropical Front region. Cold (cyclonic) structures, called storms, and warm (anticyclonic) structures of 100-300 km in size can be found on the south side of the Subtropical Front outcrop, which has a temperature contrast of about 1 degree C that can be followed for similar to 2500 km near 35 degree N. Warmer water adjacent to the outcrop is flowing eastward (Azores Current) but some warm water is returned westward about 300 km to the south (southern Counterflow). Estimates of horizontal diffusion in a Storm (D=2.2t10 super(2) m super(2) s super(-1)) and in the Subtropical Front region near 200 m depth (D sub(x)=1.3t10 super(4) m super(2) s super(-1), D sub(y)=2.6t10 super(3) m super(2) s super(-1)) are made from the Lagrangian tracks. Altimeter and in situ measurements show that Storms track westwards. Storms are separated by about 510 km and move westward at 2.7 km d super(-1). Remote sensing reveals that some initial structures start evolving as far east as 23 degree W but are more organized near 29 degree W and therefore Storms are about 1 year old when they reach the MAR (having travelled a distance of 1000 km). Structure and seasonality in SeaWiFS data in the region is examined.

African horse sickness in Portugal: a successful eradication programme

Abstract: African horse sickness (AHS) was diagnosed for the first time in southern Portugal in autumn 1989, following outbreaks in Spain. AHS virus presence was confirmed by virus isolation and serotyping. An eradication campaign with four sanitary zones was set up by Central Veterinary Services in close collaboration with private organizations. Vaccination began on 6 October. In February 1990, vaccination was extended to all Portuguese equines (170000 animals). There were 137 outbreaks on 104 farms: 206 of the equidae present died (16%) or were slaughtered (14%); 81.5% were horses, 10.7% were donkeys and 7.8% were mules. Clinical AHS occurred more frequently in horses than donkeys and mules. In the vaccinated population, 82 animals (62.2% horses and 37.8% mules and donkeys), died or were slaughtered due to suspected or confirmed AHS. One year after ending vaccination, December 1991, Portugal was declared free of AHS. Cost of eradication was US$1955513 (US$11.5/Portuguese equine).

Contribuição dos mecanismos de fluxo de massa e de difusão para o suprimento de K, Ca e Mg a plantas de arroz

Abstract: O transporte de nutriente ate a superficie das raizes pode ocorrer por fluxo de massa ou por fluxo de massa e difusao, dependendo da atividade do nutriente na solucao do solo e da exigencia nutricional da planta. Objetivou-se verificar a contribuicao dos mecanismos de fluxo de massa e de difusao para o suprimento de potassio, de calcio e de magnesio a plantas de arroz, em experimento realizado em casa de vegetacao. Aplicaram-se em amostra de Latossolo Variacao Una, os seguintes tratamentos: Na2CO3, K2CO3, CaCO3 e MgCO3. Aos 75 dias da semeadura, as plantas de arroz foram colhidas e determinadas as quantidades de potassio, de calcio e de magnesio nelas acumuladas, bem como a concentracao desses nutrientes na solucao do solo. Essas concentracoes, multiplicadas pelo volume de agua transpirado, foram usadas para calcular o suprimento por fluxo de massa. A difusao foi estimada por diferenca entre a quantidade do nutriente acumulado no vegetal e a transportada por fluxo de massa. Verificou-se que o potassio foi transportado predominantemente por difusao, exceto no tratamento com K2CO3, que gerou altos teores de K na solucao de solo, tornando o fluxo de massa suficiente para atender a demanda das plantas. O calcio e o magnesio foram transportados por fluxo de massa. Segundo os resultados, a difusao foi o principal mecanismo de transporte de potassio nas condicoes do experimento; todavia, o fluxo de massa pode satisfazer isoladamente a demanda nutricional da planta, quando a concentracao de potassio na solucao do solo for muito elevada.

Eficiência de um kit de ELISA na detecção e quantificação de aflatoxina M1 em leite e investigação da ocorrência no estado de Minas Gerais

Abstract: Procedures for intralaboratory validation of an ELISA kit were adopted to verify its efficiency in aflatoxin M1 detection and quantification in milk. Assays were accomplished with standard solutions provided with the kit, spiked samples and naturally contaminated samples. The mean recovery values obtained for the kit standard solutions were between 85.6 and 114.8%, with coefficient of variation ranging from 11.6 to 23.1%. Working with spiked samples, a concentration range for quantitative analysis (0.019 to 0.090µg/L) was defined. The occurrence of aflatoxin M1 in 110 milk samples from the State of Minas Gerais was investigated. Five of the 27 positive samples in the screening for ELISA were confirmed by thin layer chromatography.

Variação e associação de características ligadas a formação do grão de genótipos de trigo

Abstract: O rendimento de trigo (Triticum aestivum L.) e estabelecido pelo numero de graos produzidos por unidade de area e pelo peso do grao. Este e determinado pela taxa e duracao do desenvolvimento do grao. A taxa e a duracao do enchimento do grao foram determinados em sete genotipos de trigos brasileiros, com o objetivo de avaliar a variacao genotipica para estes caracteres e a relacao dos mesmos com parâmetros agronomicos. Variacoes genotipicas significativas foram observadas, tanto para a taxa como para a duracao de enchimento da grao. A taxa e a duracao de enchimento do grao variaram de 0,077 a 0,089 mg/sem/graus dias acumulados e de 27 a 31 dias, respectivamente. A taxa e nao a duracao de enchimento estava associada ao peso do grao. A selecao de genotipos com maior peso de grao pode levar a obtencao de cultivares de trigo precoces, com maior taxa de enchimento de graos e adequadas a um sistema de duas culturas anuais.

Package unit with outer package containing blister packs

Abstract: The outer package consists of a cut-out piece (1) of foldable flat material, especially corrugated or flat cardboard, with interlinked side walls (2-5) closed to form a sheath at inward-protruding tabs (14) on one side wall (5). The edges of blister packs (19) pointing crosswise to the sheath fit into notches (15) starting from the free ends of the tabs. End wall sections (6-13) closing the ends of the sheath are attached to the end edges of the side walls (2-5). A tear-line (16) extends from the end edges of the side wall (5) possessing the tabs, over the end walls and the opposite facing side wall (3). When the tear-line has been opened, two sections of the packaging unit fold out on the link between the tabs and the side wall possessing them and or two sections of the packaging unit are detachable. The sections serve to display the blister packs they contain.