Ministry of Agriculture

About: Ministry of Agriculture is a government organization based out in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Biology & Chemistry. The organization has 1153 authors who have published 1189 publications receiving 14442 citations.

Ultramicro detection of iodine in inorganic and organic compounds

Abstract: Die Redoxreaktion zwischen Chloramin T und dem Acetat der Tetra-base, die sehr langsam zu einer blauen wasserloslichen p-chinoiden Verbindung fuhrt, wird durch Jodionen katalytisch beschleunigt. Darauf last sich bei Einhaltung leicht realisierbarer Bedingungen ein Nachweis von Jod begrunden, der eine Erfassungsgrenze von 0,0004 μg in einem Tropfen und in 10 ml besitzt. Die entsprechenden Verdunnungsgrenzen sind 1 ∶ 125000000 bzw. 1 ∶ 25000000000.

Leakproof bottle for infant food

Abstract: A leakproof bottle for feeding a child includes a first external thread around a bottle opening, and a lower closure ring having a first internal thread, which is screwed onto the first external thread and has at least one first throughflow hole. An upper closure ring has a second external thread on which the lower closure ring sits in a sealing manner and which has at least one second throughflow hole which, by rotation of the upper closure ring relative to the lower closure ring, can be brought into coinciding and non-coinciding positions relative to the first throughflow hole. Locking elements can rotate the lower closure ring and upper closure ring relative to each other and releasable lock them, with a drinking teat and a screw ring having a second internal thread, which is screwed onto the second external thread of the upper closure ring, releasably securing a lower edge region of the drinking teat to upper closure ring.

Assessing changes in the distribution and range size of demersal fish populations in the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem

Abstract: Distributional change, expressed as range expansion or contraction , has been observed in many marine populations and related to changes in the environment. The extent of such distributional changes is also expected to increase in response to future climate change. The Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME) which adjoins the south-western coast of Africa is a global marine hotspot with long-term warming occurring over a large area. The area is also an important centre of marine food production for three countries—South Africa, Namibia and Angola and is considered to be vulnerable to future climate change or increased climate variability. In this study we analysed change in distribution and range size of several demersal fish species in the BCLME over the period 1985–2010, including both commercial and non-commercial fish populations. Some of the observed changes in distribution and range size correspond to what is expected with increased warming whereas others appear to the contrary. Overall the results of the study highlight the complex nature of the response of fish population to climate change.

Immunohistochemical detection of Clostridia species in paraffin-embedded tissues of experimentally inoculated guinea pigs

Abstract: Blackleg is caused by Clostridium chauvoei, whereas malignant oedema is caused by C. chauvoei, C. septicum, C. sordellii, C. perfringens type A, and/or C. novyi type A. Anti-C. chauvoei, anti-C. septicum, anti-C. sordellii and anti-C. novyi type A polyclonal antibodies were produced in rabbits and purified in a column of DEAE-cellulose. Aliquots of the antisera were conjugated with fluorescein isothiocyanate and the remaining was used for the streptavidin biotin peroxidase technique (SBPT). SBPT was standardized to detect C. chauvoei, C. septicum, C. sordellii and C. novyi type A in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues of guinea pigs. SBPT was compared to a fluorescent antibody technique (FAT). Sections and smears of muscle from inoculation area (MIA), heart, liver, spleen and kidney, were obtained for both SBPT and FAT. Cross-reactions between the different Clostridial species were not observed. C. chauvoei and C. septicum were detected in all specimens from the animals inoculated with these microorganisms, while only sections of muscle obtained from all the animals inoculated with C. sordellii and C. novyi type A were positive. The same results observed by the SBPT, were obtained on tissue smears of these microorganisms stained by the FAT. The results indicate that SBPT is suitable for detection of C. chauvoei, C. septicum, C. sordellii and C. novyi type A in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues of guinea pigs.

Adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference systems for epidemiological analysis of soybean rust

Abstract: The objective of this work was to develop and to evaluate adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference systems as methodology to describe the severity of soybean rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi) monocyclic process in soybean Glycine max (L.) Merr.], under effects of leaf wetness, temperature, and days after fungi inoculation. The experiment was conducted in growth chambers with mean air temperatures of 15, 20, 25 and 30?C and leaf wetness periods of 6, 12, 18 and 24h. The plants were inoculated by spraying a suspension of P.?pachyrhizi inoculum at concentration of 104 uredinosporemL-1. A disease assessment key was adopted for estimate amounts of soybean rust at 0, 6, 9, 12 and 15 days after fungi inoculation. A hybrid neural network training with 3 and 3000 epochs was applied to disease severity data for optimization of fuzzy system parameters used to describe the severity of soybean rust based on leaf wetness, temperature and days after fungi inoculation. Higher accuracy and precision of the neuro-fuzzy systems estimates were obtained after training with 3000 epochs. Nevertheless, training with 3 epochs produced smoother estimates. The neuro-fuzzy systems enabled to describe the severity of soybean rust monocyclic process under effects of leaf wetness, mean air temperature and days after fungi inoculation and was better applied for Conquista cultivar, followed by Savana and Suprema cultivars. Higher soybean rust severity was verified under temperatures among 20?C and 25?C, leaf wetness above 6h, with higher values above 10h, and 15 days after fungi inoculation. Temperatures near 15?C increased the latent period of the disease but not inhibited its development after 10 days of fungi inoculation.