scholarly journals Qualitative Characters of Indigenous Sheep in Central Brazil: Putting Phenotype into Perspective

Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 512
Author(s):  
Allana Novais Aranda ◽  
Marcelo Corrêa da Silva ◽  
Bruno do Amaral Crispim ◽  
Luana Liz Medina Ledesma ◽  
Patrícia Roseti Lenis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Theoretical Background ◽  
Conservation Units ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
Central Brazil ◽  
Indigenous Sheep ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
Morphologic Variation ◽  
Qualitative Characters

For centuries, indigenous sheep have been bred in extensive low-input systems in Midwestern Brazil. The hypothesis of this study was the assumption that phenotypic evaluation of indigenous livestock may drive the establishment of breed standards and official breed recognition, and, therefore, promote more local business opportunities. On the basis of more integrative and participatory theoretical background to applying any decision based on phenotype, we designed this research to determine the most typical and unusual phenotypes of Pantaneiro sheep. Pantaneiro ewes (281 ewes from five conservation units in five counties) were evaluated, bearing in mind both conservation and development. Descriptive statistics were used to classify ewes into typical, intermediate, and unusual phenotypes. Chi-squared tests for association were performed to test if morphological variation in the different sampling sites occurred randomly (p > 0.05) or not (p < 0.05). Some results suggest some sort of diversifying selection pressure, i.e., distinct preferences among keepers. We observed considerable morphologic variation among ewes, but it was straightforward to determine the predominant phenotypes. The study evokes integrative agrobiodiversity by putting phenotypical characterization of indigenous livestock into perspective. Discussions coming from this study may support innovative governance and participative decision-making, allied with strategies that value the socioeconomic, biocultural, and adaptive aspects of indigenous livestock in tropical regions and developing countries. This is a challenge for government, rare-breed keepers, value-chain actors, and civil society.

Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of Vibrio cholerae from Ice and Beverages Sold in Jakarta, Indonesia, Using Most Probable Number and Multiplex PCR

2012 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
pp. 651-659 ◽  
Author(s):  
DIANA E. WATURANGI ◽  
NATANIA PRADITA ◽  
JESSICA LINARTA ◽  
SWAPAN BANERJEE
Keyword(s):  
Multiplex Pcr ◽  
Vibrio Cholerae ◽  
Virulence Gene ◽  
Watery Diarrhea ◽  
Most Probable Number ◽  
Intestinal Infection ◽  
Safety Measures ◽  
Probable Number ◽  
Tropical Regions

Vibrio cholerae is well recognized as the causative agent of cholera, an acute intestinal infection characterized by watery diarrhea that may lead to dehydration and death in some cases. V. cholerae is a natural inhabitant of the aquatic environment in the tropical regions. Jakarta has the highest percentage of individuals affected by sporadic diarrheal illness compared with other areas in Indonesia. Inadequate safety measures for drinking water supplies, improper sanitation, and poor hygiene can increase the risk of cholera outbreaks. Few studies have been conducted on the prevalence of these bacteria in ice and beverages that are popularly sold and consumed in Jakarta. In this study, we detected and quantified V. cholerae from ice and beverages collected from several areas in five regions of Jakarta. Levels of V. cholerae in both ice and beverages were determined with the three-tube most-probable-number (MPN) method and ranged from &lt;0.3 to &gt;110 MPN/ml. The presence of regulatory and virulence gene sequences was determined by using uniplex and multiplex PCR assays. Of 110 samples tested, 33 (30%) were positive for V. cholerae; 21 (64%) were ice samples and the remaining 12 (36%) were beverages. A total of 88 V. cholerae strains were isolated, based on the presence of the toxR gene sequence identified by PCR. Other genetic markers, such as hlyA (59%), ompU (16%), and ctxA (19%), also were found during the search for potential pathogenic strains. The detection and isolation of potentially harmful V. cholerae from ice and beverages in Jakarta indicate that these products pose a health risk from choleragenic vibrios, particularly because of the emergence of classical biotypes of V. cholerae O1 and potentially harmful non-O1 serovars of this species.

scholarly journals Molecular and Pathogenicity Characterization of Sphaceloma manihoticola Isolates from South-Central Brazil

Plant Disease ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 87 (11) ◽  
pp. 1322-1328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Alvarez ◽  
Juan Fernando Mejia ◽  
Teresa L. Valle
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Restriction Pattern ◽  
Poly Merase Chain Reaction ◽  
Highly Pathogenic ◽  
Central Brazil ◽  
Host Interaction ◽  
South Central ◽  
Pcr Product ◽  
Pathogenic Variation

Isolates of Sphaceloma manihoticola, the asexual stage of Elsinoe brasiliensis, were collected from several regions of south-central Brazil. The isolates were obtained from samples of leaves, stems, and petioles of cassava (Manihot esculenta) and the weedy Euphorbia heterophylla (“amendoim bravo”) by directly plating infected tissue onto acidified potato dextrose agar. For pathogenicity studies, 19 isolates were inoculated onto each of two cassava cultivars, MBRA 703 as a susceptible cultivar and MBRA 12 as a resistant cultivar to S. manihoticola. MBRA 703, with the greatest pathogenicity to 58% (11) of the isolates, showed an intermediate pathogenic reaction to 16% (3) of the isolates, and was less pathogenic to 26% (5) of the isolates. MBRA 12, with a less pathogenic reaction to 63% (12) of the isolates, showed an intermediate pathogenic reaction to 16% (3) of the isolates, and was highly pathogenic to 21% (4) of the isolates. The isolates were verified as belonging to the genus Sphaceloma based on their morphological characteristics, including conidia and hyphae of monoconidial isolate. Conidia of isolates were small, thin-walled, ellipsoid to (rarely) globose, commonly with one or two gut-tules. Conidiophores were phialides, hyaline to slightly pigmented 0-to-1 septate; conidiophores from the weedy specie were phialides, hyaline to brown 0-to-2 septate producing hyaline conidia. The isolates also were verified as belonging to the genus Sphaceloma by using a poly-merase chain reaction (PCR) assay, which detected a 645-bp band in all isolates except two (1 and 6) for which the PCR product had 600 bp. Digestion of the amplified product with the enzymes MspI and CfoI allowed differences to be detected in restriction patterns among isolates. A homogeneous banding pattern was obtained for 17 of the isolates but a different restriction pattern was obtained for isolates 1 and 6 of E. heterophylla. This suggests the possibility of another species within this group of isolates. The results indicate the presence of pathogenic variation among isolates of the fungus and an isolate-host interaction, because statistically significant differences were observed between the two cassava cultivars in response to inoculation with the isolates of S. manihoticola.

scholarly journals Strategic Decision-Making In the Emerging Field Of E-commerce

2011 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodney Oudan
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Electronic Commerce ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Theoretical Background ◽  
Strategic Decision ◽  
Strategic Decision Making ◽  
Value Chains ◽  
Competitive Strategies ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Doing Business

Electronic commerce is changing the traditional way of doing business and furthermore the growth of the Internet is creating new opportunities for business.  This paper discusses how the nature of electronic commerce affects strategic decision-making. First, some features of electronic commerce are identified that distinguish it from traditional business - new markets and knowledge-based competition.  This is followed by a review of literature on the theoretical background of e-commerce an academic consideration on what are e-commerce strategies.  This paper then introduces some of the most common strategic tools used in decision –making, concepts for creating competitive advantage and value chains. Porter’s Value Chain Theory, Five Forces Model is examined in the emerging world of e-commerce, as well as generic competitive strategies.

A new pathogen spillover from domestic to wild animals: Plasmodium juxtanucleare infects free-living passerines in Brazil

Parasitology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 145 (14) ◽  
pp. 1949-1958 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco C. Ferreira-Junior ◽  
Daniela de Angeli Dutra ◽  
Patrícia Silveira ◽  
Richard Campos Pacheco ◽  
Rute Witter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Complete Mitochondrial Genome ◽  
Wild Birds ◽  
Habitat Modification ◽  
Wild Animals ◽  
Conservation Units ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Central Brazil ◽  
Blood Smears ◽  
Backyard Chickens ◽  
First Time

AbstractHabitat modification may facilitate the emergence of novel pathogens, and the expansion of agricultural frontiers make domestic animals important sources of pathogen spillover to wild animals. We demonstrate for the first time that Plasmodium juxtanucleare, a widespread parasite from domestic chickens, naturally infects free-living passerines. We sampled 68 wild birds within and at the border of conservation units in central Brazil composed by Cerrado, a highly threatened biome. Seven out of 10 passerines captured in the limits of a protected area with a small farm were infected by P. juxtanucleare as was confirmed by sequencing a fragment of the parasite's cytochrome b. Blood smears from these positive passerines presented trophozoites, meronts and gametocytes compatible with P. juxtanucleare, meaning these birds are competent hosts for this parasite. After these intriguing results, we sampled 30 backyard chickens managed at the area where P. juxtanucleare-infected passerines were captured, revealing one chicken infected by the same parasite lineage. We sequenced the almost complete mitochondrial genome from all positive passerines, revealing that Brazilian and Asian parasites are closely related. P. juxtanucleare can be lethal to non-domestic hosts under captive and rehabilitation conditions, suggesting that this novel spillover may pose a real threat to wild birds.

Characterization of the aquafeed sub-sector in Kyrgyz Republic: A value chain analysis

Aquaculture ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 524 ◽  
pp. 735149
Author(s):  
Abu Hayat Md. Saiful Islam ◽  
Mohammad R. Hasan
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Kyrgyz Republic ◽  
Value Chain Analysis ◽  
A Value ◽  
Chain Analysis

scholarly journals FINITE-SAMPLE SIZE CONTROL OF IVX-BASED TESTS IN PREDICTIVE REGRESSIONS

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-25
Author(s):  
Mehdi Hosseinkouchack ◽  
Matei Demetrescu
Keyword(s):  
Size Control ◽  
Finite Sample ◽  
Limiting Distributions ◽  
Valid Inference ◽  
Tuning Parameters ◽  
Predictive Regressions ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
Standard Normal ◽  
Finite Sample Size

Abstract In predictive regressions with variables of unknown persistence, the use of extended IV (IVX) instruments leads to asymptotically valid inference. Under highly persistent regressors, the standard normal or chi-squared limiting distributions for the usual t and Wald statistics may, however, differ markedly from the actual finite-sample distributions which exhibit in particular noncentrality. Convergence to the limiting distributions is shown to occur at a rate depending on the choice of the IVX tuning parameters and can be very slow in practice. A characterization of the leading higher-order terms of the t statistic is provided for the simple regression case, which motivates finite-sample corrections. Monte Carlo simulations confirm the usefulness of the proposed methods.

scholarly journals Characterization of Adolescent Pregnancy and Legal Abortion in Situations Involving Incest or Sexual Violence by an Unknown Aggressor

Medicina ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (8) ◽  
pp. 474
Author(s):  
Maria Misrelma Moura Bessa ◽  
Jefferson Drezett ◽  
Fernando Adami ◽  
Sandra Dircinha Teixeira de Araújo ◽  
Italla Maria Pinheiro Bezerra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Violence ◽  
Adolescent Pregnancy ◽  
Access To Health Services ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Robust Variance ◽  
Access To Health ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
Legal Condition ◽  
Close Family

Background and Objectives: In pregnancies resulting from incest, the adolescent maintains close family and emotional relations with the aggressor, different from what occurs when pregnancy results from sexual violence by strangers. Evidence indicates that this type of relationship with the aggressor may interfere in the dynamics of such violence and the adolescent’s access to health services. Materials and Methods: The objective of this research was to describe and correlate aspects associated with pregnancy when resulting from rape of adolescents in situations of incest; rape when perpetrated by an unknown aggressor and an abortion as allowed by law was sought. Method: A cross-sectional, epidemiological study of adolescents treated at the Pérola Byington Hospital, São Paulo, Brazil, bringing an allegation of pregnancy, resulting from sexual violence and a request for abortion as allowed by law. A total of 311 adolescents, being 134 in the “pregnancy from incest group”, and 174 in the group “pregnancies resulting from rape by a stranger” were considered under the study variables; relationships were investigated using the chi-squared test and Poisson regression with robust variance. Results: The study included 137 cases (44.1%) of pregnancy resulting from incest, and 174 cases (55.9%) of pregnancy from rape by a stranger. In cases of incest, a declaration of religion (92.0%) was significantly more frequent, and the adolescents were approached in spaces considered safe or private (92.7%); the aggressor taking advantage of the adolescent’s legal condition of vulnerability as a function of age (83.3%). Cases of incest presented a lower median adolescent age and greater gestational development, with gestations being ≥ 13 weeks prevailing. Conclusion: Cases of pregnancy by incest presented indicators suggesting both proximity and relationship with the aggressor, and pregnancy at a very early age, which postponed the adolescent’s procurement of health service, and interfered negatively with abortion assistance as allowed by law.

How are soil carbon and tropical biodiversity related?

2016 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 231-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
DOUGLAS SHEIL ◽  
BRENTON LADD ◽  
LUCAS C. R. SILVA ◽  
SHAWN W. LAFFAN ◽  
MIRIAM VAN HEIST
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Content ◽  
Soil Carbon ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Central Africa ◽  
Federal District ◽  
Biological Conservation ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
Central Brazil ◽  
Soil Carbon Content ◽  
Tropical Biodiversity

SUMMARYThis article discusses how biological conservation can benefit from an understanding of soil carbon. Protecting natural areas not only safeguards the biota but also curtails atmospheric carbon emissions. Opportunities for funding biological conservation could potentially be greater if soil carbon content is considered. In this article current knowledge concerning the magnitude and vulnerability of soil carbon stocks is reviewed and the relationship of these stocks to biological conservation values is explored. Looking at two relatively well-studied tropical regions we find that 15 of 21 animal species of conservation concern in the Virunga Landscape (Central Africa), and nine of ten such species in the Federal District of Brazil (Central Brazil), rely on carbon-rich habitats (alluvial and/or wetlands). At national scales, densities of species, endemics and threatened taxa (plants, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish) show positive and significant relations with mean soil carbon content in all but two cases (threatened amphibians and threatened fish). Of more than 1000 threatened species in 37 selected tropical nations, 85% rely on carbon-rich habitats. This tendency is observed in plants, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and crustaceans, while birds appear more evenly distributed. Research to clarify and explore these relationships is needed. Soil carbon offers major opportunities for conservation.

scholarly journals Development and evaluation of a tropical feed library for the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Rrotein System model

2002 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luís Orlindo Tedeschi ◽  
Danny Gene Fox ◽  
Alice N. Pell ◽  
Dante Pazzanese Duarte Lanna ◽  
Celso Boin
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Composition ◽  
System Model ◽  
Insufficient Data ◽  
Scientific Journals ◽  
Specific Production ◽  
Information Need ◽  
Feed Composition ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
The Mean

The Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) model has been increasingly used in tropical regions for dairy and beef production. However, the lack of appropriate characterization of the feeds has restricted its application. The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate a feed library containing feeds commonly used in tropical regions with characteristics needed as inputs for the CNCPS. Feed composition data collected from laboratory databases and from experiments published in scientific journals were used to develop this tropical feed library. The total digestible nutrients (TDN) predicted at 1x intake of maintenance requirement with the CNCPS model agreed with those predicted by the Weiss et al. (1992) equation (r² of 92.7%, MSE of 13, and bias of 0.8%) over all feeds. However, the regression r² of the tabular TDN values and the TDN predicted by the CNCPS model or with the Weiss equation were much lower (58.1 and 67.5%, respectively). A thorough comparison between observed and predicted TDN was not possible because of insufficient data to characterize the feeds as required by our models. When we used the mean chemical composition values from the literature data, the TDN predicted by our models did not agree with the measured values. We conclude using the TDN values calculated using the Weiss equation and the CNCPS model that are based on the actual chemical composition of the feeds result in energy values that more accurately represent the feeds being used in specific production situations than do the tabular values. Few papers published in Latin America journals that were used in this study reported information need by models such as the CNCPS.

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