Berlin, Freie Univ., Diss., 2002. / Dateiformat: zip, Dateien im PDF-Format. Computerdatei im Fernzugriff.

Berlin, Freie Universiẗat, Diss., 2002. / Dateiformat: zip, Dateien im PDF-Format.

The first project involved the evaluation of different times of application on the fertilizer nitrogen recovery (FNR) in the soil-plant system in an irrigated upland cotton system, during two seasons. This was accomplished by using the isotopic dilution technique applying the 15N to microplots. No differences were observed in the total plant FNR, seed and stover, soil and the total FNR among the different 15N application times; however, despite no differences were observed in the plant the FNR value ranged from 30-38%, while the seed exhibited the highest FNR with an average over 50% of the 15N recovered in the plant. In the soil, the obtained average FNR value was over 40% while the total FNR (plant + soil) ranged from 70-80%, being reduced as the 15N application time was delayed.The second project was conducted during two seasons to examine the 15N and bromide distribution pattern in the soil profile as a function of the time of application. 15Nitrogen and bromide were applied to the soil at three different times in a cotton growth cycle; after that, soil samples were taken at the end of the cotton cycle to a depth of 1.80 m., and 15N and bromide recoveries were determined. Slightly higher FNR were obtained with the intermediate application time. The higher FNR were detected in the surface layer (0-30 cm) with an average of 40%. Below 30 cm depth, low 15N recoveries were obtained and even lower below the 60 cm soil layer. Bromide recovery behavior was related to the water movement in the soil profile: as the Br- application time was delayed more of the anionic tracer was found in the top of the soil profile, while less Br- was found in the surface soil for the early Br- application time.

Severe weather outbreaks are fairly common events that occur multiple times a year. Many studies have attempted to define and quantify these outbreaks, however, no work has been done to directly relate synoptic-scale processes to outbreak intensity using the N15 ranking index. It is believed that a statistically significantly strong relationship between outbreak severity and quantified synoptic-scale parameters exists and can be utilized to predict the severity of an upcoming outbreak using the N15 ranking index. Utilizing the NCEP-NCAR Reanalysis dataset, synoptic-scale variables were chosen and standardized into domains created from areal coverages. A series of tests were completed, including stepwise regression, principal component analysis, and a bootstrap cross-validation method to find the most significant variables and best domain size. The findings from this study suggest that synoptic-scale processes do not have a strong relationship to severe weather outbreak intensity and that future work would be necessary.

Submitted by Biblioteca de Pós-Graduação em Geoquímica BGQ (bgq@ndc.uff.br) on 2016-04-25T18:18:29Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese Eduardo Almeida.pdf: 4456269 bytes, checksum: b74d643c3c7aec835392881bd8989cce (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-25T18:18:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese Eduardo Almeida.pdf: 4456269 bytes, checksum: b74d643c3c7aec835392881bd8989cce (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Universidade Federal Fluminense. Instituto de Química. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Geociências-Geoquímica. Niterói, RJ / O caranguejo uçá (Ucides cordatus) é típico de manguezais, tendo importante papel na ciclagem de nutrientes. Apresenta desenvolvimento indireto e a fêmea transporta os ovos por cerca de um mês, havendo em seguida, fase larval planctônica. Poucos estudos tratam da transferência de elementos-traço das fêmeas para os embriões ou do meio para estes. Trabalhos sobre a contaminação das fêmeas são escassos e até o momento, nenhum abordou a contaminação em embriões e larvas de U. cordatus. O objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar a concentração de elementos-traço em fêmeas, ovos em diferentes estágios e larvas recém-eclodidas de duas populações do sudeste do Brasil (baía de Guanabara e Rio Paraíba do Sul). Também objetivou avaliar se o ciclo reprodutivo da espécie pode resultar em exportação de elementos-traço dos manguezais para a costa adjacente. Por fim, foram analisados o δ13C, δ15N e a razão N/C nas fêmeas. Através de coleta manual, fêmeas ovígeras foram obtidas nos verões de 2012, 2013 e 2014. Parte delas foi levada para aquários de desova, onde foram obtidas as larvas recém-eclodidas. Em laboratório, tecidos, ovos e larvas foram congelados e depois liofilizados e digeridos em ácido nítrico suprapuro, com auxílio de micro-ondas. Concentrações de elementos traço foram obtidas em ICP-MS. Foram analisadas fêmeas com largura da carapaça entre 5,5 e 7,9 cm. A fecundidade foi semelhante nas duas áreas de estudo (média > 110.000 ovos.fêmea-1). A análise de δ13C demonstrou diferenças significativas entre as populações. Apesar disso, os dados apontaram folhas de mangue como principal item alimentar. Os valores de δ15N foram acima do esperado para o nível trófico da espécie. Nas fêmeas, as maiores concentrações de Cu, Cr, Cd e As foram observadas nas brânquias, principalmente anteriores. Níquel foi mais concentrado no hepatopâncreas, enquanto Zn foi mais concentrado em músculos e hepatopâncreas. Fêmeas do Rio Paraíba do Sul apresentaram maiores níveis de contaminação, em especial de Mn, Cr, Cu, Cd e Ba. Tal tendência foi coerente com os níveis observados em sedimentos superficiais e com dados de biodisponibilidade citados na literatura. Em comparação com estágios iniciais dos ovos e larvas recém-eclodidas, as concentrações de V, Cr, Ni e Pb foram maiores em ovos no estágio final de desenvolvimento, indicando que a casca do ovo previne o contato do embrião com certos elementos-traço. As concentrações de Cd e Ni foram maiores no hepatopâncreas das fêmeas do que em ovos e larvas. Por outro lado, os elementos V, Zn, As e Pb foram mais concentrados nas larvas. Os resultados do presente estudo corroboraram as vias de contaminação de embriões postuladas em trabalhos com outras espécies: 1. Transferência de elementos-traço das fêmeas para os ovos, durante sua formação; e 2. Absorção de elementos-traço do meio circundante durante o desenvolvimento embrionário. Considerando as concentrações em larvas e a quantidade de larvas liberadas nas desovas, pode-se afirmar que o ciclo reprodutivo da espécie resulta na transferência de elementos-traço do bentos para o ambiente pelágico. Durante as desovas (liberação larval) de U. cordatus na baía de Guanabara e no Rio Paraíba do Sul, os elementos Zn, Cu, Mn, As e Ba teriam a maior introdução na coluna d’água, sendo provavelmente transportados para a costa adjacente. Considerando as diversas espécies de caranguejos de manguezais que têm hábitos e ciclo de vida muito semelhantes aos do caranguejo uçá, o período reprodutivo destes animais pode resultar em relevante exportação de elementos-traço / The uçá crab (Ucides cordatus) is typical of mangroves and has important role in nutrient cycling. The specie presents indirect development and female carries the eggs for about a month. After, planktonic larvae are released. There are few studies about the transfer of trace elements from female to embryos or from environment for these. Studies about contamination of females are scarce and none was made with embryos and larvae of U. cordatus. The aim of this study were to analyze the concentration of trace elements in females, eggs in different stages and newly hatched larvae of two populations of southeastern Brazil (Guanabara Bay and Paraíba do Sul River). Also aimed evaluate if the reproductive cycle of the species can result in export of trace elements of mangroves for adjacent coast. As complementary data the δ13C, δ15N and the N/C in females were analyzed. Ovigerous females were obtained in the summers of 2012, 2013 and 2014. Tissues, eggs and larvae were lyophilized and digested in superpure nitric acid using microwave. Concentrations of trace elements were analyzed in ICP-MS. Females showed carapace width between 5.5 and 7.9 cm. Fecundity was similar in both study areas (mean > 110,000 eggs female -1). The δ13C analysis showed significant differences among populations. Nevertheless, the data showed mangrove leaves as main food. The δ15N values were higher than expected for the trophic level of the species. The highest concentrations of Cu, Cr, Cd and As were observed in gills, especially anterior gills. Nickel was more concentrated in the hepatopancreas, while Zn was more concentrated in muscle and hepatopancreas. Concentrations of V, Cr, Ni and Pb in eggs of the final developmental stage were higher than observed in early stages and newly hatched larvae. This indicates that eggshell is a barrier for certain trace elements. Cadmium and Ni were more concentrated in hepatopancreas of females than in eggs and larvae. On the other hand, the elements V, Zn, As and Pb were more concentrated in larvae. Females of the Paraíba do Sul River had higher levels of contamination, especially of Mn, Cr, Cu, Cd and Ba. This trend was consistent with the levels observed in surface sediments and bioavailability data cited in the literature. Our data corroborate the pathways of embryos contamination, postulated in anterior studies with other species: 1. Transfer of trace elements between females and eggs, during your formation; 2. Absorption of trace elements from the environment during embryonic development. According to the concentrations of trace elements in larvae and the amount of larvae released in the spawns, it is clear that the reproductive cycle of the species results in transfer of benthic trace elements for the pelagic environment. During spawns of U. cordatus in Guanabara Bay and Paraíba do Sul River, Zn, Cu, Mn, As and Ba were the elements more introduced in water column, being probably transported to the adjacent coast. Considering the various species of mangrove crabs that have habits and life cycle similar to uçá crab, the reproductive period of these animals can result in significant exportation of trace elements

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / The rate of nitrogen (N) in grapevines in the Rio Grande do Sul (RS) State, Southern Brazil, is established considering N content in leaves or leaves petioles and yield expectation limits. Once N fertilization needs have been diagnosed, the N is applied in indefinite times. However, N fertilization recommendations don t consider the impact of N fertilization in the yield, the consequences on grape composition and the contribution of N of crop residues to mineral nutrition of grapevines. The objective of this work was to estimate the recovery and accumulation of N in grapevines and the effect in the yield and grape composition. Three studies were carried on. Study 1, recovery, distribution and accumulation of N fertilizer was studied, in Cabernet Sauvignon grapevines, located at Bento Gonçalves city, area of the Serra Gaúcha (experiment 1), and Santana do Livramento city, area of the Campanha (experiment 2), in RS, Southern Brazil. In the experiment 1 and 2 the plants were fertilized with 15N in four forms and, when grapes were mature, plants were fractionated, oven-dried, weighted and analysed for total N and 15N enrichment. Study 2, grape yield and composition of grapevines treated with different amounts of N were studied, in the vineyards of the Study 1. Grapes were collected when ripe and yield was evaluated. Must soluble solids, pH, total acidity, tartaric acid, malic acid, total phenols, anthocyanins and N ammonia were evaluated in part of the berries. The remaining berries were triturated and total N, P, K, Ca and Mg were evaluated. Study 3, decomposition and nutrient release by aerial organs of Lolium perenne (LP) and Trifolium repens (TR) (experiment 1), and grapevines uptake of the N derived from decomposing material (experiment 2) were studied in Chardonnay grapevines located at the experimental Station of the University of Bologna, Italy. In experiment 1, 2 g (DW) of 15N-labelled litter of LP and TR were placed into litter bags which were placed on the vineyard soil surface. Collection of bags LP and TR was performed 8 (June) and 16 (August) weeks from the deposition. Remaining biomass, 15N, N, C, P, K, Ca, Mg and S concentrations were determined. In experiment 2, 30 g plant-1 of dry litter of LP and TR were placed on the herbicided soil under the grape plants. Grapevine leaves were collected 8 and 16 weeks from litter deposition; after 16 weeks, one year (including bunches) and two years shoots were collected, oven-dried, weighted and analysed for total N and 15N enrichement. Results showed that the absorbed N is distributed and accumulated especially in leaves and that most of the N found in the plant was not derived from the fertilizers but from the organic matter already present in the soil. However, N fertilization increased grape yield in the Serra Gaúcha grapevines. The rate can be split 25% at the beginning of bud burst + 25% at bud burst + 25% at flowering + 25% at growth berries; 50% at the beginning of bud burst + 50% at bud burst and 50% at flowering + 50% at growth berries. Moreover, N fertilization altered the grape composition, especially decrease the amount of anthocyanins. LP and TR residues decomposed at the same rate, but nutrient release was different between the two species and varied according with mineral element. The amount of N that grapevines recovered from the decomposing litter was low and similar for LP and TR residues. / No Rio Grande do Sul (RS), a dose de nitrogênio (N) para a videira é definida a partir do seu teor total na folha inteira ou no pecíolo, e na expectativa de produção. Quando diagnosticada a necessidade de aplicação, recomenda-se o seu parcelamento em épocas incertas. Entretanto, essa recomendação não infere informações sobre o impacto do N aplicado na produção e na composição da uva. Também não se considera a contribuição do N dos resíduos de plantas de cobertura depositados na superfície do solo. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo estudar a recuperação e acumulação de N em videiras e seu efeito na produtividade e na composição da uva e do mosto. Foram conduzidos três estudos: Estudo 1, realizado para estimar a recuperação, distribuição e a acumulação de N aplicado ao solo pela videira. Esse foi composto por dois experimentos: Experimento 1, implantado em um vinhedo de Cabernet Sauvignon na Embrapa Uva e Vinho, Bento Gonçalves (RS), e o experimento 2, instalado na Empresa Pernod Ricard Brasil/Almadén, Santana do Livramento (RS). Nos experimentos 1 e 2 as videiras foram submetidas à aplicação de uma dose de N com 3% de átomos de 15N, em quatro modos de parcelamento. Na maturação da uva, as plantas foram colhidas, fracionadas, secas, determinada a matéria seca (MS) e analisado os totais de N e 15N. O Estudo 2 foi realizado para avaliar a produtividade e a composição da uva e do mosto, em videiras submetidas à aplicação de N. O Estudo 2 foi formado por dois experimentos: Experimento 1, implantado no vinhedo do experimento 1 do Estudo 1, as videiras receberam cinco doses de N e o experimento 2, instalado no vinhedo do experimento 2 do Estudo 1, as videiras foram submetidas à aplicação de seis doses de N. Nos experimentos 1 e 2 a uva foi colhida, determinada a produção e no seu suco avaliado os sólidos solúveis totais, o pH, a acidez total, o ácido tartárico e málico, os polifenóis totais, as antocianinas e o N amoniacal. Além disso, na baga foram analisados os totais de N, P, K, Ca e Mg. O Estudo 3 foi realizado para determinar a contribuição de N derivado da decomposição de resíduos de azevém (Lolium perenne) e trevo branco (Trifolium repens) para a videira. Esse compreendeu dois experimentos instalados em vinhedo de Chardonnay, em Bologna, Itália. No experimento 1, os resíduos de azevém perene e de trevo branco foram colocados no interior de bolsas teladas e depositados no solo. Ao longo do ciclo das videiras as bolsas teladas foram coletadas, determinada a MS remanescente e analisado os totais de 15N, N, C, P, K, Ca, Mg e S. No experimento 2, os resíduos das espécies foram colocados na superfície do solo e na maturação da uva as videiras foram colhidas, fracionadas, secas, determinado a MS e analisado os totais N e 15N. Os resultados obtidos mostram que o N adicionado e absorvido no ano é distribuído e acumulado, preferencialmente, nas folhas, mas a maior parte do N presente na videira é derivada de outras formas, que não a do fertilizante. Entretanto, existe aumento na produção quando da aplicação de N na Serra Gaúcha, podendo a dose ser parcelada 25% no início da brotação+25% na brotação+25% na floração+25% no crescimento das bagas; 50% no início da brotação+50% na brotação e 50% na floração+50% no crescimento das bagas. A aplicação de N altera a composição da uva, especialmente, diminui a quantidade de antocianinas no mosto. Os resíduos de azevém perene e trevo branco depositados na superfície do solo são decompostos com a mesma taxa no ciclo vegetativo e produtivo da videira, porém liberam nutrientes em taxas diferentes. No entanto, isso tem pouca importância, pois as plantas recuperam porcentagens pequenas e iguais de N derivado dos resíduos das duas espécies.

Plasmid DNA (pDNA) vectors are the current conventional technology driving therapeutic gene transfer, whether for use toward mal/nonfunctional gene replacement, DNA vaccination, or production of therapeutic proteins in mammalian cells. However, the conventional pDNA vector suffers from several safety and efficiency limitations: 1) it imparts adverse immune responses to bacterial sequences required for maintenance and amplification in prokaryotes; 2) its bioavailability can be compromised due to size; and 3) it may be genotoxic due to its potential to integrate into the host chromosome and yield an oncogenic event. In this study we have constructed a robust in vivo bacterial platform for the production of bacterial sequence-free linear covalently closed (LCC) DNA vectors, termed DNA Ministrings, through the manipulation and application of bacteriophage-encoded recombination systems. Phage N15 and PY54 lysogenize their bacterial hosts as a linear plasmid with covalently closed ends (LCC plasmid). LCC morphology is conferred by the phage-encoded telomerase via a single cleaving-joining reaction of the perfect palindrome target site. This system was exploited to generate DNA Ministring vectors, encoding only the gene(s) of interest and necessary complementary eukaryotic expression/enhancement genetic elements that are devoid of unwanted bacterial sequences and are linearized through a single in vivo enzymatic reaction. The tel and telN prokaryotic telomerase (protelomerase) genes were amplified from PY54 and N15 lysates, respectively, and cloned into a bacterial vector that expresses the gene under control of the temperature sensitive bacteriophage ?? CI857 repressor that confers conditional expression from ?? pL/pR promoters. This regulatory circuit was integrated into a RecA+ lacZ+ E. coli K-12 strain via homologous recombination, where successful recombinants were disrupted for the lacZ gene. Recombinant cells are capable of conditional expression of the phage-derived telomerase enzymes by shifting the temperature to >37 ??C. Phage P1-derived Cre recombinase was applied as a positive control, since its functionality in generating DNA minicircle vectors has been previously shown. A multi-purpose 342 bp target site termed Super Sequence (SS) that possesses the Cre, Flp, Tel, and TelN target sites in addition to two flanking SV40 enhancer sequences was cloned into two different sites of a GFP expression eukaryotic pDNA vector. The amplification of this DNA vector through telN / tel or cre expressing Recombinant E. coli cells (R-cells) generated bacterial sequence-depleted (LCC) DNA Ministring and (CCC) Minicircle vectors, respectively, as evidenced by digestion patterns of the purified vector. Transfection efficiency of these vectors was assessed in rapidly dividing human ovarian cancer and in relatively slowly dividing human embryonic kidney cell lines. In vitro experiments with DNA Ministrings in human cells lines resulted in significantly higher transfection efficiency, bioavailability, and cytoplasmic diffusion levels compared to the parental plasmid precursor and isogenic DNA Minicircle counterparts. The safety of the LCC DNA vector conformation, with respect to insertional genotoxicity, was assessed by forcing LCC pDNA vectors into bacterial and human genomic DNA. The integration of LCC DNA into bacterial and human host genomic DNA resulted in chromosomal DNA disruptions at site of integration, loss of genome stability, and subsequent cell death. LCC integration-induced apoptotic cell death and natural elimination of the integrant from human cell population improves the safety profile of DNA Ministrings by eliminating integrants following the potential genotoxic side effects of undesired vector integration into the host genome.

Nutrient dynamics in a lodgepole pine forest at Bootleg Mountain, B.C., were investigated through the sampling of soil, snow and groundwater in six one-ha blocks. Nitrogen (NO3-, NH4+, TIN, TDN, TN), phosphorus (PO43-, TDP, TP), and DOC were analyzed in addition to N mineralization and nitrification. Position and dispersion statistics were computed for each variable and correlations (Pearson and Spearman) were computed for each pair of variables. The overall heterogeneities of soil, snow, and groundwater were generally lower between 1-ha blocks than between plots. Productivity in the soil was generally N-limited with low input from snow precipitation. Very little N leached from soil to groundwater. Phosphorus contents were highly variable and were the limiting nutrient in the groundwater. Rates of net and gross N mineralization and nitrification were determined using buried bags and 15N isotope dilutions. Gross rates were greater than net rates and nitrification was low relative to high immobilization rates. The N cycle appears to be tightly regulated, thus further study will be needed to monitor the impact of harvesting on N cycling.

Nutrient dynamics in a lodgepole pine forest at Bootleg Mountain, B.C., were investigated through the sampling of soil, snow and groundwater in six one-ha blocks. Nitrogen (NO3-, NH4+, TIN, TDN, TN), phosphorus (PO43-, TDP, TP), and DOC were analyzed in addition to N mineralization and nitrification. Position and dispersion statistics were computed for each variable and correlations (Pearson and Spearman) were computed for each pair of variables. The overall heterogeneities of soil, snow, and groundwater were generally lower between 1-ha blocks than between plots. Productivity in the soil was generally N-limited with low input from snow precipitation. Very little N leached from soil to groundwater. Phosphorus contents were highly variable and were the limiting nutrient in the groundwater. Rates of net and gross N mineralization and nitrification were determined using buried bags and 15N isotope dilutions. Gross rates were greater than net rates and nitrification was low relative to high immobilization rates. The N cycle appears to be tightly regulated, thus further study will be needed to monitor the impact of harvesting on N cycling.