The objectives of this study were to examine the effects of starter N inputs and Bradyrhizobium inoculation on soybean symbiotic N fixation and grain yield under field and greenhouse conditions. The study was conducted in the Wellington and the Habitant dykelands in NS. The treatments consisted of 0, 1.5, 3 and 4.5 g/kg seed rates of inoculant and 0, 10, 20, and 30 kg/ha rates of N fertilizer. Under acidic soil conditions, the inoculated plants showed significant N fixation responses in the Wellington field while saline soil conditions suppressed N fixation in the Habitant field. The soybean grain yield showed an increasing trend with the inoculant rate 4.5 g/kg seed. The starter N fertilizer did not facilitate the soybean grain yield in the dykelands. Under controlled environment conditions, inoculant rate 3 g/kg seed alone produced the same amount of yield as 1.5 and 4.5 g/kg seed rates with N fertilizer.

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / Pharmaceutical research and development strategies rely on the constant discovery of novel natural products as potential drugs. Recent studies have shown that the microorganisms associated with sponges are the true producers of some previously isolated compounds. This study created a large collection of bacterial symbionts associated with the South African marine sponge, Hamacantha esperioides. The bioactivity assays performed, showed that 44 isolates produced compounds with antimicrobial or anti-inflammatory activity. The successful identification of novel species that produce potential natural products highlights the importance of cultivation-dependent methods. To further screen for natural products, a cultivation-independent approach was used. A sequenced-based method, based on the biosynthetic genes of polytheonamide, was developed to screen for proteusins in sponge metagenomic DNA and the genomes of bacterial symbionts. The degenerate primers could amplify the targeted genes from DNA known to contain homologues. Evaluation of the primers' specificity showed non-specific amplification of genes, some containing similar conserved domains as the target genes. This study demonstrated that the use and development of cultivation-dependent and -independent screens are important for the discovery of novel natural products from the symbiotic bacteria of South African sponges. / National Research Foundation (NRF)

Silicon monoxide (SiO) maser emission has been observed towards many late-type stars. The conditions necessary for the formation of SiO masers dictate that they be produced in a region which is inside the silicate dust formation point close to the surface of the star. Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) has shown that these masers do indeed lie close to the stellar surface at a distance of a few stellar radii. This extended atmosphere is a complex region dominated by stellar pulsations and permeated by circumstellar shocks. This dissertation presents the results of a multi-epoch VLBI study of the v=1, J=1-0, 43-GHz SiO maser emission towards the symbiotic binary R Aquarii. Four epochs of full-polarization observations were recorded using the Very Long Baseline Array a facility the National Radio Astronomy Observatory. The first high-resolution images of the extended atmosphere of a Mira variable in a symbiotic binary have been produced. The SiO masers towards R Aquarii have been found to exhibit a ring-like morphology ~31 mas (~6.8 AU) in diameter. The emission changes significantly over a time period of ~1-2 months with almost no similarity in structure on timescales >6 months. An analysis of the four epochs of observations has provided the first direct evidence of SiO maser proper motions. These observations, taken as the Mira variable approached maximum light, show that over a 98-day period the masers have an average inward proper motion of ~1 mas. This contraction of the maser shell implies an infall velocity of ~4 km/s for the SiO masers during this phase of the stellar pulsation cycle. In addition to the total intensity images, maps of the linear and circular polarization morphology were also produced. These images show that the SiO masers are significantly polarized, and that the polarization structure and intensity change on timescales as short as ~1-2 months. For three of the four epochs, a mean fractional circular polarization of 4% was determined implying a magnetic field strength Bsec(theta) = 13 G. For one of the four epochs, the mean fractional circular polarization was found to be ~14% indicating a magnetic field strength Bsec(theta) = 46 G. The fractional linear polarization is fairly constant for all four epochs with mean values ranging from 20.8-25.0%, and peak values as high as ~83% for isolated maser features. Maps of the linear polarization vectors show an orderly structure over large portions of the maser shell indicating a uniform magnetic field topology in these regions of the extended atmosphere of R Aquarii. / Ph. D.

This thesis sets out a model to examine how the internet functions. 'The symbiotic web' suggests a symbiotic relationship between corporations that have built business models dependent upon the gathering of personal data from people, and the individuals themselves who have begun to rely on apparently 'free' services (from search to email, social networking to YouTube). Having set out the model, the thesis looks at its implications: how it has contributed to many, both the positive and negative, developments on the internet in recent years, but also driven the mass gathering, use and holding of personal data. The symbiotic web is currently essentially beneficial to both businesses and individuals, but there are significant risks attached - risks associated with the accumulation of data and risks that the symbiotic relationship could become negative and parasitic, putting individuals' privacy and autonomy at risk. The implications of this model are examined through the use of case studies: the dispute between Google and the Article 29 Working Party over data retention, Phorm's 'Webwise' behavioural targeting system, and a number of smaller case studies about data vulnerability from the HMRC data disc loss to the ACS:Law hack/leak. The thesis suggests the development and use of specific rights designed for the internet to address the associated risks: a 'right to roam the internet with privacy', a right to monitor those who monitor us, and a 'right to delete data'. These rights would be set out as principles rather than enacted and enforced as laws, and brought into play through Murray's model of symbiotic regulation. These rights would support the positive development of the web symbiosis and encourage and shape new business models that are more supportive of individual autonomy and privacy.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:22:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-07-27Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:48:25Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 ferrarineto_j_me_botfca.pdf: 394206 bytes, checksum: 6b64f3f5824ba5c1c97d98a5556b8a6a (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Áreas que vem sendo cultivadas com pastagens por vários anos podem apresentar deficiências nutricionais e a população de bactérias fixadoras do nitrogênio atmosférico pode estar reduzida. O molibdênio é um micronutriente que faz parte da enzima nitrogenase, a qual é responsável pela fixação simbiótica do nitrogênio nas leguminosas, e está presente nos bacteróides nodulares. Com base nisso, o presente trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar o efeito da aplicação de molibdênio e inoculante, na cultura do amendoim em semeadura direta sobre palhada de forrageiras. Foram conduzidos quatro experimentos, dois no ano agrícola 2008/09 e dois no ano agícola 2009/10, onde a cultura do amendoim foi semeada, respectivamente, sobre as palhadas da Brachiaria brizantha, Brachiaria ruziziensis, Brachiaria brizantha e Brachiaria decumbens no delineamento de blocos casualizados, em esquema de parcelas subdivididas, com quatro repetições. As parcelas dos experimentos foram constituídas por dois tratamentos, com e sem aplicação de inoculante (1- inoculação artificial com estirpe específica de bactéria Bradyrhizobium spp. para a cultura do amendoim e 2- sem inoculação artificial) e as subparcelas dos experimentos do ano agrícola 2008/09 por três doses de molibdênio (27,5, 55, 110g ha-1) aplicadas via tratamento de sementes, na forma de molibdato de amônio e a testemunha. As subparcelas dos experimentos do ano agrícola 2009/10 constituíram-se de três doses de molibdênio (50, 100, 200g ha-1) aplicadas via foliar, na forma de molibdato de amônio e a testemunha. Foram avaliados o estado nutricional das plantas, a nodulação (número e matéria seca de nódulos por planta), a atividade da enzima nitrogenase pelo método da redução do acetileno, a atividade específica da nitrogenase, os componentes da produção... / The areas that have been cultivated with pasture for several years may have nutritional deficiencies and the population of atmospheric nitrogen fixing bacteria may be reduced. Molybdenum, a nutrient that is part of the nitrogenase enzyme, is responsible for symbiotic nitrogen fixation in legumes and is present in bacteria from the nodules. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of molybdenum and inoculant application, in peanut crop sown on a straw of forages. Four experiments were carried out, two in 2008/09 crop year and two in 2009/10 crop year, where peanut crop was directly sown, respectively, on the straws of Brachiaria brizantha, Brachiaria ruziziensis, Brachiaria brizantha and Brachiaria decumbens in the design of randomized blocks in a split-plot with four replications. The plots comprised two treatments, with and without inoculant application (1 - artificial inoculation with specific strain of Bradyrhizobium spp. for peanut crop and 2 - without artificial inoculation) and the subplots of the experiments carried out in the 2008/09 crop year in three molybdenum rates (27,5, 55 e 110 g ha-1) applied in the form of ammonium molybdate by seeds treatment and a control. The subplots of the experiments carried out in the 2009/10 crop year comprised three molybdenum rates (50, 100 e 200 g ha-1) applied as ammonium molybdate by foliar spraying and a control. The nutritional status of plants, nodulation (number and mass of dry matter of the nodules per plant), the activity of nitrogenase enzyme by acetylene reduction method, the specific activity of nitrogenase, yield components and the yield of pods and grains were evaluated. The data of each experiment were subjected to analysis of variance following the split plot model. To compare the average of inoculation, the method of comparison of unprotected average... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Orientador: Carlos Alexandre Costa Crusciol / Banca: Denizart Bolonhez / Banca: Edson Lazarini / Resumo: Áreas que vem sendo cultivadas com pastagens por vários anos podem apresentar deficiências nutricionais e a população de bactérias fixadoras do nitrogênio atmosférico pode estar reduzida. O molibdênio é um micronutriente que faz parte da enzima nitrogenase, a qual é responsável pela fixação simbiótica do nitrogênio nas leguminosas, e está presente nos bacteróides nodulares. Com base nisso, o presente trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar o efeito da aplicação de molibdênio e inoculante, na cultura do amendoim em semeadura direta sobre palhada de forrageiras. Foram conduzidos quatro experimentos, dois no ano agrícola 2008/09 e dois no ano agícola 2009/10, onde a cultura do amendoim foi semeada, respectivamente, sobre as palhadas da Brachiaria brizantha, Brachiaria ruziziensis, Brachiaria brizantha e Brachiaria decumbens no delineamento de blocos casualizados, em esquema de parcelas subdivididas, com quatro repetições. As parcelas dos experimentos foram constituídas por dois tratamentos, com e sem aplicação de inoculante (1- inoculação artificial com estirpe específica de bactéria Bradyrhizobium spp. para a cultura do amendoim e 2- sem inoculação artificial) e as subparcelas dos experimentos do ano agrícola 2008/09 por três doses de molibdênio (27,5, 55, 110g ha-1) aplicadas via tratamento de sementes, na forma de molibdato de amônio e a testemunha. As subparcelas dos experimentos do ano agrícola 2009/10 constituíram-se de três doses de molibdênio (50, 100, 200g ha-1) aplicadas via foliar, na forma de molibdato de amônio e a testemunha. Foram avaliados o estado nutricional das plantas, a nodulação (número e matéria seca de nódulos por planta), a atividade da enzima nitrogenase pelo método da redução do acetileno, a atividade específica da nitrogenase, os componentes da produção... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The areas that have been cultivated with pasture for several years may have nutritional deficiencies and the population of atmospheric nitrogen fixing bacteria may be reduced. Molybdenum, a nutrient that is part of the nitrogenase enzyme, is responsible for symbiotic nitrogen fixation in legumes and is present in bacteria from the nodules. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of molybdenum and inoculant application, in peanut crop sown on a straw of forages. Four experiments were carried out, two in 2008/09 crop year and two in 2009/10 crop year, where peanut crop was directly sown, respectively, on the straws of Brachiaria brizantha, Brachiaria ruziziensis, Brachiaria brizantha and Brachiaria decumbens in the design of randomized blocks in a split-plot with four replications. The plots comprised two treatments, with and without inoculant application (1 - artificial inoculation with specific strain of Bradyrhizobium spp. for peanut crop and 2 - without artificial inoculation) and the subplots of the experiments carried out in the 2008/09 crop year in three molybdenum rates (27,5, 55 e 110 g ha-1) applied in the form of ammonium molybdate by seeds treatment and a control. The subplots of the experiments carried out in the 2009/10 crop year comprised three molybdenum rates (50, 100 e 200 g ha-1) applied as ammonium molybdate by foliar spraying and a control. The nutritional status of plants, nodulation (number and mass of dry matter of the nodules per plant), the activity of nitrogenase enzyme by acetylene reduction method, the specific activity of nitrogenase, yield components and the yield of pods and grains were evaluated. The data of each experiment were subjected to analysis of variance following the split plot model. To compare the average of inoculation, the method of comparison of unprotected average... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

This dissertation uses radio observations with the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) to investigate the mechanisms that power and shape accreting white dwarfs (WD) and their ejecta. We test the predictions of both simple spherical and steady-state radio emission models by examining nova V1723 Aql, nova V5589 Sgr, symbiotic CH Cyg, and two small surveys of symbiotic binaries. First, we highlight classical nova V1723 Aql with three years of radio observations alongside optical and X-ray observations. We use these observations to show that multiple outflows from the system collided to create early non-thermal shocks with a brightness temperature of ⪆10⁶ K. While the late-time radio light curve is roughly consistent an expanding thermal shell of mass 2x10⁻⁴ M ⊙ solar masses, resolved images of V1723 Aql show elongated material that apparently rotates its major axis over the course of 15 months, much like what is seen in gamma-ray producing nova V959 Mon, suggesting similar structures in the two systems. Next, we examine nova V5589 Sgr, where we find that the early radio emission is dominated by a shock-powered non-thermal flare that produces strong (kTₓ > 33 keV) X-rays. We additionally find roughly 10⁻⁵ M⊙ solar masses of thermal bremsstrahlung emitting material, all at a distance of ~4 kpc. The similarities in the evolution of both V1723 Aql and V5589 Sgr to that of nova V959 Mon suggest that these systems may all have dense equatorial tori shaping faster flows at their poles. Turning our focus to symbiotic binaries, we first use our radio observations of CH Cyg to link the ejection of a collimated jet to a change of state in the accretion disk. We additionally estimate the amount of mass ejected during this period (10⁻⁷ M⊙ masses), and improve measurements of the period of jet precession (P=12013 +/- 74 days). We then use our survey of eleven accretion-driven symbiotic systems to determine that the radio brightness of a symbiotic system could potentially be used as an indicator of whether a symbiotic is powered predominantly by shell burning on the surface of the WD or by accretion. We additionally make the first ever radio detections of seven of the targets in our survey. Our survey of seventeen radio bright symbiotics, comparing observations before and after the upgrades to the VLA, shows the technological feasibility to resolve the nebulae of nearby symbiotic binaries, opening the door for new lines of research. We spatially resolve extended structure in several symbiotic systems in radio for the first time. Additionally, our observations reveal extreme radio variability in symbiotic BF Cyg before and after the production of a jet from the system. Our results from our surveys of symbiotics provide some support for the model of radio emission where the red giant wind is photoionized by the WD, and suggests that there may be a greater population of radio faint, accretion driven symbiotic systems. This work emphasizes the powerful nature of radio observations as a tool for understanding eruptive WD binaries and their outflows.

Terrestrial orchids make up one of the most threatened groups of plants in Australia and the genus Arachnorchis is listed as the fourth most threatened. The process of propagation and re-introduction of terrestrial orchid plants to the wild has proven difficult, and so far, nearly impossible for some species. This may be partly because terrestrial orchids form complex relationships with mycorrhizal fungi and in genera like Arachnorchis the dependency on the fungus appears acute. Arachnorchis has long been considered by amateur growers of terrestrial orchids as one of the most difficult groups to propagate and maintain in cultivation. This lack of knowledge on how to grow Arachnorchis species hinders attempts made by conservation authorities to supplement threatened wild populations in order to achieve a more sustainable future for those species. Natural pollination was absent, but artificial pollination achieved 100% capsule production. Individuals were self-fertile, although seed viability was greater for cross-pollinated samples. This study attempted to track the fate of as many Arachnorchis species as possible from germination through to deflasking and re-emergence, and so destructive and potentially destructive measurements at earlier stages were avoided. This thesis examines germination and subsequent growth of up to eight species of Arachnorchis, but concentrated on A. phaeoclavia, A. tentaculata, A. fulva, A. robinsonii and A. venusta. Two of these are common species: A. pha eoclavia and A. tentaculata, and three carried a threatened classification of &quotrare" or " endangered": A. fulva, A. robinsonii and A. venusta. This study monitored the fate of individuals of the endangered A. fulva in the field and showed that large reproductive plants re-emerged and flowered each year, whereas smaller individuals might be absent in one or more years and were less likely to flower. Germination of all species concentrated on using symbiotic culture (using mycorrhizal fungi), since germination is known to be more rapid, resulting in healthier, more robust seedlings than when plants are grown asymbiotically. Tests using A. fulva and A. venusta, two threatened species, showed similar viability to A. tentaculata and A. phaeoclavia, more common species. Germination was maximised by examining the viability of seeds before and after treatment with surface-sterilising solutions required for aseptic culture. The highest levels of germination, with limited contamination, were achieved using 0.5% available chlorine for 3 minutes. The most effective fungal isolates (&gt65% germination) were obtained from common species like A. phaeoclavia and A. tentaculata, but there was no correlation between germination and time of year or life stage of the orchid. Collar collection was shown to be non-fatal to robust orchid plants, with large reproductive individuals (at the time of collar collection) re-emerging in the next year and producing a flower bud. Collar collection from small, weedy individuals could be fatal to the plant and isolation of an effective fungus was unlikely. Cross-inoculating seeds with fungi isolated from a different orchid species was not recommended, since the symbiosis failed in all experiments, as late as Stage 4 protocorm development. A range of substrates was used to produce strong seedlings capable of surviving the transfer to nursery conditions with minimal loss. More than 81% of seedlings survived deflasking from non-agar substrates, while the best result from agar was 55%. Some substrates reduced the time involved from seed to plants in the field to as little as 4 months, but aftercare became critical. Sucrose promoted tuberisation, but led to tuber deaths during dormancy. Potting mixes were tested in the nursery and a free-draining loam mix based on a mix used by the Australasian Native Orchid Society was the best medium for deflasking of seedlings. Watering during dormancy should be avoided. The choice of propagule for re-introduction was examined and the best survival to re-emergence was obtained by planting out actively growing seedlings in autumn. Identification of cultures using classical morphology grouped cultures as belonging to the form-genera Epulorhiza and Moniliopsis and suggested that most cultures contained more than one fungus. Identification of the most useful fungal cultures was attempted using molecular techniques such as sequencing the ITS region and mitochondrial DNA. One effective culture, CALAPHAER18 SHTX (cultured from a single monilioid cell) was identified as Serendipita vermifera (Oberwinkler) Roberts. All other cultures tested were mixtures of fungi. The use of specific primers designed to amplify a sequence present in the identified isolate (CALAPHAER18 SHTX) showed that nine mixed cultures also contained a fungus most closely related to Serendipita vermifera. Specific primers also showed that Rhizoctonia solani was not present in any of the 10 isolates from Arachnorchis plants. The molecular work showed that, although the sequenced endophytes from Arachnorchis were all most closely related to Serendipita vermifera, three dist inct groups of fungi were present and these associated with separate species of Arachnorchis. Future work with Arachnorchis species will require the isolation of single fungus cultures and further examination of the development of the orchid plant. In particular, the process of tuberisation and growth in vitro on various non-agar substrates should be investigated further.

Thesis(M.S.)--Auburn University, 2007. / Abstract. Includes bibliographic references (p.64-66).

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:31:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-11-19Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:41:58Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 pereira_racb_dr_botfca.pdf: 3669029 bytes, checksum: 34944ed0b5efe86bc15abfef4f3b66b7 (MD5) / Atualmente, o consumidor está cada vez mais exigente por alimentos nutritivos e higienicamente seguros. Estudos têm sido conduzidos para o desenvolvimento de novos produtos e para assegurar as propriedades e os efeitos dos alimentos funcionais sobre o organismo humano. O yacon pode ser considerado alimento funcional pelo seu teor de frutooligossacarídeos (FOS), os quais não são digeridos pelo organismo humano, passando inertes através do trato digestório, fornecendo poucas calorias. Diante da crescente exigência do consumidor e da importância de se obter produto de valor agregado (simbiótico = yacon e bifidum), este estudo teve por objetivos verificar os adequados procedimentos para a extração e purificação de frutanos de yacon na utilização da funcionalização de alimentos definindo um protocolo dos procedimentos para produção de uma base alimentar contendo frutanos consorciados com probióticos Bifidobacterium bifidum e avaliar qualitativa e quantitativamente a ação funcional da base alimentar projetada em modelo experimental. O processo de aquecimento do yacon foi feito à 90°C por 10 minutos, utilização de 0,5% de ácido cítrico e pré-capa com diatomácea CA/150 e CA/500 resultando na secagem em um produto de coloração clara. O controle das condições de temperatura na entrada (250°C) e saída (110°C) resultou em menor gasto de energia, clareamento do produto e baixa porcentagem de umidade. Para a avaliação do efeito do extrato desidratado de yacon com Bifidobacterium bifidum sobre desenvolvimento ponderal, glicemia, colesterol total, triglicérides, alanina amino transferase (ALT), aspartato amino transferase (AST), histologia do fígado, 24 ratos Wistar foram tratados por 59 dias. O ensaio foi conduzido com 8 animais (sendo 4 machos e 4 fêmeas) para cada grupo... / Nowadays, consumers demand more nutritional and hygienically safe food products. Studies have led to the development of new products, guaranteeing the properties e effects of functional food products on humans. Yacon may be considered a functional product, owing to its fructooligosaccharides (FOS) content, which is not metabolized by the human organism, passing inertly through the digestive tract, providing a few calories. Before the growing consumer´s demand and the importance of an aggregated- value product (symbiotic = yacon and bifidum), this study aimed at verifying the suitable procedures for the extraction and purification of yacon fructans to functionalization in food products, thus defining a protocol for the production of a food basis containing fructans along with probiotic Bifidobacterium bifidum, and assess both qualitatively and quantitatively the functional action of the food basis projected in an experimental model. Yacon was heated at 90°C, for 10 minutes, with 0,5% of citric acid and Diatomacea CA/150 and CA/500 pre-cover, resulted, in the drying, in a clear coloration product. The control of temperature conditions at the beginning (250°C) and at the end (110°C) resulted in less energy expenditure, whitening of the product and low humidity percentage. To asses the effect of dehydrated extract of yacon with Bifidobacterium bifidum on ponderal development, glycemia, total cholesterol, triglycerides, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), liver histology, 24 Wistar rats were treated for 59 days. The experiment was carried out with 8 animals (4 males and 4 females) for each group: control, dehydrated extract of yacon and dehydrated extract of yacon with bifidum. The animals were sacrificed on the 60th day, and the blood was collected through exsanguination... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)