Aptitude Indices Research Articles

Validación y fiabilidad de un instrumento para la evaluación de la calidad de servicios, adaptado a familiares, pacientes y personal de enfermería

AimTo analyze the internal validity and reliability of the instrument for evaluating the quality of services adapted to three interest groups: patients, nurses, family members, and primary caregivers. Material and methodOur research was conducted meticulously, employing a mixed methodology with two phases: qualitative, using the focus group for internal validation of the instrument, and quantitative. Subsequently, the survey was passed to the interest group of 430 patients, 525 relatives, and 298 nurses. Chronbac's alpha reliability analysis, the multiple linear regression model as a point estimator of the parameters, and exploratory factor analysis with a maximum likelihood factor using Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin to analyze the constructor and its indicators were performed to validate the adaptation. Finally, confirmatory factor analysis determines their respective measurement models’ unidimensionality, validity, and reliability. ResultsThe result shows that the factor loading of each subconstruct is more significant than 0.5 in the three models, which indicates that the aptitude indices of the model were met. In addition, the model meets the discriminant validity criteria. The behavior of the SERVPERF questionnaire was analyzed in terms of consistency, Cronbach's alpha=0.94. ConclusionThe scale items’ discrimination concerning the questions on global satisfaction is confirmed. This shows that the instrument is valid, reliable, and useful.

Beauveria bassiana native strains affect the reproductive index of Rhipicephalus microplus ticks.

Rhipicephalus microplus poses a significant economic threat due to its role in transmitting Babesia bigemina, B. bovis and Anaplasma marginale. Chemical control methods, commonly employed, encounter challenges like resistance, high costs, and environmental concerns. Emerging as an alternative, entomopathogenic fungi, particularly Beauveria bassiana, present a promising avenue for biological control. Molecular identification using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS1-5.8-ITS4) region ensures accurate species identification. This study investigated two B. bassiana strains, assessing their molecular characterization, impact on R. microplus mortality, and reproductive effects on adult females. The Reproductive Aptitude Index (RAI) is employed to evaluate tick egg viability post-treatment, providing insights into the potential of these fungi for tick control. Results indicate the BbLn2021-1 strain causes 96% mortality, and BbSf2021-1 induces 100% mortality. The commercial strain exhibited 28% mortality, while the control treatment showed 12%. Statistical analysis reveals a significant difference between treatments (p < 0.01). The Reproductive Efficiency Index (REI) underscores BbSf2021-1is superiority, yielding lower egg weights than other treatments. Regarding the RAI, BbLn2021-1 and BbSf2021-1 show no significant differences but differ significantly from the commercial and control (p < 0.01). These findings suggest that strains isolated and characterized from the natural environment could have potential applications in field trials, serving as a biocontrol alternative for R. microplus ticks.

Structural and Spatial Shifts in the Viticulture Potential of Main European Wine Regions as an Effect of Climate Change

Climate change modifies the base climate of the wine regions and, with it, the structure of their traditional types of wine production, imposing measures to adapt, mitigate, or capitalize on the newly emerging conditions. In order to assess the impact of climate change and establish the appropriate adaptation measures for each wine region, regional and local studies are needed, which allow knowledge of their current climate profile. The aim of this research was to identify the changes that appeared as an effect of climate change in the initial climate profile and the initial structure of the traditional types of wine production of Bordeaux (France), Loire Valley (France), Rhine-Main-Nahe (Germany), La Rioja (Spain) and Cotnari (Romania) wine regions, and also in climate suitability for wine production of the Sussex area from the UK. The study uses multi-year averages for the 1951–1990 and 1991–2010 time periods of reference bioclimatic indices for viticulture, namely the Average Temperature of the Growing Season (AvGST), the Huglin Index (HI), and the Oenoclimatic Aptitude Index (IAOe). The results of this research reveal significant changes in climate suitability for wine production of the studied wine regions: in the Bordeaux wine region, climate change led to the appearance of conditions for the cultivation of the Mediterranean climate varieties Grenache, Syrah, and Carignan; in the cool climate wine regions Rhine-Main-Nahe and Cotnari, traditional producers of white wines, the climate has also become suitable for the cultivation of Pinot noir and Cabernet franc varieties, and implicitly for the production of red wines; in all studied wine regions, the classes of climate suitability for viticulture shifted higher in altitude, as is the case of the La Rioja region, where, in the recent period, the grapevine can be grown up to 922.9 m asl, higher by 206.2 m compared to the 1951–1990 time period; in the low area of each wine region, one or even two new climate suitability classes for wine grape growing appeared. The shifts revealed by this research generate solid conclusions regarding the effect of climatic change on the viticultural potential of geographical areas, namely: in the context of climate change, the altitude of the wine region has a major influence on the evolution of the local viticulture potential; a higher topography allows a better adaptation of the wine region to climate change; low-elevation wine regions are more vulnerable to climate changes, especially the further south they are located; as an effect of climate change, conditions appear in the wine regions for the cultivation of new grapevine varieties and the production of new types of wine.

Highlighting the Terroir Influence on the Aromatic Profile of Two Romanian White Wines

Climate conditions clearly influence the concentration of important substances in grapes, generating chemical reactions that will determine the final wine aromas. Three different regions were chosen to cover the most important viticultural areas from Romania. The aim of this study was to highlight, for the first time, the volatile profile for two Romanian white wines, Feteasca regala and Feteasca alba, from three different vineyards (Silagiu, Aiud, and Sarica Niculițel). The results showed that wine’s aromatic profile was directly proportional with the area of origin for the grapes, directly correlated to the climate. The obtained values for alcohols, esters, aldehydes, and terpenoid compounds were also related to the oenoclimatic aptitude index, a significant accumulation of aroma compounds being observed mainly for the Feteasca regala wine. A total of 17 superior alcohols were evidenced within the two types of wines, among them, 2-phenyl ethanol being distinguished by its higher level in all samples, varying from 7692 up to 11,783 µg/L. Together with some aromatic esters, it offers one of the most pleasant aromas, resembling rose flavour. Of all the acids found in wines, the succinic acid has the most intense flavour, tasting somehow bitter and salty, imprinting to wine a certain “juiciness” and “vinosity”. Diethyl succinate was one of the main esters in all six samples, with concentrations from 777 up to 1200 µg/L. Also, two terpenoid compounds and two aldehydes were found in all samples. The data obtained from PCA evaluation suggested that there is a significant variance among wine varieties. Nevertheless, hierarchical clustering was applied to explain the relationship between the six samples of wines, the smallest clusters that included Silagiu and Aiud winegrowing regions suggesting an increased similarity of the compositional profile.

The Adjusted Cut-Off Value of Interferon-Γ Release Assays (IGRA) to Diagnose LTBI in Indonesia

Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) is as a condition when Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) persists in the body without causing symptoms while maintaining viability with the possibility to become active tuberculosis in the future. The detection of LTBI is an important strategy from WHO to end the chain of tuberculosis. LTBI can be diagnosed by using the IGRA test. IGRA uses specific antigens of MTB, early antigenic target-6 (ESAT-6), to induce interferon-gamma production by antigen-specific T cells. In the IGRA test, the cut-off value is explicitly needed to distinguish healthy people from LTBI patients. This study aimed to find IGRA's adjusted cut-off value in Indonesia. The subjects were 150 people, which were 50 healthy people, 50 subjects with active TB, and 50 with suspected LTBI. Isolated Lymphocytes derived from PBMC sand were cultured in a complete RPMI medium and induced by Esat-6 for six days. IFN-g levels were assayed from supernatants by the sandwich Elisa technique. Statistical analysis was used to determine cut-off values for IFN-g derived from healthy and diseased patients. The highest aptitude index (κ value) that could discriminate between healthy and LTBI groups was 0.925 at a concentration of 0.792 ng/ml of IFN-g, hence the cut-off value to diagnose LTBI was 0.792 ng/ml of IFN-g. Based on this value, out of 40 suspected cases of LTBI, up to 17 (42.5%) and 23 without LTBI (57.5%) were found. So, the conclusion was that the adjusted cut-off value for IFN-g to diagnose LTBI in Indonesia was 0.792 ng/ml.

Cognitive skill learning in multiple sclerosis: A meaningful component of the neuropsychological profile

Cognitive skill learning (CSL) refers to the capacity to improve performance on specific cognitive operations through repeated practice. We hypothesized that high CSL aptitude may promote accumulation of cognitive reserve, and resiliency to cognitive decline, in people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Using an adaptive working memory training paradigm, we obtained CSL aptitude indices (amount of improvement on the training task over time) in MS patients for a single session of practice (25–30 min), and longer-term practice (twenty sessions). Neuropsychological performance was assessed with the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT), and the Raven’s Advanced Progressive Matrices (RAPM). CSL aptitude measures were positively correlated with neuropsychological performance, and had high diagnostic accuracy for classifying cognitive impairment in MS, defined as 1.5 SD below the demographics-corrected normative mean of the SDMT. Positive relationships between CSL aptitude measures and neuropsychological performance tended to be more pronounced for individuals with high estimated cognitive reserve, suggesting that high CSL aptitude is a a factor that promotes the protective effects of cognitive reserve. Furthermore, regression analyses indicated that CSL aptitude is separable from baseline cognitive capacity. The findings suggest that CSL aptitude impacts the neuropsychological profile in MS, and may be a factor underlying variance in cognitive resiliency.

Sustentabilidad socioeconómica y ambiental de los sistemas de producción de maíz de temporal

El trabajo se realizó en el estado de Campeche a través de encuestas con productores de maíz de temporal para describir las características tecnológicas y de manejo, socioeconómicas y culturales de los sistemas de producción. Se utilizaron dos técnicas de análisis multivariado para la reducción y clasificación de la información. Para el análisis ambiental se generó un índice de aptitud agrícola sustentable con información de las características físico-químicas del suelo. Los resultados indicaron que 65.5% de los productores que se entrevistaron utilizaron el sistema convencional para la producción de maíz de temporal y aunque se ubicaron en zonas de vocación agrícola, se identificaron diferencias en tecnificación y socioeconómicas. El otro 34.5% de productores utilizan labranza mínima y se ubicaron en zonas de vocación pecuaria. A pesar que el índice de aptitud agrícola sustentable ubicó 71% de los productores dentro de la categoría moderada, es necesario implementar estrategias para minimizar la extracción de los nutrientes en el suelo ya que los productores retribuyen muy poco al aplicar dosis por debajo de lo recomendado. En el indicador de mineralización potencial anaerobia del nitrógeno asociado con la fertilidad del suelo se obtuvo valores negativos en los dos grupos de suelo predominantes Leptosoles con -14.7 y Vertisoles con -27.9.

Quantifying flight aptitude variation in wild Anopheles gambiae in order to identify long-distance migrants

BackgroundIn the West African Sahel, mosquito reproduction is halted during the 5–7 month-long dry season, due to the absence of surface waters required for larval development. However, recent studies have suggested that both Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto (s.s.) and Anopheles arabiensis repopulate this region via migration from distant locations where larval sites are perennial. Anopheles coluzzii engages in more regional migration, presumably within the Sahel, following shifting resources correlating with the ever-changing patterns of Sahelian rainfall. Understanding mosquito migration is key to controlling malaria—a disease that continues to claim more than 400,000 lives annually, especially those of African children. Using tethered flight data of wild mosquitoes, the distribution of flight parameters were evaluated as indicators of long-range migrants versus appetitive flyers, and the species specific seasonal differences and gonotrophic states compared between two flight activity modalities. Morphometrical differences were evaluated in the wings of mosquitoes exhibiting high flight activity (HFA) vs. low flight activity (LFA).MethodsA novel tethered-flight assay was used to characterize flight in the three primary malaria vectors- An. arabiensis, An. coluzzii and An. gambiae s.s. The flights of tethered wild mosquitoes were audio-recorded from 21:00 h to 05:00 h in the following morning and three flight aptitude indices were examined: total flight duration, longest flight bout, and the number of flight bouts during the assay.ResultsThe distributions of all flight indices were strongly skewed to the right, indicating that the population consisted of a majority of low-flight activity (LFA) mosquitoes and a minority of high-flight activity (HFA) mosquitoes. The median total flight was 586 s and the maximum value was 16,110 s (~ 4.5 h). In accordance with recent results, flight aptitude peaked in the wet season, and was higher in gravid females than in non-blood-fed females. Flight aptitude was also found to be higher in An. coluzzii compared to An. arabiensis, with intermediate values in An. gambiae s.s., but displaying no statistical difference. Evaluating differences in wing size and shape between LFA individuals and HFA ones, the wing size of HFA An. coluzzii was larger than that of LFAs during the wet season—its length was wider than predicted by allometry alone, indicating a change in wing shape. No statistically significant differences were found in the wing size/shape of An. gambiae s.s. or An. arabiensis.ConclusionsThe partial agreement between the tethered flight results and recent results based on aerial sampling of these species suggest a degree of discrimination between appetitive flyers and long-distance migrants although identifying HFAs as long-distance migrants is not recommended without further investigation.

Efeito de alterações climáticas na aptidão agrícola para cultivo de milho na microrregião de Guarapuava, Paraná

Condições climáticas afetam a produtividade e a viabilidade econômica da agricultura que é desafiada pelas constantes variações de temperatura e precipitação ao longo do tempo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estimar alterações climáticas na microrregião de Guarapuava no estado do Paraná, analisando os impactos sobre a cultura do milho, utilizando modelagem para cenários futuros e comparando com um cenário base do passado. Foram ajustados modelos de adequação matemática utilizando Análise de Múltiplos Critérios (MCA) e Processo de Hierarquia Analítica (AHP), utilizando os cenários climáticos RCP4.5 e RCP8.5 (IPCC) para o cálculo do índice de aptidão agrícola da cultura considerando as variáveis solo, topografia e clima. Concluiu-se que a projeção de aumento da temperatura média durante o ciclo de cultivo é o fator ambiental de maior impacto para a redução do índice de aptidão agrícola para o milho na microrregião de Guarapuava no ano de 2050.

Virulence of Entomopathogenic Fungi in Nonfed Larvae and Engorged Females ofRhipicephalus sanguineusSensu Lato and Its Effect on Reproductive Potential

Virulence of 10 isolates of entomopathogenic fungi native to Mexico and their effect on reproductive behavior were evaluated in nonfed larvae and engorged females of R. sanguineus sensu lato (Latreille). Virulence was evaluated by immersion in a concentration of 1 x 108 conidia per milliliter, while checks received the same aqueous formulation but without conidia. Reproductive potential was determined by calculating Reproductive Efficiency Index (eggs laid per engorged female weight) and Reproductive Aptitude Index (eggs hatched as larvae per engorged female weight). Results of bioassays on nonfed larvae showed that 40% of the isolates were able to kill ≥90% at 20 days post-treatment. Isolate Metarhizium anisopliae (Metchnikoff) Sorokin 135 with an LC50 of 1 x 106 killed 97%, while Beauveria bassiana (Bals.-Criv.) Vuill. Bb154 with an LC50 of 8 x 106 killed 90%. In engorged females, 70% of isolates killed ≥90% at 15 days post-treatment; isolate Bb154 reduced egg oviposition 83% and hatchability 96%. The isolates should be considered potential biological control agents for R. sanguineus.

Situación actual de la fauna silvestre en las cuencas de Nuevo León, México

En el presente estudio se realizó una recopilación de los datos existentes sobre la riqueza de especies de vertebrados silvestres nativos, así como de taxones exóticos, además del endemismo y estado de conservación del primer grupo según la NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010, en las 14 cuencas hidrográficas del estado de Nuevo León. Para analizar estos datos se usaron índices de aptitud de un área que se pueden construir a partir de la información de la historia de vida; o bien, mediante la modificación de los modelos existentes, basados en la importancia de las variables, a los cuales se les aplica normalización, ponderación y jerarquización de los valores de cada una de ellas. Las cuencas que presentaron los resultados positivos y mayores fueron: cuenca del Río Tamesí, cuenca Presa San José-Pilares y cuenca Sierra Madre Oriental (con índices de 19.65, 18.19 y 16.59 respectivamente) y las que registraron los valores negativos mayores fueron: cuenca Río Bravo-Nuevo Laredo, cuenca Río Bravo-Sosa y cuenca Río Bravo-Matamoros-Reynosa (con -22.07, -20.85 y -19.56 respectivamente). Se concluye que la cuenca Sierra Madre Oriental es la más importante en Nuevo León, por su mayor valor positivo y extensión territorial (13 % aproximadamente del total estatal) comparado con las primeras dos cuencas que sumadas ocupan menos de 1 % del territorio de Nuevo León.

Assessment of climatic conditions as driving factors of wine aromatic compounds: a case study from Central Romania

Climate conditions leave their mark on the accumulation of valuable compounds in grapes, triggering chemical reactions, becoming aroma precursors. Carried out in submountainous area of Sebes-Apold vineyard, known for producing white wines, our study used climatological mean and daily values of climatic parameters (2010–2015) to assess the bioclimatic indices favourability for grapevine growing. The real heliothermic index, the hydrothermal coefficient, the grapevine bioclimatic index, the bio-pedo-climatic index and the oenoclimatic aptitude index were related with the wine quality chemical compounds (esters, high alcohols, volatile fatty acids, aldehydes and terpene) assessed for three wine varieties (Riesling, Pinot gris, Traminer). Our results show that wine’s aromatic potential highlights the grapes’ area of origin, closely connected to climatic conditions. The lowest bioclimatic indices, recorded in 2010, affected the quality of the wine’s aroma. Esters, aldehydes and terpene compounds reached their lowest amounts, which were also correlated with the oenoclimatic aptitude index. Our results suggest that 2012 was the most favourable for exceptional quality wines. High temperatures in the grape maturation period and favourable climatic indices are significantly linked with high amounts of esters, increased amounts of high alcohols, volatile fatty acids and terpene compounds. Our results enhance the knowledge of viticultural potential of Romania and could be a starting point for further research in a region apparently devoided of climatic potential to produce high quality wines. Moreover, it can be an approach model in assessing the link between bioclimatic indices and quality compounds of wines for other viticultural areas of Romania or worldwide.

Virulence of Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana isolates and the effects of fungal infection on the reproduction potential of Rhiphicephalus microplus engorged females

ABSTRACTThe aim of the study was to assess the virulence of five Metarhizium anisopliae (Ma) and three of Beauveria bassiana (Bb) isolates, and the effect of the fungal infection to the reproduction of engorged females from two colonies of Rhiphicephalus microplus; one colony was collected from naturally infested cattle (Native) and the other one from a laboratory colony (Media Joya). Virulence was evaluated using the immersion technique at a concentration of 1 × 108 conidia/ml; control groups received a water suspension with Tween 80 (0.1%). The Reproductive Efficiency Index ‘REI’ (eggs laid/engorged female weight) and the Reproductive Aptitude Index ‘RAI’ (eggs hatched as larvae/engorged female weight) were calculated for both groups. This experiment shows that two entomopathogenic fungal isolates, Bb115 and Ma136, caused high mortality from 5 days post-treatment (PT), reaching mortality rates of 99–100% at 15 days PT in both R. microplus colonies. The Bb115 isolate caused 98 and 79% reduction in egg oviposition in the field and laboratory colonies, respectively, while the reduction in egg hatchability was 98 and 89% in the field and laboratories colonies, respectively. In the case of Ma136, the egg oviposition was reduced in 73% in the field colony and 64% in laboratory colony, while in the field and laboratory colonies, with a reduction in egg hatchability of 73% and 86%, respectively. These results indicate the potential of Bb115 and Ma136 isolates as possible biological control agents of R. microplus.

Climate change impact on climate suitability for wine production in Romania

Climate change modifies the viticultural potential of wine regions, their specific wine styles and even the limits of viticulture area on the globe. The significant impact of climate change on viticulture requires in-depth studies of its consequences, in order to identify adaptation measures. This research analyzes the changes in climatic suitability for wine production in Romania between 1961 and 2013 as an effect of climate change. The study is based on gridded data at 10 × 10 km resolution of average daily temperature, precipitation and sunshine duration from 1961 to 2013, interpolated from about 150 weather stations across Romanian territory and recorded in the ROCADA database. Climate suitability for wine production is expressed through the means and spatial distribution for 1961 to 1990 and 1991 to 2013 periods of the oenoclimate aptitude index (IAOe) that integrates the influence of temperature, sunshine duration and precipitation on the grapevine. The results of the study reveal a 2.4 million ha expansion of the area with climate suitable for wine production on Romanian territory; a 180-m increase in altitude with climate suitable for wine production, up to a current maximum of 835 m asl; a northward shift of about 0.036° of area with climate suitable for wine production; the tendency to altering the climate suitability for wine production at regional level, by decreasing climate suitability for white wines and replacing it with climate suitability for red wines. The study allows in-depth analysis from a spatial perspective of the shifts caused by climate change in the wine areas, constituting a solid support for developing strategies of viticulture adaptation to the new climatic context.

Modifications in climate suitability for wine production of Romanian wine regions as a result of climate change

The aim of this study is to reveal the shifts in climate suitability for wine production affecting Romanian wine growing regions. For this, we analyzed the spatial distribution over Romanian territory of the oenoclimate aptitude index (IAOe) for the 1961 to 1990 and 1991 to 2013 time periods. The IAOe has been calculated based on gridded data at 10 × 10 km resolution of average daily temperature, precipitation and sunshine duration between 1961–2013, originating from about 150 weather stations across Romanian territory and recorded in the ROCADA database. The study reveals: northward shifts and to higher altitudes of suitability for wine production; the appearance of new areas suitable for wine production; the expansion or the shrinkage of the current areas suitable for wine production; shifts in classes of suitability for wine production in the current wine regions and appearance of premises of replacing their specific varieties and traditional wine type production; the tendency to level climate suitability at regional scale by diminishing suitability for white wines and replacing it with climate suitability for red wines. The study provides a solid support for developing strategies to adapt Romanian viticulture to climate change.

Physiological and morphological characteristics of skilled long distance runners in uphill running: Employed study of aptitude index in uphill running

Physiological and morphological characteristics of skilled long distance runners in uphill running: Employed study of aptitude index in uphill running

Life cycle of Amblyomma integrum (Acari: Ixodidae) under laboratory conditions.

Amblyomma integrum is a hard tick infesting mainly buffalo and cattle and has been identified as an agent of human otoacariasis in Sri Lanka. Data on the life cycle pattern of A. integrum were collected by experimental infestation on New Zealand white rabbits under laboratory conditions. Wild-caught females laid 55-7389 eggs for 2-35days after spending a latent period of 10-25days. Egg incubation period was 31-105days and the newly emerged larvae started feeding after 4-11days. Larvae dropped off after feeding and they moulted into nymphs after 10-16days. Nymphs actively fed on rabbits for 4-8days and dropped off. Engorged nymphs took 11-25days for moulting before emerging as adults. The male:female sex ratio of the adults moulted under laboratory conditions was 11:9. All the stages showed periodicity in engorgement and dropping off. The three-host life cycle was completed within 74-245days with an average of 152.9days. The mean Reproductive Efficiency Index (REI) and Reproductive Aptitude Index (RAI) were 3.6 and 1.1, respectively. Females hatched in the laboratory did not successfully feed on New Zealand white rabbits. The wild-caught females which fed on buffaloes had prolonged pre-oviposition and oviposition periods, low REI, low RAI and low eclosion under controlled laboratory conditions compared to other tick species. Although larva and nymphs of A. integrum successfully fed on New Zealand white rabbits under laboratory conditions, full life cycle was not completed because the adult females did not feed on rabbits.

Physical aptitude related to the health of initial graders: A study between groups assisted and non assisted by a Physical Education professional

The aim of this study consists in checking possible differences in aptitude levels related to health, among students in the first school years, who participate in Physical Education lessons given by a qualified professional instructor (municipal and private schools) and students who attend lessons given by regular schoolmasters (state schools). The subjects of this study are 626 students of the initial school years, in the municipality of Santa Cruz do Sul (RD). Evaluations included Body Index Mass, Body Fat Percentage, Resilience, Abdominal Resistance and Cardiorespiratory Resistance. The results attest that the state schools, without the assistance of a professional Physical Education Teacher, presented a bigger percentage of unsatisfactory results in the evaluated variables, with the only exception of Abdominal Muscle Resistance. Differences between averages by school network were detected with regard to Resilience, with averages significantly lower in state schools, without a professional Physical Education instructor; and Cardiorespiratory Resistance, with state schools again showing significantly lower averages compared to other school networks. In general, in our study, it was possible to observe that students attending lessons given by professional Physical Education instructors presented better physical aptitude indices for resilience and cardiorespiratory resistance if compared to students whose lessons are given by regular schoolmasters.

Aptidões de genótipos de batata-doce para consumo humano, produção de etanol e alimentação animal

O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar a aptidão de genótipos de batata-doce (Ipomoea batatas) para consumo humano, produção de etanol e alimentação animal, por meio de índices de aptidão. Os índices de aptidão corresponderam às médias dos valores das variáveis padronizadas para 16 características de interesse, ponderadas por pesos atribuídos a cada característica, conforme a aptidão avaliada. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, com duas repetições e 39 genótipos: 36 acessos da coleção de germoplasma da Universidade Federal de Lavras e três cultivares comerciais (Palmas, Brazlândia-Branca e Brazlândia-Rosada). Oito genótipos foram considerados aptos à produção de etanol, 11 à alimentação animal e 11 ao consumo humano, incluindo as cultivares Palmas e Brazlândia-Branca. Os acessos UFLA07-12, UFLA07-31, UFLA07-43, UFLA07-49 e UFLA07-53 apresentaram aptidão para produção de etanol, alimentação animal e consumo humano. O índice de seleção é eficiente para estabelecer aptidões para genótipos de batata-doce.

Comparison of efficiency and reproductive aptitude indexes between a reference and field strains of the cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, in Sinaloa, Mexico

The objective of this work was to study the reproductive behavior of two strains of R. (B.) microplus, one wild-caught (Native) and one reference strain (Media Joya) for two years, measuring the reproductive efficiency index (REI) and reproductive aptitude index (RAI). Engorged ticks from each strain were collected monthly from February 2002 to February 2004. These were weighed and kept in the laboratory until egg-laying. Oogenic masses were individually weighed and incubated until larvae emergence. REI and RAI were calculated from each sample, grouping ticks by weight in 100 mg range classes. An analysis of variance and Duncan's multiple rank tests were carried out on the data (P < 0.05). Pearson's correlation coefficients were estimated (P < 0.01) in order to determine the relationship between engorgement weight and the weight and number of laid and hatched eggs. The Native strain showed a higher engorgement weight than Media Joya strain. In both strains REI and RAI were similar in all weight classes; with a quadratic tendency in Media Joya and linear-quadratic in the Native strain (P < 0.05). Significant differences where observed when REI and RAI of both strains were compared along the duration of the study (P < 0.01) with the Native strain performing better in both indexes, including better performance during the dry season. All parameters studied showed highly significant correlation; eggs laid and eggs hatched were notably highly correlated, 0.94 and 0.91, for Media Joya strain and Native strain respectively.