Spatial Variability in Slash Linear Modeling with Finite Second Moment

This article studies the dependence of spatial linear models using a slash distribution with a finite second moment. The parameters of the model are estimated with maximum likelihood by using the EM algorithm. To avoid identifiability problems, the cross-validation, the Trace and the maximum log-likelihood value are used to choose the parameter for adjusting the kurtosis of the slash distribution and the selection of the model to explain the spatial dependence. We present diagnostic techniques of global and local influences for exploring the sensibility of estimators and the presence of possible influential observations. A simulation study is developed to determine the performance of the methodology. The results showed the effectiveness of the choice criteria of the parameter for adjusting the kurtosis and for the selection of the spatial dependence model. It has also showed that the slash distribution provides an increased robustness to the presence of influential observations. As an illustration, the proposed model and its diagnostics are used to analyze an aquifer data. The spatial prediction with and without the influential observations were compared. The results show that the contours of the interpolation maps and prediction standard error maps showed low changes when we removed the influential observations. Thus, this model is a robust alternative in the spatial linear modeling for dependent random variables. Supplementary materials accompanying this paper appear online.     

Effect of Organic Acids on Physical-Mechanical and Antifungicidal Properties of Anchovy Protein Films

The use of active biodegradable films from renewable sources like anchovy, with the incorporation of organic acids, such as sorbic acid (SA) and benzoic acid (BA), is an alternative to decrease environmental pollution and minimize the development of fungi in foods. This study investigated the respective influences of SA and BA at 0, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.50% on the growth of Aspergillus flavus and Rhizopus oryzae and on Argentine anchovy protein film properties (L*, a*, b*, tensile strength, elongation at break, solubility in water, water vapor permeability, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)). Results showed that the incorporation of SA or BA at different levels significantly increased the water vapor permeability, water solubility, and elongation at break of the films, but decreased the tensile strength and L* parameter (p < 0.05). FTIR evidenced an interaction between the BA and Argentine protein isolate. Also, the influences of the SA or BA concentration on antifungal activity was observed. The greatest effectiveness was obtained for films containing SA against R. oryzae compared to BA film treatments. In conclusion, the Argentine anchovy protein films could retain their antifungal property by incorporation of these organic acids.     

Comparison between the effects of postanesthetic xylazine and dexmedetomidine on characteristics of recovery from sevoflurane anesthesia in horses

Objective

To compare postanesthetic xylazine and dexmedetomidine on recovery characteristics from sevoflurane anesthesia in horses.

Targeting hidden pests: acaricides against the coconut mite <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aceria guerreronis</Emphasis>

The control of hidden pest species with pesticides depends on the accurate timing of the application to reach the life stages during their only moment of vulnerability, which is when the pests (temporarily) leave their hiding places. A curious case involves the colonization of the coconut perianth, a bract-protected region of the fruit, by the coconut mite Aceria guerreronis. The coconut bracts apparently provide protection against the direct action of acaricides used against the coconut mite. Furthermore, some acaricides target mite eggs and/or immatures in addition to adults, leading to enhanced mortality and/or compromised progeny production, but only if reaching these stages. In this study, we developed methods for assessing the likely protection provided by the coconut bract against the acaricides used for managing the coconut mite. We also assessed the efficacy of the acaricides currently registered for use against this species. Our results support the notion that coconut bracts provide protection to the coconut mite against direct acaricide action. Some acaricides (abamectin and fenpyroximate) were effective only with the removal of the coconut bracts, whereas others (hexythiazox and spirodiclofen) were not effective even with bract removal. Coconut mites sheltered by bracts were protected against the acaricides over time, but the acaricides seemed to induce mite dispersion. In addition, the preventive application of some acaricides reduced the chances of the perianth colonization by the coconut mite. Among the acaricides used, two (hexythiazox and spirodiclofen) are registered as ovicides, but only one (spirodiclofen) acted on eggs, preventing hatching of approximately 40 % of the eggs. The acaricide impacts on coconut mite management are discussed.     

Screening of lactic acid bacteria potentially useful for sorghum fermentation

A screening of commercial lactic acid bacteria potentially useful in the improvement of sorghum nutritional quality was done. The aim of this study was to test starter cultures to meet the prerequisites for the establishment of small-scale industrial production of sorghum fermented foods in Africa.     

Halogenated Indole Alkaloids from Marine Invertebrates

This review discusses the isolation, structural elucidation, and biological activities of halogenated indole alkaloids obtained from marine invertebrates. Meridianins and related compounds (variolins, psammopemmins, and aplicyanins), as well as aplysinopsins and leptoclinidamines, are focused on. A compilation of the ¹³C-NMR spectral data of these selected natural indole alkaloids is also provided.     

The utilization of long‐chain fatty acids as markers for diet composition estimates in ruminants: effects of animal species,diet composition and marker combination

Utilization of long‐chain fatty acids (LCFA) as diet composition markers, combined or not with alkanes, was evaluated in a study performed with sheep, goats and cattle fed on two different diets composed of herbaceous species and heather. Proportions of plant species were estimated from LCFA concentrations in plant species and faeces, using least‐square procedures, and were compared with those obtained using alkanes or LCFA + alkane. The impact of grouping plant species with similar LCFA + alkane profiles and the application of different levels of feeding selectivity within the dietary group on the accuracy of estimates were also assessed. Results showed that LCFA faecal recoveries were incomplete and tended to increase with carbon‐chain length in a curvilinear fashion in both diets and all animal species. Furthermore, differences between ruminant species and diets in the LCFA faecal recovery were observed. Combination of alkanes and LCFA provided the most accurate estimates of diet composition, while estimates based on LCFA alone were better than those using alkanes alone. Accuracy of these estimates differed among animal species but was not influenced by diet composition. Grouping plant species with similar LCFA + alkane profiles reduced the accuracy of estimates with a clear underestimation of the dietary group.     

New qualitative approach in the characterization of antioxidants in white wines by antioxidant free radical scavenging and NMR techniques

The aim of this study was to obtain new information on antioxidant compounds in white wines. For this purpose, white wine degradation was promoted by a forced aged protocol, and six normally aged white wines from different vintages were analyzed. Both normal and forced aged wines were sequentially extracted using hexane and ethyl acetate. Apolar antioxidants were removed using hexane, and polar antioxidants were extracted with ethyl acetate. This last residue was subject to partial re-extraction with hexane and acetone. The antioxidant capacity of the wines and of each fraction was evaluated by two free radical methods, ABTS and DPPH. Normal aging provides a decrease in the total antioxidant capacity of wines. The antioxidant activity of ethyl acetate/acetone extracts was approximately 95% higher than that found for the hexane extracts. Concerning the forced aged wines, results showed that the wine submitted to a temperature of 60 degrees C for 21 days had higher antioxidant activity than that submitted to a temperature of 20 degrees C. With regard to the ethyl acetate/acetone extracts, oxygen and temperature treatment leads to a decrease in their antioxidant activity. NMR analysis was performed in the highest antioxidant capacity organic fractions (ethyl acetate/acetone extracts) and in the aqueous fraction of the control wine (T = 20 degrees C), in order to attempt the characterization of species involved in oxygen protection. Possible structures of antioxidant compounds in white wines were proposed. Two of these are tyrosol-like structures. This molecule is a well-known phenolic compound in wine, and it is reported to have antioxidative effects.     

Daily rhythms of cortisol and glucose and the influence of the light/dark cycle on anaesthesia in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus): Does the timing of anaesthetic administration affect the stress response?

Although daily variations in drug pharmacokinetics have been reported for a variety of teleost species, the influence of this daily variation on the cortisol response following anaesthesia remains poorly understood. To address this, two experiments were performed. The first experiment described the daily patterns of cortisol and glucose secretion in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The second experiment investigated how the timing of anaesthetic administration (specifically at mid‐light [ML] or at mid‐dark [MD]) affects the induction and recovery times and plasma cortisol and glucose levels of juvenile Nile tilapia exposed to benzocaine, clove oil or tricaine methanesulphonate (MS‐222). The results revealed that the effect on the stress response associated with the moment when anaesthesia took place (ML or MD) varied according to the treatment (p < 0.05). Cortisol levels were significantly higher at ML for MS‐222 (ML = 116.23 ± 25.55; MD = 48.25 ± 22.33 ng/dl) (p < 0.05) and clove oil (ML 59.73 ± 14.27; MD 38.26 ± 12.07 ng/dl) (p < 0.05), whereas no significant differences were found between ML and MD cortisol levels for the control treatment (ML = 72.91 ± 18.42; MD = 64.80 ± 10.68 ng/dl) (p > 0.05) or in the benzocaine‐treated group (ML = 38.7 ± 4.90; MD = 38.60 ± 3.69 ng/dl) (p > 0.05). The highest plasma cortisol level in ML was found in the MS‐222‐treated group. All the tested anaesthetics had similar cortisol levels at MD (p > 0.05).