Contribuition of nitrogen from biological nitrogen fixation, nitrogen fertilizer and soil nitrogen on the growth of the common bean and cowpea

Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) constitutes a valuable source of this nutrient for the common bean Phaseolus vulgaris L and cowpea Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp., being its avaibility affected by mineral N in the soil solution. The objectives of this work were to evaluate the effects of nitrogen rate, as urea, on symbiotic fixation of N(2) in common bean and cowpea plants, using the isotopic technique, and quantifying the relative contributions of N sources symbiotic N(2) fixation, soil native nitrogen and urea N on the growth of the common bean and cowpea. Non nodulating soybean plants were used as standard. The research was carried out in greenhouse, using pots with 5 kg of soil from a Typic Haplustox (Dystrophic Red Yellow Latosol). The experimental design was completely randomized blocks, with 30 treatments and three replications, arranged in 5x3x2 factorial outline. The treatments consisted of five N rates: 2, 15, 30, 45 and 60 mg N kg(-1) soil; three sampling times: 23, 40 and 76 days after sowing (DAS) and two crops: common bean and cowpea. The BNF decreased with increase N rates, varying from 81.5% to 55.6% for cowpea, and from 71.9% to 55.1% for common bean. The symbiotic N(2) fixation in cowpea can substitute totally the nitrogen fertilization. The nitrogen absorption from soil is not affected by nitrogen fertilizer rate. The N recovery from fertilizer at 76 DAS was of 60.7% by common bean, and 57.1% by cowpea. The symbiotic association in common bean needs the application of a starting dose (40 kg N ha(-1)) for economically acceptable yields.

Analytical calculation of the transition to complete phase synchronization in coupled oscillators

Here we present a system of coupled phase oscillators with nearest neighbors coupling, which we study for different boundary conditions. We concentrate at the transition to the total synchronization. We are able to develop exact solutions for the value of the coupling parameter when the system becomes completely synchronized, for the case of periodic boundary conditions as well as for a chain with fixed ends. We compare the results with those calculated numerically.

The accuracy of the Clock Drawing Test compared to that of standard screening tests for Alzheimer`s disease: results from a study of Brazilian elderly with heterogeneous educational backgrounds

Background: Although the Clock Drawing Test (CDT) is the second most used test in the world for the screening of dementia, there is still debate over its sensitivity specificity, application and interpretation in dementia diagnosis. This study has three main aims: to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the CDT in a sample composed of older adults with Alzheimer`s disease (AD) and normal controls; to compare CDT accuracy to the that of the Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Cambridge Cognitive Examination (CAMCOG), and to test whether the association of the MMSE with the CDT leads to higher or comparable accuracy as that reported for the CAMCOG. Methods: Cross-sectional assessment was carried out for 121 AD and 99 elderly controls with heterogeneous educational levels from a geriatric outpatient clinic who completed the Cambridge Examination for Mental Disorder of the Elderly (CAMDEX). The CDT was evaluated according to the Shulman, Mendez and Sunderland scales. Results: The CDT showed high sensitivity and specificity. There were significant correlations between the CDT and the MMSE (0.700-0.730; p < 0.001) and between the CDT and the CAMCOG (0.753-0.779; p < 0.001). The combination of the CDT with the MMSE improved sensitivity and specificity (SE = 89.2-90%; SP = 71.7-79.8%). Subgroup analysis indicated that for elderly people with lower education, sensitivity and specificity were both adequate and high. Conclusions: The CDT is a robust screening test when compared with the MMSE or the CAMCOG, independent of the scale used for its interpretation. The combination with the MMSE improves its performance significantly, becoming equivalent to the CAMCOG.

Systematic review and cladistic analysis of the genus Eusarcus Perty 1833 (Arachnida, Opiliones, Gonyleptidae)

Eusarcus Perty 1833 is one of the oldest described genera of Pachylinae, comprising 36 species distributed from northeastern to southern Brazil (including the central west region), northeastern Argentina, eastern Paraguay and Uruguay. The genus is reviewed and a new classification is proposed based on a cladistic analysis. A cladistic analysis was performed with the 34 valid species of Eusarcus and 11 species belonging to certain Gonyleptidae subfamilies. The data matrix has 67 characters: 14 from dorsal scutum and pedipalp, 38 from male legs and 15 from male genitalia. Two equally parsimonious trees were found (L=319; C. I.=0.26, R. I.=0.61). Pygophalangodus gemignanii uruguayensis Ringuelet 1955a and Pygophalangodus gemignanii gemignanii Mello-Leitao 1931b are here elevated to the category of species, and the following new combinations are proposed: E. catharinensis (Mello-Leitao 1927); E. berlae (Mello-Leitao 1932); E. gemignanii (Mello-Leitao 1931b); E. signatus(Roewer 1949); E. sooretamae (Soares & Soares 1946a); E. uruguayensis (Ringuelet 1955a). The following generic synonymies are proposed: Eusarcus Perty 1833 (type species E. armatus Perty 1833) = Metagraphinotus Mello-Leitao 1927 (type species M. catharinensis Mello-Leitao 1927), Pareusarcus Roewer 1929 (type species P. corniculatus Roewer 1929), Pygophalangodus Mello-Leitao 1931b (type species P. gemignanii-gemignanii Mello-Leitao 1931b) and Antetriceras Roewer 1949 (type species A. signatus Roewer 1949). The following specific synonymies are proposed: Eusarcus hastatus Sorensen 1884 = Pucrolioides argentina Roewer 1913, E. guimaraensi H. Soares 1945, Jacarepaguana pectinifemur Piza 1943, Canestrinia canalsi Mello-Leitao 1931a, and E. maquinensis H. Soares 1966b; E. armatus Perty 1833 = E. curvispinosus Mello-Leitao 1923b, and Enantiocentron montis Mello-Leitao 1936; Eusarcus catharinensis (Mello-Leitao 1927) = E. antoninae Mello-Leitao 1936, E. perpusillus Mello-Leitao 1945, E. tripos Mello-Leitao 1940, and Metagraphinotus trochanterspinosus Soares & Soares 1947b; E. nigrimaculatus Mello-Leitao 1924 = Pareusarcus centromelos Mello-Leitao 1935a, E. furcatus Roewer 1929, Orguesia armata Roewer 1913, and Pareusarcus corniculatus Roewer 1929; E. oxyacanthus Kollar in Koch 1839a = Enantiocentron doriphorus Mello-Leitao 1932, and E. spinimanu Mello-Leitao 1932; E. pusillus Sorensen 1884 = E. vervloeti B. Soares 1944c; E. berlae Mello-Leitao 1932 = Metagraphinotus arlei Mello-Leitao 1935a. Metapucrolia armata (Sorensen 1895) is revalidated, transferred to Eusarcus and considered as a species inquirenda. A new name, Eusarcus metapucrolia is proposed for this species to avoid homonymy with the type species of Eusarcus, E. armatus Perty 1833. Eusarcus aberrans Mello-Leitao 1939a is considered as a species inquirenda. The male of E. teresincola Soares & Soares 1946a is described. Female of the following species are described: E. bifidus Roewer 1929; E. dubius B. Soares 1943b; E. insperatus B. Soares 1944a; E. schubarti Soares & Soares 1946a; E. sooretamae (Soares & Soares 1946a). The following new species are described from Brazil: E. acrophthalmus (type locality: Bahia, Ilheus, Parataquice); E. alpinus (Rio de Janeiro, Santa Maria Madalena, Parque Estadual do Desengano); E. caparaoensis (Minas Gerais, Alto Caparao, Parque Nacional do Caparao); E. cavernicola (Goias, Sao Domingos, Parque Estadual de Terra Ronca, Lapa da Angelica); E. didactylus (Rio de Janeiro, Teresopolis, Parque Nacional Serra dos Orgaos); E. garibaldiae (Santa Catarina, Itajai); E. geometricus (Rio de Janeiro, Teresopolis, Parque Nacional Serra dos Orgaos); E. manero (Rio de Janeiro, Marica, Itaipuacu); E. matogrossensis (Mato Grosso, Chapada dos Guimaraes); E. mirabilis (Minas Gerais, Marlieria, Parque Estadual Rio Doce); E. sergipanus (Sergipe, Itabaiana, Parque Nacional de Itabaiana) and E. tripectinatus (Minas Gerais, Rio Preto). The holotype of E. curvispinosus is proposed as the neotype of E. armatus Perty 1833, the type material of which has been lost. Lectotypes for the following species were designated: E. aduncus; E. hastatus; E. oxyacanthus.

A scanning electron microscopic survey of the cuticle in Cyphophthalmi (Arachnida, Opiliones) with the description of novel sensory and glandular structures

The cuticular surfaces of Cyphophthalmi (Opiliones) were studied in detail, covering a wide range of their taxonomic diversity. Previously unknown structures are described, including a sexually dimorphic row of spines and glandular openings on leg I of Fangensis cavernarum. Scanning electron micrographs of the prosomal paired hairs and the subapical process are provided for the first time. Evidence for the multi-pored nature of the shaft of solenidia as well as the hollowed nature and absence of wall pores of sensilla chaetica are also shown for the first time using scanning electron microscopy. The prosomal paired hairs may constitute a novel autapomorphy for Cyphophthalmi, as they are absent in all studied members of the other species of Opiliones. Finally, the variation in shape of some of the structures examined may be of great taxonomic value.

A new Peruvian land planarian species of the genus Gigantea (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida, Geoplanidae)

A new species of Geoplaninae land planarian from south Peru, Gigantea urubambensis sp. nov., is described. The most outstanding features of the new species are the very dorsal location of the testes, between the dorsal diagonal and the supra-intestinal parenchymatic muscle layers; a penis papilla projecting from the roof of the male atrium and acentrally traversed by the ejaculatory duct; and the absence of glandular ridges on the penis papilla.

A new species of Brazilian troglobitic harvestman of the genus Iandumoema (Opiliones : Gonyleptidae)

Iandumoema setimapocu sp.n. is described from the cave Lapa do Zu, Coraao de Jesus, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The new species is closely related to Iandumoema uai Pinto-da-Rocha, 1996 in the subfamily Pachylinae, from which it differs by the following features: Male femur IV straight; the male apophysis on coxa IV directed obliquely backward; eyes depigmented; tubercles on femur IV close to each other, separated by about one diameter; male pedipalpal tibia with ectal setae IiiIi; lack of median setae on ventral plate of penis. Iandumoema is the first exclusively troglobitic genus of Opiliones in Brazil that contains two species.

Cuff-induced vascular intima thickening is influenced by titration of the Ace gene in mice

Lacchini S, Heimann AS, Evangelista FS, Cardoso L, Silva GJ, Krieger JE. Cuff-induced vascular intima thickening is influenced by titration of the Ace gene in mice. Physiol Genomics 37: 225-230, 2009. First published March 3, 2009; doi:10.1152/physiolgenomics.90288.2008.-We tested the hypothesis that small changes in angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) expression can alter the vascular response to injury. Male mice containing one, two, three, and four copies of the Ace gene with no detectable vascular abnormality or changes in blood pressure were submitted to cuff-induced femoral artery injury. Femoral thickening was higher in 3- and 4-copy mice (42.4 +/- 4.3% and 45.7 +/- 6.5%, respectively) compared with 1- and 2-copy mice (8.3 +/- 1.3% and 8.5 +/- 0.9%, respectively). Femoral ACE levels from control and injured vessels were assessed in 1- and 3-copy Ace mice, which represent the extremes of the observed response. ACE vascular activity was higher in 3- vs. 1-copy Ace mice (2.4-fold, P < 0.05) in the control uninjured vessel. Upon injury, ACE activity significantly increased in both groups [2.41-fold and 2.14-fold (P < 0.05) for 1- and 3-copy groups, respectively] but reached higher levels in 3- vs. 1-copy Ace mice (P < 0.05). Pharmacological interventions were then used as a counterproof and to indirectly assess the role of angiotensin II (ANG II) on this response. Interestingly, ACE inhibition (enalapril) and ANG II AT(1) receptor blocker (losartan) reduced intima thickening in 3-copy mice to 1-copy mouse values (P < 0.05) while ANG II treatment significantly increased intima thickening in 1-copy mice to 3-copy mouse levels (P < 0.05). Together, these data indicate that small physiologically relevant changes in ACE, not associated with basal vascular abnormalities or blood pressure levels, do influence the magnitude of cuff-induced neointima thickening in mice.

Contuse lesion of the rat spinal cord of moderate intensity leads to a higher time-dependent secondary neurodegeneration than severe one - An open-window for experimental neuroprotective interventions

Secondary neurodegeneration takes place in the surrounding tissue of spinal cord trauma and modifies substantially the prognosis, considering the small diameter of its transversal axis. We analyzed neuronal and glial responses in rat spinal cord after different degree of contusion promoted by the NYU Impactor. Rats were submitted to vertebrae laminectomy and received moderate or severe contusions. Control animals were sham operated. After 7 and 30 days post surgery, stereological analysis of Nissl staining cellular profiles showed a time progression of the lesion volume after moderate injury, but not after severe injury. The number of neurons was not altered cranial to injury. However, same degree of diminution was seen in the caudal cord 30 days after both severe and moderate injuries. Microdensitometric image analysis demonstrated a microglial reaction in the white matter 30 days after a moderate contusion and showed a widespread astroglial reaction in the white and gray matters 7 days after both severities. Astroglial activation lasted close to lesion and in areas related to Wallerian degeneration. Data showed a more protracted secondary degeneration in rat spinal cord after mild contusion, which offered an opportunity for neuroprotective approaches. Temporal and regional glial responses corroborated to diverse glial cell function in lesioned spinal cord. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The notion of structure and the information records of the documentary systems

Assuming as a starting point the acknowledge that the principles and methods used to build and manage the documentary systems are disperse and lack systematization, this study hypothesizes that the notion of structure, when assuming mutual relationships among its elements, promotes more organical systems and assures better quality and consistency in the retrieval of information concerning users` matters. Accordingly, it aims to explore the fundamentals about the records of information and documentary systems, starting from the notion of structure. In order to achieve that, it presents basic concepts and relative matters to documentary systems and information records. Next to this, it lists the theoretical subsides over the notion of structure, studied by Benveniste, Ferrater Mora, Levi-Strauss, Lopes, Penalver Simo, Saussure, apart from Ducrot, Favero and Koch. Appropriations that have already been done by Paul Otlet, Garcia Gutierrez and Moreiro Gonzalez. In Documentation come as a further topic. It concludes that the adopted notion of structure to make explicit a hypothesis of real systematization achieves more organical systems, as well as it grants pedagogical reference to the documentary tasks.

Professional development and a discussion of the professional preparation provided by information and library science degree programs in public universities in Madrid, 2000-2005

A study was designed to determine how the degree programs in Information and library science available in 2000-2005 at the public universities of Madrid fit the tabour market needs of their students. The methodology used was the development of a questionnaire addressed to graduates. Although the number of surveys completed is not high (118), the authors believe that the results obtained permit a series of conclusions that may be extrapolated to the entire cohort.

MUSICAL ANALYSIS OF THE PRELUDE N.1, LA COLOMBE, BY OLIVIER MESSIAEN

This work proposes an association between musical analysis techniques developed during the twentieth and the twenty-first centuries, presented by authors like Felix Salzer and Joseph Straus, and the musical theory concepts presented by Olivier Messiaen, for the analysis of Prelude n(o) 1, La Colombe. The analysis contributes to broaden the theory concepts presented by the composer. In the Conclusion we trace lines of an authorial sonority by Olivier Messiaen.

Validity and reliability of the Portuguese version of the Epilepsy Medication Treatment Complexity Index for Brazil

We evaluated the reliability and validity of a Brazilian-Portuguese version of the Epilepsy Medication Treatment Complexity Index (EMTCI). Interrater reliability was evaluated with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and validity was evaluated by correlation of mean EMTCI scores with the following variables: number of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), seizure control, patients` perception of seizure control, and adherence to the therapeutic regimen as measured with the Morisky scale. We studied patients with epilepsy followed in a tertiary university-based hospital outpatient clinic setting, aged 18 years or older, independent in daily living activities, and without cognitive impairment or active psychiatric disease. ICCs ranged from 0.721 to 0.999. Mean EMTCI scores were significantly correlated with the variables assessed. Higher EMTCI scores were associated with an increasing number of AEDs, uncontrolled seizures, patients` perception of lack of seizure control, and poorer adherence to the therapeutic regimen. The results indicate that the Brazilian-Portuguese EMTCI is reliable and valid to be applied clinically in the country. The Brazilian-Portuguese EMTCI version may be a useful tool in developing strategies to minimize treatment complexity, possibly improving seizure control and quality of life in people with epilepsy in our milieu. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Psychometric properties of the DASS-Depression scale among a Brazilian population with chronic pain

Background: Depression is a common contributor to suffering and disability in people with chronic pain. However, the assessment of depression in this population has been hampered by the presence of a number of somatic symptoms that are shared between chronic pain, treatment side-effects and traditional concepts of depression. As a result, the use of depression measures that do not contain somatic items has been encouraged. Objective: This study examined the psychometric properties of the Depression sub-scale of the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS) in a Brazilian chronic pain patient population. Method: Data on a number of measures were collected from 348 participants attending pain facilities. Results: Principal components and exploratory factor analyses indicated the presence of only one factor. Item analyses indicated adequate item-scale correlations. The Cronbach alpha was .96, which suggests an excellent internal consistency. Conclusion: The DASS-Depression scale has adequate psychometric properties and its further use with Brazilian chronic pain populations can now be supported. (c) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.