Dynamics and foraging behaviour of adult hornet robberflies, Asilus crabroniformis: implications for conservation strategy

Mark resighting studies of the hornet robberfly, Asilus crabroniformis, were carried out during the flight seasons of 1999 and 2000 on agricultural land on the Chilterns in Oxfordshire, UK. Six patches of land were identified which contained characteristics thought to be attractive to hornet robberflies. One hundred and twenty eight adults were marked in 1999 and 257 in 2000. Marking was carried out on one of the patches, but resighting observations were collected from all six sites. The daily population sizes were estimated using the Jolly-Seber method. The daily population size peaked between 50 and 72 from 23 August until 13 September in 2000. This was very similar to the peak population size of between 50 and 74 estimated for 1999. Adults were found to be capable of living for nearly 5 weeks. The maximum linear distance from the point of marking that any individual moved across the study site was 625 m, but some individuals moved over 400 m in a single day. Unsuitable habitat (suburban gardens and a main road) did not present a barrier to dispersal. Males were more likely than females to loiter in sites peripheral to the breeding site, whilst females seemed to be more tied to the breeding site. Most adults were caught from dung piles, but insects avoided fresh dung and preferred instead dung that was well into the process of drying out. A variety of insect species were taken as prey, including many beetles and flies. The findings of the study are discussed in relation to the management of the landscape to enhance the long-term prospects of the hornet robberfly in the UK, and to achieve the UK Biodiversity Action Plan target for this species.

Solid state actuators based on polypyrrole and polymer-in-ionic liquid electrolytes

Novel polymer-in-ionic liquid electrolytes (PILEs) have been developed for solid state electrochemical actuators based on polypyrrole. The active polymer electrodes are readily oxidized/reduced without degradation in the PILE. It was found that the actuator cycle life is significantly enhanced in the PILE as is the ‘shelf life’ of the device.

Fundações superficiais para linhas de transmissão em argilas moles saturadas

As fundações empregadas para linhas de transmissão de alta tensão em depósitos de argilas moles saturadas são geralmente estacas. No Rio Grande do Sul, projetos alternativos com fundações superficiais foram empregados em forma experimental para torres de suspensão, as quais apresentaram bom desempenho com menor custo. Esta pesquisa visa apontar critérios racionais da mecânica dos solos que permitam projetar, a partir do conhecimento do perfil de resistência não drenada, fundações superficiais em depósitos de argilas moles saturadas com maior confiabilidade. Para a determinaçao do perfil de resistência não drenada foi desenvolvido um cone manual com leituras elétricas, o qual foi testado apresentando bons resultados. A vantagem do uso deste equipamento reside no fato de que pode ser transportado manualmente a locais de difícil acesso, onde são implantadas as torres de alta tensão. Os demais parâmetros de solos do local de estudo, situado no município de Canoas no Rio Grande do Sul, foram obtidos a partir de ensaios de compressão triaxial do tipo adensado isotropicamente não drenado (CIU) com medida de poro pressão e de ensaios de adensamento. Foram analisadas as fundações superficiais das torres de suspensão projetadas, empregando teorias analíticas convencionais, baseadas no conhecimento da resistência não drenada, e o método de elementos finitos. A partir deste estudo, é sugerida uma metodologia para projetos de fundações superficiais de torres de suspensão em argilas moles saturadas.

Avaliação do processo de compostagem de resíduos sólidos urbanos

A crescente produção de resíduos sólidos urbanos e a escassez de áreas para uma destinação final tecnicamente adequada, via implantação de aterros sanitários, faz com que tome importância a técnica de tratamento de resíduos sólidos orgânicos através das compostagem/vermicompostagem. Nesta pesquisa, foi realizada a avaliação destes processos, tendo sido observadas principalmente a influência da aeração e da umidade no desempenho destas técnicas de tratamento, em leiras de pequenos e grandes volumes. Nos experimentos, com leiras de pequenos volumes, realizados no IPH (Instituto de Pesquisas Hidráulicas) da UFRGS, utilizou-se resíduos sólidos de poda (resíduos verdes, com alta concentração de carbono) codispostos (misturados em peso) com resíduos vegetais da CEASA (Companhia Estadual de Abastecimento Sociedade Anônima) e lodos provenientes de estações de tratamento de esgotos sanitários. Nos experimentos, com leiras de grandes volumes, realizados na UTC – Unidade de Triagem e Compostagem de Porto Alegre, utilizou-se resíduos orgânicos domiciliares codispostos com os mesmos resíduos utilizados nos primeiros experimentos. Paralelamente aos experimentos de compostagem, avaliou-se os lixiviados produzidos nos sistemas. Na compostagem de grandes volumes, também foi observado o desempenho de banhados construídos de fluxo subsuperficial para o tratamento desses efluentes líquidos. com teores de resíduos verdes menores que 35 %, o que se justifica pela maior concentração de resíduos de característica facilmente biodegradável e de maior palatabilidade para os vermes. Em todos os experimentos de compostagem, verificou-se que o controle efetivo do processo pode ser realizado através da avaliação sistemática das temperatura e umidade das leiras. Evidenciou-se também que para regiões de clima similar ao de Porto Alegre, com elevadas precipitações principalmente no inverno, é necessário adotar dimensões adequadas ao sistema de compostagem “windrow” para áreas descobertas. Comprovou-se também a necessidade de manutenção da umidade na faixa entre 50% e 70 %, inclusive com reposição desta, mesmo na situação de inverno. A avaliação dos lixiviados da compostagem demonstrou que, com os substratos utilizados nos experimentos, as concentrações de DBO5, DQO e de outras variáveis são elevadas ao início do processo de decomposição, devido à solubilização dos compostos orgânicos e inorgânicos presentes na matéria orgânica. Os lixiviados da compostagem possuem baixas concentrações de condutividade, DBO5, NH4 +, entre outros, quando comparados aos lixiviados de aterros sanitários. tratamento destes efluentes. Os resultados obtidos nos banhados construídos para baixas cargas hidráulicas (1cm/d) e concentrações de DBO5 do afluente abaixo de 150 mg/L apontaram uma eficiência média de remoção de 52,02%. No que se refere a nitrogênio (todas as formas), fósforo, metais, potencial redox e sólidos totais, as eficiências foram variáveis, com melhores resultados para nitrogênio amoniacal e fósforo. A compostagem pode ser considerada uma alternativa viável de tratamento de resíduos orgânicos, utilizando-se o processo “windrow” com revolvimento mecânico, mesmo em pátios descobertos em climas subtropicais. Neste caso, sugere-se que os lixiviados gerados nos primeiros dias de compostagem (30 dias aproximandamente) sejam recirculados e o excedente tratado em ETE. Pode-se, também, utilizar o sistema de banhados construídos como complementação, principalmente para a remoção de nitrogênio e fósforo.

Compostagem e vermicompostagem de dejetos de caprinos: efeito das estações do ano

A caprinocultura brasileira cresceu consideravelmente nos últimos anos, elevando a produção de resíduos, fato que justifica o estudo de práticas de reciclagem, tais como a compostagem e a vermicompostagem, pois, além da agregação de valor com a produção do composto, representa um meio de saneamento na área rural. Para o desenvolvimento deste trabalho, foram utilizados dejetos coletados de caprinos em diferentes faixas etárias, mantidos em sistema de semiconfinamento e com regime alimentar único. O objetivo principal foi avaliar os efeitos das estações do ano sobre os processos de compostagem e vermicompostagem. As reduções na quantidade de matéria seca (MS) foram de 53,7; 53,4; 51,4 e 47,8% para a compostagem e 57,4; 51,0; 41,4 e 53,6% para a vermicompostagem nas estações de verão, outono, inverno e primavera, respectivamente. Observaram-se maiores reduções na relação C/N durante o verão e outono, em relação à primavera e ao inverno, para ambos os processos. As equações de redução de volume, na compostagem, foram: y = -0,0512x + 1,0233; y = -0,0552x + 1,1766; y = -0,0521x + 1,1656 e y = -0,0558x + 1,3227, para as estações primavera, outono, inverno e verão, respectivamente, (x = número de semanas e y = volume, em m³).

Avaliação da dor pós-operatória: análise em pacientes submetidos a cirurgias abdominais em um hospital universitário de Natal/RN

It is an exploratory and descriptive study made by a quantitative approach, developed among February and May 2010, aiming to assess the pain of patients underwent abdominal surgeries in a University Hospital, in Natal/RN; to identify the local and intensity of the pain based on Numerical Estimative Scale; to analyze the pain related to the sensorial-discriminative, motivational-affective and cognitive-assessment dimensions, using the McGill Questionnaire pain; to establish a relation between the pain process and age, gender, religion, and king of surgery; to identify the medicines efficiency used to control postoperative pain. The sample was composed by 253 patients underwent abdominal surgeries. The results showed a total of 63.63% females between 38 and 47 years of age (21.34%); illiterates (21.73%); married (64.03%), living in Natal and surroundings (67.97%) and Catholics (74.30%). In their first assessment, 84.19% showed postoperative pain; the pain was considered light in 18.97% of them, moderate in 21.74% and severe in 43.48%. The mean number of descriptors chosen through the McGill Questionnaire Pain was 10.78 (DP= 6.09) and pain rating 23.65 (DP= 15.93). The descriptors selected with higher frequency were: sickening pain (69.01%), tired (65.25%), thin (62.44%), bored (58.69%), ardor (46.48%), pointed (38.50%) and colic (35.21%). In their second assessment, 57.71% of patients didn t relate any postoperative pain and 42.29% were still complaining about the pain. After taking analgesic medication, just 41.90% of patients who had complete pain relief. The Pharmacological groups most used were: simple analgesic (37.86%), weak opioids (32.98%), AINES (19.85%) and strong opioid (9.31%). It was not found a significant postoperative pain variation related to the sexes, religion and kind of surgery. It was concluded there were a high level in the number of patients with postoperative pain, mainly in a severe scale. Less than half of patients had the pain relief. Then, it was observed there was not coherence between the pain intensity and the analgesic it was used. To solve or relieve this kind of problems is necessary a permanent education to the health professionals who works in this area

Avaliação do desempenho de uma cortina de estacas espaçadas, atirantada, em areia

It is presented the analysis of a retaining wall designed for the basement of a residential building, located in Natal/RN, which consists in a spaced pile wall, anchored by tiebacks, in sand. This structure was instrumented in order to measure the wall s horizontal movements and the load distribution throughout the anchor fixed length. The horizontal movements were measured with an inclinometer, and the loads in the anchors were measured with strain gages, installed in three places throughout the anchor fixed length. Measurements for displacement were done right after the implementation of each stage of the building and right after the conclusion of the building, and the measurements for loads in the anchors were done during the performance test, at the moment of the locking off and, also, right after the conclusion of the building. From the data of displacement were obtained velocity and acceleration data of wall. It was found that the time elapsed on braced installation was decisive in the magnitude of the displacements. The maximum horizontal displacement of wall ranged between 0,18 and 0,66% of the final depth of excavation. The loads in the anchors strongly reduced to approximately half the anchor fixed length, followed an exponential distribution. Furthermore, it was found that there was a loss of load in the anchors over time, reaching 50% loss in one of them

Comparison of different nonlinear functions to describe Nelore cattle growth

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Interação de genótipos de abobrinha italiana com inseticida no controle da broca das cucurbitáceas Diaphania nitidalis Cr.

A resistência de genótipos de abobrinha italiana Cucurbita pepo L. à broca das cucurbitáceas Diaphania nitidalis Cr. foi avaliada a campo. O genótipo Duda apresentou o maior número de frutos produzidos (33 frutos/parcela), enquanto Lita-186 foi o mais preferido, com a maior percentagem de frutos broqueados (3,6%). Os genótipos AG-202, Lita-186 e Duda, mais o inseticida deltametrina 25 CE foram avaliados. Duda comportou-se novamente como mais produtivo (35 frutos/parcela) e menos danificado (0,35%), confirmando os resultados obtidos no primeiro ensaio; já os genótipos AG-202 e Lita-186 revelaram-se os mais preferidos por D. nitidalis, com maiores índices de frutos danificados (2,7 e 6,3%, respectivamente).

Propriedades físicas de bicamadas magnéticas

The magnetic order of bylayers composed by a ferromagnetic film (F) coupled with an antiferromagnetic film (AF) is studied. Piles of coupled monolayers describe the films and the interfilm coupling is described by an exchange interaction between the magnetic moments at the interface. The F has a cubic anisotropy while the AF has a uniaxial anisotropy. We analyze the effects of an external do magnetic field applied parallel to the interface. We consider the intralayer coupling is strong enough to keep parallel all moments of the monolayer an then they are described by one vector proportional to the magnetization of the layer. The interlayer coupling is represented by an exchange interaction between these vectors. The magnetic energy of the system is the sum of the exchange. Anisotropy and Zeeman energies and the equilibrium configuration is one that gives the absolute minimum of the total energy. The magnetization of the system is calculated and the influence of the external do field combined with the interfilm coupling and the unidirectional anisotropy is studied. Special attention is given to the region near of the transition fields. The torque equation is used to study dynamical behavior of these systems. We consider small oscillations around the equilibrium position and we negleet nonlinear terms to obtain the natural frequencies of the system. The dependence of the frequencies with the external do field and their behavior in the phase transition region is analized

An investigation of pile diameter influence in the bearing capacity on Dynamic Load Test (DLT)

During the construction of five residential buildings in the city of Taubate, State of São Paulo, it was possible to carry out one comprehensive investigation of the behavior of precast concrete piles in clay shales. This paper describes the results of Dynamic Load Tests (DLT's) executed in three piles with different diameters and with the same embedded length. The tests were monitored using the PDA(R) (Pile Driving Analyzer) and the pile top displacement was measured by pencil and paper procedure. From the curves of RMX versus DMX resulted from CASE(R) method, CAPWAPC(R) analyses were made for signals where the maximum mobilized soil resistance was verified. The results were compared with the predicted bearing capacity using the semi-empirical method of Decourt & Quaresma (1978) and Decourt (1982) based on SPT values and the description of the soil profile. Some comments related to the values of quake and damping used for clay shales in the analyses are also presented.

A experiência de depressão na contemporaneidade: uma compreensão fenomenológico-existencial

The depression is one of the most common forms of getting ill nowaday. Due to the increase in incidence of depression cases registered worldwide, this theme has been the subject of important studies, especially regarding the symptomatological description and biological etiology of the disease. This research had the objective to understand the unique experience of depression experienced by people who recognize themselves in depression, under the focus of existential phenomenology of Martin Heidegger. To reach the proposed objective, individuals narratives interviews were conducted with four participants, starting from the triggering question, "from your experience, how is for you to being depressed?". The survey revealed that depression affects the whole person and is related to stressful life contexts. Depression was narrated as an experience of disempowerment and lack of self esteem and personal worth. The collaborators of the research referred to the depression from sad, angry, bored and pessimistic mood. The time is experienced as a restriction to the projective opening towards the possibilities of being in which the future is seen as catastrophic and the past lived as debt and guilt. The corporeality, in depression is experienced through the weight, fatigue and pains for no reason. The space is lived from the notion of fall and collapse. We also realized the desire for isolation and avoidance of social contact. Suicide is desired and represents the end of the suffering in life. The depression has proved, still, very stigmatized, because it is discredited and misunderstood. The stigma also addressed to the experience of hospitalization and the unsuitability to the socially imposed standards of beauty, which generates enough suffering to the depressed person. The medication was described based on its positive effects, as a balance and suffering reducer, but also as a producer of dependence. Were also identified according to the collaborators, traces of selfdemand, ordenality and being-for-others, characteristic of typus melancholicus. This study contributes to an understanding of the depression that goes beyond the merely biological perspective and symptomatology of the pathology. The investigation of the depressive experience, through the lens of Heidegger's phenomenology, showed us the phenomenon of the depression in their singularity, complexity and multiple meanings, showing the close relationship between the formation of the depression and the context of personal and social life of the participants

Desenvolvendo e gerenciando compostagem de resíduos sólidos urbanos: para geração de renda e repasse de tecnologia à acrevi

Nowadays, as well as in the past decades, the dumping of biodegradable organic waste in landfill is common practice in Brazil, as well as in most parts of the world. Nevertheless due to its rapid decomposition and release of odors, this practice hamper’s the operation and implementation of a recycling system. These facts encouraged our research to find an efficient system for the management of organic waste, not only for the use of official workers responsible for managing these wastes, but also for non-governmental institutions. The Recycling for Life Community Association – ACREVI (Associação Comunitária Reciclando para a Vida), together with the municipal authorities of Mossoró-RN, Brazil, have assumed the social role of collecting and recycling solid waste produced by most of the local population. However, it was observed that the organic waste it collected was not receiving any treatment. This present work aims to make compost with mixed waste (green waste and organic household), and then do chemical analysis of the material in view to use the waste as organic fertilizer. The objective being: to share the knowledge acquired by putting it into a very simple language accessible to people with little education. The experiment was conducted at ACREVI, Mossoró (RN), and the compost was obtained following the method "windrow", forming three cells (I, II, III) with conical shape, dimensions of 1.6 meters and 2.0 meters in diameter for cells I and II, and 1.0 meters high and 2.0 meters in diameter for cell III. The process was accompanied by analysis: CHN elemental, a variation of cell temperature, humidity, pH, TKN, bulk density, nutrients and heavy metals. Stabilized organic compounds reached the C/N ratio of 10.4/1 cell I and 10.4/1 in the cell II in the cell, showing how good soil conditions, with potential to improve the physical properties of any soil and pH acid soils, has presented the cell III at the end of the process the C/N 26/1, is a high ratio may be associated with the stack size III, thus changing the optimal conditions for the occurrence of the process. The levels of heavy metals in the analyzed compounds were lower than those established by the SDA normative instruction, Nº 27, of 5 June, 2006. The use of pruning trees and grass are used in small-scale composting, while generating a quality compost in the final process, it also created an important condition for a correct sizing of the composting piles. Under the studied conditions it is not advisable to use cells with a height of 1.00 m in height and 2.00 m in diameter, as these do not prevent the rapid dissipation of heat and thus can not be a good product at the end of composting. The composting process in the shed of the association and the preparation of the primer enabled the development of an alternative technology to generate income for members of ACREVI.

Occurrence of Winged Forms of Atta sexdens rubropilosa Forel (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Laboratory Colonies

Foi observada, pela primeira vez no Brasil, a produção de centenas de formas aladas em formigueiros de Atta sexdens rubropilosa Forel, mantidos em laboratório. Larvas de último instar de machos foram encontradas em 5 de agosto de 2000 em um formigueiro com quase seis anos de fundação, contendo aproximadamente 110 L de esponja de fungo distribuída em 21 panelas. Entre 30 e 40 dias mais tarde apareceram larvas de fêmeas aladas. Os adultos sexuados apresentaram tamanhos compatíveis com os encontrados em formigueiros de campo. Foram observadas duas aparentes tentativas frustradas de revoada na última semana de outubro, após o que começaram a aparecer machos e fêmeas mortos no lixo do formigueiro.

Selection of thermophilic and thermotolerant fungi for the production of cellulases and xylanases under solid-state fermentation

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)