Host specificity studies on Gynaikothrips (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) associated with leaf galls of cultivated Ficus (Rosales: Moraceae) trees

Host specificity tests on Gynaikothrips ficorum (Marchal) and Gynaikothrips uzeli (Zimmerman) (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) have shown that under experimental conditions, G. ficorum will induce leaf galls on both Ficus benjamina L. and Ficus microcarpa L. f. (Rosales: Moraceae), but G. uzeli will induce galls only on F. benjamina. A further interesting aspect of the results is that gall induction by G. uzeli on F. benjamina appears to have been suppressed in the presence of F. microcarpa plants in the same cage. Liothrips takahashii (Moulton) (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae), an inquiline in the galls of these Gynaikothrips, is reported for the first time from Australia, mainland China, Malaysia, Costa Rica, and western USA.

Species of Lissothrips and Williamsiella from mosses and lichens in Australia and New Zealand (Thysanoptera, Phlaeothripinae)

Species of Lissothrips and Williamsiella live in association with mosses and lichens. Their gut contents are commonly blue-green, suggesting that they possibly feed on blue-green algae. Three species of Lissothrips are known from New Zealand, of which two are here recorded from Australia together with six new species. Williamsiella is recorded from Australia for the first time, with one new species.

Electronic Building Passport - Final Report: Project 2 National Energy Efficient Building Project Phase 2

The National Energy Efficient Building Project (NEEBP) Phase One report, published in December 2014, investigated “process issues and systemic failures” in the administration of the energy performance requirements in the National Construction Code. It found that most stakeholders believed that under-compliance with these requirements is widespread across Australia, with similar issues being reported in all states and territories. The report found that many different factors were contributing to this outcome and, as a result, many recommendations were offered that together would be expected to remedy the systemic issues reported. To follow up on this Phase 1 report, three additional projects were commissioned as part of Phase 2 of the overall NEEBP project. This Report deals with the development and piloting of an Electronic Building Passport (EBP) tool – a project undertaken jointly by pitt&sherry and a team at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) led by Dr Wendy Miller. The other Phase 2 projects cover audits of Class 1 buildings and issues relating to building alterations and additions. The passport concept aims to provide all stakeholders with (controlled) access to the key documentation and information that they need to verify the energy performance of buildings. This trial project deals with residential buildings but in principle could apply to any building type. Nine councils were recruited to help develop and test a pilot electronic building passport tool. The participation of these councils – across all states – enabled an assessment of the extent to which these councils are currently utilising documentation; to track the compliance of residential buildings with the energy performance requirements in the National Construction Code (NCC). Overall we found that none of the participating councils are currently compiling all of the energy performance-related documentation that would demonstrate code compliance. The key reasons for this include: a major lack of clarity on precisely what documentation should be collected; cost and budget pressures; low public/stakeholder demand for the documentation; and a pragmatic judgement that non-compliance with any regulated documentation requirements represents a relatively low risk for them. Some councils reported producing documentation, such as certificates of final completion, only on demand, for example. Only three of the nine council participants reported regularly conducting compliance assessments or audits utilising this documentation and/or inspections. Overall we formed the view that documentation and information tracking processes operating within the building standards and compliance system are not working to assure compliance with the Code’s energy performance requirements. In other words the Code, and its implementation under state and territory regulatory processes, is falling short as a ‘quality assurance’ system for consumers. As a result it is likely that the new housing stock is under-performing relative to policy expectations, consuming unnecessary amounts of energy, imposing unnecessarily high energy bills on occupants, and generating unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, Councils noted that the demand for documentation relating to building energy performance was low. All the participant councils in the EBP pilot agreed that documentation and information processes need to work more effectively if the potential regulatory and market drivers towards energy efficient homes are to be harnessed. These findings are fully consistent with the Phase 1 NEEBP report. It was also agreed that an EBP system could potentially play an important role in improving documentation and information processes. However, only one of the participant councils indicated that they might adopt such a system on a voluntary basis. The majority felt that such a system would only be taken up if it were: - A nationally agreed system, imposed as a mandatory requirement under state or national regulation; - Capable of being used by multiple parties including councils, private certifiers, building regulators, builders and energy assessors in particular; and - Fully integrated into their existing document management systems, or at least seamlessly compatible rather than a separate, unlinked tool. Further, we note that the value of an EBP in capturing statistical information relating to the energy performance of buildings would be much greater if an EBP were adopted on a nationally consistent basis. Councils were clear that a key impediment to the take up of an EBP system is that they are facing very considerable budget and staffing challenges. They report that they are often unable to meet all community demands from the resources available to them. Therefore they are unlikely to provide resources to support the roll out of an EBP system on a voluntary basis. Overall, we conclude from this pilot that the public good would be well served if the Australian, state and territory governments continued to develop and implement an Electronic Building Passport system in a cost-efficient and effective manner. This development should occur with detailed input from building regulators, the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB), councils and private certifiers in the first instance. This report provides a suite of recommendations (Section 7.2) designed to advance the development and guide the implementation of a national EBP system.

Long-term effects of Macroternies termites, herbivores and annual early fire on woody undergrowth community in Sudanian woodland, Burkina Faso

Termites, herbivores and fire are recognized as major guilds that structure woody plant communities in African savanna and woodland ecosystems. An understanding of their interaction is crucial to design appropriate management regimes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term impacts of herbivore, fire and termite activities on regeneration of trees. Permanent experimental quadrats were established in 1992 in the Sudanian woodland of Burkina Faso subjected to grazing by livestock and annual early fire and the control. Within the treatment quadrats, an inventory of the woody undergrowth community was conducted on termitaria occupied by Macrotermes subhyalinus, extended termitosphere (within 5 m radius from the mound base) and adjacent area (beyond 5 m from the mound base). Hierarchical analysis was performed to determine significant differences in species richness, abundance and diversity indices among vegetation patches within fire and herbivory treatments. Grazed quadrats had significantly (P < 0.001) more species and stem density of woody undergrowth than non-grazed quadrats but maintained similar level of species richness and stem density of woody undergrowth on termitaria. There were not significant differences (P>0.05) in species richness and stem density between burnt and unburnt quadrats. Termitaria supported a highly diverse woody undergrowth with higher stem density than either the extended termitosphere or rest of quadrats. The density of woody undergrowth was significantly related with mature trees of selected species on termitaria (R-2 = 0.593; P<0.001) than that on the extended termitosphere (R-2 = 0.333; P<0.001) and adjacent area (R-2 = 0.197; P<0.001). It can be concluded that termites facilitate the regeneration of woody species while grazing and annual early fire play a minor role in the regeneration of woody species. The current policy that prohibits grazing should be revised to accommodate the interests of livestock herders. (C) 2014 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Exposición y crítica de la ética de Clemente de Alejandría

Resumen: En este artículo, el autor expone la ética de san Clemente de Alejandría recurriendo principalmente a El Pedagogo y al Protréptico. Da especial importancia a conceptos como salvación, libre albedrío, consejo, imitación, entre otros. Después, el autor realiza una crítica buscando retomar algunas tesis que pueden mantener cierta vigencia para el planteamiento de una ética hodierna, buscando que esta última sea filosófica. Pero es importante tener presente que la ética por naturaleza recurre a la tradición, de la cual se alimenta para elaborar su reflexión filosófica. En otras palabras, la ética no parte desde el vacío, sino en el seno de una tradición, uno de cuyos representantes y constructores, en el contexto del mundo occidental, es Clemente de Alejandría.

The MBA-LBA I period in the Kourion region : new evidences from Erimi- Laonin tou Porakou (Lemesos, Cyprus)

The evidence from Erimi-Laonin tou Porakou within the Kouris valley settlement system can offer further new data to outline a picture of the development trends from MBA to LBA I periods in the Kourion region. As to this area, such a “transitional” phase could be particularly relevant to better understand the development process of the mature LBA II–III urban centers (in Alassa as well as the most recent discovered in Erimi-Pitharka). In 2008–2009 a focus investigation (an intensive survey, geoperspections and excavations) within the Kouris Valley Project has been addressed to the site of Erimi-Laonin tou Porakou, which lies on one of the highest hilltops facing southward the Kouris dam. The excavations evidenced a double circuit wall which surrounds the top mound and the lower terrace. The top mound (Area A) has been widely occupied by a complex workshop, directly linked with a storage area. The natural limestone bedrock has been worked out to arrange a system of carved deep basins connected each other by a series of flow channels. Southward from the workshop, a large storage area has been cleared, with a relevant assemblage of big pithoi and storage devices. The first lower terrace area (Area B) has been possibly occupied by a domestic quarter; a cemetery area (Area E) has been also evidenced outside the external circuit wall, where a series of five rock-cut tombs (Tombs 228– 232) with single chamber and small incoming dromoi has been excavated.

[A_Elvillar_Hechicera] Documentación geométrica del dolmen de la Chabola de la Hechicera (Elvillar, Álava)

[ES] Tumba megalítica compuesta por 17 losas de gran tamaño, incluida la tapa. La estructura ocupa un espacio de 10 x 4 metros en planta, unos 4 metros de altura en la cámara. Conserva restos del túmulo que forma aproximadamente un círculo de unos 10 metros de radio.

[A_Laguardia_Huesera] Documentación geométrica del dolmen de La Huesera (Laguardia, Álava)

[ES] Se trata de una tumba megalítica compuesta por 9 losas de gran tamaño, incluida la tapa. La estructura ocupa un espacio de 4 x 4 metros en planta, unos 3 metros de altura en la cámara. Conserva restos del túmulo que pudo llegar a tener unos 14 metros de radio.

A comparison of seafloor habitats and associated benthic fauna in areas open and closed to bottom trawling along the central California Continental Shelf

Executive Summary: A number of studies have shown that mobile, bottom-contact fishing gear (such as otter trawls) can alter seafloor habitats and associated biota. Considerably less is known about the recovery of these resources following such disturbances, though this information is critical for successful management. In part, this paucity of information can be attributed to the lack of access to adequate control sites – areas of the seafloor that are closed to fishing activity. Recent closures along the coast of central California provide an excellent opportunity to track the recovery of historically trawled areas and to compare recovery rates to adjacent areas that continue to be trawled. In June 2006 we initiated a multi-year study of the recovery of seafloor microhabitats and associated benthic fauna inside and outside two new Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) closures within the Cordell Bank and Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuaries. Study sites inside the EFH closure at Cordell Bank were located in historically active areas of fishing effort, which had not been trawled since 2003. Sites outside the EFH closure in the Gulf of Farallones were located in an area that continues to be actively trawled. All sites were located in unconsolidated sands at equivalent water depths. Video and still photographic data collected via a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) were used to quantify the abundance, richness, and diversity of microhabitats and epifaunal macro-invertebrates at recovering and actively trawled sites, while bottom grabs and conductivity/temperature/depth (CTD) casts were used to quantify infaunal diversity and to characterize local environmental conditions. Analysis of still photos found differences in common seafloor microhabitats between the recovering and actively trawled areas, while analysis of videographic data indicated that biogenic mound and biogenic depression microhabitats were significantly less abundant at trawled sites. Each of these features provides structure with which demersal fishes, across a wide range of size classes, have been observed to associate. Epifaunal macro-invertebrates were sparsely distributed and occurred in low numbers in both treatments. However, their total abundance was significantly different between treatments, which was attributable to lower densities at trawled sites. In addition, the dominant taxa were different between the two sites. Patchily-distributed buried brittle stars dominated the recovering site, and sea whips (Halipteris cf. willemoesi) were most numerous at the trawled site though they occurred in only five of ten transects. Numerical classification (cluster analysis) of the infaunal samples also revealed a clear difference between benthic assemblages in the recovering vs. trawled areas due to differences in the relative abundances of component species. There were no major differences in infaunal species richness, H′ diversity, or J′ evenness between recovering vs. trawled site groups. However, total infaunal abundance showed a significant difference attributable to much lower densities at trawled sites. This pattern was driven largely by the small oweniid polychaete Myriochele gracilis, which was the most abundant species in the overall study region though significantly less abundant at trawled sites. Other taxa that were significantly less abundant at trawled sites included the polychaete M. olgae and the polychaete family Terebellidae. In contrast, the thyasirid bivalve Axinopsida serricata and the polychaetes Spiophanes spp. (mostly S. duplex), Prionospio spp., and Scoloplos armiger all had significantly to near significantly higher abundances at trawled sites. As a result of such contrasting species patterns, there also was a significant difference in the overall dominance structure of infaunal assemblages between the two treatments. It is suggested that the observed biological patterns were the result of trawling impacts and varying levels of recovery due to the difference in trawling status between the two areas. The EFH closure was established in June 2006, within a month of when sampling was conducted for the present study, however, the stations within this closure area are at sites that actually have experienced little trawling since 2003, based on National Marine Fishery Service trawl records. Thus, the three-year period would be sufficient time for some post-trawling changes to have occurred. Other results from this study (e.g., similarly moderate numbers of infaunal species in both areas that are lower than values recorded elsewhere in comparable habitats along the California continental shelf) also indicate that recovery within the closure area is not yet complete. Additional sampling is needed to evaluate subsequent recovery trends and persistence of effects. Furthermore, to date, the study has been limited to unconsolidated substrates. Ultimately, the goal of this project is to characterize the recovery trajectories of a wide spectrum of seafloor habitats and communities and to link that recovery to the dynamics of exploited marine fishes. (PDF has 48 pages.)

[A_Villabuena_Montecillo] Documentación geométrica del dolmen de El Montecillo (Villabuena de Álava)

[ES] Tumba megalítica compuesta por 8 losas (6 en la cámara, una de ellas caída originalmente y 2 en el corredor). El tamaño de la cámara es de unos 2 x 2,5 metros que se encuentra en un morcuero de unos 10 metros de diámetro.

Livros, folhetos, jornais, calendários e folhinhas, tudo à venda na botica de Padre Tezinho: práticas sociais e práticas de leitura nos anúncios dos jornais do século XIX (1820-1831)

Este é o resultado de um trabalho desenvolvido que compõe a tese de doutorado cujo tema está focado nas práticas de leitura presentes na sociedade maranhense no século XIX, com recorte entre os anos de 1821 a 1831, data da circulação do primeiro jornal e da instalação da primeira tipografia no Maranhão, estendendo-se por todo o Primeiro Reinado quando a província começou a vivenciar os debates políticos e as transformações sociais, culturais e econômicas que lhe proporcionaram a construção de uma nova identidade. Trata- se de uma investigação histórica, tendo como fonte principal de pesquisa os jornais que circularam no Maranhão nesse período, e como sustentabilidade os reclames neles publicados que forneceram pistas necessárias para o entendimento das questões suscitadas sobre a cultura escrita, principalmente a presença de protocolos de leitura que, de forma geral, circundam ou estão vinculados às práticas de leitura e à cultura e de modo singular às pessoas, a fim de identificar as relações estabelecidas na tríade livro-leitor-leitura e, consequentemente, os desdobramentos sociais e pessoais, a partir do que era lido, produzido, veiculado ou comercializado entre os habitantes da província. Assim, houve também uma investigação de práticas sociais, incluindo ações, sujeitos e relações sociais, instrumentos, objetos, valores, tempo e lugar, não haurindo absolutamente o passado, mas garimpando referenciais que auxiliaram a entender o presente. O texto refaz um pouco a trajetória da imprensa no Maranhão, instituída com a finalidade de publicar o primeiro jornal maranhense O Conciliador do Maranhão, cujo caminho também é reconstituído assim como o dos demais jornais que circularam no período pesquisado, mostrando que eles serviram, não só para aclarar ideias, mas também para fazer brotar ideais liberalizantes. O capítulo-chave decorre das informações extraídas sobre os impressos produzidos pela imprensa local, os que estavam sendo comercializados pelo mercado maranhense, os que se encontravam no prelo local ou externo, os que se constituíam em leituras dos intelectuais e jornalistas, considerados principais construtores das práticas de leitura dos maranhenses oitocentistas. Um panorama das instituições mediadoras do livro e da leitura fecha o circuito percorrido, mostrando que as artes como a música, a pintura e o teatro serviram para delinear uma sociedade com peculiar formação crítica e que, as sociedades literárias, os gabinetes de leitura, as bibliotecas e as escolas públicas ou particulares, foram, de fato, verdadeiros baluartes da boa educação e da liberdade dos povos.

Contribución al estudio de las estructuras tumulares en arqueología: entre la similitud morfológica y la disparidad de funciones

[ES] El artículo trata el tema de las estructuras tumulares, su variabilidad formal y funcional (funeraria, lugar de habitación, etc.), así como su distinta cronología. Se describe los casos concretos de Txoritegi (Zerain —Gipuzkoa—) y Galardi (Txoritegi —Gipuzkoa—), unas estructuras tumulares tipo mota utilizadas, posiblemente, a modo de atalaya de vigía en el contexto del período de conflictividad bajomedieval. Es un elemento novedoso en el territorio para cuya interpretación se ha efectuado un análisis de las cuencas visuales mediante SIG.

Construção do currículo escolar: a produção de sentidos de professores e alunos sobre as práticas pedagógicas no cotidiano da escola da Baixada Fluminense

Esta tese apresenta o repertório de sentidos e significados que são produzidos no cotidiano da escola, a partir das práticas pedagógicas, que traduzem diferentes concepções e experiências individuais e coletivas, na perspectiva dos professores e professoras, alunos e alunas, permitindo compreender a natureza do processo de construção do currículo escolar fundado nas práticas pedagógicas e sua relação com o processo ensino-aprendizagem. Para tanto, realizamos uma pesquisa qualitativa de abordagem etnográfica com a adoção de procedimentos como a observação participante, a análise documental, a entrevista, dentre outros, para alcançar os objetivos dessa pesquisa. Os sujeitos deste estudo são professores, professoras, alunos e alunas do 7. ano de escolaridade de duas escolas que fazem parte da rede pública do Município São João de Meriti, na Baixada Fluminense Rio de Janeiro. O referencial teórico-metodológico, que subsidiou o presente estudo, tem como base a abordagem do ciclo de políticas proposto por Stephen Ball (1994) e Bowe;Ball;Gold (1992), na qual é evidenciada a importância da inter-relação dos contextos produtores do currículo escolar. Trabalhamos com o contexto da produção de textos, através da análise dos documentos emitidos no período 1999-2010 e o contexto da prática. Este trabalho tem, também, o aporte teórico de Sacristán (1998, 2000), Moreira (1990, 2001, 2003), Silva (1998, 2001, 2006, 2008), Lopes (2005, 2008a), Tura (2001, 2002, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2011), Bourdieu (1998, 1999), Foucault (1993, 2001), dentre outros. Para a análise dos dados empregamos a análise de conteúdo de Bardin (2004). O estudo revelou a complexidade do processo de construção do currículo no cotidiano escolar, tendo em vista que diferentes práticas e discursos são produzidos nos diversos contextos em que, da política proposta à política em uso (MAINARDES, 2006), emergem processos que são marcados pela recontextualização por hibridismo, de acordo com as análises de Ball (2000) e Lopes (2008a). Este estudo traz uma contribuição para os estudos no âmbito do currículo, podendo indicar possíveis caminhos para as políticas públicas na área de educação para o município de São João de Meriti.

A prática da Burla na tecnologia da informação: seguindo seus atores e interações sociotécnicas

Este trabalho descreve a experiência de uma pesquisa em psicologia social sobre a prática da burla dentro do ambiente da tecnologia da informação. Segue caminhos que essa prática percorre em meio a minha própria experiência de ator participativo desde seus momentos iniciais, passando pelo crescimento do uso da tecnologia e as suas construções e articulações. Ao usar o método de seguir os atores construtores da prática no campo, a teoria se funde com a prática e as ferramentas do método vão se performando dentro da escrita descritiva do texto. Todas as questões envolvidas são vistas por perspectivas variadas, fugindo da dicotomização do certo ou errado.

Lake Victoria Region (East) Annual Report 1976

The fishing industry on Lake Victoria continued to provide a wide spectrum of activities to a variety of people principally the fishermen and the fish mongers, boat builders,fishnets and associated equipment manufacturer transporters on land and water and finally the consumers of the end product the fish. Though there were such varied activities in the industry the year under review, as in previous other recent years, was difficult one being, characterized by continued shortages of fishing gear and accessories, spare parts for the outboard engines, timber for boat building, nails, paints and generally high prices of those items when ever found. Thus this total sum the activities of the fishing industry on Lake victoria was rather slack as compared to those of precious year.