Spatio-temporal variability of polynya dynamics and ice production in the Laptev Sea between the winters of 1979/80 and 2007/08

Polynyas in the Laptev Sea are examined with respect to recurrence and interannual wintertime ice production.We use a polynya classification method based on passive microwave satellite data to derive daily polynya area from long-term sea-ice concentrations. This provides insight into the spatial and temporal variability of open-water and thin-ice regions on the Laptev Sea Shelf. Using thermal infrared satellite data to derive an empirical thin-ice distribution within the thickness range from 0 to 20 cm, we calculate daily average surface heat loss and the resulting wintertime ice formation within the Laptev Sea polynyas between 1979 and 2008 using reanalysis data supplied by the National Centers for Environmental Prediction, USA, as atmospheric forcing. Results indicate that previous studies significantly overestimate the contribution of polynyas to the ice production in the Laptev Sea. Average wintertime ice production in polynyas amounts to approximately 55 km39 27% and is mostly determined by the polynya area, wind speed and associated large-scale circulation patterns. No trend in ice production could be detected in the period from 1979/80 to 2007/08.

The use of remotely sensed rainfall for managing drought risk: a case study of weather index insurance in Zambia

Remotely sensed rainfall is increasingly being used to manage climate-related risk in gauge sparse regions. Applications based on such data must make maximal use of the skill of the methodology in order to avoid doing harm by providing misleading information. This is especially challenging in regions, such as Africa, which lack gauge data for validation. In this study, we show how calibrated ensembles of equally likely rainfall can be used to infer uncertainty in remotely sensed rainfall estimates, and subsequently in assessment of drought. We illustrate the methodology through a case study of weather index insurance (WII) in Zambia. Unlike traditional insurance, which compensates proven agricultural losses, WII pays out in the event that a weather index is breached. As remotely sensed rainfall is used to extend WII schemes to large numbers of farmers, it is crucial to ensure that the indices being insured are skillful representations of local environmental conditions. In our study we drive a land surface model with rainfall ensembles, in order to demonstrate how aggregation of rainfall estimates in space and time results in a clearer link with soil moisture, and hence a truer representation of agricultural drought. Although our study focuses on agricultural insurance, the methodological principles for application design are widely applicable in Africa and elsewhere.

Structure and thermal reactivity of Zn(II) salts of isocinchomeronic acid (2,5-pyridinedicarboxylic acid)

The synthesis, an improved refined crystal and molecular structure re-determination, and the thermal decomposition behavior of two Zn(II) derivatives of isocinchomeronic acid (2,5-pyridinedicarboxylic acid or H(2)2,5-pydc) are presented. [Zn(2,5-pydc)(H(2)O)(3)Zn(2,5-pydc)(H(2)O)(2)](2) (1) crystallizes in the triclinic P-1 space group with a = 7.106(2), b = 11.450(2), c = 11.869(1) angstrom, alpha = 107.29(1), beta = 104.08(1), gamma = 90.32(2)degrees, and Z = 2. [Zn(2,5-pydc)(H(2)O)(2)] center dot H(2)O (2) is orthorhombic (P2(1)2(1)2(1) space group), with a = 7.342(1), b = 9.430(1), c = 13.834(2) angstrom, and Z = 4. The structures were refined to agreement R(1)-factors of 0.0315 (1) and 0.0336 (2). Complex (1) is arranged as molecular Zn(4)(2,5-pydc)(4)(H(2)O)(10) tetramers, the cages of which define channels that remain unblocked by anions. Compound (2) is polymeric with Zn(2,5-pydc)(H(2)O)(2) and Zn(2,5-pydc)(H(2)O)(3) units linked through bridging ligands. Both compounds were synthesized under mild conditions in aqueous media, without need to resort to hydrothermal media. Changing the pH from 4.51 to 5.75 suffices to direct the chemical processes toward the orthorhombic compound rather than to the triclinic one.

Perspective: LaGuardia Community College Newsletter (08 December 1972)

Perspective is a periodic publication of the College produced by the Office of Communications.

Como se apresenta a orientação educacional em Salvador (Bahia) em face da legislação federal: (ênfase à Lei 5.692, de 11/08/71)

A legislação brasileira sobre Educação, principalmente a Lei 5.692/71, trouxe grande necessidade de mudança no sistema de ensino, na área da Orientação Educacional. Procurou-se, neste trabalho, determinar a viabilidade do funcionamento da Orientação em Salvador, através de uma pesquisa de campo que serviu de base para o estudo em foco, e que teve como objetivo. sondar se as novas exigências legais estão sendo atendidas. Uma síntese da à Orientação Educacional .tudo realizadd. legislação brasileira referente é apresentada como subsídio ao es Os dados levantados revelaram que, de um modo geral, a Orientação Educacional, em Salvador, se apresenta de modo satisfatório, indicando, não estar em desacordo com as determinações legais e, principalmente, com o espírito da nova lei. No entanto, a análise real e objetiva.evidenciou a existência de algumas dificuldades que interferem na qualidade da orientação, naquela cidade, como sejam: insufici ~ncia de recursos materiais e profissionais, falta de reciclagem dos orientadores, pouca assistência técnica ao ser viço, excesso de trabalho burocrático. A partir da apresentação dos resultados, foi po~ sível formular sugestões para dinamizar o processo de Orien taçao Educacional na referida cidade.

Funding was obtained from a Capes Fellowship to NM, grants CNPq Universal 481351/ 2011-6, CNPq PQ 306604/2012-4, FAPERN/CNPq Pronem 003/2011, Capes SticAmSud, and FAPESP/CEPID/Neuromat to S.R. CNPq Universal 473554/2011-9 and 480053/ 2013-8, CNPq PQ 308558/2011-1, FACEPE/CNPq-PRONEX APQ- 0203-1.05/08, FACEPE/CNPq-PRONEM APQ-1415-1.05/10, and CNAIPS to M.C

Funding was obtained from a Capes Fellowship to NM, grants CNPq Universal 481351/ 2011-6, CNPq PQ 306604/2012-4, FAPERN/CNPq Pronem 003/2011, Capes SticAmSud, and FAPESP/CEPID/Neuromat to S.R. CNPq Universal 473554/2011-9 and 480053/ 2013-8, CNPq PQ 308558/2011-1, FACEPE/CNPq-PRONEX APQ- 0203-1.05/08, FACEPE/CNPq-PRONEM APQ-1415-1.05/10, and CNAIPS to M.C

Water quality and plankton populations in an earthen polyculture pond

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

Susceptibility of citrus species to Alternaria alternata, the causal agent of the Alternaria brown spot

Alternaria alternata, the causal agent of Alternaria brown spot (ABS), causes necrosis on leaves, twigs, and fruit, reducing the productivity and quality of fruits. Tangerines and their hybrids are highly susceptible to the disease. Species, hybrids, and cultivars of Citrus from the germplasm bank of the Estacao Experimental de Citricultura de Bebedouro, São Paulo, Brazil, were evaluated in 2004 and 2005 with respect to their resistance to A. alternata, both through natural infection and by inoculation. Detached leaves were also used to demonstrate susceptibility or resistance to the disease. Ten cultivars of Satsumas (Citrus unshiu), and 14 cultivars of Clementine mandarin (C. clementina) did not show any symptoms of the disease in their leaves, either through natural infection or when inoculated in the field. The Burguess SRA-412, Wallent SRA-438, Carvalhais, Ampefy SRA-459, Ananas SRA, and Macaque SRA-426 mandarin hybrids (C. reticulata) did not show symptoms of the disease under natural or artificial infection in the field. Some cultivars of C. deliciosa, C. tangerina, C. erythrosa, and C. temple showed symptoms of the disease, even though no previous record of their susceptibility to Alternaria brown spot had been previously reported. The hybrids Fairchild, Nova, Page, Fortune, and Sunburst were susceptible to the disease. However, Fremont mandarin (a crossing between C. clementina and C. reticulata), Encore (C. nobilis x C. deliciosa), and Fallglo (C. reticulata x C. paradisi) did not show symptoms in field, and few symptoms were verified in detached leaves. These materials are promising for the cultivation of tangerines, and will enable genetic improvement for the development of cultivars resistant to Alternaria brown spot. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Uso fertilizante de resíduo da indústria processadora de goiabas

O resíduo da indústria processadora de goiabas vem sendo aplicado em algumas áreas, entretanto não é conhecido o seu efeito na fertilidade do solo. Foi realizado experimento em casa de vegetação, com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da aplicação do resíduo da indústria processadora de goiabas na fertilidade do solo, tendo como planta-teste o milho. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos ao acaso, em esquema fatorial 5x2, com quatro repetições, combinando-se cinco doses do resíduo da indústria processadora de goiabas (0; 20; 40; 60 e 80 t ha-1) na presença e ausência de adubação mineral. A adição de resíduo da indústria processadora de goiabas propiciou aumento nos teores de P e K do solo. O resíduo da indústria processadora de goiabas é uma fonte de liberação lenta de N e P para as plantas.