Irrigation requirements and transpiration coupling to the atmosphere of a citrus orchard in Southern Brazil

Crop evapotranspiration (ETc) was measured as evaporative heat flux from an irrigated acid lime orchard (Citrus latifolia Tanaka) using the aerodynamic method. Crop transpiration (T) was determined by a stem heat balance method. The irrigation requirements were determined by comparing the orchard evapotranspiration (ETc) and T with the reference evapotranspiration (ETo) derived from the Penman-Monteith equation, and the irrigation requirements were expressed as ETc/ETo (Kc) and T/ETo (Kcb) ratios. The influence of inter-row vegetation on the ETc was analyzed because the measurements were taken during the summer and winter, which are periods with different regional soil water content. In this study, the average Mc values obtained were 0.65 and 0.24 for the summer and winter, respectively. The strong coupling of citrus trees to the atmosphere and the sensitivity of citrus plants to large vapor pressure deficits and air/leaf temperatures caused variations in the Kcb in relation to the ETo ranges. During the summer, the Kcb value ranged from 0.34 when the ETo exceeded 5 mm d(-1) to 0.46 when the ETo was less than 3 mm d(-1). (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Democracy on the Edge: Limits and Possibilities in the Implementation of an Urban Reform Agenda in Brazil

The 1990s in Brazil were a time of institutional advances in the areas of housing and urban rights following the signing of the new constitution in 1988 that incorporated the principles of the social function of cities and property, recognition of the right to ownership of informal urban squatters and the direct participation of citizens in urban policy decision processes. These propositions are the pillars of the urban reform agenda which, since the creation of the Ministry of Cities by the Lula government, has come under the federal executive branch. This article evaluates the limitations and opportunities involved in implementing this agenda on the basis of two policies proposed by the ministry - the National Cities Council and the campaign for Participatory Master Plans - focusing the analysis on government organization in the area of urban development in its relationship with the political system and the characteristics of Brazilian democracy. Resume Au Bresil, les annees 1990 ont ete marquees par des progres institutionnels en matiere de logement et de droits urbains, dans le sillage de la Constitution de 1988 qui integre les principes d`une fonction sociale de la ville et de la propriete urbaine, ainsi que la reconnaissance du droit a la propriete pour les squatters urbains et la participation directe des citoyens aux processus d`elaboration des politiques urbaines. Ce sont egalement les piliers du programme de reforme urbaine qui releve de l`executif federal depuis la creation d`un ministere des Villes par le gouvernement Lula. Pour evaluer les limites et potentiels lies a la mise en place de ce programme, cet article s`appuie sur deux politiques publiques proposees par le ministere, le Conseil national des villes et la campagne en faveur des Plans directeurs participatifs, en analysant plus particulierement l`organisation gouvernementale en matiere d`urbanisme par rapport au systeme politique et aux caracteristiques de la democratie bresilienne.

Involvement of an Alternative Oxidase in Oxidative Stress and Mycelium-to-Yeast Differentiation in Paracoccidioides brasiliensis

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is a thermodimorphic human pathogenic fungus that causes paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), which is the most prevalent systemic mycosis in Latin America. Differentiation from the mycelial to the yeast form (M-to-Y) is an essential step for the establishment of PCM. We evaluated the involvement of mitochondria and intracellular oxidative stress in M-to-Y differentiation. M-to-Y transition was delayed by the inhibition of mitochondrial complexes III and IV or alternative oxidase (AOX) and was blocked by the association of AOX with complex III or IV inhibitors. The expression of P. brasiliensis aox (Pbaox) was developmentally regulated through M-to-Y differentiation, wherein the highest levels were achieved in the first 24 h and during the yeast exponential growth phase; Pbaox was upregulated by oxidative stress. Pbaox was cloned, and its heterologous expression conferred cyanide-resistant respiration in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Escherichia coli and reduced oxidative stress in S. cerevisiae cells. These results reinforce the role of PbAOX in intracellular redox balancing and demonstrate its involvement, as well as that of other components of the mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes, in the early stages of the M-to-Y differentiation of P. brasiliensis.

Exercise augments the effects of cognitive-behavioural therapy in the treatment of binge eating

To evaluate the effects of adding exercise and maintenance to cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) for binge eating disorder (BED) in obese women. One hundred fourteen obese female binge eaters were randomized into four groups: CBT with exercise and maintenance, CBT with exercise, CBT with maintenance, and CBT only. Eighty-four women completed the 16-month study. Subjects who received CBT with exercise experienced significant reductions in binge eating frequency compared with subjects who received CBT only. The CBT with exercise and maintenance group had a 58% abstinence rate at the end of the study period and an average reduction of 2.2 body mass index (BMI) units (approximately 14 lb). BMI was significantly reduced in the subjects in both the exercise and maintenance conditions. The results suggest that adding exercise to CBT, and extending the duration of treatment, enhances outcome and contributes to reductions in binge eating and BMI.

On the mechanism of microbial cell disruption in high-pressure homogenisation

The tensions produced in the wall of a rigid, thin-walled, liquid-filled sphere as it moves with an axisymmetric straining flow are examined. This problem has not been previously addressed. A generalised correlation for the maximum wall tension, expressed in dimensionless form as a Weber number (We), is developed in terms of the acceleration number (Ac) and Reynolds number (Re) of the straining flow. At low Reynolds number We is dominated by viscous forces, while inertial forces due to internal pressure gradients caused by sphere acceleration dominate at higher Re. The generalised correlation has been used to examine the case of a typical yeast cell (a thin-walled, liquid-filled sphere) passing through a typical high-pressure homogeniser (a straining-flow device). At 56 MPa homogenising pressure, a 6 mu m yeast cell experiences tensions in the inertially dominated regime (Re = 100). The correlation gives We = 0.206, corresponding to a maximum wall tension of 8 Nm(-1). This is equivalent to an applied compressive force of 150 mu N and compares favourably with the force required to break yeast cells under compressive micromanipulation (40-90 mu N). Inertial forces may therefore be an important and previously unrecognised. mechanism of microbial cell disruption during high-pressure homogenisation. Further work is required to examine the likelihood of cell deformation in the high-strain-rate short-residence-time environment of the homogeniser, and the effect that such deformation may have on the contribution of inertial forces to disruption. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

The development of an early warning system to detect trends in illicit drug use in Australia: The illicit drug reporting-system

Appropriate ways to monitor the availability and use of illicit drugs were examined. Four methods were tested concurrently: (1) a quantitative survey of injecting drug users, (2) a qualitative key informant study of illicit drug users and professionals working in the drug field, (3) examination of existing sources of survey, health and law enforcement data and (4) an ethnographic study of a high risk group of illicit drug users. The first three methods were recommended for inclusion in an ongoing national monitoring system, enabling the collection of both quantitative and qualitative data on a range of illicit drugs in a relatively brief, quick and cost-effective manner. A degree of convergent validity was also noted among these methods, improving the degree of confidence in drug trends. The importance of injecting drug users as a sentinel population of illicit drug users was highlighted, along with optimal methods for qualitative research.

The role of carbon surface chemistry in N2O conversion to N2 over Ni catalyst supported on activated carbon

The effect of acidic treatments on N2O reduction over Ni catalysts supported on activated carbon was systematically studied. The catalysts were characterized by N-2 adsorption, mass titration, temperature-programmed desorption (TPD), and X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS). It is found that surface chemistry plays an important role in N2O-carbon reaction catalyzed by Ni catalyst. HNO3 treatment produces more active acidic surface groups such as carboxyl and lactone, resulting in a more uniform catalyst dispersion and higher catalytic activity. However, HCl treatment decreases active acidic groups and increases the inactive groups, playing an opposite role in the catalyst dispersion and catalytic activity. A thorough discussion of the mechanism of the N2O catalytic reduction is made based upon results from isothermal reactions, temperature-programmed reactions (TPR) and characterization of catalysts. The effect of acidic treatment on pore structure is also discussed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Social Movements and the Dynamics of Rural Territorial Development in Latin America

This special section brings together 4 of the 12 studies conducted within a research program analyzing the relationships among social mobilization, governance. and rural development in contemporary Latin America. The introduction Lives an overview of the contemporary significance of social movements For rural development dynamics in the region, and of the principal insights of the section papers and the broader research program of which they were a part. This significance varies Lis an effect of two distinct and uneven geographics: the geography of social movements themselves and the geography of the rural political economy. The effects that movements have oil the political economy of rural development also depend significantly oil internal characteristics of these movements. The paper identifies several such characteristics. The general pattern is that movements have had far more effect oil widening the political inclusiveness of rural development than they have oil improving its economic inclusiveness and dynamism. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A Statistical Study of the Association of Seven Dental Anomalies in the Brazilian Population

The objective of this study was to show the association patterns among seven types of dental anomalies (second pre-molar agenesis, upper side incisive reduced in size, lower first molar infra-ochlesis, enamel hypoplasia, first molar ectopic eruption, supra numerous teeth and upper canine ectopic eruption) in a population sample without dental treatment ranging in age from 7 to 14. A total of 172 patients were attended and underwent the clinical examination at the Clinica Infantil da Fundacao Educacional de Barretos. Eleven patients from this total were selected according to a first dental anomaly diagnosis and submitted to panoramic radiography. A significant association (p < 0.05) was detected among six pairs of anomalies (second pre-molar agenesis x first pre-molar ectopic eruption; second pre-molar agenesis x lower first molar infra-ochlesis; second pre-molar agenesis x upper side incisive reduced in size; supra numerous teeth x reduced size upper side incisive; first pre-molar ectopic eruption x enamel hypoplasia; lower first molar infra-ochlesis x upper side incisive reduced in size) suggesting a common genetic origin for these conditions. The association was not significant in only one case where there was anomaly sharing by the patients. The existence of an anomaly is clinically relevant for early diagnosis of a possible association and an anomaly can indicate an increased risk of other anomalies.

The Use of Smell Identification Tests in the Diagnosis of Parkinson`s Disease in Brazil

Smell identification tests may be of routine clinical value in the differential diagnosis of PD but are subject to cultural variation and have not been systematically evaluated in the Brazilian population. We have applied culturally adapted translations of the University of Pennsylvania 40-item smell identification test (UPSIT-40) and the 16-item identification test from Sniffin` Sticks (SS-16) to nondemented Brazilian PD patients and controls. Pearson`s correlation coefficient between the test scores was 0.76 (95% CI 0.70-0.81, n = 204, P < 0.001). To calculate reliability measures for each test we used the diagnosis (either PD or control) as outcome variable for separate logistic regression analyses using the score in the UPSIT-40 or the SS-16 as a covariate. The SS-16 specificity was 89.0% with a sensitivity of 81.1% (106 PD and 118 controls). The UPSIT-40 specificity was 83.5% and its sensitivity 82.1% (95 PD and 109 controls). Regression curves were used to associate an individual`s smell test score with the probability of belonging to the PD, as opposed to the control group. Our data provide support for the use of the UPSIT-40 and SS-16 to help distinguish early PD from controls. (c) 2008 Movement Disorder Society

A comparison of dissected follicle numbers and follicle counts on the ovarian surface for the evaluation of ovarian follicular populations in Bos indicus cows

Ovaries (n = 140) from 70 mixed-age multiparous, lactating Brahman cross (3/4-7/8 Bos indicus) cows were used to examine the hypothesis that counts of follicles visible on the surface of the ovaries of Bos indicus cows and their classification into diameter size classes, are closely correlated with numbers of follicles in those size classes found by complete dissection of the ovary. immediately after ovariectomy, mean diameters (long and short axes averaged) of all follicles greater than or equal to 2 mm visible on the surface of each ovary were measured. All follicles greater than or equal to 2 mm were dissected from the ovaries, excess stroma removed and follicle diameters measured under a stereomicroscope using an ocular graticule. For each ovary, follicles were classified in either small (8 mm) categories based on either diameters of surface or dissected follicles. Data for numbers of surface and dissected follicles (mean +/- SE) in small, medium, large categories and total follicle numbers, respectively, were 24.4 +/- 1.6 vs. 28.0 +/- 1.9, 1.6 +/- + 0.2 vs. 11.6 +/- 1.0, 0.5 +/- 0.1 vs. 0.7 +/- 0.1 and 26.4 +/- 1.6 vs. 40.4 +/- 2.5. Correlation coefficients (r) for counts of surface and dissected follicles in small, medium, large and total follicle numbers were 0.76, 0.40, 0.69 and 0.79, respectively. Medium size follicles presented only a small translucent area on the surface of the ovary, leading to an underestimate of numbers when categorised by surface evaluation. Counts of follicles visible on the surface of the ovaries of Bos indicus cows and their classification into size classes based on estimated diameter, are closely correlated with numbers of follicles in those size classes found at dissection of the ovary for small (8 mm) and total follicles but not for medium sized (4-8 mm) follicles. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.

Absence of galectin-3 does not affect the development of experimental tongue carcinomas in mice

Background: Galectin-3 is a lectin that presents pivotal roles in tumor biology and there are no studies evaluating their expression in dysplasias and carcinomas developed from tongue carcinogenesis models. Aims: To investigate the role of galectin-3 in the development of tongue carcinomas using a mouse model of oral carcinogenesis. Methods: Galectin-3-deficient (gal3(-/-)) and wild-type (gal3(+/+)) mice were challenged with 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide in drinking water for 16 weeks and killed at different times. Tongues were removed and the number of dysplasias and carcinomas was counted. An immunohistochemical study for galectin-3 was performed only in the tongue from gal3(+/+) mice. Results: In both groups, a reduction of dysplasias and an increase of carcinomas from week 16 to week 32 (p > 0.05) were observed. A predominance of high cytoplasmic and nuclear galectin-3 expression was observed in carcinomas (64.7%) and dysplasias (55.5%), respectively (p > 0.05). The perilesional areas always presented a statistical cytoplasmic and nuclear galectin-3 overexpression. Conclusions: Absence of galectin-3 did not directly affect the process of carcinogenesis and a cytoplasm shift of galectin-3 seems to be associated with development of tongue carcinomas. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Genitoperineal Injuries Associated With the Use of an Orthopedic Table With a Perineal Posttraction

Background: Surgical treatment of lower extremity fractures commonly involves the use of orthopedic table with perineal post for countertraction. However, prolonged application of the perineal post has been associated with significant complications. We describe our experience in the management of genitoperineal cutaneous injuries associated with the use of a traction table. Methods: Six patients with genitoperineal complications attributed to the use of a traction table were treated at our institution over a period of 2 years. The patient`s median age was 25 (range, 2028) years and all had fractures caused by motor vehicle collision. We evaluated the clinical presentation of these perineal injuries, operative time, therapeutic approach, clinical outcomes, and hospitalization time. Results. The mean operative time of the orthopedic surgery was 318 minutes 128 minutes (range, 185-540). All patients developed a partial-thickness necrotic area involving the perineum and scrotum in 2 days to 15 days (mean, 7 +/- 5.4) after the surgery. Three patients developed infection of the necrotic tissue. All patients underwent surgical debridement 16.5 days +/- 6.5 days (range, 13-29) after the orthopedic surgery and only one debridement procedure was nec-sure was possible in one case, and in the other cases the wound healed completely by second intention. The mean hospitalization time was 26.3 days +/- 9.7 days (range, 19-44). conclusion: Genitoperineal skin necrosis induced by perineal traction posttable is a morbid complication that demands surgical debridement and prolonged hospitalization for your treatment. There are many procedures available to reduce the risk of this complication that should be used more liberally by the orthopedic surgeons.