One-loop conformal invariance of the type II pure spinor superstring in a curved background

We compute the one-loop beta functions for the Type II superstring using the pure spinor formalism in a generic supergravity background. It is known that the classical pure spinor BRST symmetry puts the background fields on-shell. In this paper we show that the one-loop beta functions vanish as a consequence of the classical BRST symmetry of the action. © SISSA 2007.

Dispersal of the delayed action insecticide sulfluramid in colonies of the leaf-cutting ant Atta sexdens rubropilosa (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Toxic baits are the most used control method for leaf-cutting ants due to their high effectiveness and because they are considered the safest for humans. Taking into account that the importance of leaf-cutting ants as pests, knowing the process by which dispersal and worker contamination is achieved becomes essential to understand several aspects about the functioning of a bait-borne AI (active ingredient) used in toxic baits. It has been established that an effective toxic bait should have a delayed- action AI, but its dispersion among the different sizes of workers is unknown. Workers of different sizes are involved in quite different tasks such foraging, cultivation of symbiotic macrofungus or control of deleterious microfungi. Therefore, we prepared a toxic bait containing the delayed-action AI sulfluramid and a dye (Rhodamine B) as an AI tracer in order to study dispersal and contamination in colonies, evaluated at different periods and in relation to different workers' sizes. Both field and laboratory colonies were evaluated. The great level of contamination, about 50% at 24 hours, in all sizes of workers demonstrates that worker contact with toxic bait is intense within this period. The distribution in field and laboratory colonies was similar. This contamination pattern is probably enough to cause the colony to die because of contamination of smaller workers, leading to the loss of control of the aggressive microfungi, which can quickly overgrow the symbiotic fungus culture. The dispersal dynamics of AI in leaf-cutting ant workers is important for investigations on the mode of action of this insecticide in the colony, and as a reference in future studies, such as those attempting to reduce the concentration of AIs in baits to reduce their environmental impact, or for facilitation of new AI screening.

Water table effects on bean yield and nitrate distribution in the soil profile

In order to evaluate the bean yield under different water table levels as well as the moisture and nitrate distribution in the soil profile, a field experiment was carried out in the experimental area of the College of Agricultural Sciences - UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brazil. Beans were grown in field lysimeters under five water table depths: 30; 40; 50; 60 and 70 cm. The moisture in the soil profile was determined gravimetrically using samples collected at 10; 20; 30; 40; 50; 60 and 70 cm deep. The water table depths of 30cm and 40cm showed the highest productivities (3,228.4kg.ha-1 and 3,422.1kg.ha-1, respectively), with no statistical differences between them. The highest productivity was related to the two highest water table levels (30 and 40cm), which provided the highest moisture average values on the basis of volume in the soil profile (33.3 e 31%) as well as the consumptive use of water (416 and 396mm). The nitrate content during the bean cycle at the extraction depth of 60cm was below the safe drinking limit of 10mg.1-1 for water table depths of 30; 40; 50 and 60cm, which shows the denitrification efficiency as a way of controlling nitrate pollution in water tables. The management of water table can lead to high levels of bean yield and to a better control of nitrate pollution in underground water.

Metabolic syndrome signs in Wistar rats submitted to different high-fructose ingestion protocols

In search of an adequate model for the human metabolic syndrome, the metabolic characteristics of Wistar rats were analysed after being submitted to different protocols of high fructose ingestion. First, two adult rat groups (aged 90 d) were studied: a control group (C1; n 6) received regular rodent chow (Labina, Purina) and a fructose group (F1; n 6) was fed on regular rodent chow. Fructose was administered as a 10 % solution in drinking water. Second, two adult rat groups (aged 90 d) were evaluated: a control group (C2; n 6) was fed on a balanced diet (AIN-93G) and a fructose group (F2; n 6) was fed on a purified 60 % fructose diet. Finally, two young rat groups (aged 28 d) were analysed: a control group (C3; n 6) was fed on the AIN-93G diet and a fructose group (F3; n 6) was fed on a 60 % fructose diet. After 4-8 weeks, the animals were evaluated. Glucose tolerance, peripheral insulin sensitivity, blood lipid profile and body fat were analysed. In the fructose groups F2 and F3 glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity were lower, while triacylglycerolaemia was higher than the respective controls C2 and C3 (P < 0.05). Blood total cholesterol, HDL and LDL as well as body fat showed change only in the second protocol. In conclusion, high fructose intake is more effective at producing the signs of the metabolic syndrome in adult than in young Wistar rats. Additionally, diet seems to be a more effective way of fructose administration than drinking water.

Relationship between citrus productivity and indicators of uniformity in trickle irrigation system

In trickle irrigation systems, the design is based on the pre-established emission uniformity (EU) which is the combined result of the equipment characteristics and its hydraulic configuration. However, this desired value of the EU may not be confirmed by the final project (in field conditions) and neither by the yield uniformity. The hypotheses of this research were: a) the EU of a trickle irrigation system at field conditions is equal to the emission uniformity pre-established in the its design; b) EU has always the lowest value when compared with other indicators of uniformity; c) the discharge variation coefficient (VC) is not equal to production variation coefficient in the operational unit; d) the difference between the discharge variation coefficient and the productivity variation coefficient depends on the water depth applied. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between EU used in the irrigation system design and the final yield uniformity. The uniformity indicators evaluated were: EU, distribution uniformity (UD) and the index proposed by Barragan & Wu (2005). They were compared estimating the performance of a trickle irrigation system applied in a citrus orchard with dimensions of 400m x 600m. The design of the irrigation system was optimized by a Linear Programming model. The tree rows were leveled in the larger direction and the spacing adopted in the orchard was 7m x 4m. The manifold line was always operating on a slope condition. The sensitivity analysis involved different slopes, 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12%, and different values of emission uniformity, 60, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90 and 94%. The citrus yield uniformity was evaluated by the variation coefficient. The emission uniformity (EU) after design differed from the EU pre-established, more sharply in the initial values lower than 90%. Comparing the uniformity indexes, the EU always generated lower values when compared with the UD and with the index proposed by Barragan. The emitter variation coefficient was always lower than the productivity variation coefficient. To obtain uniformity of production, it is necessary to consider the irrigation system uniformity and mainly the water depth to be applied.

Mapas mentais: uma proposta de metodologia de design para a sustentabilidade

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

O processo de análise de assunto na catalogação de documentos: a perspectiva sociocognitiva do catalogador em contexto de biblioteca universitária

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Avaliação de linguagem documentária em fonoaudiologia na perspectiva do usuário: estudo de observação da recuperação da informação com protocolo verbal

Pós-graduação em Ciência da Informação - FFC

Relationships between physiological traits and productivity of sugarcane in response to water deficit

The relationships between physiological variables and sugarcane productivity under water deficit conditions were investigated in field studies during 2005 and 2006 in Weslaco, Texas, USA. A total of 78 genotypes and two commercial varieties were studied, one of which was drought-tolerant (TCP93-4245) and the other drought-sensitive (TCP87-3388). All genotypes were subjected to two irrigation regimes: a control well-watered treatment (wet) and a moderate water-deficit stress (dry) treatment for a period of 90 days. Maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II (F (v)/F (m)), estimated chlorophyll content (SPAD index), leaf temperature (LT), leaf relative water content (RWC) and productivity were measured. The productivity of all genotypes was, on average, affected negatively; however, certain genotypes did not suffer significant reduction. Under water deficit, the productivity of the genotypes was positively and significantly correlated with F (v)/F (m), SPAD index and RWC, while LT had a negative correlation. These findings suggest that genotypes exhibiting traits of high RWC values, high chlorophyll contents and high photosynthetic radiation use efficiency under low moisture availability should be targeted for selection and variety development in programmes aimed at improving sugarcane for drought prone environments.

Influence of Parity and Season of the Year on Oocyte Quality and Number in Buffaloes

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of season of the year (summer and winter) and parity (heifers and cows) on oocyte quality and number in buffaloes. For this purpose, 71 buffaloes had follicular wave emergence synchronized before OPU. OPU of all follicles >= 2mm was done 5 days after the beginning of the hormonal protocol, in 4 replicates (two for each season). Data were analyzed by ANOVA using PROC GLIMMIX, in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. No interactions were observed in following variables: number of follicles, number of total and viable oocytes, recovery rate, percentage of viable oocytes, grade I oocytes, grade II oocytes, grade III oocytes, denuded oocytes, expanded cumulus oocytes, and atretic/degenerated oocytes. Number of follicles visualized at OPU and recovery rate were not affected by parity or season. Relative to parity, number of total and viable oocytes were greater in heifers than in cows, respectively. Concerning season of the year, number of viable oocytes and viable oocyte rate were increased in winter. In conclusion, better oocyte quality can be obtained from heifers and during winter in buffaloes. However, the number of total oocytes seems to be more influenced by parity than by season of the year in this species.

A práxis docente fundamentada no programa ler e escrever potencializada pela proposta de educação freiriana: uma confluência em discussão

This study presents results a research held in the framework of, literacy projects and the process of formation of critical consciousness (instances considered, research, literacy essential to the process) and was based on the theory and design education and literacy of Paulo Freire, as well as theories that deal with the acquisition of the writing system and the process of social literacy. The objective is to see how the process of literacy and literacy for children of elementary school second, through teaching practices arising from the current state program, Read and Write and analyze the processes of formation of conscience in this age group, from the educational concepts of Paulo Freire. Was aimed also consider and describe the possible confluence between the pedagogical praxis based on state curriculum and educational proposals frerianas. For the survey, we used the field study of exploratorydescriptive and the methodology developed in three stages, namely: literature review, field research in locus, and data analysis. The instruments used were literature review and annotated by syntheses, systematic observation recorded in field notebook; open a questionnaire, and protocol of semi-structured interview. The survey was conducted in a state school in the city of Bauru, in a classroom of second year of elementary school, I cycle and the research subjects were a literacy teacher and 18 students in that room. This study developed a historical overview of literacy methods, and present the concepts of literacy and literacy in which it is based. The survey results indicate that, on the literacy practices, proposals and guidelines of the Reading and Writing Program meet the expectations which they propose to achieve, on the literacy practices in the classroom are used various kinds of texts, however, not explored are the social aspects of production, ...((Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Effect of mixture of diazinon and benzo[a]pyrene in Glutathione S-transferase of Nile tilapia

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

Mediação como base de estratégias pedagógicas voltadas a alunos com deficiência mental severa: indicadores para a prática docente

The paper talks about the education of persons with disabilities severe mental retardation based on the idea of Reuven Feuerstein mediation. The collected data were analysed mainly under the focus quantitative, allowing extraction of details of everyday life investigated. Aims to describe and analyze the implementation process their educational, focusing on teaching strategies used by Special Education teachers in the Araraquara’s city. In addition, seeks to address the educational process of a population slightly investigated by uniting two strands of thread in an innovative way: the Theory of Structural Cognitive Modifiability (SCM) and Reuven Feuerstein education of students with severe cognitive impairment. The methodology initiated by the establishment of the teacher’s profile, their mapping and location. Data collection was achieved through three instruments: interviews with teachers, observation protocol and field diary for registration. Our results describe the work of a teacher, showing their practice, and enlist the pedagogical strategies used, mainly those related to the criteria medication. According to the Theory of Structural Cognitive Modifiability (SCM) and the idea of Mediated Learning Experience (MLE), the teacher acts as mediator, interposing themselves between stimuli the environment and the student. The work of the teacher observed indicates that the environment and the student. The work of the teacher observed indicates that she exerts her functions in teaching using pedagogical strategies which are found in her heart, precepts essential to mediation. This shows it is possible to associate the ideas of Feuerstein practices aimed at teaching students with severe mental disabilities.

Greenhouse gas balance in the conversion from extensive pasture to other agricultural systems in Andean region of Colombia

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Ciência do Solo) - FCAV

Non-destructive linear model for leaf area estimation in Vernonia ferruginea Less

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