Response of rice cultivars to nitrogen in upland conditions

Against the background of a growing world population, rice (Oryza sativa L.) consumption is expected to grow faster than its production. Therefore, an appropriate question would be: how to increase productivity in the short-term? In this respect, it becomes important the implementation of modern agricultural production systems, such as upland rice with supplemental sprinkler irrigation. Additional information is needed to maximize the available resources, with special attention given to research on the use of nitrogen. This study aimed to evaluate the agronomic performance of commercial rice cultivars with different plant characteristics in upland conditions with supplemental sprinkler irrigation, when subjected to nitrogen in topdress application at the R1 stage (panicle differentiation). The experiment was arranged in a randomized block with split plot design, with 65 treatments, consisting of the combination of 13 cultivars in the plots, and five nitrogen levels in the subplots (0, 40, 80, 120 and 160 kg ha-1), with four replications. Genetic variability was detected among rice cultivars and the agronomic performance in response to the applied nitrogen. The topdressing application of nitrogen increases, in general, the production components and grain yield in rice. Cultivars BRS Primavera, Caiap�� and IAC 202 stood out for grain yield, followed by Baldo, Carnaroli, BRS Curinga and IAC 500 with lower yields.

Effect of acetic acid on rice seeds coated with rice husk ash

Flooded rice cultivation promotes anaerobic conditions, favoring the formation of short chain organic acids such as acetic acid, which may be toxic to the crop. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of acetic acid on rice seeds coated with rice husk ash. The experiment was arranged in a 2 x 5 x 5 factorial randomized design, with two cultivars (IRGA 424 and BRS Quer��ncia), five doses of coating material (0, 2, 3,4 e 5 g kg-1 seed) and five concentrations of acetic acid (0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 mM), with 4 replications, totaling 50 treatments. The variables first count of germination, germination, shoot and root length, dry weight of shoots and roots were recorded. The results showed that coating rice seeds with rice husk ash up to 5 g kg-1 seed does not influence the performance of rice seeds of cultivars IRGA 424 and BRS Quer��ncia when exposed to concentrations of 12 mM acetic acid. The presence of acetic acid in the substrates used for seed germination reduced the vigor and viability of seeds of cultivars IRGA 424 and BRS Quer��ncia, as well as seedling development, affecting mainly the roots of BRS Quer��ncia.

VISUAL ART AND REGULATORY FIT MESSAGES ON CONSUMER EVALUATIONS

ABSTRACT In this study, we demonstrate that the art infusion effect, in which the presence of visual art causes a positive impact on consumers' perceptions of products and advertising messages, might have a moderation effect on regulatory fit and non-fit messages. We investigate the impact of visual art on advertisement evaluations in regulatory (non-) fit conditions. Regulatory focus theory suggests that consumers rely on their motivational focus (prevention vs. promotion) for their evaluations and decisions. Usually, consumers prefer products that fit with their personal motivational focus. In the present study, the results of three experiments indicate that using visual art with a promotion or prevention fit message is recommended, while non-art images increase message persuasiveness when non-fit messages are presented. Therefore, not all information compatible with the consumer's motivational focus are best evaluated. When non-art images are presented, non-fit messages might be more persuasive.

Rice Culture of Divine Right

O texto pretende localizar os ritmos do com��rcio de Bengala durante as oito hegemonias sucessivas que dominaram a ��sia meridional e a ��sia do Sudeste entre 2000 BC e 1750 AD. Estas foram: 1) A transi����o inicial de tribalismo para Estados sob a orienta����o do Bramanismo; 2) Budismo; 3) Revivalismo br��mane (pur��nico) nos s��culos IX e X; 4) A revolu����o comercial no Golfo de Bengala no s��culo XI; 5) A ordem mongol; 6) A primeira rede isl��mica; 7) O sistema-mundo europeu do tipo portugu��s; 8) O sistema de Estados no s��culo XVI ��� um segundo sistema-mundo isl��mico. O texto sugere que Bengala manifestou fortes potencialidades comerciais nas fases 2,4 e 6. Esta for��a ficou reduzida no s��culo XVI devido a uma combina����o de factores: As liga����es com o ocidente desde o per��odo de Husain Shahi e continuadas nos tempos dos Mong��is, as liga����es riverinas oesteleste dos s��culos XVI ���XVIII, o decl��nio do com��rcio oriental, a retirada chinesa, a queda do Ara����o e o decl��nio do com��rcio portugu��s no Golfo de Bengala.

Avalia����o do desempenho docente : objectivos e controv��rsias

Actualmente, no campo espec��fico da educa����o, a avalia����o do desempenho tem vindo a assumir uma import��ncia crescente e uma maior aten����o dos investigadores pelos contextos escolares e pela rela����o directa entre a qualidade das abordagens de ensino e os n��veis de desempenho dos alunos. No contexto do sistema educativo portugu��s, a preocupa����o com a efic��cia passa a considerar a avalia����o dos professores como uma prioridade, trazendo �� discuss��o a profissionalidade docente e a sua avalia����o. Assim, este estudo tem como objectivo a an��lise dos elementos potenciadores e condicionadores do actual modelo proposto pelo Decreto Regulamentar 2/2008 de 10 de Janeiro, bem como a sistematiza����o de elementos complementares e /ou alternativos ao modelo vigente, a partir do que perspectivam os professores de uma escola secund��ria. Para a sua realiza����o utilizou-se uma abordagem qualitativa suportada na grounded theory - estudo de caso. As t��cnicas de colheita de dados foram as entrevistas a nove docentes participantes e a an��lise de documentos relacionados com a pol��tica educativa da escola. O estudo permitiu concluir que o modelo apresenta dimens��es controversas e que estas condicionam os objectivos intr��nsecos do mesmo, sendo que a preval��ncia de quest��es burocr��ticas dificulta a sua implementa����o. Em consequ��ncia foram apresentadas algumas recomenda����es.

Public hearings as a tool to improve participation in regulatory policies: case study of the National Agency of Electric Energy

The participation of citizens in public policies is an opportunity not only to educate them, but also to increase their empowerment. However, the best way for deploying participatory policies, defining their scope and approach, still remains an open and continuous debate. Using as a case study the Brazilian National Agency of Electric Energy (Aneel), with its public hearings about tariff review, this paper aims at analyzing the democratic aspects of these hearings and challenges the hypothesis of many scholars about the social participation bias in this kind of procedure. This study points out a majority participation of experts, contrasting with the political content of discussions. And, this way, it contributes to a critical analysis of the public hearings as a participatory tool, indicating their strengths and their aspects which deserve a special attention.

Some aspects of implementing Regulatory Impact Analysis in Brazil

In an increasingly complex society, regulatory polices emerge as an important tool in public management. Nevertheless, regulation per se is no longer enough, and the agenda for a regulatory reform is increasing. Following this context, Brazil has implemented Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) in its regulatory agencies. Thus, Brazilian specificities have to be considered and, in this regard, a systematic approach provides a significant contribution. This article aims to address some critical reflections about which policy-makers should ask themselves before joining the implementation of a RIA system in the Brazilian context. Through a long-term perspective, the implementation of RIA must be seen as part of a permanent change in the administrative culture, understanding that RIA should be used as a further resource in the decision-making process, rather than a final solution.

Studies on mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) and anthropic environment: 2 - Immature stages research at a rice irrigation system location in South-Eastern Brazil

A relation between a rice irrigation system and mosquito breeding was established in a study undertaken at the Ribeira Valley Experimental Station, from January through December 1992. Flooding favoured Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) and Culex (Melanoconion) species, while empty paddies condition were propitious to Aedes scapularis and Culex (Culex) species. Compared with a more primitive area of the same region, several species showed high a degree of adaptation to the anthropic environment. Among them, Anopheles albitarsis, a potential malaria vector that breeds in the irrigation system, has shown immature stage production thirteen times higher than at the natural breeding sites. In addition, Ae. scapularis, An. oswaldoi, Cx. bastagarius, and Cx. chidesteri presented high levels of synanthropy.

Studies on mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) and anthropic environment: 3- Survey of adult stages at the rice irrigation system and the emergence of Anopheles albitarsis in South-Eastern, Brazil

A study of adult Culicidae ecology was carried out from January 1992 through January 1993 at the rice irrigation system of the Ribeira Valley Experimental Station. The adaptation of Anopheles albitarsis to the anthropic environment became evident through the adult collections made at its various habitats represented by the irrigation system and the edge of the residual pond, as well as at those made within the local patchy residual woods. Other potential disease vectors were prevalent in the irrigated system too. There were Aedes scapularis, Culex nigripalpus and Cx. ribeirensis that were collected at various habitats. Remarkable differences among their prevalences were obtained such as between the natural forest and anthropic environments. In the former An. albitarsis was practically non-existent, thus suggesting that it might be considered as eusynathropic. As the populations of other species seemed to increase in the anthropic environment, they may be regarded as hemisynanthropes. Observations suggest the hypothesis that the development of irrigated land may be a factor in the emergence of An. albitarsis, and some other species, as well as the possibility of an increase in the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria.

Studies on mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) and anthropicenvironment: 5- Breeding of Anopheles albitarsis in flooded rice fields in South-Eastern Brazil

Studies on breeding Anopheles albitarsis and association with rice growth in irrigated paddy fields were carried out during the rice cultivation cycle from December 1993 to March 1994. This period corresponded to the length of time of permanent paddy flooding. Breeding occurred in the early stage up until five weeks after transplantation when rice plant height was small. That inverse correlation may give potential direction to control measures.

Studies on mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) and anthropic environment: 6 - Breeding in empty conditions of rice fields in South-Eastern Brazil

Studies on culicid breeding in empty rice fields were carried out during the cultivation cycle from May to November 1993. This period corresponded to stages 1 and 2, when empty conditions prevailed. Breeding occurred in stage 1 and the first part of stage 2, corresponding respectively to fallow uncultivated and ploughing situations. No breeding was found to take place during the second part of stage 2 when transient floods and harrowing occurred. The predominant species were Aedes scapularis, Culex nigripalpus and Cx. mollis. The Pilosus Group of Culex (Melanoconion) was found at lower densities. Some epidemiological considerations are presented.

Trace elements in wild and orchard honeys

The present study aims the identification and quantification of trace elements in two types of honey samples: Orchard honey and Wild honey from mainland Portugal. Chemical elements content was assessed by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA). Concentrations were determinated for Ag, As, Br, Ca, Cl, Cs, Cu, Fe, K, La, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb, Sb, Sc, U, V and Zn. The nutritional values of both honey types were evaluated since this product contains some elements that are essential dietary nutrients for humans. Physical properties of the honey samples, such as electrical conductivy and pH, were assessed as well.

Elements of a methodology to assess the alignment of core-values in collaborative networks

Collaborative networks are typically formed by heterogeneous and autonomous entities, and thus it is natural that each member has its own set of core-values. Since these values somehow drive the behaviour of the involved entities, the ability to quickly identify partners with compatible or common core-values represents an important element for the success of collaborative networks. However, tools to assess or measure the level of alignment of core-values are lacking. Since the concept of 'alignment' in this context is still ill-defined and shows a multifaceted nature, three perspectives are discussed. The first one uses a causal maps approach in order to capture, structure, and represent the influence relationships among core-values. This representation provides the basis to measure the alignment in terms of the structural similarity and influence among value systems. The second perspective considers the compatibility and incompatibility among core-values in order to define the alignment level. Under this perspective we propose a fuzzy inference system to estimate the alignment level, since this approach allows dealing with variables that are vaguely defined, and whose inter-relationships are difficult to define. Another advantage provided by this method is the possibility to incorporate expert human judgment in the definition of the alignment level. The last perspective uses a belief Bayesian network method, and was selected in order to assess the alignment level based on members' past behaviour. An example of application is presented where the details of each method are discussed.

Verifica����o da seguran��a da estrutura de um efif��cio localizado em Faro, utlizando os euroc��digos estruturais

Desde h�� alguns anos que t��m vindo a ser mobilizados esfor��os para a elabora����o de uma regulamenta����o t��cnica unificada aplic��vel a n��vel Europeu, os Euroc��digos Estruturais, a qual visa estabelecer uma harmoniza����o da regulamenta����o a utilizar na constru����o civil, promovendo a elimina����o de anteriores barreiras t��cnicas. Actualmente, no ��mbito Nacional, encontramo-nos numa fase de transi����o da regulamenta����o t��cnica em vigor para o dimensionamento de Edif��cios em Bet��o Armado, do Regulamento de Seguran��a e Ac����es para Estruturas de Bet��o Armado (RSA) e Regulamento de Estruturas de Bet��o Armado e Pr��-Esfor��ado (REBAP) para os Euroc��digos Estruturais, sendo que neste per��odo de transi����o se verifica a coexist��ncia de ambos devido �� ainda n��o publica����o em Di��rio da Rep��blica da nova regulamenta����o a adoptar. No presente trabalho procura-se verificar a seguran��a da estrutura de um edif��cio com laje fungiforme, situado em Faro, projectado segundo a regulamenta����o nacional em vigor (RSA/REBAP), atrav��s da aplica����o dos Euroc��digos Estruturais, nomeadamente o EC0, EC1, EC2 e EC8. Este tipo de edif��cios, em que a laje fungiforme �� utilizada como elemento s��smico prim��rio, n��o �� totalmente abordada no EC8, a verifica����o de seguran��a ser�� ent��o efectuada considerando duas abordagens de an��lise distintas. Numa primeira abordagem de an��lise adopta-se a estrutura como sendo da Classe de Ductilidade Baixa (DCL) considerando todos os elementos como s��smicos prim��rios, e numa segunda abordagem de an��lise assume-se uma maior ductilidade da estrutura (DCM) classificando alguns elementos como s��smicos secund��rios.

A regulatory framework for short-term stochastic maintenance outage scheduling in smart grids

The current regulatory framework for maintenance outage scheduling in distribution systems needs revision to face the challenges of future smart grids. In the smart grid context, generation units and the system operator perform new roles with different objectives, and an efficient coordination between them becomes necessary. In this paper, the distribution system operator (DSO) of a microgrid receives the proposals for shortterm (ST) planned outages from the generation and transmission side, and has to decide the final outage plans, which is mandatory for the members to follow. The framework is based on a coordination procedure between the DSO and other market players. This paper undertakes the challenge of optimization problem in a smart grid where the operator faces with uncertainty. The results show the effectiveness and applicability of the proposed regulatory framework in the modified IEEE 34- bus test system.