Abundance and temporal-spatial distribution of the rock shrimp Sicyonia dorsalis Kingsley, 1878 (Decapoda, Penaeoidea) from the northern coast of São Paulo state, Brazil.

Abundance and ecological distribution of the rock shrimp Sicyonia dorsalis from the northern coast of São Paulo State (Brazil) was investigated during a two-year period (July 2001 to June 2003). Monthly collections were conducted in the Ubatuba (UBA) and Caraguatatuba (CA) regions, using a commercial shrimp boat equipped with double-rig nets. In each region, seven depths were delimited (5 m to 35 m). A total of 1,752 and 1,894 shrimp were obtained at UBA and CA, respectively. The distribution of S. dorsalis differed among depths, years, and seasons. Highest abundance values were recorded in depths where silt and clay comprised more than 70% of the sediment. The majority (89%) of captured specimens were caught in the first year, in periods of lower mean temperature, mainly in the spring of 2001, when the intrusion of cold South Atlantic Central Waters (SACW) was more intense. In such period, the differences in the abundance of shrimps in each region (UBA = 1,118 and CA = 493) suggested that S. dorsalis migrated to the north (UBA), during the SACW intrusion. Thus, sediment type and water temperature are among the most important variables affecting the bathymetric distribution of S. dorsalis in these regions.

Synthesis, characterization and thermal behaviour of heavy lanthanide and yttrium pyruvates in the solid state

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

THE IMAGINARY ABOUT THE SCHOOL and THE POSSIBILITIES of AN EQUALITARIAN SCHOOL: A STUDY on THE BRAZILIAN STATE SCHOOLS

The main objective of the article is to reflect on the imaginary that the teachers of two public schools have of their students and the school they work in and the ideal of an inclusive and democratic school. In this article, we reflect on the image that the teachers of two public schools in the city of Rio Claro, São Paulo State, Brazil, have of their students and their school as an institution. We use the studies of imaginary sociology as a theoretic reference base. Castoriadis (1986); Taylor (2006); Legros et al (2007) and Baczo (1984) are the referenced authors of this article. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of The Association of Science, Education and Technology

Distribution of stream macroalgae in the eastern Atlantic Rainforest of São Paulo State, southeastern Brazil

Fifty-two stream segments were sampled from 16 August to 13 September in 1993 in the eastern Atlantic Rainforest of São Paulo State, southeastern Brazil (22°55′-25°00′S, 44°48′-48°03′W). Forty-two macroalgal subgeneric taxa were found and the most widespread species were Audouinella pygmaea (21% of sites), Compsopogon leptoclados and Microcoleus subtorulosus (19%). Macroalgal species number per sampling site ranged from 0 to six (2.6 ± 1.7) and was positively correlated to species abundance, whereas species cover ranged from 0 to 70% of the stream bed (15.5 ± 20.8%). No significant correlation was found among macroalgal species number and abundance with any physical or chemical variable analyzed. Most sites were dominated by one or few macroalgal species, mainly, Audouinella macrospora, C. leptoclados and M. subtorulosus. No significant difference was found between the frequency distribution of variables measured for streams and for total macroalgae but the most widespread species (A. pygmaea) differed significantly for current velocity, specific conductance, turbidity and pH. Overall means for macroalgal occurrence include the following values: temperature (X̄ = 19.9°C), current velocity (X̄ = 45 cm s-1), oxygen saturation (X̄ = 66%), specific conductance (X̄ = 59.6 μS cm-1), turbidity (X̄ = 5 NTU) and pH (X̄ = 7.1). This pattern of patchy distribution and dominance by few species has been suggested as typical of stream macroalgal communities and has been ascribed to the rapid fluctuation of physical and chemical conditions. Total macroalgal species richness as well as mean species number per sampling site were considerably lower than found in similar studies of other regions. The Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis was applied to explain these results: the same factor (high precipitation) responsible for the maintainance of the high species diversity in the surrounding forest can be, paradoxically, a constraint to the development of a more diverse macroalgal flora in streams. © 1996 Kluwer Academic Publishers.

Contribution to the study of the solid-state reaction of mercury with pure rhodium

Thermogravimetry (TG) and other analysis techniques (EDX, SEM, Mapping surface, X-ray diffraction, inductively coupled argon plasma emission spectroscopy and atomic spectrometry with cold vapor generation) were used to study the reaction of Hg with Rh. The results permitted the suggestion that, when subjected to heat, an electrodeposited Hg film reacts with Rh to form intermetallic products with different stabilities, as indicated by at least three mass loss steps. In the first step, between room temperature and 160°C, only the bulk Hg is removed. From this temperature up to about 175°C, the mass loss can be attributed to the desorption of a film of metallic Hg. The last step, from 175 to 240°C, can be ascribed to the removal of Hg from a thin dark film of RhHg2.

New record for the army ant Labidus mars (Formicidae: Ecitoninae) in the Atlantic Rain Forest of São Paulo State, Brazil

The occurrence of the army ant Labidus mars in Mogi das Cruzes (SP, Brazil) is recorded and includes additional information about the area, diet and foraging schedule of this rare army ant. This species of Ecitoninae was collected from two mature fruits of the Syagrus romanzoffiana (Arecaceae) and were probably in the foraging phase.

Pollution by hexachlorobenzene and pentachlorophenol in the coastal plain of São Paulo state, Brazil

Organochlorine compounds were dumped by chemical industries during the 1970s in many areas of the coastal plain of São Paulo state in Brazil. These dumps, located on hillsides and in valleys, in both rural and urban environments, are responsible for soil and water pollution. The objective of this work was to determine how the pollutants have spread in an area occupied by a spodosol-type soil mantle. The study combines soil morphological observations with soil and water analysis of hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and pentachlorophenol (PCP) in soil toposequences. The results indicate that the highest pollutant concentrations are observed near the dump site and that the compounds contamination is increasing. A map integrating topography and chemical concentrations was created to visualize the spatial distribution of HCB levels in the landscape. Physical and chemical analyses were performed to measure HCB and PCP levels in the soil. Soil water appears to act as a vector of HCB, probably through complexation with and dispersal of dissolved organic matter. The persistence of HCB at the studied site is most likely due to the low pH values in combination with a high content of organic matter. HCB was consistently found in higher concentrations than PCP. It is plausible that the cause of this difference is that PCP is degraded more easily under sunlight than HCB and that degradation of PCP under acid conditions leads to the formation of HCB. © 2003 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Genetic variation in growth traits and yield of rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis) growing in the Brazilian state of São Paulo

Analysis of variance and covariance was preformed on growth traits (stem girth, bark thickness, total height gain and rubber yield) of 22 open-pollinated progenies of the rubber tree Hevea brasiliensis from an Asian Hevea collection introduced to Agronomic Institute (Instituto Agronômico, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil; IAC) in 1952. This progeny trial was replicated at three sites in São Paulo state and it was found that at three years from sowing there was statistically significant variation for girth, bark thickness, height and rubber yield. An individual test sites, values of individual plant heritability for girth ranged from ĥ i 2 = 0.36 to ĥ i 2 = 0.89 whereas values for heritability for progeny means ranged from ĥ i 2 = 0.77 to ĥ i 2 = 0.87. These moderate and high heritabilities suggest that a combination of progeny and within-progeny selection would be effective at increasing girth in this population at individual sites. Across sites, values of individual-plant heritability for girth ranged from ĥ i 2 = 0.36 to ĥ i 2 = 0.47, whereas values for heritability of progeny means girth ranged from ĥ x̄ 2 = 0.77 to ĥ x̄ 2 = 0.87. There were high positive genetic correlations between increased girth and bark thickness suggesting that breeding aimed at increasing girth would also increase bark thickness and possibly height. Copyright by the Brazilian Society of Genetics.

Optimization of xylanase biosynthesis by Aspergillus japonicus isolated from a Caatinga area in the Brazilian state of Bahia

The objective of this research was to investigate the potential of xylanase production by Aspergillus japonicus and to determine the effects of cultivation conditions in the process, aiming toward optimization of enzyme production. The best temperature, as well as the best carbon source, for biomass production was determined through an automated turbidimetric method (Bioscreen-C). The enzyme activity of this fungus was separately evaluated in two solid substrates (wheat and soybean bran) and in Vogel medium, adding other carbon sources. Temperature effects, cultivation time, and spore concentrations were also tested. The best temperature for enzyme and biomass production was 25°C; however, the best carbon source for growth (determined by the Bioscreen C) did not turn out to be a good inducer of xylanase production. Maximum xylanase activity was achieved when the fungus was cultivated in wheat bran (without the addition of any other carbon source) using a spore concentration of 1 × 107 spores/mL (25°C, pH 5.0, 120 h). A. japonicus is a good xylanase producer under the conditions presented in these assays. © 2006 Academic Journals.

On the bound-state spectrum of a nonrelativistic particle in the background of a short-ranged linear potential

The nonrelativistic problem of a particle immersed in a triangular potential well, set forth by N. A. Rao and B. A. Kagali, is revised. It is shown that these researchers misunderstood the full meaning of the potential and obtained a wrong quantization condition. By exploring the space inversion symmetry, this work presents the correct solution to this problem with potential applications in electronics in a simple and transparent way. © Electronic Journal of Theoretical Physics. All rights reserved.

Hemoglobin polymorphism and hematological profile of Geoffroy's side-necked turtle (Phrynops geoffroanus, Testudines) in the northwestern region of São Paulo State, Brazil

Complete blood counts and hemoglobin isoform data were gathered from 36 specimens of the turtle species Phrynops geoffroanus from the northwestern region of São Paulo State, Brazil. They were collected in an urban area. The hemoglobin profiles were obtained after red blood cell lysis and by electrophoretic migration in alkaline pH, acid pH, and neutral pH buffer. The hemoglobin components were confirmed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Erythrogram analysis included hematocrit, total hemoglobin concentration, total red blood cell count, and red blood cell indices. The leukogram included a total white blood cell count and a calculation of the percent values of neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, basophils, eosinophils, heterophils, and azurophils. HPLC analysis revealed three hemoglobin components; the first with a concentration of 5.5%, the second was a major component with an average concentration of 67.1%, and the third with a concentration of 28.5%. The hematological profile obtained for these specimens allowed us to establish a pattern for P. geoffroanus in São Paulo State Northwestern region. The average hematocrit values were 22.5% for females and 24.0% for males. For total hemoglobin, we found average values of 6.66 g/dL in females and 7.22 g/dL in males. The number of white blood cells was 2725 x 103/μL for females and 2775 x 103/μL for males. There was a predominance of heterophils, eosinophils, and monocytes in both sexes. No significant differences were found between males and females for hematological profile. The hematological results were compared to literature data for other Chelonia. They were similar to what is known for fresh water turtles. © FUNPEC-RP.

Bovine abortion associated with Neospora caninum: Diagnosis and epidemiological aspects of a dairy cattle herd in the northeast region of São Paulo state, Brazil

The objective of this study was to report the presence of Neospora caninum-associated abortion in bovines at a farm in the northeast region of São Paulo State. In January 2010, it was sent to the Department of Pathology, UNESP-Jaboticabal, a bovine fetus with an estimated age of seven months, which was natural of a dairy farm with 300 animals and an average daily production of 3,000 liters of milk, nearly 20 liters per cow. The animals were vaccinated against rabies, foot and mouth disease, carbuncle, brucellosis, leptospirosis, bovine herpes virus type I and bovine viral diarrhea virus. The herd consisted of purebred Holstein animals, Jersey, and mostly by crossbred animals 7-8 (gir x holstein). During necropsy, samples of the serosanguineous liquid present at the thoracic cavity and the heart of the fetus were collected for the detection of anti-Neospora caninum antibodies through Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA). Fragments of brain, cerebellum, tongue, liver, heart and kidneys were collected for the execution of histopathology (HP), immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Polymerase Chain Reaction. In order that IFA could be performed, the owner was requested blood samples without anticoagulants of the mother and other cows in the farm, with or without a history of abortion. At necropsy, it was verified a severe autolysis of the fetus. The serology of the fetus was 1:25, while the serology of the mother was 1:3,200. At HP, it was observed discrete multifocal non-suppurative encephalomyelitis characterized by gliosis and mononuclear inflammatory infiltration associated with cellular debris. DNA amplification of N. caninum was positive in fragments of brain, tongue, cerebellum, heart and kidneys. At IHC, it has been observed immunoreactivity to a cyst located in the tongue. The owner reported that his herd showed endemic episodes of abortion, while 27.69% (18/65) of the 65 animals sampled were seropositive. Although it has not been a significant difference (p>0.05), a higher seropositivity was observed in animals with a history of abortion (10/26) 38.46%, in comparison with animals without previous abortion (8/39) 20.51%. These findings show that the abortion under study was provoked by the protozoan N. caninum, while this is the first report concerning cattle in the northeast region of São Paulo State.