Vertical structure of stratospheric water vapour trends derived from merged satellite data

Stratospheric water vapour is a powerful greenhouse gas. The longest available record from balloon observations over Boulder, Colorado, USA shows increases in stratospheric water vapour concentrations that cannot be fully explained by observed changes in the main drivers, tropical tropopause temperatures and methane. Satellite observations could help resolve the issue, but constructing a reliable long-term data record from individual short satellite records is challenging. Here we present an approach to merge satellite data sets with the help of a chemistry–climate model nudged to observed meteorology. We use the models’ water vapour as a transfer function between data sets that overcomes issues arising from instrument drift and short overlap periods. In the lower stratosphere, our water vapour record extends back to 1988 and water vapour concentrations largely follow tropical tropopause temperatures. Lower and mid-stratospheric long-term trends are negative, and the trends from Boulder are shown not to be globally representative. In the upper stratosphere, our record extends back to 1986 and shows positive long-term trends. The altitudinal differences in the trends are explained by methane oxidation together with a strengthened lower-stratospheric and a weakened upper stratospheric circulation inferred by this analysis. Our results call into question previous estimates of surface radiative forcing based on presumed global long-term increases in water vapour concentrations in the lower stratosphere.

The Rondonian-San Ignacio Province in the SW Amazonian Craton: An overview

The Rondonian-San Ignacio Province (1.56-1.30 Ga) is a composite orogen created through successive accretion of arcs, ocean basin closure and final oblique microcontinent-continent collision. The effects of the collision are well preserved mostly in the Paragua Terrane (Bolivia and Mato Grosso regions) and in the Alto Guapore Belt and the Rio Negro-Juruena Province (Rondonia region), considering that the province was affected by later collision-related deformation and metamorphism during the Sunsas Orogeny (1.25-1.00 Ga). The Rondonian-San Ignacio Province comprises: (1) the Jauru Terrane (1.78-1.42 Ga) that hosts Paleoproterozoic basement (1.78-1.72 Ga), and the Cachoeirinha (1.56-1.52 Ga) and the Santa Helena (1.48-1.42 Ga) accretionary orogens, both developed in an Andean-type magmatic arc; (2) the Paragua Terrane (1.74-1.32 Ga) that hosts pre-San Ignacio units (>1640 Ma: Chiquitania Gneiss Complex, San Ignacio Schist Group and Lomas Manechis Granulitic Complex) and the Pensamiento Granitoid Complex (1.37-1.34 Ga) developed in an Andean-type magmatic arc; (3) the Rio Alegre Terrane (1.51-1.38 Ga) that includes units generated in a mid-ocean ridge and an intra-oceanic magmatic arc environments; and (4) the Alto Guapore Belt (<1.42-1.34 Ga) that hosts units developed in passive marginal basin and intra-oceanic arc settings. The collisional stage (1.34-1.32 Ga) is characterized by deformation, high-grade metamorphism, and partial melting during the metamorphic peak, which affected primarily the Chiquitania Gneiss Complex and Lomas Manechis Granulitic Complex in the Paragua Terrane, and the Colorado Complex and the Nova Mamore Metamorphic Suite in the Alto Guapore Belt. The Paragua Block is here considered as a crustal fragment probably displaced from its Rio Negro-Juruena crustal counterpart between 1.50 and 1.40 Ga. This period is characterized by extensive A-type and intra-plate granite magmatism represented by the Rio Crespo Intrusive Suite (ca. 1.50 Ga), Santo Antonio Intrusive Suite (1.40-1.36 Ga), and the Teotonio Intrusive Suite (1.38 Ga). Magmatism of these types also occur at the end of the Rondonian-San Ignacio Orogeny, and are represented by the Alto Candeias Intrusive Suite (1.34-1.36 Ga), and the Sao Lourenco-Caripunas Intrusive Suite (1.31-1.30 Ga). The cratonization of the province occurred between 1.30 and 1.25 Ga. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Trace element geochemistry and Sr-Nd characteristics of Mesoproterozoic mafic intrusive rocks from Rondonia, Brazil, SW Amazonian Craton: Petrogenetic and tectonic inferences

The Amazonian Craton comprises an Archean domain surrounded by four successively younger Proterozoic tectonic provinces. Within the Rio-Negro-Juruena province the Serra da Providencia Intrusive Suite (1.60 and 1.53 Ga) consists of A-type rapakivi granites, charnockites and mangerites genetically associated with diabase dikes, gabbros and amphibolites lites. The original mafic melts were derived from a depleted mantle source (epsilon(Nd(T)) + 2.5 to +2.8; epsilon(Sr(T)) - 12.1). Underplated mafic magma induced melting of a short-lived fielsic crust, thus originating coeval felsic-inafic magmatism in a continental intraplate setting. The Colorado Complex, assigned to the Rondonian-San Ignacio province, comprises 1.35-1.36 Ga intrusive bimodal magmatism represented by monzonite gneisses associated with amphibolite, gabbro and metadiabase dikes intercalated with metasediments with detrital zircon that yield U-Pb ages of 1.35 to 1.42 Ga. Mafic samples display juvenile signatures (epsilon(Nd(T)) 0.0 to +5.2; epsilon(Sr(T)) -5.0 to -30.7) and are less contaminated than the Serra da Previdencia and Nova Brasiladndia ones. The generation of the basaltic magma is related to the subduction of an oceanic slab below the peridotite wedge (intraoceanic arc setting). Fluids and/or small melts from the slab impregnated the mantle. The Nova Brasilandia Sequence (Sunsas-Aguapei province) comprises a metasedimentary sequence intruded by 1.10-1.02 Ga metadiabases, gabbros, meta-gabbros, and amphibolites associated with granitic plutons (bimodal magmatism). The original tholeiitic magmas, derived from a depleted source (epsilon(Nd(T)) = +3.1 to +5.0), in a proto-oceanic setting, underwent subsequent contamination by the host rocks, as indicated by the isotopic and trace element data.

Estudo e implementação da programação genética para síntese de fala

Este trabalho descreve a aplicação da Programação Genética, uma técnica de Computação Evolucionária, ao problema da Síntese de Fala automática. A Programação Genética utiliza as técnicas da evolução humana para descobrir programas bem adaptados a um problema específico. Estes programas, compostos de instruções, variáveis, constantes e outros elementos que compõe uma linguagem de programação, são evoluídos ao longo de um conjunto de gerações. A Síntese de Fala, consiste na geração automática das formas de ondas sonoras a partir de um texto escrito. Uma das atividades mais importantes, é realizada através da conversão de palavras e letras para os sons da fala elementares (fonemas). Muitos sistemas de síntese são implementados através de regras fixas, escritas por programadores humanos. Um dos mais conhecidos sistemas de síntese é o FESTIVAL, desenvolvido pela Universidade de Edimburgh, usando a linguagem de programação funcional LISP e um número fixo de regras. Neste trabalho, nós exploramos a possibilidade da aplicação do paradigma da Programação Genética, para evoluir automaticamente regras que serão adotadas para implementação do idioma Português na ferramenta FESTIVAL, desenvolvido no projeto SPOLTECH (CNPq – NSF cooperação entre UFRGS e Universidade do Colorado). A modelagem do problema, consiste na definição das regras de pronúncia do Português Brasileiro, que a implementação do sistema FESTIVAL pronuncia erradamente, já que o mesmo foi implementado primariamente para o idioma Inglês. A partir destas regras, o sistema de Programação Genética, desenvolvido neste trabalho, evolui programas que constituem boas soluções para a conversão de letras para fonemas. A descrição dos resultados obtidos, cobre detalhes sobre a evolução das soluções, complexidade e regras implementadas, representadas pelas soluções mais bem adaptadas; mostrando que a Programação Genética, apesar de ser complexa, é bastante promissora.

Corn seed treatment with naphthalic anhydride against isoxaflutole phytotoxication action

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

The Rondonian-San Ignacio Province in the SW Amazonian Craton: An overview

The Rondonian-San Ignacio Province (1.56-1.30 Ga) is a composite orogen created through successive accretion of arcs, ocean basin closure and final oblique microcontinent-continent collision. The effects of the collision are well preserved mostly in the Paragua Terrane (Bolivia and Mato Grosso regions) and in the Alto Guapore Belt and the Rio Negro-Juruena Province (Rondonia region), considering that the province was affected by later collision-related deformation and metamorphism during the Sunsas Orogeny (1.25-1.00 Ga). The Rondonian-San Ignacio Province comprises: (1) the Jauru Terrane (1.78-1.42 Ga) that hosts Paleoproterozoic basement (1.78-1.72 Ga), and the Cachoeirinha (1.56-1.52 Ga) and the Santa Helena (1.48-1.42 Ga) accretionary orogens, both developed in an Andean-type magmatic arc; (2) the Paragua Terrane (1.74-1.32 Ga) that hosts pre-San Ignacio units (>1640 Ma: Chiquitania Gneiss Complex, San Ignacio Schist Group and Lomas Manechis Granulitic Complex) and the Pensamiento Granitoid Complex (1.37-1.34 Ga) developed in an Andean-type magmatic arc; (3) the Rio Alegre Terrane (1.51-1.38 Ga) that includes units generated in a mid-ocean ridge and an intra-oceanic magmatic arc environments; and (4) the Alto Guapore Belt (<1.42-1.34 Ga) that hosts units developed in passive marginal basin and intra-oceanic arc settings. The collisional stage (1.34-1.32 Ga) is characterized by deformation, high-grade metamorphism, and partial melting during the metamorphic peak, which affected primarily the Chiquitania Gneiss Complex and Lomas Manechis Granulitic Complex in the Paragua Terrane, and the Colorado Complex and the Nova Mamore Metamorphic Suite in the Alto Guapore Belt. The Paragua Block is here considered as a crustal fragment probably displaced from its Rio Negro-Juruena crustal counterpart between 1.50 and 1.40 Ga. This period is characterized by extensive A-type and intra-plate granite magmatism represented by the Rio Crespo Intrusive Suite (ca. 1.50 Ga), Santo Antonio Intrusive Suite (1.40-1.36 Ga), and the Teotonio Intrusive Suite (1.38 Ga). Magmatism of these types also occur at the end of the Rondonian-San Ignacio Orogeny, and are represented by the Alto Candeias Intrusive Suite (1.34-1.36 Ga), and the Sao Lourenco-Caripunas Intrusive Suite (1.31-1.30 Ga). The cratonization of the province occurred between 1.30 and 1.25 Ga. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Superovulation in Cycling Mares Using Equine Follicle Stimulating Hormone (eFSH)

Superovulation would potentially increase the efficiency and decrease the cost of embryo transfer by increasing embryo collection rates. Other potential clinical applications include improving pregnancy rates from frozen semen, treatment of subfertility in stallions and mares, and induction of ovulation in transitional mares. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of purified equine follicle stimulating hormone (eFSH; Bioniche Animal Health USA, Inc., Athens, GA) in inducing superovulation in cycling mares. In the first experiment, 49 normal, cycling mares were used in a study at Colorado State University. Mares were assigned to 1 of 3 groups: group 1, controls (n = 29) and groups 2 and 3, eFSH-treated (n = 10/group). Treated mares were administered 25 mg of eFSH twice daily beginning 5 or 6 days after ovulation (group 2). Mares received 250 (of cloprostenol on the second day of eFSH treatment. Administration of eFSH continued until the majority of follicles reached a diameter of 35 mm, at which time a deslorelin implant was administered. Group 3 mares (n = 10) received 12 mg of eFSH twice daily starting on day 5 or 6. The treatment regimen was identical to that of group 2. Mares in all 3 groups were bred with semen from 1 of 4 stallions. Pregnancy status was determined at 14 to 16 days after ovulation. In experiment 2, 16 light-horse mares were used during the physiologic breeding season in Brazil. On the first cycle, mares served as controls, and on the second cycle, mares were administered 12 mg of eFSH twice daily until a majority of follicles were 35 mm in diameter, at which time human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) was administered. Mares were inseminated on both cycles, and embryo collection attempts were performed 7 or 8 days after ovulation. Mares treated with 25 mg of eFSH developed a greater number of follicles (35 mm) and ovulated a greater number of follicles than control mares. However, the number of pregnancies obtained per mare was not different between control mares and those receiving 25 mg of eFSH twice daily. Mares treated with 12 mg of eFSH and administered either hCG or deslorelin also developed more follicles than untreated controls. Mares receiving eFSH followed by hCG ovulated a greater number of follicles than control mares, whereas the number of ovulations from mares receiving eFSH followed by deslorelin was similar to that of control mares. Pregnancy rate for mares induced to ovulate with hCG was higher than that of control mares, whereas the pregnancy rate for eFSH-treated mares induced to ovulate with deslorelin did not differ from that of the controls. Overall, 80% of mares administered eFSH had multiple ovulations compared with 10.3% of the control mares. In experiment 2, the number of large follicles was greater in the eFSH-treated cycle than the previous untreated cycle. In addition, the number of ovulations during the cycle in which mares were treated with eFSH was greater (3.6) than for the control cycle (1.0). The average number of embryos recovered per mare for the eFSH cycle (1.9 ± 0.3) was greater than the embryo recovery rate for the control cycle (0.5 ± 0.3). In summary, the highest ovulation and the highest pregnancy and embryo recovery rates were obtained after administration of 12 mg of eFSH twice daily followed by 2500 IU of hCG. Superovulation with eFSH increased pregnancy rate and embryo recovery rate and, thus, the efficiency of the embryo transfer program.

Análisis sistémico de la agriculturización en la pampa húmeda argentina y sus consecuencias en regiones extra pampeanas: sostenibilidad, brechas de conocimiento e integración de políticas

Incluye Bibliografía

Entidades de gestión del agua a nivel de cuencas: experiencia de Argentina

Incluye Bibliografía

Impacto socioeconómico del sismo ocurrido el 21 de enero de 2003 en el estado de Colima, México

Incluye Bibliografía

Composição dos tubérculos, extração e caracterização de amidos de diferentes cultivares de batata

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Energia na Agricultura) - FCA

Espécies de Ceraeochrysa Adams (Neuroptera: Crysopidae) presentes em pomares de Citrus SPP., na Venezuela

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Entomologia Agrícola) - FCAV

Carta Circular de la Red de Cooperación en la Gestión Integral de Recursos Hídricos para el Desarrollo Sustentable en América Latina y el Caribe N° 25

Editorial.-- Discusión abierta: Formulación de nuevos marcos regulatorios para los servicios de agua potable y saneamiento ; Integrando economía, legislación y administración en la gestión del agua y sus servicios en América Latina y el Caribe.-- Importante fallo sobre los derechos del agua indígenas de la Corte Suprema de Chile.-- Reuniones: Pobreza, desertificación y degradación de los recursos naturales.-- Noticias de la RED: Día Interamericano del Agua (DIAA) ; Fondo Nacional del Agua (FONAGUA) en Perú.-- La Conferencia del Río Colorado, Argentina, cumplió 50 años ; Consejos de Aguas por Cuencas en Paraguay.-- Noticias sobre internet y WWW

Carta Circular de la Red de Cooperación en la Gestión Integral de Recursos Hídricos para el Desarrollo Sustentable en América Latina y el Caribe N° 42

Editorial.-- Discusión abierta: El cambio conceptual de la regulación en un escenario de prestación pública ; Políticas e institucionalidad en materia de agua potable y saneamiento ; Estrategias de desarrollo bajo en carbono en megaciudades de América Latina ; Adaptación al cambio climático de la gestión hídrica para el sector riego.-- Reuniones: Hacia una visión de la gobernanza de los recursos naturales para la igualdad ; Recursos hídricos bajo incertidumbre y riesgo al cambio climático ; Desafíos de regulación en sector de agua.-- Noticias de la red: Lecciones del acuerdo interprovincial de distribución de caudales del río Colorado ; Programa agua potable rural de Chile ; Ley orgánica de recursos hídricos, usos y aprovechamiento del agua de Ecuador.-- Noticias sobre internet y www