Amazon landforms and soils in relation to biological diversity

Thirteen main landform units are distinguished for the whole of the forested Amazon region, each with its specific soil pattern and vegetation structure. These landform-soil-vegetation units are delineated on a small-scale map and illustrated by a schematic cross-section. Floristic diversity of the gamma type is to be highest on the steepland-and-valley complexes of the Andean fringe, on the crystalline shield uplands, on the inselberg complexes, and on the eutric variant of the western sedimentary plains. Endemism is expected to be highest on the sandy plains, and parts of the table lands and inselberg complexes. Speciation, linked to the concept of forest refuge areas, is likely to be highest on the sandstone table lands, on the stretches of Amazon planalto, and in the areas of relict valleys, in view of the prolonged geomorphological stability of these units.

Safest level of tricaine methanesulfonate (ms-222) to induce anesthesia in juveniles of Matrinxã, Brycon cephalus

The use of MS-222 as an anesthetic for matrinxã juveniles was investigated. At dosage of 100 mg/L or lower fish did not achieve a complete anesthesia state. At 150 mg/L, MS-222 induced anesthesia within 36 seconds and recovered from a 10 minutes period of anesthesia within 5.2 min. Higher concentrations (200, 250 and 300 mg/L) anesthetized fish in lesser times, with the offset of mortality (16.7 and 33.3%) at the 200 and 300 mg/L MS-222 doses, respectively. The only significant differences observed in the hematological parameters, was for the glucose values in fish anesthetized with 250 and 300 mg/L. From the results, the recommended dose of MS-222 for handling matrinxã juveniles is 150 mg/L.

Caracterização do regime pluviométrico da região do projeto Rio Formoso na bacia do Araguaia, to., Brasil

A caracterização do regime pluviométrico é fundamental para a tomada de decisão junto às práticas agrícolas para a safra e entresafra, no município de Formoso do Araguaia - TO. Foram obtidos dados diários de precipitação pluviométrica no período de 1981 a 1997, excluídos os anos de 1991, 1992 e 1993, totalizando 14 anos de observações. Os dados foram analisados via sistemas ANFLPLUVIE.EXE e Chuva (Assad et al, 1994). Analisou-se as precipitações médias anuais e mensais; as frequências mensais, quinzenais e decendiais em 20%, 50% e 80% de probabilidade de ocorrência e a quantificação e frequência dos veranicos. A precipitação média anual foi de 1.675,7 mm; e a precipitação média mensal do período chuvoso foi maior em dezembro (330,9 mm) e menor em abril (109,3 mm), 95,16% das chuvas na região ocorreram entre os meses de outubro a abril; em 85,71% dos anos observados, o índice pluviométrico foi superior a 1.000 mm anuais.

Enchentes e vazantes do Rio Negro Medidas no porto de Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil

As cotas do rio Negro vem sendo medidas, diariamente, desde setembro de 1902. O presente trabalho baseou-se em dados colhidos entre os anos de 1903 a 1999. As cinco maiores enchentes aconteceram em: 1953 (29,69m), 1976 (29,61m), 1989 (29,42m), 1922 (29,35m) e 1909 (29,17m). As cinco maiores vazantes aconteceram em: 1963 (13,65m), 1906 (14,20m), 1997 (14,34m), 1916 (14,42m) e 1926 (14,54m). Os cinco menores valores de cotas máximas foram em: 1926 (21,77m), 1912 (24,84m), 1992 (25,42m), 1964 (25,91m) e 1980 (26,00m) e os cinco de cotas mínimas foram em: 1926 (21,77m), 1912 (24,84m), 1992 (25,42m), 1964 (25,91m) e 1980 (26,00m). As cinco maiores diferenças alcançadas em um mesmo ano entre as cotas máximas e mínimas aconteceram em: 1997 (14,62m), 1909 (14,13m), 1953 (12,62m), 1952 (12,44m) e 1916 (12,21 m) e as menores aconteceram em: 1912 (05,45m), 1968 (06,10m), 1985 (06,53m), 1974, (06,62m) e 1986 (06,74m).

Changes in the floristic composition of a Terra Firme rain forest In Brazilian Amazonia over an eight-year period In response to logging

Changes in the floristic composition over an eight-year period in a logged area at the Tapajós National Forest in Brazilian Amazonia arc discussed. Two treatments of different intensities of logging were compared with an undisturbed (control) forest. Data were collected from permanent sample-plots. The effects of logging on floristic composition were stronger in the more heavily logged treatment. The number of species decreased immediately after logging, but started to increase before the fifth year after logging and was higher at the end of the study period than before logging. The more heavily logged plots responded more to disturbances, as judged by the increase in the number of species during the period after logging. This forest appears to recover its initial floristic composition after disturbance without intervention.

Contribution to the study of Himatanthus sucuuba: latex macromolecule, microelements and carbohydrates

The polymeric material in the latex of Himatanthus sucuuba (Spruce) Woodson was identified by spectroscopic methods as cis-polyisoprene (Mn = 192; Mw = 571; Mw/ Mn = 2.97). ICP-MS analysis of microelements in the aqueous phase showed the most abundant to be Ca (354 μg/g) and Mg (250 μg/g). Carbohydrate analysis of the aqueous phase by HPLC-PAD showed arabinose, glucose, xylose, rhamnose and galactose to be the predominant saccharides.

Princípios para a reabilitação sustentável low cost de edifícios antigos: estudo de um quarteirão no centro da cidade do Porto

Dissertação de mestrado em Construção e Reabilitação Sustentável

Seasonality, parity rates and transmission indices of Mansonella ozzardi (Manson) (Nematoda: Onchocercidae) by Cerqueirellum argentiscutum (Shelley & Luna Dias) (Diptera: Simulidae) in a lower Solimões River community, Amazonas, Brazil

Mansonella ozzardi is transmitted by two dipterian families, Ceratopogonidae (midges) and Simuliidae (black flies). In Brazil, black flies are vectors for this filariasis until now. In this paper, we determined the seasonality, parity capacity and parasitic infection rate of Cerqueirellum argentiscutum. The work was carried out in the Porto Japão community, Lower Solimões River, Amazonas, Brazil. Results show that the black flies were more abundant during the rainy season (from December to May). The number of parous flies was higher in every sampling during the course of year. Monthly Biting Rate (MBR1 123742.00, MBR2 86701.50) was high, although Parasitic Infection Rate (PIR1 0.06, PIR2 0.08) and Annual Transmission Potential (ATP 7.25) were low in numbers.

Growth rate of a terra firme rain forest in Brazilian Amazonia over an eight-year period in response to logging

This paper deals with growth rates of trees > 5cm dbh over an eight-year period from 257 species at the Tapajós National Forest. The discussion is centred on the behaviour of the forest after logging. Permanent sample plots were established in 1981 and measured at the first time. The area was logged in 1982. Measurements after logging occurred in 1983, 1987 and 1989. Considering all species together, diameter increment was similar for both intensities of logging until five years after logging. Light-demanding species showed significantly higher growth rates than shade-tolerant species in the logged forest, with greater increment in the heavier treatment intensity. Commercial species also had higher growth rates in the heavier logged area, although those were significantly different only in the period from one to five years after logging. In the undisturbed forest, growth rates increased with increasing dbh size. At species level, growth rate varied between and within treatments, as well as between trees within species, depending mainly on degree of canopy opening. The logging favoured the growth of commercial species, chiefly the light-demanders. Therefore, if the same growth conditions continue being given, for example by silvicultural treatments, to those species of commercial interest, the forest would reach a stock available for harvesting around year 30 after logging. However, the high variation in increment rates indicates that an eight-year period is not sufficient to allow predictions on cutting cycles or polycyclic management systems for the study forest.

Effects of clove oil on the stress response of matrinxã (Brycon cephalus) subjected to transport

Fish transport is one of the most stressful procedures in aquaculture facilities. The present work evaluated the stress response of matrinxã to transportation procedures, and the use of clove oil as an alternative to reduce the stress response to transport in matrinxã (Brycon cephalus). Clove oil solutions were tested in concentrations of 0, 1, 5 and 10 mg/L during matrinxã transportation in plastic bags, supplied with water and oxygen as the usual field procedures in Brazil. Clove oil reduced some of the physiological stress responses (plasma cortisol, glucose and ions) that we measured. The high energetic cost to matrinxã cope with the transport stress was clear by the decrease of liver glycogen after transport. Our results suggest that clove oil (5 mg/l) can mitigate the stress response in matrinxã subjected to transport.

A relational algebra approach to ETL modeling

The MAP-i Doctoral Programme in Informatics, of the Universities of Minho, Aveiro and Porto

Assessment of liposome disruption to quantify drug delivery in vitro

Efficient liposome disruption inside the cells is a key for success with any type of drug delivery system. The efficacy of drug delivery is currently evaluated by direct visualization of labeled liposomes internalized by cells, not addressing objectively the release and distribution of the drug. Here, we propose a novel method to easily assess liposome disruption and drug release into the cytoplasm. We propose the encapsulation of the cationic dye Hoechst 34,580 to detect an increase in blue fluorescence due to its specific binding to negatively charged DNA. For that, the dye needs to be released inside the cell and translocated to the nucleus. The present approach correlates the intensity of detected fluorescent dye with liposome disruption and consequently assesses drug delivery within the cells.

Abundance of two Dendrocincla woodcreepers (aves: Dendrocolaptidae) in relation to forest structure in Central Amazonia

Few studies have been conducted to verify how the structure of the forest affects the occurence and abundance of neotropical birds. Our research was undertaken between January 2002 and July 2004 at the Reserva Ducke, near Manaus (02º55',03º01'S; 59º53',59º59'W) in central Amazonia, to verify how the forest structure affects the occurrence and abundance of two bird species: the Plain-brown Woodcreeper Dendrocincla fuliginosa and the White-chinned Woodcreeper Dendrocincla merula. Bird species occurrence was recorded using lines of 20 mist-nets (one sample unit), along 51 1-km transects distributed along 9 pararel 8 km trails covering an area of 6400 ha. Along these transects, we placed 50 x 50m plots where we recorded forest structure components (tree abundance, canopy openness, leaf litter, standing dead trees, logs, proximity to streams, and altitude). We then related these variables to bird occurence and abundance using multiple logistic and multiple linear regression models, respectively. We found that D. fuliginosa frequently used plateau areas; being more abundant in areas with more trees. On the other hand, D. merula occurred more frequently and was more abundant in areas with low tree abundance. Our results suggest that although both species overlap in the reserve (both were recorded in at least 68% of the sampled sites), they differ in the way they use the forest microhabitats. Therefore, local variation in the forest structure may contribute to the coexistence of congeneric species and may help to maintain local alpha diversity.

Tambaqui growth and survival when exposed to different photoperiods

The use of different photoperiods (light) were investigated during tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) juvenile growth under captivity. Light intensity tested was: continuous dark (24hrs without light), natural photoperiod simulation (10hrs of light and 14hrs without light) and continuous light (24 with light). No mortality was recorded among treatments. Significant differences was observed after 50 days of experiment among mean fish weight, fish kept under a continuous darkness showed a better specific growth rate (6.02%) when compared to control fish (natural photo period, 3.67%). Fish exposed to continuous light presented the lowest mean specific growth rate (2.04%). It is possible to improve tambaqui juvenile weight gain performance when kept under continuous darkness.

Physiological responses of matrinxã (Brycon amazonicus) fed different levels of vitamin C and submitted to air exposure

The role of vitamin C on physiological responses of matrinxã (Brycon amazonicus) submitted to air exposure was analyzed. Nine hundred fish (70.15 g) were distributed in fifteen 500 l boxes (60 fish.box-1) and fed five rations (treatments): Control (no vitamin C); T100 (100 mg); T200 (200 mg); T400 (400 mg) and T800 (800 mg of vitamin C kg.ration-1). Each ration was offered to fish of three boxes during 60 days before the stress challenge that consisted of exposing fish to air for two minutes. Samplings were carried out for 5, 15, 30 and 60 minutes after the air exposure. Blood was collected for glucose, cortisol, total protein, sodium, chloride, hematocrit, hemoglobin determination, and white and red cell count. Liver was removed for hepatosomatic index (HSI) calculation and glycogen determination. Vitamin C did not affect the levels of cortisol, chloride, total protein, hemoglobin, leukocytes, hepatic glycogen or HSI in air exposed fish. Blood glucose levels elevation observed 60 minutes after the challenge did not depend on the levels of vitamin C, nor did the drop in serum sodium levels verified 60 minutes after stressor. In general, hematocrit did not change by effect of vitamin C but it was lower at 15 and 30 minutes after the challenge. The number of erythrocytes decreased in fish after 5 minute sampling in all treatments, especially at 30 and 60 minutes. The air exposure evoked alterations in stress indicators of matrinxã, and the vitamin C did not alter the responses.