Leetotypilications and a Validation in Baccharis Asteraceae, Astereae) Names from Brazil

The study of collections from the RB herbarium in Rio de Janeiro. Brazil, allows the lectotypification of three names in the Asteraceae: Baccharis xhoelmeana Teodoro, B. xpaulopolitana Teodoro & W. Hoehne, and B. x wilsoniana Teodoro. Additionally, the name B. lymanii G. M. Barroso ex G. Heiden is validated by the indication of a holotype.

Musical genres: beating to the rhythms of different drums

Online music databases have increased significantly as a consequence of the rapid growth of the Internet and digital audio, requiring the development of faster and more efficient tools for music content analysis. Musical genres are widely used to organize music collections. In this paper, the problem of automatic single and multi-label music genre classification is addressed by exploring rhythm-based features obtained from a respective complex network representation. A Markov model is built in order to analyse the temporal sequence of rhythmic notation events. Feature analysis is performed by using two multi-variate statistical approaches: principal components analysis (unsupervised) and linear discriminant analysis (supervised). Similarly, two classifiers are applied in order to identify the category of rhythms: parametric Bayesian classifier under the Gaussian hypothesis (supervised) and agglomerative hierarchical clustering (unsupervised). Qualitative results obtained by using the kappa coefficient and the obtained clusters corroborated the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Wavelet analysis of MODIS time series to detect expansion and intensification of row-crop agriculture in Brazil

Since 2000, the southwestern Brazilian Amazon has undergone a rapid transformation from natural vegetation and pastures to row-crop agricultural with the potential to affect regional biogeochemistry. The goals of this research are to assess wavelet algorithms applied to MODIS time series to determine expansion of row-crops and intensification of the number of crops grown. MODIS provides data from February 2000 to present, a period of agricultural expansion and intensification in the southwestern Brazilian Amazon. We have selected a study area near Comodoro, Mato Grosso because of the rapid growth of row-crop agriculture and availability of ground truth data of agricultural land-use history. We used a 90% power wavelet transform to create a wavelet-smoothed time series for five years of MODIS EVI data. From this wavelet-smoothed time series we determine characteristic phenology of single and double crops. We estimate that over 3200 km(2) were converted from native vegetation and pasture to row-crop agriculture from 2000 to 2005 in our study area encompassing 40,000 km(2). We observe an increase of 2000 km(2) of agricultural intensification, where areas of single crops were converted to double crops during the study period. (C) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Evaluating Theobroma grandiflorum for comparative genomic studies with Theobroma cacao

The seeds of Theobroma cacao (cacao) are the source of cocoa, the raw material for the multi-billion dollar chocolate industry. Cacao`s two most important traits are its unique seed storage triglyceride (cocoa butter) and the flavor of its fermented beans (chocolate). The genome of T. cacao is being sequenced, and to expand the utility of the genome sequence to the improvement of cacao, we are evaluating Theobroma grandiflorum, the closest economically important species of Theobroma for its potential use in a comparative genomic study. T. grandiflorum differs from cacao in important agronomic traits such as flavor of the fermented beans, disease resistance to witches` broom and abscission of mature fruits. By comparing genomic sequences and analyzing viable inter-specific hybrids, we hope to identify the key genes that regulate cacao`s most important traits. We have investigated the utility in T. grandiflorum of three types of markers (microsatellite markers, single-strand conformational polymorphism markers and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers) developed in cacao. Through sequencing of amplicons of 12 diverse individuals of both cacao and T. grandiflorum, we have identified new intra- and inter-specific SNPs. Two markers which had no overlap of alleles between the species were used to genotype putative inter-specific hybrid seedlings. Sequence conservation was significant and species-specific differences numerous enough to suggest that comparative genomics of T. grandiflorum and T. cacao will be useful in elucidating the genetic differences that lead to a variety of important agronomic trait differences.

Evidences of turbulent mixing in multi-pumping flow systems

Multi-pumping flow systems exploit pulsed flows delivered by Solenoid pumps. Their improved performance rely on the enhanced radial mass transport inherent to the pulsed flow, which is a consequence of the establishment of vortices thus a tendency towards turbulent mixing. This paper presents several evidences of turbulent mixing in relation to pulsed flows. such as recorded peak shape, establishment of fluidized beds, exploitation of flow reversal, implementation of relatively slow chemical reactions and/or heating of the reaction medium. In addition, Reynolds number associated with the GO period of a pulsed flow is estimated and photographic images of dispersing samples flowing under laminar regime and pulsed flow conditions are presented. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Museum, object and information

This text aims to approach museums` role in the production of knowledge and how objects are transformed into documents when museums incorporate them. On accepting the effects of such transformation, museums start working not only with material goods, but also symbolic goods. The collection manager or exhibition curator communicate through documents rather than bringing into light its intrinsic content. In this sense, every process involving museum documents, from the selection of collections to exhibitions, has a rhetoric and ideological nature which is given. Museums must search for meanings through correlations established in the process of producing information. Exhibitions should present objects in multiple contexts, giving visitors the opportunity to participate and attribute their own meanings to them.

Flow Visualization in Arteriovenous Fistula and Aneurysm Using Computational Fluid Dynamics

The arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is characterized by enhanced blood flow and is the most widely used vascular access for chronic haemodialysis (Sivanesan et al., 1998). A large proportion of the AVF late failures are related to local haemodynamics (Sivanesan et al., 1999a). As in AVF, blood flow dynamics plays an important role in growth, rupture, and surgical treatment of aneurysm. Several techniques have been used to study the flow patterns in simplified models of vascular anastomose and aneurysm. In the present investigation, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is used to analyze the flow patterns in AVF and aneurysm through the velocity waveform obtained from experimental surgeries in dogs (Galego et al., 2000), as well as intra-operative blood flow recordings of patients with radiocephalic AVF ( Sivanesan et al., 1999b) and physiological pulses (Aires, 1991), respectively. The flow patterns in AVF for dog and patient surgeries data are qualitatively similar. Perturbation, recirculation and separation zones appeared during cardiac cycle, and these were intensified in the diastole phase for the AVF and aneurysm models. The values of wall shear stress presented in this investigation of AVF and aneurysm models oscillated in the range that can both cause damage to endothelial cells and develop atherosclerosis.

Bait and Habitat Preferences, and Temporal Variability of Social Wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) Attracted to Vertebrate Carrion

In addition to feeding on carrion tissues and fluids, social wasps can also prey on immature and adult carrion flies, thereby reducing their populations and retarding the decomposition process of carcasses. In this study, we report on the occurrence and behavior of social wasps attracted to vertebrate carrion. The collections were made monthly from September 2006 to October 2007 in three environments (rural, urban, and forest) in six municipalities of southeast Brazil, using baited bottle traps. We collected Agelaia pallipes (Olivier, 1791) (n = 143), Agelaia vicina (Saussure, 1854) (n = 106), Agelaia multipicta (Haliday, 1836) (n = 18), and Polybia paulista Ihering, 1896 (n = 3). The wasps were observed feeding directly on the baits and preying on adult insects collected in the traps. Bait and habitat associations, temporal variability of social wasps, and possible forensic implications of their actions are discussed.

Distribution of Aceria guerreronis and Neoseiulus baraki among and within coconut bunches in northeast Brazil

Aceria guerreronis Keifer (Acari: Eriophyidae) is considered a major pest of coconut in many countries in the Americas, Africa and parts of Asia. Neoseiulus baraki Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae) is one of the predatory mites most commonly found in association with A. guerreronis in parts of northeast Brazil. The objective of this work was to study the distribution of A. guerreronis and N. baraki among and within coconut bunches. The hypothesis was tested that A. guerreronis and N. baraki are homogenously distributed over the fruits in a bunch, independent of the fruits` age and position. Five collections of bunches, each corresponding to leaves 12-16 from apex (about 2-6 month-old), were conducted in each of three fields in northeastern Brazil, from February to October, 2007. A total of 1,986 fruits were examined. The number of mites, the percentage of fruits hosting them and the level of damage caused by A. guerreronis were evaluated. The highest density of A. guerreronis was observed on fruits of bunch 4 whereas the highest density of N. baraki was observed on bunch 5. Considering all fruits together, no significant differences were observed between densities of either A. guerreronis or N. baraki among the basal, median and apical thirds of the bunches. In younger bunches, fruits of the apical region tend to have lower densities of both mites than fruits of the basal region. This pattern, in association with a similar pattern for the percentage of fruits hosting N. baraki, suggests that the predator initially reaches the basal bunch region, from where it moves to the apical region. The results of the present study suggest that the pest population reduction in bunches older than bunch 4 could be due to (1) an effect of the predator, (2) reduction of the proportion of undamaged tissues amenable to attack, and/or (3) less favorable characteristics of the fruits to attack by A. guerreronis, as indicated by their increasing lignin content as they get older.

Establishing a soybean germplasm core collection

Core collections are of strategic importance as they allow the use of a small part of a germplasm collection that is representative of the total collection. The objective of this study was to develop a soybean core collection of the USDA Soybean Germplasm Collection by comparing the results of random, proportional, logarithmic, multivariate proportional and multivariate logarithmic sampling strategies. All but the random sampling strategy used stratification of the entire collection based on passport data and maturity group classification. The multivariate proportional and multivariate logarithmic strategies made further use of qualitative and quantitative trait data to select diverse accessions within each stratum. The 18 quantitative trait data distribution parameters were calculated for each core and for the entire collection for pairwise comparison to validate the sampling strategies. All strategies were adequate for assembling a core collection. The random core collection best represented the entire collection in statistical terms. Proportional and logarithmic strategies did not maximize statistical representation but were better in selecting maximum variability. Multivariate proportional and multivariate logarithmic strategies produced the best core collections as measured by maximum variability conservation. The soybean core collection was established using the multivariate proportional selection strategy. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Soil density evaluated by spectral reflectance as an evidence of compaction effects

Soil compaction, reflected by high bulk density, is an environmental degradation process and new technologies are being developed for its detection. Despite the proven efficiency of remote sensing, it has not been widely used for soil density. Our objective was to evaluate the density of two soils: a Typic Quartzpisament (TQ) and a Rhodic Paleudalf (RP), using spectral reflectance obtained by a laboratory spectroradiometer between 450 and 2500 nm. Undisturbed samples were taken at two depths (0-20 and 60-80 cm), and were artificially compacted. Spectral data, obtained before and after compaction, were compared for both wet and dried compacted samples. Results demonstrated that soil density was greater in RP than in TQ at both depths due to its clayey texture. Spectral data detected high density (compacted) from low density (non-compacted) clayey soils under both wet and dry conditions. The detection of density in sandy soils by spectral reflectance was not possible. The intensity of spectral reflectance of high soil bulk density (compacted) samples was higher than for low density (non-compacted) soils due to changes in soil structure and porosity. Dry samples with high bulk density showed differences in the spectral intensity, but not in the absorption features. Wet samples in equal condition had statistically higher reflectance intensity than that of the low soil bulk density (non-compacted), and absorption differences at 1920 nm, which was due to the altered position of the water molecules. Soil line and spectral reflectance used together could detect soil bulk density variations for the clay soil. This technique could assist in the detection of high soil density in the laboratory by providing new soil information.

Using Imaging Spectroscopy to study soil properties

Imaging Spectroscopy (IS) is a promising tool for studying soil properties in large spatial domains. Going from point to image spectrometry is not only a journey from micro to macro scales, but also a long stage where problems such as dealing with data having a low signal-to-noise level, contamination of the atmosphere, large data sets, the BRDF effect and more are often encountered. In this paper we provide an up-to-date overview of some of the case studies that have used IS technology for soil science applications. Besides a brief discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of IS for studying soils, the following cases are comprehensively discussed: soil degradation (salinity, erosion, and deposition), soil mapping and classification, soil genesis and formation, soil contamination, soil water content, and soil swelling. We review these case studies and suggest that the 15 data be provided to the end-users as real reflectance and not as raw data and with better signal-to-noise ratios than presently exist. This is because converting the raw data into reflectance is a complicated stage that requires experience, knowledge, and specific infrastructures not available to many users, whereas quantitative spectral models require good quality data. These limitations serve as a barrier that impedes potential end-users, inhibiting researchers from trying this technique for their needs. The paper ends with a general call to the soil science audience to extend the utilization of the IS technique, and it provides some ideas on how to propel this technology forward to enable its widespread adoption in order to achieve a breakthrough in the field of soil science and remote sensing. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Leaf area index estimation with MODIS reflectance time series and model inversion during full rotations of Eucalyptus plantations

The leaf area index (LAI) of fast-growing Eucalyptus plantations is highly dynamic both seasonally and interannually, and is spatially variable depending on pedo-climatic conditions. LAI is very important in determining the carbon and water balance of a stand, but is difficult to measure during a complete stand rotation and at large scales. Remote-sensing methods allowing the retrieval of LAI time series with accuracy and precision are therefore necessary. Here, we tested two methods for LAI estimation from MODIS 250m resolution red and near-infrared (NIR) reflectance time series. The first method involved the inversion of a coupled model of leaf reflectance and transmittance (PROSPECT4), soil reflectance (SOILSPECT) and canopy radiative transfer (4SAIL2). Model parameters other than the LAI were either fixed to measured constant values, or allowed to vary seasonally and/or with stand age according to trends observed in field measurements. The LAI was assumed to vary throughout the rotation following a series of alternately increasing and decreasing sigmoid curves. The parameters of each sigmoid curve that allowed the best fit of simulated canopy reflectance to MODIS red and NIR reflectance data were obtained by minimization techniques. The second method was based on a linear relationship between the LAI and values of the GEneralized Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (GESAVI), which was calibrated using destructive LAI measurements made at two seasons, on Eucalyptus stands of different ages and productivity levels. The ability of each approach to reproduce field-measured LAI values was assessed, and uncertainty on results and parameter sensitivities were examined. Both methods offered a good fit between measured and estimated LAI (R(2) = 0.80 and R(2) = 0.62 for model inversion and GESAVI-based methods, respectively), but the GESAVI-based method overestimated the LAI at young ages. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

MODIS NDVI time-series allow the monitoring of Eucalyptus plantation biomass

The use of remote sensing is necessary for monitoring forest carbon stocks at large scales. Optical remote sensing, although not the most suitable technique for the direct estimation of stand biomass, offers the advantage of providing large temporal and spatial datasets. In particular, information on canopy structure is encompassed in stand reflectance time series. This study focused on the example of Eucalyptus forest plantations, which have recently attracted much attention as a result of their high expansion rate in many tropical countries. Stand scale time-series of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) were obtained from MODIS satellite data after a procedure involving un-mixing and interpolation, on about 15,000 ha of plantations in southern Brazil. The comparison of the planting date of the current rotation (and therefore the age of the stands) estimated from these time series with real values provided by the company showed that the root mean square error was 35.5 days. Age alone explained more than 82% of stand wood volume variability and 87% of stand dominant height variability. Age variables were combined with other variables derived from the NDVI time series and simple bioclimatic data by means of linear (Stepwise) or nonlinear (Random Forest) regressions. The nonlinear regressions gave r-square values of 0.90 for volume and 0.92 for dominant height, and an accuracy of about 25 m(3)/ha for volume (15% of the volume average value) and about 1.6 m for dominant height (8% of the height average value). The improvement including NDVI and bioclimatic data comes from the fact that the cumulative NDVI since planting date integrates the interannual variability of leaf area index (LAI), light interception by the foliage and growth due for example to variations of seasonal water stress. The accuracy of biomass and height predictions was strongly improved by using the NDVI integrated over the two first years after planting, which are critical for stand establishment. These results open perspectives for cost-effective monitoring of biomass at large scales in intensively-managed plantation forests. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Development and characterization of microsatellite markers for turmeric (Curcuma longa)

P>Curcuma longa L. is a sterile, triploid, vegetatively-propagated crop cultivated mainly in Southeast Asia. When dried rhizomes are ground, the resulting yellow powder is used by the food industry as a natural food dye. Moreover, many pharmacological compounds have broadened the commercial application of the crop. However, conventional breeding is difficult and hence, improvement has been limited to germplasm selection. To better utilize the germplasm collections and facilitate genotype selection, a total of 17 polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed using a CT/GT/CTT enriched genomic library. All microsatellites resulted in amplified PCR products, showing a banding pattern of 2-11 polymorphic bands per locus, enabling genotype discrimination. These results can be used in further studies aimed at characterizing C. longa genetic resource collections and also to improve breeding strategies.