Modelagem da variação horária da temperatura do ar em Petrolina, PE, e Botucatu, SP

The air temperature is a climatic element of interest for several agricultural related studies. Hence, daily air temperature from two locations in Brazil (Botucatu and Petrolina, with different climate classification), hourly recorded from January 2004 to December 2005, were analysed to verify if 24 h long air temperature variation can be predicted with 6 h interval records. Three data set were selected, with different first time record of air temperature, and analyses performed using geoestatistics to confirm the temporal dependency of records. Then, ordinary krigging was used to model air temperature variation within 1 h interval, and spherical model presented the best approach, with range of 11.6 h for Botucatu and 12.7 for Petrolina. For both locations, the time of air temperature recording was the most importnat factor on accuracy of estimation of air temperature variation. Records at 2, 8, 14 and 20 h and at 4, 10, 16 and 22 h presented the best approaches, but for records at 9, 15 and 21 h, the approach was worst.

AMERICAN VISCERAL LEISHMANIASIS: DISEASE CONTROL STRATEGIES IN DRACENA MICROREGION IN ALTA PAULISTA, SP, BRAZIL

Despite measures adopted to control American visceral leishmaniasis (AVL), the disease is spreading in a fast and worrying way throughout western São Paulo state. The aim of this work was to study the variables involved in the disease cycle as well as the effectiveness of controlling measures. The study was carried out in the microregion of Dracena, which is composed of twelve cities and belongs to Alta Paulista, a region of western São Paulo. The necessary data were provided by the Superintendence for Endemic Disease Control and Adolfo Lutz Institute, Regional Laboratory of Presidente Prudente. From August 2005 to January 2008, the following factors were observed: detection of phlebotomine sandflies in the cities and periods in which dogs or humans were diagnosed; number of human deaths; prevalence of suspected dogs tested by serology; percentage of euthanasia in suspected dogs; a possible correlation between positive dogs and cases of the disease in humans; and the disease prevalence among municipalities from the studied region. It was verified that, despite the strategies adopted in Dracena microregion to control AVL, the disease continues to rise. Thus, some procedures of the AVL Monitoring and Control

Carbon Stocks and Isotopic Composition of the Organic Matter in Soils Covered by Native Vegetation and Pasture in Sorocaba, SP, Brazil

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

The first report of Hepatozoon sp (Apicomplexa : Hepatozoidae) in neotropical felids from Brazil

In order to investigate the occurrence of Hepatozoon infection in Neotropical felids from Brazil, blood from the jugular or cephalic vein was taken from 29 non-domestic felids including ocelot (Leopardus pardalis), little spotted cat (Leopardus tigrinus), margay (Leopardus wiedii), and jaguarondi (Puma yagouaroundi) from the Northeast region of Brazil. Hepatozoon infection was confirmed by light microscopy and molecular techniques. The results showed five naturally infected felids. Partial sequences of the 18S rRNA gene of the Hepatozoon sp. from these felids were further analyzed. Sequences revealed that the isolates found are closely related to Hepatozoon sp. from domestic cats in Spain. Hepatozoon species from Neotropical felids were identified molecularly and characterized for the first time. This is also the first report of Hepatozoon infection in a little spotted cat. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Ocorrência de mastite bovina causada por Staphylococcus sp., Streptococcus sp. E Candida sp. em uma propriedade rural no município de Indianópolis – Minas Gerais

The objective of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of bovine mastitis by Staphylococcus sp., Streptococcus sp. and Candida sp. in a rural area of Indianopolis, Minas Gerais. It was realized the California Mastitis Test (CMT) in six collect, a total 671 of milk sample positive. Then the microbiological examination was performed, where the results revealed the presence of 137 milk samples with microbial multiplication. These, showed the presence of Staphylococcus aureus (45.2% of strains), other coagulase negative Staphylococcus (10.2%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (9.4%), Staphylococcus simulans (5.8%), other coagulase negative (15.3%), Streptococcus agalactiae (7.2%), other Streptococcus sp. (5.1%) and yeasts (1.4%). It was found that 100% of Staphylococcus were susceptible to rifampicin, gentamicin and ciprofloxacin; but, resistant to penicillin, tetracycline, and oxacillin. Regarding antimicrobial susceptibility Streptococcus, were employed, except to clindamycin, erythromycin and tetracycline. We conclude that there is a great necessity of proper hygiene practices and taking prophylactic measures taken in order to reduce the infection of animals caused by infectious microorganisms and resistance.

Stimulation of polygalacturonase production in an immobilized system by Aspergillus sp.: effect of pectin and glucose

The synthesis of polygalacturonases (PG) is known to be influenced by Aspergillus growth conditions, namely, environmental factors and pectin content in the cultivation medium containing a mixed carbon source. Optimal conditions were attained at a temperature of 30 A degrees C and an initial pH of 4.5. PG activity (3.29 and 2.48 U/mL) was determined after a two-day culture of Aspergillus sp. HC1 and Aspergillus sp. CC1, respectively, in a basic medium containing 2% citrus pectin as the sole carbon source. The addition of glucose (2% w/v) to the basic medium led to a 2-fold increase in PG production. However, enzyme synthesis was repressed when a higher concentration of glucose was used in the medium containing the mixed carbon source. Spores from the two fungi were immobilized in a 3% Ca-alginate system and the mechanical strength of the gel beads allowed the use of this process system 6-fold longer (288 h) than the free culture. In the Aspergillus sp. CC1 immobilized system, PG production increased nearly 10-fold in the medium with 2% glucose added (5.95 U/mL) in comparison to the medium without sugar (0.55 U/mL). The results demonstrate that a different response in activity was produced by free and entrapped spore systems. PG production remained approximately constant throughout the six 48 h cycles in the medium containing citrus pectin (2% w/v) as the sole carbon source.

Caracteristicas de padroes de drenagem de areas com entalhes erosivos no municipio de Botucatu - SP

Descriptive and quantitative characteristics of the drainage pattern of two places very susceptible to erosive process, located in the municipality of Botucatu-SP, were studied through photo-interpretative methods. The analysis and discussion of the obtained results led to the conclusion that the geologic control in the area B, masking the effect of the relief and terrain permeability, increases the drainage density, the length of channels and the angularity of the channels of 3rd and 4th order. -from English summary

Probabilidade de ocorrencia de periodos secos e chuvosos em Rio Claro - SP.

Using the daily rainfall data from 1961 through 1980 the frequency of dry and wet periods was determined. The results of the frequency distribution of dry and wet periods indicated that observed data fit very closely an equation of the type Y = aebn. -after English summary

Mapeamento das formacoes superficiais da Regiao de Sao Pedro- Piracicaba (SP, Brasil).

As criteria in photointerpretation slope features, tonality, texture, structure, vegetation density and gullies were utilized. The origin of the surficial formations is related to the weathering, erosion and deposition processes and little diagenesis.-after English summary

Analise espacial de populacao: o caso da depressao demografica na Regiao da Alta Paulistra (Marilia-SP).

The population redistribution processes considered at a micro level, such as that for the Upper-Paulista Railroad micro-region (Marilia) in Brazil, shows that for nearly 50 years there was accelerated demographic growth followed immediately afterwards by varied declines involving the rural and urban populations.-from English summary

Intrusao alcalina de Jaboticabal, SP.

Five magnetic anomalies were found and mapped in the Faculdade de Ciencias Agrarias e Veterinarias, UNESP, campus of Jaboticabal, SP. The study showed that those anomalies represent intrusive alkaline bodies linked to magmatic manifestation with regional expression. -English summary

Cobertura vegetal do Municipio de Taquaritinga, SP, Antes da expansao da cultura da cana-de-acucar.

Occurrence and distribution of 12 natural and anthropic communities were mapped.-from English summary

Spontaneous triploidy and NOR activity in Eigenmannia sp. (Pisces, Sternopygidae) from the Amazon basin

The occurrence of a natural triploid among diploid individuals of Eigenmannia sp from the Amazon basin is described. The diploid individuals had 2n=31 and 32 chromosomes, the difference in chromosome number being due to a Robertsonian rearrangement. The triploid individual presented 2n=46 and had two fused acrocentrics. NOR activity was present in the three homologues of triploid and a NOR polymorphism was detected in the triploid and diploids. © 1985 Dr W. Junk Publishers.

Numero de dias de ocorrencia de orvalho em Botucatu, SP.

This paper analyses the dew occurrence in Botucatu, Sao Paulo State, Brazil, in the period from 1971 to 1984. The phenomenon was observed on the grass plot of the Climatological Station in the 'Presidente Medici' Experimental Farm. The station is installed on soil 'Terra Roxa Estruturada', on a middle slope, declivity of 8% and east exposure. Days with dew were summed for the following periods: month, year, season, no rainy period and rainy period. For each period the following values were calculated: mean, mean standard errors and mean confidence interval. Also the absolute extreme values and the amplitude of variation were determined. The confidence interval of the mean were calculated by the 't' statistic, at the level of 5% of error probability. The means were compared by using the 't' statistic, at the level of 5% of error probability. The following table of values corresponds to the regime of dew occurrence in Botucatu, expressed in number of days with dew. The dew occurrence regime in Botucatu was analysed comparatively with the regime at Itatinga, in Sao Paulo State and with the regime of Rio Grande, in Rio Grande do Sul State. -English summary

Condicionamento geologico da agua subterranea em Sao Jose,do Rio Preto, SP.

A study of the geological characteristics of the Buaru Group basaltic substratum and stratigraphical unities was carried out, taking into account the groundwater exploration in S.Jose do Rio Preto area. The presence of the tectonic structures in this substratum exercised a profound influence on the sedimentation of the Bauru Group and on the variations in the hydrological properties of the sediments of the area.-English summary