Somatic embryogenesis and the effect of particle bombardment on banana Maçã regeneration

A plant regeneration method with cell suspension cultures of banana, and the effect of biobalistic on regeneration potential are described in this report. Somatic embryos of banana were obtained from indirect embryogenesis of male inflorescence of banana cultivar Maçã (AAB group). Part of the calluses formed (40%) showed embryogenic characteristics (nonfriable, compact and yellow color). The cell suspension, originated from embryogenic calluses, contained clusters of small tightly packed cells with dense cytoplasms, relatively large nuclei and very dense nucleoli. After four months of culture, somatic embryos started to regenerate. The maximum number of regenerated plants was observed between 45 and 60 days after embryo formation.In the first experiment, 401 plants were regenerated from approximately 10 mL of packed cells. In the second experiment, 399 plants were regenerated from a cell suspension six months older than that of the first experiment. Cell transformation using particle bombardment with three different plasmid constructions, containing the uid-A gene, resulted in a strong GUS expression five days after bombardment; however, plant regeneration from bombarded cells was much lower than nonbombarded ones.

Pollination efficiency of the stingless bee Melipona subnitida on greenhouse sweet pepper

The present study was carried out in Northeastern Region of Brazil, in order to investigate the use of stingless bee Melipona subnitida Ducke in the pollination of greenhouse sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Treatments of hand cross-pollination, hand self-pollination, pollination by bees and restricted pollination were performed. Results showed that despite sweet pepper flowers are considered autogamous, this crop benefits from pollination by M. subnitida, producing fruits significantly heavier and wider, containing a greater number of seeds and of better quality (lower percentage of malformed fruits) than self-pollinated sweet pepper. Thus, M. subnitida can be considered an efficient pollinator of greenhouse sweet pepper.

Development and evaluation of neural network models to estimate daily solar radiation at Córdoba, Argentina

The objective of this work was to develop neural network models of backpropagation type to estimate solar radiation based on extraterrestrial radiation data, daily temperature range, precipitation, cloudiness and relative sunshine duration. Data from Córdoba, Argentina, were used for development and validation. The behaviour and adjustment between values observed and estimates obtained by neural networks for different combinations of input were assessed. These estimations showed root mean square error between 3.15 and 3.88 MJ m-2 d-1 . The latter corresponds to the model that calculates radiation using only precipitation and daily temperature range. In all models, results show good adjustment to seasonal solar radiation. These results allow inferring the adequate performance and pertinence of this methodology to estimate complex phenomena, such as solar radiation.

Experiencia en gestión de redes sociales en el CRAI de la UB

El CRAI de la Universidad de Barcelona (CRAI UB) empezó a investigar y a utilizar las redes sociales entre finales del 2006 y principios del 2007. En aquellos momentos los blogs fueron las primeras redes que en las que participamos. El hecho de permitir comunicarnos con los usuarios a través de noticias de interés y de recibir sus comentarios hizo que los blogs fueran un medio dinámico en contraste con las tradicionales páginas web estáticas. El primer blog que elaboramos fue el del CRAI Biblioteca de Letras. Lentamente y en función de su viabilidad se impulsó, desde la unidad transversal de Proyectos del CRAI UB, la presencia del resto de CRAI Bibliotecas en las redes sociales. Con la aparición de Facebook se abrió una nueva posibilidad de comunicación e interactividad con los usuarios potenciales del CRAI UB, que se vio favorecida también con la irrupción de Twitter. En un principio, se empezaron a crear cuentas con perfiles personales y, cuando fue posible, pasaron a ser cuentas institucionales. Si hablamos de un público universitario como el nuestro, es Facebook la que arrastra mayor audiencia y, por consiguiente, la que permite llegar a un mayor número de usuarios. Esta posibilidad de compartir información de forma inmediata y sin demasiado esfuerzo añadido fue el impulso definitivo a la generalización de las redes sociales en la mayoría de los CRAI Bibliotecas.

Controle químico de doenças foliares na cultura do arroz irrigado

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a interferência das doenças foliares na produtividade de duas cultivares de arroz irrigado, bem como determinar a interação entre ingredientes ativos e momento de aplicação, para o controle de escaldadura e mancha-marrom. Foram utilizados: tiofanato metílico, tebuconazole, azoxystrobin e trifloxystrobin + propiconazole, aplicados em cinco épocas, às cultivares IRGA 417 e El Passo L 144. Os parâmetros avaliados foram: severidade das doenças e rendimento de grãos. O controle químico proporcionou redução significativa na severidade das doenças, em ambas as cultivares, com reflexo no rendimento de grãos, e foi influenciado pelo produto e pela época de aplicação.

Premsa gratuïta, un model de comunicació local = Free press, a local communication model

The relationship between non-institutional free press and local communication is quite particular since this type of press forms a very characteristic model of local communication, showing that advertising suffices to finance an information product addressed to a fairly well-defined readership as long as this product has a good advertising sales department and an effective distribution in its operating area. This paper discusses the present situation of the free press in Catalonia, where this phenomenon has been quite prominent. It points out the main features of this type of press and makes a review of its history, which runs from the euphoria of its early years and its expansion and consolidation, to the current crisis

Utilização de glifosato para o controle de ferrugem da soja

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de glifosato sobre a germinação de esporos de Phakopsora pachyrhizi e no controle da ferrugem da soja, aplicado preventiva e erradicativamente, em condições controladas. A germinação de esporos foi avaliada tendo-se vertido, em meio de cultura, soluções de esporos com diferentes concentrações do glifosato (0, 100, 1.000, 10.000 e 20.000 ppm) e fungicidas. Para avaliar o controle da ferrugem, plantas foram pulverizadas com glifosato, com variação da dose e do momento, tendo-se medido a severidade da doença. Houve efeito do produto sobre os esporos do fungo, o que reduziu sua germinação. As pulverizações em plantas, em casa de vegetação, mostraram um efeito do produto sobre a ferrugem, quando aplicado preventivamente, porém com período de proteção curto e fungitoxicidade inferior à do fungicida tebuconazole. O uso do glifosato, avaliado nesse ensaio, não deve ser visto como medida de manejo de ferrugem, e não interfere nas práticas habituais de controle da ferrugem da soja.

Estratégias para eficiência da seleção de feijoeiro quanto à resistência à murcha-de-fusário

O objetivo deste trabalho foi melhorar a eficiência de seleção de linhagens de feijoeiro, para a resistência ao Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. phaseoli. Foram comparados sete métodos de inoculação do patógeno, em quatro linhagens de feijoeiro, em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, em esquema fatorial 4x7, com cinco repetições. A reação das linhagens foi avaliada aos 21 dias após a inoculação. Para identificar a melhor época de avaliação da severidade do patógeno, 18 linhagens de feijoeiro foram submetidas à inoculação do patógeno, pela imersão de raízes na suspensão de esporos, com corte do sistema radicular, em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com 15 repetições. O progresso da doença foi acompanhado aos 7, 14, 21 e 28 dias após a inoculação. Com dados de experimento de 20 linhagens de feijoeiro com 15 repetições, foi simulado o efeito do número de repetições, que variou de 5 a 15. Os métodos que melhor discriminaram as linhagens foram os de imersão de raízes na suspensão de conídios - com ou sem o corte do sistema radicular. As avaliações da reação à doença devem ser realizadas com pelo menos 21 dias após a inoculação. Cinco repetições são suficientes para classificar as linhagens de feijoeiro, quanto à resistência à murcha-de-fusário.

Gestió de despeses personals

El punt de partida del TFC és la realització d'un projecte que gestioni les despeses personals de tots els treballadors d'una empresa.

The Irish and their language

My paper analysed the origins of the Irish language, where it came from, whay kind of people the Celts were and why the language is in such a critical state. I analized the Irish history and also the new improvements by the Government to reinforce the use of the language

Aggregate material formulated with MSWI bottom ash and APC fly ash for use as secondary building material

The main goal of this paper is to obtain a granular material formulated with Municipal Solid Waste Incinerarion (MSWI) bottom ash (BA) and air pollution control (APC) ash to be used as secondary building material. Previously, an optimum concrete mixture using both MSWI residues as aggregates was formulated. A compromise between the environmental behaviour and the economy of the process was considered. Unconfined compressive strength and abrasion resistance values were measured in order to evaluate the mechanical properties. From these results, the granular mixture was not suited for certain applications owing to the high BA/APC content and low cement percentages used to reduce the costs of the final product. Nevertheless, the leaching test performed showed that the concentrations of all heavy metals were below the limits established by the current Catalan legislation for their reutilization. Therefore, the material studied might be mainly used in embankments, where high mechanical properties are not needed and environmental safety is assured.

Impact of the Spanish smoking law on exponsure to secondhand smoke in offices and hospitality venues: before-and-after study

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: A smoking law was passed by the Spanish Parliament in December 2005 and was enforced by 1 January 2006. The law bans smoking in all indoor workplaces but only in some hospitality venues, because owners are allowed to establish a smoking zone (venues>100 m2) or to allow smoking without restrictions (venues<100 m2). The objective of the study is to assess the impact of the Spanish smoking law on exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) in enclosed workplaces, including hospitality venues. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study design is a before-and-after evaluation. We studied workplaces and hospitality venues from eight different regions of Spain. We took repeated samples of vapor-phase nicotine concentration in 398 premises, including private offices (162), public administration offices (90), university premises (43), bars and restaurants (79), and discotheques and pubs (24). RESULTS: In the follow-up period, SHS levels were markedly reduced in indoor offices. The median decrease in nicotine concentration ranged from 60.0% in public premises to 97.4% in private areas. Nicotine concentrations were also markedly reduced in bars and restaurants that became smoke-free (96.7%) and in the no-smoking zones of venues with separate spaces for smokers (88.9%). We found no significant changes in smoking zones or in premises allowing smoking, including discotheques and pubs. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, this study shows the positive impact of the law on reducing SHS in indoor workplaces. However, SHS was substantially reduced only in bars and restaurants that became smoke-free. Most hospitality workers continue to be exposed to very high levels of SHS. Therefore, a 100% smoke-free policy for all hospitality venues is required.

Aportacions de la musicoteràpia a les persones amb demència

La incidència de les demències en la societat actual va en augment. A causa de la seva llarga durada i de les conseqüències físiques, psicològiques i socials que representa s’ha evidenciat la necessitat de buscar diferents tipus d’intervencions, tant farmacològiques com biopsicosocials, que pal·liïn els seus efectes negatius, ajudin el malalt a preservar, el màxim temps possible, les seves funcions, i contribueixin a una millora de la qualitat de vida de la persona amb demència i dels seus cuidadors i familiars. En aquest article es farà una aproximació breu a les demències i als tractaments biopsicosocials, per entrar amb més detall en la intervenció musicoterapèutica. Es donarà a conèixer què és la musicoteràpia, quins són els beneficis que aquesta teràpia aporta al malalt i a la seva qualitat de vida segons les recerques científiques actuals més rellevants, per acabar mostrant com és el treball del musicoterapeuta en les diferents fases de les demències.

Blanc sota negre. Treballs des de l'imperceptible / 2. Mar Arza: Lectures i consums...

En els treballs de Mar Arza es percep una preocupació sostinguda per les línies escrites queapareixen sobre les superfícies. En els inicis, alterava les pàgines i les lletres dels llibres de vell. Recentment, ha intervingut la lletra escrita i els buits de qualsevol paper imprès –llibretes d’estalvis, factures de la llum, volants mèdics, fulls de calendaris, dècims de loteria...

Blanco bajo negro. Trabajos desde lo imperceptible / 2. Mar Arza: Lecturas y consumos...

En los trabajos de Mar Arza se percibe una preocupación sostenida por las líneas escritasque aparecen sobre las superficies. En los inicios, alteraba las páginas y las letras de los librosde viejo. Recientemente, ha intervenido la letra escrita y los vacíos de cualquier papel impreso–libretas de ahorros, facturas de la luz, volantes médicos, hojas de calendarios, décimos de lotería...