Biologia de Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks) (Acari: Tarsonemidae) em limão siciliano (Citrus limon Burm)

No estudo da biologia de Polyphagotarsonemus latus em limão Siciliano, foram utilizados potes plásticos circulares com capacidade de 250 ml, contendo areia esterilizada como suporte para dois frutos novos com aproximadamente 2,0 cm de diâmetro. O ensaio foi conduzido a 27,1 ± 0,5°C, umidade relativa de 67,6 ± 1,3% e fotofase contínua. O período de ovo a adulto durou 3,7 ± 0,1 dias para fêmeas e 3,6 ± 0,1 dias para machos, com sobrevivência de 100%. Após um período de pré-oviposição de 1,0 ± 0,2 dias, as fêmeas depositaram 5,6 ± 0,5 ovos por dia durante 10,5 ± 0,9 dias, totalizando 58,9 ± 6,7 ovos por fêmea. A longevidade foi de 13,4 ± 1,0 dias para fêmeas e 12,0 ± 2,4 dias para machos. A razão intrínseca de aumento (rm) foi de 0,359, a razão finita de aumento (l) de 1,43 indivíduos por fêmea por dia, o tempo médio de uma geração (T) de 10,34 dias e a taxa líquida de reprodução (Ro) de 41,0.

Estudo comparativo das argilas das olarias dos municípios de Alfenas e Areado, MG

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

An alternative approach to solve convergence problems in the backpropagation algorithm

The multilayer perceptron network has become one of the most used in the solution of a wide variety of problems. The training process is based on the supervised method where the inputs are presented to the neural network and the output is compared with a desired value. However, the algorithm presents convergence problems when the desired output of the network has small slope in the discrete time samples or the output is a quasi-constant value. The proposal of this paper is presenting an alternative approach to solve this convergence problem with a pre-conditioning method of the desired output data set before the training process and a post-conditioning when the generalization results are obtained. Simulations results are presented in order to validate the proposed approach.

Oxygen mobility in SmBa2Cu3O7-delta measured by anelastic spectroscopy

Anelastic spectroscopy has been performed on a sample of superconducting oxide SmBa2Cu3O7-delta (SBCO) using a torsion pendulum operating with frequency around 10 Hz. A thermally activated relaxation peak is observed near 500 K with the activation enthalpy of 1.55 +/- 0.03 eV and the pre-exponential factor of approximately 10(-15) s, which is attributed to the mobility of non-stoichiometric oxygen by jumps in positions O1 and O5 of the lattice. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Thermal annealing-induced electric dipole relaxation in natural alexandrite

Electrical properties of natural alexandrite (BeAl2O4:Cr3+) are investigated by the thermally stimulated depolarization current (TSDC) technique. Samples are submitted to consecutive annealing processes and TSDC is carried out after each annealing, yielding bands with different parameters. These bands are fitted by a continuous distribution of relaxation parameters: activation energy and pre-exponential factor of the Arrhenius equation. It has been observed that annealing influences the dipole relaxation behavior, since it promotes a modification of Fe3+ and C3+ impurity distributions on sites of distinct symmetry: Al-1 and Al-2. In order to have a reference for comparison, TSDC is also carried out on a synthetic alexandrite sample, where the only impurity present is Cr3+ ion.

Biologia de Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks, 1904) (Acari: Tarsonemidae) em algodoeiro

Leaf discs obtained from the first or second non-cotyledonal leaf of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) seedlings were used for the study of the biology of Polyphagotarsonemus latus on cotton IAC-20 cultivar. Seedlings were grown in pots and placed on a layer of cotton moistened with distilled water. The assays were carried out at 28.5 ± 0.3°C, relative humidity of 71.0 ± 2.6% and a 14 h photophase. The duration of immature phases was 4.1 ± 0.1 days for females and 4.1 ± 0.3 days for males, with a survival of 91.2%. After a pre-oviposition period of 1.1 ± 0.2 days, the females deposited 4.5 ± 0.9 eggs per day during 6.8 ± 1.3 days, i.e., 29.6 ± 7.3 eggs per female. The longevity was 10.0 ± 1.5 days for females and 8.8 ± 1.1 days for males. The intrinsic rate of increase (rm) was 0.323; finite rate of increase (λ) 1.38 individual per female per day; mean generation time (T) 9.54 days and net reproductive rate (Ro) 21.73.

Metacercárias de Diplostomum (Austrodiplostomum) compactum Lutz, 1928 (Digenea, Diplostomidae) em peixes do rio Paraná, Brasil. Prevalência, sazonalidade e intensidade de infecção

This paper aims at evaluating the occurrence of Diplostommn (Anstrodiplostomum compactum (Digenea: Diplostomatidae) in the eyeball of Plagioscion sqnamosissimus (corvina) and Cichla ocellaris (tucunaré), monthly captured in Paraná river, Presidente Epitácio, state of São Paulo, Brazil. From 61 corvinas under analysis, 56 of them contained parasites (92%) with intensity rate of 42.0 host parasites. From an amount of 81 tucunarés, 45 contained parasites (55%) with intensity rate of 9.3 parasites. Corvinas showed prevalence from 71 to 100% with the highest intensity rates (103.3 and 106.9) from February to March, 2001. Comparatively, the tucunaré showed the highest prevalence from November 2000 (90%) to February 2001 (80%). The tucunaré highest intensity rates occurred on September, 2000 (12.7), December, 2000 (12.2) and February, 2001 (16.1). Metacercariae showed a hollow womb body and a posterior region of a sinuous conic protuberance, an oral sucker smaller than the acetabulae, a simple acetabulae located in the pre-equatorial region of helminto. A short pre-pharynx followed by a muscular pharynx, genital pore next to acetubulae. Corvina metacercariae presents 1.434,0 μm (880 to 1.840) long by 611.2 ± 93.4 μm (400 to 792) wide. Tucunaré metacercariae, 1.462.4 μm (960 to 2.480) by 710.8 μm (560 to 960). Authors confirmed corvina great susceptibility to Diplomastum and the relationship between the parasitism and the aquatic and climatic parameters.

Quantitative cell-cycle protein expression in oral cancer assessed by computer-assisted system

The knowledge of cell-cycle control has shown that the capacity of malignant growth is acquired by the stepwise accumulation of defects in specific genes regulating cell growth. Histologic diagnosis might be improved by a quantitative evaluation of more specific diagnosis biomarkers, which could help to precisely identify pre-malignant and malignant oral lesions. The aim of the present study is to evaluate whether computer-based quantitative assessment of p53, PCNA and Ki-67 immunohistochemical expression, could be used clinically to foresee the risk of oral malignant transformation. This retrospective study was carried out in ninety-five oral biopsies, 27 were classified as fibrous inflammatory hyperplasia, 40 as leukoplakia and 28 as oral squamous cell carcinoma. Sixteen out of the 40 leukoplakia were diagnosed as non-dysplastic leukoplakia, the other 24 being dysplastic leukoplakia, of which 50.0% were classified as moderate to severe dysplasia. Comparison of the four groups of oral tissues showed significant rises in p53 and Ki-67 positivity index, which increased steadily in the order benign, pre-malignant, and malignant. In contrast, it was not possible to relate higher PCNA levels with pre-malignant and malignant oral lesions. We therefore conclude that PCNA immunohistochemistry expression is probably an inappropriate marker to identify oral carcinogenesis, whereas joint quantitative evaluation of p53 and Ki-67, appears to be useful as a tumor marker, providing a pre-diagnostic estimate of the potential for cell-cycle deregulation of the oral proliferate status.

Utilização do primeiro ciclo ovulatório da estação reprodutiva para produção de embriões em éguas sob condições tropicais

The efficacy of the first ovulation of the breeding season was determined through the response of first pre-ovulatory follicle of the breeding season to hCG, embryo recovery rate, viability of recovered embryos, serum concentrations of progesterone, and response of first CL to PGF 2α. Thirteenth mares that were in vernal transition were accompanied until the first pre-ovulatory follicle was detected. At this moment, the ovulation was induced with 2,500 IU hCG (IV) and the mares were inseminated every other day until ovulation. Seven days after the ovulation, embryo recovery was performed and the progesterone concentration was determined. After detection of the first pre-ovulatory follicle of breeding season with ≥ 25mm, it took 14.92 ± 10.80 days for the follicle to reach the preovulatory size and 18.00 ± 11.08 days to ovulation. After administration of hCG, 11/13 mares ovulated in 48 hours. These follicles growth 2.19 ± 0.86 mm/day on average. Nine of 13 mares (69.2%) produced embryos and all were considered viable after morfological evaluation and fluorescence exams. The CL appeared competent producing 7.39 ± 2.11 ng/ml P 4 on average, and responding to PGF 2α. According to these results the first ovulatory cycle of the year can be utilized to produce viable embryos.

Injeção epidural de cetamina ou cetamina levógira no controle da dor pós-incisional, em eqüinos

The aim of this study was to evaluate the pre-emptive effect of epidural ketamine S (+) (SK) or racemic ketamine (RK) administration, in post-incisional pain in horses. Were used in a blinded, randomized experimental study, sixteen mixed breed mares, 6±2 years old, weighting 273.2±42.0 kg. An epidural catheter was inserted 24 hours before the trials. The thigh region was shaved bilaterally, and mechanical cutaneous sensibility was measured using von Frey filaments (T-30). Using the left side as the control one, local anesthesia was performed at the right side. Twenty-five minutes later, SK was injected in G1 or RK in G2 through the epidural catheter. Five minutes after the ketamine injection, a 10 cm skin incision was made on the right side, and then sutured. Mechanical post-incisional pain was measured using von Frey filaments, at 1, 3 and 5 cm around the incision at 15 minutes intervals, for 2 hours, then 4, 6 and 8 hours after suturing. No changes were observed in the heart and respiratory rate and rectal temperature among groups or times of each group. Hind limb ataxia was observed in 62.5% and 12.5% of G1 and G2 respectively. SK and RK reduced cutaneous sensibility in the right and the left sides to mechanical postincisional pain during all time of experiment. Epidural SK and RK produce similar post-incisional analgesic effects, did not interfere in the cardio-respiratory parameters. The SK induces more intense ataxia in mares and presents a larger analgesic potency in the first 60 minutes after the administration.

Geoquímica de gnaisses do arco magmático de goiás na região sul do estado de goiás

Granitic to trondhjemitic gneisses from the Pontalina region in the southern part of Goiás State, Central Brazil, have calcic to calc-alkaline, metaluminous to peraluminous compositions. They have low concentrations of alkaline elements, and are enriched in Ba, Sr, K, Rb in relation to Nb, Y, Zr and REE, and have negative anomalies of Nb and Ti, features which are similar to those of magmas generated in magmatic arc environments. Those rocks were previously interpreted as part of the basement of the Brasília Belt, attributed to the Archean to Paleoproterozoic, but new Sm - Nd isotopic data indicate a neoproterozoic age (TDM = 0,9 a 1,2 Ga), and the preliminary geochemical data reveal compositions similar to the gneisses of the other regions belonging to the Goiás Magmatic Arc.

Multiple particle and cluster emissions from Zr following intermediate energies photo absorption

A new approach based on a N-a cluster photoabsorption model is proposed for the understanding of the puzzling steady increase behavior of the 90Zr (e, α) yield measured at the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) within the Giant Dipole Resonance and quasideuteron energy range. The calculation takes into account the pre-equilibrium emissions of protons, neutrons and alpha particles in the framework of an extended version of the multicollisional intranuclear cascade model (MCMC). Another Monte Carlo based algorithm describes the statistical decay of the compound nucleus in terms of the competition between particle evaporation (p, n, d, α, 3He and t) and nuclear fission. The results reproduce quite successfully the 90Zr (e,α) yield, suggesting that emissions of a particles are essential for the interpretation of the exotic increase of the cross sections.

Projeto de Produção e Processo de Pré-fabricação de Componentes de Bambu

The design and production process of the workshop shed made of bamboo presented in this paper is the result of almost two years of cooperation between Viverde Farmers Association, Universidade Estadual Paulista and Unisol. The system consists of rounded aroeira pillars, a roof structure formed by in natura bamboo frames and metal connections. The development of the parts and connections detailing, through the technical drawing of each component, enabled the development of standardized precision fittings aiming at optimizing the execution and saving time, energy and raw material on the assembly line. In this process, the creation and improvement of templates was necessary in order to facilitate the assembly of parts. The component assembly phases were recorded at the Experimental Laboratory for Bamboo and Wood Processing - UNESP/FEB. The results showed the good performance of the pre-fabrication process of bamboo components.

Caracterização química e mineralógica de azulejos portugueses do centro histórico de São Luís-MA (Brasil): Uma aproximação à mineralogia e à temperatura de queima das matérias-primas

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Crustal growth in the 3.4-2.7Ga São José de Campestre Massif, Borborema Province, NE Brazil

The Archean (3.45-2.70Ga) rocks of the São José do Campestre Massif (SJCM) in the Borborema Province (NE Brazil) make up a small area (~6000km2) and are composed of granitoids and metasupracrustal rocks that define a complex magmatic and deformational history. The massif provides the opportunity to study mantle- and crustal-derived magmas generated since the Palaeoarchean. The orthogneisses of the SJCM are composed of: (1) tonalite to granodiorite with diorite enclaves (Bom Jesus gneiss, 3412±8Ma; TDM Nd model ages from 4.1 to 3.5Ga and negative epsilon Nd values); (2) biotite and ferroan-diopside monzogranite (Presidente Juscelino complex, 3356±21Ma and 3251±44Ma; TDM model ages range from 4.1 to 3.4Ga and epsilon Nd values that are slightly positive to negative); (3) hornblende tonalite to granodiorite (Brejinho complex, 3333±77Ma and 3187±8Ma; dominantly positive epsilon Nd values and TDM ages from 3.6 to 3.2Ga); (4) biotite monzogranite (São Pedro do Potengi gneiss, 3120±22Ma; TDM =3.5Ga; negative epsilon Nd value); (5) ferroan-diopside-grossular anorthosite and metagabbro (Senador Elói de Souza complex, 3033±3Ma); and (6) quartz diorite to syenogranite (São José do Campestre complex; 2685±9Ma and 2655±4Ma; negative epsilon Nd values and TDM ages from 3.9 to 3.3Ga). The orthogneisses are subalkaline to faintly alkaline, magnesian to ferroan, M- and I-type granitoids that follow either the K-enrichment or the trondhjemite trends. Each group has a subset with REE characteristics similar to Archean TTG and another that is analogous to Phanerozoic granitoids. They have negative Ta-Nb and Ti anomalies and have trace element contents of granitoids from subduction zones. Geochemical and Nd isotope data suggest that subducted oceanic crust and a depleted and metasomatised mantle wedge both acted as the magma sources. We propose a convergent tectonic model in which hybridisation of the upper mantle occurs through interactions with adakitic or trondhjemitic melts and recycling of earlier crust. The results imply that both the subducted oceanic crust and the mantle wedge played major roles in continent formation throughout successive episodes of arc accretion in Palaeo- and Mesoarchean times. The Archean rocks of the SJCM shares some similarities with the Pilbara, Kaapvaal, West African, and São Francisco cratons. However, the most reliable comparisons with the SJCM are with the neighbouring basement of the Nigeria and Cameroon shields. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.