Divisia indexes, money and welfare

We suggest the use of a particular Divisia index for measuring welfare losses due to interest rate wedges and in‡ation. Compared to the existing options in the literature: i) when the demands for the monetary assets are known, closed-form solutions for the welfare measures can be obtained at a relatively lower algebraic cost; ii) less demanding integrability conditions allow for the recovery of welfare measures from a larger class of demand systems and; iii) when the demand speci…cations are not known, using an index number entitles the researcher to rank di¤erent vectors of opportunity costs directly from market observations. We use two examples to illustrate the method.

Sustainability indexes: why join in? A study of the Corporate Sustainability Index (ISE) in Brazil

In the past decade, indicators have been created to assess the sustainability performance of companies listed in stock exchange markets. Academics and practitioners expect companies to benefit from being listed in such indexes, but evidence of value creation is still scarce. Since virtually all studies about the Corporate Sustainability Index (ISE) of the S~ ao Paulo Stock Exchange (Brazil) e the object of the present study e focused on the value of shares, we initially looked for answers in the finance theory. We collected secondary data about the financial and economic performance of companies forming the ISE's ‘theoretical portfolio’, as these kinds of indexes are also known. In a second stage, we sought additional motivations for companies to make efforts to be listed in the index. We collected additional data and interviewed representatives of key companies listed in the ISE, as well as industry leaders who chose not to participate in the selection process. The results support the main propositions of the institutional theory, as well as the ‘pays to be green’ literature e that the intangible value created by voluntary environmental initiatives, such as access to knowledge, new capabilities and reputational gain, better explain the efforts companies make to be listed in the ISE index

Behavioural and seminal characteristics of Santa Ines rams subjected to successive semen collections in the Amazonian region

The objective of this study was to evaluate the reproductive performance of Santa Ines rams subjected to successive semen collections in an Amazonian climate. Four rams were subjected to successive ejaculations during a maximum period of three hours. This procedure was repeated three times at 15-day intervals. Sexual and behavioural (libido) and andrological (testicular and seminal) assessments were performed. A total of 81 ejaculates were collected. Libido and semen vigour, volume, appearance and concentration decreased as the ejaculation frequency increased (P<0.05) and sperm motility showed a decreasing trend (P=0.06). The seminal pH increased over the sequence of collections (P<0.05). The only significant differences observed between individual rams were the variable scrotal circumference and the percentages of live sperm and sperm abnormalities (P<0.05). All the parameters of the first ejaculation were within the normal range for this species, which suggests that the local climatic conditions (high temperature and humidity) did not affect the behavioural, testicular or seminal parameters of experimental rams. Our findings indicate that the reproductive performance of Santa Ines rams could be affected by the intensification of ejaculation frequency; however, individual male variation needs to be taken into consideration.

Impact of successive sugarcane harvests and trash management practices on soil microbiological properties

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Evaluation of thermal stress indexes for dairy cows in tropical regions

Seis índices de estresse ambiental foram aplicados a 1.359 dados de 359 vacas Holandesas e 54 vacas Jersey em rebanhos comerciais do Ceará e Rio Grande do Norte. O critério de seleção aplicado aos índices foi sua correlação com a temperatura retal e a freqüência respiratória dos animais. O Índice de Temperatura e Umidade (THI) e o Índice de Globo e Umidade (BGHI) apresentaram os piores resultados, com correlações muito baixas com as respostas dos animais. Os índices escolhidos foram o Índice de Temperatura Equivalente (ESI), correlacionado significativamente com a temperatura retal (r = 0,293) e a freqüência respiratória (r = 0,520), e o Índice de Carga Térmica (HLI), com correlações r = 0,286 e r = 0,542 respectivamente.

STEM ANATOMY and DEVELOPMENT of SUCCESSIVE CAMBIA IN THE NEOTROPICAL LIANA SECURIDACA RIVINIFOLIA (POLYGALACEAE)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Fourth ventricle computed tomography indexes: standardisation and characteristics in neurocysticercosis

OBJETIVOS: propor padrão de normalidade das dimensões do IVventrículo e estudar suas características em neurocisticercose. MÉTODO: em um grupo controle (GC) constituído de 114 indivíduos com tomografias normais e em outro grupo composto de 80 doentes com neurocisticercose (GN), mediram-se a distância fronto-polar de ventrículos laterais (FP) e os diâmetros craniano interno (Cr), ântero-posterior (AP) e látero-lateral (LL) do IVº ventrículo para a padronização de seis índices. RESULTADOS: AP/Cr, AP/LL e AP/FP foram os índices mais discriminatórios e apresentaram, em GC, valores médios de 0,063, 0,267 e 0,582, respectivamente. em GN os valores foram estatisticamente superiores a GC. Selecionaram-se 51 doentes do GN com índice> ou =2 desvios-padrão da média em GC. Neles, AP/Ll foi> ou =1 em 95% doentes com derivação liquórica e em 88% com depressão, ocorrendo em 73% com evolução satisfatória e todos que faleceram. CONCLUSÃO: AP/Cr, AP/LL e, principalmente, AP/FP são representativos das dimensões do IVventrículo.

Microsporogenesis is simultaneous in the early-divergent grass Streptochaeta, but successive in the closest grass relative, Ecdeiocolea

Simultaneous microsporogenesis is described for the first time in a grass, Streptochaeta spicata Schrad., a tropical Brazilian species that belongs in the early-divergent subfamily Anomochlooideae. Microsporogenesis is successive in all other Poaceae examined so far, and most other members of the order Poales, to which grasses belong. The only other reports of simultaneous microsporogenesis in Poales are in Rapateaceae and some members of the cyperid clade (Juncaceae, Cyperaceae, Prionium and Thurnia). Among the graminids, Ecdeiocolea (the putative closest relative to Poaceae) is successive, as are Joinvillea, Flagellaria and all other Poaceae, indicating that the simultaneous condition is autapomorphic in Streptochaeta, though Anomochloa has yet to be examined. Anther wall development in Streptochaeta is of the reduced type, as also in another early-divergent grass Pharus, though most other Poales, including most grasses, have the monocot type. In Streptochaeta, as in Pharus, the endothecium lacks thickenings, unlike other grasses that have a persistent endothecium with thickenings. The centrifixed anthers and nonplumose stigmas of Streptochaeta suggest entomophily.

Caffeine effect on mortality and oviposition in successive generations of Aedes aegypti

OBJETIVO: Experimentos anteriores mostraram que a cafeína bloqueia o desenvolvimento de Aedes aegypti (Diptera, Culicidae) na fase larval, inibindo conseqüentemente a produção de adultos. O objetivo do estudo foi obter dados que pudessem sugerir desenvolvimento de resistência dos mosquitos à cafeína. MÉTODOS: Foi avaliada a produção de adultos em gerações sucessivas, a partir de ovos produzidos na geração anterior e a taxa de oviposição em cada geração, utilizando meios contendo cafeína a 200 e 500 µg/ml e água de torneira proveniente de poço artesiano como controle. Os experimentos foram conduzidos em São José do Rio Preto, entre 2002 e 2005. Nos testes estatísticos foram utilizados a análise exploratória de dados e algoritmos de alisamento. RESULTADOS: Ocorreu redução crescente da produção de adultos, nas duas concentrações, ao longo das gerações, mas apenas no experimento a 200 µg/ml os dados foram estatisticamente significantes. Quanto à oviposição, a análise dos números mostra redução crescente e acentuada na média de ovos por fêmea, no experimento tratado. CONCLUSÕES: Não houve evidência de resistência ao longo das gerações devido ao tratamento com cafeína. Os resultados encontrados podem reforçar a indicação da cafeína como uma alternativa aos principais agentes de controle do Ae. aegypti atualmente usados, contra os quais os mosquitos têm desenvolvido resistência.

Indexes of power and aerobic capacity obtained in cycle ergometry and treadmill running: comparisons between sedentary, runners, cyclists and triathletes

The objectives of this study were: a) to determine, in a cross-sectional manner, the effect of aerobic training on the peak oxygen uptake, the intensity at O2peak and the anaerobic threshold (AnT) during running and cycling; and b) to verify if the transference of the training effects are dependent on the analized type of exercise or physiological index. Eleven untrained males (UN), nine endurance cyclists (EC), seven endurance runners (ER), and nine triathletes (TR) were submitted, on separate days, to incremental tests until voluntary exhaustion on a mechanical braked cycle ergometer and on a treadmill. The values of O2peak (ml.kg-1.min-1) obtained in running and cycle ergometer (ER = 68.8 ± 6.3 and 62.0 ± 5.0; EC = 60.5 ± 8.0 and 67.6 ± 7.6; TR = 64.5 ± 4.8 and 61.0 ± 4.1; UN = 43.5 ± 7.0 and 36.7 ± 5.6; respectively) were higher in the group that presented specific training in the modality. The UN group presented the lower values of O2peak, regardless of the type of exercise. This same behavior was observed for the AnT (ml.kg-1.min-1) determined in running and cycle ergometer (ER = 56.8 ± 6.9 and 44.8 ± 5.7; EC = 51.2 ± 5.2 and 57.6 ± 7.1; TR = 56.5 ± 5.1 and 49.0 ± 4.8; UN = 33.2 ± 4.2 and 22.6 ± 3.7; respectively). It can be concluded that the transference of the training effects seems to be only partial, independently of the index (O2peak, IO2peak or AnT) or exercise type (running or cycling). In relation to the indices, the specificity of training seems to be less present in the O2peak than in the IO2peak and the AnT.

Modelling frequency distributions of 5 minute-averaged solar radiation indexes using Beta probability functions

Five minute-averaged values of sky clearness, direct and diffuse indices, were used to model the frequency distributions of these variables in terms of optical air mass. From more than four years of solar radiation observations it was found that variations in the frequency distributions of the three indices of optical air mass for Botucatu, Brazil, are similar to those in other places, as published in the literature. The proposed models were obtained by linear combination of normalized Beta probability functions, using the observed distributions derived from three years of data. The versatility of these functions allows modelling of all three irradiance indexes to similar levels of accuracy. A comparison with the observed distributions obtained from one year of observations indicate that the models are able to reproduce the observed frequency distributions of all three indices at the 95% confidence level.

Interval training at 95% and 100% of the velocity at VO2 max: effects on aerobic physiological indexes and running performance

The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of two different high-intensity interval training (HIT) programs on selected aerobic physiological indices and 1500 and 5000 m running performance in well-trained runners. The following tests were completed (n = 17): (i) incremental treadmill test to determine maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), running velocity associated with VO2 max (VVO2max), and the velocity corresponding to 3.5 mmol/L of blood lactate concentration (vOBLA); (ii) submaximal constant-intensity test to determine running economy (RE); and (iii) 1500 and 5000 m time trials on a 400 m track. Runners were then randomized into 95% vVO(2max) or 100% vVO(2max) groups, and undertook a 4 week training program consisting of 2 HIT sessions (performed at 95% or 100% vVO(2max), respectively) and 4 submaximal run sessions per week. Runners were retested on all parameters at the completion of the training program. The VO2 max values were not different after training for both groups. There was a significant increase in post-training vVO(2 max), RE, and 1500 in running performance in the 100% vVO(2 max) group. The vOBLA and 5000 m running performance were significantly higher after the training period for both groups. We conclude that vOBLA and 5000 m running performance can be significantly improved in well-trained runners using a 4 week training program consisting of 2 HIT sessions (performed at 95% or 100% vVO(2max)) and 4 submaximal run sessions per week. However, the improvement in vVO(2 max), RE, and 1500 in running performance seems to be dependent on the HIT program at 100% vVO(2 max).

Development of successive cambia and structure of wood in Gallesia integrifolia (Spreng.) Harms (Phytolaccaceae)

Stem diameter in Gallesia integrifolia (Spreng.) Harms (Phytolaccaceae) increases by forming concentric rings of xylem alternating with phloem, which show frequent anastomoses. After a period of primary growth and the formation of first (normal) ring of vascular cambium, further successive rings are initiated outside this cambium. The second ring of cambium originates from the pericycle parenchyma located between the proto-phloem, and the pericycle fibres. Each cambium produces centripetally secondary xylem and centrifugally secondary phloem. Differentiation of xylem precedes that of phloem and the first elements formed are always xylem fibres. Structurally, the vascular cylinder is composed by successive rings of secondary xylem and phloem. These rings are separated by wide bands of conjunctive parenchyma tissue. Presence of collateral vascular bundles with irregular orientation is observed in the region of anastomoses of two or more bands of conjunctive tissue. These bundles are surrounded by isodiametric, lignified and thick-walled cells. In some of the cambial rings, occurrence of polycentric rays was also noticed; these rays are tall, and characterized by the presence of meristematic regions that differentiated into thick-walled elements of secondary xylem. Origin and development of the successive cambia and the structure of xylem are discussed.