Phylogenetic analysis and molecular dating suggest that hemidactylus anamallensis is not a member of the hemidactylus radiation and has an ancient late cretaceous origin

Background of the Work: The phylogenetic position and evolution of Hemidactylus anamallensis (family Gekkonidae) has been much debated in recent times. In the past it has been variously assigned to genus Hoplodactylus (Diplodactylidae) as well as a monotypic genus `Dravidogecko' (Gekkonidae). Since 1995, this species has been assigned to Hemidactylus, but there is much disagreement between authors regarding its phylogenetic position within this genus. In a recent molecular study H. anamallensis was sister to Hemidactylus but appeared distinct from it in both mitochondrial and nuclear markers. However, this study did not include genera closely allied to Hemidactylus, thus a robust evaluation of this hypothesis was not undertaken. Methods: The objective of this study was to investigate the phylogenetic position of H. anamallensis within the gekkonid radiation. To this end, several nuclear and mitochondrial markers were sequenced from H. anamallensis, selected members of the Hemidactylus radiation and genera closely allied to Hemidactylus. These sequences in conjunction with published sequences were subjected to multiple phylogenetic analyses. Furthermore the nuclear dataset was also subjected to molecular dating analysis to ascertain the divergence between H. anamallensis and related genera. Results and Conclusion: Results showed that H. anamallensis lineage was indeed sister to Hemidactylus group but was separated from the rest of the Hemidactylus by a long branch. The divergence estimates supported a scenario wherein H. anamallensis dispersed across a marine barrier to the drifting peninsular Indian plate in the late Cretaceous whereas Hemidactylus arrived on the peninsular India after the Indian plate collided with the Eurasian plate. Based on these molecular evidence and biogeographical scenario we suggest that the genus Dravidogecko should be resurrected.

Ancient Chinese algorithm: The Ying Buzu Shu (method of surplus and deficiency) vs Newton iteration method

Air exploratory discussion of an ancient Chinese algorithm, the Ying Buzu Shu, in about 2nd century BC, known as the rule of double false position in the West is given. In addition to pointing out that the rule of double false position is actually a translation version of the ancient Chinese algorithm, a comparison with well-known Newton iteration method is also made. If derivative is introduced, the ancient Chinese algorithm reduces to the Newton method. A modification of the ancient Chinese algorithm is also proposed, and some of applications to nonlinear oscillators are illustrated.

O Ano Internacional do Planeta Terra e o clima

Apresenta resumo das atividades do evento denominado Ano Internacional do Planeta Terra (AIPT), iniciado em janeiro de 2007 e com término previsto para dezembro de 2009. Descreve questões-chave levantadas por cientistas chamados a contribuir com o tema "Clima", nas reflexões promovidas por esse evento. Informa agenda de pesquisa recomendada pela Corporação para o Ano Internacional do Planeta Terra em relação ao mesmo tema.

Phylogeography and non-invasive landscape genetics of the European pine marten ("martes martes" L. 1758) : insights into ancient and contemporary processes shaping genetic variation

283 p. : graf., map.

Space and Gender in the Ancient Greek Novel

The plots of the five Greek novels of "love and Adventures" are set in two differentent spaces. First, a macrospace, a gigantic stage which mainly includes Eastern cities of the Roman Empire, where the protagonists live the so-called adventures. And second, the microspaces, depicted in Longus' novel and occasionally in the other novels. The love ideology is clearly conservative, and it has a specific practical purpose among the Hellenized higher classes in the Eastern Empire.

Virtual Reconstruction of the Ancient State of a Ruined Church

Contributed to: 4th International Conference, EuroMed 2012, Limassol, Cyprus, October 29 – November 3, 2012.

Ancient DNA from Hunter-Gatherer and Farmer Groups from Northern Spain Supports a Random Dispersion Model for the Neolithic Expansion into Europe

10 p.

Origin of Chinese ancient glasses;study on the earliest Chinese ancient glasses

The earliest Chinese ancient glasses before the West Han Dynasty (200 BC) from different regions are studied. The glass samples were unearthed from Hunan, Hubei, Yunnan, Sichuan, Guizhou, Guangdong and Xinjiang of China. The chemical composition of these glasses samples is analyzed by proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE) technique, energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) method and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). It is shown that the glass chemical compositions belong to barium-lead silicate BaO-PbO-SiO2, potash soda lime silicate K2O (Na2O)-CaO-SiO2 (K2O/Na2O > 1), soda potash lime silicate Na2O (K2O)-CaO-SiO2 (K2O/Na2O < 1) and potash silicate K2O-SiO2 glass systems, respectively. The origins of the earliest Chinese ancient glasses are discussed from the archaeological and historical points of view. These four types of Chinese ancient glasses were all made in Chinese territory using local raw materials. The glass preparation technology was related to the Chinese ancient bronze metallurgy and proto-porcelain glaze technology. The glass technology relationship between the East and the West is analyzed at the same time.

Iluminar a terra pela inteligência: Trajetória do Aprendizado Agrícola de Barbacena, MG (1910 - 1933)

Esta tese objetiva percorrer a trajetória da criação, implantação e mudanças, ao longo do processo histórico do Aprendizado Agrícola de Barbacena, desde seu início, em 1910, até a época do presidente Getúlio Vargas, 1933. Como preliminares e pano de fundo, as iniciativas do Brasil, que, premido pela carência de mão de obra qualificada para atender à demanda das fazendas, após a abolição da escravatura, busca conhecimentos e experiências em outros países, na área da educação agrícola. Com o advento da República, verifica-se uma guinada do Estado brasileiro no sentido de assumir o ensino elementar público, a fim de ir diminuindo o percentual de analfabetos e de ensaiar a implantação do ensino agrícola, tendo em vista a crise que surgira no setor agrícola. É nesse cenário que se criam os aprendizados agrícolas. O Aprendizado Agrícola de Barbacena surge em 1910. Com foco nessa Instituição, abordam-se: o papel de lideranças políticas mineiras para trazer para Barbacena o primeiro Aprendizado Agrícola de Minas Gerais; as mudanças por que o Aprendizado passou, indo de seu início até a época de Getúlio, quando foi transformado em Escola Agrícola; o método de ensino, prevalentemente teórico-prático; a integração do Aprendizado com seu meio; o sistema de administração que incluía participação dos alunos nos lucros; a estrutura didático-pedagógica e o regime de internato. O estudo destaca o trabalho do seu primeiro Diretor, Diaulas Abreu, por 45 anos à frente da Instituição. Como metodologia de pesquisa, analisam-se decretos relativos à criação do Aprendizado, regulamentos, relatórios, dados do arquivo da Instituição e a troca de correspondência entre a direção e órgãos do governo. A pesquisa se encerra na era do presidente Getúlio Vargas, após a Revolução de 1930.