Variety matters: adaptive genetic diversity and parasite load in two mouse opossums from the Brazilian Atlantic forest

The adaptive potential of a species to a changing environment and in disease defence is primarily based on genetic variation. Immune genes, such as genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), may thereby be of particular importance. In marsupials, however, there is very little knowledge about natural levels and functional importance of MHC polymorphism, despite their key role in the mammalian evolution. In a previous study, we discovered remarkable differences in the MHC class II diversity between two species of mouse opossums (Gracilinanus microtarsus, Marmosops incanus) from the Brazilian Atlantic forest, which is one of the most endangered hotspots for biodiversity conservation. Since the main forces in generating MHC diversity are assumed to be pathogens, we investigated in this study gastrointestinal parasite burden and functional associations between the individual MHC constitution and parasite load. We tested two contrasting scenarios, which might explain differences in MHC diversity between species. We predicted that a species with low MHC diversity would either be under relaxed selection pressure by low parasite diversity (`Evolutionary equilibrium` scenario), or there was a recent loss in MHC diversity leading to a lack of resistance alleles and increased parasite burden (`Unbalanced situation` scenario). In both species it became apparent that the MHC class II is functionally important in defence against gastrointestinal helminths, which was shown here for the first time in marsupials. On the population level, parasite diversity did not markedly differ between the two host species. However, we did observe considerable differences in the individual parasite load (parasite prevalence and infection intensity): while M. incanus revealed low MHC DAB diversity and high parasite load, G. microtarsus showed a tenfold higher population wide MHC DAB diversity and lower parasite burden. These results support the second scenario of an unbalanced situation.

Time-lag in biological responses to landscape changes in a highly dynamic Atlantic forest region

Time-lagged responses of biological variables to landscape modifications are widely recognized, but rarely considered in ecological studies. In order to test for the existence of time-lags in the response of trees, small mammals, birds and frogs to changes in fragment area and connectivity, we studied a fragmented and highly dynamic landscape in the Atlantic forest region. We also investigated the biological correlates associated with differential responses among taxonomic groups. Species richness and abundance for four taxonomic groups were measured in 21 secondary forest fragments during the same period (2000-2002), following a standardized protocol. Data analyses were based on power regressions and model selection procedures. The model inputs included present (2000) and past (1962, 1981) fragment areas and connectivity, as well as observed changes in these parameters. Although past landscape structure was particularly relevant for trees, all taxonomic groups (except small mammals) were affected by landscape dynamics, exhibiting a time-lagged response. Furthermore, fragment area was more important for species groups with lower dispersal capacity, while species with higher dispersal ability had stronger responses to connectivity measures. Although these secondary forest fragments still maintain a large fraction of their original biodiversity, the delay in biological response combined with high rates of deforestation and fast forest regeneration imply in a reduction in the average age of the forest. This also indicates that future species losses are likely, especially those that are more strictly-forest dwellers. Conservation actions should be implemented to reduce species extinction, to maintain old-growth forests and to favour the regeneration process. Our results demonstrate that landscape history can strongly affect the present distribution pattern of species in fragmented landscapes, and should be considered in conservation planning. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Importance of interhabitat gaps and stepping-stones for lesser woodcreepers (Xiphorhynchus fuscus) in the Atlantic forest, Brazil

Translocation experiments showed that a woodcreeper bird species is able to move between isolated forest fragments, but this ability is limited by increasing interpatch distances. Larger distances (> 100 m) were overcome by using small stepping-stones (isolated trees), which enhance connectivity and are useful for the species conservation in fragmented landscapes.

Elementary Petri net inside RFID distributed database (PNRD)

Usually, a Petri net is applied as an RFID model tool. This paper, otherwise, presents another approach to the Petri net concerning RFID systems. This approach, called elementary Petri net inside an RFID distributed database, or PNRD, is the first step to improve RFID and control systems integration, based on a formal data structure to identify and update the product state in real-time process execution, allowing automatic discovery of unexpected events during tag data capture. There are two main features in this approach: to use RFID tags as the object process expected database and last product state identification; and to apply Petri net analysis to automatically update the last product state registry during reader data capture. RFID reader data capture can be viewed, in Petri nets, as a direct analysis of locality for a specific transition that holds in a specific workflow. Following this direction, RFID readers storage Petri net control vector list related to each tag id is expected to be perceived. This paper presents PNRD cornerstones and a PNRD implementation example in software called DEMIS Distributed Environment in Manufacturing Information Systems.

Ensam inf��r existensen : ensamheten som grundtematik i Inger Edelfedlts romaner

Intentionen med denna uppsats kan v��sentligen uppdelas i tv�� sektioner: att f��rst unders��ka hur temat ensamhet uttrycks i Inger Edelfeldts romaner med huvudsaklig utg��ngspunkt i Kamalas bok, och att sedan relatera detta existentiellt genomstr��mmade ensamhetstema till den filosofiska existentialismen i Jean-Paul Sartres tappning.Som hon beskrivs av Edelfeldt ��r m��nniskan oundvikligen f��nge i ensamheten. Alla hennes anstr��ngningar att erfara gemenskap faller om intet och inf��r denna bistra verklighet genomlever m��nniskan ett fr��mlingsskap emellan sig sj��lv och omv��rlden; en alienation som fullst��ndigt omformar och snedvrider hennes uppfattning av sig sj��lv. Som en r��d tr��d l��per allts�� ensamheten som ett grundtema genom Edelfeldts romanproduktion och blir i de senare verken allt mer framtr��dande. Det ��r f��ljaktligen s��rskilt i dessa senare romaner som ��tskilliga betydande likheter med den filosofiska existentialismen kan uppvisas. M��nniskans obevekliga f��ngenskap i en utsatt tillvaro pr��glad av ensamhet och ��ngest ��� d��r befrielse annan ��n den funnen i flykten ifr��n ansvaret (m��ngdf��rsjunkenheten) och i livsl��gnen (den onda tron) saknas ��� ��r densamma i s��v��l Edelfeldts prosa som i existentialismens doktriner. Den alienation som upplevs av Edelfeldts romankarakt��rer kan p�� goda grunder relateras till Sartres ��cklet. I Edelfeldts verk uteblir emellertid m��nniskans tillblivelse som den st��rre individen i det val��gonblicket; det moment i vilket Sartre ser m��nniskans enda m��jlighet. Slutligen ��verv��ger dock de textuella likheterna emellan Inger Edelfeldts romaner och den franska existentialismen, och d��rf��r f��religger allts�� tydliga sp��r av n��mnda filosofi i Edelfeldts verk.

Localization strategies of multinationals in Brazil which characteristics of the Brazilian market force multinational companies to localize their marketing activities?

Uma vez que as perspectivas de crescimento econ��mico nos pa��ses mais desenvolvidos, como a Europa, os EUA eo Jap��o est��o diminuindo, os mercados emergentes t��m se tornado cada vez mais importante para muitas empresas multinacionais. Brasil, R��ssia, ��ndia e China (BRICs) s��o agora os principais mercados em crescimento em todo o mundo e as empresas est��o buscando estrat��gias para explorar ao m��ximo o potencial de consumo promissor nessas regi��es. Um dos modos mais elaborados de prosseguir essa estrat��gia �� conhecida como "localiza����o" - uma adapta����o das pr��ticas de neg��cios (ao longo de toda a cadeia de suprimentos) com as prefer��ncias e condi����es locais. Este artigo �� projetado para analisar as atividades de localiza����o de empresas multinacionais no Brasil. O foco da an��lise �� o de investigar as caracter��sticas do mercado brasileiro, que induzem as multinacionais a localizar o seu marketing mix (composto de produto, pre��o, coloca����o e promo����o). Em dois estudos de casos com a empresa Sui��a Nestl�� e a empresa Alem�� Volkswagen v��rios padr��es de localiza����o foram no mercado consumidor brasileiro. Os quatro resultados mais significativos da an��lise s��o os diferentes padr��es sociais o Brasil, que for��ar as empresas a reformular certas fun����es do seu mix de marketing (por exemplo, a coloca����o no caso da Nestl��), a aceita����o dos consumidores brasileiros a pagar pre��os relativamente elevados (por exemplo, taxas de Volkswagen at�� 100% mais por seus produtos em rela����o �� Alemanha); o enorme tamanho do Brasil ea infra-estrutura deficiente, que exigem uma abordagem de distribui����o localizada; eo car��ter atualmente ainda menos exigente dos estratos de consumidores brasileiros emergentes, que permitem ��s empresas oferecer produtos menos sofisticados em compara����o aos mercados europeus.

An��lise dos remanescentes de mata atl��ntica do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte : uma perspectiva em alta resolu����o

The habitat loss and fragmentation are considered the main threats to the biodiversity. These threats operate at the landscape level, which drives the need to manage entire landscapes, not just its components. Although systematic monitoring of the Atlantic Forest biome has been ongoing since the late eighties, current data on forest fragmentation for the sub-region of Pernambuco are practically nonexistent. This study aimed to map out, with high spatial resolution, the remnants of Atlantic forest in Rio Grande do Norte, and conduct a landscape level analysis. The results show that the landscape is highly fragmented, where about 13.6% to 17% of biome remains. Most of the fragments is less than 10 ha, while a few fragments have area larger than 100 ha. Although the high degree of fragmentation, the average distance between fragments found was small (128 m), this estimate is lower than has been observed for the biome (1440m). There is evidence that abrupt changes in the quantification of landscape structure can occur when one observes the fragmentation at high spatial resolution. The results presented here can be used in management actions, in order to make the scenario more conducive to maintaining biodiversity.

O ensino de filosofia no ensino m��dio mediado pela literatura sartriana

On analyse une exp��rience de l enseignement de philosophie dans l enseignement secondaire par la litt��rature. La sc��ne d intervention a ��t�� l Institut F��d��ral d ��ducation, Science et Technologie du Rio Grande do Norte (IFRN), dans l ann��e 2008. L ��tude �� caract��re qualitatif a adopt�� un mod��le de recherche participant, dans laquelle le chercheur a intervenu dans son propre contexte de classe. On a utilis�� l investigation d un ouvrage existentialiste de Jean-Paul Sartre, le roman La Naus��e, comme contribution m��thodologique pour l enseignement de philosophie. On a adopt�� le recours de la litt��rature avec contenu philosophique �� partir de la proposition apport��e para les Param��tres Curriculaires Nationaux pour l Enseignement Secondaire (PCNEM) : celle qu on ne doit ni avoir la pr��tention de former de philosophes professionnels ni banaliser la philosophie aupr��s des ��l��ves. En partant du principe que l existentialisme a ��t�� un courant philosophique qui a utilis�� la litt��rature entant qu expression d id��es philosophiques, on a envisag�� le potentiel p��dagogique du voisinage communicant entre la philosophie et la litt��rature que lie l exp��rience litt��raire avec les textes qui montrent aussi la discussion philosophique. L id��e force a ��t�� celle de traiter concepts philosophiques a partir de la litt��rature comme invitation �� la r��flexion, en analysant l ��l��ment ludique dans la litt��rature comme jeu de la pens��e. La pens��e consid��r��e comme action ludique arriverait parmi l id��al d en chercher de meilleures mani��res �� comprendre la r��alit�� en ��tant cet id��al esth��tique assum�� dans l effort d imprimer sens au chaos des exp��riences. Les situations p��dagogiques en classe comptent fr��quemment avec moment de dialogue a propos des probl��mes existentiels affront��s par le protagoniste du roman, Antoine Roquentin, consid��r��s comme questions philosophiques et d��battues par l investigation dialogique tout suite apr��s la lecture des parties du livre. Dans ce sens, on a cherch�� �� suivre les marches de la m��thode socratique dans lequel questionner e questionner �� soi m��me soient les moles propulseurs de la r��flexion philosophique. L investigation dialogique a ��t�� ��tendue pendant cinq rencontres de quatre-vingt-dix minutes interpr��t��s par une analyse discursive qui a essay�� d ��tablir des rapports entre le discours de l enseignant et des ��l��ves avec le discours de la tradition philosophique. Cette recherche a aussi envisag�� �� produire une r��flexion sur la pratique de l auteur lui-m��me de l ��tude. Celui-ci peut-��tre soit l objectif le plus largement atteint : prendre conscience de l importance de la formation d un enseignant r��flexif qui associe dans sa praxis le savoir faire avec la critique honn��te de sa propre capacit�� professionnel

Conversor CC/CA de alta freq����ncia baseado em inversores ressonantes com comuta����o seq��encial para excita����o de uma tocha indutiva a plasma t��rmico

This work describes the study, the analysis, the project methodology and the constructive details of a high frequency DC/AC resonant series converter using sequential commutation techniques for the excitation of an inductive coupled thermal plasma torch. The aim of this thesis is to show the new modulation technique potentialities and to present a technological option for the high-frequency electronic power converters development. The resonant converter operates at 50 kW output power under a 400 kHz frequency and it is constituted by inverter cells using ultra-fast IGBT devices. In order to minimize the turn-off losses, the inverter cells operates in a ZVS mode referred by a modified PLL loop that maintains this condition stable, despite the load variations. The sequential pulse gating command strategy used it allows to operate the IGBT devices on its maximum power limits using the derating and destressing current scheme, as well as it propitiates a frequency multiplication of the inverters set. The output converter is connected to a series resonant circuit constituted by the applicator ICTP torch, a compensation capacitor and an impedance matching RF transformer. At the final, are presented the experimental results and the many tests achieved in laboratory as form to validate the proposed new technique

Fine root isotropy in Eucalyptus grandis plantations. Towards the prediction of root length densities from root counts on trench walls

The objectives of the study were to assess changes in fine root anisotropy and specific root lengths throughout the development of Eucalyptus grandis ( W. Hill ex Maiden) plantations and to establish a predictive model of root length density (RLD) from root intercept counts on trench walls. Fine root densities (<1 mm in diameter) were studied in 6-, 12-, 22-, 28-, 54-, 68- and 72-month-old E. grandis plantations established on deep Ferralsols in southern Brazil. Fine root intercepts were counted on 3 faces of 90-198 soil cubes (1 dm(3) in volume) in each stand and fine root lengths (L) were measured inside 576 soil cubes, sampled between the depths of 10 cm and 290 cm. The number of fine root intercepts was counted on one vertical face perpendicular to the planting row (N(t)), one vertical face parallel to the planting row (N(l)) and one horizontal face (N(h)), for each soil cube sampled. An overall isotropy of fine roots was shown by paired Student's t-tests between the numbers of fine roots intersecting each face of soil cubes at most stand ages and soil depths. Specific root lengths decreased with stand age in the upper soil layers and tended to increase in deep soil layers at the end of the rotation. A linear regression established between N(t) and L for all the soil cubes sampled accounted for 36% of the variability of L. Such a regression computed for mean Nt and L values at each sampling depth and stand age explained only 55% of the variability, as a result of large differences in the relationship between L and Nt depending on stand productivity. The equation RLD=1.89*LAI*N(t), where LAI was the stand leaf area index (m(2) m(-2)) and Nt was expressed as the number of root intercepts per cm(2), made it possible to predict accurately (R(2)=0.84) and without bias the mean RLDs (cm cm(-3)) per depth in each stand, for the whole data set of 576 soil cubes sampled between 2 years of age and the end of the rotation.

O conceito de consci��ncia em o ser e o nada de J.-P. Sartre

This current discourse intends to prove how consciousness or Being-for-itself presents the idea that in its operation one can emphasize that it s Nothingness, transience and liberty in Jean-Paul Sartre s work O Ser e o Nada. To testify the proposed idea, the conception that Sartre gives to consciousness, representing nothingness, without any content that is connected to the possessor objects of a transphenomenal existence will be the starting point. This way, consciousness will be analyzed transcendently to the object that it s not, demonstrating its revealer-revealed condition, because it unveils a concrete world that exists against its idea, functioning as the revealer intentionality that there are beings instead of nothingness, obeying the ontological proof defended by Sartre. From this idea, every kind of consciousness will always be consciousness of something, a glance of the world, avoiding the fact that the consciousness could be considered nothing in the world. In order to live its original negation state of the world, apprehending this same world, with the purpose of a knowledge, it needs to be divided in two: the first degree consciousness or previous-reflexive cogito, that turns the proper reflexion possible, because, it s the consciousness proper transphenomenality of being different of all that connected to its existence being only its consequence; and the cogito, responsible to the positioning of the first degree consciousness, while aware of its own consciousness, that is, while being certain that knows. From this point, the way to untangle the consciousness or Being-for-itself will be developed as being Chasm, Liberty and transience. From this idea, it s intended to know how consciousness, that in Sartre s thoughts is originally nothing, could turn into Liberty that is presented in the field of transience? In other words, how these three internal structures imbricate one another to form consciousness in Sartre? First of all, it has to be considered the review of a conduct of human reality, the inquiry, that will be possible to understand how Nothingness exists as the mold of all kind of negation. After this, it will be shown, considering its way of existence, the human reality that is connected to Para-si, determined like nothingness, still is proposed like Liberty. Form this point, it will be possible to gleam how Liberty is lived deeply by Para-si in the shape of chasm, trying to how Para-si turns into nothingness, creating a chasm based on its proper liberty. Then, Liberty will be the proper mechanism used by Para-si to modificate its original chasm. The way Being-for-itself has to build to gain its goal will be projecting in transience, the building of something possible that brings one being back. However, will be demonstrated like Chasm can occupy the moment of a choice turning the decision instant an anguish stage, based on the failing of stability of the Being-for-itself, once nothingness persists in the field of the possibilities that human beings preserves in its essence while being essentially Liberty. From this idea, anguish will be studied as the proper consciousness of Liberty, being bad-faith the attempt of avoid Liberty trying to gain a shelter contradicting the fact that life is done of continual choices

Relief influence on tree species richness in secondary forest fragments of Atlantic Forest, SE, Brazil

Funda����o de Amparo �� Pesquisa do Estado de S��o Paulo (FAPESP)

A NEW HOST RECORD, PALAEMONETES CARTERI (GORDON, 1935) (DECAPODA, PALAEMONIDAE), FOR TELOTHA HENSELII (VON MARTENS, 1869) (ISOPODA, CYMOTHOIDAE)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cient��fico e Tecnol��gico (CNPq)

Successful carnivore identification with faecal DNA across a fragmented Amazonian landscape

Funda����o de Amparo �� Pesquisa do Estado de S��o Paulo (FAPESP)

Associations of Forest Cover, Fragment Area, and Connectivity with Neotropical Understory Bird Species Richness and Abundance

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cient��fico e Tecnol��gico (CNPq)