Population response of triploid grass carp to declining levels of hydrilla in the Santee Cooper Reservoirs, South Carolina

Approximately 768,500 triploid grass carp ( Ctenopharyngodon idella Valenciennes) were stocked into the Santee Cooper reservoirs, South Carolina between 1989 and 1996 to control hydrilla ( Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle). Hydrilla coverage was reduced from a high of 17,272 ha during 1994 to a few ha by 1998. During 1997, 1998 and 1999, at least 98 triploid grass carp were collected yearly for population monitoring. Estimates of age, growth, and mortality, as well as population models, were used in the study to monitor triploid grass carp and predict population trends. Condition declined from that measured during a previous study in 1994. The annual mortality rate was estimated at 28% in 1997, 32% in 1998 and 39% in 1999; however, only the 1999 mortality rate was significantly different. Few (2 out of 98) of the triploid grass carp collected during 1999 were older than age 9. We expect increased mortality due to an aging population and sparse hydrilla coverage. During 1999, we estimated about 63,000 triploid grass carp system wide and project less than 3,000 fish by 2004, assuming no future stocking. management, population size Ctenopharyngodon idella, Hydrilla

The nutritional status of pre-school children, Kainji Lake communities, Nigeria: a baseline survey

This survey was carried out to provide the Kainji Lake Fisheries Promotion Project (KLFPP), whose overall goal is the improvement of the standard of living of fishing communities around Kainji Lake, Nigeria, and an increase in the availability of fish to consumers, with nutritional status baseline data for long-term monitoring and evaluation of the overall project goal. In a cross-sectional survey, baseline anthropometric data was collected from 768 children, aged 3-60 months in 389 fisherfolk households around the southern sector of Kainji Lake, Nigeria. In addition, data was collected on the nutritional status and fertility of the mothers, vaccination coverage of children and child survival indicators. For control purposes, 576 children and 292 mothers from non-fishing households around Kainji Lake were likewise covered by the survey. A standardised questionnaire was used to collect relevant information, while anthropometric measurements were made using appropriate equipment. Data compilation and analysis was carried out with DATAEASE registered and EPI-INFO registered software, using NCHS reference data for the analysis of anthropometric measurements. The prevalence of stunted children in fishing households was high at 40%, while the prevalence of wasted and underweight children was likewise high at 10% and 29% respectively. Children from non-fishing households had a marginally lower prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight with 37%, 7% and 25 % respectively, although these differences were not statistically significant. Considering the fact that the survey was carried out during a period of relative food abundance, the prevalence of wasting and underweight children is likely to be much higher during periods of food shortage. The prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight was relatively high for children aged 3 to 23 months, suggesting an increased risk of malnutrition during this period, most likely associated with inadequate weaning practices. The prevalence of malnourishment amongst women of child-bearing age was relatively high, irrespective of occupation of the household, with an average of 11% undernourished and 6% wasted. Vaccination coverage was very low while infant and child mortality were extremely high with about 1 in 5 children dying before their fifth birthday. Based on the ethical obligation to maximise the potential benefits of the survey, recommendations for activities to improve community nutrition and health were made for communication to relevant authorities. (PDF contains 52 pages)

Tunable and efficient diode-pumped Yb3+: GYSO laser

Effective diode-pumped cw tunable laser action of a new alloyed crystal Yb:Gd(2(1-)x) Y2xSiO5 (Yb:GYSO, x = 0.5) is demonstrated for the first time. The alloyed crystal retains excellent laser properties of Gd2SiO5 (GSO), as well as the favorable growth properties and the desirable physical of Y2SiO5 (YSO). With a 5-at.% Yb: GYSO sample, we achieved 2.44 W output power at 1081.5 nm and a slope efficiency of 57%. And its laser wavelength could be tuned from 1030nm to 1089 nm. (c) 2006 Optical Society of America.

Transparent Ni2+-doped ZnO-Al2O3-SiO2 system glass-ceramics with broadband infrared luminescence

We report transparent Ni2+-doped ZnO-Al2O3-SiO2 system glass-ceramics with broadband infrared luminescence. After heat-treatment, ZnAl2O4 crystallite was precipitated in the glasses, and its average size increased with increasing heat-treatment temperature. No infrared emission was detected in the as-prepared glass samples, while broadband infrared luminescence centered at 1310 nm with full width at half maximum (FWHM) of about 300 nm was observed from the glass-ceramics. The peak position of the infrared luminescence showed a blue-shift with increasing heat-treatment temperature, but a red-shift with an increase in NiO concentration. The mechanisms of the observed phenomena were discussed. These glass-ceramics are promising as materials for super broadband optical amplifier and tunable laser. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

O agravamento do risco no contrato de seguro

Este trabalho objetivou demonstrar o que é e quais os requisitos adotados pela doutrina e pela jurisprudência para que seja aplicado o instituto do agravamento do risco (previsto nos artigos 768 e 769 do Código Civil) nos contratos de seguro, e quais os seus efeitos jurídicos. Para tanto, examinou-se o contrato de seguro buscando revelar a dimensão coletiva que este tipo negocial possui por excelência, em detrimento de parte da doutrina ainda restrita a uma leitura atomística e individualista deste contrato. Partiu-se, ainda, da premissa de que a boa-fé (seja na sua acepção objetiva ou subjetiva) é qualificada no contrato de seguro, eis que este tipo contratual é todo sob ela estruturado. O princípio da boa-fé é uma via de mão dupla que cria deveres para ambas as partes, cujas declarações e comportamentos serão fundamentais para a delimitação do objeto do seguro e para o alcance da função social desse tipo contratual. A boa-fé estará, ainda, incisivamente presente e modelando a relação obrigacional do seguro em todas as fases contratuais: antes da conclusão do contrato, na apresentação da proposta do contrato; durante a relação obrigacional, nas declarações necessárias sobre eventuais alterações no risco (tais como o seu agravamento), e, ainda, na fase pós-contratual, sempre considerando a natureza comunitária do seguro. Passou-se, também, por algumas questões polêmicas envolvendo a utilização de determinadas cláusulas no seguro, tidas como contrárias à boa-fé, a exemplo da cláusula perfil, cuja validade deve ser avaliada no caso concreto, e possui íntima relação com o agravamento do risco.

偏振光飞秒双脉冲微加工

利用具有纳焦能量、高重复频率的偏振光飞秒双脉冲对金属铬膜样品进行微加工,样品表面都会产生微突起状结构,它们的宽度在0～400 ps的双脉冲时延范围内没有明显的变化,但高度却都在1～10 ps的双脉冲时延范围内呈现明显的下降,在此时延范围之外并没有明显的变化。通过加工样品的扫描电子显微镜(SEM)图片发现,对于偏振光,利用双脉冲方法,可以获得更好的加工质量。并且线偏振光得到的微突起状结构比较细长,在入射光束的偏振方向上有所伸长;圆偏振光得到的微突起状结构比较接近圆形。即在低脉冲能量、高重复频率情况下,具体的微加工特征形貌与入射光束的偏振状态有关。

Series representation of the Gaussian beam far-field diffracted by annular aperture

Accurate, analytical series expressions for the far-field diffraction of it Gaussian beam normally incident on a circular and central obscured aperture are derived with the help of the integration of parts method. With this expression, the far-field intensity distribution pattern can be obtained and the divergence angle is deduced too. Using the first five items of the series, the accuracy can satisfy most laser application fields. Compared with the conventional numerical integral method, the series representation is very convenient for understanding the physical meanings. (C) 2007 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Global movements, national grievances. Mobilizing for “real democracy” and social justice

In the ashes of political and socio-economic collapse, social movements sometimes rise like a phoenix. Little more than a year has passed since the Tunisian uprisings, the spark that ignited a series of “mobilizations of the indignant” that spread like wildfire around the world. Many observers have reported on these unprecedented global protests. They have portrayed citizens who declare feeling marginalized if not scapegoated, and who reject the increasing inequalities between rich and poor, the declining mobility of most, and the “disclassment” of many. They have shown, as well, massive protests against governments and politicians that are perceived as indifferent at best, duplicitous at worst, and in any event as blatantly closed to popular concerns. Many journalists have indeed asked what took so long for people to protest given this fatal combination. For the social scientist, however, the questions of who, why and how mobilizes are not so simple. There are specific problematics of mediation between structure, culture and individual or collective agency that need to be addressed.

O papel da imprensa na qualidade democrática : uma análise de possibilidades nos principais jornais nacionais

Esta tese avalia como se dá a atuação da imprensa brasileira em relação a aspectos importantes para a qualidade de uma democracia, considerando o conceito de embedded democracy, segundo o qual democracias constitucionais são formadas por cinco regimes parciais: direitos civis; liberdade política; accountability horizontal; poder efetivo para governar; e regime eleitoral democrático, todos ligados a esferas externas responsáveis pela viabilização de condições para essas democracias, dentre elas, os media. Neste contexto, a imprensa teria algumas funções ser fórum de discussões; dar voz à opinião pública; servir de olhos e ouvidos dos cidadãos; fiscalizar e mostrar irregularidades , que podem ser prejudicadas pela mercantilização dos media e aspectos da produção da rotina jornalística. Para verificar isso, busco evidências empíricas da cobertura da imprensa escrita sobre a política nacional, especialmente sobre os dois principais atores, Legislativo e Executivo, por meio da análise de 1.768 notícias

O grotesco na cena da dança contemporânea: corpo e comunicação

A presente dissertação se dedica a refletir sobre o corpo e o grotesco na arte e na comunicação contemporâneas. O objetivo do estudo foi investigar o grotesco na cena da dança contemporânea com o intuito de compreender como se dá a relação entre o modo de apreensão do grotesco na atualidade e o modo como ele se apresenta cenicamente. Assim, procurou-se investigar que representações da cultura contemporânea podem estar associadas às manifestações do fenômeno grotesco; como a mídia e o consumo de massa participam na disseminação desta estética; e como o corpo cênico na dança se aproxima/reflete estas representações presentes no cotidiano. O fenômeno grotesco, objeto de estudo desta pesquisa, foi investigado em duas companhias de dança: a Lia Rodrigues Companhia de Danças (RJ) e o Grupo Cena 11 de Dança (SC), onde foram observados o tratamento artístico e os dispositivos utilizados para construção do efeito corpo-grotesco nos espetáculos e o posicionamento dos artistas com o uso da estética grotesca nas obras. O embasamento teórico do estudo investiu na compreensão do fenômeno grotesco nos âmbitos histórico, estético/artístico e social e sua contextualização na contemporaneidade. Partiu-se do entendimento de que o corpo é mídia primária, "espaço" de comunicação e de linguagem e a dança cênica é um fenômeno urbano, que espelha as transformações representacionais do início deste século XXI. As abordagens teóricas de Mikhail Bakhtin sobre o realismo grotesco; de Wolfgang Kayser, sobre o grotesco romântico e os estudos de Muniz Sodré e Raquel Paiva, sobre o grotesco na comunicação contemporânea fundamentaram as discussões. Foi relevante refletir sobre as mudanças de paradigmas sociais que vêm se desenhando na atualidade, sobretudo com a influência do desenvolvimento tecnológico e midiático sobre as corporeidades e os processos de subjetivação. As qualidades fluidas e polifônicas associadas à contemporaneidade nortearam o entendimento desses novos paradigmas estéticos do corpo - atribuídos como corporeidades móveis contemporâneas - e, serviram para denominar/compreender como "grotesco líquido" a presença múltipla e volátil dos fenômenos grotescos na atualidade.