Interactions among endocrinology, seasonal reproductive cycles and the nesting biology of the female green sea turtle

We collected data on plasma levels of testosterone+5a-dihydrotestosterone (T+DHT) and corticosterone (CORT) from adult female green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) from southern Queensland during distinct stages of their reproductive cycle. Those females capable of breeding in a given year had elevated plasma steroid levels (T+DHT 0.91 +/- 0.08; CORT 1.05 +/- 0.29 ng/ml), associated with follicular development, until courtship began in October. At the beginning of the nesting season in November plasma levels of 2 CORT were related to when the female first nested (r(2) = 0.06; F = 10.45; P = 0.01). However, they were not correlated with the number of clutches a female laid in that season (F = 3.65; P = 0.08). We repeatedly sampled 23 turtles over the nesting season and profiled changes in steroids immediately following oviposition of each clutch. Levels of T+DHT (range 0.41-0.58 ng/ml) and CORT (range 2.13-2.81 ng/ml) were similar through the early stages of the nesting season and inter-nesting period, and declined to near basal levels (T+DHT 0.37 +/- 0.03 and CORT 1.85 +/- ng/ml) following the last clutch for the season. Steroid hormone levels were also low (T+DHT 0.38 +/- 0.16; CORT 0.46 +/- 0.21 ng/ml) in four independent post-breeding (atretic) females; samples for these females were taken at a time when body condition was presumably at the lowest for the season. Subtle changes in the nesting environment, such as variation in nesting habitat or the time of night that nesting occurred, were associated with a small and slow CORT increase. We suggest CORT is increased in nesting females to assist in lipid transfer to prepare the ovarian follicles and/or the reproductive organs for ovulation.

In vivo and in vitro toxicities of pithraj and neem against rice green leafhopper (Nephotettix cincticeps Uhler)

Seed extracts of Aphanamixis polystachya Wall et Parker (pithraj) and Azadirachta indica A. Juss (neem) were evaluated for their in vivo and in vitro toxicity to Nephotettix cincticeps Uhler (rice green leafhopper). Crude extracts from both plants showed toxicity to leafhopper. Among them, the methanol extract of pithraj (MCX) was most toxic and showed 95% mortality effects at 72 h after treatment (HAT), followed by neem (74%). When LD50's were compared, it was found that the neem extract possessed the highest toxicity (LD50 16.59 μg/insect) at 72 HAT. Both the pithraj (MCX) and neem extracts showed their enzyme inhibition effectiveness against rice green leafhopper. The highest inhibition rate (IR) was caused by neem (60%) at the concentration of 2.0 mg/ml, followed by MCX (47%). The lowest IR50 value (0.97 mg/ml) was observed in neem at 30 min.

Future contributions of crop modelling - from heuristics and supporting decision making to understanding genetic regulation and aiding crop improvement

Crop modelling has evolved over the last 30 or so years in concert with advances in crop physiology, crop ecology and computing technology. Having reached a respectable degree of acceptance, it is appropriate to review briefly the course of developments in crop modelling and to project what might be major contributions of crop modelling in the future. Two major opportunities are envisioned for increased modelling activity in the future. One opportunity is in a continuing central, heuristic role to support scientific investigation, to facilitate decision making by crop managers, and to aid in education. Heuristic activities will also extend to the broader system-level issues of environmental and ecological aspects of crop production. The second opportunity is projected as a prime contributor in understanding and advancing the genetic regulation of plant performance and plant improvement. Physiological dissection and modelling of traits provides an avenue by which crop modelling could contribute to enhancing integration of molecular genetic technologies in crop improvement. Crown Copyright (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Strange bedfellows: Green Hill Fort, archaeology and tourism

Green Hill Fort, Thursday Islalld was constructed between 1891-1893 to defend the Australian colonies against a feared Russian invasion. It retained an operational role until the 1920.'1 and played a minor role in World /t'ar 2. From 1954 to 1993 the site, but not the facilities, was used as a weather station. More recently it has been home ofthe Ton-es Strait Historical Society and Museum Association museum. It is a major attraction during the tourist season and an important local icon. For archaeologists it has sign~ficance as a relatively intact nineteenth-century military installation. Two 'Centenary of Federation' grants have proVided the impetus to undertake conservation and presentation works involving various task -spec~fic, archaeological activities. At the management level archaeologists play the lead role in the project. The project has demonstrated the value oJarchaeology and tourism joining forces. The danger ofa 'theme park 'presentation has been avoided. Technical accuracy and careful site planning has ensured a high degree ofaccuracy is retained. Provided these qualities can be assured then, it is argued, there is an opportunity for archaeology to be a majOl; long-term beneficiary. But to achieve that, the discipline must move from being entrenched in its academic mould and become Jar more receptive to the broader needs ofthe twentyfirst century.

Substituição dos parâmetros do modelo de Green-Ampt-Mein-Larson para estimativa da infiltração em alguns solos do Brasil

A partir de uma análise detalhada do processo de infiltração de água no solo, foram propostas alternativas para adequação dos parâmetros de entrada do modelo de Green-Ampt-Mein-Larson (GAML), na tentativa de melhorar a eficiência da estimativa da infiltração em alguns solos brasileiros. As adequações consistiram em substituir a condutividade hidráulica do solo saturado (K0) pela taxa de infiltração estável (Tie) e o teor de água do solo saturado (qs) pelo teor de água na zona de transmissão (qw), além de estabelecer uma equação para estimativa do potencial matricial na frente de umedecimento (yf) com base nos parâmetros do modelo de curva de retenção de água de Brooks & Corey. Avaliou-se o desempenho do conjunto de adequações propostas (GAML-t) para estimativa da infiltração de água em três solos: Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo, Latossolo Vermelho e Argissolo Vermelho. O desempenho do GAML-t foi comparado com o obtido pelo GAML aplicado em sua forma original e adequado segundo cinco diferentes formas, evidenciando-se que o primeiro obteve melhor desempenho nos três solos estudados.

Broccoli yield in response to top-dressing fertilization with green manure and biofertilizer

The objective of this work was to evaluate the productive performance of broccoli under different top-dressing organic fertilizations. The experiment was conducted under protected cultivation, in a completely randomized design with four replications, with two plants per experimental unit. Broccoli seedlings were produced in a commercial substrate in styrofoam trays. The seedlings were transplanted to plastic pots containing 10.0 L of substrate made up of subsoil and organic compost at the ratio of 3:1 (v/v), respectively, which is equivalent to about 20.0 t ha-1 of organic compost at planting. After seedling establishment, the top-dressing fertilization treatments were applied: gliricidia biomass associated or not with liquid biofertilizer of cattle manure to the soil and bokashi. Two control treatments were established: one with mineral fertilization recommended for the crop and the other without top-dressing fertilization. The broccoli production was evaluated (commercial standard). Plants that received mineral fertilizer were more productive, however, they were not significantly different (p>0.05), by Dunnet test, from the plants fertilized with 2.5 t ha-1 gliricidiabiomass (dry mass) associated with liquid biofertilizer (2.0 L m-2) applied to soil. Top-dressing fertilizations with only gliricidia, at 2.5 and 5.0 t ha-1 of biomass (dry mass), resulted in no significant increase in production of broccoli inflorescence. The use of bokashi in addition to gliricidia biomass and liquid biofertilizer reduced the efficiency of the fertilization compared with plants that received only gliricidia and liquid biofertilizer.

Influence of nitrogen fertilization and green manure on the economic feasibility of no-tilled wheat in the Cerrado

The search for higher profitability in wheat crop with cost reduction technologies that may promote sustainability is an important matter in Brazilian agriculture. This study evaluated the profitability of no-tilled wheat, reducing nitrogen topdressing doses with the cultivation of green manure before the wheat crop. The experiment was carried out in Selvíria (MS), Brazil, in 2009/10. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design with 36 treatments in splitplots and four replicates. The plots were formed by six types of green manure: Cajanus cajan L. BRS Mandarin, Crotalaria juncea L., Pennisetum americanum L. BRS 1501, fallow area and mixed cropping of Pennisetum americanum L. + Cajanus cajan L. and Pennisetum americanum L. + crotalaria which provided straw for no-tilled wheat in the winter, following the rice crop in the summer. The subplots were formed by six levels of topdressing nitrogen (0, 25, 50, 75, 100 and 125 kg N ha-1) using urea as a nitrogen source. The wheat grown after green manure in the previous winter crop, with no nitrogen topdressing and a rate of 25 kg ha-1 N, had more frequently production costs above the gross income. Wheat production cost after the mixed cropping Pennisetum americanum L. + Cajanus cajan L. and Pennisetum americanum L. + Crotalaria juncea L. from the previous winter crop, combined with nitrogen rates of 50 and 75 kg N ha-1, provided better profitability compared with the other green manures evaluated.

Analysis of computing open source systems

Graphical user interfaces (GUIs) are critical components of today's open source software. Given their increased relevance, the correctness and usability of GUIs are becoming essential. This paper describes the latest results in the development of our tool to reverse engineer the GUI layer of interactive computing open source systems. We use static analysis techniques to generate models of the user interface behavior from source code. Models help in graphical user interface inspection by allowing designers to concentrate on its more important aspects. One particular type of model that the tool is able to generate is state machines. The paper shows how graph theory can be useful when applied to these models. A number of metrics and algorithms are used in the analysis of aspects of the user interface's quality. The ultimate goal of the tool is to enable analysis of interactive system through GUIs source code inspection.

Estudo de adoção de tecnologias de cloud computing no contexto das PMES portuguesas

A sociedade atual é marcada por uma crescente competição entre as organizações, as quais para garantirem a sua sobrevivência têm que evoluir e utilizar a tecnologia de informação mais adequada. Num período em que as PMES portuguesas necessitam de reduzir custos e concentrarem-se mais no seu processo de negócio surge um novo paradigma tecnológico, a Computação na Nuvem, esta ainda é um paradigma bastante recente, onde os recursos de TI que apresentam características de elasticidade e dinâmicas são oferecidos ao cliente como um serviço, no qual este paga apenas o que consome (pagamento por utilização). A Cloud Computing com o seu novo paradigma permite às organizações, principalmente às PMES reduzirem custos, concentrarem-se no seu processo de negócio sem se preocuparem com a parte informática (cópias de segurança, assistência e perda de dados) e obter um retorno mais rápido do seu investimento. Este trabalho consiste no Estudo da Adoção Individual da Cloud Computing no contexto das PMEs Portuguesas, o qual apresenta como principais objetivos obter uma melhor compreensão do conceito Cloud Computing, entender a sua importância para os indivíduos das PMES, identificar os seus fatores de sucesso e insucesso e identificar as limitações sentidas de uma forma generalizada e de uma forma específica para as PMES Portuguesas. Para cumprir os objetivos mencionados anteriormente, efetuou-se uma extensa revisão de literatura, propôs-se um modelo conceptual de investigação com adaptações à Teoria Unificada de Aceitação e Uso de Tecnologia (UTAUT) e utilizou-se como instrumento de recolha de dados um questionário que foi enviado às PMES Portuguesas.

Phytomass production and nutrient accumulation by green manure species

Green manuring is recognized as a viable alternative to improve nutrient cycling in soils. The aim of this study was to evaluate the phytomass production and nutrient accumulation in shoots of the summer green manures jack bean [Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC.], dwarf pigeon pea (Cajanus cajanvar var. Flavus DC.), dwarf mucuna [Mucuna deeringiana (Bort) Merr] and sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.), under nitrogen fertilization and/or inoculation with N-fixing bacteria. A split plot design was arranged with the four Fabaceae species as main plots and nitrogen fertilization (with and without) and inoculation with diazotrophic bacteria (with and without) as the subplots, in a 2² factorial. The experiment was arranged as a randomized complete block design with four replications. In the conditions of this trial, the sunn hemp had the highest production of shoot phytomass (12.4 Mg ha-1) and nutrient accumulation, while the dwarf mucuna had the lowest production of shoot phytomass (3.9 Mg ha-1) and nutrient accumulation. The results showed no effect of nitrogen fertilization or inoculation with N-fixing bacteria on the production of shoot phytomass and nutrient accumulation, except for inoculation without nitrogen fertilization, resulting in greater P accumulation (p <0.05) in the sunn hemp and greater Zn and Mn accumulation in the dwarf mucuna. These findings indicate that N fertilization or inoculation with N2-fixing bacteria for Fabaceae are low efficiency practices in the edaphoclimatic conditions of this study.

Weed suppression by green manure in an agroecological system

ABSTRACT Green manure promotes efficient suppression of weeds, but green manure species can exhibit distinct behaviors, depending on the environmental conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of soil mulching and weed suppression by spring/summer green manure species grown in the spring/summer season, at different growth stages and after management (cut), for 90 days during the cassava crop cycle. The study was carried out in the 2010/2011 season, in a system managed under agroecological principles. The treatments consisted of different green manure species and arrangements: Crotalaria juncea, Cajanus cajan, Canavalia brasiliensis, Canavalia ensiformis, Pennisetum americanum, Crotalaria juncea and Pennisetum americanum intercropped; Mucuna aterrima, Sorghum bicolor, a mixture of all the green manures in study and a control plot under fallow. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design with four replications. The evaluations of the soil cover either by the green manures or weeds were performed at 45, 90 and 105 days after the emergence of the green manures. The cassava crop was planted under reduced tillage system at 11 days after the cut of the green manures. The percentage of soil covered by weeds and the dry matter produced were evaluated at 30, 60 and 90 days after planting. The results showed that the green manures had a suppressive effect on weeds during their life cycle, as well as during the first months after its management (cut), composing the mulch.

GREEN SUPPLY CHAIN: PROTAGONISTA OU COADJUVANTE NO BRASIL?

Questões ambientais passaram a ser introduzidas com maior frequência nos negócios empresariais. Quanto à cadeia de suprimentos, Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) surge como novo enfoque à responsabilidade das empresas com o meio ambiente. Este artigo objetiva analisar a difusão do conceito e das práticas de GSCM no cenário brasileiro. Para tanto, foram realizadas entrevistas com especialistas do tema cadeia de suprimentos na área de Administração no Brasil. Os resultados indicam que as razões para o lento desenvolvimento do conceito podem relacionar-se com características do mercado nacional, foco empresarial em aspectos internos, falta de legislação rígida e baixa pressão dos consumidores. Especialistas percebem, entretanto, boas perspectivas para o futuro das discussões da temática no País, em virtude da Política Nacional dos Resíduos Sólidos, de pressões do mercado internacional e da busca por certificação ambiental. Este estudo procurou fomentar novas discussões sobre GSCM no Brasil.

IMPLEMENTATION OF GREEN IT IN ORGANIZATIONS: A STRUCTURATIONAL VIEW

ABSTRACTEnvironmental sustainability has become increasingly important to businesses as a response to the rapid depletion of natural resources. Information Technology (IT) in particular represents a meaningful part of the environmental issues that society has been facing. Therefore, Green IT emerges as a way of combining available resources and sustainable and economic policies, thus, generating benefits for both the environment and businesses. The purpose of this paper, hence, is to explain the dynamics of Green IT implementation in organizations in light of the structurationist view of technology. We conducted a case study research based on the cases of three Brazilian companies interested in this movement. Results provide a better understanding of the relationship among technology, individuals, and organization institutional properties, thus enhancing the role played by IT teams in institutionalizing the environmental dimension of sustainability in organizations.