bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Potential seed dispersal by Didelphis albiventris (Marsupialia, Didelphidae) in highly disturbed environment
Authors: Cantor Mauricio , Ferreira Letícia Andrade , Silva Wesley Rodrigues , Setz Eleonore Zulnara Freire
Published: September 2010

Urban forests are usually isolated and highly disturbed, however they are important shelters for tolerant animal species. Their food habits expose the different ecological roles these animals perform in the habitat. We analyzed the contribution of Didelphis albiventris Lund (1840), as a seed disperser, to the vegetation renewal of an urban forest fragment, describing its frugivorous diet and testing the viability of ingested seeds. Both male and female of white-eared opossum included a vast variety of items in their diet, mainly invertebrates and fruits. Fruits were consumed during all year round and seasonality was not observed. The majority of consumed fruits was from pioneer plant species, which is common in disturbed areas, in accordance to the opossum's opportunistic habits. The viability of ingested seeds, evaluated by linear logistic regression models applied to data from germination tests, was different of the seeds collected directly from ripe fruits; it varied among species, maybe due to the intrinsic characteristics of plant species. As a highly generalist species, D. albiventris can inhabit disturbed environments and then disperse seeds from pioneer plants, where the vegetation must be restored. It is crucial that this process does not depend only on the specialist frugivores, which are frequently absent in urban forest fragments. Therefore, the presence of generalist species of secondary environments has its importance emphasized.
Influence of light and temperature on seed germination of Cereus pernambucensis Lemaire (Cactaceae)
Authors: Socolowski Fábio , Vieira Daniela Cristine Mascia , Simão Edson , Takaki Massanori
Published: September 2010

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of light and temperature on germination of Cereus pernambucensis seeds, a species of columnar cactus native to Brazil and naturally incident in the restinga. Cereus pernambucensis seeds were incubated under different temperatures, from 5 to 45 °C, with 5 °C intervals, and under alternating temperatures of 15-20 °C, 15-30 °C, 20-25 °C, 20-30 °C, 20-35 °C, 25-30 °C, 25-35 °C, and 30-35 °C, both under continuous white light and dark. The seeds were also incubated in a gradient of phytochrome photoequilibrium at 25 °C. The highest percentage germination in this species was between 25 and 30 °C. The minimum temperature was between 15 and 20 °C and the maximum between 35 and 40 °C. Alternating temperatures did not affect the percentage of seed germination, but it did alter the rate and synchronization indexes. Seeds incubated in the dark did not germinate under any of the conditions tested, indicating that this species when cultivated present light sensitive seeds controlled by phytochrome. The seeds can tolerate a lot of shade conditions, germinating under very low fluence response of phytochrome.
Spatial distribution and activities of the estuarine dolphin Sotalia guianensis (van Bénédén, 1864) (Cetacea, Delphinidae) in Pontal Bay, Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil
Authors: Santos Urânia Amaral dos , Alvarez Martin Roberto , Schilling Ana Cristina , Strenzel Gil Marcelo Reuss , Pendu Yvonnick Le
Published: September 2010

We analyzed the influence of time, tide and water depth on the activity and spatial distribution of estuarine dolphins Sotalia guianensis in Pontal Bay, Ilhéus, Brazil. Direct observations were carried out at four fixed points from January to December of 2006. Estuarine dolphins were sighted in 11 out of 12 months and in 30% of 181 sampling periods. The average group size, which was 3.75 ± 1.59 (n = 64), did not vary significantly by month (Kruskal-Wallis, H = 10.6729; p = 0.3836). Infants and adults represented 18 and 82% of the individuals whose age we were able to determine, respectively. Estuarine dolphins were more frequently present than expected in areas deeper than 3 m (regression GLM, z = 3.773; p = 0.0002). The animals were more frequently observed between 7:00 and 8:00 AM and between 3:00 and 5:00 PM (X² = 83.815; p < 0.0001). Their presence in the bay tripled between the fourth hour of the flood and high tide, remaining elevated during the ebb tide (X² = 22.152; p = 0.02). The tide also influenced the animals' feeding and travelling direction, mainly toward the open see during the flood and to the back of the bay during others stages. Further studies are necessary to analyze the influence of the hydrographic characteristics of Pontal Bay on the spatio-temporal distribution of estuarine dolphins and their prey.
Trichomyia andina sp. nov., un nuevo psicódido no hematófago (Diptera: Psychodidae: Trichomyiinae) de Colombia
Authors: Bejarano Eduar Elías , Pérez-Doria Alveiro , Sierra Diana
Published: September 2010

Se describe e ilustra una nueva especie de psicódido no hematófago, Trichomyia andina, a partir de machos recolectados en el Departamento de Risaralda, Colombia. Este psicódido pertenece al subgénero Opisthotrichomyia Bravo, 2001, y se distingue de las especies co-génericas por presentar un gonostilo ancho, multipartito, parcialmente serrado e infuscado, que termina en una larga punta translucida dirigida hacia adentro y atrás. El subgénero Opisthotrichomyia queda integrado ahora por siete especies, incluidas T. brevitarsa (Rapp, 1945), T. vargasi Barretto, 1954, T. nocturna Bravo, 2001, T. festiva Bravo, 2001, T. fluminensis Bravo, 2001, T. riodocensis Alexander, Freitas & Quate, 2001, y T. andina, sp. nov.
Fauna de besouros bioluminescentes (Coleoptera: Elateroidea: Lampyridae; Phengodidae, Elateridae) nos municípios de Campinas, Sorocaba-Votorantim e Rio Claro-Limeira (SP, Brasil): biodiversidade e influência da urbanização
Authors: Viviani Vadim Ravara , Rocha Mayra Yamazaki , Hagen Oskar
Published: September 2010

O Brasil abriga a maior biodiversidade de besouros bioluminescentes do mundo. Apesar disto, levantamentos faunísticos regionais e estudos sobre o efeito da urbanização na biodiversidade de vaga-lumes são inexistentes. Este tipo de estudo pode ser especialmente importante para selecionar novos bioindicadores de ambientes noturnos. A biodiversidade de espécies bioluminescentes de Elateroidea em três grandes áreas urbanas no Estado de São Paulo: os municípios de Campinas, Sorocaba-Votorantim e Rio Claro-Limeira foi catalogada. Em Campinas, a ocorrência de espécies tem sido monitorada durante os últimos 20 anos. Foi registrada a ocorrência de 26 espécies em Campinas, 21 em Sorocaba e 19 em Rio Claro, sendo estas encontradas principalmente em áreas de Mata Atlântica, crescimentos secundários, brejos e campos. Apesar de vaga-lumes lampirídeos serem encontrados em todos os habitats, elaterídeos e fengodídeos ocorreram encontrados preferencialmente em áreas florestadas. A expansão urbana, em especial a iluminação artificial tem impacto evidente na biodiversidade deste grupo de insetos. Os lampirídeos Aspisoma lineatum Gyllendal, 1817 (Lampyrinae: Cratomorphini) e Bicellonychia lividipennis Motschulsky, 1854 (Photurinae) são as espécies mais frequentes em areas urbanizadas, ao passo que várias outras espécies de lampirídeos, elaterídeos e fengodídeos são as mais incomuns nestas áreas. Estes estudos oferecem subsídios para o uso deste grupo de vaga-lumes como potenciais bioindicadores noturnos.
Comunidade edáfica de Araneae (Arthropoda, Arachnida) em uma floresta sazonalmente inundável na região Norte do Pantanal de Mato Grosso, Brasil
Authors: Battirola Leandro Dênis , Marques Marinêz Isaac , Brescovit Antonio Domingos , Rosado Neto Germano Henrique , Anjos Kellie Cristhina dos
Published: September 2010

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a composição da comunidade edáfica de Araneae de uma floresta sazonalmente inundável na região norte do Pantanal de Mato Grosso, tendo como base sua densidade de atividade e emergência. Foram empregadas armadilhas de solo tipo pitfall-trap para avaliação da atividade sobre o solo, e fotoecletores de solo para verificar a densidade de emergência ao longo de todos os períodos sazonais desta região, entre janeiro de 2004 e janeiro de 2005. Como resultado obteve-se um total de 2.233 aranhas, 1.314 indivíduos obtidos com armadilhas pitfall (29 famílias e 35 gêneros) e 919 com fotoecletores de solo (27 famílias e 22 gêneros). Oonopidae (335 ind.: 15,0%), Corinnidae (310 ind.; 13,9%), Gnaphosidae (289 ind.; 12,9%) e Ctenidae (248 ind.; 11,1%) corresponderam às principais representantes desta comunidade, bem como àquelas com maior densidade de atividade sobre a superfície do solo, enquanto Salticidae (177 ind.; 19,3%), Oonopidae (126 ind.; 13,7%) e Gnaphosidae (114 ind.; 12,4%) foram aquelas com maior densidade de emergência. Doze agrupamentos de guildas comportamentais foram identificados, sete representaram aranhas caçadoras e cinco tecelãs. As análises referentes à variação temporal da atividade e emergência desta comunidade evidenciaram que a influência de fatores abióticos como a pluviosidade e a inundação da floresta são determinantes para sua estruturação, influenciando a ocorrência de táxons como Salticidae, Corinnidae e Oonopidae.
Inventário de planárias terrestres (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida) em remanescente de Floresta Estacional Decidual do Sul do Brasil
Authors: Baptista Vanessa dos Anjos , Oliveira Simone Machado de , Leal-Zanchet Ana Maria
Published: September 2010

Os tricladidos terrestres são predadores de topo de cadeia no seu microhábitat, alimentando-se de outros invertebrados de solo. A riqueza de espécies de tricladidos pode indicar a diversidade de outros grupos. A composição das comunidades de planárias terrestres da Floresta Estacional Decidual, que ocupa um quarto da cobertura vegetal do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, é pouco conhecida. O presente trabalho teve como área de estudo o maior remanescente dessa formação florestal no Rio Grande do Sul, apresentando os seguintes objetivos: inventariar as espécies de planárias terrestres no Parque Estadual do Turvo (PE-Turvo) e comparar as comunidades desse Parque com as de outras áreas do estado com inventários desses tricladidos. Na área de estudo, foram inventariadas 26 espécies, sendo duas pertencentes às subfamílias Rhynchodeminae e Bipaliinae, e as demais, à subfamília Geoplaninae. Além dos gêneros Rhynchodemus Leidy 1851 e Bipalium Stimpson, 1857, foram registrados os seguintes gêneros de Geoplaninae: Geoplana Stimpson 1857, Choeradoplana Graff 1896, Pasipha Ogren & Kawakatsu 1990 e Notogynaphallia Ogren & Kawakatsu 1990, além do grupo coletivo Pseudogeoplana Ogren e Kawakatsu, 1990. O maior número de espécies foi registrado para o gênero Geoplana (10), seguido pelo gênero Pasipha (4). Geoplana rubidolineata Baptista & Leal-Zanchet, 2005 havia sido registrada anteriormente apenas para sua localidade-tipo, no nordeste do estado. Bipalium kewense Moseley, 1878, de distribuição cosmopolita, foi encontrada apenas em local submetido a alto impacto antrópico, não tendo sido registrada em áreas de floresta. Para comparar as comunidades de planárias terrestres do PE-Turvo com as de outros tipos de vegetação do estado, utilizou-se o método de ordenação NMDS. Essa análise indicou que as comunidades de planárias terrestres do PE-Turvo e de outras áreas de Floresta Decidual, Semidecidual e Floresta Ombrófila Densa diferenciam-se das comunidades de áreas de Floresta Ombrófila Mista. A alta riqueza de espécies observada no PE-Turvo reforça sua importante contribuição para a conservação da diversidade regional.
The phytoplankton of Guanabara Bay, Brazil: I. historical account of its biodiversity
Authors: Villac Maria Célia , Tenenbaum Denise Rivera
Published: September 2010

This is a historical account of the biodiversity of phytoplankton in Guanabara Bay, Brazil. It is based on 57 publications that refer to sampling carried out between 1913 and 2004. The publications included are those with direct microscopic identification. Although 80% of the studies focus on ecological issues that tend to mention only the most abundant species, 24 publications provide comprehensive check-lists at the species level, especially of taxa > 20 μm. The inventory of species includes, to date, 308 taxa among 199 diatoms, 90 dinoflagellates, 9 cyanobacteria, 5 euglenophyceans, 1 chlorophycean, 1 prasinophycean, 1 silicoflagellate, and 2 ebriids. The most conspicuous species were the dinoflagellate Scrippsiella trochoidea and diatoms from the Skeletonema costatum complex. The first was the theme of the very first publication in the area (Faria 1914) that reported on its bloom associated with the mass mortality of fish due to oxygen depletion; it is still often found in high abundances (10(6) cell.L-1) in more protected areas. The second was long considered in the literature as a cosmopolitan and opportunistic species, until the recent discovery of cryptic species within the genus; taxonomic re-evaluation of local populations is, therefore, needed. Besides these two species, only other 25 species stood out in terms of frequency of occurrence and widespread distribution in the Bay, some known to be implicated in harmful blooms elsewhere. The biodiversity of dinoflagellates, especially within the Gymnodiniales, and that of other unidentified flagellates (Haptophyceae, Cryptophyceae, Prasinophyceae, Raphidophyceae) is largely underestimated because of the use of fixatives that distort/destroy diagnostic characters. From the initial inventory of 124 taxa published in 1917 and the subsequent additions in species numbers, one can have a false perception that the phytoplankton biodiversity has increased throughout the years, despite the overall increase in eutrophication observed in Guanabara Bay. The reason for this may be twofold: 1) it is an artifact caused by our progressively improving technical capability to detect and identify species and 2) the possible effects of eutrophication could be better perceived when the community structure is evaluated, that is, when space-time variations in the abundances of the populations (rather than just number of species) are also taken into account.
Anurans of the Reserva Ecológica da Michelin, Municipality of Igrapiúna, State of Bahia, Brazil
Authors: Camurugi Felipe , Lima Tasso Meneses , Mercês Ednei de Almeida , Juncá Flora Acuña
Published: September 2010

We studied the richness and distribution of anuran species on different breeding sites at the Reserva Ecológica da Michelin (13° 50' S and 39° 10' W, approximately 90-400 m above sea level), Municipality of Igrapiúna, Bahia State, Brazil. The reserve includes fragments of Atlantic Rain Forest varying from 140 to 650 ha. Five types of environments were sampled: leaf litter inside forest fragments, streams inside forest fragments, dam on the edge of forest fragment, temporary pond inside forest, and temporary ponds inside banana and rubber groves along the eastern boundary of the reserve. We used active and passive sampling methods for surveys of amphibians, between March 2007 and December 2008. We captured 48 species distributed in 10 families (number of species in parentheses): Aromobatidae (1), Brachycephalidae (4), Bufonidae (2), Craugastoridae (1), Centrolenidae (1), Cycloramphidae (3), Hylidae (29), Leiuperidae (1), Leptodactylidae (3), and Microhylidae (3). Temporary ponds presented the highest number of species in reproductive activity (19 species in native forested areas, and 21 in plantation areas), while leaf litter presented the lowest (6 species). Two species were found in bromeliads (Phyllodytes melanomystax and P. luteolus). Twenty-two species were exclusive to fragments of forest, 11 were found only in anthropized areas (dam, and rubber and banana plantations) and 15 in both environments. Aplastodiscus cavicola and Dendropsophus giesleri had their geographic distribution extended to the State of Bahia. Phasmahyla timbo and Chiasmocleis cordeiroi known only from their type localities were found in the reserve.
Trece registros nuevos de Lutzomyia (Diptera: Psychodidae) para el departamento de Vichada, Orinoquia Colombiana
Authors: Vivero Rafael José , Bejarano Eduar Elías , Castro Mirley , Vélez Andrés , Pérez Juan Esteban , Pérez-Doria Alveiro , Vélez Iván Darío , Carrillo Lina María
Published: September 2010

Se informa el primer hallazgo de Lutzomyia trinidadensis (Newstead, 1922), L. bettinii Feliciangeli, Ramírez-Pérez & Ramírez, 1988, L. flaviscutellata (Mangabeira, 1942), L. yuilli Young & Porter, 1972, L. saulensis (Floch & Abonnenc, 1944), L. runoides (Fairchild & Hertig, 1953), L. ayrozai (Barretto & Coutinho, 1940), L. claustrei Abonnenc, Leger & Fauran, 1979, L. walkeri (Newstead, 1914), L. preclara Young & Arias, 1984, L. (geniculata) sp., L. (squamiventris) sp., y L. (Evandromyia) sp., en el departamento de Vichada, Colombia. También se confirma la presencia de L. antunesi (Coutinho, 1939) y L. aragaoi (Costa Lima, 1932) en este departamento. Los flebotomíneos fueron recolectados en los municipios de Puerto Carreño, Cumaribo, y La Primavera, con trampas de luz tipo CDC, trampa Shannon y atrayente humano, y mediante búsqueda activa en lugares de reposo. Se discute la importancia epidemiológica de estas especies de flebotomíneos en relación con la leishmaniosis cutánea.
Biometria de frutos e sementes de Butia capitata (Mart.) Beccari (Arecaceae), em vegetação natural no Norte de Minas Gerais, Brasil
Authors: Moura Roberto Cardoso de , Lopes Paulo Sergio Nascimento , Brandão Junior Delacyr da Silva , Gomes Janaína Gonçalves , Pereira Maurício Ballesteiro
Published: September 2010

O fruto do coquinho-azedo (Butia capitata (Mart.) Beccari) possui grande importância social e econômica para as comunidades que estão localizadas próximas a áreas de sua ocorrência. Características biométricas de frutos e sementes são importantes para a distinção de espécies, para a formação de lotes mais uniformes de sementes, para estudos de dispersão e de estabelecimento de plântulas. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar e correlacionar as principais características biométricas dos frutos e sementes de coquinho-azedo, para que possa gerar informações das potencialidades produtivas e econômicas dessa espécie. Para a condução deste experimento, foram utilizados 2.050 frutos maduros de coquinho-azedo, coletados em 41 plantas. As características avaliadas foram: o diâmetro longitudinal e o diâmetro equatorial dos frutos, a massa fresca média do fruto, a massa fresca, seca e a umidade média da polpa (epicarpo + mesocarpo), a massa fresca do pirênio (endocarpo+semente), o número de sementes por fruto, além da percentagem de polpa e pirênio do fruto. Obteve-se em média um diâmetro longitudinal de 26,87 mm (± 2,77), um diâmetro equatorial de 21,10 mm (± 1,67) e uma massa fresca média do fruto de 8,02 g (± 1,73). A polpa do fruto representa, em massa, aproximadamente 80% do fruto. Observaram-se correlações positivas e significativas da massa e diâmetros do fruto com a maioria das características avaliadas, o que sugere que frutos de tamanho e massa maiores possuem tanto polpa como o pirênio mais pesados e maior número sementes por fruto. Em 99% dos frutos analisados ocorreu somente uma semente não sendo observados frutos paternocárpicos ou com mais de duas sementes.
Implementação de Eco-Tecnologias rumo à ecologia industrial
Authors: Giannetti Biagio Fernando , Almeida Cecília M. Villas Boas de , Bonilla Sílvia H.
Published: September 2010

Este trabalho faz uma reflexão sobre mudanças conceituais devidas ao desenvolvimento/implementação de eco-tecnologias sob a ótica da Ecologia Industrial. Inicialmente, discutem-se conceitos fundamentais da Tecnologia Mais Limpa e da eco-tecnologia. Soma-se à discussão uma revisão das tecnologias não convencionais de tratamento/prevenção à poluição existentes na literatura científica recente, de forma a traçar estratégias que permitam aplicá-las no sistema industrial na forma de Eco-Tecnologias. Utilizando exemplos de tratamento de efluentes contendo metais pesados, como efluentes de curtume, o texto discute a necessidade da inclusão da pesquisa científica no conceito de Ecologia Industrial. A contribuição do artigo é contextualizar claramente o conceito de Eco-Tecnologia empregando uma proposta de aplicação para setores industriais do sul do país. O trabalho aponta a grande responsabilidade de profissionais que podem estimular ações sinérgicas das indústrias no tratamento de resíduos como alternativa às, generalizadas, práticas isoladas das empresas.
Anticoagulação durante gravidez de mulher portadora de cardiopatia
Authors: Ávila Walkiria Samuel
Published: September 2010

Diretrizes em muito contribuem para minimizar os potenciais riscos obstétricos e fetais e melhorar a assistência durante o ciclo gravídico-puerperal. Contudo, há controvérsias a respeito do manuseio da anticoagulação em mulheres portadoras de cardiopatias. A importância deste assunto assenta-se no fato de que o tromboembolismo é considerado uma das principais causas de morte materna em portadoras de cardiopatia, o que torna obrigatório o conhecimento sobre sua prevenção. A estratégia do tratamento antitrombótico é ponderada pelo risco de trombose imposto pela situação clínica materna e pelos efeitos adversos que os anticoagulantes podem causar ao concepto. Neste artigo, serão discutidas a estratificação do risco materno ao tromboembolismo, as propriedades dos anticoagulantes indicados para a sua prevenção e a estratégia terapêutica nos diversos momentos da gestação, parto e puerpério da mulher portadora de cardiopatia.
Indexes of spatio-temporal change to reconstruct the historical evolution of a coastal region: case study: São Sebastião Island - SP
Authors: Bertolo Lídia S. , Lima Guilherme T. N. P. de , Santos Rozely F. dos
Published: September 2010

The coastal regions of Brazil have lost most of their distinct characteristics due to an intense, diverse, and long history of land use. The current scenario is the result of successive changes which have taken place since the colonization of Brazil. These changes should be taken into account in environmental planning since the decisions about the future depend on the understanding of past changes. In this regard, the aim of this study was to identify and quantify the spatio-temporal changes in land use in a coastal region, using principles of landscape ecology and scenario construction. The case study was the São Sebastião Island, divided into 61 watersheds, off the northern coast of São Paulo State (Brazil). The study involved the development and application of a methodology to interpret the historical dynamics of the island. The driving forces were identified and indexes of change were calculated to define the phases of occupation of the island. Five phases of occupation of the coastal landscape were mapped: preservation, conservation, regeneration, exploitation and urbanization. These phases represent a pattern of internal heterogeneity, sometimes positive (environmental conservation), and sometimes negative (environmental degradation).
Critical applications of SW 846 US EPA methods to evaluation of marine samples quality
Authors: Silvério Patrícia Ferreira , Gonçalves Cristina , Taniguchi Satie , Lima Sylvia Niemeyer Pinheiro
Published: September 2010

Technical evaluation of analytical data is of extreme relevance considering it can be used for comparisons with environmental quality standards and decision-making as related to the management of disposal of dredged sediments and the evaluation of salt and brackish water quality in accordance with CONAMA 357/05 Resolution. It is, therefore, essential that the project manager discusses the environmental agency's technical requirements with the laboratory contracted for the follow-up of the analysis underway and even with a view to possible re-analysis when anomalous data are identified. The main technical requirements are: (1) method quantitation limits (QLs) should fall below environmental standards; (2) analyses should be carried out in laboratories whose analytical scope is accredited by the National Institute of Metrology (INMETRO) or qualified or accepted by a licensing agency; (3) chain of custody should be provided in order to ensure sample traceability; (4) control charts should be provided to prove method performance; (5) certified reference material analysis or, if that is not available, matrix spike analysis, should be undertaken and (6) chromatograms should be included in the analytical report. Within this context and with a view to helping environmental managers in analytical report evaluation, this work has as objectives the discussion of the limitations of the application of SW 846 US EPA methods to marine samples, the consequences of having data based on method detection limits (MDL) and not sample quantitation limits (SQL), and present possible modifications of the principal method applied by laboratories in order to comply with environmental quality standards.
Hematological analysis of Micropogonias Furnieri, Desmarest, 1823, Scianidae, from two estuaries of Baixada Santista, São paulo Brazil
Authors: Seriani Robson , Moreira Lucas Buruaem , Abessa Denis Moledo de Souza , Abujamara Laís D. , Carvalho Natashy S. B. de , Maranho Luciane Alves , Kirschbaum Aline A. , Ranzani-Paiva Maria José T.
Published: September 2010

Hematological alterations in fish are considered a useful tool to evaluate pathological processes resulting from the exposure to environmental pollutants. The whitemouth croaker Micropogonias furnieri is a common species in estuarine areas and potentially exposed to many contaminants. In the present study, the hematological characteristics of fish collected at two sites in Baixada Santista (Santos Estuarine System - SES, a polluted site; and the Estuary of Itanhaém River - EIR, unpolluted site) del was analysed. The following blood descriptors were analyzed: number of Erythrocytes (Er), Hematocrit (Ht), Hemoglobin (Hb), Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) and Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin concentration (MCHC). Fish from SES exhibited significant lower levels of Ht and increase on MCHC and Hb. Such differences are likely related to the different contamination levels found in these estuaries.
Termoplastia brônquica em asma
Authors: Rubin Adalberto Sperb , Cardoso Paulo Francisco Guerreiro
Published: September 2010

Os modernos tratamentos disponíveis para a asma proporcionam um bom controle da doença na maioria dos casos. Um número significativo de pacientes, no entanto, não responde a esses tratamentos, ou seja, não apresenta um alívio sintomático importante. A termoplastia brônquica é uma nova modalidade terapêutica, na qual a musculatura lisa das vias aéreas é especificamente tratada. Esse procedimento broncoscópico libera energia através de radiofrequência para as vias aéreas buscando a redução da broncoconstrição mediada pela musculatura lisa. Neste artigo, apresentamos a técnica da termoplastia, sumarizamos os resultados dos principais estudos clínicos randomizados do procedimento e discutimos seus mecanismos de ação e potenciais efeitos adversos. Também propomos estratégias para o futuro uso clínico desse novo tratamento.
Acceptance: An Historical and Conceptual Review
Authors: Williams John C. , Lynn Steven Jay
Published: September 2010

Recognition of the value of acceptance of the self, others, and the flux of human experience, has philosophical and religious roots that date back thousands of years. The past two decades have witnessed a swell of interest in acceptance, as evidenced by an increase in acceptance-based therapeutic interventions, and a growing appreciation of the paradoxical nature of acceptance and personal change and the role of experiential avoidance in psychopathology. In this article we review historical and contemporary descriptions and definitions of acceptance, measures of acceptance, the relation between acceptance and change, and the role of acceptance in psychopathology and psychotherapy. Our central objective is to delineate a rich conceptual scheme that encompasses the diverse ways in which acceptance has been explicated in classical and contemporary writings, and to highlight the need for further validation of this useful and popular construct.
Mindfulness Skills and Depressive Symptoms: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Barnes Sean M. , Lynn Steven Jay
Published: September 2010

We assessed college students' mindfulness skills (Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire; Baer, Smith, Hopkins, Krietemeyer, & Toney, 2006) and depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory-II; Beck, Steer, & Brown, 1996) early in the semester and during midterms and finals, two periods of likely academic stress. As predicted, acting with awareness, nonreactivity, and nonjudging were inversely related to depressive symptoms over the course of the semester. In contrast, observing was directly related to depressive symptoms at time one and two. The mindfulness skill of describing failed to show any significant relation to depressive symptoms during the semester. When we considered all four mindfulness skills simultaneously, nonreactivity and nonjudging skills underpinned the inverse relation between mindfulness and depressive symptoms across all time periods. High levels of observing were only associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms when individuals were low in nonreactivity. Accordingly, mindfulness skills may mitigate depressive symptoms because they promote objectively and nonreactively, thereby counteracting rumination.
Adjustment of Sexual Assault Survivors: Hardiness and Acceptance Coping in Posttraumatic Growth
Authors: Cole Alison S. , Lynn Steven Jay
Published: September 2010

This study examined predictors of both positive as well as negative outcomes among a sample of sexual assault survivors ( N = 105). Objectives were to (a) determine the presence of perceived posttraumatic growth (PTG) among a sample of female sexual assault survivors, (b) determine whether PTG is associated with reports of post-assault adjustment, and (c) examine the relationship between PTG and factors known to affect post-assault adjustment. Seventy-four percent of survivors reported perceived growth. Regression analyses revealed that PTG was not predictive of post-assault symptomatology, although it was negatively correlated with symptoms of PTSD. Predictors of PTG included the personality disposition of hardiness as well as acceptance coping. Implications and future directions are discussed.
Heat and Mass Transfer by MHD Stagnation-Point Flow of a Power-Law Fluid towards a Stretching Surface with Radiation, Chemical Reaction and Soret and Dufour Effects
Authors: EL-Kabeir S. M. M. , Chamkha Ali , Rashad A. M.
Published: September 2010

The thermal-diffusion and diffusion-thermo effects on heat and mass transfer by magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) mixed convection stagnation-point flow of a power-law non-Newtonian fluid towards a stretching surface in the presence of a magnetic field, thermal radiation and homogenous chemical reaction effects have been studied. A suitable set of dimensionless variables is used and similar equations governing the problem are obtained. The resulting equations have the property that they reduce to various special cases previously considered in the literature. An adequate implicit tri-diagonal finite-difference scheme is employed for the numerical solution of the obtained equations. Various comparisons with previously published work are performed and the results are found to be in excellent agreement. Representative results for the velocity, temperature, and concentration profiles as well as the local skin-friction coefficient, the local Nusselt number and the local Sherwood number illustrating the influence of the magnetic parameter, power-law fluid index, mixed convection parameter, concentration to thermal buoyancy ratio, thermal radiation, chemical reaction, and Dufour and Soret numbers are presented and discussed.
Pharmacological Evaluation of Ayurvedic Plants for Aphrodisiac Activity in Experimental Animals
Authors: Ganu Gayatri , Nagore Dheeraj H , Rangari Mithilesh , Gupta Harsh
Published: September 2010

Vajikaran Chikitsa is the branch of Ashtanga Ayurveda, which deals with all types of physical and psychological sexual problems like impotence, libido, poor erection, and early ejaculation in males. The WHO estimated that the usage of traditional medicine in developing countries is 80% and suggested a need for further exploration of the natural aphrodisiacs for the mechanism of action. Considering the prevalence of the sexual dysfunctioning in the society, side effects with the conventional aphrodisiac drugs, the study was planned to evaluate some Ayurvedic plants like Abutilon indicum and Withania somnifera for the aphrodisiac potential. An attempt was also made to elucidate the possible mechanism of action of these plants for their use in Vagikarana chikitsa. From the present study, it could be concluded that A. indicum and W. somnifera both possessed marked aphrodisiac activity complying many facets such as enhancement in libido, increase in the sexual performance, penile erection and anabolism, increased spermatogenesis as well as sperm validity. Study results pointed out the place of these drugs in the Vajikarana Chikitsa. A. indicum would be useful in management of erectile dysfunction as it had shown to relax penile cavernosal tissue probably by phosphodiesterase inhibition and cGMP accumulation.
The Impact of Economic Growth on the Dynamics of Enterprises: Empirical Evidence for Slovenia's Non-agricultural Sector
Authors: Močnik Dijana
Published: September 2010

The Impact of Economic Growth on the Dynamics of Enterprises: Empirical Evidence for Slovenia's Non-agricultural Sector

The aim of this paper was to test the hypothesized U-shaped relationship between economic development and dynamics of enterprises. The dynamics of enterprises is influenced by the achieved economic development. This paper first analyzed the association between the regional gross value added (GVA) growth rate and different measures of enterprises dynamics from Slovenian data from 2000 to 2005. Our graphical analyses indicated that 1) the rate of gross entry and GVA growth rate were linearly and negatively associated; 2) the association between the rate of gross exit and GVA growth rate is best represented by the downward U-shape function (Ç); and 3) a U-shaped association exists between the rate of net entry and GVA growth rate. The size of the impact was estimated using the regression analysis between the net entries as dependent variable and GVA growth as independent variable that showed the best fit. According to the results, 1) economic growth significantly impacts net entries; 2) the hypothesized U-shaped relationship between net entries and economic growth was confirmed as the Slovenian net entries decrease until the GVA growth rate reaches 10% yet increase when the growth in GVA is higher than 10%; and 3) a ‘natural rate’ of entrepreneurship is to some extent governed by ‘laws’ related to the economic growth rate. The results further indicate that the average net entry rate should be increased by 0.787 units (%) as a result of a region's specific environmental factors. This research confirms the theoretical assumptions that have previously been sparsely tested empirically and even rarely supported by results. Therefore, our results represent a contribution to the robustness of the theoretical as well as empirical clarification of the relationship between entrepreneurship and economic development.
Alliance Networks: the Case of Multinational Corporations
Authors: Sroka Włodzimierz
Published: September 2010

Alliance Networks: the Case of Multinational Corporations

The article deals with the problems of cooperation in network organizations. The structure of the text is divided into a couple of parts. Firstly, the increasing importance of alliance networks is described. Secondly, the concept of alliance networks as well as the essence of multinational corporations are presented. Beside theoretical deliberations, two practical cases are presented in the text too. First case relates to the Toyota keiretsu and the second one describes the network organization of the largest steel manufacturer in the world, i.e. ArcelorMittal Group. Last part of the text is the comparative analysis of the multinational corporations network vs. networks of small and medium size companies. The similarities as well as differences between both forms were presented. The article is based on the latest world literature devoted to the cooperative strategies as well as the practical business experience of the author from the work in Arcelor Mittal Poland and polish machine industry.
Acinetobacter baumanniiin Localised Cutaneous Mycobacteriosis in Falcons
Authors: Muller Margit Gabriele , George Ancy Rajeev , Walochnik Julia
Published: September 2010

Between May 2007 and April 2009, 29 falcons with identically localized, yellowish discolored cutaneous lesions in the thigh and lateral body wall region were presented at Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital. Out of 18 falcons integrated in this study, 16 tested positive toMycobacterium. aviumcomplex. The 2 negative falcons tested positive in theMycobacteriumgenus PCR. Moreover, 1 falcon tested positive toM. avium. paratuberculosisin tissue samples by PCR. In all cases, blood and fecal samples tested negative. In the acid-fast stain, all samples showed the for mycobacteriosis typical rods. Moreover, in 13 samplesAcinetobacter baumanniiwas detected by PCR and proven by DNA sequencing. Clinical features included highly elevated WBCs, heterophilia, lymphocytopenia, monocytosis, severe anemia and weight loss.A. baumannii, a gram-negative bacillus with the ability to integrate foreign DNA, has emerged as one of the major multidrug resistant bacteria. In veterinary medicine, it has so far been detected in dogs, cats, horses and wild birds. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of anA. baumanniiinfection in falcons and of a veterinaryMycobacterium-Acinetobactercoinfection.
Oocyte Source and Hormonal Stimulation forIn VitroFertilization Using Sexed Spermatozoa in Cattle
Authors: Presicce Giorgio A. , Xu Jie , Gong Guochun , Moreno Juan F. , Chaubal Sanjeev , Xue Fei , Bella Antonino , Senatore Elena M. , Yang Xiangzhong , Tian X. Cindy , Du Fuliang
Published: September 2010

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficiency of in vitro embryo production in cattle utilizing sexed sperm from two bulls and oocytes recovered by OPU. Twenty donor animals were employed in eight OPU replicates: the first four OPU trials were conducted on animals without hormone treatment, and the last four were run on the same animals, following FSH subcutaneous and intramuscular administration. A higher rate of blastocyst development was recorded in stimulated, as compared to nonstimulated animals, (25.2% versus 12.8%, ). Ocytes derived from slaughterhouse (SH) ovaries were also fertilized with sperm from the same bulls. Overall, non-sexed sperm used with oocytes derived from SH ovaries was significantly more efficient for blastocyst development than was sexed sperm with these same SH derived oocytes and sexed sperm with stimulated donor oocytes (39.8% versus 25.0% and 25.2%, ). In conclusion, the use of sexed sperm with OPU-derived oocytes resulted in a significantly higher blastocyst development when donors were hormonally stimulated; furthermore, the level of efficiency achieved was comparable to that attained when the same sexed sperm was tested on oocytes derived from SH ovaries.
Molecular and neuroimaging findings in pontocerebellar hypoplasia type 2 (PCH2): Is prenatal diagnosis possible?
Authors: Graham John M. , Spencer Andrew H. , Grinberg Inessa , Niesen Charles E. , Platt Lawrence D. , Maya Marcel , Namavar Yasmin , Baas Frank , Dobyns William B.
Published: September 2010

The pontocerebellar hypoplasias (PCH) are a group of early‐onset, autosomal recessive disorders resulting in abnormal growth and function of the brainstem and cerebellum. PCH type 2 (PCH2) is characterized by respiratory and feeding difficulties at birth, extrapyramidal dyskinesia, severe developmental impairment, progressive microcephaly and frequent death in childhood. Neuropathologic findings include diffuse cerebral gliosis with white matter changes, hypoplastic pons with depletion of neurons in the pontine nuclei, hypoplastic cerebellar hemispheres due to short cerebellar folia with poor branching, segmental loss of dentate, inferior olivary, and ventral pontine nuclei, and near absence of transverse pontine fibers with preservation of long fiber tracts and spinal anterior horn cells. On brain imaging, the cerebellar hemispheres appear very flat, and are more severely involved than the vermis. Most patients with PCH2 have mutations in TSEN54, with occasional mutations found in TSEN34 or TSEN2, genes that encode subunits of tRNA splicing endonuclease. Although this is a congenital disorder of pontocerebellar dysgenesis with fetal onset of neurodegeneration and symptoms at birth, prenatal imaging is unreliable in diagnosing this disorder in utero. We report on IVF dizygous twins with detailed prenatal imaging that failed to reveal any cerebellar abnormalities. Direct sequence analysis of TSEN54 showed homozygosity for c.919G>T, the common founder mutation in most PCH2 patients, and both parents were heterozygous for this mutation. We found no evidence of cerebellar dysgenesis on prenatal ultrasounds, but MRI tractography showed absence of pontine crossing fibers, a unique feature that might be useful for prenatal diagnosis of this condition. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identification of a submicroscopic 3.2 Mb chromosomal 16q12.2‐13 deletion in a child with short stature, mild developmental delay, and craniofacial anomalies, by high‐density oligonucleotide array‐a recognizable syndrome
Authors: Chang Ching‐Fen , Li Ling‐Hui , Wang Chung‐Hsing , Tsai Fuu‐Jen , Chen Tsai‐Chuan , Wu Jer‐Yuarn , Chen Yuan‐Tsong , Tsai Anne Chun‐Hui
Published: September 2010

Interstitial deletion of 16q has emerged into a recognizable pattern of congenital malformation. We report on a 9‐year‐old boy with short stature, psychomotor retardation, high forehead, broad flat nasal bridge, hypertelorism, cup‐shaped ears, short neck, and a normal karyotype. Using high‐density oligonucleotide array chip (Affymetrix 6.0) to perform parental and proband samples concurrently on three chips and interpreted as a trio set, a de novo 3.2 Mb deletion from bands q12.2 to q13 on chromosome 16 (from 52.08 to 55.3 Mb) of paternal origin was identified. The deletion was confirmed by quantitative genomic PCR and the break points were defined by junction PCR. Our study demonstrated the power of high‐density oligonucleotide array chip in identifying novel submicroscopic deletions that were not detectable using G‐banding cytogenetic technology. Furthermore, our result narrowed down the critical region for craniofacial features in interstitial 16q11.2‐q13 deletion syndrome. In patients who have high forehead, broad flat nasal bridge, hypertelorism, cup‐shaped ears, short neck and short stature, high‐density array should be included in initial work up. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mechanisms of imprint dysregulation
Authors: Horsthemke Bernhard
Published: September 2010

Genomic imprinting is an epigenetic process by which the male and the female germ line confer specific marks (imprints) onto certain gene regions, so that one allele of an imprinted gene is active and the other allele is silent. Genomic imprints are erased in primordial germ cells, newly established during later stages of germ cell development, and stably inherited through somatic cell divisions during postzygotic development. Defects in imprint erasure, establishment, or maintenance result in a paternal chromosome carrying a maternal imprint or in a maternal chromosome carrying a paternal imprint. A wrong imprint leads to activation of an allele that should be silent or silencing of an allele that should be active. Since the dosage of imprinted genes is very important for development and growth, imprinting defects lead to specific diseases. Imprinting defects can occur spontaneously without any DNA sequence change (primary imprinting defect) or as the result of a mutation in a cis‐regulatory element or a trans‐acting factor (secondary imprinting defect). The distinction between primary and secondary imprinting defects is important for assessing the recurrence risk in affected families. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Imprinting on chromosome 20: Tissue‐specific imprinting and imprinting mutations in theGNASlocus
Authors: Kelsey Gavin
Published: September 2010

TheGNASlocus on chromosome 20q13.11 is the archetypal complex imprinted locus. It comprises a bewildering array of alternative transcripts determined by differentially imprinted promoters which encode distinct proteins. It also provides the classic example of tissue‐specific imprinted gene expression, in which the canonicalGNAStranscript coding for Gsα is expressed predominantly from the maternal allele in a set of seemingly unrelated tissues. Functionally, this rather obscure imprinting is nevertheless of considerable clinical significance, as it dictates the nature of the disease caused by inactivating mutations in Gsα, with end organ hormone resistance specifically on maternal transmission (pseudohypoparathyroidism type 1a, PHP1a). In addition, there is abona fideimprinting disorder, PHP1b, which is caused specifically by DNA methylation defects in the differentially methylated regions (DMRs) that determine tissue‐specific monoallelic expression ofGNAS. Although the genetic defect in PHP1a and the disrupted imprinting in PHP1b both essentially result in profound reduction of Gsα activity in tissues with monoallelicGNASexpression, and despite a growing awareness of the overlap in these two conditions, there are important pathophysiological differences between the two whose basis is not fully understood. PHP1b is one of the only imprinted gene syndromes in whichcis‐acting mutations have been discovered that disrupt methylation of germline‐derived imprint marks; such imprinting mutations inGNASare helping to provide important new insights into the mechanisms of imprinting establishment generally. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Inference for meta‐analysis with a suspected temporal trend
Authors: Baker Rose , Jackson Dan
Published: September 2010

There is sometimes a clear evidence of a strong secular trend in the treatment effect of studies included in a meta‐analysis. In such cases, estimating the present‐day treatment effect by meta‐regression is both reasonable and straightforward. We however consider the more common situation where a secular trend is suspected, but is not strongly statistically significant. Typically, this lack of significance is due to the small number of studies included in the analysis, so that a meta‐regression could give wild point estimates. We introduce an empirical Bayes meta‐analysis methodology, which shrinks the secular trend toward zero. This has the effect that treatment effects are adjusted for trend, but where the evidence from data is weak, wild results are not obtained. We explore several frequentist approaches and a fully Bayesian method is also implemented. A measure of trend analogous toI2is described, and exact significance tests for trend are given. Our preferred method is one based on penalized or h‐likelihood, which is computationally simple, and allows invariance of predictions to the (arbitrary) choice of time origin. We suggest that a trendless standard random effects meta‐analysis should routinely be supplemented with an h‐likelihood analysis as a sensitivity analysis.
ChemInform Abstract: Far‐IR and Low‐Frequency Raman Spectra and Normal Coordinate Analysis of the CuNO+ 3 Complex
Authors: CASTRO P. M. , JAGODZINSKI P. W.
Published: September 2010

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.