bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mudanças climáticas globais e o cuidado ambiental na percepção de adolescentes: uma aproximação possível
Authors: Barros Hellen Chrystianne , Pinheiro José De Queiroz
Published: May 2017

As evidências científicas da existência das mudanças climáticas globais (MCGs) são cada vez mais conhecidas, correspondendo a um problema humano-ambiental com dimensões psicológicas e sociais tanto em seu agravamento quanto em seus impactos. Este estudo objetivou investigar a percepção das MCGs por adolescentes e sua associação com práticas de cuidado ambiental autorrelatadas. Para tanto, aplicou-se um questionário, com questões abertas, a 323 adolescentes de escolas da cidade de Natal, Rio Grande do Norte. Os dados foram submetidos a análise temática de conteúdo e a análises estatísticas, a fim de investigar associações entre as variáveis. A percepção das MCGs foi considerada confusa; os adolescentes as percebem como um problema ambiental genérico e as confundem com outros problemas, como a poluição pelo acúmulo de lixo. Sobre o cuidado ambiental, 46% afirmaram praticá-lo, havendo pouca variação entre os tipos de ações mencionadas. A ação mais citada foi relativa ao controle do lixo. Os adolescentes que mencionaram praticar essas ações, assim como práticas de coleta seletiva e reciclagem, foram os que mais mencionaram causas do problema das MCGs, o que sugere que eles as percebem de maneira associada à temática do lixo. Além disso, os adolescentes que mais indicaram responsáveis pela ocorrência das MCGs foram os que relataram se engajar em ações de plantação de mudas, economia de energia elétrica e campanhas de conscientização, sugerindo a existência de associações entre a atribuição de responsabilidade pelas MCGs e o cuidado ambiental. A exploração desses conceitos busca auxiliar na promoção de medidas de educação ambiental, ampliando o escopo de ações praticadas pelos adolescentes para além das questões relativas ao lixo, pois, apesar de sua reconhecida importância, a diversidade de comportamentos também pode ser estimulada, incluindo outras ações de mitigação das MCGs em nível local.
O desafio da comunicação da pesquisa sobre riscos climáticos na agricultura familiar: a experiência de uso de cartilha educativa no Semiárido nordestino
Authors: Litre Gabriela , Curi Melissa , Mesquita Patricia S. , Nasuti Stéphanie , Rocha Gledson
Published: May 2017

Com foco nos agricultores familiares do Semiárido nordestino – um dos segmentos da população brasileira mais vulnerável às mudanças e às variabilidades climáticas – este artigo apresenta o processo de elaboração e de divulgação de uma cartilha educativa, criada de maneira colaborativa, para compartilhar as percepções desses agricultores sobre os riscos climáticos. A cartilha também visou divulgar opções de estratégias adaptativas desenvolvidas pelos próprios atores locais. Uma equipe de pesquisa interdisciplinar, integrante da sub-rede Mudanças Climáticas e Desenvolvimento Regional (MCDR/Rede CLIMA), conduziu 1.140 entrevistas semiestruturadas em quatro áreas do Semiárido brasileiro: Seridó Potiguar-RN, Gilbués-PI, Juazeiro-BA e Chapada do Araripe-CE. Os questionários aplicados levantaram, entre outros, dados sobre as percepções dos agricultores familiares a respeito das mudanças do clima, seus valores culturais e suas expectativas a respeito do futuro dos seus modos de vida rurais. A partir dessas informações, criou-se uma cartilha educativa para restituir os dados coletados. Privilegiando o diálogo e a troca de saberes ou, nas palavras de Habermas, “a negociação da definição de situação”, o instrumento de comunicação escolhido partiu do pressuposto de que as comunidades tendem a confiar em novas informações quando estas possuem, na sua percepção, relevância, credibilidade e legitimidade. Os resultados gerais da experiência demonstraram que possíveis barreiras sociais e culturais (tais como a incompreensão inicial entre cientistas e usuários do conhecimento) podem ser superadas por meio de ações colaborativas entre a academia, os tomadores de decisão e os usuários finais. A elaboração da cartilha encorajou o trabalho horizontal para identificar riscos climáticos e possíveis medidas de adaptação.
O “Modelo Broa” e a produção de conhecimento científico sobre o meio ambiente
Authors: Campregher Raiza , Martins Rodrigo Constante
Published: May 2017

Partindo da posição destacada do conhecimento científico no trato da questão ambiental na contemporaneidade, o artigo analisa o processo de produção de conhecimento científico sobre a Represa do Broa (SP), tanto por meio da análise da estrutura objetiva do campo científico como das narrativas dos cientistas sobre a pesquisa. A Represa do Broa é possivelmente o reservatório mais estudado no país, muito em função do aparato de produção científica que se formou a seu respeito desde a década de 1970, fundado em um projeto estratégico de desenvolvimento de duas universidades públicas (USP e UFSCar). Os procedimentos metodológicos deste estudo de caso foram a pesquisa documental dos trabalhos científicos produzidos sobre a represa e a realização de entrevistas qualitativas semiestruturadas com pesquisadores do Broa, selecionados de forma proposital.
Buffers Against Inconvenient Knowledge: Brazilian Newspaper Representations of the Climate-Meat Link
Authors: Lahsen Myanna
Published: May 2017

Analisando a cobertura sobre o clima nos jornais brasileiros nos anos 2002 até 2010, este artigo mostra que a mudança climática foi enquadrada como um problema de energia apesar de ela ser uma pequena parte das emissões do país em comparação com as emissões de mudança no uso da terra e da agricultura. Enquanto a produção de carne é a maior causa das emissões nacionais, discussões sobre a carne como um problema no contexto das alterações climáticas foram marginais, na melhor das hipóteses. À medida em que apareceu, o tema da carne era subdesenvolvido e abordado de tal forma que reduziu a atenção, a preocupação e o poder dos brasileiros para guiar o país para um novo caminho de desenvolvimento nacional mais sustentável. O artigo apresenta esses resultados e oferece uma explicação econômica e política preliminar.
O poema o bicho na perspectiva da análise do discurso: processos de produção e efeitos de sentido
Authors: Fracasse Stefaniu Luciana , Ferreira Dias Di Raimo Luciana Cristina
Published: May 2017

Com base nos conceitos teóricos relacionados à teoria da Análise do Discurso de linha francesa, este artigo se propõe a refletir sobre os processos de produção dos sentidos no poema O Bicho, de Manuel Bandeira, com o intuito de compreender o funcionamento discursivo dessa materialidade significante pertencente ao discurso literário. Nessa perspectiva, buscamos apresentar as contribuições da Análise do Discurso como uma teoria de leitura que pode ser aplicada a diferentes textos, em específico, neste artigo, ao texto literário. Dessa forma, partimos de uma análise dos processos de constituição, formulação e circulação do poema, à luz dos conceitos trabalhados pela analista do discurso Eni Orlandi aqui no Brasil, calcada em uma reflexão sobre a relação texto e o discurso.
Performance Evaluation of Basic Medical Insurance Fund for Urban Workers in Jiangsu Province
Authors: Du Juan
Published: May 2017

As a significant part of social security system, basic medical insurance guarantees the sustainable development of society. With aged trend of population in China, a series problems are exposed with increasing demand of fund, which lead to serious financial risk. As a result, it is emergent to evaluate whether the management of basic medical insurance fund is efficiency or not. Hence, this article attempts to construct a performance evaluation index system and apply it to assess the management of basic medical insurance fund for urban workers in Jiangsu Province, including its raising, operating, investing and paying under the guidance of balanced scorecard.
Above Ground Drip Application Practices Alter Water Productivity of Malbec Grapevines under Sustained Deficit
Authors: Shellie Krista
Published: May 2017

An objective of this study was to identify above ground drip application practices for winegrape that increase water productivity and mitigate water deficit-associated loss of yield. The influence of irrigation frequency on water productivity under two severities of sustained deficit irrigation was evaluated in field grown Malbec grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.) over three growing seasons. A weekly amount of water was delivered in a single irrigation event (1X) or apportioned into thirds and delivered in three irrigation events per week (3X). The least severe deficit (STD) had a 3-yr average maximum duty cycle (ratio of irrigation duration to irrigation interval) of 0.3, and vines irrigated 3X relative to 1X had higher water productivity each year due to a decrease in pruning weight. The most severe deficit (STD50) had a 3-yr average maximum duty cycle of 0.02 and vines irrigated 1X relative to 3X had higher water productivity due to a reduction in pruning weight in 2012 and an increase in yield in 2013. The fruit produced from vines irrigated at the frequency with highest water productivity under each deficit severity contained a lower concentration of anthocyanins. While treatment combinations did not alleviate a water-stress associated reduction in yield, results provided new information about grapevine water use efficiency that can be used to select combinations of irrigation frequencies and duty cycles with potential for increasing water productivity.
Evaluation of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Genotypes for Horticultural Characteristics on the Upland in Southern Sierra Leone
Authors: Kanneh Salia M. , Quee Dan D. , Ngegba Patrick M. , Musa Peter D.
Published: May 2017

Notwithstanding the importance of tomato in human diet, the average yield of the crop in Africa hardily exceeds 7.5 tha-1. There is continuous unavailability of high yielding cultivars that are adapted to diverse environment and suitable for different purposes. Consequently, evaluation of introduced tomato genotypes for desired horticultural characteristics to identify superior genotypes for additional improvement in yield and yield related traits is indispensible. Hence eight tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) genotypes including parental were field planted in a randomized complete block design with three replications at the Department of Horticulture Nursery Unit, School of Natural resources Management, Njala University, Njala Campus, Moyamba District, Southern Sierra Leone to evaluate them for good horticultural traits. Data collected include plant height at 50% and 100% flowering, stem girth at 50% and 100% flowering, days to first, 50% and 100% flowering, days to maturity, number of fruits set per plant, number of fruits harvested per plant, average fruit weights, fruit length, fruit diameter, fruit flesh thickness, locule number, marketable and nonmarketable fruits per plant. Results from the study indicated that all genotypes studied are adaptable to the Sierra Leone climatic conditions. P1 (097) recorded the highest number of fruits set per plant, number of fruits harvested per plant and tallest and largest plant height and stem girth at 100% flowering. BC2F2 had the highest locule number while R3P9 had the heaviest fruit weight. P2 (213) had the thickest fruit flesh thickness and longest duration to fruit maturity respectively while P1 (097), BC1F2 and R3P9 had the same number of shortest days to maturity. Regarding fruit length and diameter, R3P8 and R6P6 had the longest and widest. With respects to marketable and nonmarketable fruit per plant, P1 (097) recorded the highest correspondingly.
Optimization Design and Simulation for Pricking Mechanism of Off-Centre Embedded Seed Metering Device
Authors: Li Mutong , Zhou Fujun , Li Tianyu , Wei Yuan
Published: May 2017

In order to improve the quality of pricking hole and reduce throwing soil as merering the field, this paper presents a method of off-centre embedded pricking mechanism operation. Established a mathematical model of pricking hole mechanism, preparation of computer aided analysis platform by using VB software, and the simulation effects are buried and the effects of the eccentricity, rocker arm length, pricking hole connected with the handle, the swing rod length, length the pricking hole angle and swing arm and the connecting rod handle parameters related to the initial position. One group of optimization parameters: radial eccentricity 50mm, pricking hole arm length 220 mm, connecting handle length 135 mm, pendulum length 120 mm, pricking hole arm and the connecting handle 55 degree angle, pendulum hinge rotation center end and rocker wire length 130 mm, connecting with the horizontal angle of 5 degrees. Through the verification, pricking hole mechanism after optimization has been a significant improvement in reducing throwed soil problems and improve the pricking quality.
Assessment of Genetic Diversity in Wild Rice of Eastern India Using SSR Markers
Authors: Swain Rosalin , Mohapatra Shibani , Roy Pritesh , Swain D. , Singh O. N. , Meher J. , Dash S. K. , Rao G. J. N. , Subudhi H. N.
Published: May 2017

Wild rice is an important reservoir of valuable and useful genes. O. rufipogon and O. nivara contain AA genome andare the progenitor of cultivated rice which makes them compatible with the cultivated rice for cross breeding to incorporate the genes for stress tolerance. SSR markers were used to assess the extent of diversity of 26 accessions of O. rufipogon and O. nivara collected from different districts of Orissa, West Bengal and Tripura. The Principal Co-ordinate Analysis (PCA) clearly indicates the clustering pattern and inter-relationships among different accessions. Mantel Z-testexhibitedacorrelation between cophenetic matrix and Jaccards’ similarity coefficient in 26 accessions and 4 CRRI released varieties using 54 STMS (SSR) markers which showed significant correlation (r = 0.8249) between them. O. nivara accessions and O. rufipogon accessions were grouped different clusters. O. nivara collected from Midnapore is placed in different cluster. It is concluded that the SSR markers used were found to be equally informative for the genetic diversity study between and among the accessions of two wild species such as O. rufipogon and O. nivara collected from different locations of Orissa, West Bengal & Tripura. Highlysignificant morphological variations were also observed among O. nivara and O. rufipogon accessions.
Conservation Tillage Practices Optimizes Root Distribution and Straw Yield of Spring Wheat and Field Pea in Dry Areas
Authors: Yeboah Stephen , Lamptey Shirley , Zhang Renzhi , Li LingLing
Published: May 2017

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of conventional tillage with straw removed (T), no tillage with straw removed (NT), no tillage with straw retained on the soil surface (NTS) and conventional tillage with straw incorporated (TS) on soil moisture, root growth and straw yield under rain-fed conditions. Findings of this research show that NTS and to a lesser extent, TS decreased soil bulk density in the 0-10 cm soil depth by approximately 3.35% and 2.75% compared to T and NT in spring wheat and field pea plots respectively. No tillage with straw retained (NTS) had greater soil moisture content (0-30 cm) at jointing, anthesis and milking stages compared with NT and T treatments with average 18.57% and 29.67% increase (P < 0.05) in spring wheat and field pea respectively. Compared with T and NT, root length, root surface area, root diameter and root volume at 0-50 cm soil depth under straw treated soils, especially with no tillage were significantly increased. Root length, surface area and root diameter in the 0-80 cm differed among the treatments in the order of NTS > TS > NT > T at all the sampling stages in both crops. No tillage with straw retention had the greatest straw yield of 4897 kg ha-1 in spring wheat and 2759 kg ha-1 in field pea, representing a significant increase of 20.61% and 22.74% compared to NT and T respectively. These results suggest that NTS could enhance spring wheat and field pea yield and water uptake via stimulating root growth, and therefore a practical way to improve crop productivity.
An Assessement of Paddy Production System in Central Kenya with Special Reference to Micronutrients
Authors: Kundu Caroline Agamala , Ishii Masaya , Sato Kuniaki , Wanjogu Raphael K. , Makihara Daigo , Yamauchi Akira , Masunaga Tsugiyuki
Published: May 2017

Soil degradation reduces agricultural productivity and poses a great threat on food security status of households. In Kenya, farmers have for a long time been using only nitrogen and phosphorous based fertilizers oblivious of the soil fertility status. In most cases, there has been lack of plant response to these fertilizers, which could be due to a limitation of nutrients other than nitrogen and phosphorous. Soils are considered as variable natural bodies because of combined intrinsic and extrinsic factors of different intensities at a field or a larger region scale therefore an understanding of such variability is imperative to provide insights needed in their management. This study was thus initiated to assess the availability of soil micronutrients from rice growing Vertisols in the Mwea irrigation scheme. Top (0-15 cm) soil samples were collected across paddy fields in the irrigation scheme and analyzed for iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and manganese (Mn) by the 0.1 N HCl extraction method. Soil pH (water and 1 M KCl) was also measured using the glass electrode pH meter. Soil solution pH ranged from 4.56 to 8.05 and 3.33 to 6.63 for water and 1 M KCl respectively. Soil Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn concentration varied greatly and ranged from undetected to 1360.6, 0.12 to 8.00, undetected to 9.29 and 1.50 to 849.2 mg/kg respectively. Coefficient of variations (CVs) for soil micronutrients ranged from 64% to 154% indicating very high variability. Soil pH was least variable with CVs 12% and 15% for water and KCl respectively. These results imply that the paddy soils in Mwea region are highly heterogeneous and soil micronutrients are enriched in some areas and depleted in others due to farm management practices and soil properties. Averagely, soil available Zn was deficient across the scheme and as such Zn fertilization can be effective in increasing soil Zn concentration and availability in the soil-root interface further enhancing soil productivity and yield quality. Attention should also be paid to appropriate farm management practices to avoid accumulation or depletion of nutrients.
Effects of Organic Residues on Soil Properties and Sesame Water Use Efficiency
Authors: Anguria Paul , Chemining’wa George N. , Onwonga Richard N. , Ugen Michael A.
Published: May 2017

A study was conducted at the National Semi-Arid Resources Research Institute-Serere, Uganda for three seasons (2013 short rains, 2014 long rains and 2014 short rains) to investigate the effect of crop residues and animal manure on soil bulk density (SBD), soil moisture content (SMC) and water use efficiency (WUE) of sesame. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments comprised: control, 4 crop residues, 2 animal manures and combinations of 2 animal manures and 4 crop residues all applied at two rates of 3 and 6 t/ha. Plots treated with 6 t/ha of millet husks produced the highest SMC (37.46%) and lowest SBD (1.1717 g/cm3) across seasons; while plots treated with 3 t/ha of millet husks produced the highest WUE of sesame (9.92 kg ha-1 mm-1) across seasons compared with other crop residue and animal manure treatments applied singly. Soil moisture content was highest (38.09%) and SBD lowest (1.0520 g/cm3) across seasons in plots treated with 6 t/ha of poultry manure plus millet husks; while plots amended with 3 t/ha of poultry manure plus millet husks produced the highest WUE of sesame (9.40 g/cm3) across seasons compared with other treatments. Crop residues influenced SMC and SBD in the order; millet husks > cowpea husks > sorghum husks > groundnut shells. Crop residues affected WUE of sesame in the order; millet husks > sorghum husks > groundnut shells > cowpea husks. This study has demonstrated that poultry manure plus millet husks have a potential to enhance WUE of sesame.
Solving a Perplexing Scenic and Sage Creek Basin Drainage History Problem, Pennington County, South Dakota, USA
Authors: Clausen Eric
Published: May 2017

The escarpment-surrounded Sage Creek and Scenic Basins open in southeast directions toward the northeast and east oriented White River valley while their floors drain in a northwest direction to the northeast oriented Cheyenne River. Located in the South Dakota Badlands region the Sage Creek and Scenic Basins present an intriguing drainage history problem where key puzzle pieces also include the White and Cheyenne River valleys. The puzzle solution requires massive amounts of southeast oriented water to first erode as deep headcuts the east oriented White River valley segment and the two southeast-oriented Sage Creek and Scenic Basins prior to Cheyenne River valley headward erosion. The northeast oriented White River valley segment upstream from the east oriented White River valley segment (and from the Sage Creek and Scenic Basin location) next eroded headward across southeast oriented flow and was initiated by southeast oriented water flowing from the Scenic Basin that turned in a northeast direction to reach the east oriented White River downstream valley segment. Erosion of the Sage Creek and Scenic Basin headcuts abruptly ended when headward erosion of the northeast oriented Cheyenne River valley beheaded southeast oriented flow routes leading to the then actively eroding Sage Creek and Scenic Basin heacuts. Cheyenne River valley headward erosion in a southwest direction next captured massive southeast oriented flow then still moving to the newly eroded northeast oriented White River valley segment. Northwest oriented drainage developed on the Sage Creek and Scenic Basin floors when a flood surge or temporary dam caused water to fill the White River valley and to spill in a northwest direction across low points on the then abandoned Sage Creek and Scenic Basin headcut rims. This spillage eroded narrow northwest oriented valleys and drained water filling the two basins to the Cheyenne River valley while most of the ponded water drained in an east direction down the White River valley. The White River valley, Sage Creek and Scenic Basins, and the Cheyenne River valley were eroded by enormous quantities of southeast oriented water that also deeply eroded the entire South Dakota Badlands region.
Competition in Electricity Markets with Renewable Energy Sources
Authors: Acemoglu Daron , Kakhbod Ali , Ozdaglar Asuman
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACT

This paper studies the effects of the diversification of energy portfolios on the merit order effect in an oligopolistic energy market. The merit order effect describes the negative impact of renewable energy, typically supplied at the low marginal cost, to the electricity market. We show when thermal generators have a diverse energy portfolio, meaning that they also control some or all of the renewable supplies, they offset the price declines due to the merit order effect because they strategically reduce their conventional energy supplies when renewable supply is high. In particular, when all renewable supply generates profits for only thermal power generators this offset is complete — meaning that the merit order effect is totally neutralized. As a consequence, diversified energy portfolios may be welfare reducing. These results are robust to the presence of forward contracts and incomplete information (with or without correlated types). We further use our full model with incomplete information to study the volatility of energy prices in the presence of intermittent and uncertain renewable supplies.
Spanning tussen het evenredigheidsbeginsel en het gelijkheids- en transparantiebeginsel bij het uitsluiten van ondernemingen in het aanbestedingsrecht
Authors: Bouwman G.
Published: May 2017

Spanning tussen het evenredigheidsbeginsel en het gelijkheids- en transparantiebeginsel bij het uitsluiten van ondernemingen in het aanbestedingsrecht

In deze bijdrage staat het Connexxion Taxi Services-arrest centraal, waarin het Hof van Justitie in een afweging tussen beginselen voorrang geeft aan het gelijkheids- en transparantiebeginsel boven het evenredigheidsbeginsel bij het uitsluiten van een onderneming van een aanbestedingsprocedure. Het Hof van Justitie benadrukt daarmee het belang van het ‘level playing field’ in het aanbestedingsrecht. Tegelijkertijd gaat dit hier ten koste van het evenredigheidsbeginsel dat een belangrijke rol speelt in de afweging of een uitsluiting van een onderneming met het oog op de internemarktdoelstelling gerechtvaardigd is. Het is echter de vraag in hoeverre het Hof van Justitie tot dezelfde beslissing zou komen onder de nieuwe Aanbestedingsrichtlijn 2014/24/EU.

HvJ 14 december 2016, zaak C-171/15, Connexxion Taxi Services, ECLI:EU:C:2016:948.
Using traditional ecological knowledge in discovery of rare plants: a case study from Turkey
Authors: Molnár V. Attila , Süveges Kristóf , Molnár Zsolt , Löki Viktor
Published: May 2017

Sustainable (and adaptive) management of natural resources is usually based on long term local experiences with nature. Local traditional communities often possess rich ecological knowledge connected to nature and traditional resource use and management. This knowledge can provide unexpected new information for researchers, and show new opportunities and ways for professionals in conserving rare and threatened species.

We found significant new populations of the rare Ophrys lesbis in a private area next to the settlement of Çamlık, Muğla, and Orchis punctulata in the graveyard of Kadılar, Antalya with the help of local rural people. We firstly report the replanting of some orchid species (Orchis papilionacea, O. italica, and Barlia robertiana) in kitchen gardens of Çamlık and Bayır, in Muğla Province.

The presence of significant orchid populations (e.g., the biggest ever found for Ophrys lesbis) in an area, where local owners have been actively harvesting salep from year to year for decades suggests that the moderate salep harvesting can be sustainable for long run. Based on our observations, Turkish salep harvesters can help botanists and conservationists find new locations of rare threatened orchid populations, and therefore indirectly help in conserve these populations.
Predatory midges of the tribes Palpmyiini and Sphaeromiini (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from the Middle East, with keys and descriptions of new species
Authors: Alwin-Kownacka Alicja , Szadziewski Ryszard , Szwedo Jacek
Published: May 2017

The Middle East biting midges of the tribes Palpomyiini (20 species in three genera) and Sphaeromiini s. lat. (six species in five genera) are reviewed. Three new species are described and illustrated: Bezzia libanensis Alwin & Szadziewski sp. nov., B. sharjahi Alwin & Szadziewski sp. nov. and Palpomyia freidbergi Alwin & Szadziewski sp. nov. Bezzia aegyptia Kieffer, 1925 is recognized as a new junior synonym of B. albicornis (Meigen, 1818) (syn. nov.) and B. omanensis Boorman & van Harten, 2002, is recognized as a junior synonym of B. (Sivabezzia) pachypyga Remm, 1974 (syn. nov.). Keys to the genera and species of the tribes Palpomyiini and Sphaeromiini of the Middle East are also provided.
CARACTERIZAÇÃO DAS PRINCIPAIS FEIÇÕES SUPERFICIAIS DE FUNDO E EM SUBSUPERFÍCIE NO LIMITE SUDOESTE DA BAÍA DE MACAPÁ, CANAL DO NORTE, RIO AMAZONAS
Authors: BARROS Marcos Vinícius Da Silva , ROLLNIC Marcelo , WATANABE Fábio Kiyoshi
Published: May 2017

A Baía de Macapá, por estar inserida a zona de médio estuário do Rio Amazonas, apresenta vestígios de alterações morfológicas diferenciadas pela forte dinâmica em um curto intervalo de tempo. O reflexo de tais alterações pode ser observado nas modificações morfoestruturais presentes no leito e subsuperfície. A análise dos perfis sísmicos em alta resolução pelo intervalo de frequência de 0,7 kHz a 12,0 kHz revela que as características apresentadas nas formas de fundo desencadeiam os processos modeladores do padrão de reflexão observados nos refletores em subsuperfície. Através desta relação foi possível identificar a predominância de cinco formas de fundo, quatro unidades estruturais e cinco sismofácies com o destaque para a identificação de uma feição de paleocanal. Observou-se que as variações morfológicas do leito são influenciadas pela constante atuação dos processos hidrodinâmicos e sedimentares ocorrentes periodicamente e vice-versa, corroborando para correlação entre as feições superficiais de fundo e as feições em subsuperfície.Palavras-Chave: Morfologia, formas de fundo, sismofácies, paleocanal.
OCCURRENCE OF DEEP-SEA SHRIMP Heterocarpus inopinatus TAVARES, 1999 (CRUSTACEA: DECAPODA: CARIDEA) IN POTIGUAR BASIN, NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL
Authors: ALVES-JÚNIOR Flávio De Almeida , ARAÚJO Marina De Sá Leitão Câmara de , SOUZA-FILHO Jesser Fidelis de
Published: May 2017

Heterocarpus inopinatus is a member of the family Pandalidae. It is an endemic species from Brazilian’ waters which is recorded for states of Bahia, Espírito Santo and Rio de Janeiro. In this paper, we report the occurrence of this species from extreme northeast of Brazil in Potiguar Basin. The Potiguar Basin is situated in the extreme northeast of Brazil, between the states of Ceará (CE) and Rio Grande do Norte (RN) (03/05° S; 38/35° W). Samplings were conducted as part of the project: "Avaliação da Biota Bentônica e Planctônica da Bacia Potiguar e Ceará (Bpot)” sponsored by “Petróleo Brasileiro S/A (Petrobrás)”. In the campaign were analyzed 19 individuals, being 10 females, 8 males and 1 juvenile, between the depths of 150–982 m. Therefore, this study is increasing its geographic distribution and thus much extending its bathymetric distribution of the species to shallower depth for the Northeast region of Brazil, filling gaps in the South Atlantic distribution. Keywords: Geographic distribution, Pandalidae, continental slope, new record
MUDANÇAS POSICIONAIS DA LINHA DE COSTA NAS PRAIAS DO PINA E DE BOA VIAGEM, RECIFE, PE, BRASIL
Authors: GREGÓRIO Maria das Neves , ARAÚJO Tereza Cristina Medeiros de , MENDONÇA Francisco Jaime Bezerra , MIKOSZ GONÇALVES Rodrigo , MENDONÇA Rafael Lopes
Published: May 2017

O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar a evolução espacial e temporal da linha de costa considerando um intervalo de 48 anos (1960-2008) para as praias urbanas do Pina e de Boa Viagem (Recife, PE, Brasil).  O levantamento multitemporal da linha de costa foi baseado na análise de dados vetoriais fotogramétricos (1960, 1974, 1981, 1997 na escala 1: 6.000) e dados coletados por GNSS para o ano de 2008. A área de estudo foi dividida em quatro setores (A, B, C e D). Como resultados o setor A obteve taxas de retrogradação onde o valor para a maior taxa foi de -1,8 m/ano (1960-1974).  Para o setor B destaca-se a progradação para o intervalo de 1960-1974 (2,5 m/ano). As maiores taxas de retrogradação se encontram no setor C (-0,87; -0,56; -0,44, durante os períodos de 1960-1981, 1960-1997 e 1960-2008 respectivamente). O setor D obteve como resultado a retrogradação para todos os intervalos analisados, sendo que a maior taxa encontrada foi para o de 1960-1974 (-1,6 m/ano). Por fim, observou-se que não há uma relação linear em relação às mudanças da linha de costa para os setores analisados demonstrando o complexo comportamento hidro-sedimentar destas praias urbanas.Palavras-Chave: monitoramento costeiro, análise multi-temporal, erosão marinha.
Helical jackknives control the gates of the double-pore K+ uptake system KtrAB
Authors: Diskowski Marina , Mehdipour Ahmad Reza , Wunnicke Dorith , Mills Deryck J , Mikusevic Vedrana , Bärland Natalie , Hoffmann Jan , Morgner Nina , Steinhoff Heinz-Jürgen , Hummer Gerhard , Vonck Janet , Hänelt Inga
Published: May 2017

Ion channel gating is essential for cellular homeostasis and is tightly controlled. In some eukaryotic and most bacterial ligand-gated K+ channels, RCK domains regulate ion fluxes. Until now, a single regulatory mechanism has been proposed for all RCK-regulated channels, involving signal transduction from the RCK domain to the gating area. Here, we present an inactive ADP-bound structure of KtrAB from Vibrio alginolyticus, determined by cryo-electron microscopy, which, combined with EPR spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations, uncovers a novel regulatory mechanism for ligand-induced action at a distance. Exchange of activating ATP to inactivating ADP triggers short helical segments in the K+-translocating KtrB dimer to organize into two long helices that penetrate deeply into the regulatory RCK domains, thus connecting nucleotide-binding sites and ion gates. As KtrAB and its homolog TrkAH have been implicated as bacterial pathogenicity factors, the discovery of this functionally relevant inactive conformation may advance structure-guided drug development.
The murine catecholamine methyltransferase mTOMT is essential for mechanotransduction by cochlear hair cells
Authors: Cunningham Christopher L , Wu Zizhen , Jafari Aria , Zhao Bo , Schrode Kat , Harkins-Perry Sarah , Lauer Amanda , Müller Ulrich
Published: May 2017

Hair cells of the cochlea are mechanosensors for the perception of sound. Mutations in the LRTOMT gene, which encodes a protein with homology to the catecholamine methyltransferase COMT that is linked to schizophrenia, cause deafness. Here, we show that Tomt/Comt2, the murine ortholog of LRTOMT, has an unexpected function in the regulation of mechanotransduction by hair cells. The role of mTOMT in hair cells is independent of mTOMT methyltransferase function and mCOMT cannot substitute for mTOMT function. Instead, mTOMT binds to putative components of the mechanotransduction channel in hair cells and is essential for the transport of some of these components into the mechanically sensitive stereocilia of hair cells. Our studies thus suggest functional diversification between mCOMT and mTOMT, where mTOMT is critical for the assembly of the mechanotransduction machinery of hair cells. Defects in this process are likely mechanistically linked to deafness caused by mutations in LRTOMT/Tomt.
Ciliomotor circuitry underlying whole-body coordination of ciliary activity in the Platynereis larva
Authors: Verasztó Csaba , Ueda Nobuo , Bezares-Calderón Luis A , Panzera Aurora , Williams Elizabeth A , Shahidi Réza , Jékely Gáspár
Published: May 2017

Ciliated surfaces harbouring synchronously beating cilia can generate fluid flow or drive locomotion. In ciliary swimmers, ciliary beating, arrests, and changes in beat frequency are often coordinated across extended or discontinuous surfaces. To understand how such coordination is achieved, we studied the ciliated larvae of Platynereis dumerilii, a marine annelid. Platynereis larvae have segmental multiciliated cells that regularly display spontaneous coordinated ciliary arrests. We used whole-body connectomics, activity imaging, transgenesis, and neuron ablation to characterize the ciliomotor circuitry. We identified cholinergic, serotonergic, and catecholaminergic ciliomotor neurons. The synchronous rhythmic activation of cholinergic cells drives the coordinated arrests of all cilia. The serotonergic cells are active when cilia are beating. Serotonin inhibits the cholinergic rhythm, and increases ciliary beat frequency. Based on their connectivity and alternating activity, the catecholaminergic cells may generate the rhythm. The ciliomotor circuitry thus constitutes a stop-and-go pacemaker system for the whole-body coordination of ciliary locomotion.
Discrete Event Dynamical Systems
Authors: Cao Xi‐Ren
Published: May 2017

In this article, we provide a brief review of the theories and applications of discrete event dynamic systems (DEDS). We focus on three widely used models (queueing systems, Petri nets, and the max‐plus algebra) and one sample path‐based analytical approach (perturbation analysis). Applications to online optimization are also discussed. Recent developments on fluid model, reinforcement learning, relative optimization, and stochastic control are also introduced.
Telecommunication Exchange Evolution
Authors: Larsson Tony
Published: May 2017

To telecommunicate basically means to communicate over distance. The information that is communicated can be of many different forms. Communication over distance has been performed in many different ways if we look back in history, for example, via drums, fire, telegraph, telephone, and more recently also via various computer terminals. This article focuses on the telecommunication exchange development and evolution that for long was driven by the voice communication via telephone sets but that now involves also many other kinds of information carrying medias and the related encoding of the media and thus information. To make the communications economically attractive, network topologies have been built to efficiently allow the sharing of physical resources along the paths between communicating parties with access to the network. These resources, for example, including cables, switches, routers, media translators, and radio stations needed to carry the communicated information. An exchange is an important node in the network where several such resources are aggregated in an integrated system node and that is used to connect and enable access to different parts of the whole network. The network and the exchanges are complex long‐term investments that have evolved and changed over the years in order to cope with new services and challenges in an economically efficient way.
Feature Extraction
Authors: Martinez‐Murcia Francisco J. , Górriz Juan M. , Ramírez Javier
Published: May 2017

Feature extraction is a procedure aimed at selecting and transforming a data set in order to increase the performance of a pattern recognition or machine learning system. Nowadays, since the amount of data available and its dimension is growing exponentially, it is a fundamental procedure to avoid overfitting and the curse of dimensionality, while, in some cases, allowing a interpretative analysis of the data. The topic itself is a thriving discipline of study, and it is difficult to address every single feature extraction algorithm. Therefore, we provide an overview of the topic, introducing widely used techniques, while at the same time presenting some domain‐specific feature extraction algorithms. Finally, as a case study, we will illustrate the vastness of the field by analysing the usage and impact of feature extraction in neuroimaging.
Image Processing Contrast Enhancement
Authors: Grigoryan Artyom M. , Agaian Sos S.
Published: May 2017

The purpose of this article is to describe effective methods in image enhancement and their application in processing gray scale as well as color images. Methods of image processing can be classified into two classes describing the image enhancement in the spatial domain (by gray‐scale transformations) and in the frequency domain. Examples of the first class are the well‐known methods of histogram equalization, single‐scale retinex, and multiscale retinex for grayscale and color images. The image enhancement in the frequency domain is mainly related to the application of discrete Fourier transform (DFT) with fast algorithms, although other transforms are also used. The methods of alpha‐rooting withDFTfor processing grayscale images and with quaternionDFTfor color images are described in this article, together with the method of retinex. The methods of image enhancement by the discrete signal‐induced heap transform are also presented. The quality of images is estimated by the known image enhancement measureEMEwith its generalizationEMECfor color images.
Liquid‐Filled Transformers: Design, Optimization, and Monitoring
Authors: Fuchs Ewald F.
Published: May 2017

Liquid‐filled transformers have as cooling medium biodegradable, noncarcinogenic synthetic or natural esters. Three‐phase transformers of various configurations with and without grounding have several functions: increase/decrease of voltages and currents, filtering of harmonics, assist in protection of power systems, and permit a change of grounding reference. Oriented and amorphous electrical steels permit an efficient and economic design even for operating conditions above the knee of the nonlinear (B‐H) characteristic. Finite‐difference and finite‐element numerical methods can be successfully applied to model the influence of harmonics through phase‐factors to minimize skin effects. Real‐time monitoring of transformer losses is based on the calibration of voltage and current differences which limit the measuring errors to a few percent, for example, 6% at a measured power efficiency of larger than 98%, and permit the use of off‐the shelf transformers without any sensors installed within windings, iron cores, or coolant. Online measuring of total losses provides a mechanism for limiting the temperature increase. The performance of transformers underDCbias is important for renewable energy systems employing converters (e.g., rectifiers, inverters) and exposure to geomagnetically induced currents (GICs). Transformers are suitable for 6‐, 12‐ or 18‐pulse rectifiers used in high‐voltageDC(HVDC) transmission lines. Superconducting MW‐range transformers are available but costly, while superconducting magnets are widely used in the health (magnetic resonance imaging) and research fields: Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland/France and fusion reactor such as Wendelstein 7‐Xin Germany.
Shielded Power Cable
Authors: Boggs Steven A. , Engelhardt John S.
Published: May 2017

AC‐shielded power cables are used for power transmission and distribution of electric power from about 5 to 500 kV. This range is divided into two classes, “transmission” from about 69 kV and above, and “distribution” from about 5 to 69 kV.DC‐shielded power transmission cable has become increasingly important over the range from about 150 to 500 kV. Each of these classes of cables is based on one of several possible insulation systems and is used with accessories (splices, terminations, etc.) to create a cable system for transport of electric power. This article provides an overview of the important cable technologies, the relevant components and materials used in those technologies, accessories required to complete a cable system, and some aspects of cable system design.
Z‐Source Inverters
Authors: Peng Fang Z.
Published: May 2017

The impedance‐source (orZ‐source) technology covers the entire spectrum of electric power conversion fromDC–DCconverters toDC–ACinverters andAC–ACmatrix converters. The fundamental concept of theZ‐source power conversion is to employ a two‐port impedance network (orZ‐source network) to couple a switch network (or switch bridge) to its source. A typicalZ‐source network consists of a combination of inductors (L) and capacitors (C), a distributedLandCnetwork, or simply a transmission line. Switch networks can be a traditional chopper bridge, half bridge, full bridge, or three‐phase bridge depending on targeted applications. AZ‐source converter or inverter is a combination of aZ‐source network and a switch network. As a result, manyZ‐source inverter and converter topologies have been proposed and studied. The unique and common feature of allZ‐source converters is the buck (step‐down) and boost (step‐up) capability of voltage or current, whereas the traditional voltage‐source (or voltage‐fed) inverter is a buck conversion and traditional current‐source (or current‐fed) inverter a boost conversion.
Biomedical Applications of Thermal Infrared Imaging
Authors: Formenti Damiano , Cardone Daniela , Merla Arcangelo
Published: May 2017

Thermal infrared imaging is considered an upcoming and promising methodology in the field of biomedicine. This article aims to provide an overview on the literature about the recent developments in the field of biomedical applications of the thermal infrared imaging for the study of the functional properties and modifications of the thermoregulatory system. The analysis of the skin temperature dynamic in response to a stimulus, combined with the modelling of the bioheat exchange processes, are the bases of the methodology, together with the recording of thermal infrared data using advanced technologies. Apart from the recent technical developments, particular emphasis is given to some innovative applications in biomedicine, such as its use in psychophysiological states assessment and sport and exercise sciences.
Swarm‐Based Optimization Algorithms
Authors: Parsopoulos Konstantinos E. , de Oca Marco A. Montes
Published: May 2017

Swarm‐based optimization algorithms have prevailed in the field of metaheuristics for the past decades. With their application field spanning from combinatorial problems to continuous and mixed integer problems, swarm‐based algorithms are currently part of the state‐of‐the‐art in search and optimization. The main search mechanisms of swarm‐based algorithms are based on models of swarms found in the natural world. These models include swarms ranging from the macroscopic level (living organisms) to the microscopic level (elementary particles). It is surprising that similar dynamics and motion patterns are discovered in such diverse systems. These properties are responsible for the collective intelligent behavior exhibited by swarms, even when their constituent entities lack intelligent behavior properties. The present article aims at discussing the main properties that govern the swarming behavior and reviewing some of the most popular swarm‐based optimization algorithms.
Rational design of a pH‐insensitive cyan fluorescent protein CyPet2 based on the CyPet crystal structure
Authors: Liu Rui , Hu Xiao‐Jian , Ding Yu
Published: May 2017

The emission spectrum of widely used CyPet is pH‐sensitive. In order to synthesize a pH‐insensitive cyan fluorescent protein by rational design, we solved the crystal structures of CyPet under different pH conditions. The indole group of the CyPet chromophore adopts a cis‐coplanar conformation in acidic and neutral conditions, while it converts to trans‐coplanar under basic conditions. His148 and Glu222 play a vital role in this isomerization. The pH‐sensitive chromophore isomerization and change in the emission spectrum can be explained by the coexistence of several different fluorescent states. We trap the chromophore in the trans conformation by A167I mutation (CyPet2), which also prevents the multiconformation of the seventh β‐strand. CyPet2 exhibits an unchanged emission spectral shape as a function of pH.
Terrestrial glint seen from deep space: Oriented ice crystals detected from the Lagrangian point
Authors: Marshak Alexander , Várnai Tamás , Kostinski Alexander
Published: May 2017

The Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) spacecraft resides at the first Lagrangian point about one million miles from Earth. A polychromatic imaging camera onboard delivers nearly hourly observations of the entire sunlit face of the Earth. Many images contain unexpected bright flashes of light over both ocean and land. We construct a yearlong time series of flash latitudes, scattering angles, and oxygen absorption to demonstrate conclusively that the flashes over land are specular reflections off tiny ice platelets floating in the air nearly horizontally. Such deep space detection of tropospheric ice can be used to constrain the likelihood of oriented crystals and their contribution to Earth albedo. These glint observations also support proposals for detecting starlight glints off faint companions in our search for habitable exoplanets.