Suscetibilidade a inseticidas e parasitismo natural por Trichogramma sp. em Traça-do-tomateiro.

A traça-do-tomateiro é uma praga importante do tomate e inseticidas são freqüentemente empregados para o seu controle. Porém, devido ao impacto ambiental e a possibilidade de resistência aos produtos utilizados para o controle do inseto, o controle biológico com o uso de Trichogramma pode ser uma alternativa para eliminar os dois problemas. Neste trabalho foi avaliada em bioensaios de laboratório a eficiência da dose recomendada de inseticidas do grupo químico dos organofosforados, piretróides e benzoiluréia para o controle da traça-do-tomateiro. Foi também avaliada a ocorrência natural de Trichogramma sp. em áreas pulverizadas ou não pulverizadas com inseticidas. A ocorrência do parasitismo natural foi determinada por meio da coleta de folhas em campo contendo ovos de traça-do-tomateiro, a fim de determinar, em avaliações de laboratório, a percentagem de ovos parasitados. Os resultados mostraram que todos os inseticidas testados causaram uma mortalidade de larvas menor que 70%, o que sugere uma eficiência reduzida dos produtos. O parasitóide Trichogramma sp. ocorreu naturalmente em todas as áreas, mas a percentagem de parasitismo foi menor nas áreas pulverizadas. Outros estudos devem ser realizados a fim de avaliar o potencial dos parasitóides locais, provavelmente mais bem adaptados as condições locais, para o controle da traça-do-tomateiro. Se esses organismos forem efetivos, o uso de inseticidas em lavouras de tomate pode ser reduzido.bitstream/CNPH-2009/33237/1/bpd_28.pd

Construção em altura com MLCC

Com o objetivo de dar resposta aos problemas identificados nas soluções e propostas já conhecidas, e como parte resultante de uma investigação sobre a construção em altura com MLCC a decorrer na Escola de Engenharia da Universidade do Minho (EEUM), encontra-se em desenvolvimento o Urban Timber System (UT System)

Small violations of unitarity, the phase in Bs mixing and visible t->cZ decays at the LHC

We show that it is possible to accommodate the observed size of the phase in $B^0_s$--$\bar B^0_s$, mixing in the framework of a model with violation of $3\times 3$ unitarity. This violation is associated to the presence of a new $Q=2/3$ isosinglet quark $T$, which mixes both with $t$ and $c$ and has a mass not exceeding 500 GeV. The crucial point is the fact that this framework allows for $\chi\equiv\arg(-V_{ts}V_{cb}V_{tb}^*V_{cs}^*)$ of order $\lambda$, to be contrasted with the situation in the Standard Model, where $\chi$ is constrained to be of order $\lambda^2$. We point out that this scenario implies rare top decays $t\to cZ$ at a rate observable at the LHC and $|V_{tb}|$ significantly different from unity. In this framework, one may also account for the observed size of $D^0$--$\bar D^0$ mixing without having to invoke long distance contributions. It is also shown that in the present scenario, the observed size of $D^0$--$\bar D^0$ mixing constrains $\chi^\prime\equiv\arg(-V_{cd}V_{us}V_{cs}^*V_{ud}^*)$ to be of order $\lambda^4$, which is significantly smaller than what is allowed in generic models with violations of $3\times 3$ unitarity.Comment: 20 pages. References added. Additional observables considered, updated numerical examples, conclusions unchange

Jarlskog-like invariants for theories with scalars and fermions

Within the framework of theories where both scalars and fermions are present, we develop a systematic prescription for the construction of CP-violating quantities that are invariant under basis transformations of those matter fields. In theories with Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking, the analysis involves the vevs' transformation properties under a scalar basis change, with a considerable simplification of the study of CP violation in the scalar sector. These techniques are then applied in detail to the two Higgs-doublet model with quarks. It is shown that there are new invariants involving scalar-fermion interactions, besides those already derived in previous analyses for the fermion-gauge and scalar-gauge sectors.Comment: 12 pages, Latex, no figure

CP-odd Weak Basis Invariants for Neutrino Mass Matrices with a Texture Zero and a Vanishing Minor

We construct the $CP$-odd weak basis invariants in the flavor basis for all the phenomenologically viable neutrino mass matrices with a texture zero and a vanishing minor and, also, find the necessary and sufficient conditions for $CP$ invariance . We examine the interrelationships between different $CP$-odd weak basis invariants for these texture structures and investigate their implications for Dirac- and Majorana-type $CP$ violation.Comment: To appear in Journal of Physics

Removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions by a bacterial biofilm supported on zeolite : optimisation of the operational conditions and scale-up of the bioreactor

The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of a bioreactor system and its scale-up to remove Cr(VI) from solution. The bioreactor is based on an innovative process that combines bioreduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) by the bacterium Arthrobacter viscosus and Cr(III) sorption by a specific zeolite. Batch studies were conducted in a laboratory-scale bioreactor, taking into account different operating conditions. Several variables, such as biomass concentration, pH and zeolite pre-treatment, were evaluated to increase removal efficiency. The obtained results suggest that the Cr removal efficiency is improved when the initial biomass concentration is approximately 5 g L–1 and the pH in the system is maintained at an acidic level. Under the optimised conditions, approximately 100 % of the Cr(VI) was removed. The scale-up of the developed biofilm process operating under the optimised conditions was satisfactorily tested in a 150-L bioreactor.Xunta de Galicia - programa Angeles Alvariñ

D0−Dˉ0D^0 - \bar D^0 Mixing in the Presence of Isosinglet Quarks

We analyse $\Delta C=2$ transitions in the framework of a minimal extension of the Standard Model where either a $Q=2/3$ or a $Q=-1/3$ isosinglet quark is added to the standard quark spectrum. In the case of a $Q=2/3$ isosinglet quark, it is shown that there is a significant region of parameter space where $D^0 - \bar D^0$ mixing is sufficiently enhanced to be observed at the next round of experiments. On the contrary, in the case of a $Q=-1/3$ isosinglet quark, it is pointed out that obtaining a substancial enhancement of $D^0 - \bar D^0$ mixing, while complying with the experimental constraints on rare kaon decays, requires a contrived choice of parameters.Comment: 10 pages plus four figures. The figures are not included but are available upon reques

Parameterizing Majorana Neutrino Couplings in the Higgs Sector

Nonzero masses for the active neutrinos - regardless of their nature or origin - arise only after electroweak symmetry breaking. We discuss the parameterization of neutrino couplings to a Higgs sector consisting of one SU(2)_L scalar doublet and one SU(2)_L scalar triplet, and allow for right-handed neutrinos whose Majorana mass parameters arise from the vacuum expectation value of a Standard Model scalar singlet. If the neutrinos are Majorana fermions, all Yukawa couplings can be expressed as functions of the neutrino mass eigenvalues and a subset of the elements of the neutrino mixing matrix. In the mass basis, the Yukawa couplings are, in general, not diagonal. This is to be contrasted to the case of charged-fermions or Dirac neutrinos, where couplings to the Higgs-boson are diagonal in the mass basis and proportional only to the fermion masses. Nonetheless, all physically distinguishable parameters can be reached if all neutrino masses are constrained to be positive, all mixing angles constrained to lie in the first quadrant (theta in [0,pi/2]), and all Majorana phases to lie in the first two quadrants (phi in [0,pi]), as long as all Dirac phases vary within the entire unit circle (delta in [0,2pi}). We discuss several concrete examples and comment on the Casas-Ibarra parameterization for the neutrino Yukawa couplings in the case of the type-I Seesaw Lagrangian.Comment: 13 pages, 2 eps figure

The impact of media pressure on corporate sustainability in the cement industry: a Portuguese case study

In this study we examine the sustainability reporting practices and sustainability strategies of a leading Portuguese cement company. The Portuguese cement industry had to deal since 1997 with scrutiny and pressure because of its involvement in co-incineration of hazardous industrial waste. Grounded on a lens of analysis combining legitimacy theory and media agenda-setting theory and based on a content analysis of sustainability reports and semi-structured interviews, we analyse the strategies used by the company to deal with said scrutiny and pressure and present its sustainability performance. Media pressure does seem to have impacted sustainability reporting and sustainability strategies as tools for the company to restore its legitimacy. Findings generally suggest that strategies of communication designed to legitimate the company actions were used. In particular, we suggest that the company managed its legitimacy by using simultaneously two sustainability reporting strategies: one of image enhancement and other of avoidance of threatening topics.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio