Relativistic transition wavelenghts and probabilities for spectral lines of Ne II

Transition wavelengths and probabilities for several 2p4 3p - 2p4 3s and 2p4 3d - 2p4 3p lines in fuorine-like neon ion (NeII) have been calculated within the multiconfiguration Dirac-Fock (MCDF) method with quantum electrodynamics (QED) corrections. The results are compared with all existing experimental and theoretical data

Inimigos naturais em horta agroecológica no município de Parnaíba, Piauí, Brasil.

Para alternativas mais sustentáveis de manejo de pragas é preciso incorporar outros níveis hierárquicos de análise, tais como as comunidades de insetos e seu papel ecológico, havendo necessidade de treinamento de técnicos e estudantes dentro deste novo paradigma. Para tanto foi implementada uma horta agroecológica com corredores de vegetação natural na Embrapa Meio-Norte/UEP Parnaíba para estudos envolvendo caracterização de plantas espontâneas e inimigos naturais, visando compreender o papel da biodiversidade local no manejo de pragas. Foram registrados potenciais predadores pertencentes às famílias Reduviidae (Hemiptera), Syrphidae (Diptera), Vespidae (Hymenoptera), Coccinelidae e Carabidae (Coleoptera). Em relação às aranhas, foram registradas espécies das famílias Araneidae, Salticidae, Oxyopidae e Thomisidae. Embora os dados refiram-se a um número muito pequeno de coletas, restritas a um período curto de tempo, observou-se ausência de inimigos naturais da família Staphylinidae e parasitóides da Ordem Hymenoptera, registrados para cultivo de alface no sul do Brasil, onde, por outro lado, não foi registrada presença de reduvídeos e vespídeos.Edição dos Resumos do 5º Congresso Brasileiro de Agroecologia Guarapari, ES, 2007

Choice of tracers for the evaluation of spray deposits

Tracer substances, used to evaluate spraying effectiveness, ordinarily modify the surface tension of aqueous solutions. This study aimed to establish a method of using tracers to evaluate distribution and amount of spray deposits, adjusted to the surface tension of the spraying solution. The following products were tested: 0.15% Brilliant Blue, 0.15% Saturn Yellow in 0.015% Vixilperse lignosulfonate, and 0.005% sodium fluorescein, and mixtures of Brilliant Blue plus Saturn Yellow and Brilliant Blue plus sodium fluorescein at the same concentrations. Solutions were deposited on citrus leaves and stability was determined by measuring fluorescence and optical density of solutions without drying, dried in the dark and exposed to sunlight for 2, 4 and 8 h. These values were compared to those obtained directly in water. The static surface tension of the tracer solution was determined by weighing droplets formed during a period of 20 to 40 seconds. The Brilliant Blue and Saturn Yellow mixture at 0.15% was stable under all conditions tested. It was not absorbed by the leaves and maintained the same surface tension as that of water, thus permitting concentration adjustment to the same levels used for agrochemical products, and allowing the development of a qualitative method based on visual evaluation of the distribution of the pigment under ultraviolet light and of a quantitative method based on the determination of the amount of the dye deposited in the same solution. Spray deposition could be evaluated at different surface tensions of the spraying solution, simulating the effect of agrochemical formulations

A canine leishmaniasis pilot survey in an emerging focus of visceral leishmaniasis: Posadas (Misiones, Argentina)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>An increasing number of reports are calling our attention to the worldwide spread of leishmaniasis. The urbanization of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (VL) has been observed in different South American countries, due to changes in demographic and ecological factors. In May 2006, VL was detected for the first time in the city of Posadas (Misiones, Argentina). This event encouraged us to conduct a clinical and parasitological pilot survey on domestic dogs from Posadas to identify their potential role as reservoirs for the disease.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>One hundred and ten dogs from the city of Posadas were included in the study. They were selected based on convenience and availability. All dogs underwent clinical examination. Symptomatology related to canine leishmaniasis was recorded, and peripheral blood and lymph node aspirates were collected. Anti-<it>Leishmania </it>antibodies were detected using rK39-immunocromatographic tests and IFAT. Parasite detection was based on peripheral blood and lymph node aspirate PCR targeting the <it>SSUrRNA </it>gene. Molecular typing was addressed by DNA sequence analysis of the PCR products obtained by <it>SSUrRNA </it>and ITS-1 PCR.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>According to clinical examination, 69.1% (76/110) of the dogs presented symptoms compatible with canine leishmaniasis. Serological analyses were positive for 43.6% (48/110) of the dogs and parasite DNA was detected in 47.3% (52/110). A total of 63 dogs (57.3%) were positive by serology and/or PCR. Molecular typing identified <it>Leishmania infantum </it>(syn. <it>Leishmania chagasi</it>) as the causative agent.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This work confirms recent findings which revealed the presence of <it>Lutzomyia longipalpis</it>, the vector of <it>L. infantum </it>in this area of South America. This new VL focus could be well established, and further work is needed to ascertain its magnitude and to prevent further human VL cases.</p

Personality, posttraumatic stress and trauma type: factors contributing to posttraumatic growth and its domains in a Turkish community sample

Background: Posttraumatic growth (PTG) is conceptualized as a positive transformation resulting from coping with and processing traumatic life events. This study examined the contributory roles of personality traits, posttraumatic stress (PTS) severity and their interactions on PTG and its domains, as assessed with the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory Turkish form (PTGI-T). The study also examined the differences in PTG domains between survivors of accidents, natural disasters and unexpected loss of a loved one. Methods: The Basic Personality Traits Inventory, Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale, and PTGI-T were administered to a large stratified cluster community sample of 969 Turkish adults in their home settings. Results: The results showed that conscientiousness, agreeableness, and openness to experience significantly related to the total PTG and most of the domains. The effects of extraversion, neuroticism and openness to experience were moderated by the PTS severity for some domains. PTG in relating to others and appreciation of life domains was lower for the bereaved group. Conclusion: Further research should examine the mediating role of coping between personality and PTG using a longitudinal design