The properties and genesis environments of South Atlantic cyclones

A new climatology of South Atlantic cyclones is produced to provide new insights into the conditions leading to genesis in different regions of the domain. Cyclones are identifed and tracked based on the relative vorticity at 850 hPa computed from the winds. The characteristics of the cyclones are obtained by diagnostic variables sampled within a radial distance from the center to produce a spatial distribution of cyclone properties at the time of genesis. Also, cyclone centered composites are used to analyze the cyclone structure and evolution of cyclones during their genesis. There are four main cyclogenesis region in the South Atlantic Ocean: the Southern Brazilian coast (SE-BR, 30◦S), over the continent near the La Plata river discharge region (LA PLATA, 35◦S), the southeastern coast of Argentina (ARG, 40◦S-55◦S) and the Southeastern Atlantic (SE-SAO, centered at 45◦S and 10◦W). We found that cyclogenesis northward of 35◦S occurs mainly due to low-level forcing associated with moisture transport in the summer, and is associated with upper-level forcing in the winter due to a strong baroclinic environment and potential vorticity intrusions. Southward of 35◦S, cyclones develop in a high baroclinic environment throughout the year with only a small influence from moist processes. The cyclone composites reveal that SE-BR and SE-SAO cyclones are associated with secondary development, the LA PLATA cyclones development is influenced by an orographic low in their early stages, and ARG cyclones are influenced by thermal advection as an essential mechanism in the reduction of static stability

Performance Characterization of Dosimeters Based on Radiation-Hard Silicon Diodes in Gamma Radiation Processing

Peer reviewe

Amino acid transport in schistosomes: Characterization of the permeaseheavy chain SPRM1hc

Schistosomes are human parasitic flatworms that constitute an important public health problem globally. Adult parasites live in the bloodstream where they import nutrients such as amino acids across their body surface (the tegument). One amino acid transporter, Schistosome Permease 1 light chain, SPRM1lc, a member of the glycoprotein-associated family of transporters (gpaAT), has been characterized in schistosomes. Only a single member of the SLC3 family of glycoproteins that associate with gpaATs is found following extensive searching of the genomes of Schistosoma mansoni and S. japonicum. In this report, we characterize this schistosome permease heavy chain (SPRM1hc) gene and protein. The 72-kDa gene product is predicted to possess a single transmembrane domain, a (betaalpha)(8) (TIM barrel) conformation and a catalytic triad. Xenopus oocytes functionally expressing SPRM1hc with SPRM1lc import phenylalanine, arginine, lysine, alanine, glutamine, histidine, tryptophan, and leucine. Biochemical characterization demonstrates that in Xenopus extracts and in schistosome extracts SPRM1hc is associated into a high molecular weight complex with SPRM1lc that is disrupted by reducing agents. Quantitative real-time PCR and Western analysis demonstrate that SPRM1hc is expressed in each schistosome life stage examined (eggs, cercariae, schistosomula, adult males and females). SPRM1hc is widely distributed throughout adult male and female worms as determined by immunolocalization. Consistent with the hypothesis that SPRM1hc functions to facilitate nutrient uptake from host blood, immunogold electron microscopy confirms that the protein is distributed on the host-interactive tegumental membranes. We propose that surface-exposed, host-interactive, nutrient-transporting proteins like the SPRM1 heterodimer are promising vaccine candidates

Implantação e acompanhamento de um sistema agroflorestal com cultivo diversificado.

Resumo: Os sistemas agroflorestais (SAFs) possibilitam o planejamento, o redesenho e a recuperação produtiva e ecológica de áreas agrícolas degradadas e podem ser implantados em área protegidas, como Áreas de Preservação Permanente (APP) e Reserva legal (RL).Para avaliar essa capacidade foi planejado e implantado um SAF ocupando áreas de APP eagricultáveis. O desenho proposto é modular, formando aléias com áreas intercaladas destinadas a cultivos anuais. Sua composição utilizou frutas nativas e exóticas, dando destaque para a macaúba. A diversidade florística das espécies visou atender à legislação vigente que prevê o uso de SAFs em APP e RL. O sistema foi planejado e implantado de forma participativa entre instituições parceiras e agricultores familiares. Nesse trabalho serão apresentados seu desenho e a metodologia de implantação com custos de insumos e mão de obra, situação atual de desenvolvimento com alguns resultados iniciais

Produção de biomassa, teor e rendimento de extrato de Piper peltata em função de arranjos espaciais.

Piper peltata (Piperaceae) ocorre na Amazônia. É conhecida como caapeba-do-Norte e pariparoba. A raiz produz 4-nerolidilcatecol (4-NC), substancia de comprovada ação anti-inflamatória e antimalárica. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a influência de arranjos espaciais na produção de biomassa, teor e rendimento de extratos nas condições de Manaus, AM

Mechanical properties of phormium tenax reinforced natural rubber composites

The introduction of natural fibers as a filler in a natural rubber (NR) matrix can be of relevance for their eco-friendly and sustainable nature as the substitute for carbon-based fillers. In this work, short Phormium tenax fibers were introduced in random orientation into a NR matrix in different lengths (6, 10, and 14 mm) and various amounts (10, 20, and 30%, taking 100 as the NR weight). The composite was fabricated using a two-roll mill according to American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D3184-11 standard. Several properties were determined, namely tensile and tear characteristics, hardness, and abrasion resistance. The results suggest that the shortest fiber length used, 6 mm, offered the best combination between loss of mechanical (tensile and tear) properties and hardness and the most acceptable resistance to abrasion, with the properties increasing with the amount of fibers present in NR. As a consequence, it is indicated that a higher amount of fibers could be possibly introduced, especially to achieve harder composites, though this would require a more controlled mixing process not excessively reducing tensile elongation at break

Habitat characteristics or protected area size: What is more important for the composition and diversity of mammals in nonprotected areas?

The margins of protected areas are usually considered to have greater forest degradation, and given that most mammals live outside protected areas, researchers and conservation practitioners are increasingly recognizing that nonprotected areas must be incorporated into conservation strategy. However, the strategy used to manage these areas still involves increasing the size of protected areas, while not considering the habitat characteristics and requirements of the species. In this study, during a 3-year period, camera trap and habitat characteristic surveys were used to estimate composition, diversity, and habitat characteristics of mammals to determine habitat characteristics or increase the size of protected areas what should be considered first for mammals’ conservation in a nonprotected area near the Huangshan Mountains in Anhui Province, China. From June 2017 to October 2019, 18 species of mammals were recorded, more than in any other protected area nearby. The linear model analysis results showed that habitat characteristics of mammals were different and showed a significant correlation with their relative abundance. Most species were related to vegetation characteristics, except primates (Macaca thibetana), and rodents (Leopoldamys edwardsi). Therefore, to establish conservation policies for nonprotected areas, habitat characteristics should be of prime concern, followed by increasing the size of protected areas to provide effective refuge areas for species conservation

In‐plane shear strength of single‐lap co‐cured joints of self‐reinforced polyethylene composites

The present study introduces the analysis of single‐lap co‐cured joints of thermoplastic self‐reinforced composites made with reprocessed low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) and reinforced by ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers, along with a micromechanical analysis of its constituents. A set of optimal processing conditions for manufacturing these joints by hot‐press is proposed through a design of experiment using the response surface method to maximize their in‐plane shear strength by carrying tensile tests on co‐cured tapes. Optimal processing conditions were found at 1 bar, 115 °C, and 300 s, yielding joints with 6.88 MPa of shear strength. The shear failure is generally preceded by multiple debonding‐induced longitudinal cracks both inside and outside the joint due to accumulated transversal stress. This composite demonstrated to be an interesting structural material to be more widely applied in industry, possessing extremely elevated specific mechanical properties, progressive damage of co‐cured joints (thus avoiding unannounced catastrophic failures) and ultimate recyclability

Avaliação da resistência de clones de Eucalyptus camaldulensis DEHN. ao psilídeo-de-concha Glycaspis brimblecombei moore (Hemiptera: Psyllidae).

Seção: Silvicultura e Produção de Biomassa