Discovery of two embedded clusters with WISE in the high Galactic latitude cloud HRK 81.4-77.8

Molecular clouds at very high latitude ($b>60^{\circ}$) away from the Galactic plane are rare and in general are expected to be non-star-forming. However, we report the discovery of two embedded clusters (Camargo 438 and Camargo 439) within the high-latitude molecular cloud HRK 81.4-77.8 using WISE. Camargo 439 with Galactic coordinates $\ell=81.11^{\circ}$ and $b=-77.84^{\circ}$ is an $\sim2$ Myr embedded cluster (EC) located at a distance from the Sun of $d_{\odot}=5.09\pm0.47$ kpc. Adopting the distance of the Sun to the Galactic centre $R_{\odot}=7.2$ kpc we derive for Camargo 439 a Galactocentric distance of $R_{GC}=8.70\pm0.26$ kpc and a vertical distance from the plane of $-4.97\pm0.46$ kpc. Camargo 438 at $\ell=79.66^{\circ}$ and $b=-78.86^{\circ}$ presents similar values. The derived parameters for these two ECs put HRK 81.4-77.8 in the halo at a distance from the Galactic centre of $\sim8.7$ kpc and $\sim5.0$ kpc from the disc. Star clusters provide the only direct means to determine the high latitude molecular cloud distances. The present study shows that the molecular cloud HRK 81.4-77.8 is currently forming stars, apparently an unprecedented event detected so far among high latitude clouds. We carried out a preliminary orbit analysis. It shows that this ECs are the most distant known embedded clusters from the plane and both cloud and clusters are probably falling ballistically from the halo onto the Galactic disc, or performing a flyby.Comment: 7 pages, 7 figures, and 2 tables in MNRAS, 201

Latin America:A development pole for phenomics

Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) has long been associated with the production and export of a diverse range of agricultural commodities. Due to its strategic geographic location, which encompasses a wide range of climates, it is possible to produce almost any crop. The climate diversity in LAC is a major factor in its agricultural potential but this also means climate change represents a real threat to the region. Therefore, LAC farming must prepare and quickly adapt to a climate that is likely to feature long periods of drought, excessive rainfall and extreme temperatures. With the aim of moving towards a more resilient agriculture, LAC scientists have created the Latin American Plant Phenomics Network (LatPPN) which focuses on LAC’s economically important crops. LatPPN’s key strategies to achieve its main goal are: 1) training of LAC members on plant phenomics and phenotyping, 2) establish international and multidisciplinary collaborations, 3) develop standards for data exchange and research protocols, 4) share equipment and infrastructure, 5) disseminate data and research results, 6) identify funding opportunities and 7) develop strategies to guarantee LatPPN’s relevance and sustainability across time. Despite the challenges ahead, LatPPN represents a big step forward towards the consolidation of a common mind-set in the field of plant phenotyping and phenomics in LAC

Identification and pharmacognostic control of the species: Mentha x villosa, Lippia alba, Cymbopogon citratus and Melissa officinalis: Identificação e controle farmacognóstico das espécies: Mentha x villosa, Lippia alba, Cymbopogon citratus e Melissa officinalis

The use of medicinal plants often symbolizes the only therapeutic resource of a community or group of people to establish quality of life and health, as they have bioactive compounds with therapeutic properties, there is a vast amount of plants spread throughout the territory, present in open markets, markets, and beyond the residential backyards. Popular observations on the use of medicinal plants are relevant to therapeutic action, even though we are not aware of all of its components. It emphasizes the care that must be taken with the identification of the desired species, the part that will be used, such as a flower, fruit, leaf, stem or root, as it can cause serious intoxication or poisoning. The main purpose of this study was to study the secondary metabolites of the species Mentha x villosa, Lippia alba, Cymbopogon citratus and Melissa officinalis, in addition to the quantification of their chemical and antimicrobial properties. The samples were acquired from desiccated leaves where tests were performed to determine moisture, total ash and acid-insoluble, showed the presence of cardiotonics, flavonoids, anthraquinones, saponins, alkaloids, tannins and antibacterial properties, as well as the quantification of the content of total flavonoids as a quality control reference for the species described above

Global interactions between firms and universities: Global Innovation Networks as first steps towards a Global Innovation System

This paper aims to broaden the horizon as well as to shed further light on the studies of interaction between firms and universities in a global context. Its starting point is thus a review of two different strands of the literature on innovation. First, the literature on interaction by Klevorick et al (1995) and Nelson (1993), and second, the more recent literature on Global Innovation Networks (GINs) by Ernst ( 2006) and The Economist Intelligence Unit ( 2007). These strands share a common problem: each has a blind spot in relation to the core focus of the other strand. The literature on interaction does not consider the international dimension in any depth, and the GINs literature does not integrate the university dimension adequately. This paper addresses the common weakness through a combination of the two approaches, searching for interactions between firms and universities globally. In doing so, the paper also puts forward a tentative framework on global interaction between firms and universities.interactions between firms and universities, National Innovation Systems, Global Innovation Networks.

Age and habitat quality matters: isotopic variation of two sympatric species of rodents in Neotropical Forest

Dietary studies allow us to understand important ecological patterns such as intra- and interpopulation variation and interspecific differences regarding the use of food sources. Stable isotopes have been successfully employed to detect dietary differences between species and feeding shifts within a species, as a response to age, habitat use, and resource availability. Here we investigated the stable isotope compositions of carbon and nitrogen of young and adult specimens of Euryoryzomys russatus and Sooretamys angouya and their stomach contents, in a complex mosaic of vegetation in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Isotopes indicated a pronounced inter- and intraspecific plasticity in resource use for E. russatus and S. angouya. Plant sources were the prevalent feeding items for E. russatus, with low to intermediate consumption of arthropods. For S. angouya, plants were dominant in the stomach content, but arthropod arose as an important source. E. russatus showed more variation in isotopic signature between grids than S. angouya, suggesting that the former was more affected by habitat changes. These results allow us to better understand the ontogeny, diet and the behavioral responses to environmental variations of both species. Finally, our study contributes to reduce the lack of knowledge about sympatric species ecology and aggregates information for their conservation.Fil: Bovendorp, Ricardo Siqueira. Universidade Do Sao Paulo. Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz; Brasil. Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”; BrasilFil: Simoes Libardi, Gustavo. Universidade Do Sao Paulo. Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz; Brasil. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto de Diversidad y Evolución Austral; ArgentinaFil: Sarmento, Mariana Montagner de Moraes. Universidade Do Sao Paulo. Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz; BrasilFil: Camargo, Plínio Barbosa. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Reis Percequillo, Alexandre. Universidade Do Sao Paulo. Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz; Brasi

Eficiência de macrófitas aquáticas no tratamento de efluentes de viveiro de tilápia do Nilo

Os efluentes de piscicultura podem aumentar a quantidade de sólidos em suspensão e promover o enriquecimento de nitrogênio e fósforo nos ecossistemas aquáticos. Neste contexto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a eficiência de três espécies de macrófitas aquáticas flutuantes (Eichhornia crassipes, Pistia stratiotes e Salvinia molesta) no tratamento de efluentes do viveiro de tilápia do Nilo. O efluente foi proveniente de um viveiro com 1000 m² contendo 2000 machos de tilápia do Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus). Os sistemas de tratamento consistiram de 12 taques experimentais, três tanques para cada espécie de macrófita estudada, e três tanques sem plantas (controle). Amostras foram coletadas da água de abastecimento do tanque de tilápia do Nilo (i); do efluente do viveiro com tilápia do Nilo (ii) e dos efluentes tratados pelas macrófitas aquáticas (iii). As seguintes variáveis foram determinadas: turbidez, nitrogênio total, nitrogênio dissolvido, N-amoniacal, N-nitrato, N-nitrito, e fósforo total e fósforo dissolvido. E. crassipes e P. stratiotes foram mais eficientes na remoção de fósforo total (82,0% e 83,3%, respectivamente) e nitrogênio total (46,1% e 43,9%, respectivamente) do que quando comparadas com S. molesta (72,1% de fósforo total e 42,7% de nitrogênio total) e com o controle (50,3% de fósforo total e 22,8% de nitrogênio total). Pode-se concluir que as macrófitas aquáticas, principalmente E. crassipes e P. stratiotes foram eficientes na remoção de nitrogênio e fósforo dos efluentes de criação de tilápia do Nilo. Desta forma, o efluente tratado pode ser utilizado nas próprias atividades de aqüicultura.The effluents from fish farming can increase the quantity of suspended solids and promote the enrichment of nitrogen and phosphorus in aquatic ecosystems. In this context, the aim of this work was to evaluate the efficiency of three species of floating aquatic macrophytes (Eichhornia crassipes, Pistia stratiotes and Salvinia molesta) to treat effluents from Nile tilapia culture ponds. The effluent originated from a 1,000-m² pond stocked with 2,000 male Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus. The treatment systems consisted of 12 experimental tanks, three tanks for each macrophyte species, and three control tanks (without plants). Water samples were collected from the: (i) fish pond source water, (ii) effluent from fish pond and (iii) effluents from the treatment tanks. The following water variables were evaluated: turbidity, total and dissolved nitrogen, ammoniacal-N, nitrate-N, nitrite-N, total phosphorus and dissolved phosphorus. E. crassipes and P. stratiotes were more efficient in total phosphorus removal (82.0% and 83.3%, respectively) and total nitrogen removal (46.1% and 43.9%, respectively) than the S. molesta (72.1% total phosphorus and 42.7% total nitrogen) and the control (50.3% total phosphorus and 22.8% total nitrogen), indicating that the treated effluents may be reused in the aquaculture activity

O fim da metafísica e o espírito livre

O presente texto aborda a ideia de niilismo, entendendo-o como consequência da crítica à filosofia metafísica empreendida por F.W. Nietzsche. Para tanto, parte-se do conceito de morte de deus e do consequente fim da metafísica. A consequência deste acontecimento não precisa ser, necessariamente, a perda de sentido para a existência. Ao contrário, Nietzsche entende que apenas superando o pensamento metafísico poderá a humanidade criar o sentido da existência a partir de si mesma. O experimento do espírito livre aparece como momento afirmativo nessa direção