Discrete squeezed states for finite-dimensional spaces

We show how discrete squeezed states in an $N^{2}$-dimensional phase space can be properly constructed out of the finite-dimensional context. Such discrete extensions are then applied to the framework of quantum tomography and quantum information theory with the aim of establishing an initial study on the interference effects between discrete variables in a finite phase-space. Moreover, the interpretation of the squeezing effects is seen to be direct in the present approach, and has some potential applications in different branches of physics.Comment: 16 pages; 3 figure

The prism of the public sphere: The COP15 coverage by the Brazilian media system

Current studies of political communication offer valuable contributions to assessing and measuring mediated deliberation. But in our understanding of the news media's role in a deliberative system a number of questions remain unanswered, especially concerning problems posed by social complexity. This paper aims to contribute to closing this gap by conducting an empirical analysis on how distinct contributions to public deliberation – namely the provision of publicity and intelligibility – are articulated via outputs offered by different types of media outlets, specifically in the case of the Brazilian coverage of the 15th UN’s Climate Change Conference (COP15). Our results suggest that this coverage seems to have fostered citizens to search for more information about this Conference and augmented the visibility of UN’s climate negotiations. This gives support to the idea that news media system works like a prism of the public sphere, promoting accountability of complex governance processes by offering information and public scrutiny adequate for a heterogeneous citizenry

Effect of controlled traffic farming on energy saving in Australian grain cropping systems

Controlled traffic farming (CTF) is a system in which all machinery has the same or modular working and track widths so that field traffic can be confined to the least possible area of compacted permanent traffic lanes. In well-designed CTF systems permanent traffic lanes usually occupy less than 15% of cropped area, and this has been widely adopted in Australia. CTF is a practical and cost-effective facilitator of no-tillage farming, and the basis for more precise cropping systems. Controlled traffic systems are often claimed to reduce power and fuel requirements of cropping operations, because motion resistance to traffic should be less on permanent lanes, and draft requirement of tilling or seeding should be less in non-compacted soil. Experimental work was conducted to assess the effects of tractor wheel compaction on the energy requirements of soil-engaging operations, particularly, during tillage and planting. Preliminary results from this investigation indicate that on average the draft of tillage sweeps, planter openers, and chisel tines increased by approximately 35%, 37%, and 54%, respectively, when positioned behind a tractor wheel

Genótipos de milho com potencial para comercialização no estágio verde de maturação no Estado do Amazonas.

Resumo: O milho no estágio verde de maturação - milho verde - representa uma alternativa viável de produção e agregação de valor para pequenas propriedades no Amazonas. Com o objetivo de avaliar a adaptabilidade de genótipos e verificar qual a melhor época para colheita para os diferentes cultivares, foi conduzido um experimento em Latossolo Amarelo distrófico no município de Manaus, utilizando o delineamento experimental de blocos casualizados com oito tratamentos e quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram definidos por oito genótipos de milho, sendo seis variedades (Sol da Manhã, BR 106, BR 5110, Saracura, Cativerde, AG 1051, HTMV1 e Campeão) e dois híbridos (HTMV1 e AG 1051) que foram colhidos em cinco épocas diferentes e avaliados parâmetros fitotécnicos, organolépticos e mercadológicos dos diferentes genótipos. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e as médias comparadas pelo teste de Duncan a 5% de probabilidade. Os resultados evidenciaram variações no estande, altura de planta, altura de inserção das espigas, diâmetro do colmo, número de espigas totais, número de espigas comerciais, comprimento da espiga, diâmetro da espiga, número de carreiras, número de fileiras, brix e cor dos grãos em função dos cultivares utilizados. O número de espigas comerciais foi maior para os genótipos AG 1051 e BR 5110, com 42708 e 38542 espigas comerciais ha-1, respectivamente. Considerando o preço da "mão de milho", nome dado a 50 espigas comerciais de milho verde comercializada no Amazonas, custando R$15,00 (US$7,21), o produtor teria uma renda bruta variando de R$10.250,00 a R$ 12.812,00

Sobre uma coluna vertebral de um titanossaurídeo (Dinosauria, Sauropoda) do grupo Bauru, Neocretáceo do Brasil

A new titanosaurid dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous continental deposits of the Bauru Group is described. Trigonosaurus pricei n.gen., n.sp., is based on two specimens, both collected at the Caieira Quarry near Peirópolis, Minas Gerais. The holotype consists of the five most posterior cervical vertebrae, 10 dorsals, six sacrals and the left ilium (MCT 1488-R). The second specimen (paratype) consists of 10 caudal vertebrae that according to a quarry map, were found isolated but show a similar morphology and compatible size suggesting that they belonged to one individual (MCT 1719-R). Trigonosaurus pricei is diagnosed by a combination of characters such as elongated cervicals and middorsals, dorsal vertebrae 9 and 10 with incipient postzygodiapophyseal lamina and transverse processes well developed throughout the sequence formed by anterior and medial caudals. The occurrence of this new taxon indicates a higher diversity of titanosaurids in the Brazil during the Cretaceous period.Um novo titanossaurídeo procedente dos depósitos continentais do grupo Bauru (Neocretáceo) é descrito. Trigonosaurus pricei n.gen., n.sp. é baseado em dois exemplares coletados na localidade Caieira na região de Peirópolis, Minas Gerais. O holótipo é composto das últimas cinco vértebras cervicais, 10 vértebras dorsais, seis sacrais e o ílio esquerdo (MCT 1488-R). O segundo exemplar (parátipo) é formado por 10 vértebras caudais que, de acordo com um mapa da escavação, foram encontradas isoladas, mas apresentam o mesmo padrão morfológico e um tamanho compatível, sendo, deste modo, consideradas como pertencentes a um mesmo indivíduo (MCT 1719-R). Trigonosaurus pricei é diagnosticado por uma combinação de caracteres tais como vértebras cervicais e dorsais médias alongadas, vértebras dorsais 9 e 10 com uma incipiente lâmina diapopós-zigapofisiária e processos transversos bem desenvolvidos por toda seqüência anterior e média da série caudal. A ocorrência deste novo táxon demonstra a existência de uma maior diversidade de titanosaurídeos no Brasil durante o período Cretáceo

Field-scale evaluation of biosolids-derived organomineral fertilizers applied to winter wheat in England

Field-scale experiments in four crop seasons established the agronomic performance of biosolids-derived organomineral fertilizers (OMF) for winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production in England. Two OMF formulations (OMF10 10:4:4 and OMF15 15:4:4) were compared with urea and biosolids granules (≈5:6:0.2) to determine crop responses and fertilizer effects on soil chemical properties. Fertilizers were applied at N rates between 0 and 250 kg ha–1 at regular increments of 50 kg ha–1 N. Average grain yields with OMF10 and OMF15 were higher than with biosolids granules, but lower than with urea (P < 0.05). The optimum N application rates, and corresponding grain yields, were 245 and 7900 kg ha–1 for biosolids, 257 and 9100 kg ha–1 for OMF10, 249 and 9500 kg ha–1 for OMF15, and 225 and 10350 kg ha–1 for urea, respectively. Differences in grain yield between fertilizer treatments were explained by differences in yield components, particularly number of grains and thousand-grain-weight. Grain-N recoveries were 31% for biosolids, ≈40% for OMF, and 52% for urea. Organomineral fertilizers-induced changes in soil extractable P and soil P Index were not significant. Thus, application of OMF replenished P offtake by the crop and therefore supported the choice of the proposed OMF formulations. By contrast, extractable P increased in biosolids and decreased in urea-treated soils, respectively. Heavy metals in soil were unaffected by fertilizer treatment and lower than permissible limit values. The use of OMF for winter wheat production appears to be a sustainable approach to recycling biosolids to land