Quantifying responses of dung beetles to fire disturbance in tropical forests:the importance of trapping method and seasonality

Understanding how biodiversity responds to environmental changes is essential to provide the evidence-base that underpins conservation initiatives. The present study provides a standardized comparison between unbaited flight intercept traps (FIT) and baited pitfall traps (BPT) for sampling dung beetles. We examine the effectiveness of the two to assess fire disturbance effects and how trap performance is affected by seasonality. The study was carried out in a transitional forest between Cerrado (Brazilian Savanna) and Amazon Forest. Dung beetles were collected during one wet and one dry sampling season. The two methods sampled different portions of the local beetle assemblage. Both FIT and BPT were sensitive to fire disturbance during the wet season, but only BPT detected community differences during the dry season. Both traps showed similar correlation with environmental factors. Our results indicate that seasonality had a stronger effect than trap type, with BPT more effective and robust under low population numbers, and FIT more sensitive to fine scale heterogeneity patterns. This study shows the strengths and weaknesses of two commonly used methodologies for sampling dung beetles in tropical forests, as well as highlighting the importance of seasonality in shaping the results obtained by both sampling strategies

Optical phonons in isotope superlattices of GaAs, GaP, and GaSb studied by Raman scattering

We have investigated the LO-phonon Raman spectra of [100] oriented gallium isotope superlattices (69GaX)n(71GaX)n [X=P,As; both elements have a single stable isotope] at low temperature. When the number of monolayers 2n within one superlattice (SL) unit cell is varied, anticrossings between phonons confined in the 69GaX and 71GaX layers are observed. We have used a planar bond-charge model to calculate the frequencies and intensities of the modes as a function of layer thickness. For the GaP isotope SL’s, we find that a simulation of isotopically mixed interface layers is in good agreement with the experiment, while the assumption of ideal interfaces does not reproduce the data well. Spectra from the GaAs isotope SL’s are substantially broadened compared to the LO phonon width in bulk samples, thus allowing only a qualitative discussion of phonon-confinement effects. Predictions for GaSb isotope SL’s, in which both Ga and Sb isotopes can be substituted, are given. Raman spectra of bulk GaAs with varying gallium-isotope ratio are also discussed.Peer reviewe

A aptidão dos pesquisadores brasileiros pertencentes aos programas de pós-graduação stricto sensu em Administração para pesquisas quantitativas

É crescente a pressão para a publicação de artigos em periódicos de renome. Ressalta-se que os artigos publicados nesses periódicos são cada vez mais empíricos e com utilização de técnicas estatísticas progressivamente mais sofisticadas. Para isso, é importante que existam pesquisadores e programas capacitados para a análise quantitativa de dados. Neste trabalho, apresentam-se os resultados de um survey realizado com pesquisadores nacionais para verificar seu grau de proficiência em métodos estatísticos. Constatou-se que pesquisadores e programas brasileiros estão menos preparados para o uso desses métodos em relação a pesquisadores norte-americanos, conforme pesquisa usada como referência. Sugere-se não só a preparação de professores e alunos em métodos quantitativos, mas, sobretudo, a existência de estruturas de apoio que possam dar suporte para a melhoria de trabalhos desse tipo.En el ámbito académico hay una presión creciente para la publicación de artículos en revistas de reconocido prestigio. Se resalta que los artículos publicados en estos periódicos son cada vez más empíricos y se utilizan técnicas estadísticas progresivamente más sofisticadas. Por ello, es importante que haya investigadores y programas que sean capaces de analizar datos cuantitativos. En este trabajo se presentan los resultados de un estudio survey aplicado a investigadores brasileños con el fin de comprobar su nivel de competencia en métodos estadísticos. Se encontró que los investigadores y los programas brasileños están menos preparados para usar estos métodos que los investigadores estadounidenses, de acuerdo con un estudio de referencia. Se sugiere en este estudio que se realice la preparación adecuada de los docentes y estudiantes en métodos cuantitativos y que, sobre todo, se desarrollen estructuras de apoyo que puedan ayudar a mejorar dichos trabajos.There is a growing pressure for the publishing of articles in renowned periodicals. We reinforce that articles published in this kind of journals are becoming more empirical and are progressively using more sophisticated statistical techniques. This demands better works and more statistic data analysis papers. For this it is important that there are skilled researchers and programs for the quantitative data analysis. This work presents the results of a survey on Brazilian researchers to evaluate their proficiency in statistic research methods. We verified that our researchers and programs are less prepared to the use of these methods in relation to American researchers, according to a survey used as a reference. We suggest not only researchers and students training in quantitative methods, but also the availability of support structures to enable the improvement of the quantitative research

Projeto Exagri – Informação para produtores e trabalhadores rurais do estado de São Paulo, Brasil

Este relato apresenta a experiência da Divisão de Biblioteca e Documentação (DIBD), da Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiróz - Esalq, da USP, no desenvolvimento de um projeto de informação denominado Exagri, que disponibilizou o acesso à literatura agropecuária, em nível de extensão rural, para produtores e trabalhadores rurais do estado de São Paulo. Apresenta os resultados da parceria entre a universidade e as organizações de produtores rurais

Clinical and radiographic features of pycnodysostosis : a case report

Pycnodysostosis is a rare disorder that was first described in 1962; however, it was only in 1996 that the defective gene was discovered, which led to a better understanding of this disease. This study reports and discuss a case of pycnodysostosis. In addition, a search of articles published in PubMed-Medline was performed. The case was a 13-year-old girl who was referred to a private clinic for dental treatment. Clinical examination showed midface hypoplasia, prominent cheeks, a high nasal bridge, beaked nose, spoon-shaped fingers, frontal bossing, open fontanelles and dental alterations, findings compatible with pycnodysostosis. Patients with this disease also suffer from fractures because of bone hardness with almost no elasticity, a fact that requires special care particularly in the case of children and adolescents. The diagnosis of pycnodysostosis is made based on clinical and radiographic findings. Clinicians should be aware of this disorder to provide adequate dental treatment

COVID-19 and social distancing among children and adolescents in Brazil

OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and the adherence to measures of social distancing in children and adolescents studied in three national surveys conducted in Brazil between May–June 2020. METHODS Three national serological surveys were conducted in 133 sentinel cities located in all 27 Federative Units. Multistage probability sampling was used to select 250 individuals per city. The total sample size in age ranges 0–9 and 10–19 years old are of 4,263 and 8,024 individuals, respectively. Information on children or adolescents was gathered with a data collection app, and a rapid point-of-case test for SARS-CoV-2 was conducted on a finger prick blood sample. RESULTS The adjusted prevalence of antibodies was 2.9% (2.2–3.6) among children 0–9 years, 2.2% (1.8–2.6) among adolescents 10-19 years, and 3.0% (2.7–3.3) among adults 20+years. Prevalence of antibodies was higher among poor children and adolescents compared to those of rich families. Adherence to social distancing measures was seen in 72.4% (71.9–73.8) of families with children, 60.8% (59.6–61.9) for adolescents, and 57.4% (56.9–57.8) for adults. For not leaving the house except for essential matters the proportions were 81.7% (80.5–82.9), 70.6% (69.6–61.9), and 65.1% (64.7–65.5), respectively. Among children and adolescents, social distancing was strongly associated with socioeconomic status, being much higher in the better-off families. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 showed comparable levels among children, adolescents, and adults. Adherence to social distancing measures was more prevalent in children, followed by adolescents. There were important socioeconomic differences in the adherence to social distancing among children and adolescents

Reescribiendo una trayectoria a partir de mudanzas estratégicas: un estudio de caso en la Bunge

Survival of organizations is a central theme of discussions about business strategy. Survivors are those who can introduce profound strategic changes. With regard to this greater dynamism, developing changes seems to be mandatory; however companies can not always overcome inertia to change key management aspects. Superficial, gradual changes may not prove sufficient to correct organizational direction. A real turnaround process usually includes reconfiguration of the portfolio of competencies and business organization as well as implementation of professional management. This is a description of how Bunge Limited altered its course of history by strategic changes in the decade of 1990. The purpose is to understand how companies can restructure themselves in times of crisis, in this case with specific focus on reconfiguring the business portfolio and resources, to identify strategic elements and change allocation of resources. The theoretical foundation focused on process changes, more specifically for corporate turnaround and resource employment, according to the RBV approach.La supervivencia de las organizaciones a lo largo del tiempo es tema central de las discusiones acerca de la estrategia empresarial. Las empresas más longevas son aquellas que consiguen, con el correr del tiempo, operar mudanzas estratégicas profundas. En este contexto de gran dinamismo, desarrollar mudanzas parece ser obligatorio, mas ni siempre las empresas consiguen vencer su inercia para mudar aspectos esenciales de su gestión. Mudanzas graduales y superficiales tampoco pueden mostrarse suficientes para reposicionar la trayectoria organizacional. Un proceso real de turnaround generalmente incluye una reconfiguración de la cartera de competencias y de negocios de la organización y la aplicación de una gestión profesional. En este artículo será presentado el proceso de mudanzas estratégicas por el cual la Bunge Limited consiguió, en la década de 90, reescribir su trayectoria. El objetivo es comprender como las empresas pueden reestructurarse en momentos de crisis - en este caso con un foco específico en la reconfiguración de su cartera de negocios y de recursos -, identificando los elementos estratégicos y la forma por la cual el destino de recursos es realizado. El fundamento teórico se concentró en el proceso de mudanzas, más específicamente en el turnaround empresarial y en los recursos utilizados en ese proceso, según el abordaje de la RBV.A sobrevivência das organizações ao longo do tempo é tema central das discussões acerca da estratégia empresarial. As empresas mais longevas são aquelas que conseguem, no decorrer do tempo, operar mudanças estratégicas profundas. Neste contexto de grande dinamicidade, desenvolver mudanças parece ser obrigatório, mas nem sempre as empresas conseguem vencer a sua inércia para mudar aspectos essenciais de sua gestão. Mudanças graduais e superficiais tampouco podem se mostrar suficientes para reposicionar a trajetória organizacional. Um processo real de turnaround geralmente inclui uma reconfiguração da carteira de competências e de negócios da organização e a implementação de uma gestão profissional. Neste artigo será apresentado o processo de mudanças estratégicas pelo qual a Bunge Limited conseguiu, na década de 90, reescrever sua trajetória. O objetivo é compreender como as empresas podem reestruturar-se em momentos de crises - neste caso com um foco específico na reconfiguração de sua carteira de negócios e de recursos -, identificando os elementos estratégicos e a forma pela qual a alocação de recursos é realizada. A fundamentação teórica concentrou-se no processo de mudanças, mais especificamente no turnaround empresarial e nos recursos utilizados nesse processo, segundo a abordagem da RBV

Nonlinear Resonance Analysis of Slender Portal Frames under Base Excitation

The dynamic nonlinear response and stability of slender structures in the main resonance regions are a topic of importance in structural analysis. In complex problems, the determination of the response in the frequency domain indirectly obtained through analyses in time domain can lead to huge computational effort in large systems. In nonlinear cases, the response in the frequency domain becomes even more cumbersome because of the possibility of multiple solutions for certain forcing frequencies. Those solutions can be stable and unstable, in particular saddle-node bifurcation at the turning points along the resonance curves. In this work, an incremental technique for direct calculation of the nonlinear response in frequency domain of plane frames subjected to base excitation is proposed. The transformation of equations of motion to the frequency domain is made through the harmonic balance method in conjunction with the Galerkin method. The resulting system of nonlinear equations in terms of the modal amplitudes and forcing frequency is solved by the Newton-Raphson method together with an arc-length procedure to obtain the nonlinear resonance curves. Suitable examples are presented, and the influence of the frame geometric parameters and base motion on the nonlinear resonance curves is investigated