Polarimetry of Li-rich giants

Protoplanetary nebulae typically present non-spherical envelopes. The origin of such geometry is still controversial. There are indications that it may be carried over from an earlier phase of stellar evolution, such as the AGB phase. But how early in the star's evolution does the non-spherical envelope appear? Li-rich giants show dusty circumstellar envelopes that can help answer that question. We study a sample of fourteen Li-rich giants using optical polarimetry in order to detect non-spherical envelopes around them. We used the IAGPOL imaging polarimeter to obtain optical linear polarization measurements in V band. Foreground polarization was estimated using the field stars in each CCD frame. After foreground polarization was removed, seven objects presented low intrinsic polarization (0.19 - 0.34)% and two (V859 Aql and GCSS 557) showed high intrinsic polarization values (0.87 - 1.16)%. This intrinsic polarization suggests that Li-rich giants present a non-spherical distribution of circumstellar dust. The intrinsic polarization level is probably related to the viewing angle of the envelope, with higher levels indicating objects viewed closer to edge-on. The correlation of the observed polarization with optical color excess gives additional support to the circumstellar origin of the intrinsic polarization in Li-rich giants. The intrinsic polarization correlates even better with the IRAS 25 microns far infrared emission. Analysis of spectral energy distributions for the sample show dust temperatures for the envelopes tend to be between 190 and 260 K. We suggest that dust scattering is indeed responsible for the optical intrinsic polarization in Li-rich giants. Our findings indicate that non-spherical envelopes may appear as early as the red giant phase of stellar evolution.Comment: to be published in A&A, 15 pages, 10 figures. Fig. 3 is available in ftp://astroweb.iag.usp.br/pub/antonio/4270/4270.fig3.pd

Comportamento de Biomphalaria glabrata variantes albina e melânica frente à infecção pelo Schistosoma mansoni

The behaviour of the albino and melanic variants of Biomphalaria glabrata of Belo Horizonte (MG. Brazil) was studied comparatively, in terms of their respective susceptibilities to infection by Schistosoma mansoni of the same origin, through observation of the elimination of cercariae for a three-month period and the calculation of mortality and infection rates, in control and in infected snails. The number of amoebocytes, granulocytes and hyalinocytes in the circulating hemolymph during different periods of infection was analyzed. The evolution of the infection in the tissues was observed by means of histological cross-sections. The melanic variant showed greater susceptibility to infection and a higher mortality rate. The albino variant showed a higher number of circulating amoebocytes, both granulocytes and hyalinocytes. A higher number of degenerated sporocysts were seen in the histological cross-sections of the albino variant. The results suggest that the melanic variant of B. glabrata was more susceptible to infection by S. mansoni than was the albino variant.Foi estudado comparativamente o comportamento das variantes albina e melânica de Biomphalaria glabrata de Belo Horizonte (MG. Brasil), em relação à susceptibilidade à infecção pelo Schistosoma mansoni de mesma origem, através da observação da eliminação de cercárias por um período de três meses e a verificação das taxas de mortalidade e infecção nos moluscos controles e infectados. Analisou-se também, o número de amebócitos granulócitos e hialinócitos na hemolinfa circulante em diferentes períodos de infecção. A evolução da infecção nos tecidos foi observada através de cortes histológicos. A variante melânica apresentou maior susceptibilidade à infecção e maior taxa de mortalidade. A variante albina apresentou maior número de amebócitos circulantes, tanto granulócitos quanto hialinócitos. Nos cortes histológicos foi verificado maior número de esporocistos degenerados na variedade albina. Por estes resultados sugere-se que nas populações estudadas a variante melânica de B. glabrata, foi mais susceptível à infecção pelo S. mansoni.21722

Interviews of Children in a Portuguese Special Judicial Procedure

Since 2007, alleged victims of child sexual abuse in Portugal have provided evidence in a mandatory “Declarações para Memória Futura” (DMF; English transl. ‘Statement for future use’) proceeding. In order to protect children from having to testify in court, interviews conducted at the DMF can be used later as trial evidence because the hearings are conducted by judges. The present study examined 137 interviews with 3- to 17-year-olds conducted in several Portuguese criminal courts. Detailed examination of interview transcripts showed that 69% of all questions asked were option-posing questions, 16% were directive questions, 11% were suggestive questions, and only 3% were open-ended prompts. The vast majority of details provided by children were thus obtained using the risky recognition-based prompts (i.e., option posing and suggestive questions) associated with the risks of contaminating and limiting children's informativeness, both potential threats to the credibility of their testimony. There is an urgent need to address this issue and consider the implementation of a scientifically validated structured interview protocol in Portugal.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Beco das Artes: Festas, imaginários e ambiências subversivas na cidade do Rio de Janeiro.

A partir das considerações de que a festa: a) é historicamente uma paisagem urbana; b) imputa à rua novos comportamentos e usos sociais; c) apresenta a transição de uma paisagem cotidiana para uma festiva, propondo certa ruptura; d) carrega em si um possível caráter transgressor mediado pela ambiência noturna, o presente artigo tem como objetivo analisar as experiências festivas noturnas de rua a partir de práticas subversivas que se intensificaram nos últimos 5 anos na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, especificamente no Beco das Artes. Para tanto, nos alicerçamos nas teorias e metodologias da percepção, dos sentidos e do imaginário social

Cenários Funcionais para a Revitalização do Porto de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

This study outlines three functional scenarios for the Port of Pelotas, which is located in the center of the largest coastal lagoon system in the country, on the coastal plain of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. It is aimed at guiding decision makers as to the planning of strategic actions for economic revitalization, whereas this Port, at present, has been the target of political and economic interests at local, regional and bi-national levels. The results achieved are summarized in a survey of its current functional status, in addition to the design of three future scenarios, based on functional alternatives. Therefore, the methods of exploratory research, SWOT analysis, prospecting scenarios, and semi-structured interviews with key actors for the research were used. Results show that, despite its current relative economic and functional stagnation, the Port of Pelotas is in a position to play a new and important role in the economic development recovery of the southern region of the State, as well as the integrated development of the Mirim Lagoon Basin through the bi-national Brazil-Uruguay waterway.O presente estudo teve por objetivo delinear três cenários funcionais para o Porto de Pelotas, localizado no centro do maior sistema lagunar costeiro do País, situado na Planície Costeira do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, com o intuito de nortear os tomadores de decisão quanto ao planejamento de ações estratégicas para sua revitalização econômica, considerando que este Porto, presentemente, vem sendo alvo de interesses político-econômicos em nível local, regional e bi-nacional. Os resultados alcançados se resumem em um levantamento da sua atual situação funcional, além do delineamento de três cenários futuros, baseados em alternativas funcionais estabelecidas para o mesmo. Para tanto, foram utilizadas as metodologias de pesquisa exploratória, além da análise SWOT, prospecção de cenários e entrevista semi-estruturada com atores chave para a pesquisa. Concluindo este artigo, constata-se que, apesar de sua atual relativa estagnação econômico-funcional, o Porto de Pelotas apresenta condições para desempenhar um novo e importante papel no processo de retomada do desenvolvimento econômico da metade sul do Rio Grande do Sul, bem como do desenvolvimento integrado da Bacia da Lagoa Mirim através da hidrovia bi-nacional Brasil-Uruguai

Levantamento quantitativo de microrganismos solubilizadores de fosfatos na rizosfera de gramíneas e leguminosas forrageiras na Amazônia

After choosing a selective enrichment medium suitable for most phosphate solubilizing microorganisms, a quantitative survey of these was made in the rhizosphere of: Brachiaria decumbens, B. humidicola. Andropogon gayanus, Paspalum plicatum, Hyparrhenia rufa, Panicum maximum, Desmodium ovalifolium, Pueraria phaseoloides, Zornia sp., Stylosanthes capitata, S. guianensis (CIAT 136). and S. guianensis (IKE 1022, with and without fertilisers. The largest numbers of phosphate solubilizing bacteria (above 1 x 107/g rhizosphere) occurred in the rhizosphere of the leguminous species a nd small numbers (Belw 1 x 107/g rhizosphere) in grasses without fertilisers, except H. rufa and P. maximum. From all the fodder plants analysed, Zornia sp. (Leguminosae) with fertilizer, had the greatest number as phosphate solubilizers. The total number of microorganisms was greater in the treatments without fertilizer in all grasses analysed; but for the leguminous species it was greater for treatments with fertilizer except in S. capitata. Phosphore solubilizing fungi were not considered in this study because they present only in small numbers.Após a escolha de um meio de enriquecimento seletivo a um maior número de microrganismos solubilizadores de fosfatos, foi feito um levantamento quantitativo dessas bactérias na rizosfera de Brachiaria decumbens, B. humidicola; Andropogon gayanus, Paspalum plicatum, Hyparrhenia rufa, Panicum maximum, Desmodium ovalifolium, Pueraria phaseoloides, Zornia sp. Stylosanthes capitata, S. guianensis (ClAT 136) e S. guianensis (IRI 1022), adubadas e não adubadas. De um modo geral, números maiores de bactérias solubilizadoras de fosfatos (superior a 1 x 107/g rizosfera) ocorreram na rizosfera de leguminosas. adubadas e não adubadas, e os números mais baixos nas gramíneas (inferior a 1 x 107/g rizosfera). com exceção de H. rufa e P. maximum, sem adubação. De todas as forrageiras analisadas, a rizosfera de Zornia sp. adubada, foi a que melhor se apresentou tanto em número quanto em porcentagem de bactérias solubilizadoras. O número total de microrganismos foi maior nos tratamentos não adubados para todas as gramíneas analisadas e maior nos tratamentos adubados para todas as leguminosas com exceção de S. capitata. Os fungos solubilizadores de fosfatos, não foram considerados, uma vez que estavam presentes em quantidades bem pequenas

Feeding spectra and activity of the freshwater crab Trichodactylus kensleyi (Decapoda: Brachyura: Trichodactylidae) at La Plata basin

Background: In inland water systems, it is important to characterize the trophic links in order to identify the ‘trophic species’ and, from the studies of functional diversity, understand the dynamics of matter and energy in these environments. The aim of this study is to analyze the natural diet of Trichodactylus kensleyi of subtropical rainforest streams and corroborate the temporal variation in the trophic activity during day hours. Results: A total of 15 major taxonomic groups were recognized in gut contents. The index of relative importance identified the following main prey items in decreasing order of importance: vegetal remains, oligochaetes, chironomid larvae, and algae. A significant difference was found in the amount of full stomachs during day hours showing a less trophic activity at midday and afternoon. The index of relative importance values evidenced the consumption of different prey according to day moments. Results of the gut content indicate that T. kensleyi is an omnivorous crab like other trichodactylid species. Opportunistic behavior is revealed by the ingestion of organisms abundant in streams such as oligochaetes and chironomid larvae. The consumption of allochthonous plant debris shows the importance of this crab as shredder in subtropical streams. However, the effective assimilation of plant matter is yet unknown in trichodactylid crabs. Conclusions: This research provides knowledge that complements previous studies about trophic relationships of trichodactylid crabs and supported the importance of T. kensleyi in the transference of energy and matter from benthic community and riparian sources to superior trophic levels using both macro- and microfauna.Fil: Williner, Verónica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto Nacional de Limnología. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto Nacional de Limnología; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias; ArgentinaFil: de Azevedo Carvalho, Debora. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto Nacional de Limnología. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto Nacional de Limnología; ArgentinaFil: Collins, Pablo Agustin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto Nacional de Limnología. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto Nacional de Limnología; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas; Argentin

Extracellular Hsp72 concentration relates to a minimum endogenous criteria during acute exercise-heat exposure

Extracellular heat-shock protein 72 (eHsp72) concentration increases during exercise-heat stress when conditions elicit physiological strain. Differences in severity of environmental and exercise stimuli have elicited varied response to stress. The present study aimed to quantify the extent of increased eHsp72 with increased exogenous heat stress, and determine related endogenous markers of strain in an exercise-heat model. Ten males cycled for 90 min at 50% O2peak in three conditions (TEMP, 20°C/63% RH; HOT, 30.2°C/51%RH; VHOT, 40.0°C/37%RH). Plasma was analysed for eHsp72 pre, immediately post and 24-h post each trial utilising a commercially available ELISA. Increased eHsp72 concentration was observed post VHOT trial (+172.4%) (P<0.05), but not TEMP (-1.9%) or HOT (+25.7%) conditions. eHsp72 returned to baseline values within 24hrs in all conditions. Changes were observed in rectal temperature (Trec), rate of Trec increase, area under the curve for Trec of 38.5°C and 39.0°C, duration Trec ≥ 38.5°C and ≥ 39.0°C, and change in muscle temperature, between VHOT, and TEMP and HOT, but not between TEMP and HOT. Each condition also elicited significantly increasing physiological strain, described by sweat rate, heart rate, physiological strain index, rating of perceived exertion and thermal sensation. Stepwise multiple regression reported rate of Trec increase and change in Trec to be predictors of increased eHsp72 concentration. Data suggests eHsp72 concentration increases once systemic temperature and sympathetic activity exceeds a minimum endogenous criteria elicited during VHOT conditions and is likely to be modulated by large, rapid changes in core temperature