Multi-platform image search using tag enrichment

The number of images available online is growing steadily and current web search engines have indexed more than 10 billion images. Approaches to image retrieval are still often text-based and operate on image annotations and captions. Image annotations (i.e. image tags) are typically short, user-generated, and of varying quality, which increases the mismatch problem between query terms and image tags. For example, a user might enter the query wedding dress while all images are annotated with bridal gown or wedding gown. This demonstration presents an image search system using reduction and expansion of image annotations to overcome vocabulary mismatch problems by enriching the sparse set of image tags

Key factors influencing the sale of bulls in livestock auctions

This research determines which factors most influence the purchase price of bulls in livestock auctions in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil. Hence, 760 beef bulls sold in eleven different auctions between August and November 2013 were analysed. The data consists of: breed, muscularity (MUSC), frame (FRAME), body condition score (BCS), scrotal circumference (SC) and body weight (BW). Other data such as the animal entry order and the purchase price of the bulls was collected during the auction. A linear generalized model was used to evaluate the interaction of each variable with the purchase price of the bulls. An ANOVA with Tukey post-hoc was used to compare the differences between the categories that influenced the purchase price of bulls and were realized in the software SPSS 20.0. All breeds presented declining pricesfrom the first to the second entry order and increasing purchase prices from the order third to forth. Bulls with large frame received higher purchase prices independent of the auction order, except for the second order of entry, in which medium and small animals were more valued. Angus bulls obtained the highest prices in relation to the breeds Brangus and Hereford. The frame and breed constituted the main phenotypic characteristics that influence in price. In addition, the order of entry of bulls in the ring influence the purchase price

NEW SEISMIC SOURCE ZONE MODEL FOR PORTUGAL AND AZORES

The development of seismogenic source models is one of the first steps in seismic hazard assessment. In seismic hazard terminology, seismic source zones (SSZ) are polygons (or volumes) that delineate areas with homogeneous characteristics of seismicity. The importance of using knowledge on geology, seismicity and tectonics in the definition of source zones has been recognized for a long time [1]. However, the definition of SSZ tends to be subjective and controversial. Using SSZ based on broad geology, by spreading the seismicity clusters throughout the areal extent of a zone, provides a way to account for possible long-term non-stationary seismicity behavior [2,3]. This approach effectively increases seismicity rates in regions with no significant historical or instrumental seismicity, while decreasing seismicity rates in regions that display higher rates of seismicity. In contrast, the use of SSZ based on concentrations of seismicity or spatial smoothing results in stationary behavior [4]. In the FP7 Project SHARE (Seismic Hazard Harmonization in Europe), seismic hazard will be assessed with a logic tree approach that allows for three types of branches for seismicity models: a) smoothed seismicity, b) SSZ, c) SSZ and faults. In this context, a large-scale zonation model for use in the smoothed seismicity branch, and a new consensus SSZ model for Portugal and Azores have been developed. The new models were achieved with the participation of regional experts by combining and adapting existing models and incorporating new regional knowledge of the earthquake potential. The main criteria used for delineating the SSZ include distribution of seismicity, broad geological architecture, crustal characteristics (oceanic versus continental, tectonically active versus stable, etc.), historical catalogue completeness, and the characteristics of active or potentially-active faults. This model will be integrated into an Iberian model of SSZ to be used in the Project SHARE seismic hazard assessment

New petrographic, geochemical and isotopic data on the Boa Fé gold prospect (Montemor-o-Novo, Ossa-Morena Zone)

A área de estudo situa-se na Zona de Cisalhamento de Montemor-o-Novo (Maciço de Évora, Zona de Ossa-Morena - ZOM). O trabalho incidiu sobre amostras de metassedimentos e metabasitos da Série Negra (Ediacarano), bem como de granitos tardi-variscos. Os metassedimentos vão de micaxistos a paragnaisses evidenciando a associação mineral de pico metamórfico constituída por Qz+Pl+Bt+Ms+Opq±Tur±Sil±Crd+Zrn. Os metabasitos são anfibolitos incorporando Pl+Hbl+Qz+Mag+Ilm±Bt. Quer nos metassedimentos quer nos metabasitos, existem testemunhos de duas fases de deformação importantes, sendo uma xistosidade de crenulação a estrutura mais penetrativa. Estas duas fases de deformação deverão corresponder a D1 e D2 Variscas previamente reconhecidas no autóctone da ZOM. Ocorreu ainda deformação posterior, testemunhada por kinks e processos de subgranulação e recristalização dinâmica afetando alguns grãos minerais em domínios confinados às proximidades imediatas de zonas de falha tardias, a qual deverá relacionar-se com a fase D3. Os granitos tardi-variscos são fortemente peraluminosos, tendo como minerais mais abundantes quartzo, microclina, plagioclase sódica e moscovite. Como acessórios ocorrem biotite, zircão, apatite, opacos, turmalina e silimanite. Em termos isotópicos, os valores de εSr320Ma variam entre +93 e +182, enquanto a gama de valores para εND320Ma se distribui no intervalo -6.7 a -9.0, sugerindo importante contributo via anatexia dos metassedimentos da Série Negra na génese dos magmas que deram origem aos granitos tardi-variscos.The study area is located within the Montemor-o-Novo Shear Zone (Évora Massif, Ossa-Morena Zone - OMZ). The analysed samples represent metasediments and metabasites of the Série Negra lithostratigraphic unit (Ediacaran), besides late-Variscan granites. The metasediments are micaschists to paragneisses displaying the peak metamorphic mineral assemblage Qz+Pl+Bt+Ms+Opq±Tur±Sil±Crd+Zrn. The metabasites are amphibolites comprising Pl+Hbl+Qz+Mag+Ilm±Bt. Microstructures observed in both types of metamorphic rocks document two major ductile deformation phases. The most penetrative tectonic anisotropy is a crenulation schistosity. These major deformation phases should correspond to the Variscan D1 and D2, previously recognized in the autochthon of the OMZ. There is also evidence for a later deformation phase, likely related to the D3 Variscan: some grains, in narrow domains adjoining late fault zones, show kinks or are affected by dynamic subgranulation and recrystallization. The studied late-Variscan granites are strongly peraluminous, and have quartz, microcline, Na-plagioclase and muscovite as prime minerals. Biotite, zircon, apatite, opaques,tourmaline and sillimanite occur as accessory phases. Considering the available isotope geochemistry data, εSr320Ma varies between +93 and +182, while εND320Ma values are scattered in the -6.7 to -9.0 range. These data suggest a strong involvement of anatexis products derived from the Série Negra metasediments in the genesis of the granitic magmas

COMPILATION OF ACTIVE FAULT DATA IN PORTUGAL FOR USE IN SEISMIC HAZARD ANALYSIS

To estimate where future earthquakes are likely to occur, it is essential to combine information about past earthquakes with knowledge about the location and seismogenic properties of active faults. For this reason, robust probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) integrates seismicity and active fault data. Existing seismic hazard assessments for Portugal rely exclusively on seismicity data and do not incorporate data on active faults. Project SHARE (Seismic Hazard Harmonization in Europe) is an EC-funded initiative (FP7) that aims to evaluate European seismic hazards using an integrated, standardized approach. In the context of SHARE, we are developing a fully-parameterized active fault database for Portugal that incorporates existing compilations, updated according to the most recent publications. The seismogenic source model derived for SHARE will be the first model for Portugal to include fault data and follow an internationally standardized approach. This model can be used to improve both seismic hazard and risk analyses and will be combined with the Spanish database for use in Iberian- and European-scale assessments

Evidence Of Competition Between Two Canopy Ant Species: Is Aggressive Behavior Innate Or Shaped By A Competitive Environment?

Competition occurs in all ecological communities, although it has not always been experimentally tested as a structuring force in the distribution of species. We tested the hypothesis that the aggressiveness exhibited by Camponotus rufipes changes according to the pressures of a competitive environment. This is a dominant species in the montane forest of the Itacolomi State Park, Brazil, where Camponotus sericeiventris does not occur. Using bait traps in a field site where both species occur, (Juiz de Fora site) we showed that C. sericeiventris was able to remove C. rufipes workers at the same bait. In the laboratory, we used dyadic encounters to test workers from both species taken from colonies found in areas where both occur and where only C. rufipes was found. Camponotus rufipes from Itacolomi fought significantly less and was killed during the first few minutes in 60% of the events. On the other hand, the workers that co-existed with C. sericeiventris in the field were more aggressive, but less efficient fighters than the latter. This investigation demonstrated existence of competition between C. rufipes and C. sericeiventris, and also the lower aggressiveness of C. rufipes' individuals that did not co-exist in the field with C. sericeiventris. © 2012 Ndia Barbosa do Esprito Santo et al.Hlldobler, B., Wilson, E.O., (1990) The Ants, , Cambridge, Mass, USA The Belknap Press of Harvard University PressMacArthur, R.H., Levins, R., The limiting similarity, convergence, and divergence of coexisting species (1967) American Naturalist, 101, pp. 377-385Gotelli, N.J., Ellison, A.M., Assembly rules for New England ant assemblages (2002) Oikos, 99 (3), pp. 591-599. , DOI 10.1034/j.1600-0706.2002.11734.xWilson, E.O., (1971) The Insect Societies, , Cambridge, Mass, USA Harvard University PressDavidson, D.W., Resource discovery versus resource domination in ants: A functional mechanism for breaking the trade-off (1998) Ecological Entomology, 23 (4), pp. 484-490. , DOI 10.1046/j.1365-2311.1998.00145.xRoom, P.M., The relative distribution of ant species in Ghanas cocoa farms (1971) Journal of Animal Ecolog, 40, pp. 735-751Leston, D., The ant mosaic, tropical tree crops and the limiting of pests and diseases (1973) Pest Articles and News Summaries, 19, pp. 311-341Leston, D., A neotropical ant mosaic (1978) Annals of the Entomological Society of America, 71, pp. 649-653Majer, J.D., Delabie, J.H.C., Smith, M.R.B., Arboreal ant community patterns in Brazilian cocoa farms (1994) Biotropica, 26 (1), pp. 73-83Holldobler, B., Lumsden, C.J., Territorial strategies in ants (1980) Science, 210 (4471), pp. 732-739Savolainen, R., Vepsalainen, K., A competition hierarchy among boreal ants: Impact on resource partitioning and community structure (1988) Oikos, 51 (2), pp. 135-155Del-Claro, K., Oliveira, P.S., Ant-homoptera interactions in a neotropical savanna: The honeydew-producing treehopper, Guayaquila xiphias (Membracidae), and its associated ant fauna on Didymopanax vinosum (Araliaceae) (1999) Biotropica, 31 (1), pp. 135-144Orr, M.R., Dahlsten, D.L., Benson, W.W., Ecological interactions among ants in the genus Linepithema, their phorid parasitoids, and ant competitors (2003) Ecological Entomology, 28 (2), pp. 203-210. , DOI 10.1046/j.1365-2311.2003.00506.xFonseca, R.C., Diehl, E., Riqueza de formigas (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) epigéicas em povoamentos de Eucalyptus spp. (Myrtaceae) de diferentes idades no Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil (2004) Revista Brasileira de Entomologia, 48, pp. 95-100Peternelli, E.F.O., Della Lucia, T.M.C., Martins, S.V., Espécies de formigas que interagem com sementes de Mabea fistulifera Mart. (Euphorbiaceae) (2004) Revista Rvore, 28, pp. 733-738Lutinski, J.A., Garcia, F.R.M., Anlise faunstica de Formicidae (Hymenoptera: Apocrita) em ecossistema degradado no municpio de Chapec, Santa Catarina (2005) Biotemas, 18, pp. 73-86Santos, M.S., Louzada, J.N.C., Dias, N., Zanetti, R., Delabie, J.H.C., Nascimento, I.C., Litter ants richness (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) in remnants of a semi-deciduous forest in the Atlantic rain forest, Alto do Rio Grande region, Minas Gerais, Brazil (2006) Iheringia - Serie Zoologia, 96 (1), pp. 95-101. , http://www.scielo.br/pdf/isz/v96n1/a17v96n1.pdf, DOI 10.1590/S0073-47212006000100017Esprito Santo, N.B., (2008) Assembléia de Formigas Do Parque Estadual Do Itacolomi (MG) e Relaes Intra- E Interespecficas Entre Espécies Dominantes, M.S. Thesis, , Ps-Graduao em Comportamento e Biologia Animal/Departamento de Biologia Animal/Universidade Federal de Juiz de ForaYamamoto, M., Del-Claro, K., Natural history and foraging behavior of the carpenter ant Camponotus sericeiventris Guérin, 1838 (Formicinae, Campotonini) in the Brazilian tropical savanna (2008) Acta Ethologica, 11 (2), pp. 55-65Campos, R.I., Scares, J.P., Martins, R.P., Ribeiro, S.P., Effect of habitat structure on ant assemblages (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) associated to two pioneer tree species (2006) Sociobiology, 47 (3), pp. 721-738Fujaco, M.A.G., (2007) Influncia Dos Diferentes Tipos de Substrato e Geomorfologia Na Distribuio Espacial e Arquitetnica Do Gnero Eremanthus No Parque Estadual Do Itacolomi, Ouro Preto/MG, M.S. Thesis, , Ps-Graduao em Evoluo Crustal e Recursos Naturais/Departamento de Geologia/Universidade Federal de Ouro PretoBanco de Dados Climticos do BrasilEmbrapa Monitoramento por Satélite e EsalqUSP, , 2007, http://www.bdclima.cnpm.embrapa.br/resultados/balanco.php?UF=spCOD= 450Altmann, J., Observational study of behavior: Sampling methods (1974) Behaviour, 49 (34), pp. 227-267Ribeiro, S.P., Soares, J.P., Campos, R.I., Martins, R.P., Insect herbivores species associated to pioneer tree species: Contrasting within forest and ecotone canopy habitats (2008) Revista Brasileira de Zoocincias, 10, pp. 237-248Lopes, J.F.S., Hughes, W.O.H., Camargo, R.S., Forti, L.C., Larval isolation and brood care in Acromyrmex leaf-cutting ants (2005) Insectes Sociaux, 52 (4), pp. 333-338. , DOI 10.1007/s00040-005-0816-yErrard, C., Hefetz, A., Label familiarity and discriminatory ability of ants reared in mixed groups (1997) Insectes Sociaux, 44 (3), pp. 189-198. , DOI 10.1007/s000400050040Santos, J.C., Del-Claro, K., Ecology and behaviour of the weaver ant Camponotus (Myrmobrachys) senex (2009) Journal of Natural History, 43 (2324), pp. 1423-1435Ferreira Brando, C.R., Sequential ethograms along colony development of Odontomachus affinis Guérin (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Ponerinae) (1983) Insectes Sociaux, 30 (2), pp. 193-203Santos, J.C., Yamamoto, M., Oliveira, F.R., Del-Claro, K., Behavioral repertory of the weaver ant Camponotus (Myrmobrachys) senex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) (2005) Sociobiology, 46 (1), pp. 27-37Wilson, E.O., (1975) Sociobiology, , Cambridge, Mass, USA Belknap Press of Harvard University PressLangen, T.A., Tripet, F., Nonacs, P., The red and the black: Habituation and the dear-enemy phenomenon in two desert Pheidole ants (2000) Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 48 (4), pp. 285-292Delsinne, T., Roisin, Y., Leponce, M., Spatial and temporal foraging overlaps in a Chacoan ground-foraging ant assemblage (2007) Journal of Arid Environments, 71 (1), pp. 29-44. , DOI 10.1016/j.jaridenv.2007.02.007, PII S0140196307000705Carroll, C.R., Janzen, D.H., Ecology of foraging by ants (1973) Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics, 4, pp. 231-257Byk, J., Del-Claro, K., Nectar- and pollen-gathering Cephalotes ants provide no protection against herbivory: A new manipulative experiment to test ant protective capabilities (2010) Acta Ethologica, 13 (1), pp. 33-38Jaffé, K., Snchez, C., On the nestmate-recognition system and territorial marking behaviour in the ant Camponotus rufipes (1984) Insectes Sociaux, 31 (3), pp. 302-315Lucas, C., (2002) Tude des Bases Chimiques et Comportamentales de la Formation du Visa Colonial Chez les Ponérines du Genre Pachycondyla, Thse Docteur, , Paris, France Biologie du Comportement, Universit Paris XIHlldobler, B., Wilson, E.O., The multiple recruitment systems of the african weaver ant Oecophylla longinoda (Latreille) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) (1978) Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 3 (1), pp. 19-60Hlldobler, B., Territoriality among Oecophylla (1979) National Geographic Society Research Reports, 1977, pp. 369-372Hlldobler, B., Territorial behavior in the green tree ant (Oecophylla smaragdina) (1983) Biotropica, 15, pp. 241-250De Vita, J., Mechanisms of interference and foraging among colonies of the harvester ant Pogonomyrmex californcus in the Mojave Desert (1979) Ecology, 60, pp. 729-73

Seminario Internacional sobre “El Estado Actual de la Investigación en Enseñanza de las Ciencias"

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Estudo da Variação Intradiária das Concentrações de Pólen de Gramíneas na Atmosfera de Portugal Continental

Introdução: O pólen da família das Poaceae (gramíneas) é uma das principais fontes de aeroalergénios no mundo, particularmente na Europa Mediterrânica. Representa, por isso, um importante factor de risco de asma, rinite e/ou conjuntivite alérgica e constitui a principal causa de polinose em Portugal. Objectivo: Analisar a variação intradiária das concentrações de pólen de gramíneas na atmosfera das 5 estações de monitorização continentais da Rede Portuguesa de Aerobiologia (RPA): Porto, Coimbra, Lisboa, Évora e Portimão. Métodos: Neste estudo utilizaram -se os dados diários e horários das monitorizações de pólen de gramíneas das cinco estações de monitorização continentais da RPA, ao longo de 7 anos (2002 -2008). Resultados: Entre as localidades encontraram -se diferenças significativas, em termos de Estudo da variação intradiária das concentrações de pólen de gramíneas na atmosfera de Portugal Continental O pólen atmosférico de gramíneas constitui a principal causa de rinite, asma, conjuntivite e eczema nos indivíduos alérgicos ao pólen na área Mediterrânica1,2, nomeadamente em Portugal3,4. Dado que o pólen, particularmente o pólen de gramíneas, é um factor de risco para as doenças alérgicas respiratórias exercendo um impacto negativo sobre a qualidade de vida dos indivíduos sensibilizados, é de particular interesse, quer dos profissionais de saúde, quer do doente conhecer a sua distribuição intradiária, ou seja a variação horária das concentrações de pólen de gramíneas ao longo do dia, de modo a adequar de forma mais eficaz medidas de evicção e de intervenção terapêutica. curvas horárias. O pólen encontrou -se presente na atmosfera durante 24 horas em todas as localidades, e os valores das concentrações horárias variaram ao longo do dia e de ano para ano. As concentrações mais baixas registaram -se entre as 22 e as 6 horas e as mais elevadas, entre as 7 e as 21 horas, as quais em Évora ultrapassaram os 30 grãos de pólen/m3/hora. Em geral, registaram -se 2 picos de concentrações máximas, um de manhã (9 -10 horas) ou à tarde (12 -13 horas) e outro no final da tarde / início da noite (19 -20 horas). Conclusões: O ritmo diurno difere muito de local para local. Cada localidade tem o seu próprio padrão de variação das concentrações horárias do pólen atmosférico de gramíneas que se pode dever, quer às diferentes espécies presentes, quer às diferentes condições ambientais. O risco de exposição variou de localidade para localidade e ao longo do dia, sendo o Porto a localidade onde este é menor, enquanto Évora apresenta o maior risco

Regularisation Techniques for the Radiative Corrections of Wilson lines and Kaluza-Klein states

Within an effective field theory framework we compute the most general structure of the one-loop corrections to the 4D gauge couplings in one- and two-dimensional orbifold compactifications with non-vanishing constant gauge background (Wilson lines). Although such models are non-renormalisable, we keep the analysis general by considering the one-loop corrections in three regularisation schemes: dimensional regularisation (DR), Zeta-function regularisation (ZR) and proper-time cut-off regularisation (PT). The relations among the results obtained in these schemes are carefully addressed. With minimal re-definitions of the parameters involved, the results obtained for the radiative corrections can be applied to most orbifold compactifications with one or two compact dimensions. The link with string theory is discussed. We mention a possible implication for the gauge couplings unification in such models.Comment: 37 pages, 1 Figure, LaTeX; minor correction

Co-firing of biomass and other wastes in fluidised bed systems

A project on co-firing in large-scale power plants burning coal is currently funded by the European Commission. It is called COPOWER. The project involves 10 organisations from 6 countries. The project involves combustion studies over the full spectrum of equipment size, ranging from small laboratory-scale reactors and pilot plants, to investigate fundamentals and operating parameters, to proving trials on a commercial power plant in Duisburg. The power plant uses a circulating fluidized bed boiler. The results to be obtained are to be compared as function of scale-up. There are two different coals, 3 types of biomass and 2 kinds of waste materials are to be used for blending with coal for co-firing tests. The baseline values are obtained during a campaign of one month at the power station and the results are used for comparison with those to be obtained in other units of various sizes. Future tests will be implemented with the objective to achieve improvement on baseline values. The fuels to be used are already characterized. There are ongoing studies to determine reactivities of fuels and chars produced from the fuels. Reactivities are determined not only for individual fuels but also for blends to be used. Presently pilot-scale combustion tests are also undertaken to study the effect of blending coal with different types of biomass and waste materials. The potential for synergy to improve combustion is investigated. Early results will be reported in the Conference. Simultaneously, studies to verify the availability of biomass and waste materials in Portugal, Turkey and Italy have been undertaken. Techno-economic barriers for the future use of biomass and other waste materials are identified. The potential of using these materials in coal fired power stations has been assessed. The conclusions will also be reported