Flight and Digging Effort in Leaf-cutting Ant Males and Gynes

The nuptial flight and nest digging are high intensity activities which consume body reserves. The flight and digging effort was quantified by measuring the carbohydrate and total lipids content in males and females before and after the nuptial flight, and the queen’s digging effort during the foundation. The digging effort was quantified by experimentally stimulating the queens to dig a nest – one, two or three consecutive times – compared to the queens that did not dig. The colorimetric method was used to determine the soluble carbohydrates and extraction method of immersion was used to determine the total lipids. The results showed significant loss of carbohydrates and total lipids in males and females after the flight. On average the males contained 0.027 mg of soluble carbohydrates before the nuptial flight, and 0.005 mg after the nuptial flight, and the females contained 0.129 mg of soluble carbohydrates before the nuptial flight, and 0.079 mg after the nuptial flight. For the males the percentage of lipids decreased from 5.27±1.07% to 2.60±0.63% and for females from 36.46±4.86% to 32.62% after the nuptial flight. The digging effort of the queen caused a slight reduction in total carbohydrates, it was without digging 0.054 mg, normal digging 0.055 mg, double digging 0.045 mg (decrease of 20,22 %), and triple digging 0.044 mg  (decrease of 20 %) per queen. Based on our results we conclude that the carbohydrate content is the main energetic resource used for the nuptial flight and nest digging, for males and gynes of leaf-cutting ants

Foraging behavior of leaf cutting ants: How do workers search for their food?

Forager ants search for adequate food sources in nature and, after their discovery, decide whether the source is suitable or not for the colony. However, we asked “How do workers seek out the substrate for cultivation of the symbiontic fungus on which they feed? To answer this question, we evaluated the distance traveled by individual workers in the search of food and the distance traveled to return to the nest, as well as the time and velocity necessary for these activities. The results showed that the distance traveled by the leaf cutting ant, Atta sexdens rubropilosa (Linneus, 1758), in the search of food was greater than the distance traveled to return with the substrate to the colony. On the other hand, the mean time and velocity were similar for food search and return to the colony. These results support the hypothesis of information transfer, according to which the worker needs to return to the nest at the beginning of foraging to transfer information to other workers and thus to establish the process of worker ant foraging. It can be concluded that workers travel large distances in a random manner until finding their substrate, but the return to the nest is efficient considering the shorter distance traveled.

Fatores associados à qualidade de vida em idosos ativos

OBJECTIVE: To analyze whether quality of life in active, healthy elderly individuals is influenced by functional status and sociodemographic characteristics, as well as psychological parameters. METHODS: Study conducted in a sample of 120 active elderly subjects recruited from two open universities of the third age in the cities of São Paulo and São José dos Campos (Southeastern Brazil) between May 2005 and April 2006. Quality of life was measured using the abbreviated Brazilian version of the World Health Organization Quality of Live (WHOQOL-bref) questionnaire. Sociodemographic, clinical and functional variables were measured through crossculturally validated assessments by the Mini Mental State Examination, Geriatric Depression Scale, Functional Reach, One-Leg Balance Test, Timed Up and Go Test, Six-Minute Walk Test, Human Activity Profile and a complementary questionnaire. Simple descriptive analyses, Pearson's correlation coefficient, Student's t-test for non-related samples, analyses of variance, linear regression analyses and variance inflation factor were performed. The significance level for all statistical tests was set at 0.05. RESULTS: Linear regression analysis showed an independent correlation without colinearity between depressive symptoms measured by the Geriatric Depression Scale and four domains of the WHOQOL-bref. Not having a conjugal life implied greater perception in the social domain; developing leisure activities and having an income over five minimum wages implied greater perception in the environment domain. CONCLUSIONS: Functional status had no influence on the Quality of Life variable in the analysis models in active elderly. In contrast, psychological factors, as assessed by the Geriatric Depression Scale, and sociodemographic characteristics, such as marital status, income and leisure activities, had an impact on quality of life.OBJETIVO: Analizar si la calidad de vida de ancianos activos y saludables puede ser influenciada por estado funcional, características sociodemográficas y por parámetros psicológicos. MÉTODOS: Estudio con muestra de 120 ancianos activos participantes de dos universidades abiertas a la tercera edad, en las ciudades de São Paulo y Sao José dos Campos (Sureste de Brasil), entre 2005 y 2006. La calidad de vida fue medida utilizando la versión brasilera y reducida de World Health Organization Quality Of Life (WHOQOL-bref). Las variables sociodemográficas, clínicas y funcionales fueron medidas por medio del Mini Mental State Examination, Geratric Depresión Scale, Functional Reach, One Leg Balance Test, Timed Up and Go Test, Six-Minute Walking Test, Human Activity Profile y cuestionario complementario. Fue realizada el análisis descriptivo simple, el coeficiente de correlación de Pearson, la prueba T para muestras no relacionadas, el análisis de varianza, el análisis de regresión lineal y el cálculo del factor de inflación de la varianza. El nivel de significancia para todas las pruebas fue fijado en 0,05. RESULTADOS: El análisis de regresión lineal mostró relación independiente y sin colinearidad entre los cuatro dominios del WHOQOL-bref y síntomas depresivos evaluados por la Geriatric Depresión Scale. No poseer vida conyugal implicó mejor percepción en el dominio social; desarrollar actividades de ocio y poseer renta superior a cinco salarios mínimos implicó mejor percepción en el dominio del medio ambiente. CONCLUSIONES: El estado funcional no fue capaz de influenciar el comportamiento de la variable calidad de vida en los modelos de análisis en ancianos activos, al contrario de los factores psicológicos evaluados por la Geriatric Depresión Scale y de las características sociodemográficas como estado civil, renta y práctica de actividades de ocio.OBJETIVO: Analisar se a qualidade de vida de idosos ativos e saudáveis pode ser influenciada por estado funcional, características sociodemográficas e por parâmetros psicológicos. MÉTODOS: Estudo com amostra de 120 idosos ativos participantes de duas universidades abertas à terceira idade, nas cidades de São Paulo e São José dos Campos (SP), entre 2005 e 2006. A qualidade de vida foi mensurada utilizando a versão brasileira e reduzida do World Health Organization Quality Of Life (WHOQOL-bref). As variáveis sociodemográficas, clínicas e funcionais foram medidas por meio do Mini Mental State Examination, Geriatric Depression Scale, Functional Reach, One Leg Balance Test, Timed Up and Go Test, Six-Minute Walking Test, Human Activity Profile e questionário complementar. Foi realizada a análise descritiva simples, o coeficiente de correlação de Pearson, o teste T para amostras não relacionadas, a análise de variância, a análise de regressão linear e o cálculo do fator de inflação da variância. O nível de significância para todos os testes foi fixado em 0,05. RESULTADOS: A análise de regressão linear mostrou relação independente e sem colinearidade entre os quatro domínios do WHOQOL-bref e sintomas depressivos avaliados pela Geriatric Depression Scale. Não possuir vida conjugal implicou melhor percepção no domínio social; desenvolver atividades de lazer e possuir renda superior a cinco salários mínimos implicou melhor percepção no domínio meio ambiente. CONCLUSÕES: O estado funcional não foi capaz de influenciar o comportamento da variável qualidade de vida nos modelos de análise em idosos ativos, ao contrário dos fatores psicológicos avaliados pela Geriatric Depression Scale e das características sociodemográficas como estado civil, renda e prática de atividades de lazer.Universidade de Taubaté Departamento de FisioterapiaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Departamento de Medicina PreventivaUNIFESP, Depto. de Medicina PreventivaSciEL

Factors associated to quality of life among elderly with knee osteoarthritis

This study inquired whether quality of life (QoL) among elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) may be influenced by sociodemographic and/or clinic and functional factors. A sample of 40 elderly outpatients from a gerontological rehabilitation service in São Paulo answered the Brazilian version of the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36). Functionality, joint stiffness and pain were assessed by the Womac - Western Ontario and MacMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index. Further data on sociodemographic and clinical features, including pain-relieving strategies, were obtained by a complementary questionnaire. By means of linear regression analysis, an independent relationship was found between the Womac functionality domain and six SF-36 domains (p<0.05). In the studied sample, poor QoL was found to be correlated to difficulty in functional activities, using a gait assistive device, to present bilateral knee impairment, to resort to several means to relieve pain, as well being illiterate and living with another elderly (r=0.3; p<0.05). The most impaired functional activities were those that involve knee flexion and extension, and weight support on the affected limb. Both sociodemographic and clinical, functional factors generated by OA negatively influenced QoL of elderly patients with knee OA.O estudo visou investigar se a qualidade de vida (QV) de idosos com osteoartrite (OA) de joelho pode ser influenciada por fatores sociodemográficos e/ou por parâmetros clínicos e funcionais gerados pela doença. A uma amostra de 40 idosos atendidos em ambulatório de reabilitação gerontológica na cidade de São Paulo foi aplicado o questionário de QV 36-Item Short-Form Survey (SF-36). A funcionalidade, a rigidez articular e a dor foram medidas pelo Womac - Western Ontario and MacMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index; os dados sociodemográficos, as variáveis clínicas e o uso de recursos físicos e medicamentosos para controle da dor foram obtidos por questionário complementar. A análise de regressão linear mostrou relação independente entre o domínio funcionalidade do Womac e seis domínios do SF-36 (p<0,05). São determinantes de pior QV na amostra estudada a dificuldade na realização de atividades funcionais, usar dispositivo de auxílio à marcha, apresentar comprometimento articular bilateral, o recurso a diversos meios para alívio da dor, bem como a baixa escolaridade e o fato de morar com outro de sua geração (r=0,3; p<0,05). As atividades funcionais mais comprometidas foram as que envolvem a flexo-extensão de joelho e descarga de peso na articulação afetada. Fatores tanto sociodemográficos como clínicos e funcionais gerados pela OA influenciaram negativamente a QV de idosos com OA de joelho.Universidade de Taubaté Depto. de FisioterapiaUNIFESP-EPM Lar Escola São FranciscoUNIFESP-EPM Depto. de Medicina PreventivaUNIFESP, EPM, Lar Escola São FranciscoUNIFESP, EPM Depto. de Medicina PreventivaSciEL

Mandibles of Leaf-Cutting Ants: Morphology Related to Food Preference

Feed adaptation is crucial for the ecological success of animals, which explore specific or varied resources according to the suitability of the selected feature. We hypothesized that the mandibles of leaf-cutting ants exhibit a greater degree of specialization because of the specific food preference of some species. The objective of this study was to highlight possible morphological differences between the mandibles of leaf-cutting ants of the genus Atta related to the food preference of the species, i.e., to investigate the morphofunctionality of mandibles in conjunction with a study of the leaf anatomy of plants selected. A detailed description of the mandibles of workers of the grass-cutting ant Atta bisphaerica and of the leaf-cutting ant Atta sexdens rubropilosa was provided, and the anatomy and chemical composition of the plant material foraged by these species were investigated. For morphometric analysis, 50 individuals of each of the four size classes were dissected for removal of the right mandible and one sample of each caste was processed for scanning electron microscopy. The Atta species had a similar mandibular morphology and differences were only observed between species and among castes, demonstrating the clear specialization of workers. Together with the anatomical study of the foraged plant material, the results indicate a high abundance of lignified cells in grasses, permitting to infer that the foraging and processing of these plants can lead to differences in behavioral acts during their preparation and incorporation in the fungus garden. We accept the hypothesis of morphofunctionality in view of the mandibular morphology observed.

A new curriculum leading to the formation of a licenciate in Chemistry at the University of Brasília

Este artigo apresenta a concepção, princípios e a estrutura acadêmica do curso noturno de licenciatura em química, na Universidade de Brasília. O currículo é seguido desde o início de 1993. Esse currículo tem como eixo fundamental a graduação de futuros professores integrada com a formação conceitual em química. Ações interdisciplinares são planejadas entre o departamento de química, do Instituto de Psicologia e Faculdade de Educação, a fim de fornecer mecanismos que permitam ao Licenciado adquirir experiência de ensino ao longo do curso. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACTThis article presents the conception, principles and academic structure of the evening course leading to the formation of a Licentiate in Chemistry, at the University of Brasília. The curriculum has been carried out since the beginning of 1993. This curriculum has as its basic axis the graduation of future teachers integrated with the conceptual formation in Chemistry. Interdisciplinary actions are planned between the Chemistry Department, the Psychology Institute and the Faculty of Education so as to provide mechanisms which would allow the licenciate to acquire teaching experience along the course

O ESTATUTO DA PESSOA COM DEFICIÊNCIA E AS REPERCUSSÔES NO CODIGO CIVIL BRASILEIRO

Levantamento das principais inovações jurídicas após entrada em vigor do Estatuto da Pessoa com Deficiência e os impactos dentro da área do Direito Civil.Palavras-chave: Pessoas com deficiência; Estatuto da Pessoa com Deficiência; Direito Civil; Capacidade Civi

Glaciomarine Sediments from Southern Argentina Continental Shel. Preliminary Note

A plataforma continental da Argentina apresenta em praticamente toda a sua extensão, uma marcante predominância da textura arenosa terrígena. O tamanho médio das distribuições granulométricas presentes é bastante homogêneo e as mudanças ocorrentes são devidas particularmente ao ingresso de fragmentos de conchas de moluscos ou cascalho terrígeno, especialmente no setor patagônico. A zona mais austral, pelo contrário, possui elementos de maior diâmetro – grânulos e seixos (cascalhos) – indicando um aporte de material diferente do restante da região. Aspectos morfológicos e geológicos revelados através de estudos realizados no continente e em mar aberto, indicam extensões glaciais e periglaciais pleistocênicas, desenvolvendo-se até setores próximos à atual linha de costa, bem como na plataforma. A atual distribuição dos sedimentos de fundo, bem como as feições associadas, indicam uma inquestionável vinculação com uma origem glacial e periglacial associada a um retrabalhamento por processos costeiros. A ausência de quantidades apreciáveis de material fino (silte e argila) em alguns setores, e a presença de morfologias alongadas no fundo marinho, sugerem a atuação de ambientes de alta energia, diagnosticando atividade costeira. Perfis batimétricos de precisão e de sísmica de alta resolução confirmam a ocorrência dessas formas de fundo. Os elementos acima discutidos mostram uma ação combinada de efeitos transgressivos/regressivos do nível do mar, associada com eventos glaciais e periglaciais, e que imprimem a este setor características sedimentares distintas com relação ao restante da plataforma continental da Argentina.