Genetic diversity and population structure analysis of the tropical pasture grass Brachiaria humidicola based on microsatellites, cytogenetics, morphological traits, and geographical origin

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Brachiaria humidicola (Rendle) Schweick. is a warm-season grass commonly used as forage in the tropics. Accessions of this species were collected in eastern Africa and massively introduced into South America in the 1980s. Several of these accessions form a germplasm collection at the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation. However, apomixis, ploidy, and limited knowledge of the genetic basis of this germplasm collection have constrained breeding activities. The objectives of this work were to identify genetic variability in the Brazilian B. humidicola germplasm collection using microsatellite markers and to compare the results with information on the following: (1) collection sites of the accessions; (2) reproductive mode and ploidy levels; and (3) genetic diversity revealed by morphological traits. The evaluated germplasm population is highly structured into four major groups. The sole sexual accession did not group with any of the clusters. Genetic dissimilarities did not correlate with either geographic distances or genetic distances inferred from morphological descriptors. Additionally, the genetic structure identified in this collection did not correspond to differences in ploidy level. Alleles exclusive to either sexual or apomictic accessions were identified, suggesting that further evaluation of the association of these loci with apospory should be carried out.539698709Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA) [02.05.2.10.00.02.01, 01.06.1.07.05.06.02]Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Foundation for Science and Technological Development of the State of Mato Grosso do Sul (FUNDECT) [41/100165/2004]Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA) [02.05.2.10.00.02.01, 01.06.1.07.05.06.02]CNPq [482458/2007-0, 478262/2004-3, 307430/2007-3]FAPESP [2010/51010-0, 2007/57022-5, 2006/52953-8]Foundation for Science and Technological Development of the State of Mato Grosso do Sul (FUNDECT) [41/100165/2004

O significado atribuído ao papel masculino e feminino por adolescentes de periferia El significado que los adolescentes de la periferia le atribuyen al rol masculino y femenino Meanings attributed to the masculine and feminine roles by socially-excluded adolescents

Trata-se de pesquisa-ação cujo objetivo foi compreender os significados atribuídos ao papel masculino e feminino pelos adolescentes/jovens integrantes de um projeto de inclusão social. Participaram 27 sujeitos vinculados aos grupos da Gastronomia, Estética e Nova Descoberta. Os dados derivam da oficina "conhecimento do corpo humano", desenvolvida nos três grupos em momentos distintos, por meio da construção de cartazes, atividades de recorte, colagem, desenho, escrita; utilização de manequim e abordagem dialógica do tema. Os dados foram analisados conforme o método de análise temática de conteúdo. Os resultados apontam duas categorias: "a fortaleza e o poder masculino" e "o papel contraditório do gênero feminino". Conclui-se que as diferenças dos papéis masculino e feminino, relacionadas ao contexto sócio-político-cultural no qual os adolescentes/jovens estão inseridos, tem repercussões importantes na forma que vivem a sua sexualidade, e, acima de tudo, na construção do seu viver saudável e de sua cidadania.<br>Se trata de investigación -acción cuyo objetivo fue comprender los significados que los adolescentes de un grupo de inclusión social le atribuyen al papel masculino y femenino Participaron 27 sujetos vinculados a los grupos da Gastronomía, Estética y Nueva Descubierta. Los datos derivan del taller "conocimiento del cuerpo humano", desarrollado en los 3 grupos, en momentos distintos, a través de la creación de carteles , actividades para hacer collagede recorte , diseño, escritura; utilización de maniquí y abordaje dialógica del tema. Los datos fueron analizados con el método de análisis temático de contenido. Los resultados evidencian dos categorías: "la fortaleza y el poder masculino" y "el papel contradictorio del género femenino". Se concluye que las diferencias de papeles masculino y femenino, relacionadas al contexto socio-político-cultural en el cual los adolescentes/jóvenes están inseridos, tiene repercusiones importantes en la forma en la que viven su sexualidad y en la construcción de una vida sana y en la formación de su ciudadanía.<br>The objective of this research-action was to better comprehend the meanings attributed to the masculine and feminine roles by socially-excluded adolescents/youth that are integrated to a social-inclusion project. Twenty-seven subjects who are linked to the Gastronomy, Aesthetics, and New Discovery Groups. The data were derived from the "human body knowledge" workshop, developed separately in 3 groups through the construction of poster boards, collage activities, drawing, writing, the utilization of mannequins, and a dialectic approach to the theme. The data was analyzed according to thematic content analysis, producing two categories: "masculine strength and power", and "the contradictory role of the feminine gender." We conclude that the differences in masculine and feminine roles related to the social-political-cultural context of which these adolescents/youth are inserted, have important repercussions in the form in which they live their sexuality and more importantly their construction of healthy living and citizenshi

New designs for MRI contrast agents

New designs for Magnetic Resonance Imaging contrast agents are presented. Essentially, they all are host-guest inclusion complexes between γ-cyclodextrins and polyazamacrocycles of gadolinium (III) ion. Substitutions have been made to the host to optimise the host-guest association. Molecular mechanics calculations have been performed, using the UFF force field for metals, to decide on the suitability of the substitutions, and to evaluate the host-guest energies of association. Interesting general conclusions have been obtained, concerning the improvement of Magnetic Resonance Imaging contrast agents; namely, a set of rational methodologies have been deduced to improve the association between the gadolinium (III) chelates and the cyclodextrins, and their efficiency is demonstrated with a large set of substituted complexes, opening new doors to increase the diagnostic capabilities of Magnetic Resonance Imaging

The amazon dense gnss meteorological network a new approach for examining water vapor and deep convection interactions in the tropics

The Amazon Dense Global Navigational Satellite System (GNSS) Meteorological Network ((ADGMN) provides high spatiotemporal resolution, all-weather precipitable water vapor for studying the evolution of continental tropical and sea-breeze convective regimes of Amazonia. The ADGMN campaign consisted of two experiments: a 6-week campaign in and around Belem, which coincided with the Cloud Processes of the Main Precipitation Systems in Brazil: A Contribution to Cloud-Resolving Modeling and to the Global Precipitation Measurement (CHUVA) and a 1-yr campaign in and around Manaus. The Belem network was composed of 15 GNSS/meteorological stations that provided high-frequency (5 min) PWV data as well as surface meteorological variables For the 6-week duration of the Belem experiment, days were categorized as convective (22 days) or nonconvective (19 days) based solely on a minimum cloud-top temperature of 240 K or below over the central portion of the network and a report of precipitation at at least one site during the afternoon or evening. The Manaus network commenced in April 2011 with 12 GNSS meteorological stations. Local circulations in Manaus driven by anthropogenic deforestation have, in particular, received attention

The amazon dense gnss meteorological network a new approach for examining water vapor and deep convection interactions in the tropics

The Amazon Dense Global Navigational Satellite System (GNSS) Meteorological Network ((ADGMN) provides high spatiotemporal resolution, all-weather precipitable water vapor for studying the evolution of continental tropical and sea-breeze convective regimes of Amazonia. The ADGMN campaign consisted of two experiments: a 6-week campaign in and around Belem, which coincided with the Cloud Processes of the Main Precipitation Systems in Brazil: A Contribution to Cloud-Resolving Modeling and to the Global Precipitation Measurement (CHUVA) and a 1-yr campaign in and around Manaus. The Belem network was composed of 15 GNSS/meteorological stations that provided high-frequency (5 min) PWV data as well as surface meteorological variables For the 6-week duration of the Belem experiment, days were categorized as convective (22 days) or nonconvective (19 days) based solely on a minimum cloud-top temperature of 240 K or below over the central portion of the network and a report of precipitation at at least one site during the afternoon or evening. The Manaus network commenced in April 2011 with 12 GNSS meteorological stations. Local circulations in Manaus driven by anthropogenic deforestation have, in particular, received attention