Antibiosis in Ascia monuste orseis Godart (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) caused by kale genotypes

Ascia monuste orseis (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) is one of the main insect pests of kale. The study was done to  identify kale varieties resistant to A. monuste orseis by the antibiosis resistance mechanism. Kale genotypes (26) were evaluated in experiments performed at the Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology of Goiano Federal Institute - Campus Urutaí. A completely randomized experimental design with 50 replicates was used. The biological parameters evaluated were (a) larval stage: development time, instars, viability and larval weight 15 days after hatching; (b) pupal stage: development time, weight of 24-h-old pupae, viability; (c) larvae-adult stage: development time and viability. The genotypes Gigante I-915 and Pires 1 de Campinas have antibiosis resistance. Gigante I-915 caused high larval mortality and Pires 1 de Campinas resulted in low larval and pupal viability of A. monuste orseis.Key words: Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala, Brassicaceae, Great Southern White, host plant resistance, integrated pest management (IPM)

Development of a 3D model of clinically relevant microcalcifications

A realistic 3D anthropomorphic software model of microcalcifications may serve as a useful tool to assess the performance of breast imaging applications through simulations. We present a method allowing to simulate visually realistic microcalcifications with large morphological variability. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to analyze the shape of 281 biopsied microcalcifications imaged with a micro-CT. The PCA analysis requires the same number of shape components for each input microcalcification. Therefore, the voxel-based microcalcifications were converted to a surface mesh with same number of vertices using a marching cube algorithm. The vertices were registered using an iterative closest point algorithm and a simulated annealing algorithm. To evaluate the approach, input microcalcifications were reconstructed by progressively adding principal components. Input and reconstructed microcalcifications were visually and quantitatively compared. New microcalcifications were simulated using randomly sampled principal components determined from the PCA applied to the input microcalcifications, and their realism was appreciated through visual assessment. Preliminary results have shown that input microcalcifications can be reconstructed with high visual fidelity when using 62 principal components, representing 99.5% variance. For that condition, the average L2 norm and dice coefficient were respectively 10.5 $\mu$m and 0.93. Newly generated microcalcifications with 62 principal components were found to be visually similar, while not identical, to input microcalcifications. The proposed PCA model of microcalcification shapes allows to successfully reconstruct input microcalcifications and to generate new visually realistic microcalcifications with various morphologies

The role of inflexible minorities in the breaking of democratic opinion dynamics

We study the effect of inflexible agents on two state opinion dynamics. The model operates via repeated local updates of random grouping of agents. While floater agents do eventually flip their opinion to follow the local majority, inflexible agents keep their opinion always unchanged. It is a quenched individual opinion. In the bare model (no inflexibles), a separator at 50% drives the dynamics towards either one of two pure attractors, each associated with a full polarization along one of the opinions. The initial majority wins. The existence of inflexibles for only one of the two opinions is found to shift the separator at a lower value than 50% in favor of that side. Moreover it creates an incompressible minority around the inflexibles, one of the pure attractors becoming a mixed phase attractor. In addition above a threshold of 17% inflexibles make their side sure of winning whatever the initial conditions are. The inflexible minority wins. An equal presence of inflexibles on both sides restores the balanced dynamics with again a separator at 50% and now two mixed phase attractors on each side. Nevertheless, beyond 25% the dynamics is reversed with a unique attractor at a fifty-fifty stable equilibrium. But a very small advantage in inflexibles results in a decisive lowering of the separator at the advantage of the corresponding opinion. A few percent advantage does guarantee to become majority with one single attractor. The model is solved exhaustedly for groups of size 3.Comment: 18 pages, 12 figure

Populism in the Communication Strategy of Lula and Bolsonaro: An Analysis of the Television Debates in Brazil’s 2022 General Election

The 2022 presidential election in Brazil involved two radically different candidates but with broad similarities in their populist discourse and communication strategies. The electoral campaign and the results polarized the country between the supporters of the outgoing president, Jair Bolsonaro, and the incoming one, Lula da Silva. This article analyzes the two television debates that took place in the second round of the presidential election in October. The interventions of the candidates have been studied using the methodology of critical discourse analysis applied by Hawkins (2010). The goal is to discover the degree of populism present in the candidates’ discourse in the two debates studied. The results show evidence of the highly populist nature of the discourse of the two leaders in both television events. This characteristic, as well as other important aspects of the campaigns and the narrow margin of Lula’s eventual victory, may explain the level of polarization evident in the country. It may also be the reason behind the rejection of the election results by the followers of Bolsonaro and their protest against the change in president

The influence on selectivity of the aluminum content in the matrix of FCC catalysts

The influence that both the type of matrix and the interaction between zeolite and matrix have on the selectivity of FCC catalysts was studied by means of the conversion of cyclohexene at 300 ◦C on a large number of samples in which the matrix was changed. Silica/alumina matrices had 0, 12 and 25% of alumina, and catalysts were subjected to steaming of varying severity followed by acid extraction in some samples to remove extraframework aluminum species (EFAl). Resulting  catalysts were characterized by various techniques. It was confirmed that hydrogen transfer does not depend directly on the type of coordination of the aluminum atoms in the sample, but rather on the density of paired sites in the zeolite component. It was possible to define the selectivity of reaction pathways (SRP) as an index to describe the relative importance of the processes ofdesorption via hydride transfer to yield cyclohexane against retention of the cation cyclohexil via isomerization and further reaction. A high value of SRP would mean that a given catalyst has a lower ability to retain adsorbed species that can be subjected to additional reactions like, in this particular reaction, isomerization and further proton transfer to the catalyst surface, or cracking. The index was shown to increase whereas the relative amount of octahedral aluminum atoms decreased, a fact that can be associated to the formation of a new silica/alumina phase. Such phase would be formed by means of the reaction of aluminum extracted from the zeolite upon steaming and silica present in the matrix.Fil: de la Puente, Gabriela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Investigaciones en Catálisis y Petroquímica ; ArgentinaFil: Falabella Sousa Aguiar, Eduardo. Centro de Pesquisas-Petrobras; BrasilFil: Figueiredo Costa, Alexandre. Centro de Pesquisas-Petrobras; BrasilFil: Sedran, Ulises Anselmo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Investigaciones en Catálisis y Petroquímica ; Argentin

Thermodynamic and thermal comfort optimisation of a coastal social house considering the influence of the thermal breeze

Tropical coastal areas are characterised by high levels of wind and solar resources with large potentials to be utilised for low-energy building design. This paper presents a multi-objective optimisation framework capable of evaluating cost-efficient and low-exergy coastal building designs considering the influence of the thermal breeze. An integrated dynamic simulation tool has been enhanced to consider the impacts of the sea-land breeze effect, aiming at potentiating natural cross-ventilation to improve occupant's thermal comfort and reduce cooling energy demand. Furthermore, the technological database considers a wide range of active and passive energy conservation measures. As a case study, a two-storey/two-flat detached social house located in the North-Pacific coast of Mexico has been investigated. The optimisation problem has considered the minimisation of: i. annual exergy consumption, ii. life cycle cost, and iii. thermal discomfort. Optimisation results have shown that adequate building orientation and window opening control to optimise the effects of the thermal breeze, combined with other passive and active strategies such as solar shading devices, an improved envelope's physical characteristics, and solar assisted air source heat pumps have provided the best performance under a limited budget. Compared to the baseline design, the closest to utopia design has increased thermal comfort by 93.8% and reduced exergy consumption by 10.3% whilst increasing the life cycle cost over the next 50 years by 18.5% (from US$39,864 to US$47,246). The importance of renewable generation incentives is further discussed as a counter effect measure for capital cost increase as well as unlocking currently high-cost low-exergy technologies

Effects of mass media on opinion spreading in the Sznajd sociophysics model

In this work we consider the influence of mass media in the dynamics of the two-dimensional Sznajd model. This influence acts as an external field, and it is introduced in the model by means of a probability $p$ of the agents to follow the media opinion. We performed Monte Carlo simulations on square lattices with different sizes, and our numerical results suggest a change on the critical behavior of the model, with the absence of the usual phase transition for $p>\sim 0.18$. Another effect of the probability $p$ is to decrease the average relaxation times $\tau$, that are log-normally distributed, as in the standard model. In addition, the $\tau$ values depend on the lattice size $L$ in a power-law form, $\tau\sim L^{\alpha}$, where the power-law exponent depends on the probability $p$.Comment: 11 pages, 8 figures, to appear in Physica

Perception of environmental engineering students about the climate change and their professional area

O trabalho apresenta os resultados preliminares de pesquisa em andamento sobre a percepção dos alunos do curso de Engenharia Ambiental da Universidade de Uberaba, localizada em Uberaba, MG, sobre as relações entre a temática das Mudanças Climáticas e sua área profissional, por meio da aplicação de questionário estruturado e da análise textual discursiva. A pesquisa está sendo realizada no âmbito do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ensino e História de Ciências da Terra, do Instituto de Geociências da Universidade Estadual de Campinas, e procura investigar a temática em três cursos de engenharia ambiental e as relações com a atuação profissional do engenheiro. Os resultados obtidos até o momento indicam que os alunos percebem a importância do tema para sua futura atuação profissional, evidenciando duas linhas de argumentação: a primeira que considera que o tema deva ser abordado em projetos de trabalho e outra que indica a competência do engenheiro ambiental para mitigar impactos ambientais relacionados às mudanças climáticas103394406GeologiaThe present work is devoted to investigate how students of an undergraduate course on Environmental Engineering of the University of Uberaba, situated in Uberaba, MG, Brazil, understand the relationship between Climate change and their professional area, using a questionnaire and Discursive Textual Analysis. This work is part of a research which is being developed at the Graduate Program in Teaching and History of Earth Sciences of the Institute of Geosciences of the University of Campinas. Students’ answers have been analyzed and results show that students recognize the relationship between the theme and their future professional activity, evidencing two major arguments: firstly which considers that the subject must be discussed in work projects, and another which indicates environmental engineers’ competence in mitigating environmental impacts related to climate chang

Controlo da asma infantil: principais fatores asociados

Introduction: Asthma is an airways chronic and inflammatory disease characterized by episodes of reversible bronchial obstruction and can be triggered by several factors. It is the most common childhood disease, an important hospitalization cause and a public health problem. International guidelines of asthma management recognize that treatment based on current management and exacerbations risk, which are based on symptom management. Regarding the control perception of childhood asthma, there are discrepancies between the caregiver’s perception and the international indications.Objectives: To describe and analyze the clinical, sociodemographic and factors associated with childhood asthma control.Methodology: Methodological, quantitative and transversal study, in a sample of 60 children, between 6 and 11 years, and caregivers. Asthma control was evaluated by the instrument childhood Asthma Control Test.Results: The sample consisted of 60 children and caregivers. 12% (n = 7) of the children had uncontrolled asthma, 53% (n = 32) partly controlled asthma. In 38% (n = 23) of the caregivers there were discrepancies between the grade classified through the international guidelines and their perception. Logistic Regression analysis confirms that children with inhalational rescue therapy needs 7 times more likely asthma to be uncontrolled.Conclusion: The complexity of the factors that interfere in the control of asthma is urgent and there is a need for symptom management intervention programs focused on the caregivers, the child and the identified needs.Introducción: El asma aparece como una enfermedad inflamatoria crónica de las vías respiratorias y se caracteriza por episodios de obstrucción bronquial reversible pudiendo ser desencadenada por varios factores. Se constituye como la enfermedad infantil más común, una importante causa de internamiento hospitalario y un problema de salud pública. Las directrices internacionales sobre la gestión del asma reconocen que el tratamiento reside en el control actual y en el riesgo de exacerbaciones, basándose en la gestión de los síntomas. En cuanto a la percepción del control del asma infantil, existen discrepancias entre la percepción de los cuidadores y las indicaciones internacionales.Objetivos: Describir y analizar los datos clínicos, sociodemográficos y factores asociados al control del asma infantil.Metodología: Estudio metodológico, cuantitativo y transversal, en una muestra de niños, entre los 6 y los 11 años, con asma y cuidadores. El control del asma ha sido evaluado por el instrumento Childhood Asthma Control Test.Resultados: La muestra fue compuesta por 60 niños y cuidadores. 12% (n = 7) de los niños presentan asma no controlada y 53% (n = 32) asma parcialmente controlada. En el 38% (n = 23) de los cuidadores existieron discrepancias entre el grado clasificado mediante las pautas internacionales y su percepción. El análisis de Regresión Logística confirma que los niños con necesidades de terapia inhalatoria de rescate presentan 7 veces mayor probabilidad de que el asma no esté controlada.Conclusión: Resulta perentoria la necesidad de aprehender la complejidad de los factores que interfieren en el control del asma, existiendo necesidad de programas de intervención de gestión de síntomas centrados en los cuidadores, en el niño y en las necesidades identificadas.Introdução: A asma apresenta-se como uma doença crónica e inflamatória das vias aéreas caracterizada por episódios de obstrução brônquica reversível podendo ser desencadeada por diversos fatores. Constitui-se como a doença infantil mais comum, uma importante causa de internamento hospitalar e um problema de saúde pública. As diretrizes internacionais sobre a gestão da asma reconhecem que o tratamento reside no controlo atual e no risco de exacerbações, sendo baseados na gestão de sintomas. Relativamente à perceção do controlo da asma infantil, existem discrepâncias entre a perceção dos cuidadores e as indicações internacionais.Objetivos: Descrever e analisar os dados clínicos, sociodemográficos e fatores associados ao controlo da asma infantil. Metodologia: Estudo metodológico, quantitativo e transversal, numa amostra de crianças, entre os 6 e os 11 anos, com asma e cuidadores. O controlo da asma foi avaliado pelo instrumento Childhood Asthma Control Test. Resultados: A amostra foi composta por 60 crianças e cuidadores. 12% (n=7) das crianças apresentam asma não controlada e 53% (n=32) asma parcialmente controlada. Em 38% (n=23) dos cuidadores existiram discrepâncias entre o grau classificado mediante as guidelines internacionais e a sua perceção. A análise de Regressão Logística confirma que as crianças com necessidades de terapêutica inalatória de resgate apresentam 7 vezes maior probabilidade da asma estar não controlada. Conclusão: Torna-se perentório a necessidade de apreensão da complexidade dos fatores que interferem no controlo da asma, existindo necessidade de programas de intervenção de gestão de sintomas centrados nos cuidadores, na criança e nas necessidades identificadas. &nbsp