A sinfonia fílmica em ‘Sal de Prata’ (2005) de Carlos Gerbase

This article focuses on the relationship between a cinematographic corpus and a music structure in. This discussion is followed by the introduction of the concept of ‘film symphony’ [‘sinfonia fílmica’] as well as its viability related to ‘Sal de Prata’. Carlos Gerbase’s ‘Sal de Prata’ (2005) is a film organized through narrative intertitles that refer to a symphonic structure through their semantic content. This text discusses the notion of structure in music and movies, including the concept of film editing. The discussion is complemented by anchorage, concept proposed by Barthes (1964) to designate one of the functions of the linguistic message on the iconic message. This article aims at a reflection on the multifaceted usage of music in the cinematographic complex, contributing to the construction of this interdisciplinary area of study.Key words: cinema, music, film music, film symphony, ‘Sal de Prata’ (film).Este artigo discute as aproximações entre um corpus fílmico e uma estrutura musical através do conceito de sinfonia fílmica (Lanzoni, 2012) e sua aplicabilidade em ‘Sal de Prata’. ‘Sal de Prata’ (2005) de Carlos Gerbase é um filme organizado através de intertítulos narrativos, cujo conteúdo semântico o remete à estrutura de uma sinfonia. Inicialmente, discorre-se acerca da estrutura em música e da estrutura no cinema em que se insere a montagem. Complementa a discussão a designação de ancoragem proposta por Barthes (1964) para designar uma das funções da mensagem linguística em relação à mensagem icônica. Este texto possibilita uma reflexão acerca das utilizações multifacetadas da música no complexo cinematográfico visando a contribuir para a constituição desta área interdisciplinar de estudos.Palavras-chave: cinema, música, música de cinema, sinfonia fílmica, ‘Sal de Prata’ (filme)

Stimmungen tangíveis

Este artigo tem como objetivo fornecer um panorama dos estudos dedicados às atmosferas no debate cinematográfico, a partir de trabalhos de um conjunto de autores. Neste horizonte, reconhece-se a importância das pesquisas de Hans Ulrich Gumbrecht frente ao Stimmung, palavra cuja tradução pode ser aproximada a clima, atmosfera e ambiência e que permite observar o continuum existente entre o corpo das obras analisadas e os afetos do espectador

Evaluation of the Effects of BT-Maize on Non-Target Insects Using a Demographic Approach

An experiment on life-table of the aphid on Bt-maize and isoline was performed. No significant differences were found between treatments. Differences in aphid performance were the lower adult and total longevity on the second generation, and the opposite trend of the pre-reproductive time that increased from the first to the second generation on isoline and decreased on Bt-maize. None of the demographic parameters analyzed showed significant differences. LTREs showed that this trend could be ascribed to a higher fecundity of young adult aphids of the second generation, probably connected to the lower pre-reproductive time. These differences could be the result of differences in chemical constituents. Analyses of secondary metabolites showed significant reduction of free polyphenols in Bt-maize. The experiment with the coccinellid H. variegata were performed evaluating the effects due to eating Cry1Ab toxin in maize pollen. No significant differences were found between GM and near-isogenic maize in all the parameter studied. Even if no significant, the reduced λ of H. variegata feeding on Bt-maize pollen, caused a population delay of 28 days. LTRE decomposition showed a lower egg and larval survival in the offspring of Bt pollen fed H. variegata, all contributing most on λ reduction. A bioassays were carried out in the greenhouse to assess the population-level responses of the coccinellid H. variegata, feeding on aphids reared on Bt-Maize and near-isogenic plants in a more realistic condition respect to laboratory trials. No differences in the mean number of eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults of H. variegata between Bt-maize and near-isogenic line. A higher number of pupae was found a week early in Bt-maize. No differences observed in H. variegata population growth rates between treatments. Using LTRE decomposition, the effect of Bt-maize exposition on λ have been decomposed into contributions arising from the effect on each stage-specific parameter

Bottom-Up Abstract Modelling of Optical Networks-on-Chip: From Physical to Architectural Layer

This work presents a bottom-up abstraction procedure based on the design-flow FDTD + SystemC suitable for the modelling of optical Networks-on-Chip. In this procedure, a complex network is decomposed into elementary switching elements whose input-output behavior is described by means of scattering parameters models. The parameters of each elementary block are then determined through 2D-FDTD simulation, and the resulting analytical models are exported within functional blocks in SystemC environment. The inherent modularity and scalability of theS-matrix formalism are preserved inside SystemC, thus allowing the incremental composition and successive characterization of complex topologies typically out of reach for full-vectorial electromagnetic simulators. The consistency of the outlined approach is verified, in the first instance, by performing a SystemC analysis of a four-input, four-output ports switch and making a comparison with the results of 2D-FDTD simulations of the same device. Finally, a further complex network encompassing 160 microrings is investigated, the losses over each routing path are calculated, and the minimum amount of power needed to guarantee an assigned BER is determined. This work is a basic step in the direction of an automatic technology-aware network-level simulation framework capable of assembling complex optical switching fabrics, while at the same time assessing the practical feasibility and effectiveness at the physical/technological level

Mating disruption of helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on processing tomato: First applications in northern Italy

Helicoverpa armigera is a polyphagous and globally distributed pest. In Italy, this species causes severe damage on processing tomato. We compared the efficacy of mating disruption with a standard integrated pest management strategy (IPM) in a two-year experiment carried out in Northern Italy. Mating disruption registered a very high suppression of male captures (>95%) in both growing seasons. Geostatistical analysis of trap catches was shown to be a useful tool to estimate the efficacy of the technique through representation of the spatial pattern of captures. Lower fruit damage was recorded in mating disruption than in the untreated control plots, with a variable efficacy depending on season and sampling date. Mating disruption showed a higher efficacy than standard IPM in controlling H. armigera infestation in the second season experiment. Mating disruption showed the potential to optimize the H. armigera control. Geostatistical maps were suitable to draw the pheromone drift out of the pheromone-treated area in order to evaluate the efficacy of the technique and to detect the weak points in a pheromone treated field. Mating disruption and standard IPM against H. armigera were demonstrated to be only partially effective in comparison with the untreated plots because both strategies were not able to fully avoid fruit damage

Assessing the effects of Bt maize on the non-target pest Rhopalosiphum maidis by demographic and life-history measurement endpoints.

AbstractThe most commercialized Bt maize plants in Europe were transformed with genes which express a truncated form of the insecticidal delta-endotoxin (Cry1Ab) from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) specifically against Lepidoptera. Studies on the effect of transgenic maize on non-target arthropods have mainly converged on beneficial insects. However, considering the worldwide extensive cultivation of Bt maize, an increased availability of information on their possible impact on non-target pests is also required. In this study, the impact of Bt-maize on the non-target corn leaf aphid, Rhopalosiphum maidis, was examined by comparing biological traits and demographic parameters of two generations of aphids reared on transgenic maize with those on untransformed near-isogenic plants. Furthermore, free and bound phenolics content on transgenic and near-isogenic plants were measured. Here we show an increased performance of the second generation of R. maidis on Bt-maize that could be attributable to indirect effects, such as the reduction of defense against pests due to unintended changes in plant characteristics caused by the insertion of the transgene. Indeed, the comparison of Bt-maize with its corresponding near-isogenic line strongly suggests that the transformation could have induced adverse effects on the biosynthesis and accumulation of free phenolic compounds. In conclusion, even though there is adequate evidence that aphids performed better on Bt-maize than on non-Bt plants, aphid economic damage has not been reported in commercial Bt corn fields in comparison to non-Bt corn fields. Nevertheless, Bt-maize plants can be more easily exploited by R. maidis, possibly due to a lower level of secondary metabolites present in their leaves. The recognition of this mechanism increases our knowledge concerning how insect-resistant genetically modified plants impact on non-target arthropods communities, including tritrophic web interactions, and can help support a sustainable use of genetically modified crops

Maternal and Neonatal Behaviour in Italian Mediterranean Buffaloes

The aim of this study was to describe the neonatal and maternal behaviour of Italian Mediterranean buffaloes. Thirty primiparous buffaloes were moved into individual pens 12.5 (±2.5) days before calving. Maternal and neonatal behaviours were recorded for 48 h after calving and the analysis was performed in continuous sampling with the software BORIS. Calves’ clinical evaluations (temperature, weight, and heart and respiratory rates) were performed at different time intervals and correlated with behavioural data from the dam. Data were analysed with parametric and non-parametric methods after controlling their distribution. The maternal behavioural pattern found highlighted buffaloes’ priorities during the post-partum period: firstly, they stand and start grooming to ensure proper care for the calf; it is only after this that they dedicate time to maintenance behaviours (feeding and lying). The dams mainly groomed the calf during the first six hours after calving (average time in the 1–6-h interval: 7.7 ± 2.5 min., F = (2.5, 60.2) = 75.0; p < 0.001) to ensure the formation of the mother–infant bond; thereafter, the behaviour decreased over time. As reported in the literature, inexperienced mothers could sometimes delay the calf’s first suckling with aggressive or rejection behaviours. In this regard, 16 buffalo dams showed at least one maternal rejection behaviour, which was found to negatively correlate with calves’ daily weight gain (DWG) at 14 (rs = −0.5, p = 0.02) and 21 days (rs = −0.7, p < 0.001). The calves took on average 212.0 ± 110.0 min to suckle, and this behaviour was mainly shown during the first six hours. Overall, suckling behaviour was correlated with standing: (rs = 0.6, p < 0.001) and walking (rs = 0.9, p < 0.001). The calves’ live weight and DWG were consistently higher than the values reported in the literature. Our results present a detailed description of maternal and neonatal behaviour in the early post-partum period in Italian Mediterranean buffaloes. We also found that maternal rejection behaviours can negatively influence the calves’ growth. Finally, we think that such results can improve the management of buffaloes during the period around parturition

Interactions between the Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle Harmonia axyridis and the Parasitoid Dinocampus coccinellae

Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) has been introduced either intentionally or accidentally in different areas outside its native range, where it is often regarded as invasive. Dinocampus coccinellae (Schrank) has been recorded to parasitize H. axyridis in the field, both in the native and introduced areas, Italy included. The percent of parasitism found in our field investigation was low (four percent).The effect of exposure time of H. axyridis to D. coccinellae and the impact of parasitization on host longevity, oviposition capacity and egg fertility were evaluated in the laboratory. The acceptance and suitability of H. axyridis as host for D. coccinellae were then studied, in comparison with the native coccinellid Adalia bipunctata (L.), which shares the same ecological niche. The effects of parasitization on female longevity and reproduction capacity in the exotic vs. the indigenous lady beetle were also investigated. The overall results showed that D. coccinellae negatively affected the fitness of H. axyridis, more than that of A. bipunctata. The parasitoid may thus play a marginal role in controlling the populations of the Asian lady beetle, without representing a threat to A. bipunctata

Modeling Green Peach Aphid populations exposed to elicitors inducing plant resistance on peach

Matrix Population Models (MPMs) are not commonly used to simulate arthropod population dynamics with applications to pest control assessment in agricultural context. However, an increasing body of studies are prompting the finding of optimization techniques to reduce uncertainty in matrix parameters estimation. Indeed, uncertainty in parameters estimates may lead to significant management implications. Here we present a case study where MPMs are used for assessing the efficacy of treatment with elicitors inducing plant resistance against pathogen, such as laminarin, for the control of the Green Peach Aphid (Myzus persicae Sulzer) populations on peach. Such demographic approach could be particularly suitable to study this kind of compounds, which are mainly characterized by causing sub-lethal effects rather than acute mortality. An artificially assembled system [1] was arranged since it is well suited to follow the fate and behavior of a population exposed to elicitors activating chemical defense in plant. The obtained data, consisting of population time series, were used to generate a stage-classified projection matrix. The general model used to simulate population dynamics consists of a matrix containing i) survival probabilities (the probability of growing and moving to the next stage and the probability of surviving and remaining in the same stage), and ii) fecundities of the population. Most of the used methods for estimating the parameter values of stage-classified models rely on following cohorts of identified individuals [2]. However, in this study the observed data consisted of a time-series of population vectors where individuals are not distinguished. The relationship between the observed data and the values of the matrix parameters that produced the series involves an estimation process called inverse problem. Since all demographic analyses rely on how much the estimated parameters of the matrix are able to represent population dynamics, a Genetic algorithm for inverse parameter estimation was used in order to find a better model fit for the observed stage class distributions. These results were compared to those obtained by the quadratic programming method [3] used for determining the set of parameters that minimizes the residual between the collected data and the model output. REFERENCES: 1. Macfadyen, S., Banks, J.E., Stark, J.D., Davies, A.P., 2014. Using semifield studies to examine the effects of pesticides on mobile terrestrial invertebrates. Annu. Rev. Entomol. 59, 383-404. 2. Caswell, H., 2001. Matrix population models, second ed. Sinauer Associates Inc., Massachusetts. 3. Wood, S.N., 1994. Obtaining birth and mortality patterns from structured population trajectories. Ecol. Monogr. 64, 23-44