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Introduction and Objectives: Getting enough exercise, preventing a sedentary lifestyle, and getting enough sleep all work together to promote healthy childhood growth. Although the COVID-19 outbreak affected children’s day-to-day lives, it is unclear how much it may have impacted their development. Therefore, this study aims to gather information regarding the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on parents and their children. Methods: A cross-sectional, online-based survey questionnaire was given to 71 parents aged 21 and above with children aged between three and five, residing in Mysuru. The paired t-test, McNemar’s and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to check associations between the selected variables and lockdown-related changes. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: There was a large increase in the consumption of homemade food (90.1%), self-feeding (34.3%) and an improvement in the household practices of cooking, storing, and feeding (95.8%) during the lockdown period. 56.3% of the parents were able to get their children more engaged in physical activities. The time that parents spent with their children increased during the lockdown period. Screen time and sleep duration also increased during the lockdown, which showed statistical significance. Discussion: Short-term changes in children’s lifestyle habits in response to COVID-19 are concerning because they may raise their risk of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Initiatives to improve physical activity and reduce sedentary behavior in children are needed to prevent long-term health issues.

Abstract A good strategy to prevent early deposition of bacteria that can form biofilms is the application of antimicrobial coatings to existing surfaces, however this field has been little explored and coatings are often non uniform in thickness. A homogeneous film of R-Carvone-Octadiene (ppCop) was deposited on different substrates (coverslip, minced coverslip and fabric) by cold plasma copolymerization to study the influence of the substrate on antimicrobial activity and show clues about the influence of octadiene on copolymerization. The ppCop showed better antimicrobial activity results on the substrate with higher effective contact area, highlighting the influence of this variable on antimicrobial activity. The ppCop deposited on minced coverslip showed an inhibition of E. coli and S. aureus bacteria by 48.69 ±0.08% and 49.31 ±0.58% respectively, with an average roughness of 14.1±0.02 nm and a static water contact angle of 79± 0.4°. The ppCop showed no cytotoxicity to the human cell line.

Generally, hypertension control programs are cost-effective, including in low- and middle-income countries, but country governments and civil society are not likely to support hypertension control programs unless value is demonstrated in terms of public health benefits, budget impact, and value-for-investment for the individual country context. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) established a standard, simplified Global HEARTS approach to hypertension control, including preferred antihypertensive medicines and blood pressure measurement devices. The objective of this study is to report on health economic studies of HEARTS hypertension control package cost (especially medication costs), cost-effectiveness, and budget impact and describe mathematical models designed to translate hypertension control program data into the optimal approach to hypertension care service delivery and financing, especially in lowand middle-income countries. Early results suggest that HEARTS hypertension control interventions are either cost-saving or cost-effective, that the HEARTS package is affordable at between US$ 18-44 per person treated per year, and that antihypertensive medicines could be priced low enough to reach a global standard of an average

Abstract In this piece, Rahul Rao replies to the reflections on his book Out of Time: The Queer Politics of Postcoloniality by the six scholars who contributed to the Forum.

ABSTRACT Objective To study the role of epidural steroid injection (ESI) in patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and lumbar canal stenosis (LCS). ESIs are regularly used to support non-operative treatment for LBP, and our anecdotal impression is that a considerable proportion of patients report substantial pain relief after ESI. Methods One thousand consecutive patients (645 patients with LDH and 355 patients with LCS) who required ESI from January-August 2018 were included. All were given the same ESI, prepared with triamcinolone (80 mg), bupivacaine (0.25%, 4 ml) and normal saline (4 ml). Patients were evaluated using the numerical rating scale (NRS) immediately after the injection, after 7 days, and after 3 months. Results The mean NRS back-pain score of the LDH-group was reduced from 5 (range: 4-8) to 4 (range: 2-7) immediately after injection, 2 (range: 1-7) after 7 days and 2 (range: 1-7) after 3 months (p-value

Objective: To determine the frequency and characteristics of mesiodens in Indian school children. Material and Methods: 1232 radiographs of patients attending the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology of the age group of 4-15 years studied for the present retrospective study. The intraoral periapical radiographs and occlusal radiographs of the premaxilla were examined to determine the presence of mesiodens. The data regarding the presence of mesiodens, number, position, location on the arch, shape and associated complications were recorded. Results: Eleven patients had 14 mesiodens, with a frequency of 0.8%. The ratio of boys to girls was 1.2:1. Maximum mesiodens observed in the age group of 7-9 years. Most of the mesiodens were conical in shape and found on the palatal side. Fifty percent of the mesiodens were unerupted. The majority of patients (57.1%) had vertically positioned mesiodens. Midline diastema was the most common complication due to mesiodens (66.7%). Conclusion: Routine check-up during the primary dentition and mixed dentition stages helps for early detection of mesiodens and thus preventing complications. Early identification is useful for planning comprehensive management, initiating proper consultation and referral for evaluation and treatment.

Resumen El semiárido brasileño frecuentemente se ve afectado por sequías prolongadas. Durante el período 2010-2017, la región semiárida brasileña enfrentó la “sequía del siglo”, considerada la peor registrada en la historia del país. Este artículo tiene como objetivo hacer una evaluación histórica de diferentes fases de las políticas públicas implementadas en la región, con el fin de promover la convivencia con la sequía. Con base en una investigación histórica documental y el monitoreo satelital de los impactos de las sequías, se analizaron las acciones gubernamentales que contribuyeron a brindar una mayor disponibilidad de agua en la región semiárida brasileña, con énfasis en el análisis de la efectividad de la gestión del agua y los impactos de las tecnologías sociales para el almacenamiento del agua de lluvia en comunidades rurales dispersas. Los resultados de la investigación evidenciaron que las políticas implementadas a lo largo de la historia, con frecuencia en un modelo centralizado, no fueron efectivas en el desarrollo de la región. Recientemente, el acceso a las tecnologías sociales hídricas descentralizadas en las zonas rurales, están mostrando resultados positivos. Sin embargo, aún no es una realidad universal para la población que vive en la región. Por tanto, se concluye que las políticas hídricas siguen siendo insuficientes para hacer frente a los impactos de las sequías. El estudio aporta importantes lecciones históricas para la gestión del agua en la actualidad.

The Republic of Panama has the second most unequally distributed wealth in Central America, has recently entered the list of countries affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and has one of the largest testing rate per inhabitant in the region and consequently the highest incidence rate of COVID-19, making it an ideal location to discuss potential scenarios for assessing epidemic preparedness, and to outline research opportunities in the Region of the Americas. We address two timely important questions: What are the unique risks of COVID-19 in Panama that could help other countries in the Region be better prepared? And what kind of scientific knowledge can Panama contribute to the regional and global study of COVID-19? This paper provides suggestions about how the research community could support local health authorities plan for different scenarios and decrease public anxiety. It also presents basic scientific opportunities about emerging pandemic pathogens towards promoting global health from the perspective of a middle income country.

ABSTRACT Imatinib, which inhibits tyrosine kinase activity of Bcr-Abl protein, is a standard form of treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Through its immunomodulatory effect it affects T cell function in a number of ways. It inhibits antigen-induced T cell activation and proliferation. Antigen-specific T-cells and macrophages are vital for protection against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Here we present a case of renal tuberculosis associated with imatinib therapy in the maintenance phase of CML. With granulomatous interstitial nephritis and positive tubercular DNA on renal biopsy, the condition was successfully treated with anti-tubercular therapy. This case provides support to the hypothesis that imatinib therapy in CML increases the susceptibility to tuberculosis and strict vigilance is required to enable its early detection and treatment.

Objective: To compare the Oncostatin M (OSM) concentrations in tissues of patients with chronic periodontitis with and without diabetes. Material and Methods: Sixty-four subjects visiting the dental outpatient department were categorized as “healthy” (Group 1), “periodontitis” (Group 2), and “diabetes with periodontitis” (Group 3) groups. The clinical oral examination included assessment of plaque, gingivitis, probing depth, clinical attachment level. Blood glucose was assessed for group 3 patients. OSM concentration in the tissues was assessed using ELISA in all groups. Results: The mean OSM was 0.02 ± 0.04 pg/mg in the healthy group, 0.12 ± 0.09 pg/mg in the chronic periodontitis group and 0.13 ± 0.10 pg/mg in the diabetes-periodontitis group. A significantly higher mean OSM was seen in Group 2 and Group 3 than Group 1. The amount of OSM positively correlated with probing depth and clinical attachment level. Conclusion: Periodontal disease causes a rise in Oncostatin M, independent of the diabetic status. Expression of OSM in the gingival tissues can serve as an inflammatory marker.

Objective: To compare the effect of tooth brushing on surface roughness of Resin-Modified Glass Ionomer Cement (RMGIC; GC Gold label 2LC Light Cured Universal Restorative) and Glass Hybrid (GH; GC EQUIA SYSTEM- EQUIA Forte™ Fil and EQUIA Forte™ Coat) restorative material at 1- and 3-months interval simulated by tooth brushing. Material and Methods: RMGIC and GH material specimens (20 each) were prepared according to manufacturer instructions in 10 mm × 2 mm dimensions using a mylar strip. A specially designed toothbrush simulator was used along with Oral B Pro 2 2000N powered toothbrush and Colgate Total dentifrice (Colgate-Palmolive India limited; Relative dentin abrasivity - RDA: 70 - Low abrasive) to perform brushing strokes. Specimens were subjected to surface roughness analysis before and after simulated tooth brushing at baseline, 1, and 3 months. Results: The intragroup comparison was done using repeated-measures ANOVA. Intergroup comparisons were done using an independent sample t-test and General Linear Model (ANCOVA). Surface roughness increased from baseline through 3 months in both RMGIC and GH groups. The mean surface roughness in RMGIC group was significantly higher than GH group at baseline 1 and 3-months, respectively (p

In this article, we have introduced (p;q)-variant of Stancu-Schurer operators and discussed the rate of convergence for continuous functions. We have also discussed recursive estimates, Korovkin-type theorems and direct approximation results using second order modulus of continuity, Peetre’s K-functional and Lipschitz class.

The aim of this essay is to study the public resources and commons in Lombardy during the Early Middle Ages. Through the study of written sources, from the Lombard laws to charters preserved in ecclesiastical archives (from judicial processes to sales, donations and exchanges), these pages will interpret the slow appearance of references to the forms of exploitation of public resources and commons. References which are more and more explicit and complex as the seigneurial powers favoured, from the 11th Century onwards, new forms of organization which were recorded in different kind of charters.

El fríjol tépari, Phaseolus acutifolius A. Gray destaca por su tolerancia al estrés por sequía y altas temperaturas, sin embargo, presenta baja diversidad genética en sus formas cultivadas. Por lo que se inició un programa de inducción de mutaciones. El objetivo de este estudio fue establecer el efecto de diferentes parámetros agro-morfofisiológicos asociados sobre la viabilidad y cantidad del polen en 123 líneas mutantes de la quinta generación M5 de P. acutifolius y genotipos parentales, por medio del procesamiento de microfotografías de preparaciones de polen con tinción de acetocarmin. El experimento se realizó en condiciones de invernadero y el diseño experimental fue de subparcelas divididas con 3 repeticiones; adicionalmente, los factores evaluados fueron: condiciones de humedad del suelo, inoculación con cepas de Bradyrhizobium sp. o Rhizobium tropici, y las líneas o accesiones evaluadas (6 mutantes y 2 no mutantes). El experimento fue realizado manteniendo la temperatura nocturna superior a 25°C. No hubo diferencias significativas entre los tratamientos, se encontraron correlaciones positivas de la viabilidad de polen con otras variables.

ABSTRACT This study attempts to provide new information on seasonal and annual trends, on a regional scale, using records of daily air temperature over Idaho, USA, through the analysis of the Growing Season Length (GSL), and maximum and minimum air temperature data from multiple stations in the region, as well as, to obtain the temporal correlation between the daily air temperature and Sea Surface Temperature (SST) indices. The analyses were conducted using long-term and high quality data sets for 35 meteorological stations for the period between 1970 and 2006. The results suggest that both daily maximum and minimum temperatures had increasing trends, but the minimum air temperature is increasing faster than the maximum air temperature. On average, the GSL has increased by 7.5 days/decade during the period 1970-2006, associated with increasing temperatures. Trends in regional air temperature and their indication of climate change are of interest to Idaho and the rest of the world. The trends obtained herein corroborate with the general idea that during the last century the globe has warmed.

The electrochemical behavior of certain1-(Toluenyl sulfonyl)-3-amino-4-(4’-substituted aryl hydrazono)-2-pyrazolin-5-ones were studied at the droppingmercury electrode by employing DC polarography.The variables that influencethe electrode process were extensivelystudied. All compounds under investigationgave two well-defined polarographicwaves. The mechanism for the electrodeprocess was proposed in acid as well asin basic media.

The main objective of this study was to analyze the trends in five annual extreme indices of temperature for Utah, USA. The analyses were conducted for 28 meteorological stations, during the period from 1970 to 2006, characterized by high quality data set. The analyses of extreme temperature indices have identified an increase in the maximum and minimum air temperatures in Utah. Predominantly, the minimum air temperature is increasing in the studied region. Most of Utah has shown a decrease in the diurnal temperature range, which indicates that the minimum temperature is increasing faster than the maximum temperature.

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A anestesia regional intravenosa (ARIV) para cirurgias de membros superiores com a tradicional alta dose de lidocaína pode levar a efeitos colaterais potencialmente letais. A fim de evitar esses efeitos, muitas técnicas modificadas de ARIV foram experimentadas com o uso de uma dose baixa de lidocaína, relaxante muscular e opioide. MÉTODOS: O presente estudo foi feito com 60 pacientes não medicados previamente, com classificação ASA 1-2, para comparar as características sensoriais e motoras, os parâmetros cardiorrespiratórios e os efeitos colaterais durante o período intraoperatório e de deflação pós-torniquete entre os pacientes que receberam 40 mL de lidocaína a 0,5% (n = 30) e aqueles que receberam uma combinação de 40 mL de lidocaína a 0,25% com 0,05 mg de fentanil e 0,5 mg de vecurônio (n = 30) em ARIV para cirurgias ortopédicas de membros superiores. Os resultados foram analisados com o uso do teste t de Student pareado para identificar a significância estatística. RESULTADO: A diferença entre os dois grupos em relação ao tempo médio de início e completo bloqueio sensitivo e motor foi estatisticamente significante. Porém, houve completo bloqueio sensitivo e motor em ambos os grupos 15 minutos após a injeção da solução anestésica. CONCLUSÃO: Embora a pequena demora observada no início e na obtenção completa dos bloqueios sensitivo e motor possa, teoricamente, atrasar o início da cirurgia em 10-15 minutos, clinicamente esse tempo seria gasto na preparação do campo cirúrgico. Portanto, essa combinação pode ser usada com segurança e eficácia em anestesia regional intravenosa para cirurgias ortopédicas de membros superiores com menor possibilidade de toxicidade anestésica local.JUSTIFICATIVA Y OBJETIVOS: La anestesia regional intravenosa (ARIV) para cirugías de miembros superiores con la tradicional dosis alta de lidocaína, puede conllevar a efectos colaterales que amenazan la vida. Para evitar esos efectos colaterales potencialmente amenazadores, muchas técnicas modificadas de ARIV fueron experimentadas con el uso de una dosis baja de lidocaína, relajante muscular y opioide. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: El presente estudio se hizo con 60 pacientes no medicados previamente, con clasificación ASA 1-2, para comparar las características sensoriales y motoras, los parámetros cardiorrespiratorios y los efectos colaterales durante el período intraoperatorio y de deflación pos torniquete, entre los pacientes que recibieron 40 mL de lidocaína al 0,5% sola (n = 30) y los que recibieron una combinación de 40 mL de lidocaína al 0,25% con 0,05 mg de fentanilo y 0,5 mg de vecuronio (n = 30) en ARIV para cirugías ortopédicas de miembros superiores. Los resultados se analizaron usando el teste t de Student pareado para identificar la significancia estadística. RESULTADO: La diferencia entre los dos grupos con relación al tiempo promedio de inicio y completo bloqueo sensitivo y motor, fue estadísticamente significativo. Sin embargo, hubo un completo bloqueo sensitivo y motor en ambos grupos 15 minutos después de la inyección de la solución anestésica. CONCLUSIONES: Aunque la pequeña demora observada al inicio y durante la obtención completa de los bloqueos sensitivo y motor, teóricamente pueda atrasar el inicio de la operación entre 10 y 15 minutos, clínicamente ese tiempo se gastaría en la preparación del campo quirúrgico. Por tanto, esa combinación puede ser usada con seguridad y eficacia en la anestesia regional intravenosa para las cirugías ortopédicas de miembros superiores con menor posibilidad de toxicidad anestésica local.BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Intravenous regional anesthesia (IVRA) for upper limb surgeries with traditional high dose of lidocaine can lead to life threatening side effects. In order to avoid these potential life threatening side effects, many modified techniques of IVRA have been attempted by using a low dose of lidocaine, muscle relaxant and opioid. METHOD: The present study is carried out in sixty unpremedicated ASA Class 1 and 2 patients to compare the sensory and motor characteristics, cardio-respiratory parameters and side-effects during intra-operative and post-tourniquet deflation period between the patients who received 40 mL of 0.5% lidocaine alone (n = 30) and those who received a combination of 40 mL of 0.25% lidocaine with 0.05 mg fentanyl and 0.5 mg vecuronium (n = 30) in IVRA for upper limb orthopedic surgeries. The results were analyzed for statistical significance using a paired student t test. RESULTS: The difference between the two groups regarding the mean time of onset and complete sensory and motor block was statistically significant. But 15 minutes after the injection of anesthetic solution, there was complete sensory and motor block in both groups. CONCLUSION: Although the short delay observed in the onset and attainment of complete sensory and motor block may theoretically delay the start of surgery for 10-15 minutes but clinically that time will be spent in the preparation of surgical field. So this combination can be used safely and effectively in intravenous regional anesthesia for upper limb orthopedic surgeries with reduced chance of local anesthetic toxicity.

Statecharts are a graphical representation to model reactive systems that respond to external or internal stimuli by changing the state of a given system. Statecharts can be seen as an extension of state-transition diagrams that allows modeling hierarchy, orthogonality, and interdependence. Due to their features to represent reactive systems, Statecharts have been adapted to represent and deal analytically with performance models (reactive systems whose performance is to be evaluated). An interesting feature present in Statecharts is to record the system's state, which cannot be represented in Markov models in a straightforward manner due to its "memory-less" property. The contributions of this paper are: show that Statecharts are a feasible alternative to specify a reactive system so that its performance can be evaluated by both analytical and simulation techniques; show that the inclusion of the memory representation in the Statecharts specification can indeed be made by both analytical and simulation techniques. The results of a case study of a manufacturing system show that the objectives are achieved.Statecharts representam graficamente sistemas reativos que respondem aos estímulos externos ou internos e mudam estados de um dado sistema. Statecharts estendem diagramas de estado com hierarquia, paralelismo e interdependência. Devido às suas características, eles foram adaptados para representar e tratar analiticamente modelos de desempenho (sistemas reativos cujo desempenho deve ser avaliado). Uma característica presente em Statecharts é registrar (ou memorizar) um estado do sistema que não é possível representar numa forma direta em modelos Markovianos devido à sua propriedade de "sem memória". São duas as contribuições deste artigo: mostrar que Statecharts são viáveis para especificar sistemas reativos e avaliar o seu desempenho tanto por técnicas analíticas quanto por simulação; mostrar que a inclusão de representação de memória em Statecharts pode, de fato, ser tratada por abordagens analíticas e de simulação. Um estudo de caso de um sistema de manufatura é considerado para mostrar que os objetivos foram alcançados.

Since the World Health Report 2010, universal health coverage has received increased policy attention worldwide. Though the goal of achieving universal health coverage has been widely acclaimed and is reinforced in several national and international forums, the contours of the debates have been disparate. Endorsing this global call, India like many other low and middle income countries embark on the path to achieve universal health coverage by proposing several health sector reforms. Though universal health coverage has received significant political attention in the country, there is a danger of limiting the debates to issues relating to financing and provisioning of medical services. We argue that the current debates about universal health coverage should draw critical attention to (re) prioritization of primary health care, good governance and health equity keeping health and its determinants in mind rather than medical care alone. Key words: universal health coverage, primary health care, governance, equity, India

El desarrollo de variedades adaptadas es una de las estrategias que contribuye a garantizar la seguridad alimentaria en zonas productoras de frijol con estrés por sequía. En los invernaderos de cristal del Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT), Palmira, Colombia, se evaluaron las características morfológicas y fisiológicas de raíces de 21 líneas de frijol (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) en condiciones de estrés por sequía e irrigación, utilizando un sistema de tubos plásticos desarrollado por el CIAT. Las características evaluadas fueron profundización visual, longitud total de raíces y distribución de raíces a través del perfil del suelo. En campo, utilizando los mismos genotipos de frijol, se evaluaron características relacionadas con la eficiencia de uso de agua mediante la técnica de discriminación de isótopo de carbono y producción de grano. Los resultados en invernadero mostraron que la profundización visual y longitud de raíces entre 60 y 75 cm tienen una correlación significativa (r = 0.56 y 0.50 respectivamente, P < 0.001) con la biomasa aérea de la planta en condiciones de estrés por sequía. En campo, la discriminación del isótopo de carbono en grano se correlacionó (r = 0.32, P < 0.01) con la producción de grano en condiciones igualmente de estrés por sequía. Las líneas de frijol NCB 226, SER 16, SEN 56 y SEA 15 presentaron una mayor longitud de raíces bajo estrés por sequía (28, 24, 29 y 27 m/planta respectivamente) en comparación con las demás líneas evaluadas, lo que les permite mayor transpiración y movilización de fotoasimilados, que favorecen una alta producción de granos. Se estima que la profundización visual, la longitud de raíces entre 60 y 75 cm y la discriminación de isótopo de carbono en grano, son características valiosas como criterios de selección en mejoramiento por tolerancia a estrés por sequía en frijol común.

Objective: The objective of this study was to review chest radiographs (CXR) and chest computer tomography (CT) findings in patients with influenza A H1N1 virus pneumonia. Materials and methods: Of ninety-eight patients with influenza A H1N1 infections seen in the General Hospitals of Villa Scassi, Genoa, and Sestri Levante from September 2009 to December 2009, twenty-eight developed pneumonia. The initial CXR were evaluated for radiological patterns: (ground-glass, consolidation, nodules, reticulation), distribution, and extent of the disease. Chest CT scans were reviewed for the same findings. A new radiographic score (CXR score) was used to evaluate the severity of the illness. Results: The predominant radiological findings on chest CT in the patients at presentation were unilateral or bilateral multifocal ground glass opacities (84.5% of the patients).Consolidation areas had a peribronchovascular and subpleural predominance and were found mainly in the middle and upper zones of the lung. Reticular opacities were found in about 20% of the cases. The most outstanding CXR and chest CT features of the disease were basal and axial alveolar consolidation and ground-glass opacities. The severity of disease as determinate by need for mechanical ventilation was greater in patients with a greater number of lobes involved and a higher CXR score. Conclusion: Bilateral ground-glass opacities and areas of consolidation were the predominant radiological findings of influenza A (H1N1) virus pneumonia. Multifocal bilateral opacities and CXR score are strictly correlated with the severity of the illness. Resumo: Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi rever radiografias ao tórax (RXT) e tomografia computadorizada do tórax (TC) em pacientes com pneumonia pelo vírus gripe A H1N1. Materiais e métodos: Dos noventa e oito pacientes com infecção pelo vírus gripe A H1N1 vistos nos Hospitais Gerais de Villa Scassi, Génova e em Sestri Levante, de setembro de 2009 a dezembro de 2009, vinte e oito desenvolveram pneumonia. Os RXT iniciais foram avaliados através de padrões radiológicos: (consolidação em vidro despolido, nódulos, reticulação), distribuição e extensão da doença. As TC do tórax foram revistas para os mesmos achados. Uma nova escala radiográfica (escala RXT) foi utilizada para avaliar a gravidade da doença. Resultados: Os achados radiológicos predominantes na TC do tórax em pacientes na apresentação foram opacidades multifocais em vidro despolido (84% dos pacientes).As áreas de consolidação tinham uma predominância peribroncovascular e subpleural e foram encontradas principalmente nas áreas médias e superiores do pulmão. Foram encontradas opacidades reticulares em cerca de 20% dos casos. As características mais notórias da doença na TC e RXT do tórax foram a consolidação basal e alveolar axial e as opacidades em vidro despolido. A gravidade da doença determinada pela necessidade de ventilação mecânica foi maior nos pacientes com um maior número de lóbulos envolvidos e com uma pontuação na escala RXT mais elevada. Conclusão: As opacidades bilaterais em vidro despolido e as áreas de consolidação foram os achados radiológicos predominantes da pneumonia do vírus da gripe A (H1N1). As opacidades multifocais bilaterais e a pontuação da escala RXT estão estritamente correlacionados com a gravidade da doença. Keywords: Influenza H1N1 virus pneumonia, Radiological findings, Ground-glass opacity, Consolidation, Chest radiological score, Palavras-chave: Pneumonia do vírus da gripe H1N1, Resultados radiológicos, Opacidades em vidro fosco, Consolidação, Pontuação radiográfica do tórax

The space (Gamma_s)_pi is introduced. This paper deveoted a study of the general properties of sectional rate space (Gamma_s)pi of Gamma.

OBJETIVO: Descrever as características dos pacientes com pneumonia associada a influenza A (H1N1) tratados em dois hospitais na região da Ligúria, Itália, e descrever seu tratamento e desfechos. MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo observacional que incluiu todos os pacientes com mais de 16 anos de idade e com diagnóstico confirmado de influenza A (H1N1) admitidos no Hospital Villa Scassi, em Gênova, ou no Hospital Geral de Sestri Levante, em Sestri Levante, Itália, entre setembro de 2009 e janeiro de 2010. O desfecho primário foi mortalidade em até 60 dias do diagnóstico, e os desfechos secundários foram necessidade de ventilação mecânica e tempo de hospitalização. RESULTADOS: Durante o período do estudo, dos 40 pacientes com diagnóstico confirmado de influenza A (H1N1), 27 apresentaram pneumonia. A média de idade dos 27 pacientes foi de 42,8 ± 14,8 anos, e o tempo médio de hospitalização foi de 11,6 ± 8,2 dias. Dos 27 pacientes, 20 tiveram insuficiência respiratória, 4 necessitaram de ventilação mecânica invasiva e 5, de ventilação mecânica não invasiva. Somente 1 paciente com várias comorbidades teve falência múltipla de órgãos e faleceu. CONCLUSÕES: Embora a influenza A (H1N1) tenha sido mais branda e com menor incidência de mortalidade na Itália do que em outros países, 9 de nossos pacientes (33%) tiveram evolução rápida para falência respiratória e necessitaram de ventilação mecânica.OBJECTIVE: To describe the characteristics of patients with influenza A (H1N1)-associated pneumonia treated at two hospitals in the region of Liguria, Italy, as well as to describe their treatment and outcomes. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study including all patients older than 16 years of age with a confirmed diagnosis of influenza A (H1N1) who were admitted to Villa Scassi Hospital, in the city of Genoa, Italy, or to the Sestri Levante General Hospital, in the city of Sestri Levante, Italy, between September of 2009 and January of 2010. The primary outcome measure was mortality within 60 days after diagnosis. Secondary outcome measures were the need for mechanical ventilation and the length of hospital stay. RESULTS: Of the 40 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of influenza A (H1N1), 27 presented pneumonia during the study period. The mean age of the 27 patients was 42.8 ± 14.8 years, and the mean length of hospital stay was 11.6 ± 8.2 days. Of the 27 patients, 20 had respiratory failure, 4 underwent invasive mechanical ventilation, and 5 underwent noninvasive ventilation. One patient had comorbidities, developed multiple organ failure, and died. CONCLUSIONS: During the influenza A (H1N1) pandemic, the associated mortality rate was lower in Italy than in other countries, and cases reported in the country typically had a milder course than did those reported elsewhere. Nevertheless, 9 of our cases (33%) rapidly evolved to respiratory failure, requiring mechanical ventilation.

The main objective of this paper is to assess the performance of nine downward longwave radiation equations for clear-sky condition and develop a locally adjusted equation using the observed vapor pressure and air temperature data. The radiation and atmospheric parameters were measured during the months of October 2005 to June 2006 at a micrometeorological tower installed at the experimental site in a banana orchard in the semiarid region of Northeast Brazil. The comparative statistics for the performance of the downward longwave radiation calculation models during daytime and nighttime compared to measured data have shown that the parameterizations with more physical foundations have the best results. The locally adjusted equation and Sugita and Brutsaert model developed in 1993 showed errors less than 1.0% in comparison with measured values. Downward longwave radiation is one of the most expensive and difficult component of the radiation budget to be monitored in micrometeorological studies. Hence, the locally adjusted equation can be used to estimate downward longwave energy, needed as input to some agricultural and hydrological models, in semi-arid regions of the Northeast Brazil, where this component is not monitored.O principal objetivo desse artigo é avaliar o desempenho de nove equações, para obter radiação de onda longa incidente para condições de céu claro e desenvolver uma equação localmente ajustada utilizando dados observados de pressão de vapor e temperatura do ar. Os parâmetros atmosféricos e de radiação foram medidos durante os meses de outubro/2005 e junho/2006, em uma torre micrometeorológica instalada no sítio experimental, em um pomar de bananeiras na região semi-árida do Nordeste do Brasil. A estatística comparativa para o desempenho dos modelos, para o cálculo da radiação de onda longa durante os períodos diurnos e noturnos, comparados aos dados medidos, tem mostrado que as parametrizações com mais fundamentações físicas têm melhores resultados. A equação ajustada localmente e o modelo de Sugita e Brutsaert, desenvolvido em 1993, mostraram erros menores que 1.0%, em comparação com os valores medidos. A radiação de onda longa incidente é um dos componentes do balanço de radiação mais caro e difícil de ser monitorado em estudos micrometeorológicos. Logo, a equação localmente ajustada pode ser usada para estimar a energia de onda longa incidente, necessária como dado de entrada em alguns modelos agrícolas e hidrológicos, nas regiões semi-áridas do Nordeste do Brasil, onde esta componente não é monitorada.

The present study was planned to evaluate the anticoccidial activity of the different concentrations of the HCl against Eimeria tenella infection in broiler chickens in comparison with the amprolium anticoccidial. For this purpose, a total of 198 chicks were placed 11 per pen with three pens per treatment. The different concentrations of HCl (1000ppm, 2000ppm and 3000ppm) and amproilum (at the dose rate of 125ppm) were given to the experimental groups in drinking water from 10 to 19th days of age. One group was kept as infected non medicated control and one as non infected non medicated control. At the 12th day of age, all the groups were inoculated orally with 75,000 sporulated oocysts except non infected non medicated control. Anticoccidial activity was evaluated on the basis of performance (weight gain, feed conversion ratio) and pathogenic (oocyst score, lesion score and mortality %age) parameters. Among HCl medicated groups, the maximum anticoccidial effect was seen in the group medicated with 1000ppm HCl followed by 2000ppm and 3000ppm HCl medicated groups. Amprolium and 1000ppm HCl were almost equivalent in suppressing the negative performance and pathogenic effects associated with coccidiosis (Eimeria tenella) challenge. In summary, the lower doses of HCl have the potential to be used as alternative to chemotherapeutic drugs for Eimeria tenella control. It is therefore suggested that further studies should be carried out to determine the possible minimum safe levels of HCl with least toxic effects to be used as anticoccidial.

In this paper the concept of strongly (λ_p − Cesáro summability ofa sequence of fuzzy numbers and strongly λ− statistically convergent sequences of fuzzy numbers are introduced.

The present study presents an analysis of the annual mean tropical heat balance and its association with the Walker circulation (WC) using NCEP/NCAR Reanalysis data. This study shows the relative importance of diabatic data to produce vertical motion in the tropics and for the WC region. It is shown that ascending motion in the WC's upward branch is determined by the joint effect of latent heating and radiative cooling processes while infrared radiation loss is associated to sink motions on the WC's descending branch. In ascending branches of the WC vertical velocity from reanalysis is overestimated when latent heat is taken into account to drive motions. Radiative cooling is indentified as the main physical process yielding sinking motion in the WC's downward branches. In upward branches of the WC, resulting diabatic processes (latent heat release) are balanced by adiabatic expansion (due rising motions). In descending branches of the WC, there is a near balance between radiative cooling (due to longwave emission) and heating (due to sinking motions).Este estudo apresenta uma análise do balanço de calor anual médio da região tropical e sua associação com a Circulação de Walker (CW), a partir das reanálises do NCEP/NCAR. Este estudo mostra a importância relativa do aquecimento diabático para gerar movimentos verticais nos trópicos e na região de atuação da CW. Os resultados mostram que o movimento ascendente nos ramos principais da CW é governado pelo efeito conjunto dos processos de aquecimento latente e resfriamento radiativo, enquanto que a perda de radiação infravermelha produz movimento descendente nos ramos secundários da CW. Mostra-se que o aquecimento latente força movimentos ascendentes sobre os ramos principais da CW, todavia, a velocidade vertical observada é superestimada, se apenas o calor latente é levado em consideração para forçar os movimentos. Além disso, o resfriamento radiativo foi identificado como o principal processo físico que produz movimentos subsidentes nos ramos secundários da CW. Nos ramos ascendentes da CW, o aquecimento resultante entre os processos de liberação de calor latente e de resfriamento radiativo é balanceado pela expansão adiabática, enquanto que em regiões de fraca convecção (ramos secundários da CW) existe um balanço aproximado entre o resfriamento radiativo (devido a emissão de ondas longas) e o aquecimento devido à compressão associado aos movimentos descendentes.

Para determinar la influencia de la fertilización, época, y especies forrajeras en la producción de micorrizas arbusculares se realizó un experimento con una graminea C4, (Brachiaria dictyoneura), dos leguminosas forrajeras C3 (Arachis pintoi y Centrosema macrocarpum) y la vegetación nativa; cultivadas en dos sistemas de siembra (monocultivo y asociación), dos niveles de fertilización (alto y bajo) y cuatro edades de cosecha. Se uso un diseño de parcelas sub-sub divididas, en el cual la parcela principal fue la especie, los niveles de fertilización como subparcelas y la edad de rebrote como la sub-sub parcela. El número de esporas de hongos micorrizicos en el suelo y el porcentaje de infección en las raices se incrementó con la edad y varió con la especie y la época del muestreo (seca o húmeda). Se encontraron diferencias en la capacidad para formar simbiosis micorrízica entre las especies de gramíneas y leguminosas bajo condiciones de campo.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the anticoccidial effect of the different concentrations of the acetic acid in the broiler chickens in comparison with the amprolium anticoccidial. A total of 198 chicks were placed 11 per pen with three pens per treatment. The different concentrations (1%, 2% and 3%) of acetic acid and amproilum (at the dose rate of 125ppm) were given to the experimental groups in drinking water from 10-19th days of age. One group was kept as infected non medicated control and one as non infected non medicated control. All the groups were inoculated orally with 75,000 sporulated oocysts at the 12th day of age except non infected non medicated control. Anticoccidial effect was evaluated on the basis of performance (weight gain, feed conversion ratio) and pathogenic (oocyst score, lesion score and mortality %age) parameters. Among acetic acid medicated groups, the maximum anticoccidial effect was seen in the group medicated with 3% acetic acid followed by 2% and 1% acetic acid medicated groups. Amprolium and 3% acetic acid were almost equivalent in suppressing the negative performance and pathogenic effects associated with coccidiosis (Eimeria tenella) challenge. In summary, acetic acid has the potential to be used as alternative to chemotherapeutic drugs for Eimeria tenella control. Concentration-dependent anticoccidial effect of acetic acid suggests that further studies should be carried out to determine the possible maximum safe levels of acetic acid with least toxic effects to be used as anticoccidial.

FUNDAMENTO: Recentes pesquisas tem se concentrado no uso de biomarcadores inflamatórios na previsão de risco cardiovascular. Entretanto, a informação é escassa em relação à associação entre esses marcadores inflamatórios com outros fatores de risco cardiovasculares em indianos asiáticos, particularmente em mulheres. OBJETIVO: Explorar a associação entre marcadores inflamatórios tais como proteína C-reativa de alta sensibilidade (PCR-as) e contagem de leucócitos (LEU) e fatores de risco cardiovascular tais como adiposidade geral e central, pressão arterial, variáveis lipídicas e lipoproteicas e glicemia de jejum. MÉTODOS: Conduzimos uma análise transversal de 100 mulheres com idade entre 35-80 anos. As participantes foram selecionadas através da metodologia de amostragem por cluster, de 12 distritos urbanos selecionadas ao acaso na Corporação Municipal de Kolkata, Índia. RESULTADOS: A PCR-as apresentou uma associação significante com o índice de massa corporal (IMC) (p < 0,001) e circunferência da cintura (CC) (p = 0,002). Associações significantes inversas foram observadas entre a lipoproteína de alta densidade colesterol (HDL-c) e ambos marcadores inflamatórios PCR-as (p = 0,031) e LEU (p = 0,014). A apo-lipoproteína A1 (Apo A1) também estava negativamente associada com a PCR-as. A contagem de leucócitos apresentou uma correlação significante com a glicemia de jejum e a razão colesterol total (CT) /HDL-C. Usando regressão logística ajustada para idade, IMC (odds ratio/OR, 1,186; intervalo de confiança/IC, 1,046-1,345; p=0,008) e LEU (OR, 1,045; IC, 1,005-1,087; p=0,027) foram as covariantes significantemente associadas com a PCR-as. CONCLUSÃO: No presente estudo, os fatores de risco tais como IMC, CC e HDL-c e Apo-A1 mostraram uma associação significante com PCR-as. A contagem de leucócitos estava significantemente associada com os níveis de HDL-c, glicemia de jejum, razão CT/HDL-c em mulheres.FUNDAMENTO: Recientes investigaciones se han concentrado en el uso de biomarcadores inflamatorios en la previsión de riesgo cardiovascular. Entre tanto, la información es escasa en relación a la asociación entre esos marcadores inflamatorios con otros factores de riesgo cardiovasculares en indios asiáticos, particularmente en mujeres. OBJETIVO: Explorar la asociación entre marcadores inflamatorios tales como proteína C-reactiva de alta sensibilidad (PCR-as) y recuento de leucocitos (LEU) y factores de riesgo cardiovascular tales como adiposidad general y central, presión arterial, variables lipídicas y lipoproteicas y glucemia de ayuno. MÉTODOS: Condujimos un análisis transversal de 100 mujeres con edad entre 35-80 años. Las participantes fueron seleccionadas a través de la metodología de muestreo por cluster, de 12 distritos urbanos seleccionadas al azar en la Corporación Municipal de Kolkata, India. RESULTADOS: La PCR-as presentó una asociación significativa con el índice de masa corporal (IMC) (r=0,373, pBACKGROUND: Recent research has focused on the use of inflammatory biomarkers in the prediction of cardiovascular risk. However, information is scant regarding the association between these inflammatory markers with other cardiovascular risk factors in Asian Indians, particularly in women. OBJECTIVE: To explore the association between inflammatory markers such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and white blood cell (WBC) count and cardiovascular risk factors such as overall and central adiposity, blood pressure, lipid and lipoprotein variables and fasting glucose. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis on 100 women aged 35-80 years. Participants were selected following cluster sampling methodology from 12 different randomly selected urban wards of Kolkata Municipal Corporation. RESULTS: Hs-CRP has a significant association with body mass index (BMI) ( p < 0.001) and waist circumference (WC) (p = 0.002). Significant inverse associations were observed between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and both inflammatory markers, hs-CRP (p = 0.031) and WBC count, (p = 0.014). Apolipoprotein A1 (Apo A1) was also negatively associated with hs-CRP. WBC count has significant correlation with fasting glucose and total cholesterol (TC) /HDL-C ratio. Using logistic regression, adjusting for age, BMI (odds ratio/OR, 1.186; confidence interval/CI, 1.046-1.345; p=0.008) and WC (OR, 1.045; CI, 1.005-1.087; p=0.027) were the covariates significantly associated with hs-CRP. CONCLUSION: In the present study, risk factors like BMI, WC, and HDL-C and apo A1 show significant association with hs-CRP. WBC count was significantly correlated with HDL-C, fasting glucose, TC/HDL-C ratio in women.

Para determinar la influencia de la fertilización, época, y especies forrajeras en la producción de micorrizas arbusculares se realizó un experimento con una gramínea C4, (Brachiaria dictyoneura), dos leguminosas forrajeras C3 (Arachis pintoi y Centrosema macrocarpum) y la vegetación nativa; cultivadas en dos sistemas de siembra (monocultivo y asociación), dos niveles de fertilización (alto y bajo) y cuatro edades de cosecha. Se uso un diseño de parcelas sub-sub divididas, en el cual la parcela principal fue la especie, los niveles de fertilización como subparcelas y la edad de rebrote como la sub-sub parcela. El número de esporas de hongos micorrízicos en el suelo y el porcentaje de infección en las raíces se incrementó con la edad y varió con la especie y la época del muestreo (seca o húmeda). Se encontraron diferencias en la capacidad para formar simbiosis micorrízica entre las especies de gramíneas y leguminosas bajo condiciones de campo.In the Colombian coffee zone much of the land has infertile soils with an ongoing accelerated degradation. As vegetation has changed from forest to transitory base (cassava cropping) and overgrazed pastures, ground cover has decreased resulting in increasing runoff. These changes have contributed to severe erosion, decline in soil fertility, productivity, soil structure, and water quality as well as loss of biodiversity. A field study was conducted at the farm "La Esperanza" (Mondomo, Department of Cauca, Colombia, South-America). The main objective was to determine the influence of fertilization, season and forage species in Arbuscular Mycorrhyzae in a degraded Andisol. One C4 forage grass (Brachiaria dictyoneura) and two C3 forage legumes (Arachis pintoi and Centrosema macrocarpum) and native vegetation grown under two fertilization levels, cultivated either in monoculture or in association and harvested at four different ages were evaluated. The numbers of mycorrizal spores in the soil and percentage of root infection of arbuscular mycorrhiza increased with age and varied with the species and season. We founded differences among forage grass and legume species under field conditions to form symbiosis with mycorrhizal fungi. Knowledge on these interspecific differences could contribute to developing better adapted forage systems to contribute recuperating the degraded soils of the Andean hillsides of Latin America.

In this paper we introduce the sequence spaces Gamma(p, σ, q, s), Lambda(p, σ, q, s) and define a semi normed space (X, q), semi normed by q. We study some properties of these sequence spaces and obtain some inclusion relations.

Se condujo un estudio para determinar el efecto de los principios de manejo del Sistema Agroforestal Quesungual (SAQ) en la dinámica de nitrógeno (N) y fósforo (P) del suelo y el impacto de estos en su productividad en el sur-occidente de Honduras, Centroamérica. Se compararon cinco sistemas: (1) tala- y-quema (TQ); (2, 3 & 4) SAQ de Zea mays, y frijol, Phaseolus vulgaris, con (101 kg N +55 kg P /ha en maíz, y 46 kg N + 51 kg P /ha en frijol) y sin fertilización. Las evaluaciones incluyeron descomposición y liberación de nutrientes de la biomasa, mineralización aeróbica de N, fraccionamiento secuencial de P, fraccionamiento por tamaño-densidad de materia orgánica del suelo, y rendimiento. Similitudes en la dinámica del N indican que el SAQ y TQ son igualmente eficientes proveyendo N, aunque en el SAQ como resultado de procesos biológicos. Los reservorios de P fueron más dinámicos y favorables en el SAQ, con menos flujos hacia formas no-disponibles. Basado en la disponibilidad de nutrientes y el rendimiento, el SAQ es una opción factible al sistema TQ en agroecosistemas de pequeña escala.

The main objective of this study was to demonstrate the ability of the instantaneous measurements of the evaporative fraction (EF) to estimate the average daily EF and apply the remote sensing algorithm (SEBAL - Surface Energy Balance Algorithms for Land) to obtain the regional distribution of the instantaneous EF in the Semi-arid region of Brazil. The results show that cloudiness is not related to stability of EF and that the correlation between the diurnal stability of EF and the meteorological parameters have shown weak correlation on cloudy days, and strong correlation with the vapor pressure deficit (VPD) on cloud free days. The EF derived from remote sensing data were compared with the field measurements and presented absolute percent difference less than 12%, evidencing the agreement between the SEBAL algorithm results and measured data, and showing that it is a promising tool to provide estimates of the EF to obtain the evapotranspiration.O principal objetivo desse estudo é demonstrar a capacidade de utilizar medidas instantâneas da fração evaporativa (FE), para estimar a FE média diária e aplicar o algoritmo de sensoriamento remoto (SEBAL - Surface Energy Balance Algorithms for Land), e para obter a distribuição regional da FE instantânea na região Semi-árida do Brasil. Os resultados mostraram que a nebulosidade não está relacionada com a estabilidade da FE, e que a correlação entre a estabilidade diurna da FE e os parâmetros meteorológicos tem mostrado fraca correlação em dias nublados, assim como forte correlação com o déficit de pressão do vapor (DPV) em dias de céu claro. As FEs derivadas de dados de sensoriamento remoto foram comparadas com medidas de campo e apresentaram diferença percentual absoluta menor que 12%, evidenciando a concordância entre os resultados do algoritmo SEBAL e os dados medidos, mostrando que é uma ferramenta promissora para prover estimativas da FE para obter a evapotranspiração.

Se condujo un estudio para determinar el efecto de los principios de manejo del Sistema Agroforestal Quesungual (SAQ) en la dinámica de nitrógeno (N) y fósforo (P) del suelo y el impacto de estos en su productividad en el sur-occidente de Honduras, Centroamérica. Se compararon cinco sistemas: (1) tala-y-quema (TQ); (2, 3 & 4) SAQ de A study was carried out to determine the effect of management principles in the Quesungual Slash and Mulch Agroforestry System (QSMAS) on the dynamics of soil nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), and their impact on QSMAS’ productivity in southwestern Honduras, Central America. Five land use systems were compared: (1) Slash-and-burn traditional system; (2, 3 and 4) QSMAS of 10 years old, respectively; and (5) Secondary forest. Local practices were applied to produce maize Zea mays, and bean Phaseolus vulgaris, with (101 kg N + 55 kg P /ha for maize, 46 kg N + 51 kg P /ha for bean) and without addition of fertilizers. Measurements included decomposition and nutrient release from biomass, aerobic mineralization of N, sequential fractionation of P, size-density fractionation of soil organic matter, and crop yield. Similarities in N dynamics indicate that QSMAS and slash-and-burn system were equally effective in providing N, although in QSMAS it is also result of a biologically mediated process. P pools in QSMAS were more dynamic and favorable by reducing their flows towards unavailable forms. Based on nutrient availability and grain yields over time, QSMAS could be a suitable option to replace the slash-and-burn system in smallholder agroecosystems.

The main objective of this study is to assess the daily ET accuracy obtained by remote sensing algorithms in comparison with measurements in situ. The experiment was conducted in the State of Ceará, Brazil, in a cotton experimental field of EMBRAPA using Bowen ratio measurements to obtain the energy balance components. SEBAL and S-SEBI algorithms were used with four TM Landsat - 5 images of 2005, in order to determine the actual evapotranspiration of cotton crop. The comparison between the estimated values by remote sensing algorithms and the measured values in situ showed that the methods (SEBAL and S-SEBI) presented satisfactory results. The S-SEBI algorithm is an important tool to be applied in ET analysis of semi-arid regions, due its practicability to solve the energy balance and its processing is simpler than SEBAL algorithm which needs the solution of an iterative process.O principal objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a precisão de ET diária, obtida por algoritmos baseados em sensoriamento remoto, em comparação com os valores obtidos em campo pelo método da razão de Bowen na cultura do algodão. Esta campanha experimental foi desenvolvida no Estado de Ceará, Brasil, no campo experimental de EMBRAPA. Foram usadas neste estudo 4 imagens Landsat - 5 TM do ano de 2005, para aplicação dos algoritmos SEBAL e S-SEBI. A comparação entre os valores obtidos pelos algoritmos e os valores medidos em campo apresentou precisão satisfatória com um evidente melhor desempenho do algoritmo SEBAL. Os resultados comprovaram que o algoritmo S-SEBI é uma ferramenta importante a ser aplicada na análise da ET em regiões semi-áridas, devido a sua praticidade na obtenção do balanço de energia, assim como, por seu processamento ser mais simples do que o do algoritmo SEBAL, o qual necessita da solução de um processo iterativo.

Se evaluaron el uso de recursos y la sostenibilidad de tres sistemas agroforestales (bosque secundario- BS, tala y quema-TQ y sistema conservacionista Quesungual-SAQ). Se utilizaron datos de 15 parcelas de 200 m2 ubicadas entre 14° 05' N y 88° 30' W y transformicidades reportadas en otros estudios. Los mayores valores de emergía se presentaron en la variable Lluvia (1.35E15 sej/ha por año) y las mayores diferencias de emergía entre sistemas se observaron en suelo erosionado, especialmente en TQ, BS y SAQ tuvieron mayor Razón de Carga Ambiental que TQ (0.63, 0.14 y 0.02, respectivamente). El sistema TQ presenta el valor más alto del índice de Huella Ecológica seguido por SAQ y BS. El índice de Sostenibilidad de Emergía del sistema TQ fue 34.8, el de SAQ = 135.6 y el de BS = 4123.8, con mayores valores de sostenibilidad en el SAQ y el BS, lo cual indica que son sistemas que favorecen el uso de recursos renovables y locales.

Neste estudo foi desenvolvido um Método Objetivo (MO) para identificar Vórtices Ciclônicos de Altos Níveis (VCANs) na região Tropical Sul, baseado na vorticidade relativa e no escoamento horizontal do vento ao redor do centro dos sistemas. O MO foi elaborado usando dados de reanálises do National Centers for Environmental Prediction - National Centers for Atmospheric Research (NCEP-NCAR) e validado, para o período de cinco anos (2002 a 2006), através da comparação entre os resultados obtidos pelo MO e os obtidos pela Análise dos Campos (AC) de vento e vorticidade relativa. Por outro lado, uma avaliação da AC em identificar os VCANs foi feita, para o mesmo período, através da comparação entre os resultados desta e os obtidos usando Imagem de Satélite (IS) no canal espectral do vapor d'água. As AC apresentaram resultados satisfatórios e, portanto, o conjunto dos dados de reanálises do NCEP-NCAR foi aplicado ao MO. Foi observado um bom desempenho do MO em identificar os sistemas, bem como algumas características associadas, tais como: número de ocorrência, número de dias com atuação, posicionamento, direção de deslocamento e região de formação.In this study an Objective Method (OM) to identify Upper-Tropospheric Cyclonic Vortex (UTCV) in South Tropical region, based on relative vorticity and on horizontal wind flow of the wind around the system center was developed. The OM was elaborated using reanalysis data of the National Center for Environmental Prediction-National Centers for Atmospheric Research (NCEP-NCAR) and validated for a period of five years (from 2002 to 2006),by through a comparison between the OM results and the ones obtained through field analyses (FA) of wind and relative vorticity. On the other hand a FA for evaluation in identifying UTCV was made in the same period through by a comparison between these results and the ones obtained using Satellite Images on water vapor channel satellite pictures. The FA presented satisfactory results and, therefore set of NCEP-NCAR reanalysis was applied to the MO. A good OM performance was observed in identifying these systems, as well as some associated characteristics, such as, number of occurrence, number of days in action, positioning, displacement direction and region formation.

K. Chandrasekhara Rao and K. Joseph [5] introduced the concepts of semi star generalized open sets and semi star generalized closed sets in a topological space. The same concept was extended to bitopological spaces by K. Chan-drasekhara Rao and K. Kannan [6,7]. In this paper, we continue the study of τ1τ2-s∗g closed sets inbitopology and we introduced the newly related concept of pairwise s∗g-continuous mappings. Also S∗GO-connectedness and S∗GO-compactness are introduced in bitopological spaces and some of their properties are established.

Se evaluaron el uso de recursos y la sostenibilidad de tres sistemas agroforestales (bosque secundario- BS, tala y quema-TQ y sistema conservacionista Quesungual-SAQ). Se utilizaron datos de 15 parcelas de 200 m² ubicadas entre 14° 05' N y 88° 30' W y transformicidades reportadas en otros estudios. Los mayores valores de emergía se presentaron en la variable Lluvia (1.35E15 sej/ha por año) y las mayores diferencias de emergía entre sistemas se observaron en suelo erosionado, especialmente en TQ, BS y SAQ tuvieron mayor Razón de Carga Ambiental que TQ (0.63, 0.14 y 0.02, respectivamente). El sistema TQ presenta el valor más alto del índice de Huella Ecológica seguido por SAQ y BS. El índice de Sostenibilidad de Emergía del sistema TQ fue 34.8, el de SAQ = 135.6 y el de BS = 4123.8, con mayores valores de sostenibilidad en el SAQ y el BS, lo cual indica que son sistemas que favorecen el uso de recursos renovables y locales.

Low nutrient availability, especially phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) supply is the major limitation to forage production in acid infertile soils of the tropics. A field study was conducted at the farm 'La Esperanza' located in Mondomo, Department of Cauca, in the coffee growing zone of Colombia. The main objective was to determine differences in root distribution, nutrient (N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S) acquisition and nutrient utilization of one C4 forage grass (Brachiaria dictyoneura) and two C3 forage legumes (Arachis pintoi and Centrosema macrocarpum) grown under two fertilization levels, cultivated either in monoculture or in association and harvested at four different ages.There were no significant differences in root biomass among the grass and legumes and their combinations. The native vegetation had the lowest root biomass; while the introduced grass (B. dictyoneura) had the highest root length density among all materials at all depths and ages and the native vegetation had the highest specific root length. As expected, nutrient uptake increased with age and with high fertilization in all species. Centrosema macrocarpun had the highest N and Ca uptake among all plant materials tested. Uptake of P, K and Mg was greater in the grass B. dictyoneura than in the other plant species and combination planting at all ages. On the other hand, the grass had the lowest Ca uptake. The grass and its mixture with the legumes A. pintoi and C. macrocarpun had the highest S uptake. A highly significant (pA. pintoi the lowest.

Low nutrient availability, especially phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) supply is the major limitation to forage production in acid infertile soils of the tropics. A field study was conducted at the farm ‘La Esperanza’ located in Mondomo, Department of Cauca, in the coffee growing zone of Colombia. The main objective was to determine differences in root distribution, nutrient (N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S) acquisition and nutrient utilization of one C4 forage grass (Brachiaria dictyoneura) and two C3 forage legumes (Arachis pintoi and Centrosema macrocarpum) grown under two fertilization levels, cultivated either in monoculture or in association and harvested at four different ages.There were no significant differences in root biomass among the grass and legumes and their combinations. The native vegetation had the lowest root biomass; while the introduced grass (B. dictyoneura) had the highest root length density among all materials at all depths and ages and the native vegetation had the highest specific root length. As expected, nutrient uptake increased with age and with high fertilization in all species. Centrosema macrocarpun had the highest N and Ca uptake among all plant materials tested. Uptake of P, K and Mg was greater in the grass B. dictyoneura than in the other plant species and combination planting at all ages. On the other hand, the grass had the lowest Ca uptake. The grass and its mixture with the legumes A. pintoi and C. macrocarpun had the highest S uptake. A highly significant (p

The objective of this work was to evaluate the reliability of eddy covariance measurements, analyzing the energy balance components, evapotranspiration and energy balance closure in dry and wet growing seasons, in a banana orchard. The experiment was carried out at a farm located within the irrigation district of Quixeré, in the Lower Jaguaribe basin, in Ceará state, Brazil. An eddy covariance system was used to measure the turbulent flux. An automatic weather station was installed in a grass field to obtain the reference evapotranspiration (ET0) from the combined FAO-Penman-Monteith method. Wind speed and vapor pressure deficit are the most important variables on the evaporative process in both growing seasons. In the dry season, the heat fluxes have a similar order of magnitude, and during the wet season the latent heat flux is the largest. The eddy covariance system had acceptable reliability in measuring heat flux, with actual evapotranspiration results comparing well with those obtained by using the water balance method. The energy balance closure had good results for the study area, with mean values of 0.93 and 0.86 for the dry and wet growing seasons respectively.O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a confiabilidade da técnica das correlações turbulentas, analisando as componentes do balanço de energia, a evapotranspiração e o fechamento do balanço de energia nas estações de crescimento seca e úmida, na cultura da banana. O experimento foi realizado em uma fazenda localizada no distrito irrigado de Quixeré, na Bacia do Baixo Jaguaribe, Ceará. Foi utilizado um sistema de correlações turbulentas na obtenção das medidas dos fluxos turbulentos. Uma estação meteorológica automática foi instalada em um gramado para a obtenção da evapotranspiração de referência (ET0) pelo método FAO-Penman-Monteith. A velocidade do vento e o deficit de pressão do vapor são as variáveis mais importantes no processo evaporativo em ambas as estações. Na estação seca, os fluxos de calor têm ordens de magnitude similares, enquanto na estação úmida o calor latente é superior. O sistema de correlações turbulentas apresentou confiança aceitável na obtenção dos fluxos de calor, com a evapotranspiração real mostrando valores similares aos obtidos pelo método do balanço hídrico. O fechamento do balanço de energia apresentou bons resultados para a área de estudo, com valores médios de 0,93 e 0,86 para as estações seca e chuvosa, respectivamente.

En seis puntos de tres transectos (102 m) paralelos (9 m) en tres sistemas de uso del terreno (Quesungual menor de dos años, SAQ

En seis puntos de tres transectos (102 m) paralelos (9 m) en tres sistemas de uso del terreno (Quesungual menor de dos años, SAQ

O principal objetivo deste trabalho é prover novas informações sobre as tendências na precipitação total e eventos extremos de precipitação sobre o Estado do Ceará, fazendo uma análise de diferentes índices de detecção de mudanças climáticas, baseados em dados de precipitação pluvial diária. Utilizaram-se dados de precipitação de 18 postos, no período de 1935 a 2006, representando todas as microrregiões do Estado; o software utilizado no processamento e controle de qualidade dos dados foi o RClimdex 1.9.0. Com base nos resultados encontrados, observou-se que ocorreram mudanças locais na precipitação, assim como um visível aumento nas condições de umidade sobre o Ceará.The principal objective of this work is to provide new information on the trends in the total precipitation and extreme events of precipitation in the State of Ceará, making an analysis of different indices of detection of climatic changes, based on data of daily precipitation. Precipitation data of 18 stations were used, in the period from 1935 to 2006, representing all the microregions of the State; the software used in the processing and quality control of the data was RClimdex 1.9.0. The results show local changes in the precipitation and a visible increase in the humidity conditions in Ceará.

The GEOS-1 data from multiyear reanalysis are using. An altered Walker Circulation is initiated by the rising motion created over the warm ocean surface on the eastern Pacific. This occurred during the major El Niño event of 1982-1983. To compensate the rising motion, a sinking motion is generated over western Pacific completing the formation of the altered Walker Circulation. Thus, the initiation of the altered Walker Circulation is by the sea surface gradient as originally envisioned by Bjerknes.Utilizando-se dados de reanálises do GEOS-1, observa-se que durante o El Niño de 1982-1983 a circulação de Walker anômala iniciou-se devido ao movimento ascendente gerado pelas águas superficiais quentes no Pacífico leste. Para compensar o movimento ascendente, subsidência de ar é gerada sobre o Pacífico oeste de forma a completar a circulação de Walker anômala. Assim, o início da circulação de Walker anômala ocorreu devido ao gradiente superficial sobre o mar tal como sugerido por Bjerknes.

Se evaluaron en invernadero en un suelo de Matazul, Meta, Colombia durante 6 semanas, 2 genotipos de Brachiaria (uno mejor adaptado a bajo P, B. decumbens y otro menos adaptado, B. ruziziensis) y 8 progenies del cruzamiento entre ellos ( mejores adaptados: H-7, H-40, H-28, H-58; menos adaptados: H-190, H-94, H-82, H-179). Los genotipos mejor adaptados presentaron mayor biomasa aérea, explicada por mayor área foliar, mayor absorción de P en el tallo y mayor volumen de raíz. Las características morfológicas de las raíces, principalmente longitud, peso seco y contenido de P, permiteron mejor adaptación a bajo P disponible en el suelo. El periodo de evaluación fue suficiente para observar diferencias entre progenies.

RESUMEN Se evaluaron en invernadero en un suelo de Matazul, Meta, Colombia durante 6 semanas, 2 genotipos de Brachiaria (uno mejor adaptado a bajo P, B. decumbens y otro menos adaptado, B. ruziziensis) y 8 progenies del cruzamiento entre ellos ( mejores adaptados: H-7, H-40, H-28, H-58; menos adaptados: H-190, H-94, H-82, H-179). Los genotipos mejor adaptados presentaron mayor biomasa aérea, explicada por mayor área foliar, mayor absorción de P en el tallo y mayor volumen de raíz. Las características morfológicas de las raíces, principalmente longitud, peso seco y contenido de P, permiteron mejor adaptación a bajo P disponible en el suelo. El periodo de evaluación fue suficiente para observar diferencias entre progenies.