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Even though behavioural and physiological reactions to predation risk exhibited by prey species have received considerable attention in scientific journals, there are still many questions still unsolved. Our aim was to broaden the knowledge on one specific question: do long-tailed pygmy rice rats adapt their behavioural and physiological antipredator strategies depending on the predator species? For this question, we live-trapped in a temperate forest in Southern Chile long-tailed pygmy rice rats (Oligoryzomys longicaudatus), which were exposed to three predator odour phases (Phase 0: preliminary, no predator cues; Phase 1: one plot with culpeo fox faeces (Lycalopex culpaeus), one plot with lesser grison (Galictis cuja) faeces and one plot acting as a control with no odour; Phase 2: post treatment, no predator cues). We measured the behavioural response by the capture ratio. To assess the physiological stress response, we collected fresh faecal samples to quantify faecal corticosterone metabolites (FCM). Our results showed that O. longicaudatus increased both the capture ratio and FCM levels in the presence of culpeo cues. Culpeo foxes have higher densities in the study area than G. cuja and exhibit a higher activity pattern overlap with O. longicaudatus. Moreover, it has been also been reported in other regions that L. culpaeus consumption of O. longicaudatus is more frequent compared to G. cuja diet. The increase in capturability could be because traps can be regarded as a shelter in high-risk settings, but it can also be explained by the predator inspection behaviour. The increase in FCM concentrations during culpeo treatment can be linked to the adaptive mobilisation of energy to execute antipredator responses to increase survival chances.

Abstract The PREDICTS project—Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems (https://www.nhm.ac.uk/our-science/our-work/biodiversity/predicts.html)—has collated from published studies a large, reasonably representative database of comparable samples of biodiversity from multiple sites that differ in the nature or intensity of human impacts relating to land use. We have used this evidence base to develop global and regional statistical models of how local biodiversity responds to these measures. We describe and make freely available this 2016 release of the database, containing more than 3.2 million records sampled at over 26,000 locations and representing over 47,000 species. We outline how the database can help in answering a range of questions in ecology and conservation biology. To our knowledge, this is the largest and most geographically and taxonomically representative database of spatial comparisons of biodiversity that has been collated to date; it will be useful to researchers and international efforts wishing to model and understand the global status of biodiversity.

Teneurins are type II transmembrane proteins comprised of four phylogenetically conserved homologs (Ten-1-4) that are highly expressed during neurogenesis. An additional bioactive peptide named teneurin C-terminal-associated peptide (TCAP-1-4) is present at the carboxyl terminal of teneurins. The possible correlation between the Ten/TCAP system and brain injuries has not been explored yet. Thus, this study examined the expression of these proteins in the cerebral cortex after mechanical brain injury. Adult rats were subjected to cerebral cortex injury by needle-insertion lesion and sacrificed at various time points. This was followed by analysis of the lesion area by immunohistochemistry and conventional RT-PCR techniques. Control animals (no brain injury) showed only discrete Ten-2-like immunoreactive pyramidal neurons in the cerebral cortex. In contrast, Ten-2 immunoreactivity was significantly up-regulated in the reactive astrocytes in all brain-injured groups (p < 0.0001) when compared to the control group. Interestingly, reactive astrocytes also showed intense immunoreactivity to LPHN-1, an endogenous receptor for the Ten-2 splice variant named Lasso. Semi-quantitative analysis of Ten-2 and TCAP-2 expression revealed significant increases of both at 48 h, 3 days and 5 days (p < 0.0001) after brain injury compared to the remaining groups. Immortalized cerebellar astrocytes were also evaluated for Ten/TCAP expression and intracellular calcium signaling by fluorescence microscopy after TCAP-1 treatment. Immortalized astrocytes expressed additional Ten/TCAP homologs and exhibited significant increases in intracellular calcium concentrations after TCAP-1 treatment. This study is the first to demonstrate that Ten-2/TCAP-2 and LPHN-1 are upregulated in reactive astrocytes after a mechanical brain injury. Immortalized cerebellar astrocytes expressed Ten/TCAP homologs and TCAP-1 treatment stimulated intracellular calcium signaling. These findings disclose a new functional role of the Ten/TCAP system in astrocytes during tissue repair of the CNS.

Increasing deforestation worldwide has expanded the interfaces between fragmented forests and non-forest habitats. Human-made edges are very different from the original forest cover, with different microclimatic conditions. Conversely, the natural transitions (i.e., ecotones) are distinct from human-made forest edges. The human-made forest edges are usually sharp associated with disturbances, with abrupt changes in temperature, humidity, luminosity and wind incidence towards the forest interior. However, the natural forest-lake ecotones, even when abrupt, are composed of a complex vegetal physiognomy, with canopy structures close to the ground level and a composition of herbaceous and arboreal species well adapted to this transition range. In the present study, fruit-feeding butterflies were used as models to investigate whether faunal assemblages in natural ecotones are more similar to the forest interior than to the anthropic edges. Butterflies were sampled monthly over one year in the Rio Doce State Park, Southeastern Brazil, following a standardized design using a total of 90 bait traps, in three different forest habitats (forest interior, forest ecotone and anthropic edges), in both canopy and understory. A total of 11,594 individuals from 98 butterfly species were collected (3,151 individuals from 79 species in the forest interior, 4,321 individuals from 87 species in the ecotone and 4,122 individuals from 83 species in the edge). The results indicated that the butterfly richness and diversity were higher in transition areas (ecotones and edges). The ecotone included a combination of butterfly species from the forest interior and from anthropic edges. However, species composition and dominance in the ecotone were similar to the forest interior in both vertical strata. These results suggest that human made forest edges are quite distinct from ecotones. Moreover, ecotones represent unique habitats accommodating species adapted to distinct ecological conditions, while anthropic edges accommodate only opportunistic species from open areas or upper canopies.

This paper presents a series of experiments on the effectiveness of existing mechanical ventilation systems during accidental hydrogen releases in confined spaces, such as underground garages. The purpose was to find the mass flow rate limit, hence the TPRD diameter limit, that will not require a change in the ventilation system. The experiments were performed in a 40 ft ISO container in Norway, and hydrogen gas was used in all experiments. The forced ventilation system was installed with a standard 315 mm diameter outlet. The ventilation parameters during the investigation were British Standard with 10 ACH and British Standard with 6 ACH. The hydrogen releases were obtained through 0.5 mm and 1 mm nozzles from different hydrogen reservoir pressures. Both types of mass flow, constant and blowdown, were included in the experimental matrix. The analysis of the hydrogen concentration of the created hydrogen cloud in the container shows the influence of the forced ventilation on hydrogen releases, together with TPRD diameter and reservoir pressure. The generated experimental data will be used to validate a CFD model in the next step.

Native forests have been replaced by forestry plantations worldwide, impacting biodiversity. However, the effect of this anthropogenic land-use change on parasitism is poorly understood. One of the most important land-use change in Chile is the replacement of native forests by Monterey pine (Pinus radiata) plantations. In this study, we analyzed the parasitism (presence and prevalence) of intestinal helminths from fecal samples of wild rodents in three habitat types: native forests and adult and young pine plantations in central Chile. Small mammals were sampled seasonally for two years, and a total of 1091 fecal samples from seven small mammal species were analyzed using coprological analysis. We found several helminth families and genera, some of them potentially zoonotic. In addition, new rodent–parasite associations were reported for the first time. The overall helminth prevalence was 16.95%, and an effect of habitat type on prevalence was not observed. Other factors were more relevant for prevalence such rodent species for Hymenolepis sp. and season for Physaloptera sp. Our findings indicate that pine plantations do not increase helminth prevalence in rodents compared to native forests.

Ecologically based rodent management strategies are arising as a sustainable approach to rodent control, allowing us to preserve biodiversity while safeguarding human economic activities. Despite predator signals being known to generally repel rodents, few field-based studies have compared the behavioral effects of several predators on different prey species, especially in Neotropical ecosystems. Here, we used camera traps to study the behavior of rodent species native to the Chilean temperate forest (Abrothrix spp., long-tailed pygmy rice rat Oligoryzomys longicaudatus) and an introduced rodent (black rat Rattus rattus). Using playbacks of raptor calls, we experimentally exposed rodents to three predation risk treatments: austral pygmy owl calls (Glaucidium nana), rufous-legged owl calls (Strix rufipes) and a control treatment (absence of owl calls). We evaluated the effects of the treatments on the time allocated to three behaviors: feeding time, locomotor activity and vigilance. Moonlight and vegetation cover were also considered in the analyses, as they can modify perceived predation risk. Results showed that predator calls and environmental factors modified prey behavior depending not only on the predator species, but also on the rodent species. Consequently, owl playbacks could be regarded as a promising rodent control tool, knowing that future studies would be critical to deeply understand differences between species in order to select the most effective predator cues.

Introduction: New scores have been developed and validated in the US for in-hospital mortality risk stratification in patients undergoing coronary angioplasty: the National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR) risk score and the Mayo Clinic Risk Score (MCRS). We sought to validate these scores in a European population with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and to compare their predictive accuracy with that of the GRACE risk score. Methods: In a single-center ACS registry of patients undergoing coronary angioplasty, we used the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), a graphical representation of observed vs. expected mortality, and net reclassification improvement (NRI)/integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) analysis to compare the scores. Results: A total of 2148 consecutive patients were included, mean age 63 years (SD 13), 74% male and 71% with ST-segment elevation ACS. In-hospital mortality was 4.5%. The GRACE score showed the best AUC (0.94, 95% CI 0.91–0.96) compared with NCDR (0.87, 95% CI 0.83–0.91, p=0.0003) and MCRS (0.85, 95% CI 0.81–0.90, p=0.0003). In model calibration analysis, GRACE showed the best predictive power. With GRACE, patients were more often correctly classified than with MCRS (NRI 78.7, 95% CI 59.6–97.7; IDI 0.136, 95% CI 0.073–0.199) or NCDR (NRI 79.2, 95% CI 60.2–98.2; IDI 0.148, 95% CI 0.087–0.209). Conclusion: The NCDR and Mayo Clinic risk scores are useful for risk stratification of in-hospital mortality in a European population of patients with ACS undergoing coronary angioplasty. However, the GRACE score is still to be preferred. Resumo: Introdução: Foram validados novos scores nos EU para estratificação de risco de mortalidade hospitalar em doentes submetidos a angioplastia coronária: da National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR) e da Mayo Clinic (MC). Procurámos validar estes scores numa população Europeia com Síndrome Coronária Aguda (SCA) e comparar a sua acuidade preditiva com o score de GRACE. Métodos: Registo de SCA de um único centro de doentes submetidos a angioplastia coronária. Utilizaram-se as curvas Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) e a Area Under Curve (AUC), a mortalidade observada e esperada e a análise do Net Reclassification Index (NRI)/Integrated Discrimination Improvement (IDI). Resultados: Foram incluídos 2148 doentes consecutivos. Idade média de 63 (DP 13) anos, 74% do sexo masculino e 71% com SCA com elevação ST. A mortalidade hospitalar foi de 4,5%. O score GRACE foi o que mostrou melhor AUC (0,94, IC 95% 0,91 – 0,96) comparativamente com o NCDR (0,87, IC 95% 0,83 – 0,91, p=0,0003) e o MC (0,85, IC 95% 0,81 – 0,90, p=0,0003). Na análise da calibração, o GRACE mostrou o melhor poder preditivo. Com o score GRACE, os doentes foram mais corretamente classificados comparativamente com o da Mayo Clinic (NRI 78,7, IC 95% 59,6 – 97,7; IDI 0,136, IC 95% 0,073 – 0,199) e NCDR (NRI 79,2, IC 95% 60,2 – 98,2; IDI 0,148, IC 95% 0,087 – 0,209). Conclusão: Os scores NCDR e MC são úteis na estratificação de risco para mortalidade hospitalar numa população europeia de doentes com SCA submetidos a angioplastia coronária. Contudo, o score GRACE continua a ser o ideal. Keywords: Risk stratification, Scores, Acute coronary syndromes, Coronary angioplasty, Palavras-chave: Estratificação de risco, Scores, Síndromes coronárias agudas, Angioplastia coronária

A major problem with magnetogels is the encapsulation of hydrophobic drugs. Magnetoliposomes not only provide these domains but also improve drug stability and avert the aggregation of the magnetic nanoparticles. In this work, two magnetoliposome architectures, solid and aqueous, were combined with supramolecular peptide-based hydrogels, which are of biomedical interest owing to their biocompatibility, easy tunability, and wide array of applications. This proof-of-concept was carried out through combination of magnetoliposomes (loaded with the model drug curcumin and the lipid probe Nile Red) with the hydrogels prior to pH triggered gelation, and fluorescence spectroscopy was used to assess the dynamics of the encapsulated molecules. These systems allow for the encapsulation of a wider array of drugs. Further, the local environment of the encapsulated molecules after gelation is unaffected by the used magnetoliposome architecture. This system design is promising for future developments on drug delivery as it provides a means to independently modify the components and adapt and optimize the design according to the required conditions.

The zeolites can have several functions as catalysts (biofuel production) and molecular sieves (treatment of contaminated areas). This study aims to characterize the zeolites obtained in the transition of a Faujasite like zeolite into a Sodalite, when submitted to different thermal treatment times. The synthesized zeolites were characterized by X-ray diffraction where the crystalline phases were identified: Faujasite, Sodalite, SiO2 and amorphous material. The 4 hours heat treatment produces zeolite crystal structure similar to Faujasite, having basic sites, surface area of 552.7 m2 g-1 , and pore volume of 0.3391 cm3 g-1. With increasing time of heat treatment was observed the transition to the Sodalite phase witch containing 0.277 mmol g-1 of basic active sites with surface area of 11.38 m2 g-1 and pore volume of 0.0651 cm3 g-1. By the Rietveld method was identified and quantified the presence of Sodalite and Hidrossodalite in samples with 24 and 30 hours of reaction times.

BACKGROUND: The esophageal cancer is one of the most common and aggressive worldwide. Recently, the AJCC changed the staging system, considering, among others, the important role of the lymph node metastasis on the prognosis. AIM: To discuss the applicability of different forms of lymph node staging in a western surgical center. METHODS: Four hundred eighty seven patients with esophageal cancer were enrolled. Three staging systems were evaluated, the 6th and the 7th AJCC editions and the Lymph Node Metastatic Ratio. RESULTS: The majority of the cases were squamous cell carcinoma. The mean lymph node sample was eight. Considering the survival, there was no significant difference between the patients when they were classified by the 7th AJCC edition. Analysis of the Lymph Node Metastatic Ratio, just on the group of patients with 0 to 25%, has shown significant difference (p=0,01). The 6th AJCC edition shows the major significant difference between among the classifications evaluated. CONCLUSION: In this specific population, the 7th AJCC edition for esophageal cancer was not able to find differences in survival when just the lymph node analysis was considered.

High species diversity of the potential animal host community for a zoonotic pathogen may reduce pathogen transmission among the most competent host, a phenomenon called the "dilution effect", but the mechanisms driving this effect have been little studied. One proposed mechanism is "encounter reduction" where host species of low-competency decrease contact rates between infected and susceptible competent hosts, especially in directly transmitted diseases. We conducted an experiment in outdoor enclosures in northwestern Mexico where we manipulated rodent assemblages to assess the effect of species richness on the frequency of intra- and interspecific interactions and activity patterns of a hantavirus reservoir host (North American deermouse; Peromyscus maniculatus). Trials consisted of three treatments of rodent assemblages that differed in species richness, but had equal abundance of deermice; treatment 1 consisted of only deermice, treatment 2 included deermice and one non-competent host species, and treatment 3 included two non-competent host species in addition to deermice. To measure interactions and temporal activity, we strategically deployed foraging stations and infrared cameras. We did not find differences in the frequency of intraspecific interactions of deermice among treatments, but there were significantly more interspecific interactions between deermouse and non-competent hosts in treatment 2 than treatment 3, which is explained by the identity of the non-competent host species. In addition, there were differences in activity patterns between rodent species, and also between deermice from treatment 1 and treatment 2. These results indicate that at least at a small-scale analysis, the co-occurrence with other species in the study area does not influence the frequency of intraspecific interactions of deermice, and that deermice may be changing their activity patterns to avoid a particular non-competent host species (Dipodomys merriami). In conclusion, in this deermouse-hantavirus system a potential dilution effect would not be through intraspecific encounter reduction in the most competent hantavirus host. To identify variables of host assemblages that can influence pathogen transmission, we highlight the need to address the identity of species and the composition of assemblages, not only host species richness or diversity.

The use of renewable fuels, such as the biodiesel, can ease the demand of fossil fuel for the power generation and transportation fields in rural area. In this work, the performance impact of the application of castor oil biodiesel is evaluated with an automotive and a stationary diesel engine. The application of B20 and B10 biodiesel blends and pre-heated net biodiesel is considered. The viability of the employment of B10 and B20 blends to mobility and power generation was observed from dynamometric bench tests, where this blends performed similar to fossil diesel. With the pre-heated net biodiesel, however, a brake torque loss and a specific consumption increase were observed with relation to diesel fuel.

Atlanteuptychia Freitas, Barbosa & Mielke, gen. nov. is proposed for Euptychia ernestina Weymer, 1911 and illustrated. This taxon lacks the posterior projection of the tegumen, a synapomorphy of Euptychia Hübner, 1818, and does not share morphological synapomorphies with Cyllopsis R. Felder, 1869 and Paramacera Butler, 1868, two Central American genera apparently closely related to Euptychia ernestina, based on molecular data. This evidence supports the proposition of a new genus endemic to the Atlantic Forest, A. ernestina stat. nov.

The tire inflation pressure, among other factors, determines the efficiency in which a tractor can exert traction. It was studied the effect of using two tire inflation pressures, 110.4 kPa in the front and rear wheels, 124.2 kPa in the front wheel and 138 kPa in the rear wheels, the energetic efficiency of an agricultural tractor of 147 kW of engine power, in the displacement speed of 6.0 km.h-1, on track with firm surface, with the tractor engine speed of 2000 rpm. For each condition of the tire pressure, the tested tractor was subjected to constant forces in the drawbar of 45 kN and 50 kN, covering 30 meters. It was used a randomized complete block with a 2x2 factorial arrangement (tire pressure and drawbar power) with four replications, totaling 16 experimental units. Data were subjected to analysis of variance, using the Tukey test at 5% probability for comparison averages. The lowest hourly and specific fuel consumption, the lowest slippage of the wheelsets and the highest efficiency in the drawbar was obtained with the tire inflation pressure of 110.4 kPa in the front and rear tires of the tractor, highlighting that lower pressures improve energetic and operational performance of the tractor.

The aim of the study was to synthesize the urea (13CO(NH2)2), with 99% 13C atoms, and to perform a quality analysis for the diagnosis (breath test) of Helicobacter pylori. Furthermore, the process was submitted to economic analysis. The reaction was performed in a stainless steel reactor, lined with polytetrafluoroethylene, under low pressure and temperature. The synthesis method was shown to be appropriate (2.35 g; 81.9% yield), evidenced by physico-chemical and microbiological results, according to Brazilian legislation. The production and diagnosis costs were competitive compared with national and international market values, rendering this a valuable tool in clinical medicine.

The morphological species delimitations (i.e. morphospecies) have long been the best way to avoid the taxonomic impediment and compare insect taxa biodiversity in highly diverse tropical and subtropical regions. The development of DNA barcoding, however, has shown great potential to replace (or at least complement) the morphospecies approach, with the advantage of relying on automated methods implemented in computer programs or even online rather than in often subjective morphological features. We sampled moths extensively for two years using light traps in a patch of the highly endangered Atlantic Forest of Brazil to produce a nearly complete census of arctiines (Noctuoidea: Erebidae), whose species richness was compared using different morphological and molecular approaches (DNA barcoding). A total of 1,075 barcode sequences of 286 morphospecies were analyzed. Based on the clustering method Barcode Index Number (BIN) we found a taxonomic bias of approximately 30% in our initial morphological assessment. However, a morphological reassessment revealed that the correspondence between morphospecies and molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs) can be up to 94% if differences in genitalia morphology are evaluated in individuals of different MOTUs originated from the same morphospecies (putative cases of cryptic species), and by recording if individuals of different genders in different morphospecies merge together in the same MOTU (putative cases of sexual dimorphism). The results of two other clustering methods (i.e. Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery and 2% threshold) were very similar to those of the BIN approach. Using empirical data we have shown that DNA barcoding performed substantially better than the morphospecies approach, based on superficial morphology, to delimit species of a highly diverse moth taxon, and thus should be used in species inventories.

Volker Wacheck1, Michael Lahn2, Gemma Dickinson3, Wolfgang Füreder4, Renata Meyer4, Susanne Herndlhofer4, Thorsten Füreder1, Georg Dorfner5, Sada Pillay2, Valérie André6, Timothy P Burkholder7, Jacqueline K Akunda8, Leann Flye-Blakemore9, Dirk Van Bockstaele9, Richard F Schlenk10, Wolfgang R Sperr4, Peter Valent4,111Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel, Vienna, Austria; 2Early Oncology Clinical Investigation, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA; 3Department of Pharmacokinetics, Eli Lilly and Company, Erl Wood Research Centre, Windlesham, Surrey, UK; 4Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology and Hemostaseology, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel, Vienna, Austria; 5Eli Lilly GesmbH, Medical Department, Vienna, Austria; 6Department of Statistics, Eli Lilly and Company, Erl Wood Research Centre, Surrey, UK; 7Discovery Chemistry Research and Technology, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA; 8Nonclinical Toxicology, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA; 9Flow Cytometry and Cell Analysis, Esoterix Clinical Trials Services, Mechelen, Belgium; 10Universitätsklinikum Ulm, Klinik für Innere Medizin III, Ulm, Germany; 11Ludwig Boltzmann Cluster Oncology, Vienna, AustriaBackground: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a life-threatening malignancy with limited treatment options in chemotherapy-refractory patients. A first-in-human dose study was designed to investigate a safe and biologically effective dose range for LY2457546, a novel multikinase inhibitor, in patients with relapsed AML.Methods: In this nonrandomized, open-label, dose escalation Phase I study, LY2457546 was administered orally once a day. Safety, pharmacokinetics, changes in phosphorylation of target kinases in AML blasts, and risk of drug–drug interactions (DDI) were assessed.Results: Five patients were treated at the starting and predicted minimal biologically effective dose of 50 mg/day. The most commonly observed adverse events were febrile neutropenia, epistaxis, petechiae, and headache. The majority of adverse events (81%) were Grade 1 or 2. One patient had generalized muscle weakness (Grade 3), which was deemed to be a dose-limiting toxicity. Notably, the pharmacokinetic profile of LY2457546 showed virtually no elimination of LY2457546 within 24 hours, and thus prevented further dose escalation. No significant DDI were observed. Ex vivo flow cytometry studies showed downregulation of the phosphoproteins, pcKIT, pFLT3, and pS6, in AML blasts after LY2457546 administration. No medically relevant responses were observed in the five treated patients.Conclusion: No biologically effective dose could be established for LY2457546 in chemotherapy-resistant AML patients. Lack of drug clearance prevented safe dose escalation, and the study was terminated early. Future efforts should be made to develop derivatives with a more favorable pharmacokinetic profile.Keywords: multikinase inhibitor, pharmacokinetics, safety, acute myeloid leukemia, pharmacodynamics

The Brazilian Atlantic Forest is currently reduced to about 12% of its original range. Among the components that make up its great diversity, there are species with the potential to be bioindicators, which can be very important for conservation-oriented studies. This study compares the species composition, abundance and sex ratio of terrestrial isopods in sites that show different anthropogenic disturbance histories and are located within four reserves in the Atlantic Forest of southwestern Brazil. Our study explores these crustaceans as indicators of anthropogenic disturbance. The influence of one of the following factors was explored in each protected area: 1) history of vegetation harvesting, 2) trail management, 3) Eucalyptus planting, and 4) edge effect. A total of 2,217 individuals of six species (Atlantoscia sp., Benthana werneri Lemos de Castro, 1958, Pseudodiploexochus tabularis (Barnard, 1932), Pudeoniscus obscures Lemos de Castro, 1973, Styloniscus spinosus (Patience, 1907), and Trichorhina sp.) were captured in pitfall traps. The composition of isopod species was different between most of the contrasting sites within reserves, and was similar among the less disturbed sites of different reserves. The total number of isopod individuals and the sex ratio were not different between the contrasting sites within most of the reserves and only the sex ratio of Atlantoscia sp. differed between contrasting sites of one protected area. Upon an individual analysis of each species, S. spinosus (an exotic species) was most abundant in more disturbed sites. The distributions of B. werneri and Atlantoscia sp. over time were relatively synchronous, except where S. spinosus was abundant. Our results also indicate that the exotic species S. spinosus may benefit from the vegetation mosaic produced by disturbance, so differences in abundance of this species may be useful for bioindication. A change in the spatial and temporal structure of Oniscidea communities caused by anthropogenic disturbance may have a cascade effect on ecological cycles because terrestrial isopods play a fundamental role in nutrient cycling.

The immature stages (egg, larva, and pupa) morphology, larval and oviposition behavior, and host plant of the "eighty-eight" butterfly Diaethria clymena janeira (C. Felder, 1862) are described. Eggs are laid singly under leaf, and have pronounced vertical ribs ending up in a crown. Larvae of early instars construct stick-like frass chains where they rest when not feeding. Late instars are green with reduced body scoli and long branched head scoli. Pupae are entirely green, and pupation occurs on the upper leaf surface. In general, morphology and behavior of immature stages are similar to those of related species in the tribe Callicorini.

This paper relates individuals' characteristics to the probability of possessing firearms: a) inside the home; b) outside the home; and c) inside and outside the home. Extending the literature on the demand for firearms whose focus is on the first trait, we collected survey data on 2,045 random individuals of Brasília, Brazil, in 2002. The multinominal logit model yields several new results. First, while we do find that a person's educational level negatively affects the likelihood that an individual will use arms only outside his or her home, education does not affect the probability of an individual possessing a gun only at home, which contrasts sharply with results for the U.S. Second, individuals who own cars and houses have a 2.8% greater probability of keeping guns at home, which may reflect a desire to protect property.Este artigo relaciona características individuais à probabilidad do indivíduo possuir arma de fogo: a) dentro de casa; b) fora de casa; e c) dentro e fora de casa. Foram coletados dados de 2.045 individuos em Brasilia-DF no ano de 2002. O modelo multinomial logit trouxe vários novos resultados. Em primeiro lugar, o nível educacional de uma pessoa afeta negativamente a probabilidade dela ter armas fora de casa, mas não afeta a probabilidade dela ter armas dentro de casa, o que contradiz alguns resultados para os Estados Unidos. Em segundo lugar, indivíduos que são donos de carros e têm casa própria possuem maior probabilidade de ter armas dentro de casa, o que pode indicar um desejo de proteger sua propriedade.

Highly diverse forms of galling arthropods can be identified in much of southeastern Brazil's vegetation. Three fragments of a Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest (SDTF) located in the southern range of the Espinhaço Mountains were selected for study in the first survey of galling organisms in such tropical vegetation. Investigators found 92 distinct gall morphotypes on several organs of 51 host plant species of 19 families. Cecidomyiidae (Diptera) was the most prolific gall-inducing species, responsible for the largest proportion of galls (77%) observed. Leaves were the most frequently galled plant organ (63%), while the most common gall morphotype was of a spherical shape (30%). The two plant species, Baccharis dracunculifolia (Asteraceae) and Celtis brasiliensis (Cannabaceae), presented the highest number of gall morphtypes, displaying an average of 5 gall morphotypes each. This is the first study of gall-inducing arthropods and their host plant species ever undertaken in a Brazilian SDTF ecosystem. Given the intense human pressure on SDTFs, the high richness of galling arthropods, and implied floral host diversity found in this study indicates the need for an increased effort to catalogue the corresponding flora and fauna, observe their intricate associations and further understand the implications of such rich diversity in these stressed and vulnerable ecosystems.Artrópodes indutores de galhas são muito ricos em espécies nas formações vegetais no sudeste do Brasil. Três fragmentos de Floresta Sazonal Tropical Seca (FSTS) foram selecionados nas montanhas do sudeste da cadeia do Espinhaço para a primeira pesquisa de organismos indutores de galhas nesse tipo de vegetação. Encontramos 92 morfotipos distintos de galhas em vários órgãos de 51 espécies de plantas hospedeiras pertencentes à 19 famílias. A maioria das galhas (77%) foi induzida pela família Cecidomyiidae (Diptera). A folha foi o órgão mais atacado (63%), enquanto o morfotipo mais comum foi a forma esférica (30%). As espécies hospedeiras que apresentaram um maior número de morfotipos de galhas foram Baccharis dracunculifolia (Asteraceae) e Celtis brasiliensis (Cannabaceae), cada uma com cinco morfotipos de galha. Este é o primeiro estudo com galhas induzidas por artrópodes em áreas FSTS no Brasil. Dada a intensa pressão antrópica nas áreas de FSTS, a alta riqueza encontrada nesse estudo de artrópodes indutores de galhas aponta a necessidade de um maior esforço para se compreender a diversidade desses ecossistemas.

A revision of the recursive method proposed by S.A. Shakir [Am. J. Phys. 52, 845 (1984)] to solve bound eigenvalues of the Schrödinger equation is presented. Equations are further simplified and generalized for computing wave functions of any given one-dimensional potential, providing accurate solutions not only for bound states but also for scattering and resonant states, as demonstrated here for a few examples.

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Depois da introdução das agulhas de fino calibre (26G, 27G e 29G) e a conseqüente diminuição da incidência de cefaléia pós-punção da dura-máter, a raquianestesia vem sendo cada dia mais empregada. Suas complicações são pouco freqüentes. Recentemente, entretanto, foi observada uma complicação aparentemente rara, de fratura da agulha durante punção subaracnóidea. O objetivo deste relato é registrar o fato e aventar as possíveis causas e sua prevenção. RELATO DO CASO: Paciente do sexo masculino, 53 anos, 90 kg, 175 cm, portador de hipertensão arterial sistêmica crônica e insuficiência renal crônica apresentou-se, em caráter de urgência, para transplante renal. Foi proposta a administração de morfina subaracnóidea visando analgesia pós-operatória. Inicialmente tentou-se, sem sucesso, punção em L3-L4 com agulha 27G, seguiu-se tentativa de punção em L2-L3 quando se percebeu deformação da agulha. Ao ser retirada a agulha partiu-se, permanecendo um fragmento de 43 mm no ligamento interespinhoso de L2-L3, confirmado por fluoroscopia. Foi induzida anestesia geral e procedeu-se exploração cirúrgica guiada por fluoroscopia com retirada do fragmento da agulha. A seguir, o transplante renal foi realizado sem intercorrências. CONCLUSÕES: A diminuição do calibre das agulhas, que trouxe a vantagem da redução da incidência de cefaléia pós-punção da dura-máter, fez também com que elas se tornassem mais frágeis. Em casos onde os ligamentos são mais resistentes e a punção tentada mais de uma vez, pode haver deformação do material que fica susceptível a quebra. Conclui-se que em situações em que há resistência aumentada à passagem da agulha ou dificuldade de punção, o risco de sua deformação e a possibilidade de fratura devem ser confrontados com as vantagens do uso de agulhas de fino calibre.JUSTIFICATIVA Y OBJETIVOS: Después de la introducción de las agujas de calibre fino (26G, 27G y 29G) y la consecuente disminución de la incidencia de cefalea pos-punción de dura-máter, la raquianestesia viene siendo cada día más empleada. Sus complicaciones son poco frecuentes. Recientemente, sin embargo, fue observada una complicación aparentemente rara, de fractura de la aguja durante punción subaracnóidea. El objetivo de este relato es registrar el hecho y exponer las posibles causas y su prevención. RELATO DEL CASO: Paciente del sexo masculino, 53 años, 90 kg, 175 cm, portador de hipertensión arterial sistémica crónica e insuficiencia renal crónica se presentó, en carácter de urgencia, para trasplante renal. Fue propuesta la administración de morfina subaracnóidea con la finalidad de analgesia pós-operatoria. Inicialmente se intentó, sin éxito, punción en L3-L4 con aguja 27G, se siguió una tentativa de punción en L2-L3, cuando se percibió deformación de la aguja. Al ser retirada la aguja se partió, permaneciendo un fragmento de 43 mm en el ligamento interespinoso de L2-L3, confirmado por fluoroscopia. Fue inducida anestesia general y se procedió a una exploración quirúrgica guiada por fluoroscopia con retirada del fragmento de la aguja. A continuación, el trasplante renal fue realizado sin intercurrencias. CONCLUSIONES: La disminución del calibre de las agujas, que trajo la ventaja de la reducción de la incidencia de cefalea después de punción de la dura-máter, hizo también con que ellas se volviesen más débiles. En casos donde los ligamentos son más fuertes y la punción intentada más de una vez, puede haber deformación del material que se pone quisquilloso a la quiebra. Se concluye que en situaciones en las que hay resistencia aumentada por el pasaje de la aguja o dificultad de punción, el riesgo de su deformación y la posibilidad de fractura deben ser afrontados con las ventajas del uso de agujas de fino calibre.BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: After fine spinal needles (26G, 27G and 29G) introduction and consequent decrease in post dural puncture headache, spinal anesthesia is being increasingly used. Its complications are uncommon however recently we have observed a seemingly unusual complication: needle fracture during spinal puncture. This report aimed at describing the fact and at pointing its possible causes in addition to its prevention. CASE REPORT: Male patient, 53 years old, 90 kg, 175 cm, with chronic systemic hypertension and renal failure presented for emergency renal transplantation. Spinal morphine was proposed for postoperative analgesia. Puncture at L3-L4 with 27G needle was attempted without success, and was followed by attempt at L2-L3 when needle deformation was observed. Needle has broken at removal, leaving behind a 43 mm fragment in the L2-L3 interspinous ligament, which was confirmed by fluoroscopy. General anesthesia was induced and fragment was removed by fluoroscopic surgical exploration. Renal transplantation was then performed uneventfully. CONCLUSIONS: Decreased needle gauge has decreased post dural puncture headache but has also made needles fragiles. When ligaments are more resistant and puncture is attempted more than once there may be material stress leading to needle fracture. In conclusion, when there is increased resistance to needle introduction and puncture difficulty, the risk of deformation and potential fracture should be balanced against fine needle advantages.