ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to identify areas susceptible to drought and under desertification in the Brazilian Northeast, more specifically in the states of Alagoas, Pernambuco, and Sergipe. The study was based on the 2000-2014 time period, relative frequency, Vegetation Condition Index (VCI) dataset derived from MOD13Q1 products (vegetation indices derived from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer sensor). The areas located within the desertification nucleus of Cabrobó, in the southwestern of Pernambuco and surrounding the Águas Belas municipality were considered susceptible to drought and desertification. Some municipalities in the countryside of Alagoas showed a very low relative frequency of VCI data (45-50%), and occurrence of areas between 55-60%. Tthe Sergipe state presented a relative frequency VCI data around 50% only in the Poço Verde municipality. Among the areas with low rates of VCI and the most frequently identified in this research, therefore, with greater frequency of droughts, the Southwestern and the Southern Pernambuco hinterlands were not considered as pilot areas by MMA (Brazilian Environment Ministry) in its desertification studies and were included as susceptible for desertification in this study. The results suggest the use of this methodology to subsidize formulations of public policies with application in land use and land cover studies or sustainable development and environmental risk analysis.

ABSTRACT In a watershed there is space and climate variability within its catchment area, causing changes in water qualitative and quantitative characteristics. Thus, the hydrological data collected from a specific basin may be extrapolated to neighboring basins with similar physical characteristics, using techniques of hydrological regionalization. This study developed the flow regionalization in the Teles Pires Basin, using historic series and probabilistic models to verify the data adherence through the regression equations adjustment according to the hydrologically homogeneous regions. The linear and power regression models were tested, employing physical and climatic characteristics and then the best adjustments were selected based on coefficients of determination, adjusted coefficient of determination, significance by F-test and small number of variables in the equation. The physical characteristics of the basin, drainage area and mainstream length, and the climatic variable, annual total precipitation showed higher adjustments. These equations can provide subsidy for decision making in the process of water resource management.

A endozoocoria é um dos processos mais importantes na dispersão de sementes em florestas tropicais, dependente em grande parte de aves e mamíferos, onde a passagem dos frutos pelo sistema digestório permite a escarificação química das sementes e sua germinação. Entre as diversas espécies consumidas por animais está Rapanea ferruginea Ruiz et Pav. (Myrsinaceae), uma árvore perenifólia, heliófila, higrófila e pioneira, cujos frutos são ingeridos pelo marsupial Didelphis albiventris Lund, um pequeno mamífero onívoro de hábito noturno. Levando-se em consideração a importância do conhecimento sobre os processos de mutualismo dispersivo, o objetivo neste experimento foi avaliar a germinação de sementes de R. ferruginea que passaram pelo sistema digestório de D. albiventris. As sementes foram submetidas a seis tratamentos: (1) Grupo-Controle - sementes sem tratamento; (2) Grupo Lixa - sementes escarificadas; (3) Grupo Sistema Digestório - sementes que passaram pelo sistema digestório dos animais; (4) Grupo pH 2; (5) Grupo pH 3; (6) Grupo pH4. Os resultados indicaram que o processo de escarificação foi necessário para a obtenção de maiores taxas e velocidades de germinação da espécie estudada. O tratamento com lixa alcançou resultados significativamente diferentes do Grupo Controle, porém inferiores aos demais tratamentos. O tratamento Grupo Sistema Digestório apresentou a maior taxa e velocidade de germinação. Estes resultados indicam que D. albiventris pode ser considerado um frugívoro indutor da taxa e velocidade de germinação de R. ferruginea.

Endozoochorism is one of the most important processes of seed dispersal in tropical rainforests, mostly dependent on birds and mammals, whose digestive systems cause chemical scarification and germination of the seeds passing through. The opossum Didelphis albiventris Lund, a small a small omnivorous and noctivagous mammal that feeds, among other plants, on Rapanea ferruginea (Ruiz et Pav.) (Myrsinaceae), an evergreen tree, heliophile, pioneer and hygrophilous. Considering the acknowledged importance of mutualistic dispersive processes, the aim of this experiment was to evaluate seed germination that passes through the digestive system of D. albiventris. The seeds were submitted to 6 treatments: (1) Controlling Group - non-treated seeds; (2) Sandpaper Group - scarificated seeds; (3) Digestive System Group - seeds that passed through the animal's digestive system; (4) Group pH 2; (5) Group pH 3; (6) Group pH 4. The results indicate that the scarification process is necessary to obtain higher germination rates and velocity for the studied species. The sandpaper treatments reached significantly different results than the Controlling Group, although it was lower than the others treatments. The Digestive System Group had the higher germination rate and velocity. These results indicate that D. albiventris can be considered a frugivorous inductor of R. ferruginea's germination rates and velocity.

Este trabalho consistiu na modelagem hidrológica de uma microbacia hidrográfica utilizando-se o modelo HidroBacia, no qual o processo de infiltração da água no solo é representado por meio da equação de Green-Ampt modificada por Mein e Larson. Obtiveram-se, dentre os parâmetros desta equação, o potencial matricial na frente de umedecimento, a condutividade hidráulica e a umidade do solo na zona de transmissão, através de diversos métodos apresentados na literatura; desta forma, foram preparadas e testadas 36 combinações de dados de entrada, visando identificar as que apresentam melhor desempenho nas simulações do hidrograma de escoamento superficial com o modelo e se selecionaram, dentre os eventos de chuva-vazão registrados na microbacia, os 14 mais relevantes para realização das simulações. Das 36 combinações de dados de entrada testadas, seis apresentaram melhor desempenho na estimação dos hidrogramas. O modelo HidroBacia ainda necessita de aprimoramentos, juntamente com análises de sensibilidade, com vista a identificar possíveis incompatibilidades entre os dados de entrada e os respectivos resultados das simulações, uma vez que o modelo apresentou resultados incoerentes em determinadas situações.

This work consisted of the hydrologic modeling of a small watershed using the HidroBacia model. The soil water infiltration process is represented by means of the Green-Ampt equation, modified by Mein and Larson, in this model. Among the equation parameters, matric potential in the wetting front, hydraulic conductivity and soil moisture in the "field saturation" were obtained using different methods based on previous scientific literature. Thirty six input data combinations were tested in order to identify those that showed better performance on the runoff hydrograph simulations with the model. Between the rainfall-runoff events registered on watershed, the most relevant (14) of them were selected to perform the simulations. Six of 36 input data combinations tested showed better performance in the hydrograph estimations. The HidroBacia model still needs more improvenents, as well as sensitivity analysis in order to identify incompatibilities between input data and the simulation results, since the model showed incoherent results under certain situations.

Testes preliminares realizados com o modelo hidrológico HidroBacia, indicaram desequilíbrio no seu balanço de massa, despertando a necessidade de estudos visando ao seu aperfeiçoamento; assim, o presente trabalho consistiu no aprimoramento do modelo HidroBacia a partir da localização e correção de falhas no código-fonte do seu programa computacional, essas falhas foram identificadas através da depuração do modelo durante simulações do hidrograma de escoamento superficial, utilizando-se dados de uma microbacia hidrográfica experimental. A principal causa relacionada com o desequilíbrio do balanço de massa do modelo, tinha referência com a solução das equações do modelo de ondas cinemáticas usado na propagação dos hidrogramas de escoamento superficial, cujo problema foi contornado pela substituição do algoritmo linear utilizado, Bras (1990), pelo algoritmo não-linear apresentado por Li et al. (1975). A partir desta modificação, considerada principal, e outras modificações implementadas, o balanço de massa do modelo HidroBacia foi ajustado e suas simulações passaram a gerar estimativas coerentes. Em virtude das alterações efetuadas, o HidroBacia evoluiu da versão 1.0 para a versão 1.1.

In previous tests conducted by the HidroBacia hydrologic model, desequilibria in its mass balance was detected, thus showing the need for further studies for its improvement. This work consisted of improvement of the HidroBacia model by means of identification and correction of mistakes in its software source code. The mistakes were identified through adjustment during runoff hydrograph simulations using an experimental watershed data bank. The main factor, related to the mass balance desequilibria in the model, was correlated with the solution of the equations for the kinematic wave model used for propagation of the runoff hydrographs. This problem was corrected by the substitution of the linear algorithm used (Bras, 1990), by the non-linear algorithm proposed by Li et al. (1975). Starting from this modification, considered as the principal one, and other modifications made in the program, mass balance of the HidroBacia model was fitted and its simulations started to generate coherent estimates. Due to the modifications made in HidroBacia the software evolved from version 1.0 to version 1.1.

The electromagnetic form factors of light and heavy pseudoscalar mesons are calculated within two covariant constituent-quark models, viz., a light-front and a dispersion relation approach. We investigate the details and physical origins of the model dependence of various hadronic observables: the weak decay constant, the charge radius and the elastic electromagnetic form factor.

O saldo de radiação é um importante componente do balanço de energia e tem grande relevância em estudos de evapotranspiração em áreas irrigadas e em bacias hidrográficas. Obteve-se, através do estudo, a estimativa do saldo de radiação à superfície terrestre, mediante imagens multiespectrais do Mapeador Temático do satélite Landsat 5, utilizando-se o SEBAL (Surface Energy Balance Algorithm for Land) e o MED (Modelo de Elevação Digital). Os cálculos foram realizados com e sem utilização do MED, nos dias 04 de dezembro de 2000 e 04 de outubro de 2001. A temperatura da superfície (Ts) e os valores do albedo estimados com o MED em 04/12/2000, foram um pouco superiores aos valores de Ts estimados sem a utilização deste modelo. Os resultados demonstraram que na estimativa do saldo de radiação com base em imagens MT - Landsat 5, se deve levar em consideração os efeitos topográficos da região de estudo.

Net radiation is an important component of the surface energy balance in studies of evapotranspiration of irrigated crops and in evaporation of hydrological basins. The objective of this research was to determine the surface radiation balance, by using multispectral imagery of the Thematic Mapper (Landsat 5 satellite). In this study the SEBAL (Surface Energy Balance Algorithm for Land) and DEM (Digital Elevation Model) were used in order to correct the albedo and vegetation indices under the influence of the slope aspects were used for each study area. TM (Thematic Mapper) imageries were used for two different dates (December 4, 2000 and October 4, 2001). The calculations were accomplished with and without use of the DEM. The land surface temperature and albedo values with DEM were larger than without DEM in both years, for two selected areas. Results also show that for obtaining net radiation based on imagery of the TM - Landsat 5 the topographical effects of the study area must be considered.

In this work we study an extension of a light-cone QCD-inspired model, where the interacting part of the mass squared operator consists of a harmonic oscillator potential as confinement, a Coulomb-like interaction and a zero-range spin interaction acting on the ³S0 states. The renormalization of the model is performed by using as a input the pion mass to fix the strength of the spin interaction. We apply the extended model to study the splitting of the ³S1 and ³S0 ground state mesons and the spectrum in the light meson sector. We show that the experimental values of the splitting between the masses of ³S1 and ³S0 ground state mesons as a function of the ground state pseudoscalar mass is reproduced by the model. In the botonium case our result is consistent with other theoretical estimates.

A recursive subtractive renormalization of the scattering equation is applied to the nucleon-nucleon ¹S0 channel with one-pion-exchange plus derivative contact interactions. This method can be easily extended to any derivative order of the singular interaction. Although we limit this work to the singlet partial wave, the method can be used as well in higher waves and coupled channels. The ¹S0 renormalization parameters are fitted to the data.

A potencialidade de um pólo de fruticultura irrigada no Norte Fluminense é enorme, dada a região apresentar muitas vantagens. Entretanto, a viabilidade de um sistema de produção dependerá do adequado manejo do mesmo, carecendo de análises econômicas dos insumos aplicados e dos resultados obtidos para estabelecer uma diretriz. Baseado nessas premissas, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o manejo da água a aplicar por meio de análises econômicas das funções de resposta (água x produção) e, ainda, considerando os diferentes mercados a atingir, nacional e internacional. Foi montado um experimento com diferentes lâminas de irrigação na cultura do mamão, com a cultivar "Improved Sunrise Solo 72/12", plantada em fileiras duplas, com espaçamento 3,6 x 2,0 x 2,0 m. Foi utilizado um sistema de irrigação por microaspersão com vazão e pressão de 9,7 x 10-3 L s-1 e 150 kPa, respectivamente. Os níveis de irrigação aplicados foram em função da evapotranspiração de referência (ET0), ou seja, 0; 40; 80; 120; 160; 200 e 240% da ETo. Os resultados encontrados, no período de 16 meses, permitiram estimar que as lâminas ótimas econômicas (precipitação + irrigação) foram de 2.818 e 2.832 mm, correspondendo a 45,4 e 35,5 t ha-1 de produtividade do mercado nacional e internacional, respectivamente.

The potentiality of irrigated horticulture pole in the Northern Fluminense is enormous, as the region presents a lot of advantages. However, the viability of the production system will depend on its appropriate management, lacking economical analyses of the applied inputs and results obtained to settle down a guideline. Based on those premises, this work aims to evaluate the appropriate water management to be applied through economical analyses of the answer functions (water x production) and, moreover, considering the different markets to be reached, mainly national and international. An experiment was set up with different irrigation sheets in papaya crop, with "Improved Sunrise Soil 72/12" cultivar, in double arrays with spacing of 3.6 x 2.0 x 2.0 m. A microsprinkler irrigation system was used, with flow and pressure equal to 9.7 x 10-3 L s-1 and 150 kPa, respectively. The applied irrigation levels, as function of the reference evapotranspiration (ET0), were 0; 40; 80; 120; 160; 200 and 240% of ET0. The obtained results, in the period of 16 months, allowed to estimate that the best economical dephts (rain + irrigation) were equal to 2,818 and 2,832 mm, corresponding to 45.4 and 35.5 t ha-1 of the national and international market production, respectively.

The electromagnetic current of spin-1 composite particles does not transform properly under rotations if only the valence contribution is considered in the light-front model. In particular, the plus component of the current, evaluated only for the valence component of the wave function, in the Drell-Yan frame violates rotational symmetry, which does not allow a unique calculation of the electromagnetic form-factors. The prescription suggested by Grach and Kondratyuk [Sov. J. Nucl. Phys. 38, 198 (1984)] to extract the form factors from the plus component of the current, eliminates contributions from pair diagrams or zero modes, which if not evaluated properly cause the violation of the rotational symmetry. We address this problem in an analytical and covariant model of a spin-1 composite particle.

We show that the systematic inconsistence found in the simultaneous fit of the neutron and proton magnetics moments in light-front models, disappears when one allows an asymmetry in the constituent quark masses. The difference between the constituent quarks masses is an effective way to include in the nucleon model the effect of the attractive short ranged interaction in the singlet spin channel.

In the present work we discuss the contribution of the vacuum polarization on the nuclear pairing, in the context of the relativistic Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (HFB) approximation. The polarization effects on the pairing, as a function of Fermi momentum, is shown with the scalar and vector meson-nucleon coupling constants scaled by a parameter x. We have obtained that the nuclear pairing is affected by the vacuum polarization.

We show that a linear scaling between the weak decay constants of pseudoscalars and the vector meson masses is supported by the available experimental data. The decay constants scale as f m/f p = MV/Mr (f m decay constant and M V vector meson ground state mass). This simple form is justified within a renormalized lightfront QCD-inspired model for quark-antiquark bound states.

The simultaneous fit of proton ratio m pG Ep/G Mp, qF2p/F1p to the recent experimental data and static properties of the nucleon is studied within a light-front model with different spin coupling schemes and wave functions. The position of the zero of proton electric form factor is sensitive to the presence of a hard constituent quark component in the nucleon wave function. The fitting of the new data for the ratios is achieved with a hard momentum scale about 4-5 GeV.