EVALUATION OF OPTIMAL ECOLOGICAL TOURISM ROUTES OBTAINED VIA GOOGLE EARTH SOFTWARE IN AN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AREA

Ecological tourism stands out as an economic activity that can be reconciled with nature conservation. Such activities have been carried out in several conservation units in Brazil. However, for satisfactory implementation, it is necessary to effectively plan the activities to be conducted, places to be visited, and paths to reach those places. In this context, we aimed to assess whether Google Earth software can assist in the expansion of the plan to use these areas for ecotourism, especially the routes that may be taken by tourists within the conservation unit. For this purpose, tourist interest sites were defined in the State Environmental Protection Area of Rio Pandeiros in the northern region of the state of Minas Gerais. The shortest routes between the pairs of locations obtained using Google Earth and QGIS software were evaluated. Additionally, it was necessary to perform vectorization and classification of all roads in the area. The lengths of the paths obtained were compared using a method identity test. The results showed that for most routes, Google Earth showed longer paths than QGIS. It can be concluded that for the purpose of ecotourism, precise planning should consider the vectorization of roads in areas with many rural roads.

WOOD VOLUMETRY OF Tachigali vulgaris PURE PLANTATIONS IN DIFFERENT PLANTING SPACINGS

The aim of this study was to develop volumetric equations for tachi-branco trees (Tachigali vulgaris L. G. Silva & H. C. Lima), by assessing the effect of initial planting spacing in volume estimates, as well as developing an equation to estimate the equivalent diameter (deq). Data are from an experiment located in north Pará. The experiment was conducted with the randomized blocks design, being three blocks with six treatments each. The most used volumetric models were assessed for two distinct situations: considering each trunk as a tree and using the tree deq as independent variables in the volumetric model. The need for individual equations for initial planting spacing was tested. In addition, an equation for deq estimate was proposed. The use of deq provided more precise and accurate volumetric estimates regarding diameter at breast height. Among the models tested, the Schumacher-Hall model was selected. Through the model identity test, the equation can be used to estimate tree volume of Tachigali vulgaris, regardless of planting spacing. The equivalent diameter can be estimated via equation from minimum and maximum diameters of tree trunks. The maximum percentage differences of volume by hectare obtained with the measurement of all trunks and deq were only 5% without loss in production accuracy per unit of area

Setting expectations: Building the blocks of phonemic awareness

Young learners require developmental benchmarks to improve awareness of the phonemes in a new language. This study aimed to extend our understanding of Japanese elementary school students’ general and specific phonemic awareness across four years of English instruction. A public elementary school 3rd-6th year students in Japan (n=261, ages=8–12) participated in this study. The phoneme-identity test used consisted of fifteen items employing words during students' regular English classes. The effect of year on achievement and the difference between grades was tested. There was a significant effect of students' year on test score (p<.05). While there were no statistically significant difference years 4-5, and between years 5-6, students’ phonemic awareness increased two-year increments. Moreover, patterns of specific phoneme difficulties were identified. The present study provides preliminary guidelines for understanding the intersection between first and foreign languages, instructional context and their shared contribution towards listening and reading development in primary schools.

To Condemn Is Not to Punish: An Experiment on Hypocrisy

Hypocrisy is the act of claiming moral standards to which one’s own behavior does not conform. Instances of hypocrisy, such as the supposedly green furnishing group IKEA’s selling of furniture made from illegally felled wood, are frequently reported in the media. In a controlled and incentivized experiment, we investigate how observers rate different types of hypocritical behavior and if this judgment also translates into punishment. Results show that observers do, indeed, condemn hypocritical behavior strongly. The aversion to deceptive behavior is, in fact, so strong that even purely self-deceptive behavior is regarded as blameworthy. Observers who score high in the moral identity test have particularly strong reactions to acts of hypocrisy. The moral condemnation of hypocritical behavior, however, fails to produce a proportional amount of punishment. Punishment seems to be driven more by the violation of the norm of fair distribution than by moral pretense. From the viewpoint of positive retributivism, it is problematic if neither formal nor informal punishment follows moral condemnation.

Evaluator effect on the ultrasound measurement of subcutaneous fat deposition and loin eye area from weaning to slaughter lambs

Background and Aim: Ultrasound is a non-invasive technique that enables animal evaluation and body condition classification of animals. Although it is not difficult to obtain an image, the analysis of this image can influence results quality. This study aimed to evaluate the repeatability and reproducibility of the technician trained in image interpretation obtained using different ultrasound frequencies. Materials and Methods: Ninety-six lambs were used, ranging in weight from 15 to 40 kg. The images were captured using a linear probe of 13 cm, with a 3.5 megahertz (MHz) frequency and an acoustic couplant aid "standoff" or using a multifrequency transducer (6 and 8 MHz), on B mode, with a linear probe and 8.0 MHz frequency. All measurements were performed by the same technician, on the left side, between the 12th and 13th rib. Five different evaluators, at two different times, with aid of Image J software measured the loin eye area (LEA; only for images obtained with 3.5 MHz), Longissimus thoracis et lumborum depth (DLM), subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT), subcutaneous fat thickness plus skin (SFST), and skin thickness (ST). Results: For LEA, DLM, SFT, SFST, and ST, variation was observed (p<0.01) between evaluators; however, there was no difference (p>0.05) between the 2 times of evaluation. Images measurements obtained with a frequency of 8.0 MHz had better repeatability indices and reproducibility indices. Accordingly, the identity test demonstrated that measurements performed on images obtained using 3.5 or 8.0 MHz were not equivalent. Conclusion: Ultrasound image measurements obtained using an 8.0 MHz frequency were more accurate and precise. It is important to use only one evaluator or providing the simultaneous training for all evaluators.

Selection of kale accesses to dehydration post-harvest by model identity test

ABSTRACT The selection of kale genotypes more resistant to dehydration is important, since this product is marketed fresh and characterized as perishable. For the post-harvest study, the adjustment of regression models is useful. However, when there are many treatments, it is difficult to identify the superior one through the graphical representation of the curves. In this sense, the model identity test groups the curves establishing genotypes that have statistically similar behavior. Thus, we aimed to select kale accesses for post-harvest dehydration using the model identity test. The accumulated loss of fresh matter of 22 kale genotypaes was evaluated, being 19 of the germplasm bank of the UFVJM and three commercial cultivars (COM). The model identity test was used for the statistical grouping of the regression curves. The UFVJM-19 and UFVJM-32 accessions had lower rates of dehydration as a function of time. The test facilitated the interpretation of the results, with a reduction of 22 to six regression curves, helping to select the best genotypes. The UFVJM-19 and UFVJM-32 accessions are the most indicated because they present lower post-harvest dehydration, being the most recommended for commercialization.

Psychodiagnostics of sexual awareness and of interpersonal interaction attitudes in the practice of compulsory treatment of patients with pedophilia and comorbid mental disorders

This article presents the results of a study that assesses the dynamics of the parameters of sexual awareness in mentally sick patients (sexual criminals with pedophilia and comobrid mental disorders in the process of compulsory treatment). 52 patients were examined before and after the course of treatment (psychopharmacological effect combined with antiandrogens and cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy); among which there are 32 subjects with heterosexual pedophilia, 11 subjects - with homosexual pedophilia, 9 subjects - with bisexual pedophilia; 22 subjects (43,3 %) diagnosed with schizophrenia, 18 subjects (34,6%) - with organic personality disorder, 12 subjects (23%) - with mild mental retardation. Methods used: “MiF” - a modified gender identity test; “TsTO” - “Color Test”; "Coding"; Vagner Test (a computer version of the HAND test) and the Drawing Test “Man. Woman. Child». The identified changes make it possible to detect actual targets for psychotherapeutic intervention and can be taken into account when determining the risk of recidivism and of patients’ danger degree.

Stratification in the adjustment of hypsometric relationship models in forest fragment

The objective of this study was to find a hypsometric relationship model capable of estimating the height of trees in unequal forest fragment, testing the efficiency of stratification by species, ecological group and diametric class. In the unequal forest fragment (2.2 ha) belonging to the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica / RJ, a census was carried out, botanical identification of trees with a diameter ≥ 5 cm, being this variable measured, as well as their respective height total. The data were stratified into ecological group, species and diametric class, and then ten traditional models of hypsometric relation were adjusted for the general database and for each stratum. The significance of the models was evaluated by the F test and the t test, with 95% probability. Trends of the estimates were verified with graphical analysis of the residues, being also observed the coefficient of determination (R2 aj.) and standard error of the estimate in percentage (Syx%). By means of the regression parameters, the Graybill models identity test was subsidized. The Trorey model was chosen and it was observed that the stratification by species and ecological group made the adjustment more efficient. Stratification in diametric class showed no gain.