A social and ecological assessment of tropical land uses at multiple scales: the Sustainable Amazon Network

Science has a critical role to play in guiding more sustainable development trajectories. Here, we present the Sustainable Amazon Network (Rede Amazonia Sustentavel, RAS): a multidisciplinary research initiative involving more than 30 partner organizations working to assess both social and ecological dimensions of land-use sustainability in eastern Brazilian Amazonia. The research approach adopted by RAS offers three advantages for addressing land-use sustainability problems: (i) the collection of synchronized and co-located ecological and socioeconomic data across broad gradients of past and present human use; (ii) a nested sampling design to aid comparison of ecological and socioeconomic conditions associated with different land uses across local, landscape and regional scales; and (iii) a strong engagement with a wide variety of actors and non-research institutions. Here, we elaborate on these key features, and identify the ways in which RAS can help in highlighting those problems in most urgent need of attention, and in guiding improvements in land-use sustainability in Amazonia and elsewhere in the tropics. We also discuss some of the practical lessons, limitations and realities faced during the development of the RAS initiative so far.Keywords: Social–ecological systems, Tropical forests, Land use, Interdisciplinary research, Sustainability, Trade-off

Estudo comparativo entre lesões cariosas artificiais e naturais de esmalte com relação à permeabilidade da camada superficial

The aim of this study was to compare artificial carious enamel lesions induced with an acid gel containing large amounts of organic matter and artificial carious lesions induced by an acidic solution (with little organic constituent) regarding organic volume and permeability (&#61537;d). Thirty teeth (twenty third molar and ten molars with inactive white spot lesions) were divided into three groups. In order to induce artificial caries, ten teeth were exposed to an acid gel containing hydroxyethylcellulose 2% and 50 mM lactic acid at pH 4.5 (Gel; n = 10) while the other ten teeth a demineralizing solution (0,1 mM lactic acid, 11.7 mM of calcium, chloroform 0.5% v/v, 6 mM phosphate, pH 4.5) (Solution; n = 10). As a control group, the teeth containing white spot lesions were also analyzed (Natural Caries, n = 10). Three points were analyzed in each sample at the surface layer in each lesion at 50&#956;m intervals. The results obtained in each of the three groups were compared with theoretical mathematical found values in the literature as a way to standardize the comparison. Finally, variations in organic volume (Ratio &#61538;) and permeability (Ratio &#61537;d) in relation to predicted values were compared between groups. For variable Ratio &#61538;, there was a significant difference between the gel and solution [p<0.0001, ANOVA; Effect Size (ES)=1.84] and between solution and the natural caries (p=0.001, ANOVA; ME=0.46). Similarly, the values of Ratio &#61537;d between Gel/Solution (p<0.0001, Mann-Whitney, ES=0.96) and Solution/Natural caries (p<0.0001; Mann-Whitney; ME=1.15) differed significantly. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups Gel and Natural Caries for Ratio &#61538; (p=0.585, ANOVA, ES=0.30) and the Ratio &#61537;d (p=0.940, Mann-Whitney, ES=0.01). It was concluded that, as in natural decay, the surface layer of artificial carious enamel lesions created with organic acid gel showed higher organic matter and lower permeability compared to those induced in acidic solution.Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível SuperiorO objetivo deste estudo foi comparar lesões cariosas artificiais de esmalte induzidas com gel ácido contendo grande quantidade de matéria orgânica e lesões cariosas artificiais induzidas com solução ácida com pouco constituinte orgânico, quanto ao volume orgânico e à permeabilidade (&#61537;d). Trinta dentes (vinte terceiros molares inclusos e dez molares com lesão de mancha branca inativa) foram distribuídos em três grupos. Com o intuito de se induzir cárie artificial, dez dentes inclusos foram expostos a um gel ácido de hidroxietilcelulose 2% e ácido lático 50 mM com pH 4,5 (Gel; n=10) e os outros dez a uma solução desmineralizante (0,1 mM de ácido lático, 11,7 mM de cálcio, clorofórmio 0,5% v/v e 6 mM de fosfato, com pH 4,5) (Solução; n=10). Como grupo controle, os dentes contendo lesões de mancha branca também foram analisados (Cárie Natural; n=10). De cada amostra analisou-se três pontos da camada superficial da lesão, em intervalos de 50 &#956;m. Os pontos analisados em cada um dos três grupos foram comparados com valores teóricos estabelecidos matematicamente na literatura, como forma de padronizar as comparações. E, por fim, as variações de volume orgânico (Razão &#61538;) e permeabilidade (Razão &#61537;d) em relação a valores previstos foram comparadas entre os grupos. Para a variável Razão &#61538;, houve diferença significante entre os grupos Gel e Solução [p<0,0001, ANOVA; Magnitude do efeito (ME)=1,84] e entre Solução e Cárie Natural (p=0,001; ME=0,46; ANOVA). Da mesma forma, os valores da Razão &#61537;d do cruzamento Gel/Solução (p<0,0001, Mann-Whitney; ME=0,96) e Solução/Cárie Natural (p<0,0001, Mann-Whitney; ME=1,15) diferiram de maneira significativa. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre os grupos Gel e Cárie Natural para a Razão &#61538;&#61472;(p=0,585; ANOVA; ME=0,30) e a Razão &#61537;d (p=0,940; Mann-Whitney; ME=0,01). Concluiu-se que, semelhantemente à cárie natural, a camada superficial das lesões cariosas artificiais de esmalte criadas com gel ácido apresentaram maior volume orgânico e menor permeabilidade, comparadas às induzidas em solução ácida

Capacitação para cuidadores de idosos na Associação Promocional do Ancião (ASPAN) na cidade de João Pessoa – PB

O presente texto relara o desenvolvimento de um projeto de extensão que teve como objetivo geral proporcionar capacitação técnica/profissional a cuidadores de idosos de uma de Instituições de Longa Permanência para Idosos (ILPIs), na cidade de João Pessoa – PB, com foco nos aspectos biopsicossociais, dando sentido ao cuidado exercido. O projeto teve o formato de curso livre, tendo como parceiro social a Associação Promocional do Ancião (ASPAN). Primeiro entrou-se em contato com os cuidadores, através da ASPAN, e posteriormente foi dado início a capacitação. O curso teve a participação de 16 cuidadores de idosos da instituição parceira e foi executado por professores e um discente do Instituto Federal de Educação Ciência e Tecnologia do IFPB Campus Avançado Mangabeira. Ao longo das oficinas pode-se perceber que a equipe de cuidadores que a princípio se apresentou resistente a participar do curso aos poucos foram cedendo e participando das aulas, foram se identificando com os conteúdos que estavam sendo ministrados e foram participando das discussões e atividades propostas nas oficinas

A social and ecological assessment of tropical land uses at multiple scales:the Sustainable Amazon Network

Science has a critical role to play in guiding more sustainable development trajectories. Here, we present the Sustainable Amazon Network (Rede Amazonia Sustentavel, RAS): a multidisciplinary research initiative involving more than 30 partner organizations working to assess both social and ecological dimensions of land-use sustainability in eastern Brazilian Amazonia. The research approach adopted by RAS offers three advantages for addressing land-use sustainability problems: (i) the collection of synchronized and co-located ecological and socioeconomic data across broad gradients of past and present human use; (ii) a nested sampling design to aid comparison of ecological and socioeconomic conditions associated with different land uses across local, landscape and regional scales; and (iii) a strong engagement with a wide variety of actors and non-research institutions. Here, we elaborate on these key features, and identify the ways in which RAS can help in highlighting those problems in most urgent need of attention, and in guiding improvements in land-use sustainability in Amazonia and elsewhere in the tropics. We also discuss some of the practical lessons, limitations and realities faced during the development of the RAS initiative so far

Growing knowledge: an overview of Seed Plant diversity in Brazil

Abstract An updated inventory of Brazilian seed plants is presented and offers important insights into the country's biodiversity. This work started in 2010, with the publication of the Plants and Fungi Catalogue, and has been updated since by more than 430 specialists working online. Brazil is home to 32,086 native Angiosperms and 23 native Gymnosperms, showing an increase of 3% in its species richness in relation to 2010. The Amazon Rainforest is the richest Brazilian biome for Gymnosperms, while the Atlantic Rainforest is the richest one for Angiosperms. There was a considerable increment in the number of species and endemism rates for biomes, except for the Amazon that showed a decrease of 2.5% of recorded endemics. However, well over half of Brazillian seed plant species (57.4%) is endemic to this territory. The proportion of life-forms varies among different biomes: trees are more expressive in the Amazon and Atlantic Rainforest biomes while herbs predominate in the Pampa, and lianas are more expressive in the Amazon, Atlantic Rainforest, and Pantanal. This compilation serves not only to quantify Brazilian biodiversity, but also to highlight areas where there information is lacking and to provide a framework for the challenge faced in conserving Brazil's unique and diverse flora