Patterns and gaps on plant-pollination interactions: a global systmatic review

Orientador: Jean Ricardo Simões VituleMonografia (graduação) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Tecnologia, Curso de Graduação em Engenharia AmbientalInclui referência

FINANCIAMENTO DAS INSTITUIÇÕES DE ENSINO SUPERIOR (IES) BRASILEIRAS EM TEMPO DE CRISE

Brazilian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are financed by public and private resources, however since 2016, the amounts transferred / collected have decreased. Thus, the objective of the work is to identify the way that the crisis caused by the pandemic has impacted the budget of Brazilian Higher Education. To this end, data extracted from information sites of the federal government for the period from 2016 to 2020 were analyzed. The results show that the amounts transferred to the Ministry of Education have little representation in the General Budget of the Union, when compared to other destinations such as payment external debt. The values ​​destined for higher education are more significant than those destined for other segments of education. It is concluded that the budget transferred to federal universities is smaller than the transfers allocated to private HEIs through FIES and ProUni. It is also noted that most of the resources earmarked for higher education refer to the payment of civil servants.As Instituições de Ensino Superior (IES) Brasileiras são financiadas por recursos públicos e privados, contudo desde o ano de 2016 os valores repassados/arrecadados têm diminuído. Dessa forma, o objetivo do trabalho é identificar a forma que a crise causada pela pandemia tem impactado no orçamento da Educação Superior Brasileira. Para tanto foram analisados dados extraídos de sites de informação do governo federal referentes ao período de 2016 a 2020. Os resultados apontam que os valores repassados para o Ministério da Educação têm pequena representatividade no Orçamento Geral da União, se comparado a outras destinações tais como pagamento da dívida externa. Os valores destinados para a educação superior são mais significativos do que os destinados para outros seguimentos da educação.  Conclui-se que o orçamento repassado para as universidades federais é menor que os repasses destinados para as IES particulares por meio do FIES e ProUni. Constata-se ainda que a maior parte dos recursos destinados para a educação superior refere-se a pagamento de servidores

Comparison between azithromycin and amoxicillin in the treatment of infectious exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of azithromycin and amoxicillin in the treatment of patients with infectious exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. METHODS: This study was conducted at six medical centers across Brazil and included 109 patients from 33 to 82 years of age. Of those, 102 were randomized to receive either azithromycin (500 mg/day for three days, n = 49) or amoxicillin (500 mg every eight hours for ten days, n = 53). The patients were evaluated at the study outset, on day ten, and at one month. Based on the clinical evaluation of the signs and symptoms present on day ten and at one month, the outcomes were classified as cure, improvement, or treatment failure. The microbiological evaluation was made through the culture of sputum samples that were considered appropriate samples only after leukocyte counts and Gram staining. Secondary efficacy evaluations were made in order to analyze symptoms (cough, dyspnea, and expectoration) and pulmonary function. RESULTS: There were no differences between the groups treated with azithromycin or amoxicillin in terms of the percentages of cases in which the outcomes were classified as cure or improvement: 85% vs. 78% (p = 0.368) on day ten; and 83% vs. 78% (p = 0.571) at one month. Similarly, there were no significant differences between the two groups in the secondary efficacy variables or the incidence of adverse effects. CONCLUSION: Azithromycin and amoxicillin present similar efficacy and tolerability in the treatment of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.OBJETIVO: Comparar a eficácia, segurança e tolerabilidade da azitromicina e da amoxicilina no tratamento de pacientes com quadro clínico de exacerbação infecciosa da doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica. MÉTODOS: Seis centros brasileiros incluíram 109 pacientes com idades entre 33 e 82 anos. Desses pacientes, 102 foram randomizados para receber azitromicina (500 mg por dia por três dias, n = 49) ou amoxicilina (500 mg a cada oito horas por dez dias, n = 53). Os pacientes foram avaliados no início do estudo, após dez dias e depois de um mês. A avaliação clínica, de acordo com os sinais e sintomas presentes após dez dias e após um mês, consistiu na classificação dos casos nas categorias cura, melhora ou falha terapêutica. A avaliação microbiológica foi feita pela cultura de amostras de escarro consideradas adequadas após contagem de leucócitos e coloração de Gram. Avaliações secundárias de eficácia foram feitas com relação aos sintomas (tosse, dispnéia e expectoração) e à função pulmonar. RESULTADOS: Não houve diferenças entre as proporções de casos classificados como cura ou melhora entre os grupos tratados com a azitromicina ou a amoxicilina. Essas proporções foram, respectivamente, de 85% vs. 78% (p = 0,368) após dez dias, e de 83% vs. 78% (p = 0,571) após um mês. Também não foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre os dois grupos quando comparadas as variáveis secundárias de eficácia e a incidência de eventos adversos. CONCLUSÃO: A azitromicina tem eficácia e tolerabilidade semelhantes às da amoxicilina para o tratamento da exacerbação aguda da Doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica.Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do SulUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)Universidade Federal do Paraná Departmento de Clínica MédicaFaculdade de Medicina do ABCUniversidade Estadual de Londrina Centro de Ciências da Saúde Departmento de Clínica MédicaSanta Casa de Porto Alegre Pavilhão Pereira FilhoUNIFESPSciEL

Biogenic Synthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs) Produced by Indigenous Microorganisms Isolated from Banana (Musa spp) Soils

This research focused on the screening of indigenous microorganisms isolated from banana soils for their capability to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) extracellularly. Ninety-five isolates were screened for AgNP production. The cell-free extracts of these isolates were added to silver nitrate (AgNO3) aqueous solution and were observed for color changes from original pale yellow to dark brown. Ten isolates (3 bacteria and 7 fungi) were found capable of producing AgNPs. Bacterial isolates B2, B3, and B5 were molecularly identified as Bacillus aryabhattai, Priestia megaterium, and B. megaterium, respectively. The AgNPs produced by these bacterial isolates were circular and showed an absorbance peak at approximately 420 nm. On the other hand, the fungal isolates F2, F3, and F43 were molecularly identified as Penicilliumcitrinum, P. glaucoroseum, and P. oxalicum. The AgNPs produced by the Penicillium spp were aggregated, circular and showed absorbance peaks at 420 nm. The other four fungal isolates, F7, F24, F29, and F40, were identified as Aspergillus flavus, A. terreus, and A. japonicum (F29 and F40), respectively. The AgNPs produced by the Aspergillus spp. were circular and showed absorbance peaks between 420 nm and 450 nm. The continuous search for novel isolates that can carry out the biogenic synthesis of AgNPs remains the focus of nanotechnological research. This study confirms microorganisms of Bacillus, Penicillium, and Aspergillus genera can effectively biosynthesize AgNPs

Computer Vision-Aided Intelligent Monitoring of Coffee: Towards Sustainable Coffee Production

Coffee which is prepared from the grinded roasted seeds of harvested coffee cherries, is one of the most consumed beverage and traded commodity, globally. To manually monitor the coffee field regularly, and inform about plant and soil health, as well as estimate yield and harvesting time, is labor-intensive, time-consuming and error-prone. Some recent studies have developed sensors for estimating coffee yield at the time of harvest, however a more inclusive and applicable technology to remotely monitor multiple parameters of the field and estimate coffee yield and quality even at pre-harvest stage, was missing. Following precision agriculture approach, we employed machine learning algorithm YOLO, for image processing of coffee plant. In this study, the latest version of the state-of-the-art algorithm YOLOv7 was trained with 324 annotated images followed by its evaluation with 82 unannotated images as test data. Next, as an innovative approach for annotating the training data, we trained K-means models which led to machine-generated color classes of coffee fruit and could thus characterize the informed objects in the image. Finally, we attempted to develop an AI-based handy mobile application which would not only efficiently predict harvest time, estimate coffee yield and quality, but also inform about plant health. Resultantly, the developed model efficiently analyzed the test data with a mean average precision of 0.89. Strikingly, our innovative semi-supervised method with an mean average precision of 0.77 for multi-class mode surpassed the supervised method with mean average precision of only 0.60, leading to faster and more accurate annotation. The mobile application we designed based on the developed code, was named CoffeApp, which possesses multiple features of analyzing fruit from the image taken by phone camera with in field and can thus track fruit ripening in real time

EHMT2/G9a as an epigenetic target in pediatric and adult brain tumors

Epigenetic mechanisms, including post-translational modifications of DNA and histones that influence chromatin structure, regulate gene expression during normal development and are also involved in carcinogenesis and cancer progression. The histone methyltransferase G9a (euchromatic histone lysine methyltransferase 2, EHMT2), which mostly mediates mono- and dimethylation by histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9), influences gene expression involved in embryonic development and tissue differentiation. Overexpression of G9a has been observed in several cancer types, and different classes of G9a inhibitors have been developed as potential anticancer agents. Here, we review the emerging evidence suggesting the involvement of changes in G9a activity in brain tumors, namely glioblastoma (GBM), the main type of primary malignant brain cancer in adults, and medulloblastoma (MB), the most common type of malignant brain cancer in children. We also discuss the role of G9a in neuroblastoma (NB) and the drug development of G9a inhibitors

Más iguales que diferentes: por una integración pacífica y colaborativa entre la comunidad venezolana y peruana de la urbanización Los Jazmines del Naranjal

En años recientes, el Perú ha recibido más de un millón de migrantes venezolanos, convirtiéndose en el segundo destino de esta población. Distritos como San Martín de Porres, han experimentado dificultades para la integración migratoria debido a la percepción negativa existente entre la población de acogida. Por ello, esta investigación tiene como objetivo general determinar la manera en la que se construye la percepción negativa sobre los migrantes venezolanos, en los residentes de la urbanización Los Jazmines del Naranjal del distrito de San Martín de Porres. Para ello, se establecieron dos objetivos específicos: conocer las características de la percepción negativa de los migrantes venezolanos presente en los residentes de la urbanización, e identificar los factores que influyen en su construcción. A nivel teórico, el estudio aborda categorías como percepción en torno a migrantes, contexto local, relaciones entre comunidad migrante y de acogida, y medios y espacios de comunicación. Para el recojo de información, se aplicaron entrevistas semi estructuradas y se realizó una revisión documentaria. Se concluyó que la percepción negativa sobre los migrantes venezolanos se construye a partir de diversos factores como la influencia de los medios, los cuales asocian a los venezolanos con actos delictivos, informalidad y caos; la disputa por el acceso a oportunidades laborales; y el limitado conocimiento y comprensión entre comunidades. Frente a ello, se propone el proyecto “Más iguales que diferentes”, cuyo objetivo específico es promover la percepción positiva en torno a los migrantes venezolanos de la urbanización mencionada. Para lograrlo, se planteó tres resultados esperados: fomentar una imagen libre de prejuicios, concientizar sobre la igualdad de derechos y oportunidades, y que la comunidad migrante y de acogida cuenten con espacios de encuentro para mantener la comunicación y el respeto. En ese sentido, se crearon diversas actividades participativas y entretenidas que involucraban a ambas comunidades.In the last years, Peru has received more than a million Venezuelan migrants, becoming the second main destination for Venezuelan newcomers. Districts with the largest Venezuelan population, such as San Martín de Porres, have experienced challenges in their migratory integration, mainly due to the negative perception that they have among the host population. Therefore, the objective of this research is to determine the way in which the negative perception of Venezuelan migrants is built among the residents of the locality “Los Jazmines del Naranjal”. Based on this, we have settled two specific objectives: To know the characteristics of the negative perception of Venezuelan migrants present among the residents of this locality, and to identify the factors that influence the building of said negative perception. The study addresses categories such as perception of migrants, local context, relations between the migrant and host community, and the media and spaces of communication. To collect this information, semi-structured interviews with different stakeholders were held and documentary reviews took place. It is concluded that the negative perception of Venezuelan migrants from the residents of the Los Jazmines del Naranjal is built from various factors such as the influence of media that associates Venezuelans with criminal acts, informality and chaos; the dispute over access to job opportunities; and the limited knowledge and understanding between communities. Based on this, the project “Más Iguales Que Diferentes” is proposed with the specific objective of promoting a positive perception of Venezuelan migrants in the mentioned locality. Three expected results are proposed: Promote an image free of prejudice; raise awareness about equal rights and opportunities; and that the migrant and host community have meeting spaces to maintain communication and respect between both of them. In this sense, various participatory and entertaining activities that involve both communities were created

Cover cropping system and mulching can shape soil microbial status in fruit orchards

The use of cover crop in agricultural fields has been well elucidated, especially regarding nitrogen fixation from legume crops and their function as weed protection. Furthermore, to cover crops can benefit the soil microbial community. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the benefits of mulching and cover cropping systems on soil microbial growth and activity, and their effects on plant mineral nutrition in pomelo (Citrus maxima) and macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia) orchards. The treatments included: 1) control [Glyphosate herbicide (Roundup at 4 l per ha)], 2) manual weed control, 3) mulching with dead leaves from their respective trees (macadamia and pomelo), 4) millet, 5) faba bean, 6) millet + faba bean. All the treatments were applied for 120 days before soil and plant leaves were sampled for analyses. Plant mineral nutrition, soil microbial biomass C (MBC) and soil microbial biomass N (MBN); basal respiration (BRA), arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) colonization (COL); number of AMF spores (SPO) in soil; total organic carbon (TOC) and total nitrogen (TN) were evaluated. Plant nutrition was not altered by the treatments; however, the MBC, COL and SPO markedly increased in response to mulching and faba bean + millet treatments. Especially in macadamia soils, these treatments had a great response to soil microbiology. Significant negative correlations were also detected for the COL, SPO, BRA and TOC with the Nutrient Balance Index (NBI). These results indicate that in short-term the cover cropping system is useful to improve the soil microbial growth and AMF formation in soils of pomelo and macadam orchards