Surge uma nova ONG: Ação Educativa

Como surgiu, o que faz e como trabalha a Ação Educativa, uma Organização Não-Governamental cujo objetivo é estimular o envolvimento da sociedade com a questão educacional.How Educational Action appeared, what it does and how it works, an Non-Governmental Agency which has as its main strategy to involve the society with the educational matter

A sustentabilidade do biodiesel em Moçambique : uma análise integrada das dimensões institucional, social, alimentar, ambiental e energética

Dissertação (mestrado)—Universidade de Brasília, Centro de Desenvolvimento Sustentável, 2014.Moçambique é um dos países que mais recebem investimentos estrangeiros na África, apresentando condições edafoclimáticas favoráveis ao cultivo de matérias primas para biocombustíveis, especialmente para o biodiesel, além de contar com um quadro legal instituído para o setor. O objetivo é realizar uma análise integrada da sustentabilidade do biodiesel, a partir da identificação de ameaças e oportunidades decorrentes dos modelos propostos e praticados por empresas estrangeiras em Moçambique. Para tanto, foram analisadas as várias percepções, coletadas por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas, com relação a cinco dimensões da sustentabilidade – quadro institucional, inclusão social, segurança alimentar, meio ambiente e segurança energética. Associadas às percepções, foram mapeadas as oportunidades e as ameaças, representando riscos positivos e negativos, apontando para convergências e divergências com relação à sustentabilidade do biodiesel. Combinando métodos qualitativos de pesquisa com técnicas quantitativas, foi aplicado teste estatístico não paramétrico, apropriado para pequenas amostras, além de técnicas de avaliação de riscos, conferindo robustez aos resultados de percepção. Apesar de terem sido detectadas visões divergentes, com relação a riscos considerados importantes, especialmente nas questões institucionais e ambientais, predominou, ao final da pesquisa, a percepção positiva dos entrevistados, apontando para a sustentabilidade do biodiesel em Moçambique nas cinco dimensões analisadas. Em geral, prevaleceram mais oportunidades do que ameaças, com destaque para os aspectos sociais, alimentares e energéticos. Nesse sentido, os resultados indicam que é possível conciliar e integrar a produção de bioenergia com a de alimentos, gerando benefícios à segurança alimentar, ao mesmo tempo em que representa um potencial vetor de desenvolvimento econômico e de inclusão social para o país. Por outro lado, importantes riscos foram identificados, especialmente com relação ao quadro institucional e econômico, e que precisam ser também considerados na formulação e implementação de políticas públicas voltadas ao desenvolvimento da cadeia produtiva do biodiesel em bases sustentáveis. ______________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACTMozambique is one of the countries that receive more foreign investments in Africa, with edaphoclimatic conditions favorable to the cultivation of feedstock for biofuels, especially biodiesel, besides having established a legal framework for the sector. The objective is to perform an integrated analysis of the sustainability of biodiesel, from the identification of threats and opportunities arising from the proposed and practiced models by foreign companies in Mozambique. To this end, we analyzed the various perceptions, collected through semi-structured interviews with respect to five dimensions of sustainability – institutional framework, social inclusion, food security, environment and energy security. Associated with perceptions, opportunities and threats were mapped, representing positive and negative risks, pointing to similarities and differences with respect to the sustainability of biodiesel. Combining qualitative research methods with quantitative techniques, it was applied nonparametric statistical test appropriate for small samples, besides risk assessment techniques, giving robustness to the results of perception. Despite divergent views have been detected with respect to risks considered important, especially in institutional and environmental issues, at the end of the study, predominated the positive perception of respondents, pointing to the sustainability of biodiesel in Mozambique in the five dimensions analyzed. In this sense, the results indicate that it is possible to reconcile and integrate bioenergy production with food crops, generating benefits to food security, while representing a potential vector of economic development and social inclusion for the country. On the other hand, some significant risks were identified, especially with regard to the institutional and economic framework and also need to be considered in the formulation and implementation of public policies aimed at the development of the biodiesel production chain on a sustainable basis

Genotipagem do vírus da hepatite B de pacientes crônicos com resistência ao tratamento com lamivudina na Cidade de Ribeirão Preto, Estado de São Paulo

INTRODUCTION: Lamivudine is a nucleoside analogue that is used clinically for treating chronic hepatitis B infection. However, the main problem with prolonged use of lamivudine is the development of viral resistance to the treatment. Mutations in the YMDD motif of the hepatitis B virus DNA polymerase gene have been associated with resistance to drug therapy. So far, there have not been many studies in Brazil reporting on genotype-dependent development of resistance to lamivudine. Thus, the aim of the present study was to determine the possible correlation between a certain genotype and increased development of resistance to lamivudine among chronic hepatitis B patients. METHODS: HBV DNA in samples from 50 patients under lamivudine treatment was amplified by means of conventional PCR. Samples were collected at Hospital das Clínicas, FMRP-USP. The products were then sequenced and phylogenetic analysis was performed. RESULTS: Phylogenetic analysis revealed that 29 (58%) patients were infected with genotype D, 20 (40%) with genotype A and one (2%) with genotype F. Mutations in the YMDD motif occurred in 20% of the patients with genotype A and 27.6% of the patients with genotype D. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the small number of samples, our results indicated that mutations in the YMDD motif were 1.38 times more frequent in genotype D than in genotype A.INTRODUÇÃO: Lamivudina é um análogo de nucleosídeo clinicamente utilizado para o tratamento da infecção crônica pela hepatite B. Entretanto, o principal problema do uso prolongado da lamivudina é o desenvolvimento de resistência viral ao tratamento. Mutações no motivo YMDD no gene da DNA polimerase do vírus da hepatite B estão associados com a resistência a terapia medicamentosa. Até o presente momento, não há muitos estudos no Brasil que descrevem o desenvolvimento genótipo-dependente da resistência à lamivudina. Assim, o intuito do trabalho aqui descrito foi determinar a possível correlação entre um determinado genótipo e o desenvolvimento aumentado da resistência à lamivudina em pacientes com hepatite B crônica. MÉTODOS: O HBV DNA foi amplificado por PCR convencional a partir de 50 amostras coletadas de pacientes submetidos ao tratamento com lamivudina no Hospital das Clínicas- FMRP- USP. Posteriormente, os produtos foram seqüenciados e a análise filogenética foi realizada. RESULTADOS: A análise filogenética mostrou que 29 (58%) pacientes foram infectados com o genótipo D, 20 (40%) com o genótipo A e 1 (2%) com o genótipo F. Mutações no motivo YMDD ocorreu em 20% dos pacientes com genótipo A e 27,6% em pacientes do genótipo D. CONCLUSÕES: Apesar do baixo número de amostras, nossos resultados indicaram que mutações no motivo YMDD são 1,38 X mais frequentes no genótipo D em relação ao genótipo A.Universidade de São Paulo USP - FCFR

AN INTEGER LINEAR PROGRAMMING APPROACH APPLIED TO THE CERRADO (SAVANNA) MANAGEMENT

AbstractCerrado presents great potential for the use of its resources, whether timber or non-timber, as fruits, firewood and charcoal. Thus, this study aimed to test the use of forest regulation model type I in a remnant of cerrado, applying the integer linear programming. The studied area was a remnant of cerrado sensu stricto located in São Romão – MG. The type of forest management carried out was the strip cutting. with post regeneration conduction. The model type I was applied generating 8 scenarios considering 14 years of planning horizon. The tested scenarios considered the area control, volume control and also both controls in the same model, where the objective function was to maximize the present value of revenues (PVR). After data processing it was observed that scenario 5 was the best, because it obtained the lowest amplitude variation (425 – 575 ha/year) and volume (18.000 – 21.000 m3/year) of the exploited surface limits, presenting a PVR of R$4,004,561.58. It is possible to conclude that the developed models were able to regulate the volumetric yield in constant flows over the planning horizon, representing a promising alternative for the sustainable planning of the wood resources of the cerrado.Keywords: Mathematical programming; forest regulation; forest management. ResumoUma abordagem aplicada da programação linear inteira no manejo do cerrado. O cerrado apresenta um grande potencial de uso de seus recursos, sejam eles madeireiros ou não madeireiros, como frutos, lenha e carvão vegetal. Assim, o trabalho teve como objetivo testar o uso do modelo tipo I de regulação florestal em um remanescente de cerrado utilizando a programação linear inteira. A área de estudo foi um remanescente de cerrado sensu stricto localizado em São Romão – MG. O regime de manejo elaborado foi o corte em faixas com posterior condução da regeneração. O modelo tipo I foi aplicado gerando 8 cenários em um horizonte de planejamento de 14 anos. Os cenários testados consideraram o controle por área, por volume, bem como ambos no mesmo modelo, sendo a função objetivo o valor presente das receitas (VPR) a ser maximizado. Após o processamento dos modelos observou-se que o cenário 5 foi o melhor, possuindo limites de área explorada (425 – 575 ha/ano) e volumétricos (18.000 – 21.000 m3/ano) com menor variação de amplitude, apresentando R$4.004.561,58 de VPR. Pôde-se concluir que os modelos formulados foram capazes de regular a produção volumétrica em fluxos constantes ao longo do horizonte de planejamento, em sua grande maioria, constituindo-se de uma alternativa promissora ao planejamento sustentável dos recursos madeireiros do cerrado.Palavras-chave: Programação matemática; regulação florestal; manejo florestal.AbstractCerrado presents great potential for the use of its resources, whether timber or non-timber, as fruits, firewood and charcoal. Thus, this study aimed to test the use of forest regulation model type I in a remnant of cerrado, applying the integer linear programming. The studied area was a remnant of cerrado sensu stricto located in São Romão – MG. The type of forest management carried out was the strip cutting. with post regeneration conduction. The model type I was applied generating 8 scenarios considering 14 years of planning horizon. The tested scenarios considered the area control, volume control and also both controls in the same model, where the objective function was to maximize the present value of revenues (PVR). After data processing it was observed that scenario 5 was the best, because it obtained the lowest amplitude variation (425 – 575 ha/year) and volume (18.000 – 21.000 m3/year) of the exploited surface limits, presenting a PVR of R$4,004,561.58. It is possible to conclude that the developed models were able to regulate the volumetric yield in constant flows over the planning horizon, representing a promising alternative for the sustainable planning of the wood resources of the cerrado.Keywords: Mathematical programming; forest regulation; forest management

Molecular phylogenetic relationships and phenotypic diversity in miniaturized toadlets, genus Brachycephalus (Amphibia: Anura: Brachycephalidae)

Toadlets of the genus Brachycephalus are endemic to the Atlantic rainforests of southeastern and southern Brazil. The 14 species currently described have snout-vent lengths less than 18. mm and are thought to have evolved through miniaturization: an evolutionary process leading to an extremely small adult body size. Here, we present the first comprehensive phylogenetic analysis for Brachycephalus, using a multilocus approach based on two nuclear (Rag-1 and Tyr) and three mitochondrial (Cyt b, 12S, and 16S rRNA) gene regions. Phylogenetic relationships were inferred using a partitioned Bayesian analysis of concatenated sequences and the hierarchical Bayesian method (BEST) that estimates species trees based on the multispecies coalescent model. Individual gene trees showed conflict and also varied in resolution. With the exception of the mitochondrial gene tree, no gene tree was completely resolved. The concatenated gene tree was completely resolved and is identical in topology and degree of statistical support to the individual mtDNA gene tree. On the other hand, the BEST species tree showed reduced significant node support relative to the concatenate tree and recovered a basal trichotomy, although some bipartitions were significantly supported at the tips of the species tree. Comparison of the log likelihoods for the concatenated and BEST trees suggests that the method implemented in BEST explains the multilocus data for Brachycephalus better than the Bayesian analysis of concatenated data. Landmark-based geometric morphometrics revealed marked variation in cranial shape between the species of Brachycephalus. In addition, a statistically significant association was demonstrated between variation in cranial shape and genetic distances estimated from the mtDNA and nuclear loci. Notably, B. ephippium and B. garbeana that are predicted to be sister-species in the individual and concatenated gene trees and the BEST species tree share an evolutionary novelty, the hyperossified dorsal plate.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Molecular phylogenetic relationships and phenotypic diversity in miniaturized toadlets, genus Brachycephalus (Amphibia: Anura: Brachycephalidae)

Toadlets of the genus Brachycephalus are endemic to the Atlantic rainforests of southeastern and southern Brazil. The 14 species currently described have snout-vent lengths less than 18. mm and are thought to have evolved through miniaturization: an evolutionary process leading to an extremely small adult body size. Here, we present the first comprehensive phylogenetic analysis for Brachycephalus, using a multilocus approach based on two nuclear (Rag-1 and Tyr) and three mitochondrial (Cyt b, 12S, and 16S rRNA) gene regions. Phylogenetic relationships were inferred using a partitioned Bayesian analysis of concatenated sequences and the hierarchical Bayesian method (BEST) that estimates species trees based on the multispecies coalescent model. Individual gene trees showed conflict and also varied in resolution. With the exception of the mitochondrial gene tree, no gene tree was completely resolved. The concatenated gene tree was completely resolved and is identical in topology and degree of statistical support to the individual mtDNA gene tree. On the other hand, the BEST species tree showed reduced significant node support relative to the concatenate tree and recovered a basal trichotomy, although some bipartitions were significantly supported at the tips of the species tree. Comparison of the log likelihoods for the concatenated and BEST trees suggests that the method implemented in BEST explains the multilocus data for Brachycephalus better than the Bayesian analysis of concatenated data. Landmark-based geometric morphometrics revealed marked variation in cranial shape between the species of Brachycephalus. In addition, a statistically significant association was demonstrated between variation in cranial shape and genetic distances estimated from the mtDNA and nuclear loci. Notably, B. ephippium and B. garbeana that are predicted to be sister-species in the individual and concatenated gene trees and the BEST species tree share an evolutionary novelty, the hyperossified dorsal plate.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test: Background, Applicability and Interpretation

Cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) has been gaining importance as a method of functional assessment in Brazil and worldwide. In its most frequent applications, CPET consists in applying a gradually increasing intensity exercise until exhaustion or until the appearance of limiting symptoms and/or signs. The following parameters are measured: ventilation; oxygen consumption (VO2); carbon dioxide production (VCO2); and the other variables of conventional exercise testing. In addition, in specific situations, pulse oximetry and flow-volume loops during and after exertion are measured. The CPET provides joint data analysis that allows complete assessment of the cardiovascular, respiratory, muscular and metabolic systems during exertion, being considered gold standard for cardiorespiratory functional assessment.1-6 The CPET allows defining mechanisms related to low functional capacity that can cause symptoms, such as dyspnea, and correlate them with changes in the cardiovascular, pulmonary and skeletal muscle systems. Furthermore, it can be used to provide the prognostic assessment of patients with heart or lung diseases, and in the preoperative period, in addition to aiding in a more careful exercise prescription to healthy subjects, athletes and patients with heart or lung diseases. Similarly to CPET clinical use, its research also increases, with the publication of several scientific contributions from Brazilian researchers in high-impact journals. Therefore, this study aimed at providing a comprehensive review on the applicability of CPET to different clinical situations, in addition to serving as a practical guide for the interpretation of that test