PERCEPÇÕES AMBIENTAIS E PLANEJAMENTO PARTICIPATIVO - UM ESTUDO NA BACIA HIDROGRÁFICA DO RIBEIRÃO DO LOPO/VARGEM/SP

The study area of this research corresponds to the Lopo Creek Watershed Basin located in Vargem/SP. This municipality belongs to the Cantareira System Environmental Protected Area and despite of environmental and economic constrains, several impacts have been observed in the region, which is undergoing diverse changes caused by different perceptions of key social actors active in the space dynamics. Thus, the study of the perceptions of the groups involved in this process becomes relevant for the understanding of this dynamic, in order to enable and assist future participatory planning towards a regional sustainability. The methodological procedures involved the use of questionnaires with residents of Vargem divided between rural and urban population and influential people in order to highlight and explore the possible relationship between the perception, value and attitude toward the place with the impacts observed through field research and data collection. The results show that the environmental perception of social actors identified can be classified according to the views of preservation, conservation and developmental, which intertwine and are often responsible for land use conflicts existing in the water basin, reflecting, in general, on the Cantareira EPA.RESUMO A área de estudo deste trabalho corresponde à Bacia Hidrográfica do Ribeirão do Lopo, localizada em Vargem/SP. Este município está inserido na APA do Sistema Cantareira e, apesar de haver restrições ambientais e econômicas para a localidade, vários impactos vêm sendo observados na região, a qual vem passando por transformações socioambientais causadas pelas diferentes percepções ambientais dos atores responsáveis pela dinamização deste espaço. Assim, o estudo das percepções dos diferentes grupos envolvidos neste processo torna-se relevante para o entendimento desta dinâmica, visando possibilitar e auxiliar futuros planejamentos participativos que buscam a sustentabilidade regional. Os procedimentos metodológicos adotados envolvem a aplicação de questionários junto aos moradores de Vargem, divididos entre população rural, pessoas influentes e população urbana, visando destacar e estudar a possível relação entre a sua percepção, valor e atitude para com o lugar com os impactos observados através de pesquisas de campo e coleta de dados. Os resultados demonstram que as percepções ambientais dos diversos atores sociais identificados podem ser classificadas segundo as visões preservacionista, desenvolvimentista e conservacionista, as quais se entrelaçam e são, muitas vezes, responsáveis pelos conflitos de uso existentes na Bacia, refletindo-se na APA Cantareira de forma geral. Palavras-chave: Percepção Ambiental. Bacias Hidrográficas. Área de Proteção Ambiental do Sistema Cantareira. Conflitos de Usos. Planejamento Participativo. Sustentabilidade. ABSTRACT The study area of this research corresponds to the Lopo Creek Watershed Basin located in Vargem/SP. This municipality belongs to the Cantareira System Environmental Protected Area, and despite of environmental and economic constrains, several impacts have been observed in the region, which has undergone a lot of socioenvironmental transformations caused by different perceptions of the social actors responsible for this space dynamics. Thus, the study of the perceptions of the groups involved in this process becomes relevant for the understanding of this dynamic, in order to enable and assist future participatory planning towards a regional sustainability. The methodological procedures involve the use of questionnaires in the residents of Vargem, divided between rural and urban population and influential people, in order to highlight and explore the possible relationship between their perceptions, values and attitudes toward the place with the impacts observed through field researches and data collection. The results show that the environmental perceptions of the social actors identified can be classified according to the preservationist, conservationist and developmentalist views, which intertwine and are often responsible for the existing land use conflicts in the water basin, reflecting, in general, on the Cantareira EPA. Keywords: Environmental Perception. Watersheds Basins. Cantareira System Environmental Protected Area. Use Conflicts. Participatory Planning. Sustainability. RESUMEN El área de estudios de este trabajo corresponde a la Cuenca Hidrográfica Ribeirão do Lopo que está ubicada en Vargem/SP. Este municipio está injerido en la APA del Sistema Cantareira y aunque haya restricciones ambientales y económicas para la localidad, se han observado diversos impactos en la región, la cual ha pasado transformaciones socio ambiental causadas por las diferentes percepciones ambientales de los actores responsables por la dinamización de este espacio. Así que el estudio de las percepciones de los diferentes grupos involucrados en este proceso se vuelve relevante para la comprensión de esta dinámica, con el objetivo de facilitar y ayudar a las futuras planificaciones participativas buscando la sostenibilidad regional. Los procedimientos metodológicos usados implican en la aplicación de cuestionarios a los residentes de Vargem, divididos entre la población rural, personas influyentes y población urbana, con objetivo de resaltar y estudiar la posible relación entre su percepción, valor y actitud hacia el lugar con los impactos observados a través de pesquisa de campo y datos obtenidos. Los resultados demuestran que las percepciones ambientales de los diversos actores sociales identificados se pueden clasificar según los puntos de vista conservacionista, ecologista y de desarrollo. Palabras clave: Percepción Ambiental. Cuenca. Área de Protección Ambiental de la Cantareira. Conflicto de Usos. Planificación Participativa. Sostenibilidad

Avaliação do efeito de um produto a base de Bacillus thuringiensis sobre o predador Podisus nigrispinus.

Os produtos a base de B. thuringiensis tem sido largamente empregados no controle de inúmeras pragas. Na área florestal, milhares de hectares são pulverizados por ano no Brasil para controle de surtos de lepidópteros desfolhadores. Poucos são os estudos sobre o efeito do B. thuringiensis em artrópodes benéficos. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar, sob condições de laboratório, o efeito de um formulado a base de B. thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk) sobre o predador P. nigrispinus. O experimento constitui-se de dois tratamentos: no primeiro, os predadores foram diariamente alimentados com lagartas de Bombyx mori infectadas com o formulado de Btk na dose 100 vezes maior que a recomendada; no segundo (controle) os predadores foram alimentados com lagartas sadias. O experimento iniciou-se com 50 ninfas de primeiro instar para cada tratamento. A partir do segundo instar, ate a fase adulta, P. nigrispinus alimentados com lagartas infectadas apresentaram menor sobrevivência que aqueles alimentados com lagartas sadias (teste t, ao nível de 5%). Também houve uma redução significativa no numero médio de ovos postos por fêmeas adultas alimentadas com lagartas infectadas em relação as alimentadas com lagartas sadias. Os resultados indicaram efeito adverso do formulado sobre a população de P. nigrispinus, porem esses estudos não são suficientes para concluir sobre a existência de risco ambiental da utilização deste produto. Testes complementares são necessários para se avaliar a persistência, multiplicação e disseminação do agente de controle no ambiente, como também a identificação do componente do produto que induziu os danos. Não se espera, a priori, que os efeitos observados ocorram sob condições de campo, onde os predadores poderão se alimentar tanto de lagartas sadias quanto de infectadas

Perspectives for sustainable aviation biofuels in Brazil

The aviation industry has set ambitious goals to reduce carbon emissions in coming decades. The strategy involves the use of sustainable biofuels, aiming to achieve benefits from environmental, social, and economic perspectives. In this context, Brazilian conditions are favorable, with a mature agroindustry that regularly produces automotive biofuel largely adopted by Brazilian road vehicles, while air transportation has been growing at an accelerating pace and a modern aircraft industry is in place. This paper presents the main conclusions and recommendations from a broad assessment of the technological, economic, and sustainability challenges and opportunities associated with the development of drop-in aviation biofuels in Brazil. It was written by a research team that prepared the initial reports and conducted eight workshops with the active participation of more than 30 stakeholders encompassing the private sector, government institutions, NGOs, and academia. The main outcome was a set of guidelines for establishing a new biofuels industry, including recommendations for (a) filling the identified research and development knowledge gaps in the production of sustainable feedstock; (b) overcoming the barriers in conversion technology, including scaling-up issues; (c) promoting greater involvement and interaction between private and government stakeholders; and (d) creating a national strategy to promote the development of aviation biofuels2015FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESP2012/50009-

Social isolation disrupts hippocampal neurogenesis in young non-human primates

Social relationships are crucial for the development and maintenance of normal behavior in non-human primates. Animals that are raised in isolation develop abnormal patterns of behavior that persist even when they are later reunited with their parents. in rodents, social isolation is a stressful event and is associated with a decrease in hippocampal neurogenesis but considerably less is known about the effects of social isolation in non-human primates during the transition from adolescence to adulthood. To investigate how social isolation affects young marmosets, these were isolated from other members of the colony for 1 or 3 weeks and evaluated for alterations in their behavior and hippocampal cell proliferation. We found that anxiety-related behaviors like scent-marking and locomotor activity increased after social isolation when compared to baseline levels. in agreement, grooming an indicative of attenuation of tension was reduced among isolated marmosets. These results were consistent with increased cortisol levels after 1 and 3 weeks of isolation. After social isolation (1 or 3 weeks), reduced proliferation of neural cells in the subgranular zone of dentate granule cell layer was identified and a smaller proportion of BrdU-positive cells underwent neuronal fate (doublecortin labeling). Our data is consistent with the notion that social deprivation during the transition from adolescence to adulthood leads to stress and produces anxiety-like behaviors that in turn might affect neurogenesis and contribute to the deleterious consequences of prolonged stressful conditions.Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Fisiol, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Rio Grande do Norte, Dept Fisiol, BR-59072970 Natal, RN, BrazilUniv Fed Rural Rio de Janeiro, Dept Ciencias Fisiol, Rio de Janeiro, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Fisiol, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Antimicrobial and Photoantimicrobial Activities of Chitosan/CNPPV Nanocomposites

Multidrug-resistant bacteria represent a global health and economic burden that urgently calls for new technologies to combat bacterial antimicrobial resistance. Here, we developed novel nanocomposites (NCPs) based on chitosan that display different degrees of acetylation (DAs), and conjugated polymer cyano-substituted poly(p-phenylene vinylene) (CNPPV) as an alternative approach to inactivate Gram-negative (E. coli) and Gram-positive (S. aureus) bacteria. Chitosan's structure was confirmed through FT-Raman spectroscopy. Bactericidal and photobactericidal activities of NCPs were tested under dark and blue-light irradiation conditions, respectively. Hydrodynamic size and aqueous stability were determined by DLS, zeta potential (ZP) and time-domain NMR. TEM micrographs of NCPs were obtained, and their capacity of generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) under blue illumination was also characterized. Meaningful variations on ZP and relaxation time T2 confirmed successful physical attachment of chitosan/CNPPV. All NCPs exhibited a similar and shrunken spherical shape according to TEM. A lower DA is responsible for driving higher bactericidal performance alongside the synergistic effect from CNPPV, lower nanosized distribution profile and higher positive charged surface. ROS production was proportionally found in NCPs with and without CNPPV by decreasing the DA, leading to a remarkable photobactericidal effect under blue-light irradiation. Overall, our findings indicate that chitosan/CNPPV NCPs may constitute a valuable asset for the development of innovative strategies for inactivation and/or photoinactivation of bacteria. Keywords: photoantimicrobial activity; blue-light irradiation; chitosan; CNPPV; nanocomposites; E. coli; S. aureu

Effects induced by Apis mellifera venom and its components in experimental models of nociceptive and inflammatory pain

AbstractThe effects induced by Apis mellifera venom (AMV), melittin-free AMV, fraction with molecular mass < 10 kDa (F<10) or melittin in nociceptive and inflammatory pain models in mice were investigated. Subcutaneous administration of AMV (2, 4 or 6 mg/kg) or melittin-free AMV (1, 2 or 4 mg/kg) into the dorsum of mice inhibited both phases of formaldehyde-induced nociception. However, F<10 (2, 4 or 6 mg/kg) or melittin (2 or 3 mg/kg) inhibited only the second phase. AMV (4 or 6 mg/kg), but not F<10, melittin-free AMV or melittin, induced antinociception in the hot-plate model. Paw injection of AMV (0.05 or 0.10 mg), F<10 (0.05 or 0.1 mg) or melittin (0.025 or 0.050 mg) induced a nociceptive response. In spite of inducing nociception after paw injection, scorpion (Tityus serrulatus) or snake (Bothrops jararaca) venom injected into the dorsum of mice did not inhibit formaldehyde-induced nociception. In addition, AMV (6 mg/kg), but not F<10 (6 mg/kg) or melittin (3 mg/kg), inhibited formaldehyde paw oedema. Concluding, AMV, F<10 and melittin induce two contrasting effects: nociception and antinociception. AMV antinociception involves the action of different components and does not result from non-specific activation of endogenous antinociceptive mechanisms activated by exposure to noxious stimuli

Linkage disequilibrium and population structure in wild and cultivated populations of rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis).

Abstract: Among rubber tree species, which belong to the Hevea genus of the Euphorbiaceae family, Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. ex Adr.de Juss.) Muell. Arg. is the main commercial source of natural rubber production worldwide. Knowledge of the population structure and linkage disequilibrium (LD) of this species is essential for the efficient organization and exploitation of genetic resources. Here, we obtained single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) using a genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) approach and then employed the SNPs for the following objectives: (i) to identify the positions of SNPs on a genetic map of a segregating mapping population, (ii) to evaluate the population structure of a germplasm collection, and (iii) to detect patterns of LD decay among chromosomes for future genetic association studies in rubber tree. A total of 626 genotypes, including both germplasm accessions (368) and individuals from a genetic mapping population (254), were genotyped. A total of 77,660 and 21,283 SNPs were detected by GBS in the germplasm and mapping populations, respectively. The mapping population, which was previously mapped, was constructed with 1,062 markers, among which only 576 SNPs came from GBS, reducing the average interval between two adjacent markers to 4.4 cM. SNPs from GBS genotyping were used for the analysis of genetic structure and LD estimation in the germplasm accessions. Two groups, which largely corresponded to the cultivated and wild populations, were detected using STRUCTURE and via principal coordinate analysis. LD analysis, also using the mapped SNPs, revealed that non-random associations varied along chromosomes, with regions of high LD interspersed with regions of low LD. Considering the length of the genetic map (4,693 cM) and the mean LD (0.49 for cultivated and 0.02 for wild populations), a large number of evenly spaced SNPs would be needed to perform genome-wide association studies in rubber tree, and the wilder the genotypes used, the more difficult the mapping saturation

Depression and anxiety in patients with multiple sclerosis treated with interferon-beta or fingolimod : role of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase and pro-inflammatory cytokines

Depression/anxiety (D/A) occurs in up to 50% of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Proinflammatory cytokines induce classical symptoms of depression. Activation of the inflammatory response also triggers production of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), which catabolizes tryptophan, the amino acid precursor of serotonin and melatonin. It has been suggested that IDO is the link between the immune and serotonergic systems. This study aimed to quantify the levels of IDO and pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in patients with MS and depression, according to treatment with interferon-beta (IFN-β) or fingolimod. The study inclusion criteria were age 18–60 years and a clinical and radiological diagnosis of MS. One hundred and thirtytwo patients diagnosed by McDonald’s criteria and followed up at Brasília District Hospital, Brazil, with relapsingremitting MS were identified as potential study participants. Thirty-five of these patients were identified to be receiving treatment with fingolimod or IFN-β and to have a diagnosis of D/A. IDO and pro-inflammatory and antiinflammatory cytokine levels were compared between these 35 patients and 18 healthy controls. The level of IL10 (an anti-inflammatory cytokine) was lower in both the fingolimod-treated (P < 0.001) and IFN-β-treated (P < 0.01) patient groups than in the control group. IFN-β-treated patients showed increased IDO expression and decreased inflammatory cytokine levels. In contrast, fingolimod-treated patients showed significantly decreased expression of IDO and significantly increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines produced by innate immune cells, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6. The agents used to treat MS maintain symptoms of D/A in patients with MS via different mechanisms