Analysis of antenal sensilla patterns of Rhodnius prolixus from Colombia and Venezuela

Antennal sensilla patterns were used to analyze population variation of domestic Rhodnius prolixus from six departments and states representing three biogeographical regions of Colombia and Venezuela. Discriminant analysis of the patterns of mechanoreceptors and of three types of chemoreceptors on the pedicel and flagellar segments showed clear differentiation between R. prolixus populations east and west of the Andean Cordillera. The distribution of thick and thin-walled trichoids on the second flagellar segment also showed correlation with latitude, but this was not seen in the patterns of other sensilla. The results of the sensilla patterns appear to be reflecting biogeographic features or population isolation rather than characters associated with different habitats and lend support to the idea that domestic R. prolixus originated in the eastern region of the Andes.Fil: Esteban, Lyda. Universidad Industrial de Santander; ColombiaFil: Angulo, Víctor Manuel. Universidad Industrial de Santander; ColombiaFil: Dora Feliciangeli, M.. Universidad de Carabobo; VenezuelaFil: Catala, Silvia Susana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Universidad Nacional de La Rioja. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Universidad Nacional de Catamarca. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Secretaría de Industria y Minería. Servicio Geológico Minero Argentino. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Provincia de La Rioja. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja; Argentin

Overview of the work carried out in CleanAtlantic on improving marine litter monitoring: • WP 5.2.1. – Improving methods for marine litter monitoring in the Atlantic Area: seabed, floating and coastal litter • WP 5.2.2. – New tools for the monitoring of marine litter

This report collates the main results delivered in the frame of the CleanAtlantic project, Work package 5.2. Monitoring the presence of marine litter in the marine environment. With this purpose, an overview of new and improved marine litter monitoring methods for seabed, water surface and coastal compartments in the Atlantic Area is presented. Main findings, gaps on monitoring and research as well as potential improvements and recommendations are highlighted. For some of the topics addressed partners produced fully-dedicated reports. In these cases, links to the original reports are included in the reference section for further information

Firm performance and the strategic components of bankruptcy reorganization plans

We investigate the influence of bankruptcy reorganization plans on the recovery of distressed firms. Using qualitative comparative analysis (QCA), specifically, we perform an in-depth investigation of a set of reorganization plans submitted by publicly traded companies in Brazil. We find that the improvement in firm performance is positively related to a good diagnosis of the factors causing the crisis, a clear definition of the firm’s resources, and a clear identification of the firm’s competitive strengths. We also find that the absence of a good industry analysis is a critical condition for a reorganization plan to fail. However, the explicit mentioning of the firm’s relevant market is negatively associated with the company’s uplifting in crisis. We discuss the theoretical and managerial implications of these findings

Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) Class II sequence polymorphism in long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas) from the North Atlantic

Funding Silvia S. Monteiro and Marisa Ferreira were supported by a Ph.D. grant from Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (ref SFRH/BD/38735/2007 and SFRH/BD/30240/2006, respectively). Alfredo López was supported by a postdoctoral grant from Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (ref SFRH/BPD/82407/2011). Catarina Eira is supported by CESAM (UID/AMB/50017), from FCT/MEC through national funds and FEDER (PT2020, Compete 2020). The work related with strandings and tissue collection in Portugal was partially supported by the SafeSea Project EEAGrants PT 0039 (supported by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA Financial Mechanism), by the Project MarPro–Life09 NAT/PT/000038 (funded by the European Union–Program Life+) and by the project CetSenti FCT RECI/AAG-GLO/0470/2012; FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-027472 (Funded by the Program COMPETE and Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia).Peer reviewedPostprin

Using of essential oils in the treatment of mice infected with Trypanosoma evansi

Objective. This study aimed to test the effectiveness of copaiba, andiroba and aroeira essential oils for controlling trypanosomosis by Trypanosoma evansi with mice as experimental model. Materials and methods. Sixty-six mice were divided into eleven groups (A to L) with six animals each. Group A was the unique composed by healthy and uninfected animals (negative control). Animals in groups B to L were inoculated with 0.1 mL of blood containing 2.7 x 106 trypanosomes. Group B was used as a positive control without treatment. In experiment were tested copaiba (C, D and E), andiroba (F, G and H) and aroeira (I, J and L) oils at doses of 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 mL kg-1 to infected mice (T. evansi). Results. These protocols did not provide curative efficacy; however, the mice treated with highest dose of copaiba showed a significant increase in the longevity when compared others groups. Conclusions. Previously in our studies, these essential oils have shown trypanocidal activity in vitro, but when they were tested in vivo in mice infected with T. evansi, this trypanocidal activity, or the curative effect was not found, being only able to prolong the lifespan of the animals treated with copaiba oil

Long-finned pilot whale population diversity and structure in Atlantic waters assessed through biogeochemical and genetic markers

Acknowledgements. Cetacean samples were collected under the auspices of stranding monitoring programs run by the Sociedade Portuguesa de Vida Selvagem, the Coordinadora para o Estudio dos Mamíferos Mariños (supported by the regional government Xunta de Galicia), the UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme and the Scottish Agriculture College Veterinary Science Division (jointly funded by Defra and the Devolved Governments of Scotland and Wales), the Marine Mammals Research Group of the Institute of Marine Research (Norway), the Museum of Natural History of the Faroe Islands and the International Fund for Animal Welfare Marine Mammal Rescue and Research Program (USA). The authors thank all the members of these institutions and organizations for their assistance with data and sample collection. S.S.M., P.M.F. and M.F. were supported by PhD grants from the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (POPH/FSE ref SFRH/BD/ 38735/ 2007, SFRH/BD/36766/2007 and SFRH/BD/30240/ 2006, respectively). A.L. was supported by a postdoctoral grant from the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (ref SFRH/BPD/82407/2011). The work related to strandings and tissue collection in Portugal was partially supported by the SafeSea project EEAGrants PT 0039 (supported by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA Financial Mechanism), the MarPro project Life09 NAT/PT/000038 (funded by the European Union program LIFE+) and the project CetSenti FCT RECI/AAG-GLO/0470/2012 (FCOMP- 01-0124-FEDER-027472) (funded by the program COMPETE and the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia). G.J.P. thanks the University of Aveiro and Caixa Geral de Depósitos (Portugal) for financial support. The authors acknowledge the assistance of the chemical analysts at Marine Scotland Science with the fatty acid analysis.Peer reviewedPostprintPublisher PD

RiskBenefit4EU project – a strategy for risk-benefit assessment of foods in Portugal

O balanço entre os riscos e benefícios para a saúde resultante do consumo de alimentos é um importante contributo para apoiar a definição de políticas de saúde e a promoção da literacia dos consumidores. No âmbito do projeto RiskBenefit4EU, financiado pela European Food Safety Authority e coordenado pelo Departamento de Alimentação e Nutrição do Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, o presente trabalho pretende descrever a estratégia implementada para a capacitação das equipas portuguesas em avaliação de risco-benefício de alimentos (RBA). Concretizada pelos parceiros do Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique e da Technical University of Denmark, a capacitação consiste em três atividades principais: 1) Formação teórica, focando os conceitos-chave para a avaliação de RBA; 2) Formação prática, aplicando os conceitos adquiridos e as metodologias transmitidas a um estudo de caso; e 3) Missões científicas, de curta duração, para formação avançada em domínios específicos da avaliação de RBA. No que diz respeito à formação prática, e com o objetivo de consolidar os conhecimentos adquiridos em avaliação de RBA, está previsto o desenvolvimento de um estudo de caso português sobre alimentos à base de cereais habitualmente consumidos por crianças. A estratégia de capacitação seguida neste projeto servirá de modelo para outras equipas e países, contribuindo para a disseminação de uma cultura de avaliação de RBA nas vertentes toxicológica, microbiológica e nutricional a nível internacional.The balance of risks and health benefits from food consumption constitutes a crucial topic to consumer literacy and health policy-makers. Through the RiskBenefit4EU project, funded by the European Food Safety Authority, and coordinated by the Food and Nutrition Department of Portuguese National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, the present work intends to identify the applied strategy to capacitate the Portuguese teams for the development and implementation of risk-benefit assessment (RBA) in food. The training of the Portuguese team is being accomplished by the French National Institute for Agricultural Research and the Technical University of Denmark members, through three main capacity building activities: 1) Theoretical training, focusing on the key concepts for RBA; 2) Practical training, applying the concepts acquired and the methodologies transmitted to a concrete case study; and 3) Short-term scientific missions for advanced training in specific areas of RBA. In order to complete the training of the Portuguese teams and consolidate the knowledge acquired in RBA, a Portuguese case study on cereal-based foods usually consumed by children is planned. The training strategy followed in this project will contribute as a model of capacity building for disseminating a culture of risk-benefit assessment in the toxicological, microbiological and nutritional aspects at the international level.Trabalho desenvolvido no âmbito do projeto “RiskBenefit4EU – Partnering to strengthen the risk-benefit assessment within EU using a holistic approach” financiado pela EFSA Partnering Grants (Grant Agreement Number A/EFSA/AFSCO/2017/01 – GA02).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Influência da calagem e micronutrientes na nodulação da soja por Rhizobium japonicum em solos ácidos

Three experiments were performed in field conditions and in the glasshouse. Four different levels of lime and micronutrients were applied and the effect of inoculation with various strains of R. japonicum on the yield and symbiotic performance of soybean was studied. In the first experiment the Rhizobium inoculant used was prepared from a suspension of macerated nodules. In the other two experiments various inoculants were used. The effect of the higher rates of lime addition (4 and 6 t/ha) was to reduce dry weight of nodules, but did not affect plant dry weight and total plant nitrogen. The results show that an addition of 4 t/ha of lime is sufficient for maximum yield in the experimental conditions. There was a significant positive effect of zinc additions. An application of 50 kg FTE Br 12 supplied sufficient of this element. The different inoculants prepared, showed the same efficiency in the field conditions.Em três experimentos conduzidos em campo e em casa de vegetação, foram avaliados os efeitos de quatro níveis de calcário e diferentes estirpes de Rhizobium japonicum no rendimento de grãos e simbiose da soja. No primeiro experimento foi utilizado inoculante preparado a partir de suspensão de nódulos macerados e nos demais, vários inoculantes. Nos níveis mais elevados de calcário (4 e 6 t/ha), houve uma redução no peso seco de nódulos sem influenciar o peso seco da parte aérea e nitrogênio total acumulado nas plantas até o enchimento de grão. Os resultados demonstram ter sido suficiente a utilização de 4 t/ha de calcário, em termos de produção de grãos, para as condições experimentais. Houve efeito do zinco na nodulação e produção de grãos, sendo que o uso de 50 kg/ha de FTE Br-12 supriu plenamente a necessidade deste elemento. Os diferentes inoculantes utilizados apresentaram a mesma eficiência em campo

Comparação das versões completa e reduzida da Escala de Competência de Estudo utilizando Rasch com universitários brasileiros || Comparative analysis of full and reduced versions of Competence Scale Study using Rasch with brazilian college students

The aim of this study was to compare the original version of Escala de Competência de Estudo – ECE (C&T), with the reduced one by using the Item Response Theory. A sample of 126 college students, male and female, between 17 and 48 years old (M = 24.65, SD = 6.54) answered the test. The precision coefficients obtained were .91 for the original scale and .90 for the reduced one, indicating a good level of precision for both. The scale’s adjustment to the Rasch Model was analyzed, resulting an average error of 0.11 (SD = 0.02). The scale with 54 items presents an item’s infit mean of 1.00 (SD = .18), and the reduced scale presents an item’s infit mean of 1.01 (SD = .20), and the outfit’s mean value is 1,02 (SD = 0.41). The difficulty of the items was similar in the two scales. The results presented a better adjustment for the reduced scale, seeing that there were less misfit items, in terms of quantity and value.Este estudo objetivou comparar as duas versões da Escala de Competência de Estudo –ECE (C&T), uma a original com 54 itens e outra reduzida com 19 itens, por meio da Teoria de Resposta ao Item (modelo Rasch). Participaram 126 universitários de ambos os sexos, com idades variando de 17 a 48 anos (M = 24.65, DP = 6.54). Os coeficientes de precisão obtidos foram de .91 para a escala com 54 itens e de .90 para a de 19, indicando um alto nível de precisão para ambas. Ao ajustar os dados ao modelo Rasch, o erro médio da medida dos itens foi de 0.11 (DP = 0.02). As médias do infit dos itens foram de 1,00 (DP = 0.18) para a escala com 54 itens e de 1.01 (DP = 0.20) para a de 19 itens, e o valor médio do outfit foi de 1,02 (DP = 0.41). A dificuldade dos itens foi semelhante nas duas escalas. Constatou-se que a escala de 19 itens apresentou o melhor ajuste, pois diminuíram os itens que estavam desajustados, tanto na quantidade como no valor.Este estudo objetivou comparar as duas versões da Escala de Competência de Estudo –ECE (C&T), uma a original com 54 itens e outra reduzida com 19 itens, por meio da Teoria de Resposta ao Item (modelo Rasch). Participaram 126 universitários de ambos os sexos, com idades variando de 17 a 48 anos (M = 24.65, DP = 6.54). Os coeficientes de precisão obtidos foram de .91 para a escala com 54 itens e de .90 para a de 19, indicando um alto nível de precisão para ambas. Ao ajustar os dados ao modelo Rasch, o erro médio da medida dos itens foi de 0.11 (DP = 0.02). As médias do infit dos itens foram de 1,00 (DP = 0.18) para a escala com 54 itens e de 1.01 (DP = 0.20) para a de 19 itens, e o valor médio do outfit foi de 1,02 (DP = 0.41). A dificuldade dos itens foi semelhante nas duas escalas. Constatou-se que a escala de 19 itens apresentou o melhor ajuste, pois diminuíram os itens que estavam desajustados, tanto na quantidade como no valor