Application of biotic and taxonomic distinctness indices in assessing the Ecological Quality Status of two coastal lakes: Caprolace and Fogliano lakes (Central Italy)

Marine biotic indices (AMBI, BENTIX) and the statistical tool M-AMBI (Multivariate AMBI) were applied as a comparative approach in assessing the Ecological Quality Status (EcoQS) of two Mediterranean coastal lakes (Caprolace and Fogliano lakes) situated in the Circeo National Park (Central Italy). The macrobenthic community was analysed using univariate indices (community structure), correspondence analysis (CA) and taxonomic distinctness indices (Delta(+) and Lambda(+)). The community composition showed a dominance of lagoonal species in both coastal lakes, while in Caprolace lake marine taxa were also found. Diversity index (H') complies to ranges found in Mediterranean lagoons and taxonomic distinctness indices demonstrated that taxonomy structure is in accordance with natural variability ranges. Principal component analysis (PCA) on chemical parameters of water and sediment showed that both coastal lakes differ mainly in their organic matter composition. In fact, the protein fraction of bio-polymeric carbon prevails in Fogliano lake, while the 'refractory' component represented by carbohydrate fraction is predominant in Caprolace lake. The difference between the two coastal lakes was also demonstrated by co-inertia analysis (COIA) performed using abundance of species and concentrations of chemical parameters. The results from the application of the three biotic indices do not highlight a clear distinction between the two lagoons. However, the AMBI index provided a more suitable evaluation of EcoQS corresponding to 'slightly polluted' lagoons while M-AMBI and moreover BENTIX indices indicated a worsening situation. The biotic indices are widely used in assessing the EcoQS in marine environments, but their proper application in transitional waters would depend on a resettlement; thresholds established in the biotic index scale values need to be modified according to natural variability of transitional waters referring to abiotic conditions and abundance of tolerant species. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Difusão de política na prática: o caso da regulação brasileira de medicamentos

Resumo O presente estudo busca contribuir para a melhor compreensão de processos de difusão de política com base em arenas transnacionais - mais especificamente, do processo de difusão que influenciou a regulação das Boas Práticas de Fabricação (BPF) de medicamentos no Brasil num contexto envolto por atores internacionais. Por meio de pesquisa qualitativa, analisamos o processo de adesão da Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (Anvisa) ao arranjo de cooperação Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme (PIC/S), iniciado em 2010 e alcançado em 2021. Foi identificado um processo influenciado por 2 constelações de difusão, motivado por interesses da agência nacional em manter sua relevância e por atores que integram o Sistema Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária, no qual o modelo de equivalência e convergência regulatória do PIC/S se mostrou fundamental para a adaptação da referência internacional em nível nacional, mantendo o sistema em funcionamento. Tal processo de difusão de política ficou mais relevante nos últimos anos por ampliar a convergência regulatória e, potencialmente, tornar mais eficiente a avaliação das BPF de medicamentos pelas diversas autoridades sanitárias

A função da linguagem na sala de aula: percepções de professores de ciências e matemática

Este artigo é o resultado de uma pesquisa qualitativa centrada na problemática: Como os professores percebem a função da linguagem no contexto da sala de aula de Ciências e Matemática? Os dados foram obtidos por meio de um questionário aberto. Os sujeitos da pesquisa foram dezesseis professores pós-graduandos na área de Ciências e Matemática do sul do Brasil. Para a análise, utilizaram-se os procedimentos da Análise Textual Discursiva e apoio teórico de Vygotsky, Halliday, Bakhtin e Maturana e Varela. Do estudo emergiram duas categorias principais, que descrevem as percepções dos professores a respeito da função da linguagem na sala de aula: 1) Linguagem com a função de interação social, sendo concebida como meio de comunicação e instrumento de mediação; e 2) Linguagem com a função epistêmica ou de desenvolvimento cognitivo, sendo por meio dela que o sujeito atribui sentido e consequentemente aprende, transformando e desenvolvendo os processos mentais. 

Chemical markers to distinguish the homoand heterozygous bitter genotype in sweet almond kernels

Bitterness in almonds is controlled by a single gene (Sk dominant for sweet kernel, sk recessive for bitter kernel) and the proportions of the offspring genotypes (SkSk, Sksk, sksk) depend on the progenitors’ genotype. Currently, the latter is deduced after crossing by recording the phenotype of their descendants through kernel tasting. Chemical markers to early identify parental genotypes related to bitter traits can significantly enhance the efficiency of almond breeding programs. On this basis, volatile metabolites related to almond bitterness were investigated by Solid Phase Microextraction-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry coupled to univariate and multivariate statistics on 244 homo- and heterozygous samples from 42 different cultivars. This study evidenced the association between sweet almonds’ genotype and some volatile metabolites, in particular benzaldehyde, and provided for the first time chemical markers to discriminate between homo- and heterozygous sweet almond genotypes. Furthermore, a multivariate approach based on independent variables was developed to increase the reliability of almond classification. The Partial Least Square-Discriminant Analysis classification model built with selected volatile metabolites that showed discrimination capacity allowed a 98.0% correct classification. The metabolites identified, in particular benzaldehyde, become suitable markers for the early genotype identification in almonds, while a DNA molecular marker is not yet available.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Investigation of the feasibility to use Zeeman-effect background correction for the graphite furnace determination of phosphorus using high-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometry as a diagnostic tool

The determination of phosphorus by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry at the non-resonance line at 213.6 nm, and the capability of Zeeman-effect background correction (Z-BC) to deal with the fine-structured background absorption due to the PO molecule have been investigated in the presence of selected chemical modifiers. Two line source atomic absorption spectrometers, one with a longitudinally heated and the other with a transversely heated graphite tube atomizer have been used in this study, as well as two prototype high-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometers, one of which had a longitudinally arranged magnet at the furnace. It has been found that Z-BC is capable correcting very well the background caused by the PO molecule, and also that of the NO molecule, which has been encountered when the Pd + Ca mixed modifier was used. Both spectra exhibited some Zeeman splitting, which, however, did not cause any artifacts or correction errors. The practical significance of this study is to confirm that accurate results can be obtained for the determination of phosphorus using Z-BC. The best sensitivity with a characteristic mass of m(0) = 11 ng P has been obtained with the pure Pd modifier, which also caused the lowest background level. The characteristic mass obtained with the mixed Pd + Ca modifier depended on the equipment used and was between m(0) = 9 ng P and m(0) = 15 ng P, and the background signal was higher. The major problem of Z-BC remains the relatively restricted linear working range

Isolation of phytopathogenic fungi in seeds Caatinga tree

A qualidade sanitária é um parâmetro que avalia a incidência de patógenos em sementes, principalmente em espécies de produção agrícola, havendo poucos estudos sobre espécies florestais arbóreas. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar a qualidade sanitária em sementes de espécies arbóreas da Caatinga. O experimento foi conduzido no Laboratório de Fitopatologia do Centro de Ciências e Tecnologia Agroalimentar da UFCG, campus de Pombal-PB. Foram estudadas sementes de quatro espécies arbóreas: Myracrodruon urundeuva (Allemão): aroeira, Poincianella pyramidalis (Tul.): catingueira, Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd.)Poiret: jurema-preta e Libidibia ferrea (Mart) ex Tul.: pau-ferro, as mesmas foram divididas em duas subamostras, sendo uma submetida à desinfestação superficial por imersão em hipoclorito de sódio (NaClO) a 2% por 5 minutos . A sanidade das sementes foi avaliada pelo “blotter test”. Os gêneros fúngicos comumente detectados nas sementes das espécies estudadas foram: Aspergillus spp., Cladosporium spp., Fusarium spp., Penicillium spp. e Trichoderma spp.. A desinfestação com hipoclorito de sódio a 2% reduziu a incidência de fungos nas sementes das espécies estudadas. O gênero Aspergillus apresentou o maior número de colônias e diversidade de espécies fúngicas nas sementes tratadas e não tratadas, estando presente em todas as espécies arbóreas. A menor incidência de colônias fúngicas ocorreu na espécie Mimosa tenuiflora.The sanitary quality is a parameter that evaluates the incidence of pathogens in seeds, especially in species of agricultural production, so that there are few studies on forest tree species. This study aims to evaluate the sanitary quality and the effect on seeds of four species from the Caatinga region. The experiment was conducted at the Laboratory of Phytopathology from the Centre for Agri-Food Science and Technology at UFCG, Pombal - PB. Seeds from four species were studied: Myracrodruon urundeuva (Allemão): aroeira, Poincianella pyramidalis (Tul.) L.P. Queiroz: catingueira, Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd.) Poiret: jurema-preta and Libidibia ferrea (Mart ex Tul.) L.P. Queiroz: pau-ferro. The seed health was assessed using the “blotter test”. The genera of fungi commonly found in the seeds of the studied species were Aspergillus spp., Cladosporium spp., Fusarium spp., Penicillium spp. and Trichoderma spp. The disinfection with 2% sodium hypochlorite reduced the incidence of fungi on seeds of the studied species. The genus Aspergillus presented the highest number of colonies and diversity of fungal species in treated and untreated seeds, being present in all four species. The lowest incidence of fungal colonies occurred in the species Mimosa tenuiflora.Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

Chemical Markers to Distinguish the Homo- And Heterozygous Bitter Genotype in Sweet Almond Kernels

Bitterness in almonds is controlled by a single gene (Sk dominant for sweet kernel, sk recessive for bitter kernel) and the proportions of the offspring genotypes (SkSk, Sksk, sksk) depend on the progenitors' genotype. Currently, the latter is deduced after crossing by recording the phenotype of their descendants through kernel tasting. Chemical markers to early identify parental genotypes related to bitter traits can significantly enhance the efficiency of almond breeding programs. On this basis, volatile metabolites related to almond bitterness were investigated by Solid Phase Microextraction-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry coupled to univariate and multivariate statistics on 244 homo- and heterozygous samples from 42 different cultivars. This study evidenced the association between sweet almonds' genotype and some volatile metabolites, in particular benzaldehyde, and provided for the first time chemical markers to discriminate between homo- and heterozygous sweet almond genotypes. Furthermore, a multivariate approach based on independent variables was developed to increase the reliability of almond classification. The Partial Least Square-Discriminant Analysis classification model built with selected volatile metabolites that showed discrimination capacity allowed a 98.0% correct classification. The metabolites identified, in particular benzaldehyde, become suitable markers for the early genotype identification in almonds, while a DNA molecular marker is not yet available

How do community health workers institutionalise: an analysis of Brazil's CHW programme

Community health workers (CHWs) are framed as the link between communities and the formal health system. CHWs must establish trusting relationships with the community and with the broader health service. How to find the optimal balance between the various strands of work for CHWs, and how to formalise this, has been the focus of different studies. We performed an extensive documentary analysis of federal legislation in Brazil to understand the institutionalisation of the CHW workforce in Brazil over the last 3 decades. The paper offers three contributions to the literature: the development and application of an analytical framework to consider the institutionalisation process of CHWs; a historical analysis of the professional institutionalisation of CHW in Brazil; and the identification of the paradoxes that such institutionalisation faces: firstly, institutionalisation focused on improving CHW remuneration created difficulties in hiring and paying these professionals; when CHW are incorporated within state bureaucracy they start to lose their autonomy as community agents; and that the effectiveness of CHW programmes depends on the improvement of clinical services in the most deprived areas

Ferramenta computacional para análise de consistência de dados pluviométricos

O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver uma ferramenta computacional visando a análise de consistência de dados pluviométricos utilizando o método de dupla massa, tendo como parâmetro matemático o coeficiente de Willmott. Utilizou-se um banco de dados de precipitações diárias de 22 estações meteorológicas do Estado do Paraná para a realização dos testes. O programa foi desenvolvido em ambiente MATLAB 6.0. A ferramenta computacional mostrou-se bastante satisfatório na análise de consistência de dados utilizando o método dupla massa. O coeficiente de Willmott mostrou-se um bom método matemático para avaliar o teste de dupla massa, reduzindo assim o efeito de possível falta de experiência do usuário do teste

Lithium attenuates behavioral and biochemical effects of neuropeptide S in mice

Neuropeptide S (NPS) and its receptor NPSR comprise a recently deorphaned G-protein-coupled receptor system. There is a body of evidence suggesting the involvement of NPS in wakefulness, anxiety, locomotor activity and oxidative stress damage. Considering that mood stabilizers block the stimulatory effect of psychostimulants in rodents, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of the pretreatment with lithium and valproate on the hyperlocomotion evoked by NPS. Another relevant action induced by lithium and valproate is the neuroprotection against oxidative stress. Thus, aiming to get further information about the mechanisms of action of NPS, herein we evaluated the effects of NPS, lithium and valproate, and the combination of them on oxidative stress damage. Behavioral studies revealed that the pretreatment with lithium (100 mg/kg, i.p.) and valproate (200 mg/kg, i.p.) prevented hyperlocomotion evoked by NPS 0.1 nmol. Importantly, the dose of valproate used in this study reduced mouse locomotion, although it did not reach the statistical significance. Biochemical analyses showed that lithium attenuated thiobarbituric reactive species (TBARS) formation in the striatum, cerebellum and hippocampus. NPS per se reduced TBARS levels only in the hippocampus. Valproate did not significantly affect TBARS levels in the brain. However, the combination of mood stabilizers and NPS blocked, instead of potentiate, the neuroprotective effects of each one. No relevant alterations were observed in carbonylated proteins after all treatments. Altogether, the present findings suggested that mainly the mood stabilizer lithium evoked antagonistic effects on the mediation of hyperlocomotion and protection against lipid peroxidation induced by NPS