Ethnobiological survey of plants and animals used for the treatment of acute respiratory infections in children of a traditional community in the Municipality of Barbalha, Ceará, Brazil

Background: The use of natural resources for the treatment of acute respiratory infections in children is a widespread practice within traditional communities, especially by women by being the primary caregivers. This study aimed to perform ethnobiological survey of plants and animals used for the treatment of acute respiratory infections in children of a traditional community in the municipality of Barbalha, Ceará, Brazil. Methods: It is a descriptive exploratory study with a quantitative approach, developed in Sítio Santo Antônio, in the municipality of Barbalha, Ceará, Brazil. As a tool for data collection, was applied a questionnaire and a semi-structured interview. Data analysis used descriptive statistics (simple and percentage rate) and the Relative Frequency of Citation.Results: The research included a total of 54 informants. In total, there were 38 species cited. According to the Relative Frequency of Citation the following species were the most cited: Ocimum basilicum L. (0.59), Eucalyptus globulus Labill (0.59), Plectranthus amboinicus (L.) Spreng (0.42), Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit. (0.24), Allium aescalonicum L. (0.22) and Mentha arvensis L. (0.18). Among the symptoms  mentioned by the research subjects to treat the acute respiratory infections in childhood, there were: fever; cough; coughing with secretions; sore throat;  hoarseness; tiredness; nasal congestion.Conclusions: It is important the knowledge about the usefulness of natural resources as alternative practices in diseases treatment, seeking to rescue popular knowledge used in the traditional community and fomenting the need to consider cultural aspects in the full practice to children´s health care.Keywords: Ethnobotany; Ethnomedicine; Acute respiratory infections; Natural  products; Children's Health

SCS121 CL e SCS122 Miura: riscos e oportunidades na adoção de cultivares de arroz irrigado em Santa Catarina

Nowadays, one of the 22 irrigated rice cultivars released by Epagri for  Santa Catarina, the SCS121 CL, has an hegemonic predominance in the rice fields of the State. Biologic and strategically, this is of great concern for the State’s rice production because it constitutes a risk for the Clearfield (CL) rice production system. Besides, it means an intense selection pressure even in the phytosanitary area, especially regarding blast. The rapid adoption of SCS121 CL is due to its good yield, unquestionable and easy weed management (also allowing the sow in drained soil), and its tolerance to blast. In this way, it is often used, in situations out of its purpose, which is the control of weedy rice. Data from field experiments and demonstration units indicate that there are cultivars with higher yield than the SCS121 CL and, therefore, they are good options for fields not infested with weedy rice. In this sense, one good option is the brand new cultivar SCS122 Miura.Resumo – Atualmente entre os 22 cultivares de arroz irrigado lançados pela Epagri para Santa Catarina, o SCS121 CL predomina hegemonicamente no Estado. Biológica e estrategicamente, isso é preocupante para a orizicultura, pois representa um risco para o sistema Clearfield® (CL), além de significar uma pressão de seleção intensa na área fitossanitária, especialmente quanto à brusone. A rápida adoção do SCS121 CL se deve à sua produtividade, inquestionável facilidade no manejo de plantas daninhas (permitindo também a adoção da semeadura em solo seco), e sua tolerância à brusone. Dessa forma, é usado muitas vezes em situações que fogem à sua finalidade: o controle do arroz daninho. Dados de ensaios de Valor de Cultivo e Uso e dados de Unidades Demonstrativas apontam a existência de cultivares mais produtivos do que o SCS121 CL, portanto bons para áreas não infestadas com arroz daninho, entre eles o novo cultivar SCS122 Miura.

Classificação de laranjas através da técnica de moiré por phase-shifing / Classification of oranges by way through the moiré technique per phase-shifting

A seleção de frutos por forma, emprega equipamentos mecânicos que, por muitas as vezes, danifica o produto, sendo necessário buscar alternativas de classificação que evitem injúrias nos seus tecidos, dos quais ocasionam a diminuição no seu tempo de prateleira. Diante disso, torna-se necessário buscar alternativas que classifiquem o fruto pela forma sem danificá-lo, e que possibilite a seleção para o mercado consumidor. Neste sentido, objetivou-se com este estudo, desenvolver uma técnica de classificação de laranjas por forma, através do uso de métodos ópticos e sem contato. Utilizou-se a técnica óptica de Moiré por Phase-Shifting, em laranjas da cultivar tipo Pêra. Os equipamentos utilizados foram: câmera fotográfica digital, projetor multimídia, tinta spray branco fosco, plano de fundo liso e branco, além dos softwares ImageJ, Rising-Sun Moiré e Finge Projection. No primeiro momento, foram extraídas cinco imagens de cada corpo de prova, quatro com aplicação de grades sinusoidais defasadas em 90 graus, e uma com o plano de fundo. As imagens foram convertidas em RGB para escala de cinza (8 bits) para obtenção de mascaras vetoriais e aplicação de filtros na eliminação de ruídos, em seguida foi realizada a junção de cada imagem com o plano de fundo, com as grades defasadas em 90 graus, gerando quatro novas imagens. O terceiro passo, compreendeu a junção das imagens, gerando uma única imagem do modelo digital topográfico, em seguida o modelo foi processado no software ImageJ, para a obtenção da escala de pixels, para corelacionar uma relação direta, pixel/cm. Os resultados mostraram-se ser bastante satisfatórios na implementação dessa técnica para classificação de laranjas por forma, do qual permitil obter a curvatura do fruto e sua classificação. No entanto, necessita-se de mais repetições, para que se determine um fator de correção adequado, no processamento das imagens, de forma a se obter dados dimensionais mais exatos.

The Long-Baseline Neutrino Experiment: Exploring Fundamental Symmetries of the Universe

The preponderance of matter over antimatter in the early Universe, the dynamics of the supernova bursts that produced the heavy elements necessary for life and whether protons eventually decay --- these mysteries at the forefront of particle physics and astrophysics are key to understanding the early evolution of our Universe, its current state and its eventual fate. The Long-Baseline Neutrino Experiment (LBNE) represents an extensively developed plan for a world-class experiment dedicated to addressing these questions. LBNE is conceived around three central components: (1) a new, high-intensity neutrino source generated from a megawatt-class proton accelerator at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, (2) a near neutrino detector just downstream of the source, and (3) a massive liquid argon time-projection chamber deployed as a far detector deep underground at the Sanford Underground Research Facility. This facility, located at the site of the former Homestake Mine in Lead, South Dakota, is approximately 1,300 km from the neutrino source at Fermilab -- a distance (baseline) that delivers optimal sensitivity to neutrino charge-parity symmetry violation and mass ordering effects. This ambitious yet cost-effective design incorporates scalability and flexibility and can accommodate a variety of upgrades and contributions. With its exceptional combination of experimental configuration, technical capabilities, and potential for transformative discoveries, LBNE promises to be a vital facility for the field of particle physics worldwide, providing physicists from around the globe with opportunities to collaborate in a twenty to thirty year program of exciting science. In this document we provide a comprehensive overview of LBNE's scientific objectives, its place in the landscape of neutrino physics worldwide, the technologies it will incorporate and the capabilities it will possess.Comment: Major update of previous version. This is the reference document for LBNE science program and current status. Chapters 1, 3, and 9 provide a comprehensive overview of LBNE's scientific objectives, its place in the landscape of neutrino physics worldwide, the technologies it will incorporate and the capabilities it will possess. 288 pages, 116 figure

Natural-based nanocomposites for bone tissue engineering and regenerative medicine: a review

Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine has been providing exciting technologies for the development of functional substitutes aimed to repair and regenerate damaged tissues and organs. Inspired by the hierarchical nature of bone, nanostructured biomaterials are gaining a singular attention for tissue engineering, owing their ability to promote cell adhesion and proliferation, and hence new bone growth, compared with conventional microsized materials. Of particular interest are nanocomposites involving biopolymeric matrices and bioactive nanosized fi llers. Biodegradability, high mechanical strength, and osteointegration and formation of ligamentous tissue are properties required for such materials. Biopolymers are advantageous due to their similarities with extracellular matrices, specifi c degradation rates, and good biological performance. By its turn, calcium phosphates possess favorable osteoconductivity, resorbability, and biocompatibility. Herein, an overview on the available natural polymer/calcium phosphate nanocomposite materials, their design, and properties is presented. Scaffolds, hydrogels, and fi bers as biomimetic strategies for tissue engineering, and processing methodologies are described. The specifi c biological properties of the nanocomposites, as well as their interaction with cells, including the use of bioactive molecules, are highlighted. Nanocomposites in vivo studies using animal models are also reviewed and discussed.  The research leading to this work has received funding from the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement no REGPOT-CT2012-316331-POLARIS, and from QREN (ON.2 - NORTE-01-0124-FEDER-000016) cofinanced by North Portugal Regional Operational Program (ON.2 - O Novo Norte), under the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF), through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

Entre a poeira e o silêncio: sobre exposições e construções da memória no Museu do Ceará (1932-1997)

This article discusses some manners to construct the meanings of the past into Museu do Ceará's exhibitions between 1932 and 1997. Based on issues of Social History of Memory, the meanings of dust and silence are highlighted in a way that the past is configured in the space of the exhibitions. The artifacts are treated taking into account underlying values and expectations that guide, in certain circumstances, connections and separations between past and present