Food technology neophobia and consumer attitudes toward foods produced by new and conventional technologies: A case study in Brazil

AbstractNew food technologies are promoting innovations in the food sector. However, not all technologies are accepted and understood by consumers; some cause resistance. The present work sought to study the behavior of Brazilian consumers in relation to different food technologies. A questionnaire was administered to a representative sample of 389 respondents in Belo Horizonte-MG, Brazil. Questionnaire collected information on consumer perceptions regarding new technologies by means of the Food Technology Neophobia Scale (FTNS), translated and validated into Portuguese, in addition to familiarity and willingness to try yogurts labeled such as traditional, pasteurized, organic, genetically modified, enriched with bioactive proteins and nanotechnology. Results suggested that neophobia regarding food technology is important to explain consumer behavior in relation to new technologies, especially for nanotechnology. Participants were less familiar with foods labeled as GM and nanotechnology, and willingness to try these products was lower. Consumers are still wary of GM and nanotechnology, possibly due to lack of assurance that these foods are safe for human health and the environment. For new food technologies (such as nanotechnology) that are still recent, communication is very important, being decisive for the consolidation of consumer perceptions, and consequently for the acceptance of these innovations on the market

New molecular markers for phlebotomine sand flies

Using degenerate-primers PCR we isolated and sequenced fragments from the sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis homologous to two behavioural genes in Drosophila, cacophony and period. In addition we identified a number of other gene fragments that show homology to genes previously cloned in Drosophila. A codon usage table for L. longipalpis based on these and other genes was calculated. These new molecular markers will be useful in population genetics and evolutionary studies in phlebotomine sand flies and in establishing a preliminary genetic map in these important leishmaniasis vectors.info:eu-repo/semantics/submittedVersio

Future environmental and agricultural impacts of Brazil's Forest Code

The role of improving the enforcement of Brazil's Forest Code in reducing deforestation in the Amazon has been highlighted in many studies. However, in a context of strong political pressure for loosening environmental protections, the future impacts of a nationwide implementation of the Forest Code on both environment and agriculture remain poorly understood. Here, we present a spatially explicit assessment of Brazil's 2012 Forest Code through the year 2050; specifically, we use a partial equilibrium economic model that provides a globally consistent national modeling framework with detailed representation of the agricultural sector and spatially explicit land-use change. We test for the combined or isolated impacts of the different measures of the Forest Code, including deforestation control and obligatory forest restoration with or without environmental reserve quotas. Our results show that, if rigorously enforced, the Forest Code could prevent a net loss of 53.4 million hectares (Mha) of forest and native vegetation by 2050, 43.1 Mha (81%) of which are in the Amazon alone. The control of illegal deforestation promotes the largest environmental benefits, but the obligatory restoration of illegally deforested areas creates 12.9 Mha of new forested area. Environmental reserve quotas further protect 5.8 Mha of undisturbed natural vegetation. Compared to a scenario without the Forest Code, by 2050, cropland area is only reduced by 4% and the cattle herd by 8%. Our results show that compliance with the Forest Code requires an increase in cattle productivity of 56% over four decades, with a combination of a higher use of supplements and an adoption of semi-intensive pasture management. We estimate that the enforcement of the Forest Code could contribute up to 1.03 PgCO<sub>2</sub>e to the ambitious GHG emissions reduction target set by Brazil for 2030

Vaccuuming method as a successful strategy in the diagnosis of active infestation by Pediculus humanus capitis

Most human epidemiological and clinical studies use visual inspection of the hair and scalp to diagnose Pediculus humanus capitis, however this method has low sensitivity to diagnose active infestations (presence of nymphs and adult lice). Vacuuming the hair and scalp has been used as a diagnostic method, but there are no previous data comparing its effectiveness with visual inspection. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of overall infestation (nits and trophic stages), of active infestation by Pediculus humanus capitis, and to evaluate the effectiveness of vacuuming in comparison with the visual inspection. Visual inspection was performed by three examiners and vacuuming of the scalp by one investigator, with an adapted vacuum cleaner. A total of 166 children aged 4 to 10 years old were randomly selected from public schools in Southern Brazil. Considering the positive results obtained by both methods, the prevalence of overall infestation was 63.3%, whereas active infestation was 18.7%. The visual inspection was more effective on diagnosing overall infestation, however, its effectiveness to detect active infestation was lower, ranging from 0.6% (RR=3%, p<0.001) to 6.6% (RR=35%, p=0.001), depending on the number of examiners. The effectiveness of vacuuming to diagnose active infestation was higher than the one of visual inspection, with a prevalence rate of 16.3% (RR=87%, p=0.332). As presented in our study, the vacuuming method was 2.74 to 7.87 times most likely to detect active infestation, thus it could be adopted as a more accurate method to diagnose active pediculosis