Understanding Social–Ecological Systems using Loop Analysis

The sustainable management of social–ecological systems (SESs) requires that we understand the complex structure of relationships and feedbacks among ecosystem components and socioeconomic entities. Therefore, the construction and analysis of models integrating ecological and human actors is crucial for describing the functioning of SESs, and qualitative modeling represents an ideal tool since it allows studying dependencies among variables of diverse types. In particular, the qualitative technique of loop analysis yields predictions about how a system’s variables respond to stress factors. Different interaction types, scarce information about functional relationships among variables, and uncertainties in the values of the parameters are the rule rather than exceptions when studying SESs. Accordingly, loop analysis seems to be perfectly suitable to investigate them. Here, we introduce the key aspects of loop analysis, discuss its applications to SESs, and suggest it enables making the first steps toward the integration of the three dimensions of sustainability

Stability of generalized linear Weingarten hypersurfaces immersed in the Euclidean space

Given a positive function F defined on the unit Euclidean sphere and satisfying a suitable convexity condition, we consider, for hypersurfaces Mn immersed in the Euclidean space Rn+1, the so-called k-th anisotropic mean curvatures HF k, 0 ≤ k ≤ n. For fixed 0 ≤ r ≤ s ≤ n, a hypersurface Mn of Rn+1 is said to be (r, s, F)-linear Weingarten when its k-th anisotropic mean curvatures HF k, r ≤ k ≤ s, are linearly related. In this setting, we establish the concept of stability concerning closed (r, s, F)-linear Weingarten hypersurfaces immersed in Rn+1 and, afterwards, we prove that such a hypersurface is stable if, and only if, up to translations and homotheties, it is the Wulff shape of F. For r = s and F ≡ 1, our results amount to the standard stability studied, for instance, by Alencar-do Carmo-Rosenberg

Three-dimensional printed bone scaffolds:The role of nano/micro-hydroxyapatite particles on the adhesion and differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells

Bone tissue engineering is strongly dependent on the use of three-dimensional scaffolds that can act as templates to accommodate cells and support tissue ingrowth. Despite its wide application in tissue engineering research, polycaprolactone presents a very limited ability to induce adhesion, proliferation and osteogenic cell differentiation. To overcome some of these limitations, different calcium phosphates, such as hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate, have been employed with relative success. This work investigates the influence of nano-hydroxyapatite and micro-hydroxyapatite (nHA and mHA, respectively) particles on the in vitro biomechanical performance of polycaprolactone/hydroxyapatite scaffolds. Morphological analysis performed with scanning electron microscopy allowed us to confirm the production of polycaprolactone/hydroxyapatite constructs with square interconnected pores of approximately 350 µm and to assess the distribution of hydroxyapatite particles within the polymer matrix. Compression mechanical tests showed an increase in polycaprolactone compressive modulus ( E) from 105.5 ± 11.2 to 138.8 ± 12.9 MPa (PCL_nHA) and 217.2 ± 21.8 MPa (PCL_mHA). In comparison to PCL_mHA scaffolds, the addition of nano-hydroxyapatite enhanced the adhesion and viability of human mesenchymal stem cells as confirmed by Alamar Blue assay. In addition, after 14 days of incubation, PCL_nHA scaffolds showed higher levels of alkaline phosphatase activity compared to polycaprolactone or PCL_mHA structures. </jats:p

Josep Maria Puig: una vida dedicada a la Educación en Valores

Josep Maria Puig is one of the leading international scholars in Moral Education. Throughout his academic and personal trajectory, moral education occupied a central place in his researches, reflections, concerns, teaching and way of living. His writings and investigations in Catalan, Spanish and Portuguese, converted him in one of the main theoretical references in Latin America for the studies of the human morality. Cited in more than 800 theses and articles in Brazil, his work has exerted and still exerts great influence in a whole generation of Brazilian researchers. In the interview that follows, beyond the academic trajectory of Professor Puig, we present in this text his reflections on moral education in different dimensions: theoretical, practical, political, social and personal. As it could not fail to be, in times of people talking about “no-party schools”, Puig also discusses the legacy of Paulo Freire and the influence that exerted in his work. These are themes that mobilize current concerns, and it is of great relevance for the ethical and moral development of the future generations.Josep Maria Puig es uno de los mayores expertos internacionales en Educación Moral. Durante toda su trayectoria académica y personal, la educación moral ocupó un lugar central en sus investigaciones, reflexiones, preocupaciones, docencia y modo de vivir. Los escritos y la investigación docente del profesor Puig en catalán, español y portugués, se hicieron una de las principales referencias teóricas en Latinoamérica en el estudio de la moralidad humana. Citado en más de 800 tesis y artículos en Brasil, su trabajo ejerció y aún hoy ejerce gran influencia en toda una generación de investigadores brasileños. En la entrevista que sigue, además de la trayectoria académica del Prof. Puig, presentamos sus reflexiones sobre la educación moral en distintas dimensiones: teóricas, prácticas, políticas, sociales y personales. Como no podría dejar de ser, en tiempos en que se habla de una “escuela sin partido”, Puig discurre también sobre el legado de Paulo Freire y la influencia que ejerció en todo su trabajo. Se trata, pues, de temas que movilizan preocupaciones actuales y de la mayor relevancia para la formación ética y moral de las futuras generaciones.Josep Maria Puig é um dos maiores especialistas internacionais em Educação Moral. Durante toda sua trajetória acadêmica e pessoal, a educação moral ocupou lugar central em suas pesquisas, reflexões, preocupações, docência e modo de viver. Os escritos e investigações do professor Puig, em Catalão, Espanhol e Português, converteram-se em uma das principais referências teóricas na américa latina nos estudos acerca da moralidade humana. Citado em mais de 800 teses e artigos no Brasil, seu trabalho exerceu e ainda hoje exerce grande influência em toda uma geração de pesquisadores brasileiros. Na entrevista que se segue, para além da trajetória acadêmica do Prof. Puig, apresentamos suas reflexões a respeito da educação moral em diferentes dimensões: teóricas, práticas, políticas, sociais e pessoais. Como não poderia deixar de ser, em tempos em que se fala de uma escola sem partido, Puig discorre também acerca do legado de Paulo Freire e a influência que exerceu em todo o seu trabalho. Trata-se, pois, de temas que mobilizam preocupações atuais e da maior relevância para a formação ética e moral das futuras gerações

Soil loss risk and habitat quality in streams of a meso-scale river basin

Soil loss expectation and possible relationships among soil erosion, riparian vegetation and water quality were studied in the São José dos Dourados River basin, State of São Paulo, Brazil. Through Geographic Information System (GIS) resources and technology, Soil Loss Expectation (SLE) data obtained using the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) model were analyzed. For the whole catchment area and for the 30 m buffer strips of the streams of 22 randomly selected catchments, the predominant land use and habitat quality were studied. Owing mainly to the high soil erodibility, the river basin is highly susceptible to erosive processes. Habitat quality analyses revealed that the superficial water from the catchments is not chemically impacted but suffers physical damage. A high chemical purity is observed since there are no urban areas along the catchments. The water is physically poor because of high rates of sediment delivery and the almost nonexistence of riparian vegetation.Expectativa de perda de solo e possíveis relações entre erosão, vegetação ripária e qualidade da água foram estudados na bacia do rio São José dos Dourados (SP). Através de recursos de geoprocessamento e da Equação Universal de Perda de Solos, os dados sobre expectativa de perda de solo foram levantados. Para a área de drenagem total e a faixa tampão dos corpos d'água de 22 sub-bacias aleatoriamente selecionadas, analisou-se a cobertura do solo predominante e qualidade do habitat. Devido principalmente à alta erodibilidade do solo, a área estudada é altamente suscetível ao processo erosivo. As análises de qualidade da água revelaram que as águas superficiais das sub-bacias estão quimicamente não impactadas, mas fisicamente degradadas. A alta pureza química deve-se, possivelmente, à ausência de áreas urbanizadas ao longo das sub-bacias e as alterações nas características físicas são, possivelmente, decorrentes das altas taxas de transferência de sedimento aos corpos d'água e à quase ausência de mata ciliar

Normal weight obesity is associated with metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance in young adults from a middle-income country

Objective: This population-based birth cohort study examined whether normal weight obesity is associated with metabolic disorders in young adults in a middle-income country undergoing rapid nutrition transition. Design and Methods: The sample involved 1,222 males and females from the 1978/79 Ribeira˜o Preto birth cohort, Brazil, aged 23–25 years. NWO was defined as body mass index (BMI) within the normal range (18.5–24.9 kg/m2) and the sum of subscapular and triceps skinfolds above the sex-specific 90th percentiles of the study sample. It was also defined as normal BMI and % BF (body fat) .23% in men and .30% in women. Insulin resistance (IR), insulin sensitivity and secretion were based on the Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA) model. Results: In logistic models, after adjusting for age, sex and skin colour, NWO was significantly associated with Metabolic Syndrome (MS) according to the Joint Interim Statement (JIS) definition (Odds Ratio OR = 6.83; 95% Confidence Interval CI 2.84–16.47). NWO was also associated with HOMA2-IR (OR = 3.81; 95%CI 1.57–9.28), low insulin sensitivity (OR = 3.89; 95%CI 2.39–6.33), and high insulin secretion (OR = 2.17; 95%CI 1.24–3.80). Significant associations between NWO and some components of the MS were also detected: high waist circumference (OR = 8.46; 95%CI 5.09–14.04), low High Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (OR = 1.65; 95%CI 1.11–2.47) and high triglyceride levels (OR = 1.93; 95%CI 1.02–3.64). Most estimates changed little after further adjustment for early and adult life variables. Conclusions: NWO was associated with MS and IR, suggesting that clinical assessment of excess body fat in normal-BMI individuals should begin early in life even in middle-income countries

Análise de experiências internacionais e propostas para o desenvolvimento da cadeia produtiva brasileira do leite

Bibliografia: p. 50-53O leite é um dos poucos produtos agropecuários nos quais o Brasil não é competitivo internacionalmente. Essa baixa competitividade decorre do alto custo da produção rural e de sua baixa qualidade. No cenário global, mesmo os países mais competitivos se beneficiaram de políticas públicas na estruturação de seu atual modelo de sucesso. No Brasil, a abertura de mercado a partir dos anos 1990 também modernizou o setor, reduzindo o número de produtores e aumentando a escala produtiva. Entretanto, o ritmo lento foi insuficiente para torná-lo competitivo. Na indústria, a pulverização da captação do leite, provocada principalmente pela expansão do leite UHT e pelo alto índice de informalidade, e a concentração do varejo e distorções tributárias geraram condições desfavoráveis para que ela comande a modernização necessária ao desenvolvimento do setor

Photobiomodulation reduces the cytokine storm syndrome associated with Covid-19 in the zebrafish model

Although the exact mechanism of the pathogenesis of COVID-19 is not fully understood, oxidative stress and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines have been highlighted as playing a vital role in the pathogenesis of the disease. In this sense, alternative treatments are needed to reduce the inflammation caused by COVID-19. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the potential effect of red PBM as an attractive therapy to downregulate the cytokine storm caused by COVID-19 from a zebrafish model. RT-PCR analyses and protein-protein interaction prediction among SARS-CoV-2 and Danio rerio proteins showed that rSpike was responsible for generating systemic inflammatory processes with significantly increased pro-inflammatory (il1b, il6, tnfa, and nfkbiab), oxidative stress (romo1) and energy metabolism (slc2a1a, coa1) mRNA markers, with a pattern like those observed in COVID-19 cases in humans. On the other hand, PBM treatment decreased the mRNA levels of these pro-inflammatory and oxidative stress markers compared with rSpike in various tissues, promoting an anti-inflammatory response. Conversely, PBM promotes cellular and tissue repair of injured tissues and significantly increases the survival rate of rSpike-inoculated individuals. Additionally, metabolomics analysis showed that the most impacted metabolic pathways between PBM and the rSpike-treated groups were related to steroid metabolism, immune system, and lipids metabolism. Together, our findings suggest that the inflammatory process is an incisive feature of COVID-19, and red PBM can be used as a novel therapeutic agent for COVID-19 by regulating the inflammatory response. Nevertheless, the need for more clinical trials remains, and there is a significant gap to overcome before clinical trials.publishedVersio