Catálogo Taxonômico da Fauna do Brasil: setting the baseline knowledge on the animal diversity in Brazil

The limited temporal completeness and taxonomic accuracy of species lists, made available in a traditional manner in scientific publications, has always represented a problem. These lists are invariably limited to a few taxonomic groups and do not represent up-to-date knowledge of all species and classifications. In this context, the Brazilian megadiverse fauna is no exception, and the Catálogo Taxonômico da Fauna do Brasil (CTFB) (http://fauna.jbrj.gov.br/), made public in 2015, represents a database on biodiversity anchored on a list of valid and expertly recognized scientific names of animals in Brazil. The CTFB is updated in near real time by a team of more than 800 specialists. By January 1, 2024, the CTFB compiled 133,691 nominal species, with 125,138 that were considered valid. Most of the valid species were arthropods (82.3%, with more than 102,000 species) and chordates (7.69%, with over 11,000 species). These taxa were followed by a cluster composed of Mollusca (3,567 species), Platyhelminthes (2,292 species), Annelida (1,833 species), and Nematoda (1,447 species). All remaining groups had less than 1,000 species reported in Brazil, with Cnidaria (831 species), Porifera (628 species), Rotifera (606 species), and Bryozoa (520 species) representing those with more than 500 species. Analysis of the CTFB database can facilitate and direct efforts towards the discovery of new species in Brazil, but it is also fundamental in providing the best available list of valid nominal species to users, including those in science, health, conservation efforts, and any initiative involving animals. The importance of the CTFB is evidenced by the elevated number of citations in the scientific literature in diverse areas of biology, law, anthropology, education, forensic science, and veterinary science, among others

Action of Brazilian propolis on hematological and serum biochemical parameters of Blue-fronted Amazons (Amazona aestiva, Linnaeus, 1758) in captivity

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of propolis use on hematological and serum biochemical parameters in Blue- fronted Amazons (Amazona aestiva). For this, 12 adult birds were distributed randomly into individual cages, divided into treatments with different propolis levels (A = 0.0%; B = 0.5%; and C = 1.0%), in 3 distinct phases (I, II, and III), with 15-d duration for phases I and III and 30 d for phase II, totaling 60 d. In phases I and III, all birds received treatment A ration, and in phase II received A, B, or C (4 birds per treatment). At the end of each phase, blood was collected for biochemical and hematological evaluations. The variables were analyzed by ANOVA (P < 0.05). Results suggest that 0.5% propolis reduced lactate dehydrogenase levels, whereas treatment B augmented hemoglobin concentrations and eosinophil count. It is concluded that 0.5% propolis improves levels of lactate dehydrogenase, hemoglobin, and eosinophils.Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

Desenvolvimento, meio ambiente e direitos dos índios: da necessidade de um novo ethos jurídico Development, environment and indian rights: where is the priority?

Discute aspectos da política indigenista brasileira recente, destacando a posição oscilante do Estado e sua postura ao longo da história, adversa à convivência com grupos sociais multiculturais, em especial com os grupos indígenas. Apesar do disposto na constituição brasileira de 1988 quanto aos direitos dos índios e à preservação de suas culturas, setores da sociedade civil e Estado, seguidas vezes, demonstram encará-los como ameaças à unidade e à segurança nacional, quando situados em áreas de fronteira; ou como entraves ao desenvolvimento nacional. Identifica três linhas básicas de pensamento face à questão indígena: em favor da integração (compulsória ou não dos índios), a que defende os direitos a uma cultura diferente da hegemônica e uma terceira, à qual dá destaque. Trata-se de um deslocamento do eixo da questão - da identidade indígena, antes questionada, para uma discussão sobre a terra, como se esta fosse um elemento descolado da cultura indígena. Destaca a responsabilidade ao Judiciário (especialmente do STF), quanto aos direitos dos índios à multiculturalidade dentro do espaço nacional. Reclama a necessidade de um novo ethos jurídico-social para tratar a questão indígena.<br>It deals with the recent Brazilian Indian politic, showing in its analysis the oscillating position of the State and its adverse position along the history, as to its acquaintanceship with the multicultural groups, especially with indian groups. In spite of the 1988 Brazilian Constitution rule regarding the indian rights and the preservation of the indian culture, sections of the civil society and of the State have seen them, several times, as threats to its unity and national security as well; specially around the bordering areas or sometimes seen as hindrances to the national development. Three basic thoughts regarding the Indians have been identified: one in favour of the Indian integration (compulsory or not); the other refers to the protection of their rights to have a culture different from the hegemonic one; and a third one to be outstanding. This one transfers the main point of the Indian identity which has been questioned before to the question related to the indian land as if the land didn't take part of their culture. Shows the responsibility of the Judiciary (specially this one of the STF) about the garantee of the Indian rights to its culture within the national area. Therefore the necessity for a new social-juridical ethos to deal with Indian problems has been claimed

Tendências no desenvolvimento de gases de proteção utilizados na soldagem MIG/MAG Trends in the development of protective gases used in GMAW welding

Este trabalho tem como objetivo apresentar uma revisão do estado da arte sobre os gases de proteção usados nos processos de soldagem a arco elétrico, com ênfase na soldagem MIG/MAG do aço. São apresentados os principais conceitos da física do arco e as propriedades relacionadas aos gases de proteção. O modelo de atmosfera ligeiramente oxidante para os gases de proteção é discutido, sendo mostradas as formulações dos gases estudados em artigos científicos e em patentes depositadas, bem como as reivindicações (vantagens) requeridas. Também são mencionados alguns poucos estudos usando adições de gases não convencionais. Foi observado que no desenvolvimento de gases de proteção para soldagem MIG/MAG do aço predomina o modelo da formação de atmosfera ligeiramente oxidante. A maioria das formulações propostas envolve o uso de misturas binárias, ternárias e até quaternárias dos gases Ar, He, CO2 e O2. Em aplicações específicas, adições de N2 e H2 foram usadas. Neste sentido, pouca inovação foi identificada, sendo atribuídas possíveis razões a este fato. A tendência observada para o desenvolvimento de gases de proteção parece ser o uso de misturas ricas em gases inertes, com adições calibradas de elementos oxidantes, sempre atendendo a aplicações específicas.<br>This paper has as objective to present a state of the art review on the shielding gases used in the electric arc welding processes, with emphasis on GMAW welding of steel. There are shown the main concepts of arc physics and properties related to shielding gases. The model of slightly oxidizing atmosphere for shielding gases is discussed, and the formulations of the gases studied in scientific articles and in deposited patents, as well as the claims (benefits) required. It also mentions some few studies using additions of non-conventional gases. It was observed that for the development of shielding gases for the GMAW steel welding the model of slightly oxidizing atmosphere is predominant. Most of proposed formulations involve the use of binary, ternary or even quaternary mixtures of the gases Ar, He, CO2 and O2. For specific aplications, additions of N2 e H2 were used. In this meaning, few innovations were identified, and possible reasons were attributed. The trend observed for the development of shielding gases seems to be the use of mixtures rich in inert gases, with calibrated additions of oxidizing elements, always looking for specific applications