Community engagement with local associations and in the development of tourism: a case study of residents of three parishes in the Peneda Gerês National Park.

The Peneda Geres National Park situated in northern Portugal has many characteristics associated with remote locations: rural depopulation, low population density, homogeneous lifestyles, little economic diversity, high quality natural environment, and communities structured on a feudal or hierarchical set-up, with the church, traditionally, as the centre of influence. Traditionally, cooperation within and between communities revolved around agricultural activities that required a joint effort. Agricultural activities that required a high level of coordination resulted in the practically single form of association between residents. Residents still have strong cultural ties to nature, partially because of their reliance on sources of food and some income. There is evidence to suggest that community development with a significant emphasis on tourism may be an important element in the survival and revival of the economy of this region as traditional subsistence agriculture continues to decline. The promotion of small-scale tourism is intuitively perceived as a suitable form of economic development for rural areas. However, as communities turn to tourism as the means to raising income, employment and living standards the diverse impacts from tourism and its associated development affect the local population. A lack of community capacity and a lack of community understanding of tourism and its impacts have been identified as barriers to effective tourism development in this remote rural region. The overall purpose of this study is twofold. First, to critically examine and compare the attitudes to involvement, in and perceptions of, local associations of the residents of selected rural communities in the Peneda Geres National Park. Secondly, to determine resident perceptions of the contribution of local associations and the National Park Authority to the tourism development process. A survey in the form of a structured face-to-face interview was undertaken to analyse the perceptions of members of the communities toward tourism development by identifying the obstacles and impediments to community participation. A total of 346 usable questionnaires were collected using a randomly selected sample of residents in the parishes of Castro de Laboreiro, Entre-Ambosos- Rios and Vilar da Veiga. These three selected parishes illustrate the variety of experiences faced by communities involved with tourism. Findings from the interviews were identified which serve to illustrate participatory development as a complex and difficult though essential for community development in remote rural areas. Based on the findings, several recommendations on structural policies and advice on approach and issues in terms of research are made

A Novel integration approach : perturbation studies in vitro using PDK1 inhibitors in glioblastoma multiforme

Os objetivos a atingir em 2020 no que respeita ao processo de investigação e desenvolvimento de medicamentos estão claramente focados na redução em termos temporais na investigação pré-clínica e clínica e na diminuição da taxa de atrito entre as novas moléculas. De forma a atingir estes objetivos, um novo conceito tem sido desenvolvido e aplicado a este complexo e moroso processo, este é a Farmacologia Quantitativa e de Sistemas. Além disso, esta abordagem inovadora pode ser crucial para o tratamento de determinados tipos de tumores cerebrais letais – Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) – que permanecem um desafio terapêutico, e por tanto, uma doença com um destino fatal para os doentes. Por estas razões, esta dissertação de mestrado apresenta uma especial relevância, tendo por objetivos avaliar o potencial impacto e importância biológica da variação de parâmetros farmacológicos, para além da potência, no contexto da resposta celular ao fármaco, pela avaliação da perturbação induzida em células do GBM por inibidores do PDK1 e pela realização de uma caracterização multiparamêtrica dose-resposta destas novas moléculas. A presente dissertação assume em Portugal a vanguarda na área da Farmacologia Quantitativa e de Sistemas aplicada ao processo de investigação e desenvolvimento de medicamentos. Em última estância, esta dissertação poderá contribuir para uma melhor previsão dos fármacos durante este processo, significando assim possíveis vantagens para os utentes, indústrias farmacêuticas, institutos de investigação, governo e institutos superiores

Activity of plasmin and plasminogen in ultra high temperature milk with high and low somatic cell counts during storage

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da contagem de células somáticas (CCS) do leite na atividade de plasmina e plasminogênio durante o período de armazenamento do leite longa vida integral. Os leites crus foram categorizados em grupos de CCS de baixa (342.000-487.000 células mL-1) e alta contagem (603.000-808.000 células mL-1). Dois lotes de leite longa vida em cada categoria de CCS foram analisados para determinação de plasmina e plasminogênio após 10, 30, 60, 90 e 120 dias de armazenamento em temperatura ambiente. Para a fabricação do leite longa vida, o leite cru foi submetido à pasteurização rápida seguida da esterilização industrial do leite por injeção de vapor pelo método direto e embalagem asséptica do produto. A CCS não apresentou efeitos sobre as características físico-químicas do leite cru, e nem sobre a atividade de plasmina e plasminogênio nos leites cru e longa vida, armazenados por 120 dias. Entretanto, independentemente da CCS, a atividade de plasmina e plasminogênio aumentou no leite longa vida ao longo do armazenamento, indicando a possibilidade de aumento da proteólise no produto durante sua vida de prateleira.This study aimed to evaluate the effect of somatic cell counts (SCC) in milk on plasmin and plasminogen activities of ultra high temperature (UHT) milk during storage. Raw milks were categorized in SCC groups of low (342,000-487,000 cells mL-1) and high cells (603,000-808,000 cells mL-1). Two replicates of UHT milks within each SCC category were analyzed for plasmin and plasminogen activities after 10, 30, 60, 90 and 120 days of storage at room temperature. For manufacture of UHT milk, raw milk was pasteurized and sterilized by direct vapor injection process, followed by aseptic packaging. SCC had no effect on physical-chemical characteristics of raw milk, and on plasmin or plasminogen activities in raw and UHT milks during 120 days of storage. However, independently of the SCC in raw milk, the activity of plasmin and plasminogen increased in UHT milk during storage, hence indicating a possible increase in proteolysis in the product during its shelf-life

Ultra-sonografia em tempo real e modo B em prenhez de pacas (Agouti paca, Linnaeus, 1766)

The aim of this study was to establish the pregnancy period of paca by means of ultrasound use. Nine pregnant pacas were periodically scanned with a two-frequency sectorial electronic transducer of 5.0 and 7.5 MHz, in B mode, from ultrasound detection of embryo vesicle or fetus until the parturition. Animals were placed in an iron-bar squeeze cage and remained in standing position during sessions. A dark cloth was used to cover the cage and fruits were offered during ultrasound session to avoid aggressive reactions. The more premature occurred detection of pregnancy, the greater the period of ultrasound examination until the birth of the offspring. All gestation delivered only one newborn weighting 796.5 ± 74.36 grams (mean value ± standard error of the sample) and 33.46 ± 0.60 centimeters (mean value ± standard error of the sample) of length (from rostral edge of nose and distal portion of tail). The length of paca pregnancy ranged from 135 to 139 days.O objetivo deste estudo foi estabelecer o tempo de prenhez da paca por meio de ultra-sonografia. Nove pacas prenhes foram periodicamente acompanhadas com um transdutor eletrônico setorial bi-frequencial de 5,0 e 7,5 MHz, em modo B, desde a detecção ultra-sonográfica da vesícula embrionária ou do feto até o nascimento dos filhotes. Os animais foram colocados em uma gaiola de ferro de prensagem lateral e permaneceram em posição quadrupedal durante as sessões. Um pano escuro foi usado para cobrir a gaiola e frutas foram oferecidas durante o exame ultra-sonográfico para evitar reações agressivas. Quanto mais precocemente ocorreu a detecção de prenhez, maior foi o período de acompanhamento ultra-sonográfico até o nascimento dos filhotes. Apenas um filhote nasceu por parto, com 796,5 ± 74,36 gramas (valor médio ± desvio padrão da amostra) e 33,46 ± 0,60 centímetros (valor médio ± desvio padrão da amostra) de comprimento (entre a borda rostral do focinho e a extremidade distal da cauda). O período de prenhez da paca abrange 135 a 139 dias

Manejo de pacas fêmeas (Agouti paca, Linnaeus, 1766) para detecção ultra-sonográfica de prenhez

The paca is a South American rodent whose handling, tranquilization or anesthesia offers a large field of research due to rare existing issues. Twelve adult female pacas were used, separated in 6 pen, and were caught with a net made of polypropylene attached to a wire loop and then sent to a room where the abdominal hair clipping was done. Afterwards, the female was placed in an iron bar squeeze cage. The ultrasonography session was made in B mode with a two-frequency sectorial electronic transducer of 5.0 and 7.5 MHz. Intending to reduce the stress caused by the procedures, the tranquilization of females was made with oral taking of diazepam and midazolam maleate. Both presented effectiveness in tranquilization of pacas previously and during sessions, being the midazolam maleate the one that better facilitated the animal handling.A paca é um roedor sul-americano cujo manejo, tranqüilização ou anestesia oferece um grande campo de pesquisa devido aos poucos artigos existentes. Doze pacas fêmeas adultas foram utilizadas, mantidas separadas em seis baias, sendo capturadas com um puçá de polipropileno e levadas a uma sala na qual se realizava a tricotomia abdominal. Após, os animais eram colocados em uma gaiola de ferro de compressão lateral. A sessão de ultra-sonografia era realizada em modo B com um transdutor setorial eletrônico de 5,0 e 7,5 MHz. Para a diminuição do estresse causado pelos procedimentos, a tranqüilização das fêmeas era realizada com diazepam e maleato de midazolam por via oral. Ambos demonstraram-se efetivos na tranqüilização das pacas previamente e durante as sessões, sendo que o maleato de midazolam proporcionou um melhor manejo dos animais

Information technology management system: an analysis on computational model failures for fleet management

This article proposes an information technology model to evaluate fleet management failure. Qualitative research done by a case study within an Interstate  Transport company in a São Paulo State proposed to establish a relationship between computer tools and valid trustworthy information needs, and within an acceptable timeframe, for decision making, reliability, availability and system management. Additionally, the study aimed to provide relevant and precise information, in order to minimize and mitigate failure actions that may occur, compromising all operational organization base functioning.Este artigo propõe um modelo de tecnologia de informação para avaliação de falhas na gestão de frotas. A pesquisa qualitativa realizada por um estudo de caso numa empresa de Transporte Rodoviário Interestadual no Estado de São Paulo, propôs estabelecer relações entre as ferramentas computacionais e a necessidade de informações, fidedignas e em intervalos de tempo aceitáveis como válidas, para as tomadas de decisão, confiabilidade, disponibilidade e gestão de sistemas. Adicionalmente, o estudo visou fornecer informações relevantes e precisas, de forma a minimizar e mitigar ações de falhas que possam ocorrer, comprometendo o funcionamento de toda a base operacional da organização

Ultra-sonografia em tempo real e modo B em prenhez de pacas (Agouti paca, Linnaeus, 1766)

The aim of this study was to establish the pregnancy period of paca by means of ultrasound use. Nine pregnant pacas were periodically scanned with a two-frequency sectorial electronic transducer of 5.0 and 7.5 MHz, in B mode, from ultrasound detection of embryo vesicle or fetus until the parturition. Animals were placed in an iron-bar squeeze cage and remained in standing position during sessions. A dark cloth was used to cover the cage and fruits were offered during ultrasound session to avoid aggressive reactions. The more premature occurred detection of pregnancy, the greater the period of ultrasound examination until the birth of the offspring. All gestation delivered only one newborn weighting 796.5 ± 74.36 grams (mean value ± standard error of the sample) and 33.46 ± 0.60 centimeters (mean value ± standard error of the sample) of length (from rostral edge of nose and distal portion of tail). The length of paca pregnancy ranged from 135 to 139 days.O objetivo deste estudo foi estabelecer o tempo de prenhez da paca por meio de ultra-sonografia. Nove pacas prenhes foram periodicamente acompanhadas com um transdutor eletrônico setorial bi-frequencial de 5,0 e 7,5 MHz, em modo B, desde a detecção ultra-sonográfica da vesícula embrionária ou do feto até o nascimento dos filhotes. Os animais foram colocados em uma gaiola de ferro de prensagem lateral e permaneceram em posição quadrupedal durante as sessões. Um pano escuro foi usado para cobrir a gaiola e frutas foram oferecidas durante o exame ultra-sonográfico para evitar reações agressivas. Quanto mais precocemente ocorreu a detecção de prenhez, maior foi o período de acompanhamento ultra-sonográfico até o nascimento dos filhotes. Apenas um filhote nasceu por parto, com 796,5 ± 74,36 gramas (valor médio ± desvio padrão da amostra) e 33,46 ± 0,60 centímetros (valor médio ± desvio padrão da amostra) de comprimento (entre a borda rostral do focinho e a extremidade distal da cauda). O período de prenhez da paca abrange 135 a 139 dias

Determination of aflatoxin B1 in animal feed and aflatoxin M1 in milk in dairy farms of São Paulo State

A ocorrência de aflatoxina B1 (AFB1) em rações e aflatoxina M1 (AFM1) no leite cru foi avaliada em propriedades leiteiras situadas na região nordeste do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil, de outubro de 2005 a fevereiro de 2006. A análise de aflatoxinas foi efetuada utilizando-se colunas de imunoafinidade para purificação dos extratos, sendo a quantificação realizada através de cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência. A AFB1 foi detectada em 40% das rações em níveis de 1,0 a 19,5 μg.kg-1. A concentração de AFM1 em 36,7% de amostras de leite positivas variou de 0,010 a 0,645 μg.L-1. Somente uma amostra de leite estava acima do limite de tolerância adotado no Brasil (0,5 μg.L-1) para AFM1. Concluiu-se que as concentrações de aflatoxinas na ração e no leite foram relativamente baixas, embora a alta frequência das aflatoxinas nas amostras analisadas indique a necessidade de contínuo monitoramento a fim de prevenir a contaminação de ingredientes e rações destinadas ao gado leiteiro.The occurrence of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in animal feed and aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in raw milk was evaluated in dairy farms located in the Northeast region of São Paulo state, Brazil, from October 2005 to February 2006. The Aflatoxin analysis was performed using immunoaffinity clean-up with high performance liquid chromatography for quantification. AFB1 was found in 40% of the animal feeds at the levels of 1.0 to 19.5 μg.kg-1. The concentration of AFM1 in raw milk (36.7%) ranged from 0.010 to 0.645 μg.L-1. Only one single sample of raw milk presented values above the tolerance limit adopted in Brazil (0.5 μg.L-1) for AFM1. In conclusion, the concentrations of aflatoxins in the animal feed and milk samples studied were relatively low although the high frequency of mycotoxins in the both analysed samples indicates the necessity of continuous monitoring in order to prevent mycotoxin contamination of animal feed ingredients for dairy cattle.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Yield of Syn-1 synthetic varieties of tropical onion resulting from openpollinated Brazilian populations

Due to technological limitations for the development of onion hybrids, first-cycle synthetic varieties (Syn1-SV) could be an alternative to partially explore heterotic vigor. The growing areas of onion hybrids in Brazilare mainly defined by bulb yield and uniformity. From this perspective, the present study aimed to developtropical onion Syn1-SV and estimate mid-parent heterosis (Hm), heterobeltiosis (Hp), and standard heterosis(Hs) as an alternative to hybrid development. Six Syn1-SVs, eight open-pollinated (OP) populations, and onecommercial hybrid were evaluated in a randomized block design with three replications, in two semesters, forthe commercial bulb yield (CBY) and days to bulb harvest (DBH). Significant differences were observed fortreatments (T), semesters (S) and the T*S interaction for both variables (p-value<0.05). The OPs ‘Alfa SF RT’ inthe first semester and ‘IPA11’ in the second semester were the most precocious treatments. The highest CBYwas estimated in the commercial hybrid (105.8 t ha-1) and in ‘Alfa SF RT’ (45.5 t ha-1) in the first and secondsemesters, respectively. Three Syn1-SVs showed positive Hm values, ranging from 2.0% to 6.3% for CBY. ThreeSyn1-SV showed positive Hp values in the first semester, ranging from 3.0% to 5.2%, for CBY. Only the Syn1-SV ‘AlfaSF RT’ × ‘BRS Alfa São Francisco’ (48.9 t ha-1) showed positive Hs values, surpassing by a small value the controlOP population ‘IPA11’ (48.0 t ha-1), indicating the potential of Syn1-SV as an option for onion hybrids.Due to technological limitations for the development of onion hybrids, first-cycle synthetic varieties (Syn1-SV) could be an alternative to partially explore heterotic vigor. The growing areas of onion hybrids in Brazilare mainly defined by bulb yield and uniformity. From this perspective, the present study aimed to developtropical onion Syn1-SV and estimate mid-parent heterosis (Hm), heterobeltiosis (Hp), and standard heterosis(Hs) as an alternative to hybrid development. Six Syn1-SVs, eight open-pollinated (OP) populations, and onecommercial hybrid were evaluated in a randomized block design with three replications, in two semesters, forthe commercial bulb yield (CBY) and days to bulb harvest (DBH). Significant differences were observed fortreatments (T), semesters (S) and the T*S interaction for both variables (p-value<0.05). The OPs ‘Alfa SF RT’ inthe first semester and ‘IPA11’ in the second semester were the most precocious treatments. The highest CBYwas estimated in the commercial hybrid (105.8 t ha-1) and in ‘Alfa SF RT’ (45.5 t ha-1) in the first and secondsemesters, respectively. Three Syn1-SVs showed positive Hm values, ranging from 2.0% to 6.3% for CBY. ThreeSyn1-SV showed positive Hp values in the first semester, ranging from 3.0% to 5.2%, for CBY. Only the Syn1-SV ‘AlfaSF RT’ × ‘BRS Alfa São Francisco’ (48.9 t ha-1) showed positive Hs values, surpassing by a small value the controlOP population ‘IPA11’ (48.0 t ha-1), indicating the potential of Syn1-SV as an option for onion hybrids

Effect of corn plant residue and mixture of atrazine plus metolachlor on the weeds control in no-till corn system

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar o efeito de níveis de palha de milho e da mistura formulada atrazine e metolachlor no controle de plantas daninhas na cultura de milho, em sistema de plantio direto. O ensaio foi realizado num Latossolo Vermelho-distrófico, argiloso, fase cerrado, sendo a dessecação do mato feita com glyphosate, 15 dias antes do plantio. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos ao acaso, com parcelas subdivididas e com três repetições. Antes do plantio do milho, distribuíram-se cinco níveis de palha de milho (0, 3, 6, 9 e 12 t ha-1), nas parcelas, de modo uniforme. Nas subparcelas, após o plantio, foram considerados dois tratamentos referentes a herbicida: ausência de herbicida ou a dose de 6,0 L ha-1 de atrazine, e metolachlor (1.200 + 1.800 g ha-1). Avaliou-se o número das plantas daninhas, por espécie, aos 26 e 41 dias após o plantio. O número total de plantas daninhas foi reduzido significativamente pelos níveis de palha, independentemente da presença do herbicida e da época de avaliação. O herbicida não apresentou efeito significativo na primeira época de avaliação; entretanto, na segunda, a redução no número total de plantas daninhas foi de, aproximadamente, 53% em relação às parcelas que não o receberam. A população total de planta daninha foi significativamente superior na segunda avaliação, na ausência do herbicida. Na presença do herbicida, não houve diferença significativa na população total de invasoras entre as duas épocas de avaliação.The objective of this work was to study the effect of corn plant residue and mixture of atrazine plus metolachlor on weed control in no-till corn system. This experiment was performed in an Oxisol, and the weed desiccation was done using glyphosate, 15 days before planting. The experimental design was a randomized block, with three replications. Before corn planting, five levels of corn plant residues (0, 3, 6, 9 e 12 t ha-1) were equally distributed in the plots. Two treatments were applied in subplots after corn planting: one without herbicide and the other one using the commercial mixture of atrazine plus metolachlor (1,200 + 1,800 g ha-1). Different weed species were evaluated, at 26 and 41 days after planting. The total grass weeds number was significantly affected by the plant residue levels, independently of herbicide treatments and of evaluation period. The herbicide did not show a significant effect in the first evaluation period. However, in the second evaluation period, the herbicide reduced about 53% the total number of weeds compared to the plots without herbicide. It was verified that in the herbicide absence the total population of weeds were significantly higher in the second evaluation period. However, in the herbicide presence there was no significant difference in the total population of weeds between the two evaluated periods