Production and Use of Heteroptera Predators for the Biological Control of Eucalyptus Pests in Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Characterization of typical aquatic humic substances in areas of sugarcane cultivation in Brazil using tetramethylammonium hydroxide thermochemolysis

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Molecular detection and phylogenetic analysis of bovine astrovirus in Brazil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

A contribution to the identification of charcoal origin in brazil i - anatomical characterization of corymbia and eucalyptus

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Challenges in the therapy of visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil: a public health perspective

Over 3,000 yearly cases of Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) are reported in Brazil. Brazilian Public Health System provides universal free access to antileishmania therapeutic options: Meglumine Antimoniate, Amphotericin B deoxycholate, and Liposomal Amphotericin B. Even though Amphotericin formulations have been advised for severe disease, this recommendation is mostly based on the opinion of experts and on analogy with studies conducted in other countries. Presently, there are two ongoing multicenter clinical trials comparing the efficacy and safety of the available therapeutic options. Some other issues require further clarification, such as severity markers and the approach to VL/AIDS coinfection. Brazil is facing the challenge of providing access to diagnosis and adequate treatment, in order to avoid VL-related deaths.

The shadows of a ghost: a survey of canine leishmaniasis in Presidente Prudente and its spatial dispersion in the western region of São Paulo state, an emerging focus of visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil

Visceral leishmaniasis is an emerging zoonosis and its geographic distribution is restricted to tropical and temperate regions. Most of the individuals infected in Latin America are in Brazil. Despite the control measures that have been adopted, the disease is spreading throughout new regions of the country. Domestic dogs are involved in the transmission cycle and are considered to be the main epidemiologic reservoir of Leishmania infantum (syn. L. chagasi). Our aim was to determine the prevalence of canine leishmaniasis (CL) and Ehrlichiosis infection in Presidente Prudente as well as the spatial dispersion of the disease in the western region of São Paulo state. Dogs underwent clinical examination and symptoms related to CL were recorded. Anti- Leishmania antibodies were detected using ELISA, rK39-immunocromatographic tests (DPP), and an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Anti-E. canis antibodies were detected by IFAT. A follow-up was conducted in dogs that were positive in the ELISA at the baseline study. Data on the spatial distribution of L. longipalpis and CL in São Paulo state were obtained from Brazilian public health agencies. Serum samples from 4547 dogs were analyzed. The seroprevalence of CL was 11.2 % by ELISA and 4.5 % by IFAT. In the follow-up, seroprevalence was 32.9 % by ELISA, 15.3 % by IFAT, 11.8 % by DPP test, and 66.5 % for E. canis. There was a significant positive association between Leishmania and E. canis infection (P < 0.0001). In the follow-up, clinical examinations revealed symptoms compatible with CL in 33.5 % of the dogs. L. longipalpis was found in 24 and CL in 15 counties of the Presidente Prudente mesoregion. The dispersion route followed the west frontier of São Paulo state toward Paraná state. Low CL and high ehrlichiosis prevalence rates were found in Presidente Prudente city. This emerging focus of CL is moving through the western region of São Paulo state toward the border of Paraná state. Integrated actions to fight the vector, parasites, infected dogs, and humans are needed to monitor the disease and implement strategies for epidemiologic control.

Clinical and epidemiological aspects of feline leishmaniasis in Brazil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Innovation in industrial clusters: a survey of footwear companies in Brazil

The aim of this study is to characterize the relationships in innovation and business clustering processes in the productive chain of small and medium enterprises (SME) of Brazil. The object of study are SMEs the local procuctive cluster of the shoes in Franca, State of São Paulo. The conceptual model developed is based on the following constructs: vertical integration, innovation and characteristics of the cluster, and it is focused on identifying the agents that act predominantly in product innovation processes in the cluster. A survey was conducted. It was found that there is cooperation between the companies in the productive arrangement studied, and that shoe manufacturers are those who, predominantly, stimulate innovation within the cluster.

Current outlook and future perspectives of beef production in Brazil

Brazil is the world's largest beef exporter with the world's largest commercial cattle herd; however, the production cycle needs to be more efficient to supply internal and external demands in the future. Feedlot operations are currently a reality for the Brazilian beef cattle industry; nonetheless the beef cattle industry in Brazil is still based on grass-fed animals in which the Nellore breed predominates. At some point this constitutes an important advantage for Brazilian beef exportations because some countries look for “natural beef.” Brazilian packing plants regulate the use of antibiotics, especially ionophores used as growth promoters, on farms certified to export beef to European countries. In addition, the use of any implant or beta-agonist for cattle is forbidden in Brazil. From 1970 to 2006, the Brazilian bovine herd increased at 2.04%/year, total pasture at 0.07%/year, area with cultivated pasture at 3.5%/year, and ratio of animals/hectare of total pasture at 1.97%/year, whereas the area with natural pasture decreased at 2.26%/year. These trends alleviate some of the pressure on Brazilian authorities with respect to deforestation of the Amazon forest. Although Brazil had the greatest growth rate of enteric methane emissions, it also had the greatest growth rate of beef production, resulting in Brazil having a negative growth rate (–1.82%/year) of methane emissions per unit of product (kilogram of methane/kilogram of beef).

Políticas para avaliação da qualidade do Ensino Superior no Brasil: um balanço crítico

Este trabalho tem como objetivo contribuir para o debate sobre a avaliação do Ensino Superior no Brasil, apresentando um estudo a respeito dos sistemas utilizados para as medidas de qualidade e produtividade. Busca-se analisar, por meio da revisão bibliográfica e da análise documental, as origens do processo de avaliação, a seqüência histórica dos debates políticos que definiram os programas de trabalho na área, as concepções metodológicas adotadas por esses programas, os instrumentos de mensuração e acompanhamento que foram desenvolvidos e os sistemas de indicadores criados para aferir a qualidade de ensino nas instituições, bem como o desempenho dos estudantes. A discussão contempla todos os sistemas de avaliação praticados no Brasil até o ano de 2005 e conclui que, desde os primeiros procedimentos estabelecidos, houve uma evolução contínua na definição de indicadores mais precisos e eficientes. Os resultados alcançados pela pesquisa que fundamenta o trabalho aplicam-se explicitamente à revisão dos instrumentos de avaliação praticados no Brasil. O trabalho sugere indicadores ainda não utilizados no processo histórico de avaliação, buscando o aperfeiçoamento do sistema atual.

Índice Geral de Cursos (IGC) como indicador de qualidade das instituições de ensino superior

Pós-graduação em Educação Escolar - FCLAR

A oralidade nos cursos a distância de licenciatura em Letras com habilitação em língua portuguesa: uma análise discursiva

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Diagnóstico dos casos de aprovação nas disciplinas de cálculo diferencial e integral I e II do curso de licenciatura em química - Unesp de Araraquara

Studies show that the disciplines of differential and integral calculus have high failure rates in all schools where they are present and, although this problem has been accentuated in recent years, it is not a local phenomenon. It's observed since 1970s in various Institutions of higher education in Brazil. These studies seek to understand the causes of failures and proposals for teaching methodology that aims to help reduce these rates. However, there is a large contingent of students who are successful at the first time that they perform these disciplines. And these cases, although they have not been studied, can contribute greatly to the understanding the aspects that are related to learning of them. And this understanding can lead to attitudes and learning and teaching methodologies that promote the expansion of this success. The fact that these subjects also have high failure rates in the Degree in Chemistry of this Institute, this study aimed to investigate the factors that were relevant to the cases for approval of the students performed for the first time. For this we constructed a questionnaire containing objective questions and open answers. The objective sought to diagnose the profile of these students with regard to age, gender, basic education (elementary and middle school), study habits, concurrent activities, among others. These questions were analyzed using simple statistics. The open-ended questions asked students to indicate that they attribute the success obtained in the disciplines and to suggest modes of study. These questions were analyzed using thematic categorization, a method of content analysis. This questionnaire was completed, voluntarily and without identification, by students who have passed the first time attended the courses Calculus I and/ or Calculus II and had never started another college prior to this. The results indicate that the most relevant factors in this process were dedication and correct habits...

Typology of companies networks for competitive assessment: an application in higher education institutions

Taking into account the changes in the market scenario by virtue of globalization, Institutes of Higher Education (IES) as well as other organizations seek their competitive stability. For that reason, it is up to organizations to adopt innovative models of management for their operations aimed at improving results. Company networks consist of a model that is perfect for uniting efforts through cooperation among partners in a given business, which can involve ties of different natures. This paper shows the development and the application of an auxiliary technique to analyze the intensity, nature and importance of internal and external relations in the formation of results for a company network. For such, a multiple case study was conducted at two IES in the State of São Paulo and their networks of partners and employees in order to observe their specificities and organizational strategies. The study demonstrated the existence of specific performance criteria (pillars) for each IES and its network, resulting from its competitive reality. It reveals evidence that the education pillar is strengthened in both cases, and the research pillar is growing, although it is the weakest. The outreach pillar is the most robust in the public IES and the financial sustainability pillar is relevant for the private IES, and it was only detected in this IES.