A escola do urbano no campo do município de Catalão/GO : ensino de geografia nas especificidades do lugar

This study makes an approach to the Morro Agudo Community (Cisterna) located in Catalão city(GO) rural area where stands the Maria Bárbara Sucena Municipal School. This school center is a result of getting together several small and isolated schools, which worked, scattered in many rural communities in the region. After this centralization in a single school, many students had to move along inconvenient distance to get their classes. Morro Agudo Community (Cisterna) was outstanding at garlic cultivation throughout the 1990`s when eventually this activity came to a decline. The region is constituted by properties of small tract of land. The landowners come from a Portuguese background and there are, in addit ion, migrant workers from the northeast region of Brazil. These northeasterners work for these local landowners, and that brings an additional meaning to the social relations in the region and to the rural schooling. The social and cultural diversity of the region has a feedback at the school arising tensions in many ways. In the teaching and learning process the school deals with this diversity, combined with rules and goals that, in the end, delivers a geography teaching not able to value the local knowledge accumulated in the region by its own inhabitants. New methodological approaches to rural school communities emerged out of the analysis of these unmet expectations. Furthermore, this study takes into consideration some “residues”, that means not all events are fit into programs; there are unintended consequences in an open process. All these are object of deep review in this doctoral dissertation. In this community, an analysis of the public policies implemented by Federal and municipal governments to rural schools communities in Brazil was conducted. The way in which public policies toward rural communities are implemented at the schools was reviewed; the goals they pursue and the role played by textbooks are also object of analysis. This study questions the relevance of this tools, mainly if they meet the real needs of the local people. The social representations of teachers and students are considered carefully based on their everyday lives and experiences.

Information technology and social cohesion : a tale of two villages

Acknowledgements: This research was carried out through a grant from the EPSRC: Communities and Cultures Network+ EP/K003585 and forms part of the dot.rural Rural Digital Economy Research Hub EP/G066051

Information technology and social cohesion : a tale of two villages

Acknowledgements: This research was carried out through a grant from the EPSRC: Communities and Cultures Network+ EP/K003585 and forms part of the dot.rural Rural Digital Economy Research Hub EP/G066051

The application of next generation sequencing to profile microbe related cheese quality defects

High throughput next generation sequencing, together with advanced molecular methods, has considerably enhanced the field of food microbiology. By overcoming biases associated with culture dependant approaches, it has become possible to achieve novel insights into the nature of food-borne microbial communities. In this thesis, several different sequencing-based approaches were applied with a view to better understanding microbe associated quality defects in cheese. Initially, a literature review provides an overview of microbe-associated cheese quality defects as well as molecular methods for profiling complex microbial communities. Following this, 16S rRNA sequencing revealed temporal and spatial differences in microbial composition due to the time during the production day that specific commercial cheeses were manufactured. A novel Ion PGM sequencing approach, focusing on decarboxylase genes rather than 16S rRNA genes, was then successfully employed to profile the biogenic amine producing cohort of a series of artisanal cheeses. Investigations into the phenomenon of cheese pinking formed the basis of a joint 16S rRNA and whole genome shotgun sequencing approach, leading to the identification of Thermus species and, more specifically, the pathway involved in production of lycopene, a red coloured carotenoid. Finally, using a more traditional approach, the effect of addition of a facultatively heterofermentative Lactobacillus (Lactobacillus casei) to a Swiss-type cheese, in which starter activity was compromised, was investigated from the perspective of its ability to promote gas defects and irregular eye formation. X-ray computed tomography was used to visualise, using a non-destructive method, the consequences of the undesirable gas formation that resulted. Ultimately this thesis has demonstrated that the application of molecular techniques, such as next generation sequencing, can provide a detailed insight into defect-causing microbial populations present and thereby may underpin approaches to optimise the quality and consistency of a wide variety of cheeses.

Representações Sociais da Cannabis no Concelho de Góis

A cannabis permanece como a substância ilícita mais consumida no mundo. Defendida por uns e “diabolizada” por outros, constitui uma das substâncias psicoactivas mais polémicas. Alguns autores destacaram já, a importância do estudo das representações sociais das substâncias psicoactivas. No entanto, desconhecem-se investigações que abordem a representação social desta substância num espaço rural. São objectivos deste estudo: 1) conhecer as representações sociais da cannabis no que diz respeito à substância, ao consumidor e ao contexto da utilização, 2) identificar as diferenças existentes entre utilizadores e não utilizadores desta substância da amostra em estudo. Para concretizar estes objectivos, foi realizado um estudo qualitativo que recorreu a uma dupla abordagem etno-metodológica e fenomenológica. Foram realizadas 30 entrevistas a indivíduos residentes nas duas maiores freguesias do concelho de Góis que, depois de transcritas, foram objecto de análise de conteúdo. No espaço rural considerado, a cannabis é maioritariamente representada como uma “droga”, indutora de uma sensação de mal-estar e causadora de dependência. Para os participantes o utilizador é percebido como detentor de características de personalidade negativas, que o induzem ao consumo. Relativamente ao eixo espacial, o espaço rural, e mais especificamente o concelho de Góis é representado como local de consumo e de produção da cannabis herbácea. Há uma distinção clara entre a representação social dos participantes que não utilizam a substância e os que utilizam. O último grupo representa-a como uma “droga leve”, e mostra-se esclarecido sobre as possíveis consequências da sua utilização. Neste grupo é ainda evidente a valorização da cannabis herbácea, em detrimento dos seus derivados. /

Insufficient Evidence of Jatropha curcas L. Invasiveness: Experimental Observations in Burkina Faso, West Africa

Biofuel plants such as Jatropha curcas L. have potential to support the livelihoods of rural communities and contribute to sustainable rural development in Africa, if risks and uncertainties are minimized. Yet, recent papers have warned of the risk of biological invasions in such tropical regions as a consequence of the introduction of exotic biofuel crops. We investigated the seed dispersal risk and invasiveness potential of both J. curcas monoculture plantations and live fences into adjacent cultivated and uncultivated land use systems in Sissili province, Burkina Faso. Invasiveness potential was assessed through (i) detecting evidence of natural regeneration in perimeters around J. curcas plantations and live fences, (ii) assessing seed dispersal mechanisms, and (iii) assessing seedling establishment potential through in situ direct seed sowing. Spontaneous regeneration around the plantation perimeters of the three sites was very low. Individual seedling density around J. curcas live fences was less than 0.01 m⁻² in all sites. Seventy percent of the seedlings were found close to the live fence and most of them derived from the same year (96 %), which indicates low seed-bank longevity and seedling survival. J. curcas can be dispersed by small mammals and arthropods, particularly rodents and ants. In some sites, such as in Onliassan, high secondary seed dispersal by animals (up to 98 %) was recorded. There were highly significant differences in germination rates between seeds at the soil surface (11 %) and those buried artificially at 1–2-cm depth (64 %). In conclusion, we failed to find convincing evidence of the spreading of J. curcas or any significant impact on the surrounding environment.

Synergistic nisin-polymyxin combinations for the control of Pseudomonas biofilm formation

The emergence and dissemination of multi-drug resistant pathogens is a global concern. Moreover, even greater levels of resistance are conferred on bacteria when in the form of biofilms (i.e., complex, sessile communities of bacteria embedded in an organic polymer matrix). For decades, antimicrobial peptides have been hailed as a potential solution to the paucity of novel antibiotics, either as natural inhibitors that can be used alone or in formulations with synergistically acting antibiotics. Here, we evaluate the potential of the antimicrobial peptide nisin to increase the efficacy of the antibiotics polymyxin and colistin, with a particular focus on their application to prevent biofilm formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The results reveal that the concentrations of polymyxins that are required to effectively inhibit biofilm formation can be dramatically reduced when combined with nisin, thereby enhancing efficacy, and ultimately, restoring sensitivity. Such combination therapy may yield added benefits by virtue of reducing polymyxin toxicity through the administration of significantly lower levels of polymyxin antibiotics.

The role of socio-economics in the sustainable development and management of the fisheries

The fisheries resources of Kyoga basin lakes are of greater socio-Economic significance for the poor rural communities of this area. The lake's fisheries provide the much needed animal protein as well as source of income for the fishers and the rural poor communities. Nationally, Kyoga basin lakes fisheries are economically important in that they contribute 27% of the total national fish production. In addition, more than 15 riparian districts depend on it for food and income. Moreover, fish from lakes Kyoga and Kwania playa major role in the regional export commodity trade earning the country foreign exchange. The perception that heavy exploitation of inland fishery resources threatens a loss of socio-economic benefits to local communities and their governments has prompted the new ways of management.

Turismo residencial y crisis de la agricultura campesina. Los casos de Vilcabamba y Cotacachi (Andes ecuatorianos)

El turismo residencial genera cambios rápidos en la estructura social y económica local. En zonas rurales, muchas veces estos cambios suelen pasar por la marginación de las actividades económicas primarias tradicionales como la agricultura campesina. A través del estudio del desarrollo del turismo residencial internacional en dos localidades rurales de los Andes ecuatorianos, Vilcabamba (provincia de Loja) y Cotacachi (provincia de Imbabura), el presente artículo analiza los mecanismos que explican este proceso. Concretamente, el texto muestra como el turismo residencial pone en riesgo los mecanismos de reproducción campesina y favorece la descampesinización del territorio.

Training civic bridge builders: Outcomes of community leadership development programs

As rural communities experience rapid economic, demographic, and political change, program interventions that focus on the development of community leadership capacity could be valuable. Community leadership development programs have been deployed in rural U.S. communities for the past 30 years by university extension units, chambers of commerce, and other nonprofit foundations. Prior research on program outcomes has largely focused on trainees’ self-reported change in individual leadership knowledge, skills, and attitudes. However, postindustrial leadership theories suggest that leadership in the community relies not on individuals but on social relationships that develop across groups akin to social bridging. The purpose of this study is to extend and strengthen prior evaluative research on community leadership development programs by examining program effects on opportunities to develop bridging social capital using more rigorous methods. Data from a quasi-experimental study of rural community leaders (n = 768) in six states are used to isolate unique program effects on individual changes in both cognitive and behavioral community leadership outcomes. Regression modeling shows that participation in community leadership development programs is associated with increased leadership development in knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors that are a catalyst for social bridging. The community capitals framework is used to show that program participants are significantly more likely to broaden their span of involvement across community capital asset areas over time compared to non-participants. Data on specific program structure elements show that skills training may be important for cognitive outcomes while community development learning and group projects are important for changes in organizational behavior. Suggestions for community leadership program practitioners are presented.

Red Imported Fire Ants: a threat to eastern Australian wildlife?

The discovery of the Red Imported Fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) in Brisbane on 22 February 2001 sent shock waves through urban and rural communities alike. This article is an attempt to address the often repeated question ‘What will become of Australia's unique fauna if they spread along Australia's eastern seaboard?

Resilience to Climate Change: An Ethnographic Approach

Global projections for climate change impacts produce a startling picture of the future for low-lying coastal communities. The United States’ Chesapeake Bay region and especially marginalized and rural communities will be severely impacted by sea level rise and other changes over the next one hundred years. The concept of resilience has been theorized as a measure of social-ecological system health and as a unifying framework under which people can work together towards climate change adaptation. But it has also been critiqued for the way in which it does not adequately take into account local perspective and experiences, bringing into question the value of this concept as a tool for local communities. We must be sure that the concerns, weaknesses, and strengths of particular local communities are part of the climate change adaptation, decision-making, and planning process in which communities participate. An example of this type of planning process is the Deal Island Marsh and Community Project (DIMCP), a grant funded initiative to build resilience within marsh ecosystems and communities of the Deal Island Peninsula area of Maryland (USA) to environmental and social impacts from climate change. I argue it is important to have well-developed understandings of vulnerabilities and resiliencies identified by local residents and others to accomplish this type of work. This dissertation explores vulnerability and resilience to climate change using an engaged and ethnographic anthropological perspective. Utilizing participant observation, semi-structured and structured interviews, text analysis, and cultural domain analysis I produce an in-depth perspective of what vulnerability and resilience means to the DIMCP stakeholder network. Findings highlight significant vulnerabilities and resiliencies inherent in the local area and how these interface with additional vulnerabilities and resiliencies seen from a nonlocal perspective. I conclude that vulnerability and resilience are highly dynamic and context-specific for the local community. Vulnerabilities relate to climate change and other social and environmental changes. Resilience is a long-standing way of life, not a new concept related specifically to climate change. This ethnographic insight into vulnerability and resilience provides a basis for stronger engagement in collaboration and planning for the future.

O acesso, posse e controle da terra das mulheres rurais nas comunidades do distrito de Inharrime

Tese (doutorado)—Universidade de Brasília, Departamento de Serviço Social, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Política Social, 2016.

El marketing de las identidades: Los aspectos socio-políticos de las indicaciones geográficas

Resumen Aunque los aspectos productivos, económicos y legales de las indicaciones geográficas (IG) han sido analizados ampliamente, las dinámicas sociales y políticas detrás de su establecimiento, y sus efectos sobre los diferentes sectores de las comunidades involucradas, necesitan más investigación. ¿Podrían las IG ofrecer un instrumento válido para obtener diferentes formas de agricultura sostenible, orientadas a la calidad y de raíces locales? ¿O más bien son sólo una herramienta de “marketing” basada en utopías agrarias e ideas románticas del pasado, destinadas a la transformación de productos tradicionales y artesanales en mercancías de alto precio? Este artículo examina cuáles son los elementos que están siendo incluidos, excluidos o negociados en las definiciones legales de las IG. También se explora el potencial de los instrumentos jurídicos alternativos para la protección de la producción alimentaria de las comunidades rurales en los países menos desarrollados.Abstract Although the productive, economic and legal aspects of geographical indications (GI) have been widely discussed, the social and political dynamics behind their establishment, and their effect on different sectors of the communities involved need further investigation. Can GIs become a valid tool to implement community-based, sustainable and quality-oriented agriculture? Or are they rather just a marketing tool based on agrarian utopias and romanticized ideas of the past, aimed at the commoditization and high-priced sale of traditional and artisanal products? The article will examine what elements are included, excluded or negotiated in the legal definitions of GI. The potential of alternative juridical instruments in protecting the food production of rural communities in less developed countries will also be explored. 

Community perceptions about the important signs of early melanoma

Detecting melanoma early often relies on patient concern about a particular pigmented lesion. However, it is not clear what specific features the public views as being important.Our purpose was to explore the importance persons place on various features of skin lesions when looking for early signs of melanoma.This study comprised 1148 respondents (participation rate, 78%) from 60 rural communities in Queensland, Australia, who participated in a telephone interview.The following features were considered important and are listed in order of importance: change in the lesion (clearly identified as the most important), more than one color, uneven edges, elevation, large size (the last three of equal importance), and hairiness of the lesion. Age, sex, education, self-efficacy, perceived knowledge, and recent self-examination influenced importance levels, but having a recent skin examination by a family physician did not.To increase the skin self-examination skills of the community, guidelines may have to become more specific and all opportunities fully utilized to educate the public. Article in Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 36(1):33-9 · February 1997