Sustentabilidade e gestão da pesca artesanal na costa do Semiárido Potiguar (RN), Brasil

T he socio - economy of the coastal municipalities of Rio Grande do Norte semiarid coast was analyzed th r ou g h by the actors, ant hropogenic implications, fishing environment and composition of its fish fauna, as well as the trend of product ion landed by the artisanal fleet with the aim of identifying the sustainability and management. In this study, were used participatory methodologies, monthly data of rainfall between September 2001 and December 2010; landings of the artisanal fleet during January 2001 to December 2010; and socioeconomic (IBGE, 2002/2010), (IDEMA, 2011/2012), (MPA, 2010; 2012), UNDP and MS (2013). Based on these data, we performed analysis of variance were performed using the method of Analytic Hierarchy Process (HAP) and s tatistical models of multiple regression and time series. It was identified that the occupation of the coastal and marine zone through salt industry, tourism, shrimp farming, oil and gas and wind energy reconfigured the environment and attracted new actors . Rainfall influenced the catches, of which 35% occur in the rainy season, 40% in the dry season and 25% independent. Production increased 55%, in the period analyzed , being landed in 31 ports spread over 11 municipalities, cap tured in environments mangrov e/ estuarine (23%), coastal (46%) and oceanic (31%). Despite market up 41 species, were commercialized in the region production concentrated in eight, mainly landed in Macau and Caiçara North, by vessels of small and medium - sized (motorized and sailboats) . Highlights included three species ( Hirundichthys affins , Coryphaena hippurus and Opisthonema oglinum ), which together accounted for 63.3% of the whole volume. It was found that the motorized vessels tripled in number while sailboats reduced by half. Landin gs by different types of vessels tend to increase over time, while the small sailboats vessels, decrease. The introduction of more new motorized vessels and sailboats also tend to increase production. The study concluded that GDP and HDI of coastal countie s increased however inequality persisted. The potential of artisanal fishing is in the stage “ unfavorable ” of development and the trend in fish production is to grow over time and with the entry of more vessels. However, it is urgent that the state actions to promote and enhance planning to restore fish stocks in a sustainable and profitable fisheries standards. Therefore, it is recommend the strategic use of natural resources in a sustainable development perspective.

Decisões comportamentais em contexto de forrageamento de dinoponera quadriceps

The behavioral decisions of animals do not occur randomly, because behaviors are adjusted to ensure the survival and reproduction of the animal. In this research, I examined behavioral decisions in the foraging context of the ant Dinoponera quadriceps with regard to orientation, food avaliation and foraging dynamic to individual level. The study was conducted at the Laboratory of Behavioral Biology at UFRN and in an area of secondary Atlantic Forest in FLONA-ICMBio Nísia Floresta/RN. In all observations and experiments, ants were marked individually with an alphanumeric code label fixed on the thorax. In the first part of the study, I analyzed the orientation cues used by D. quadriceps. The tests were performed in a maze of 17 compartments. Each forager was tested for 10 min in three sessions for six different treatments. The treatments consisted of the presence or absence of odor and superior or frontal visual cues. The workers demonstrated that the presence of odor is indispensable and front visual cues are more effective than superior visual cues. In the second part, I investigated the discrimination of food, considering the parameters, size, weight and volume. In a 'cafeteria' experiment, I offered cylindrical pieces of food (mortadella) in a Petri dish, within an experimental arena 1m². Initially, the pieces were of four different sizes; in a second step, the pieces were of the same size but with different weight; in the last step, the pieces had the same weight but different volumes. The results showed the effect of the size and weight parameters for food choice. In the third part of the study, I evaluated the influence of the activity of active foragers on inactive ones. In this part, the colonies were observed in a natural environment. The observations took place on three consecutive days in 10 episodes, total of 30 days for each colony, 12 hours/day. On the first day, I registered the output and input of workers; on the second day, the most active ants on the first day were taken and given back at the end of the observations; on the third day, the observations were similar to the first day. As a result, the workers of D. quadriceps show autostimulation and they do not show social facilitation and the colony compensates the absence of the most active workers. Based on the stated, I conclude that workers of D. quadriceps use chemical, frontal and superior visual orientation cues during their displacements. They discriminate the chosen food by size and weight. The regulation of activity dynamics of foragers is by autostimulation, an active worker does not influence the activity of an inactive worker, the successful search previous is the stimulus to the successful worker itself to continue foraging activity.

Caracterização de um homólogo de HINT1 em cana-de-açúcar encontrado em bibliotecas subtrativas de CDNA para floração

The sugarcane is a monocot plant grown in tropical and subtropical regions, with Brazil being the largest producer. Despite its economic importance, little is known about the molecular flowering process in sugarcane. This physiological process can promote a loss up to 60% in sugar or bioethanol. Thus, this work had as objective characterize a HINT1 homologous gene previously identified in subtractive libraries of flowering. Genomic analysis of gene and promoter region structure allowed the observation that there are at least two distinct genes homologous to HINT on sugarcane. Bioinformatics analyses showed the conservation of the characteristic protein domain of HIT superfamily and indicate a phylogenetic relationship associated to cell location. Moreover, a possible relation with the SBTILISIN-like protein family through the information available in interatomas was observed. This suggests that the HINT gene of sugarcane can be related to plant development, there are several possibilities of interactions in the regulation of floral induction process, because the sequences present in regulatory regions indicate that differential expression of HINT was related to with climatic factors in the Northeast region of Brazil as well as to biotic stress and phytohormones. Furthermore, the sugarcane phenotypes indicate that the influence of HINT may happen due to product accumulation of its enzymatic activity. For these characteristics this gene can be used as a marker in the selection of new varieties.

Análise estrutural e avaliação do efeito condroitim sulfato extraído de tilápia (Oreochromis niloticus) em modelo de peritonite aguda

Chondroitin sulfate (CS) is a naturally glycosaminoglycan found in the extracellular matrix of connective tissues and it may be extracted and purified those tissues. CS is involved in various biological functions, which may be related to the having structural variability, despite the simplicity of the linear chain structure from this molecule. Researches in biotechnology and pharmaceutical field with wastes from aquaculture has been developed in Brazil. In recent decades, tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), native fish from Africa, has been one of the most cultivated species in various regions of the world, including Brazil. The tilapia farming is a cost-effective activity, however, it generates large amount of wastes that are discarded by producers. It is understood that waste from tilapia can be used in research as a source of molecules with important biotechnological applications, which also helps in reducing environmental impacts and promote the development of an ecofriendly activity. Thus, nile tilapia viscera were subjected to proteolysis, then the glycosaminoglycans were complexed with ion exchange resin (Lewatit), it was fractionated with increasing volumes of acetone and purified by ion exchange chromatography DEAE-Sephacel. Further, the fraction was analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The electrophoretic profile of the compound together the analysis of 1H NMR spectra and the HSQC correlation allow to affirm that the compound corresponds to a molecule like chondroitin sulfate. MTT assay was used to assess cell viability in the presence of CS tilapia isolated and showed that the compound is not cytotoxic to normal cells such as cells from the mouse embryo fibroblast (3T3). Then, this compound was tested for the ability to reduce the influx of leukocytes in model of acute peritonitis (in vivo) induced by sodium thioglycolate. In this context, it was done total and differential leukocytes counting in the blood and peritoneal fluid collected respectively from vena cava and the peritoneal cavity of the animals subjected to the experiment. The chondroitin sulfate for the first time isolated from tilapia (CST ) was able to reduce the migration of leukocytes to the peritoneal cavity of inflamed mice until 80.4 per cent at a dose 10µg/kg. The results also show that there was a significant reduction (p<0.001) of the population of polymorphonuclear leukocytes from peritoneal cavity in the three tested doses (0.1µg/kg; 1µg/kg and 10µg/kg) when it was compared to the positive control (just thioglycolate). Therefore, since the CST structure and mechanism of action has been completely elucidated, this compound may have potential for therapeutic use in inflammatory diseases

A cafeína como agente modulador do ciclo atividade-repouso e memória em saguis (Callithrix jacchus)

Caffeine is the most consumed psychostimulant, with effects on attention, memory, and arousal. But when this substance is ingested near to bedtime there is a decrease on sleep, interfering on mnemonic processes. So, our ain was to investigate how the caffeine ingested near to sleep onset acts on sleep and memory in marmosets. We used 16 adult marmosets, single housed, in a 12:12h light-dark cycle. For registering locomotor activity were used two kinds of sensors. The gyroscope sensor registers activity each 30 sec and detects motion with good accuracy. Because of this we used this sensor for detecting nocturnal activity. The second sensor was based on infrared and accumulates activity each 5 min and it’s not able to detect nocturnal activity, just diurnal activity. We also used camera for registering Rest phase of one marmoset. For the cognitive task, the animals needed to learn a rewarded context (CR) when compared to a non-rewarded context CNR). This experiment comprises 5 phases: 1) Two days of habituation to apparatus; 2)Training for 8 days; 3) oral administration of caffeine (10 mg/kg) or placebo administration ±1h before sleep onset, for 8 days, with marmosets receiving placebo or caffeine; 4) retraining to apparatus and after that, placebo administration (placebo group-GP), or caffeine administration (with continuous group-GC and acute groupGA); 5) Test, for evaluating learning to CR. The sessions were filmed and each one had 8 min of duration. At 7 am started the habituation, training and test sessions, and at 3:15 pm started retraining. The results for gyroscope sensor showed that there was coincidence of 68,57% with nocturnal register of the cameras. Then, the gyroscope sensors detected nocturnal activity for all experimental groups Moreover, when compared sensor gyroscope with sensor based on infrared, was observed that both sensor presented similarity on patterns of activity curve. When we observed the effects of caffeine on Activity-Rest Cycle in GP, GA and GC, is possible to see that that gyroscope sensors and based on infrared presented only intra group differences. As behavioral results, the marmosets learned to discriminate CR when compared to CNR. Moreover, GP presented deficits on memory recall during the test, and GA increased the memory recall, when both were compared to GP. We concluded that the marmosets were able to learning the cognitive task and that the caffeine ingested near to sleep onset acts modulating memory in these animals. Moreover the gyroscope sensor can be used as alternative tool for investigating nocturnal activity. Then, the utilization of this non-invasive device allows marmosets exhibit their behavior within the laboratory conditions as natural as possible.

Biolipídio B2: desenvolvimento de um veículo estável para reposição hormonal transdérmica nanoestruturada

The hormone administration by the oral route is frequently related with different many side effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a new product intended to transdermal hormone replacement nanostructured (TRHN) therapy, based on a patented under No. US 2013/0123220A1 formulation. This formulation was able to restore serum levels of estradiol (0.1%) + estradiol (0.25%) in 122 postmenopausal women with a mean age of 56.88 (± 6.27). The assessment is part of a longitudinal prospective study. Clinical parameters, including the degree of satisfaction with symptom relief, serum concentrations of estradiol, weight, blood pressure, were compared between the beginning and the end of treatment. The findings show that BIOLIPÍDEO B2® was safe and effective in restoring hormonal serum levels without side effects. The satisfaction with treatment was 92%. Serum concentrations of estradiol was significantly higher after treatment (p <0.05). Weight and systolic and diastolic blood pressure showed no significant differences (p> 0.05) during treatment. No vaginal bleeding was observed. Evaluation of bilateral breast mammography treatment found normal results in all women. This study shows for the first time the effectiveness of a transdermal formulation nanostructured in the transdermal delivery of estradiol and estriol measured in vivo using Confocal Raman Spectroscopy. The formulation of BIOLIPÍDEO/B2® is safe and effective in restoring serum estradiol levels and alleviates menopausal symptoms. The formulation can serve as a good choice for hormone replacement therapy to protect against post-menopausal symptoms.

Conservação de material genético de espécies silvestres do bioma caatinga utilizando a manipulação oócitos inclusos em folículos ovarianos pré antrais (MOIFOPA)

The objective of the present thesis was to use the manipulation of oocytes enclosed in preantral follicles (MOEPF) as a tool for the female gametes rescue and optimization, from wild species of Caatinga biome. The thesis was divided into 4 experiments. At first experiment, it was performed the estimative and description of the agouti (Dasyprocta leporina) preantral follicles (PF) histologic and ultrastructural features, in which it was estimated 4419.8 ± 532.26 and 5397.52 ± 574.91 follicles for the right and left ovary, respectively, and the majority (86,63%) belonged to the primordial follicles category (P<0.05). Most of the population consists of morphologically normal follicles (70.78%), presenting a large and central nuclei and uniform cytoplasm. At ultrastructural evaluation it was verified the presence of a great number of round mitochondrias associated to lipid droplets. In the second experiment, it was performed the estimative and description of yellow-toothed cavies (Galea spixii) PF characteristics, also, the evaluation of the effect of solid surface vitrification (SSV) on the in situ PF morphology. The total of 416.0 ± 342.8 PF was estimated for the ovary pair and the presence of a large quantity of primary follicles (P<0.05) was evidenced. Most of the PF was morphologically normal (94.6%), in which the oocyte nuclei presented condensed granules of heterochromatin. Round or elongated shaped mitochondria constituted the most abundant organelles. In regard of the SSV, the protocol using the dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) 3M possibility the preservation of 69.5% of morphologically normal PF, which was evidenced by the light and transmission electronic microscopy. At third experiment, the evaluation of the SSV procedure on the morphology and viability in situ PF form collared peccaries (Pecari tajacu) was performed. No differences were observed among treatments, in which the use of DMSO, ethylene glycol (EG) and dimethylformamide (DMF) as cryoprotectants, regardless its concentration, promoted the morphology preservation of much than 70% of PF. Concerning the PF viability, the DMSO and EG promoted the best preservation. The fourth experiment aimed to evaluate the effect of α MEM+ or TCM199 associated or not to 50 ng of FSHr on the morphology, activation and growth of collared peccaries PF, in vitro cultured (IVC) during 1 or 7 days and the effect on the extracellular matrix (ECM). After 7 days of IVC only the use of TCM199/FSH maintained the proportion of intact PF, similar to day 1(63.2%), however, no differences were observed among treatments (P>0.05). Also, an improvement of the proportion of intact growing PF was verified (P>0.05). By the Ag-NOR analysis it was observed that only the treatment using TCM199/FSH promoted the maintenance of cell proliferation similar to day 1 (P>0.05). The picrosirius red stain revealed that ECM remained intact in all treatments (P>0.05). Thus, as the general conclusion, the use of MOEPF in the refereed species allowed the knowledge of aspects related to its reproductive morphology and physiology, enabling the germplasm conservation, with the possibility of germplasm bank formation, as the elucidation of mechanisms related to the PF survive and in vitro development.

Obtenção e conservação de espermatozoides de cutia (Dasyprocta leporina Linneaus, 1753) do semiárido brasileiro

The general objective of this thesis was to stablish protocols to obtain and conserve agouti (Dasyprocta leporina) sperm bred in captivity in the Brazilian semi-arid, aiming its sustainable production. The thesis was divided in three experiments. In the first one, we studied the influence of the interaction between two probes (quadratics and sine waves) and two stimulation protocols (continuous and in series) on the agouti sperm collection by electroejaculation efficiency. The most efficient interaction on this obtainment was the one with probes with rings associated with stimuli in series (4/7; 57%, P<0.05). In the second experiment we compared the cryoprotectant effects of different substances (glycerol, ethyleneglycol, dimethylsulfoxide, dimethylformamide) on epididymis sperm cryopreservation. The highest values on motility (39.5±4.6%), vigor (2.9±0.2) and membrane integrity (30.6±4.5%) were observed on the samples cryopreserved using glycerol when compared to those with ethyleneglycol and dimethylformamide, but there was no difference (P>0.05) when compared to the samples cryopreserved with dimethylsulfoxide. At last, we studied the effects of the methods to obtain sperm (electroejaculation vs epididymal collection) on post thawing sperm quality. The samples obtained by epididymal retrograde flushing showed values for motility of 25.0±10.9% and vigor 2.4±0.8, and those obtained by electroejaculation had 31.2±14.2% of motility and vigor of 2.2±0.7, however, without statistical difference (P>0.05), which shows the possibility to successfully use the epididymal sperm cryopreservation protocol on agouti ejaculated sperm. In conclusion, significant advances on obtainment and processing of agouti sperm were made, allowing the establishment of germplasm banks from sperm samples obtained from the epididymis or by electroejaculation.

Efeitos da senescência no folheto intergeniculado do tálamo de ratos: análises morfológicas e neuroquímicas

The circadian timing system (CTS), in rodents, consists of interconnected neural structures such as the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus, Intergeniculate Leaflet (IGL) of the thalamus, synchronous pathways and behavioral effectors. The SCN has been described as the major circadian pacemaker in several species of mammals, while the IGL appears to be involved in integration of photic and non-photic clues relaying them to SCN. The CTS allows an ordered internal temporal organization to the organism, providing the proper execution of physiological and behavioral mechanisms, which brings homeostasis. However, this stability is disrupted with aging process causing numerous pathological disorders, ranging from simple loss of physiological functions to decreases in cognitive performance. Therefore, is fundamental understanding the effects of senescence in this system. In this context, is proposed in this study to check if there are changes in IGL cytoarchitecture, neurochemical and retinal afferent markers with aging and their possible morpho-functional implications. To achieve this goal wistar rats were divided into 3 groups: young (3 months); Middle Age (13 months); Old (23 months). They were submitted to paraformaldhyde (4%) transcardiac perfusion to tissue fixation. Then, they had their brain removed and sectioned in 30 µm slices, which every sixth section were collected. This sections were processed by nissl method and immunostaining for GFAP, GAD, ENK, NPY and CTb in order to analyze the IGL features. It was observed a cell loss in middle age and old animals at Nissl, NPY and CTb stains. In addition, it was shown a increase in GFAP in middle aged animals compared to young and old ones. No differences were found in other neurochemichal stains. These data suggests IGL loss retinal afferents and neurons, in special the NPY-IR ones, likely having a compensatory gliogenesis. This supports the correlations between the CTS functional deficits and an anatomical deterioration of its components with the aging process.

Padronização de testes para avaliação do estado de mania e potencial anti-maníaco de um agonista do receptor NOP

Bipolar disorder is characterized by mood impairment, alternating between mania/hypomania and depression, and its exact pathophysiology is already unknown. The treatment of bipolar disorder is based on prevention of the manic and depressive episodes using mood stabilizers. Nociceptin/orfanin FQ (N/OFQ) is an endogenous heptadecapeptide which binds as an agonist to NOP receptor, which is a G-coupled inhibitory receptor. N/OFQ and its receptor modulate a lot of functions in the organism, including emotional processes. It is known that the plasmatic concentration of N/OFQ is altered in patients in both phases depressive and manic of bipolar disorder and it is assumed that this system has a role on the etiology of this disorder. Concerning mania, the animal models used in research tend to focus in an unique aspect of the manic behavior, as hyperactivity or agressivity. In the 60’s, the hole board test was proposed, and it consists of an apparatus with holes where a behavior known as head-dippings is measured. High levels of head-dippings are suggestive of neophilia, while low levels can be characteristic of an anxious-like behavior. As the increase of exploratory and goal-directed behavior are characteristics of manic behavior, this test could help in mania research. Thus, this work was organized in 3 steps and aims to: (1) investigate the induction of a manic-like state promoted by ouabain, a Na+/K+-ATPase inhibitor, in the mouse open field test; (2) set up the hole board as a test to measure manic-like behaviors; and (3) investigate the N/OFQ effects in prevention of this kind of behavior on hole board. Male Swiss mice were used in this study, and they take part of only one of the described steps. Depending on the step performed, mice received one or more of the following treatments: (1) ouabain 10-6 , 10-5 , 10-4 , 10-3 or 10-2 M, intracerebroventricular (icv); (2) sodium valproate 300 mg/kg, intraperitoneal (ip); (3) sodium valproate 400 mg/kg, ip; (4) diazepam 1 mg/kg, ip; (5) methylphenidate 10 mg/kg, ip; and (6) N/OFQ 0,1 or 1 nmol, icv. The results suggest that hole board can be used to evaluate a manic state, through analysis of different animal behaviors. However, it was not possible to standard the model of Na+ /K+ -ATPase dysfunction through ouabain administration in mice. Moreover, the data suggest that N/OFQ, at the doses tested, has not affected the methylphenidate-induced mania-like behavior. Taken together, the results point to a new approach of manic research, through the hole board using. However, more studies are necessary in order to verify the role of N/OFQ system on bipolar disorder.

A biotecnologia na propagação e conservação do umbuzeiro (Spondias tuberosa Arr. Cam.) e percepção sobre sua importância por agricultores da comunidade Malhada Vermelha, Campo Redondo (RN-Brasil)

The umbu tree (Spondias tuberosa Arruda) is a fruit native to the northeast of Brazil with great economic, social and ecological importance for the northeastern semi-arid region. Despite its role, the umbu tree has suffered negative pressure thanks to cluttered extractivism and to negative selection of its fruits, which as the deforestation and the dormancy of seeds contribute to the decrease of its production year after year, making necessary studies that contribute to the improvement of this specie and its conservation. Given the risks to the conservation of the specie and its usefulness to the population, the association between plant biotechnology, for being a tool that can be used to increase its production. and the perception of gathering communities, by valuing the point of view and the knowledge of the population, can facilitate its conservation. This work aimed to develop methods of propagation for umbu tree as well as contribute to its conservation by using biotechnology, with specific objectives to contribute to the conservation of this species; determine concentrations of BAP and ANA in the formation of buds; testing the efficiency of different substrates and concentrations of gibberellic acid on germination in vitro and ex vitro, as well as capture the perception of families in communities that engage in the gathering of umbu. To study the germination, the seeds were inoculated in different substrates (vermiculite, vermiculite + clay, clay, clay + manure and manure + vermiculite) and in different concentrations of gibberellic acid (0 mg, 250 g and 500 mg). For the formation of buds BAP to 0.1 mg-1 was associated with different concentrations of ANA (0.2; 0.4; 0.8mg.L-1). The study of perception was conducted by applying semi-structured questionnaire with Malhada Vermelha community. The experiments resulted in vermiculite and concentration of 500 mg gibberellic acid as the best for germination. The association of 0.1 mg.L-1 of BAP to 0.2 mg.L-1 of ANA provided better formation of buds. As to the application of questionnaires, they revealed that the population understands the decreased amount of umbu plants and umbu fruit in the region, as well as shows concern for its conservation.

Efeitos de fungicidas alternativos em folhas de Carthamus tinctorius L. (Asteraceae), potencial espécie para cultivo em agricultura familiar

The currently main development model on global society is driven by an economic rationality that endangers the environment and social justice. More and more, attention to this way of production and consumption is increasing, boosting research for sustainable development, with an environmental rationality that can harmonize nature preservation and welfare of all socioeconomic classes. One of the efforts on this sense is changing the sources supplying the energy demand, replacing fossil fuels for renewable and cleaner sources, such as biofuels. Carthamus tinctorius (safflower) is an oilseed crop with potential for biodiesel production, with good oil yield and chemical profile, allied to good adaptation to climates such like the northeastern semiarid lands of Brazil. With public policies fomentation, the use of this species may be an interesting alternative for family farming. In farming in general, the use of pesticides to prevent and combat diseases and plagues is common, which is not a sustainable practice. Thus, there are researched alternative, less dangerous substances. In this study, it was aimed to assess if neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf extract (20% m/v) and Bordeaux mixture (copper sulfate) have effects on safflower. It was also aimed to verify acceptance of farmers on safflower crop in Apodi, a municipality in Rio Grande do Norte state, Brazil, in view of it being localized in the aimed region for this crop cultivation. Besides that, understanding that the farmers’ knowledge and inclination to adopt the crop is fundamental for the introduction of this species and socioeconomic growth due to its exploration. In addition, a booklet with basic information on safflower was produced. In the field experiment, the fungicides were pulverized on plants cultivated in field experimental plots, with collection of leaf samples for analysis on anatomy, cuticle, and epicuticular wax morphology, the protective layer that interfaces with the surrounding ambient. In Apodi, forty-five farmers from Potiguar Cooperative of Apiculture and Sustainable Rural Development (COOPAPI) underwent semi-structured interviews, which also addressed their assessment on currently cultivated crops and perception of pesticide uses and sustainable alternatives. After comparing using analysis of variance, it was found that there was no difference between treatments in the experiment, as well as no anatomical or morphological modifications. Safflower acceptation among farmers was wide, with 84% of interviewees believing in a perspective of good incomes. The current scenario, comprised of low crop diversity, fragile in face of droughts and plagues, can partially explain this opinion. The booklet was effective in catching people attention for the species potential. There was wide acknowledgement on the importance of alternative pesticides, justified by health security. Based on the assessed parameter in the results of this research, the treatments here utilized may be recommended as fungicides for safflower. Given the crop susceptibility to fungi in heavy rainy period, it is advised that its potential introduction on the region shall be focused on semiarid areas.

Consórcio de cártamo e feijão caupi: alternativa para a produção de biodiesel na agricultura familiar

The new development strategies should operate mainly in the areas of energy efficiency and sustainable agriculture. Thus, the substitution of fossil fuels with biofuels, such as biodiesel, is increasingly on the agenda. The cultivation of oilseed plants for biodiesel production must take place in integrated systems that enable best environmental benefits and are more economically significant. The objectives of this study were to assess the morphological, anatomic, and physiological characteristics of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L., promising oilseed for biodiesel production) grown in monoculture and intercropping with cowpea bean (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.); and identify socioeconomic family farmers and verify their acceptance about safflower as an energy crop. The methodology used for the analysis of safflower growth in monoculture and intercropped with beans, were morphoanatomical and histochemical analyzes, made with samples of plants grown in the field in two cropping systems throughout the range of the life cycle of these plants. There were no changes in growth and anatomy of plants, even in the consortium, which is satisfactory to indicate the intercropping system for those crops and can be a good alternative for the family farmer, who may have safflower as a source of income without giving up planting their livelihood. To check the acceptance of safflower by farmers, interviews were made to family farmers by Canudos agrovila in Ceará-Mirim/RN. It was noticed that many of them accept the introduction of safflower as oil crop, although unaware of the species, and that, being more resistant to drought, safflower help in the stability of families who depend on the weather conditions for success their current crops. In general, it is concluded that safflower has features that allows it to be grown in consortium for biodiesel production combined with the production of food, such as cowpea, and can be used enabling better development for family farmers.

Segurança alimentar e nutricional dos agricultores familiares da associação dos produtores e produtoras orgânicas de Ceará Mirim/RN

The proposition of this research is supported by the definition of Food Safety and Nutrition (FSN), established by the II FSN National Conference. Taking this concept as reference, the research instrument aimed to analyze strategies and actions related to FSN, developed by members of Ceará Mirim Organic Producers Association, located in Rio Grande do Norte state (Brazil), from aspects related to family feeding, as well as means of access, quantity and food culture. It was aimed to answer the following questions: Do the families benefited from Ceará Mirim Organic Producers Association have strategies that assure their FSN? If so, do these strategies originate from public policies or own actions? Do these strategies focus on family revenue? In expenses with food and proper feeding? How do these strategies articulate together and which social networks do they form? In this research, there were also approached questionings which comprise market opening through the declaration of the products as Organization of Social Control (OSC), aggregate value and participation in agroecological fairs, aiming to identify and characterize if these strategies contribute for Food Safety and Nutrition of these families. The data here analyzed were obtained from semi-structured interviews, conducted in the production sites of each farmer, and have a qualitative approach. 21 questionnaires were applied to the family farmers, in seven projects of agrarian reform settlements (Carlos Marighella, Nova Esperança II, Aliança, Marcoalhado I, Santa Águeda, Santa Luzia and União). From this study, it was concluded that most of FSN strategies result from a series of distinct public policies, which potentiate the existing strategies and create new ones, such as in the case of organic production, which is the main motivation, even for the organization of the studied group. These strategies brought improvements in feeding and caused changes in eating habits, especially in the diversification of production for own consumption. This, on the other hand, is assuring greater food autonomy and increasing marketing channels, through fairs or institutional markets. It was also verified that reciprocity relations increased after the organic production, and they are indispensable to assure food in difficult times, also contributing to incentive organic production itself, through supplies exchange.

Pesca artesanal entre mudanças socioambientais: estudo de caso na APA Bonfim-Guaraíra/RN-Brasil

Artisanal fishing is one of the important economic activities of Rio Grande do Norte (RN), becoming the main form of survival and income for many families. The southern coast of RN has strong fishing tradition, both in exploitation of fish as in the collection of mollusks on the banks of Guaraíra Lagoon (APA Bonfim-Guaraíra). In recent years, fishing communities have become more vulnerable to outside influences, since the socio-economic and environmental changes are exposed. These changes require adjustments to the fishermen to different environmental conditions, as the social and natural systems are driven by reorganization and upgrading processes. The living conditions in fishing communities are objective and necessary in different ways, according to a selection that is cultural, so adaptable. This study has the general objective to analyze the main environmental changes in fishing communities, based on the understanding of fishermen and mollusk fisherwomen about this problem. The specific objectives searched to: describe the socioeconomic profile, prospects and difficulties of fishermen and mollusk fisherwomen; investigate the major social and environmental changes in the fishing communities of Patané and Camocim (Arez/RN). The methodology was qualitative-quantitative with the techniques of observation in the field and open and semistructured interviews applied to representatives of Cologne fishing, fishermen and mollusk fisherwomen. Between the months of January to July 2014 were applied semistructured interviews with 41 interlocutors in Patané and 23 of Camocim; totaling 64 people. The results indicated that the interlocutors are aged 40 to 60 years; have only completed elementary school level; are married and have children; survive on less than a minimum wage income and they are not receiving employment insurance. The case study also revealed that the socioeconomic and environmental problems reflected in changes in reproduction, organization and social division of labor, which generates adaptive changes of families to external influences, resulting directly from other economic activities and market pressure and indirectly from tourism. Therefore, adaptations to changes scenario presented as favorable to economic aspects and unfavorable to the social and environmental aspects. In short, the fishery develops on technical, bureaucratic and financial obstacles, in the everyday needs of men and women is the determining factor in willingness to continue exercising fishing and shell fishing on Guaraíra Lagoon, space representing relations social, practices and customs transmitted in the course of local history through social memory of the oldest to the youngest.