Abstract Benthic foraminifera, ostracods and pteropods are reliable paleoenvironmental indicators in Quaternary deposits. However, in the Ceará Basin, on the Brazilian Equatorial Margin, these microfossils are poorly studied. This paper investigates environmental changes during the Pleistocene–Holocene transition in the Icaraí subbasin based on micropaleontological analysis of the core ANP 1011. Seventy-four taxa of benthic foraminifera, represented predominantly by Globocassidulina, Uvigerina, Pyrgo and Melonis, have been identified. The ostracod assemblages are composed mainly by the families Macrocyprididae, Cytheruridae, Trachyleberididae, Pontocyprididae and Krithidae, of which the genus Krithe was the most abundant. The composition of the ostracod assemblages identified in this study area differs somewhat from other regions of the Brazilian Margin. The assemblages of foraminifera and ostracod characterize a typical bathyal paleoenvironment. The occurrence of pteropods and dominance of epifaunal foraminifera taxa, mainly Pyrgo sp. and Miliolinella sp. in the lower portion of the core (Pleistocene), indicates higher phytodetritus input and oxygen concentration. A conspicuous environmental change was observed in the upper portion of the core, which corresponds to the Holocene, where the increase of infaunal foraminifera (e.g., Uvigerina, Globocassidulina and Melonis) suggests reduction in the organic matter input and, probably, increased bacterial density and depletion in dissolved oxygen in the sediment.

BACKGROUND The Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine comprises a family of strains with variable protective efficacy against pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) and leprosy, partly due to genetic differences between strains. OBJECTIVES Previous data highlighting differences between the genomes and proteomic profiles of BCG strains Moreau and Pasteur led us to evaluate their behaviour in the macrophage microenvironment, capable of stimulating molecular responses that can impact the protective effect of the vaccine. METHODS Strain infectivity, viability, co-localisation with acidified vesicles, macrophage secretion of IL-1 and MCP-1 and lipid droplet biogenesis were evaluated after infection. FINDINGS We found that BCG Moreau is internalised more efficiently, with significantly better intracellular survival up to 96 h p.i., whereas more BCG Pasteur bacilli were found co-localised in acidified vesicles up to 6 h p.i. IL-1β and MCP-1 secretion and lipid droplet biogenesis by infected macrophages were more prominent in response to BCG Pasteur. MAIN CONCLUSION Overall, our results show that, compared to Pasteur, BCG Moreau has increased fitness and better endurance in the harsh intracellular environment, also regulating anti-microbial responses (lower IL-1b and MCP-1). These findings contribute to the understanding of the physiology of BCG Moreau and Pasteur in response to the intraphagosomal environment in a THP-1 macrophage model.

RESUMO O controle do mosquito Aedes aegypti, vetor de patógenos causadores da dengue, Zika e chikungunya é prioritário, e sensibilizar a população quanto à prevenção, através de práticas educativas, pode impactar na redução do número de casos. Dentre essas práticas, existem propostas que exploram a ludicidade, incluindo o uso de jogos de tabuleiro educativos. O presente trabalho analisou cinco propostas ludopedagógicas com jogos de tabuleiro, publicadas entre 2015 e 2019, e concluiu que apesar de 40% dos trabalhos demonstrarem preocupação em escutar os alunos, as abordagens priorizam a memorização de conteúdos factuais e procedimentais. Além disso, as propostas demonstram baixo letramento lúdico nos professores e alunos envolvidos nas pesquisas.

ABSTRACT Controlling Aedes aegypti, the vector of pathogens that cause dengue, Zika and chikungunya is a priority, and raising the awareness of the population about prevention, through educational practices, may reduce the number of cases of these diseases. One of these practices is the use of educational board games. The present study analyzed five playful pedagogical proposals with board games, published between 2015 and 2019, and concluded that although 40% of the studies listen to the students, the approaches prioritize the memorization of factual and procedural contents. In addition, the proposals demonstrate the low playful literacy of the teachers and students involved in the research.

Resumo Este artigo tem como objetivo principal apresentar os resultados das análises realizadas nas indústrias sobre quartzos presentes nas coleções de dois sítios arqueológicos – Capela e Ananás –, localizados na região de Carajás, sudeste do estado Pará, Brasil. O método aplicado compreende a análise tecnológica, e o principal conceito utilizado é o de cadeia operatória, desenvolvido pela Escola Francesa e adaptado para este trabalho. Através dos resultados obtidos, foi possível observar as escolhas e as intenções dos antigos grupos humanos quanto ao gerenciamento destas matérias-primas, quais sejam, principalmente, pequenas lascas alongadas produzidas, pouco espessas, frequentemente utilizadas sem grandes transformações, debitadas por percussão direta dura e percussão sobre bigorna.

Abstract This article aims to present the results of the analyses conducted in the quartz industries present in the collections of two archaeological sites: Capela and Ananás, located in the region of Carajás, southeast of the state of Pará, northern Brazil. The applied method is based on technological analysis, and the main concept used is the Chaîne Operatoire, developed by the French School and adapted for this work. Through the results obtained, it was possible to observe the choices and intentions of the old human groups regarding the management of these raw materials, which are mainly the production of small, thin, and elongated flakes often used without major transformations, knapped with hard stone hammer and percussion on an anvil.

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the photochemical responses of photosystem II and growth of Hymenaea stigonocarpa under CO2-enriched conditions with exposure to simulated herbivory events. After herbivory simulation in two distinct parts of the stem of plants (apex and base), chlorophyll a fluorescence, chlorophyll index, growth, extrafloral nectary density, leaf mineral nutrition, and biomass production were evaluated. Plants of H. stigonocarpa grown under high [CO2] after simulated herbivory in the apical part of the stem had higher electron transport rate, effective quantum yield of photosystem II, and chlorophyll contents. However, simulated herbivory in the basal portion of plants grown under high [CO2] increased plant height, branch and root length, leaf number, leaf area, node number, and leaf expansion rate. In conclusion simulated herbivory at the basal portion and high [CO2] induce positive responses in H. stigonocarpa, leading to the allocation of biomass to vegetative parts related to the capture of resources such as water and light. Apical leaves could compensate for the elimination of part of their leaf blades by increasing their photosynthetic yield. Thus, the increase of [CO2] attenuated the adverse effects of leaf removal on H. stigonocarpa plants by inducing photosynthetic improvement and growth after the loss of leaf tissue.

Resumo Segundo estudos recentes, a influência indígena sobre a floresta amazônica foi intensa, diversificada e teve início com a chegada do Homem na região, nos primórdios do Holoceno inferior. Nesta história de longa duração, no entanto, a seleção cultural de espécies úteis promovidas não foi uma via de mão única. Ela impactou a seleção natural, quando muitas espécies foram distribuídas geograficamente pelas sociedades humanas, resultando em um importante capital para as gerações futuras. Por outro lado, essas mesmas sociedades tiveram suas escolhas, suas técnicas e seus costumes influenciados pelas espécies selecionadas. Isso quer dizer que durante a acumulação desse capital ocorreu uma inter-relação entre a cultura e a natureza, de modo que ambas se desenvolveram e/ou evoluíram conjuntamente. Em Carajás, no Pará, temos evidênciasde que, além da inter-relação Homem/natureza, cujos efeitos podem ser notados muito além dos espaços arqueológicos circunscritos pela mera distribuição da cultura material, as sociedades pioneiras que lá viveram foram capazes de transformar os ambientes explorados em paisagens domesticadas, ricas em recursos, o que ocorreu segundo uma alteridade social de longa persistência, com diferentes períodos de desenvolvimento cultural, favorecendo o surgimento de processos históricos contíguos, mas diferentes, que foram territorialmente amplos e cada vez mais complexos.

Abstract Archeology and other sciences increasingly affirm that indigenous influence on the Amazon rainforest has been intense and diversified, beginning with the arrival of humans by the Lower Holocene. But cultural selection of useful specieswas not a one-way street during this long history; instead, geographic distribution by human societies affected natural selection. These choices and customs of these societies were consequently influenced by the selected species, resulting in important capital for future generations. As a result, there has been a long-term relationship or coevolution between culture and nature; in other words, during the accumulation of this capital an interrelationship between culture and nature took place, with both developing and/or evolving together. This contradicts the idea that these societies were simple hunter-gatherer groups with no history whose characteristics and cultures were determined by the natural availability of subsistence resources. In Carajás (Pará State) we have evidence that in addition to the interplay between humans and nature (the effects of which can be seen in vegetation beyond the areas where the material culture is found), early societies were able to transform environments to construct resource-rich domesticated landscapes.

The Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine comprises a family of genetically different strains derived by the loss of genomic regions (RDs) and other mutations. In BCG Moreau, loss of RD16 inactivates rv3405c * , encoding a transcriptional repressor that negatively regulates the expression of Rv3406, an alkyl sulfatase. To evaluate the impact of this loss on the BCG and host cell viability and the cytokine profile, THP-1 cells were infected with BCG Moreau (harbouring the empty vector) and a complemented strain carrying a functional copy of rv3405c. Viability of the host cells and bacteria as well as the pattern of cytokine secretion were evaluated. Our results show that the viability of BCG Moreau is higher than that of the complemented strain in an axenic medium, suggesting a possible functional gain associated with the constitutive expression of Rv3406. Viability of the host cells did not vary significantly between recombinant strains, but differences in the profiles of the cytokine secretion (IL-1β and IL-6) were observed. Our results suggest an example of a functional gain due to gene loss contributing to the elucidation of the impact of RD16 on the physiology of BCG Moreau.

The bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine is the only licensed vaccine for human use against tuberculosis (TB). Although controversy exists about its efficacy, the BCG vaccine is able to protect newborns and children against disseminated forms of TB, but fails to protect adults against active forms of TB. In the last few years, interest in the mucosal delivery route for the vaccine has been increasing owing to its increased capacity to induce protective immune responses both in the mucosal and the systemic immune compartments. Here, we show the importance of this route of vaccination in newly developed vaccines, especially for vaccines against TB.

This study analyzed the diet and reproductive dynamics of Trachelyopterus lucenai Bertoletti, Pezzi da Silva & Pereira, 1995, an allochthonous fish species in the subtropical coastal lagoons of the Tramandaí River, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The fecundity of the species is described for the first time. Specimens were captured in the interconnected lagoons Itapeva, Quadros and Malvas, on a monthly basis, from November 2008 to April 2010, with gillnets of different mesh sizes. The food items identified were assessed for abundance and frequency of occurrence. The sex ratio, reproductive period for males and females, for mature females, fecundity, were estimated. These results were analyzed with respect to seasonal variation. We captured 135 individuals, including 82 females and 53 males, especially in months with high temperatures (October 2009 to March 2010). Females were more abundant than males in all months. There was no difference between the mean size of females and males, and both sexes showed allometric growth. The feeding analysis showed a generalist-opportunist food habit; 26 items were consumed, with a predominance of autochthonous items (insects and fish). Temporal variations in diet were associated with variations in water and air temperature and rainfall in the region, but these variations did not differ between males and females. The sex ratio differed significantly from 1:1, with 1.5 females per male. The reproductive period occurred from October to March, with most activity in November and December, and showing no variation between the peaks of gonadal development of males and females. The mean fecundity of mature females was 1,536 oocytes per spawning (n = 17). The feeding habits and reproductive behavior of the species in the study site are similar to those described for where the species is native. Although clearly seasonal, the reproductive period was long, in spite of the low fecundity. These features facilitate the establishment of T. lucenai and make it a good competitor in the new environment.

The purpose of this article is to address the importance of the political parties as essential institute to the practice of the democracy and its role in defense of the minorities. We analyze the new Injunction Act ruling the organs of political parties as constraining authority, and also the device that addresses the issue of limiting political parties to the filing of the collective writ of mandamus. At the end, about political parties, we demonstrate the unconstitutionality of the new Injunction Act.

El objetivo de este artículo es analizar la importancia de los partidos políticos en la institución de la democracia y su papel en la defensa de las minorías. A continuación, se analizan las disposiciones de la nueva Ley de Mandato de Seguridad en las que se considera a los dirigentes y órganos de los partidos políticos autoridades coactoras, así como el dispositivo que trata la cuestión de la limitación a la que los partidos políticos están sujetos de presentar una acción de mandato de seguridad colectivo. Finalmente, se demuestra la inconstitucionalidad de estas disposiciones de la nueva Ley de Mandato de Seguridad.

No presente estudo, tomou-se como ponto de partida pesquisa em que se discutem possibilidades de as empresas alcançarem valor superior com base no alinhamento estratégico, na gestão do capital intelectual e na adoção do Balanced Scorecard (BSC). Investigou-se a associação entre a geração de valor e os componentes do capital intelectual segundo preceitos, entre outros, de Stewart (1999; 2001) M'Pherson e Pike (2001) e Kaplan e Norton (2004), além de trazer à tona a questão da implementação e extensão da utiliza- ção do Balanced Scorecard. As proxies empregadas para caracte- rizar geração de valor foram a média do price-to-book value (razão entre o valor de mercado e o valor patrimonial) e o retorno médio das ações no período estudado. Para caracterizar os componentes do capital intelectual, adotaram-se índices computados a partir da percepção de executivos de topo responsáveis por processos corporativos de planejamento e controle, com base na revisão de literatura e com base em procedimento de fatoração. O estudo utilizou testes não paramétricos para identificar se há evidências de diferente apreciação e retorno no mercado acionário para segmentos homogêneos de empresas com perfis diferenciados quanto aos índices de capital intelectual. Os resultados mostraram-se conclusivos e significantes - em reforço à proposição de sintonia entre a percepção do valor sob o enfoque do mercado de capitais e a percepção da performance em múltiplas perspectivas por parte de gestores. Quanto à adoção do BSC, foram identificados indícios de interferência favorável à performance nas empresas classificadas como de melhores padrões de geração de valor.

This study is part of research that discusses possibilities for corporations to achieve superior value based on strategic alignment, on the management of intellectual capital and on the use of the Balanced Scorecard (BSC). The research investigated the relation between value creation and the components of intellectual capital according to Stewart (1999; 2001), M'Pherson and Pike (2001), and Kaplan and Norton (2004), among others, besides bringing to the fore the issue of the implementation and extent of the use of the Balanced Scorecard. The proxies used to characterize value creation were average price-to-book value (ratio of market value to book value) and average stock returns for the period studied. To characterize the components of intellectual capital, the authors resorted to ratios calculated on the basis of the perception of senior executives in charge of business process planning and control, based on both a literature review and a factorization procedure. Nonparametric tests were used to look for evidence of different appreciation and returns in the stock market for homogeneous segments of corporations with different profiles in terms of their ratios of intellectual capital. The findings were conclusive and significant - supporting the proposition of alignment between perception of value from the capital market's standpoint and the management's perception of performance from various angles. As for the adoption of the BSC, there were indications of interference favoring performance in those firms classified as having the best value creation standards.

En este estudio se investigaron las posibilidades de que empresas alcancen mayor valor con base en la alineación estratégica, en la gestión del capital intelectual y en la adopción del Balanced Scorecard (BSC). Se analizó la relación entre la generación de valor y los componentes del capital intelectual de acuerdo a los preceptos de, entre otros, Stewart (1999; 2001), M'Pherson y Pike (2001) y Kaplan y Norton (2004), además de sacar a la luz la cuestión de la aplicación y alcance del uso del Balanced Scorecard. Las proxies utilizadas para caracterizar la creación de valor fueron el promedio del precio / valor contable (relación entre el valor de mercado y valor contable) y el retorno promedio de las acciones negociadas en el período estudiado. Para la caracterización de los componentes del capital intelectual, se adoptaron los índices calculados a partir de la percepción de altos ejecutivos responsables de los procesos corporativos de planificación y control, con base en la literatura y en procedimiento de factorización. El estudio utilizó pruebas no paramétricas para determinar si existen evidencias de diferentes apreciaciones y tasas de rendimiento en el mercado de acciones para segmentos homogéneos de empresas con distintos perfiles en cuanto a los índices de capital intelectual. Los resultados fueron concluyentes y significativos - en apoyo a la proposición de armonía entre el valor percibido desde el punto de vista del mercado de capitales y la percepción del rendimiento desde múltiples perspectivas por parte de los administradores. Con relación a la adopción de BSC, se identificaron evidencias de intervención en favor de la actuación de las empresas calificadas como de mejores niveles de generación de valor.

A análise sísmica de dados sparker das Operações GEOMAR permitiu a elaboração de um primeiro arcabouço estratigráfico da seção rasa (~300 msec) da plataforma continental do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, norte da bacia de Santos. Dois conjuntos de seqüências sísmicas foram interpretados como seqüências deposicionais induzidas por oscilações glacio-eustáticas. O Conjunto I (SqA-SqC), composto por seqüências dominantemente sigmoidais, reflete condições de geração de espaço de acomodação sedimentar capaz de preservar seus componentes agradacionais-progradacionais; o Conjunto II (Sq1-Sq5), composto principalmente por prismas de regressão forçada, indica diminuição relativa de espaço de acomodação. Dados cronoestratigráficos de poços permitiram posicionar a seção sísmica investigada na janela plio-quaternária: à maior parte do Conjunto I (SqA e parte inferior da SqB) foi atribuída uma idade Plioceno (indiferenciado); à seção estratigráfica que se estende da porção superior da SqC até o Conjunto II foi atribuída uma idade quaternária. A correlação entre a base de dados e curvas globais de variações isotópicas de δ18O permitiu ainda sugerir que as seqüências Sq1-Sq4 registram sequências regressivas de quarta ordem (ciclos glacio-eustáticos de cerca de 100-120 ka) durante os últimos 440-500 ka. A sequência Sq5 representaria a deposição holocênica, constituída por depósitos transgressivos e de sistemas de mar alto.

Seismic analysis of sparker lines of GEOMAR cruises allowed us to address a first stratigraphic scenario for the shallow sedimentary record (~300 msec) of the continental shelf off Rio de Janeiro State, northern Santos basin. Two sets of seismic sequences were identified and interpreted as a succession of depositional sequences induced by repeated glacioeustatic cycles. Depositional sequences composing Set I (SqA-SqC) are dominantly sigmoidal, reflecting periods of increasing accommodation space that favoured the preservation of both aggradational and progradational units; sequences of Set II (Sq1-Sq5) are essentially seaward-thickening stacks of forced-regression wedges, implying periods of declining accommodation space. Comparison between seismic lines and chronostratigraphic data allowed the mapped sequences to be placed within the Plio-Quaternary. Correlations also suggest that most of Set I (SqA and lower portion of SqB) was deposited during the Pliocene (undifferentiated Pliocene), while the upper portion of sequence SqC and sequences of Set II (Sq1-Sq5) have been placed within the Quaternary. Correlation of chronostratigraphic data with δ18O isotopic "sea level curves" also supports the hypothesis that sequences Sq1-Sq4 are fourth-order forced-regression sequences that record 100-120 kyr glacioeustatic cycles for the last 440-500 kyr, while sedimentary units labeled Sq5 would represent the transgressive and highstand deposition during the Holocene.

The vaccine Bacillus of Calmette Guérin (BCG) was originally developed in France as an oral vaccine against tuberculosis. The oral use of this vaccine was replaced by the parenteral route in almost all countries after the Lubeck disaster. In contrast, Brazil retained the oral delivery of the vaccine until the mid-seventies when it was replaced by the intradermal route. This change in route of delivery was mainly secondary to pressure by medical practitioners based on the poor responses of oral immunized subjects to purified protein derivative (PPD) skin tests. Even after the change of route of delivery, Ataulpho de Paiva Foundation continued making the oral vaccine. Currently, BCG Moreau has been described as one of the most immunogenic and with fewer side effects than other BCGs. The genomics, proteomics and vaccine trials for oral BCG Moreau Rio de Janeiro are currently under investigation. In this review, we intend to describe the history of BCG Moreau Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.

O pé diabético é uma das complicações mais comuns do diabetes, causando uma queda significativa da qualidade de vida dos pacientes vulneráveis, além de seu elevado custo econômico. No presente trabalho, analisamos, retrospectivamente, 234 pacientes diabéticos no ambulatório de pé diabético, através de exames clínico-laboratoriais e avaliação dos pés utilizando o monofilamento de 10g Semmes Weinstein, martelo neurológico básico, doppler vascular e pedígrafo. Os pacientes foram catalogados quanto à idade, sexo e duração do diabetes sendo que a média foi de 10 anos de doença. Observamos que, inicialmente, mais de 30% dos pacientes apresentavam perda da sensibilidade protetora, calosidades e lesões dermatológicas, todas fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento de úlcera de pé. Notou-se ainda a desinformação sobre a doença. Em resumo, os dados do trabalho mostram uma grande prevalência de alterações e os autores alertam para a importância do atendimento enfocando os pés dos pacientes visando uma assistência global e preventiva para evitar complicações futuras.

The diabetic foot is one of the commonest complications of diabetes, causing significant lowering of the quality of life of vulnerable patients and leading to drain in health resources. In the present work, we retrospectively studied 234 diabetic patients referred to the diabetic foot clinic. Clinical and laboratory tests and evaluation of foot using the 10g Semmes-Weinstein monofilament, basic neurologic hammer, vascular Doppler scan and plantar foot pressure were examined. Patients were sorted according to age, sex and duration of diabetes with mean disease duration of 10 years. We found that at the very first examination, more than 30% of the patients presented with reduced protective sensation, callosities and dermatological lesions, all of them known risk factors for the development of foot ulcer. It was also noted a lack of understanding of the disease by the patients. In summary, our results demonstrate a high prevalence of alterations and the authors draw the attention to the clinical assessment, focusing the patient's foot, in order to prevent future complications.