Resumo Este artigo discute e desdobra questões centrais do curso de Gilbert Simondon sobre a comunicação, ministrado entre os anos de 1970 e 1971 e publicado apenas em 2010. Entende-se que o filósofo francês, que tem recebido crescente aclamação póstuma, propõe uma teoria da comunicação original, ainda por ser assimilada em nossa área. Como parte de um esforço de reconstruir essa teoria, este texto apresenta os principais argumentos de Simondon no curso de 1970-71 e, a partir de uma confrontação com a teoria da informação, defende a significação como conceito-chave para uma comunicação orientada no sentido de uma ciência das transformações.

Abstract This paper discusses and unfolds the main topics of Gilbert Simondon’s course on communication, lectured between 1970 and 1971 but published only in 2010. We believe that the French philosopher, who has been receiving a growing posthumous acclaim, brings forth an original theory of communication, still to be assimilated by our field. As a step towards rebuilding such theory, this text presents the main arguments from Simondon’s course and, confronting them with information theory, defends signification as a key concept for understanding communication as a science of transformations.

BACKGROUND Aedes aegypti is the primary transmitter of several arbovirus with great impact in human health. Controlling vector mosquitoes is an essential and complex task. One promising control method is to use mosquitoes as a vehicle to disseminate tiny particles of juvenile-killing insecticides, such as pyriproxyfen (PPF), to breeding sites. OBJECTIVES We aimed to investigate the capacity of Ae. aegypti to disseminate two new formulations of PPF in two sites of Rio de Janeiro city for assessment of the efficacy of these products. METHODS Dissemination stations impregnated with powder and liquid new formulations of PPF were installed in two test sites. Ovitraps were used in the test sites and in a control site for monitoring the presence of Ae. aegypti throughout eggs collection. FINDINGS Entomological indices indicated that the new formulations of PPF were efficient in reducing eggs abundance. Liquid formulation performed better than powder formulation. Ready-to-use formulations of PPF can be quickly applied in the field and can be replaced after a few months. MAIN CONCLUSIONS New formulations of PPF associated with mosquito dissemination approach make a valuable vector control strategy, managing to cover places of difficult access for whatever reason. New formulations application requires less labour, being economically attractive.

Low surface energy and poor adhesion are well-known characteristics of polypropylene (PP). Surface treatments such as plasma, corona, and laser are usually applied to overcome these limitations. However, current studies highlight the incorporation of hydrophilic or amphiphilic polymers into hydrophobic low-surface-energy polymers as an alternative for increasing surface energy and thus improving adhesion. Lignin could be a promising amphiphilic polymer for use in increasing surface energy. In this work, PP/kraft lignin composites were obtained by incorporating up to 5 wt% of kraft lignin (KL) into a PP matrix. Corona treatment was applied to pristine PP and composites surfaces. Contact angle measurements and peeling tests were carried out to investigate the effects of KL incorporation and corona treatment on the surface energy and the mechanical strength of adhesion. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to evaluate the PP’s crystallinity index and recrystallization temperature and to dismiss their effects on the surface energy changes. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was applied to investigate the lignin dispersion. The results show that KL incorporation has potential as a method to improve the surface energy of PP, improve its poor adhesion, and enhance the effects of corona treatment.