Resumo Do percurso de vida de Nuno Álvares Pereira foram sempre destacadas as ações guerreiras e as virtudes religiosas, permanecendo ainda nebuloso o seu desempenho como detentor de poderes jurisdicionais sobre vastos domínios. Quando as negociações de paz com Castela ficaram definitivamente encarreiradas e os seus serviços militares deixaram de ser indispensáveis à afirmação política de D. João I e à defesa do reino, Nuno Álvares Pereira, que, segundo é sabido, nunca se enraizou em nenhum lugar, parece centrar a sua atenção em Almada. Promoveu um paço no recinto do castelo, onde terá residido efetivamente, ainda que por um curto período, procedeu a investimentos, que motivaram o desacordo de D. João I, e interferiu na vida concelhia em diversas vertentes, ao abrigo dos seus poderes senhoriais. Foi ainda em Almada que tratou de assegurar a viabilização do empreendimento do convento do Carmo, para onde se retiraria em 1423, no ano seguinte à doação da vila e termo à neta Isabel.

Abstract From Nuno Álvares Pereira's life path, were always highlighted his warlike actions and his religious virtues, although his performance as holder of jurisdictional powers over vast domains still remains unclear. When peace negotiations with Castile were definitively in line and his military services were no longer indispensable to the political declaration of D. João I and the defense of the kingdom, Nuno Álvares Pereira, who, as is known, never took root in any place, seems to focus its attention on Almada. He promoted a palace in the castle grounds, where he effectively resided, albeit for a short period, and made investments, which led to the disagreement of D. João I, and interfered in the council's life in various aspects, under the protection of his manorial powers. It was also in Almada that he tried to ensure the viability of the Carmo convent, where he would retire in 1423, the year following the donation of the town and term to his granddaughter Isabel.

In the present work, synthetic slags (FeO-SiO2-CaO-P2O5-Al2O3-TiO2-V2O5 system) mimicking the composition of the slag inclusions of Ipanema were solidified at different cooling rates. FactSage software was used to calculate the slag’s phase equilibria from 500ºC to 1600°C to guide the microstructural characterisation. The samples solidified with slower cooling rates featured wüstite dendrites and a eutectic-like matrix, with intradendritic (Al,V,Ti)-containing iron spinel precipitates in the wüstite. The rapidly solidified slag showed refined wüstite dendrites surrounded by a Fe-O-Si-Ca-containing amorphous single-phase matrix without intradendritic (Al,V,Ti)-containing iron spinel precipitation. The comparison of the calculated phase diagram with the as-cast microstructures showed a few discrepancies. For instance, the FactSage’s database must be updated to consider the simultaneous solubility of Al, V and Ti in the thermodynamic description of the spinel phases, such as FToxid-SP-V, FToxid-SPINA, FToxid-TiSp and (FeO)2(TiO2)(s). Finally, the intradendritic precipitation of (Al,V,Ti)-containing iron spinel phases in the wüstite of the slag inclusions indicated that an Ipanema’s iron artefact was exposed to high service temperatures between 750 and 1050ºC.

Abstract Numerical and experimental analysis of visible light communication (VLC) systems based on orthogonal chirp division multiplexing (OCDM) and orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) are presented in this paper. Unlike most of the related publications, in this work we numerically compared OCDM and OFDM based VLC systems with the same equalization process, i.e., employing an one tap equalizer (OTE) in both systems. Simulation results in line-of-sight VLC channels show that both systems have the same performance when baseband multicarrier signals are used. The impact of the optical modulation index and the bias current of a previously characterized light-emitting diode were also evaluated. Nevertheless, the experimental demonstrations, in which bandpass signals were used due to the bandpass characteristic of the exploited setup, show that OFDM-based system outperforms the VLC links with OCDM signals, when the OTE equalizer is used in both systems. The performance of the OCDM-based system was improved by using a zero forcing frequency domain equalizer. (VLC (OCDM (OFDM paper publications process ie i e i.e. (OTE lineofsight line sight lightemitting emitting evaluated Nevertheless demonstrations setup OFDMbased OCDMbased i.e

ABSTRACT Bioenergy production relies on resources such as agricultural waste, which has prompted extensive research on biofuels. The heating value is a crucial parameter for evaluating energy sources. This study aims to analyze and propose formulations for estimating the higher heating value (HHV) based on proximate and ultimate chemical analysis of biomass. A database consisting of 142 samples was created, and 14 formulas available in the literature were initially tested. The datasets for each composition type were classified using the k-means algorithm, and the new sample spaces were validated. For proximate analysis data, specific multiple linear regression models were developed for two classes, one with an average of 0.697 and SE of 1.05 MJ kg -1 , and the other with an average of 0.678 and SE of 1.27 MJ kg -1 . For samples with ultimate analysis, a general model was formulated with an average of 0.701 and SE of 1.11 MJ kg -1 . Sample classification for proximate analysis did not significantly affect the fit of models. Considering that proximate analysis is less expensive than ultimate analysis, the proposed method shows promise in optimizing and reducing costs for determining the HHV of biomass for energy production.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Scientific production is a fundamental element for the reputation of a researcher and a university in such a way that the pressure to publish becomes increasingly prevalent in academia. Objective: We seek to analyze the growing phenomenon of predatory journals as a threat to the scientific universe and the ways in which they can be identified and avoided. Methodology: Based on the international literature, the concept, characteristics and ways of identifying predatory journals are discussed, in addition to some questions that can illuminate reflections on the ethical impacts that this reality has brought to the academic environment. Results: It is evident the need to face this threat through a joint action of authors (researchers), editors, teaching and research institutions, research funding agencies, and bibliographic databases in order to guarantee that scientific communication in the most diverse fields of knowledge is carried out in ethical, transparent and defensible ways. Conclusion: It is necessary for investigators to develop a specific competence to distinguish between reliable and fraudulent journals, disregarding invitations, which are often tempting, to publish or join editorial committees of predatory journals.

RESUMO Introdução: A produção científica constitui elemento fundamental para a reputação de um pesquisador e de uma universidade de tal modo que a pressão por publicar se torna cada vez mais preponderante no meio acadêmico. Objetivo: Busca-se analisar o crescente fenômeno das revistas predatórias como uma ameaça ao universo científico e as formas para que possam ser identificadas e evitadas. Metodologia: Com base na literatura internacional, discute-se o conceito, características e as formas de identificação das revistas predatórias, além de algumas questões que podem iluminar as reflexões sobre os impactos que essa realidade vem trazendo ao meio acadêmico. Resultados: Evidencia-se a necessidade de fazer frente a essa ameaça por meio de uma ação conjunta de autores (os investigadores), editores, instituições de ensino e pesquisa, agências de fomento à pesquisa, e bases de dados bibliográficas no sentido de garantir que a comunicação científica nos mais diversos campos do conhecimento se faça em moldes éticos, transparentes e defensáveis. Conclusão: Torna-se necessário o desenvolvimento, por parte dos investigadores, de uma competência específica para distinguir entre as revistas confiáveis e as fraudulentas desconsiderando os convites, muitas vezes tentadores, para publicar ou integrar comitês editoriais de periódicos predatórias.

Abstract In 2008, Russia began to implement its largest military reform since the creation of the Red Army in 1918. Previous attempts at reforms in 1992, 1997, and 2003 did not result in fundamental transformations to the country’s military. Why was the 2008 military reform successful while others were not? This article uses the comparative-historical method to identify the causal mechanisms between Russia’s level of external threat, state capacity, and internal balancing strategies adopted since 1991. It advances Neoclassical Realism’s systemic and unit-level variables by building on the long-established contributions from Strategic Studies and Historical Sociology instead of relying on other International Relations theories. It concludes that the success of Russia’s military reforms in the post-Cold War period depended on the simultaneous existence of three conditions: the possibility of disrupting strategic stability, its ability to extract and mobilize societal resources, and the presence of some event of proven ineffectiveness. Under scenarios in which only one or two of these conditions were present, Russia carried out only partial military reforms. The article sheds light on three often-neglected drivers of Russia’s military reform by Western analysts: its enduring emphasis on interstate competition, strategic stability, and mid-to-high intensity conventional warfare.

Resumen En 2008, Rusia comenzó a implementar su reforma militar más grande desde la creación del Ejército Rojo en 1918. Los intentos anteriores, en 1992, 1997 y 2003, no lograron transformaciones fundamentales en sus fuerzas armadas. ¿Por qué la reforma militar de 2008 tuvo éxito y otras no? Este artículo utiliza el método histórico comparativo para identificar los mecanismos causales entre el nivel de amenaza externa de Rusia, su nivel de capacidad estatal y sus estrategias de contrapeso interno adoptadas desde 1991. Además, este análisis avanza las variables sistémicas y unitarias del realismo neoclásico, basándose en las contribuciones de los estudios estratégicos y la sociología histórica, en detrimento de otras teorías de las Relaciones Internacionales. En síntesis, el éxito de las reformas militares en Rusia, en el período posterior a la Guerra Fría, depende de la existencia simultánea de tres condiciones: la posibilidad de perturbar la estabilidad estratégica, la capacidad del Estado ruso de extraer y movilizar recursos sociales, y la existencia de algún evento de ineficacia probada. En escenarios en que solo una o dos de estas condiciones están presentes, los rusos llevaron a cabo solo reformas parciales. Finalmente, el artículo arroja luz sobre tres impulsores de la reforma militar de Rusia, a menudo descuidados por analistas occidentales: su continuo énfasis en la competencia interestatal, la estabilidad estratégica y la guerra convencional de media y alta intensidad.

Resumo Em 2008, a Rússia iniciou a implementar a sua maior reforma militar desde a criação do Exército Vermelho em 1918. Tentativas anteriores em 1992, 1997 e 2003 não resultaram em transformações fundamentais nas suas forças armadas. ¿Por que a reforma militar de 2008 foi bem-sucedida, enquanto as outras não? Este artigo usa o método histórico comparativo para identificar os mecanismos causais entre o nível de ameaça externa da Rússia, seu nível de capacidade estatal, e suas estratégias de balanceamento interno adotadas desde 1991. Avança-se as variáveis sistêmicas e unitárias do realismo neoclássico baseando-se nas contribuições dos estudos estratégicos e da sociologia histórica, em detrimento de outras teorias de Relações Internacionais. Conclui-se que o sucesso das reformas militares da Rússia desde o pós-Guerra Fria dependeu da existência simultânea de três condições: a possibilidade do rompimento da estabilidade estratégica, sua capacidade de extrair e mobilizar recursos societais e da existência de algum evento de ineficácia comprovada. Em cenários em que apenas uma, ou duas, dessas condições estiveram presentes, a Rússia levou a cabo apenas reformas parciais. Finalmente, o artigo enfatiza três causas da reforma militar frequentemente negligenciadas por analistas ocidentais: a sua contínua ênfase na competição interestatal, a estabilidade estratégica e a guerra convencional de média e alta intensidade.

Resumen: Esta revisión de la literatura explica la forma en que las estrategias de disuasión y coacción (compellence) se relacionan con el poder militar. Tal investigación es pertinente, puesto que gran parte de la literatura sobre la difusión del poder militar se centra exclusivamente en las plataformas militares y en los sistemas de armas. Por lo tanto, se promueve un enfoque más político y estratégico en lugar de un enfoque más tecnológico al evaluar el poder militar. En el artículo, se utiliza "costos" y "probabilidad de éxito" para evaluar la disuasión convencional. Aunque tanto la coacción como la disuasión son estrategias coercitivas, tienen diferentes implicaciones para la difusión del poder militar, en especial por los costos asociados a cada una. También se argumenta que los países no deberían replicar o copiar todas las plataformas principales y sistemas de armas avanzados de un estado líder para actualizarse o negar las ventajas de la innovación tecnológica. En consecuencia, las estrategias de negación son mucho más económicas que las estrategias de control. Por último, las estrategias de negación a menudo disminuyen la probabilidad de éxito en el campo de batalla de una ofensiva de la fuerza expedicionaria. Se concluye que el poder militar debe relacionarse mucho más con la disuasión que con la coacción para contrarrestar la noción convencional de Dahl de que el poder es la capacidad de "A" para hacer que "B" haga algo que "B" de otro modo no haría. En otras palabras, el poder militar debe verse como "A" convenciendo a "B" de no iniciar una acción específica porque los beneficios percibidos para "B" no justifican los costos y riesgos potenciales.

Resumo: Esta revisão de literatura explica como as estratégias de dissuasão e compulsão se relacionam com o poder militar. Tal investigação é relevante, pois grande parte da literatura sobre difusão de poder militar se concentra exclusivamente em plataformas militares e sistemas de armas. Assim, avançamos uma abordagem mais política e estratégica em vez de uma abordagem mais tecnológica ao avaliar o poder militar. O artigo usa "custos" e "probabilidade de sucesso" para avaliar a dissuasão convencional. Embora tanto a compulsão quanto a dissuasão sejam estratégias coercitivas, elas têm implicações diferentes para a difusão do poder militar, especialmente pelos custos associados a cada uma delas. Argumentamos que os países não devem replicar ou buscar uma cópia carbono de todas as principais plataformas e sistemas avançados de armas de um estado líder para recuperar o atraso ou negar as vantagens da inovação tecnológica. Assim, as estratégias de negação são muito mais baratas do que as estratégias de controle. Finalmente, as estratégias de negação muitas vezes resultam em uma diminuição na probabilidade de sucesso no campo de batalha de uma ofensiva de força expedicionária. A revisão conclui que o poder militar deve se relacionar muito mais à dissuasão do que à compulsão, contrariando a noção convencional de Dahl de que poder é a capacidade de "A" de fazer "B" fazer algo que "B" de outra forma não faria. Em outras palavras, o poder militar deve ser visto como "A" convencendo "B" a não iniciar uma ação específica porque os benefícios percebidos para "B" não justificam os custos e riscos potenciais.

Abstract: This literature review explains how strategies of deterrence and compellence relate to military power. Such an inquiry is relevant as much of the literature on military power diffusion focuses exclusively on military platforms and weapons systems. Hence, we advance a more political and strategic approach rather than a more technological approach while assessing military power. The article uses "costs" and "probability of success" to assess conventional deterrence. Although both compellence and deterrence are coercive strategies, they have different implications for the diffusion of military power, especially because of the costs associated with each one. We argue that countries should not replicate or pursue a carbon copy of all the top platforms and advanced weapons systems of a leading state to catch up or to deny the advantages of technological innovation. Hence, denial strategies are much cheaper than control strategies. Finally, denial strategies often result in a decrease in the probability of success in the battlefield of an expeditionary force offensive. The review concludes that military power should relate much more to deterrence than compellence, countering the conventional Dahl's notion that power is the ability of "A" to cause "B" to do something that "B" otherwise would not do. In other words, military power must be seen as "A" convincing "B" not to initiate a specific action because the perceived benefits to "B" do not justify the potential costs and risks.

Abstract Health professionals working to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic are one of the main risk groups for the disease, being prioritized for vaccination. Considering this, the aim of this study was to analyze the immune response of these professionals immunized with CoronaVac in the first and second doses. Blood samples were collected after the first and second doses of the vaccine (CoronaVac) and used to investigate hematological and biochemical parameters, analysis of immunoglobulin production, cytokines, and gene expression profile, as well as the identification of subsets of immune cells. Post-first dose immunological phenotypic memory (CD27+) profiles (T CD4+, TCD8+ and CD19+) showed a significant increase, as did Monocyte APCs (CD80+HLA-DR+) in relation to the second dose. The cytokines IL-2, IL-6 and IFN-° showed increased values in relation to the other analyzed cytokines. The Th2/Th17 profile in the second dose was characterized by gene expression analysis. The production of IgM and IgG after vaccination showed statistically significant values in the comparison between doses. CoronaVac showed activation of APCs monocytes, memory response of T and B lymphocytes, with immunoglobulins production. This set of responses is characterized by the Th2/Th17 immunological profile.

Abstract Despite growing knowledge on the distribution and functioning of dryland vegetation types, their internal biodiversity structure (i.e., subregions) is much less studied. In the delineation of subregions, the use of species occurrence or abundance data may reveal different aspects of metacommunity structure. We revisit the issue of the bioregionalization of the woody flora of the Caatinga, the largest block of the dry forest and woodland biome in Latin America, using abundance data. We also evaluated the drivers of the spatial distribution of plant subregions: historical, current environmental and human effects. Using a K-means partition on interpolated NMDS axes, we identified 10 abundance subregions. Aridity, topography and soil, biome stability since the Pleistocene, and historical indigenous effects were retained by a Multinomial Logistic regression model, and their combined fractions explained most of the abundance variability in subregions. The subregions we present may support spatialized conservation and management decisions in the lack of detailed local data. The present results confirm the Caatinga woody flora broad composition patterns uncovered using presence-absence data in previous studies. Additionally, we found larger subregions than those identified with presence and absence data, suggesting the existence of oligarchies of dominant species in distinct parts of the Caatinga biome.

Resumen Introducción: El Principio de las Tres R (Refinamiento, Reducción y Reemplazo), postulado hace más de 60 años, es el principal marco ético que se aplica actualmente para realizar investigaciones en animales. Este principio no ha sido revisado desde una reflexión filosófica a pesar de tantos años y de lavariedad de estudios en ética animal que han presentado nuevas ideas. Este principio solo se aplica cuando se utilizan vertebrados sintientes, y no tiene en cuenta a los invertebrados, ya que su capacidad de sentiencia aún está cuestinada. De esta manera, los invertebrados son cosificados, lo que ha sido en su detrimento ya que su sufrimiento ha sido constantemente negado. El Principio de las Tres R fue diseñado para ser utilizado como una herramienta de política para mejorar el sufrimiento de los animales y reducir el uso de animales en la investigación, pero no ha logrado alcanzar estos objetivos. Como consecuencia, se necesitan nuevas ideas para mejorar las prácticas científicas. La epistemología y la ética siempre se han visto como enfoques opuestos. La concepción ética subordinada de a los hechos científicos se llama “Ética basada en la epistemología” y, en cambio, la “Epistemología basada en la ética” pretende que la práctica ética guie las prácticas epistemológicas. Objetivo: En este trabajo, proponemos que unificar ambos enfoques bajo un marco conceptual más amplio y eliminar la percepción de que son enfoques opuestos. Proponemos avanzar más allá del Principio de las Tres R , extenderlo y colocar un mismo nivel a los enfoques éticos y epistemológicos. También proponemos utilizar el Principio de precaución, ya que siempre es mejor prevenir que curar e incluir dos R más. Métodos: El trabajo está basado en un análisis de diferentes corrientes éticas utilizadas en biología y ecología que pueden ser implementadas en la experimentación con invertebrados. Resultados: El análisis de los trabajos reveló que hay diferentes posturas éticas que se usan frecuentemente en biología, pero no todas ellas son implementadas en la experimentación con invertebrados. Bajos nuestra argumentación sostenemos que las consideraciones éticas usadas en cualquier campo de investigación puede ser implementada en la experimentación con invertebrados. Conclusión: De esta manera, proponemos un Principio de las Cinco R: Refinamiento, Reducción, Reemplazo para ser usados junto con el Respeto y la Responsabilidad (una relación respetuosa con cada ser vivo independientemente de su complejidad y un compromiso personal de aplicar conscientemente los conceptos éticos).

Abstract Introduction: The Three R´s Principle (Refinement, Reduction, and Replacement), postulated more than 60 years ago, is the main ethical framework currently applied for conducting animal research. This principle has never been reviewed applying a philosophical reflection during all of these years, even though a variety of animal ethics studies have presented new insights. The Three R´s Principle was designed to be used as a policy tool to ameliorate the suffering of animals and to reduce the use of animals in research, but has failed in achieving these goals. This principle is only applied when using sentience vertebrates, and fails to consider invertebrates as their capacity to sentience is still disputed. In this way, invertebrates are reified, which has been determined to be detrimental as their suffering has been consistently denied. As a consequence, new insights are necessary to improve scientific practices. Epistemology and ethics have always been viewed as opposing approaches. ´Epistemology-based Ethics’ subordinate ethical concern to scientific facts and ‘Ethics-based Epistemology’ purports that ethical practice should guide epistemological practices. Objective: In this paper, we maintain that unifying both approaches under a broader conceptual framework may result in the view that these are not, actually, opposite approaches. We propose to progress beyond the Three R’s Principle and extend it to a position equal to the level of the ethical and epistemological approaches. We also propose to use the Precautionary Principle as it is always better to be safe than sorry, and to include two more Rs. Methods: This paper is based on the analysis of different ethical frameworks used in biology and ecology that can be implemented in invertebrates experimentation. Results: The analysis revealed that different ethical approaches are frequently used in biological research, but not all of them are implemented in experimental research that involves invertebrates. We argue that the ethical considerations used in any research field can be implemented in invertebrate research. Conclusion: We propose a Five R´s Principle: the traditional Refinement, Reduction, and Replacement, used along with Respect and Responsibility (a respectful relationship with every living being regardless of its complexity and personal commitment to conscientiously apply ethics concepts).

Abstract This article explains changes in strategic stability through a path dependence framework, discussing its antecedent conditions, increasing returns, cleavages, critical junctures, reactive sequences, and legacy. We identify the leading causes of its formation, reproduction, modification, and, eventually, its end. Such an analysis is relevant as far as we observe significant changes in cornerstone’s aspects of strategic stability after the abrogation of the ABM Treaty and the INF Treaty. We argue that strategic stability as an institution passes through radical modifications produced by reactive sequences breaking the causal loop that allowed its reproduction since its formation.

RESUMO O nitrogênio (N) é o nutriente mais limitante ao desenvolvimento da cana-de-açúcar e com a utilização de variedades mais produtivas e exigentes, as doses utilizadas na adubação nitrogenada na cana planta podem estar subestimadas e os teores críticos de N na folha poderão sofrer modificações. O objetivo da pesquisa foi determinar a curva de diluição dos teores críticos de N (CNDC) na folha, avaliar a produção da massa seca da parte aérea (ADM) e a produtividade de duas variedades de cana-de-açúcar em relação à adubação nitrogenada. A pesquisa foi realizada em condições de campo, sendo avaliadas as variedades RB92579 e RB867515, quando adubadas com sete doses de N (0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 e 200 kg ha-1). As variedades e doses de N foram dispostas em blocos casualizados com quatro repetições sob o esquema fatorial de 2 × 7. O teor de N na folha reduziu com o aumento da ADM e se ajustou ao modelo exponencial que permitiu estimar os teores críticos de 13,03 e 12,46 g de N kg-1 de matéria seca nas variedades RB92579 e RB867515, respectivamente. A cana planta respondeu positivamente à adubação nitrogenada e aumentou em 18,66% a tonelada de colmos por hectare (TCH) com adição de até 129,45 kg ha-1 de N. A variedade RB92579 apresentou menor diluição do teor crítico do N, maior produção de ADM e maior produtividade de colmos, sendo considerada mais eficiente na utilização do N-fertilizante.

ABSTRACT Nitrogen is the most limiting nutrient for the development of sugarcane and particularly the use of more productive and demanding varieties, for which the doses of nitrogen fertilization necessary during the plant cane cycle may be underestimated and the critical levels of nitrogen in the leaf may be modified. The objective of this study was to determine the critical nitrogen dilution curve (CNDC) for leaves, evaluate the aboveground dry mass production (DM) and productivity of two varieties fertilized with N in the plant cane cycle. The study was conducted under field conditions, evaluating two sugarcane varieties RB92579 and RB867515, fertilized with seven doses of N (0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 200 kg ha-1). The varieties and doses were arranged in randomized blocks and analyzed in the 2 × 7 factorial scheme. It was found that the nitrogen concentration in the leaf decreased with four repetitions increase in DM yield and adjusted an exponential model, which enabled to estimate the critical levels of 13.03 and 12.46 g N kg-1 dry matter in the varieties RB92579 and RB867515, respectively. The plant cane cycle were observed to respond positively to nitrogen fertilization, with increase of 18.66% in tons of stalk per hectare (TSH) in response to the application addition of up to 129.45 kg N ha-1. The variety RB92579 showed the lowest dilution of the critical nitrogen concentration, the highest production of DM and higher stalk yield, and accordingly is considered to be the more efficient of the two varieties with respect to nitrogen fertilizer utilization.

RESUMO Melanoma extracutâneo é uma entidade clínica rara, e sua natureza primária ou secundária é difícil de ser estabelecida. Poucos casos de melanoma gástrico primário são descritos na literatura. Relatamos o caso de um paciente do sexo masculino, 55 anos, com queixas dispépticas. A esofagogastroduodenoscopia revelou lesão polipoide com áreas enegrecidas na grande curvatura do corpo gástrico, histologicamente compatível com melanoma; imuno-histoquímica positiva para proteína S100, melan-A e vimentina. O exame dermatológico extenso não identificou lesão primária.

ABSTRACT Noncutaneous melanoma is a rare clinical entity, and their primary or secondary nature is often difficult to establish. Few cases of primary gastric melanoma have been described in the literature. We report a case of a 55-year-old male patient with dyspepsia complaints. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed a polypoid mass with blackened areas at the greater curvature of the gastric body, which was histologically compatible with melanoma; positive immunohistochemistry for S100, melan-A, and vimentin. The extensive dermatological exam did not identify a primary lesion.

RESUMEN El melanoma extracutáneo es una entidad clínica rara, y es difícil identificar su naturaleza primaria o secundaria. Hay pocos casos de melanoma gástrico primario descritos en la literatura. Reportamos el caso de un paciente masculino, de 55 años de edad con síntomas dispépticos. La esofagogastroduodenoscopia reveló lesión polipoidea con zonas ennegrecidas en la curvatura mayor del cuerpo gástrico, histológicamente compatible con melanoma; inmunohistoquímica positiva para S100, melan-A y vimentina. El examen dermatológico completo no identificó lesión primaria.

Abstract Background: Worldwide, goats have always been linked to man, mainly due to the quality of their production of meat, milk, and wool. The aim of this paper is to present the general characteristics of household systems for goat production in the municipality of Camagüey, Cuba. Methods: A survey was applied to 46 household farmers in urban and suburban areas of the city of Camagüey, Cuba. Descriptive statistics was used in the study, along with hierarchical clustering for system classification. Results: All the farmers are over 20 years of age, predominantly males with secondary education, on average. Overall, 54.3% of them does not own or is leasing land, and 47.8% works independently from any organizations; the rest belongs to a few cooperatives. The farmers have access to little input and investment funds, and their labor is framed within their households, without salaries; their main way of sustenance is not goat breeding. The herds comprised between 1 and 54 goats, of which 27.5% are milking females. The systems were classified into three types, considering the total of goats, grazing hours, milking goats, years of experience, educational level, and family members engaged in the activity. The first group showed a higher educational level, longer grazing time, and a larger number of animals; the second averaged 5 hours of grazing and eighth grade of education. The indicators in these two groups were higher than in the third group. Conclusions: Household goat production systems were characterized in the municipality of Camagüey, which will contribute to more strategic work projects that promote local sustainable development.

Resumen Antecedentes: En el mundo las cabras siempre han estado unida al hombre por la calidad de sus producciones de carne, leche y lana fundamentalmente, el objetivo es presentar las características generales de los sistemas familiares de producción caprina del municipio Camagüey, Cuba. Métodos: Se aplicó una encuesta estructurada a 46 productores familiares, en áreas urbanas y suburbanas de la ciudad de Camagüey, Cuba. Se empleó la estadística descriptiva y un análisis de conglomerados jerárquicos para clasificar los sistemas. Resultados: Todos los criadores son mayores de 20 años, predomina el nivel educacional secundario y los hombres. El 54,3 % no dispone de tierras propias o arrendadas y el 47,8 % no pertenece a ninguna asociación productiva, el resto es miembro de alguna cooperativa. Poseen pocos insumos e inversiones y realizan un trabajo familiar no asalariado, su principal sustento no son las cabras. Los rebaños tenían entre 1 y 54 caprinos, de ellos 27,5 % de hembras en ordeño. Los sistemas se clasificaron en tres tipos teniendo en cuenta el total de cabras, horas de pastoreo, cabras en ordeño, años de experiencia, nivel educacional y familiares criando. En el primer grupo tienen un mayor nivel escolar, superior tiempo de pastoreo y número de animales, el segundo grupo promedia cinco horas de pastoreo y octavo grado de escolaridad, contando ambos con indicadores superiores al tercer grupo. Conclusiones: Se caracterizaron los sistemas familiares de producción caprina del municipio Camagüey lo que permitirá realizar proyectos de trabajo estratégicos que contribuyan a su desarrollo local sostenible.

Resumen Antecedentes: Los residuos de la producción de palmito de Palma Real podrian utilizarse como ensilaje para alimentación de rumiantes. Objetivo: Determinar la composición, parámetros químicos de fermentación, y calidad del ensilaje elaborado a partir de residuos procedentes de la producción de palmito de Palma Real. Métodos: Tres tipos de ensilaje hechos con los residuos generados a partir de la producción de palmito fueron evaluados: 1) ensilaje de hojas, 2) ensilaje de vainas, y 3) ensilaje compuesto (hojas + vainas). Los residuos tratados fueron empacados en silos experimentales y distribuidos en un diseño completamente al azar con 10 repeticiones. Las medias fueron comparadas mediante la prueba de Tukey, con un nivel de significancia del 5%. Resultados: El ensilaje de hojas mostró el pH más alto (p<0,05) y el nivel más bajo de nitrógeno amoniacal (p<0,05) en comparación con los otros ensilajes. No se observaron diferencias (p>0,05) en los ácidos láctico y butírico, mientras que el ácido acético fue mayor en el ensilaje de vainas y en el compuesto en relación con el otro ensilaje. La materia seca (MS) y el contenido de proteína cruda (PC) fueron mayores (p<0,05) en el ensilaje de hojas. Los contenidos de fibra detergente neutra fueron mayores (p<0,05) en los ensilajes de vainas, seguido por los ensilajes de hojas y compuesto, respectivamente. El contenido de lignina fue más alto (p<0,05) en el ensilaje de vainas. Conclusiones: Según los parámetros fermentativos, los residuos de la producción de palmito de Palma Real tienen potencial para la producción de ensilaje. Sin embargo, se deben considerar las diferencias en la composición de los ensilajes al momento de alimentar rumiantes.

Abstract Background: Production of heart-of-palm from Alexander palm tree generates a waste that could be used as silage for feeding ruminants. Objective: To evaluate the chemical composition, fermentation parameters, and quality of silage made from waste of heart-of-palm production using Alexander palm. Methods: Three types of silage made from waste of heart-of-palm production were evaluated: 1) leaf silage, 2) sheath silage, and 3) compound (leaf + sheath) silage. The processed waste was packed in experimental silos and distributed in a completely randomized design with 10 replications. Means were compared pairwise using Tukey’s test at the 5% significance level. Results: Leaf silage had the highest pH (p<0.05) and the lowest ammonia nitrogen (p<0.05) in relation to the other silages. No difference was observed (p>0.05) for lactic and butyric acids, whereas acetic acid was higher (p<0.05) in the sheath and compound silages. Dry matter and crude protein contents were the highest (p<0.05) in leaf silage. Neutral detergent fiber was higher (p<0.05) in sheath silage, followed by leaf and compound silages, respectively. The highest lignin content (p<0.05) was observed in sheath silage. Conclusions: Based on the fermentative parameters, waste from heart-of-palm from Alexander palm tree has potential for silage production. However, differences in silage composition at the time of feeding ruminants should be considered.

Resumo Antecedentes: Resíduos da produção de palmito da palmeira Real são um problema para a agroindústria devido sua falta de utilização e o seu uso na forma de silagem pode ser uma alternativa na alimentação de ruminantes. Objetivo: Avaliar a composição química e os parâmetros fermentativos, e verificar a qualidade da silagem produzida a partir do resíduo da produção de palmito da Palmeira Real Australiana. Métodos: Foram avaliadas três tipos de silagem de resíduo da produção de palmito da Palmeira Real: silagem de folha, silagem de bainha e silagem da composta (folha + bainha). O resíduo processado foi acondicionado em silos experimentais e distribuídos em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado com 10 repetições e as médias comparadas pelo teste de Tukey a 5% de significância. Resultados: A silagem de folha apresentou maior pH (p<0,05) em relação as demais silagens, enquanto para o nitrogênio amoniacal (p<0,05), apresentou menor teor em relação as demais silagens. Não observou-se diferença (p>0,05) para os ácidos lático e butírico, enquanto o ácido acético foi maior para as silagens de bainha e composta em relação as demais silagens. O teor de matéria seca (MS), proteína bruta (PB) foi maior (p<0,05) na silagem de folha em relação as demais silagens. A fibra em detergente neutro analisada estimada apresentou maiores valores (p<0,05) para a silagem de bainha, seguida pela silagem de folhas e silagem composta, respectivamente. O teor de lignina foi maior (p<0,05) para a silagem de bainha. Conclusões: De acordo com os parâmetros fermentativos, os resíduos da produção de palmito da Palmeira Real apresentam potencial para a produção de silagem. No entanto, as diferenças na composição das silagens devem ser consideradas quando oferecidas para animais ruminantes.