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A comparative education analysis between the competence-based curriculum deployed at the Deusto University and the Tiradentes University was done. The analysis has focused on the following aspects: Educational theories; Curriculum design; Psycho-pedagogical guidelines; Teaching, learning and evaluation methodologies; Planning of execution; Results/Impacts. The set of information of the Tiradentes University was coming from a pilot project on the implementation of competence-based education, which was conducted by the authors of this article during 2012 and 2013. The data and information from the Deusto University were collected from: reading of institutional and course documents (Administration and Company Direction); Monitoring of classes; and interviews. The results indicated broad convergence of methodologies used and the contribution of both to the improvement of the quality indicators of the courses in these institutions. Moreover, in certain respects each institution has effective contributions of teaching-learning methodologies that can be embraced by the mutual enrichment of competence-based education as practiced by the two universities.

Caiman latirostris is an opportunistic predator found in rivers, mangroves, and wetlands throughout eastern South America. We report here the predation of Tamandua tetradactyla by Caiman latirostris in an old cattle dam in the Serra da Bodoquena National Park, Brazil. The adult caiman was accompanied by its hatchlings that fed on the lacerated parts of the Lesser anteater and possibly the insects attracted by the carcass. Although Caiman latirostris acts as a fundamental organism for the balance of ecosystems, most of the species` diet records are anecdotal, making this record relevant for understanding the ecology of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The monocot family Cyclanthaceae (Pandanales) comprises ca. 230 known species in 12 genera restricted to the Neotropics. The family has not been the subject of a species‐level molecular phylogenetic study to date, with multiple evolutionary and biogeographic questions about Cyclanthaceae still unanswered. In this study, we address genus‐ and species‐level relationships and the historical biogeography of Cyclanthaceae based on a broadly sampled molecular phylogeny. Two low‐copy nuclear genes (phyC, rpb2) and five plastid regions (atpB‐rbcL, psbA‐trnH, trnL‐trnF, trnQ‐rps16, matK) representing 99 species and all genera of Cyclanthaceae were sampled, spanning the taxonomic and biogeographic diversity of the family. Our results strongly support the monophyly of all Cyclanthaceae genera and confirm previously proposed hypotheses of intergeneric relationships. Infrageneric relationships are generally well supported, with some exceptions in the genus Asplundia that may require a broader sampling to clarify. The early diversification of Cyclanthaceae is estimated to date back to the Paleocene‐Eocene period in South America, where the family possibly arrived through a boreotropical route. The origin of most genera is inferred from the Paleocene of the Tumbes‐Chocó‐Magdalena region, possibly indicating an earlier origin for this biodiversity hotspot. The current distribution of Cyclanthaceae is likely to have been strongly influenced by major biogeographical events in the Neotropics, such as the uplift of the Andes and the opening of the South America dry diagonal. Further studies that include a broader sample of the large Asplundia‐Dicranopygium clade and Sphaeradenia group are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the first part of this review of the impact record of South America, we have presented an up-to-date introduction to impact processes and to the criteria to identify/confirm an impact structure and related deposits, as well as a comprehensive examination of Brazilian impact structures. The current paper complements the previous one, by reviewing the impact record of other countries of South America and providing current information on a number of proposed impact structures. Here, we also review those structures that have already been discarded as not being formed by meteorite impact. In addition, current information on impact-related deposits is presented, focusing on impact glasses and tektites known from this continent, as well as on the rare K–Pg boundary occurrences revealed to date and on reports of possible large airbursts. We expect that this article will not only provide systematic and up-to-date information on the subject, but also encourage members of the South American geoscientific community to be aware of the importance of impact cratering and make use of the criteria and tools to identify impact structures and impact deposits, thus potentially contributing to expansion and improvement of the South American impact record. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Earth's impact record is known to be rather limited in both time and space. There are ca. 190 impact structures currently known on Earth, representing a minor fraction of all the impact events that contributed to the initial formation of our protoplanet, and then to formation and modification of the surface of the planet. Moreover, the distribution of impact structures on Earth is manifestly uneven. One continent that stands out for its relatively small number of confirmed impact structures and impact ejecta occurrences is South America. The limited impact record for this large continent makes a robust case that there is a significant potential for further discoveries. Significant information on the impact record of South America is dispersed in different types of publications (journal articles, books, conferences abstracts, etc.), and in several languages, making it difficult to access and disseminate it among the geoscientific community. We aim to present a summary of the current knowledge of the impact record of this continent, encompassing the existing literature on the subject. It is published in two parts, with the first one covering an up-to-date introduction to impact cratering processes and to the criteria to identify/confirm an impact structure and related deposits. This is followed by a comprehensive analysis of the Brazilian impact structures. The Brazilian impact record accounts for the totality of the large structures of this kind currently confirmed in South America. The second part will examine the impact record of other countries in South America, provide information about a number of proposed impact structures, and review those that already have been discarded as not being formed by impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Abstract: Barrel racing is one of the most popular uses of the American Quarter horse in North and South America. Although injury to the metacarpophalangeal joint frequently occurs in this sport, there is limited information describing the nature of these injuries. The aim of this study was to determine the most common radiographic abnormalities in barrel racing horses with lameness referable to the metacarpophalangeal joint. Lameness examinations were performed on 63 barrel racing horses. Those found to be lame were subjected to radiographic examination. Lameness at trot was scored on a scale of 0-5 (0 = sound; 5 = inability to move). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis. Of horses examined, 30 (47.6%) were lame with scores ranging from 1 to 4. Half of the lame horses (15 of 30) had grade 2 lameness of the right forelimb. Abnormal radiographic findings were more often present on the left forelimb and included signs of sesamoiditis (70%), villonodular synovitis (56.6%), osteoarthritis (36.6%), osteochondritis dissecans (13.3%), capsulitis (13.3%), and soft-tissue swelling (6.6%). Radiographic abnormalities indicated that sesamoiditis, villonodular synovitis, and osteoarthritis may be associated to mild-to-moderate lameness in barrel racing horses. Complementary sonographic evaluation is recommended to better characterize soft-tissue abnormalities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The barks of Anacardium occidentale (cashew tree) been used for centuries in the popular pharmacopoeia of South America and West Africa for the treatment of infections and neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the biological effect of the ethanolic extract of the barks against strains of Candida spp. and cancer cell lines, as well as identifying the chemical constituents present in the product. For that, the extract was submitted to an UPLC-QTOF/MS, which mass fragments were compared in the literature at the botanical family level. For antifungal activity, the serial microdilution method was used in varying concentrations, and the modifier of fluconazole in sub-inhibitory concentrations (CFM/16). Cytotoxicity was evaluated using the MTT method [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazol bromide] in five cell lines (HL-60, NCI–H292, HCT-116, P815 and L929). Eight compounds were identified, including gallic acid, luteolin, epicatechin gallate and agathisflavone. An antifungal effect of the extract was observed for the strains of Candida albicans , Candida krusei and Candida tropicalis , with IC 50 lower than 400 μg/mL. In addition, there was a synergistic action with fluconazole against C. albicans and C. tropicalis. As for antitumor activity, there was a moderate activity against all cancer lines, showing low cytotoxicity for the normal line, making the extract an excellent candidate for drug development. The ethnopharmacological use of A. occidentale by populations for the treatment of DIP's and neurodegenerative diseases, reveal that this organ has biological actions against microorganisms that cause infections, as well as being capable of causing toxicity in cancer cells. • The extract of the bark of A. occidentale has anti- Candida effect. • Anacardium occidentale has the ability to intensify the effect of the antifungal Fluconazole. • The barks of A. occidentale have phenolic acids, flavonoids and tannins. • The bark extract presented a greater cytotoxic activity over tumor cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nucleotide sequence of the S RNA segment of the Oropouche (ORO) virus prototype strain TRVL 9760 was determined and found to be 754 nucleotides in length. In the virion-complementary orientation, the RNA contained two overlapping open reading frames of 693 and 273 nucleotides that were predicted to encode proteins of 231 and 91 amino acids, respectively. Subsequently, the nucleotide sequences of the nucleocapsid genes of 27 additional ORO virus strains, representing a 42 year interval and a wide geographical range in South America, were determined. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that all the ORO virus strains formed a monophyletic group that comprised three distinct lineages. Lineage I contained the prototype strain from Trinidad and most of the Brazilian strains, lineage II contained six Peruvian strains isolated between 1992 and 1998, and two strains from western Brazil isolated in 1991, while lineage III comprised four strains isolated in Panama during 1989.