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Este artigo relata a experiência de extensão universitária do Grupo Interdisciplinar de Estudos Socioambientais e de Desenvolvimento de Tecnologias Sociais, da Universidade Federal do Amazonas (UFAM), no “Programa Inter-Ação: práticas de sustentabilidade visando o desenvolvimento regional”, no meio urbano e junto a povos e comunidades tradicionais da Amazônia. Os procedimentos metodológicos, baseados no Método Interação (modalidade de pesquisa-ação), abrangem um conjunto de técnicas e instrumentais de coleta de dados: observação participante, grupo focal, dinâmicas de abordagem grupal e outras. O resultado das ações de extensão permitiu: formar competências dinâmicas compromissadas em atuar pelo protagonismo social dos povos amazônidas; fortalecer as organizações dos grupos sociais; disponibilizar subsídios para instituições de políticas públicas com proposições coerentes com os interesses e necessidades dos grupos sociais da região

Increased interest in the study of the relationships between human and nonhuman animals over the past few decades has often focused on what factors shape people’s attitudes and treatment towards nonhuman animals. Some scholars have focused on features of the nonhuman animals (cuteness, intelligence, and utility) and how those features predict human behavior while others have concentrated more on possible human individual differences that influence their attitudes and positive or negative actions towards nonhuman animals. In this study, with 978 participants from five different cross-cultural study sites (Arizona, California, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Spain), we utilized three superordinate categories of animal species representing three “Concentric Circles” surrounding our own (from Kith-Kin, to Domestic, to Wild Animals) to investigate the influence of individual differences and local ecological conditions on empathy and harm avoidance scores across these categories. Specifically, these variables were as follows: (1) a set of variables representing the cross-cultural study sites; (2) a second set of sociodemographic predictors; (3) a developmental Animal Exposure factor; (4) a Dark Inventory factor; (5) an Interpersonal Aggression factor; (6) a KithKin-Empathy factor, measuring emotional and cognitive empathy towards Kith-Kin animals; (7) a Domestic-Empathy factor, measuring emotional and cognitive empathy towards Domestic animals; (8) a Wild-Empathy factor, measuring emotional and cognitive empathy towards Wild animals; and (9) a Harm Avoidance factor. A Cascade Model approach allowed us to integrate many factors (individual differences and local ecological conditions) together in explaining empathy and harm avoidance that have previously been examined only in mutual isolation.

Tillandsia recurvata L. may show morphophysiological plasticity in response to radiation availability, since this species is found in different environments. This work aimed to evaluate the anatomical and physiological modifications of T. recurvata isolated individuals under different shading levels and the consequences of these changes on the growth of this species. The individuals were exposed for 60 days to treatments as follows: full sun (unshaded) and shading of 35%, 75%, and 85%. Growth analyses were performed, and the leaf anatomy and water content were assessed. All plants submitted to full sun or 35% shading died, whereas those under 75% and 85% shading survived. The water content in leaves and rhizomes was higher under 85% shading, and this treatment increased the leaf area and the number of leaves in T. recurvata. Leaf dry mass, leaf elongation rate, biomass allocation to rhizomes, and net assimilation rate were higher under 85% shading. The leaves had a thicker hypodermis, lower proportions of both epidermis and vascular bundles, and a higher proportion of chlorophyll parenchyma under 85% shading. Tillandsia recurvata individuals behave as sciophytic, while the formation of clusters may change microclimate conditions; the behavior of clumped plants must be further investigated. Key words: epiphytic bromeliads, sciophytes, biomass allometry, chlorophyll parenchyma, water content, Introduction Radiation exerts a strong effect on plant growth and development. This is because some of the most important processes of plant survival depend on light, particularly photosynthesis and growth [...]

HIV-negative individuals in serodiscordant partnerships experience reduced risk of HIV acquisition when their partners adhere to ART and achieve undetectable viral loads. Partnership support may encourage ART adherence, reducing viral load and the risk of HIV transmission. This study aims to determine whether HIV viral suppression is associated with partnership status and partnership support among 201 HIV positive (HIV+ individuals in serodiscordant partnerships and 100 HIV+ unpartnered individuals receiving care at Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceição in Porto Alegre, Brazil between 2014 and 2016. Clinical data and patient-reported questionnaire data were assessed, and propensity scores were used to control for confounding variables in adjusted logistic regression models. Viral suppression did not significantly differ between HIV+ partnered (78.5% virally suppressed) and unpartnered (76.0% virally suppressed) individuals. Among individuals in partnerships, viral suppression was significantly associated with having a partner who attended monthly clinic visits (AOR 2.99; 95% CI 1.00-8.93). Instrumental social support-attending monthly visits-may improve the odds of viral suppression among HIV+ individuals in serodiscordant relationships.

ObjectivesHIV-1 heterosexual transmission among individuals on antiretroviral treatment (ART) with undetectable viremia is extremely rare. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of sexual HIV-1 transmission and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in HIV-1 serodifferent couples while the index partner is on ART.MethodsHIV transmission was evaluated in 200 HIV-1 heterosexual serodifferent couples in a stable relationship (≥3 months). All HIV-positive individuals had been on ART for ≥3 months and had been followed up for a median preceding time of 4.5 years (range 0.3-16 years) at the HIV couples clinic at Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceição in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Following written informed consent, participants responded to demographic/behavioral questionnaires. Quantitative PCR for HIV RNA, T-cell subsets, and STI testing (syphilis, herpes, human papillomavirus, gonorrhea, and bacterial vaginosis) were performed. Self-collected vaginal swabs were obtained for quantitative HIV genital viral load testing.ResultsAmong 200 couples, 70% of index partners were female. Five seroconversions were observed; the HIV infection incidence was 2.5% (95% confidence interval 0.8% to 5.7%). Mean plasma viral load results were higher in HIV transmitters compared to non-transmitters (p=0.02). The presence of STIs was significantly greater in couples who seroconverted (60.0% vs. 13.3%; odds ratio 9.75, 95% confidence interval 1.55-61.2; p=0.023). The duration of undetectable HIV viremia and presence of STIs were associated with HIV transmission.ConclusionsUndetectable viremia was the main factor associated with non-transmissibility of HIV in this setting.

BackgroundAn undetectable serum HIV-1 load is key to effectiveness of antiretroviral (ARV) therapy, which depends on adherence to treatment. We evaluated factors possibly associated with ARV adherence and virologic response in HIV-infected heterosexual individuals.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in 200 HIV-1 serodiscordant couples and 100 unpartnered individuals receiving ARV treatment at a tertiary hospital in southern Brazil. All subjects provided written informed consent, answered demographic/behavioral questionnaires through audio computer-assisted self-interviews (ACASI), and collected blood and vaginal samples for biological markers and assessment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). HIV-negative partners were counseled and tested for HIV-1.ResultsThe study population mean age was 39.9 years, 53.6% were female, 62.5% were Caucasian, 52.6% had incomplete or complete elementary education, 63.1% resided in Porto Alegre. Demographic, behavioral and biological marker characteristics were similar between couples and single individuals. There was an association between adherence reported on ACASI and an undetectable serum viral load (P