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Abstract The demographical history of France remains largely understudied despite its central role toward understanding modern population structure across Western Europe. Here, by exploring publicly available Europe-wide genotype datasets together with the genomes of 3234 present-day and six newly sequenced medieval individuals from Northern France, we found extensive fine-scale population structure across Brittany and the downstream Loire basin and increased population differentiation between the northern and southern sides of the river Loire, associated with higher proportions of steppe vs. Neolithic-related ancestry. We also found increased allele sharing between individuals from Western Brittany and those associated with the Bell Beaker complex. Our results emphasise the need for investigating local populations to better understand the distribution of rare (putatively deleterious) variants across space and the importance of common genetic legacy in understanding the sharing of disease-related alleles between Brittany and people from western Britain and Ireland.

Plant-pollinator interactions constitute complex mutualistic relationships responsible for the maintenance of the reproduction of flowering plants in different biomes. The genus Centris stands out as one of the main groups of pollinators in the Neotropical region. These bees have a close relationship with floral oil-producing plants, using this resource in the construction of their nests and/or larval feeding. The aim of the present study was to compare the resources exploited by Centris perforator and Centris xanthomelaena and assess the established trophic relationships of these two species in a fragment of dry forest (Caatinga domain). For such, direct observations were made at the flowers and analyses were performed of the pollen load on the body of female bees and the content of the larval provisions in the nests. A strong association was found between the two bee species and plants with poricidal anthers of the genus Chamaecrista, which accounted for more than half of the larval diet in both species. Samples of the pollen load of C. xanthomelaena exhibited a greater diversity of pollen types. While Rhaphiodon echinus was a constant source of nectar for C. xanthomelaena, C. perforator females collected nectar from plants of short, rapid flowering, such as Cenostigma microphyllum and Tabebuia aurea. Malpighia emarginata was the main source of floral oil for both species. However, C. xanthomelaena also interacted with Angelonia cornigera and Krameria sp. to obtain this resource. The similarity in the trophic niche of the species was 57% in the subsamples of pollen on the body of females and 46% for larval provision. The results showed that areas of native vegetation are essential for bee populations in regions with agricultural activity, ensuring a regular supply of ecological resources for these bees.

Contemporary urban ecology views cities as heterogeneous and dynamic ecosystems, composed of biotic, physical, social, and man-made systems. In this context, urban beekeeping stands out as a growing practice that demands further studies. Many species of stingless bees (tribe Meliponini) have adapted to urban areas, while others are more sensitive. The composition of the surroundings where the beehive is located is important for the health of the nests and quality of the bee products. This work used bee capture and release techniques to evaluate the use of this methodology for releasing and monitoring native bees in urban areas and to identify whether proportion of green and gray urban nature areas affect the flying activities of stingless bees in an urban landscape. We used nests of Melipona quadrifasciata (mandaçaia), a species of stingless bee native to the Atlantic Rainforest, from three meliponaries located in different parts of the city of São Paulo. The travel time of bees in the landscape were related to the green urban areas up to 900 m in diameter from the meliponaries. Although we did not find a relationship between green areas and bee return times and numbers, it was noticeable that there was variation between the study areas, indicating that the release and monitoring methodology can be used in urban areas following the recommended modifications.

This research aimed to assess the influence of reusing coir-based substrates on growth, nutrient content, and phytonutrients accumulation in lettuce. The experiment included a new coir pith and four coir-based mixes (1) coir, biochar, and perlite; (2) coir, compost, and perlite; (3) coir, biochar, and pine bark; and (4) coir, compost, and pine bark. All mixes had been previously utilized to grow transplanted spinach and possessed identical ratios of 78:12:10% (v/v) among their components. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv. ‘Godzilla’) seedlings were transplanted into Styrofoam plant boxes. Each day, the planting boxes received a nutrient solution via drip irrigation. Plants grown in reused mixes had similar macronutrient concentrations as those grown in coir for the first time, except for N and K in the third mix. Plants grown in reused mixtures had similar yields as those in new coir. Lettuce heads yielded 4.6–4.9 kg/m2, while plants grown in reused mixtures had equal or higher total phenols than those in new coir. Ascorbic acid content was higher in plants cultivated in reused mixes. Coir-based growing media can be reused for another short-cycle crop, like lettuce, without yield loss or phytonutrients decrease.

The purpose of this study was to develop substrates with little or no peat by combining coir-based growing media with municipal compost and/or acacia biochar, two locally produced renewable resources, and to assess their effects on lettuce seedling emergence and growth, as well as their content in photosynthetic pigments and total phenols. Two experiments were carried out, the first with six mixes using compost and biochar blended with perlite, pine bark, and blonde peat to adjust some physicochemical characteristics. The mixes of coir: compost: pine bark: blonde peat (73:12:5:10, v/v) and coir: compost: biochar: blonde peat (73:12:10:5, v/v) had physicochemical characteristics closer to or within the normal range of the substrates. The presence of 12% compost and 10% biochar in the mixtures had no adverse effect on lettuce seed germination and cumulative seed emergence, which ranged from 90 to 99%. The seedling growth in those mixes was vigorous and higher than in other mixtures. Coir-based growing media with municipal solid waste compost and compost plus biochar can reduce the use of peat to a percentage of 5–10% v/v and the use of 17–22% v/v of locally produced renewable resources. In addition, mixtures affected the total phenol content in the lettuce leaves. Future research is needed to assess the behavior of seedlings after their transplantation.

Introduction: The lack of knowledge about the existence, effectiveness, and supply of emergency contraception as well as access to it, its effective duration and the lack of recognition of the need for its use can prevent women from using it. The aim of this study was to ascertain the attitudes, experience, level of knowledge and information sources about emergency contraception of Portuguese female users of healthcare services. Material and Methods: We conducted a multicentre, cross-sectional, observational study among 280 Portuguese women users of health care services through an original and anonymous questionnaire composed of 30 questions. Results: The mean age of the women who replied to the questionnaire was 33.83 ± 8.76 years. Of the observed sample, 27.7% used EC, 50% of whom with no counselling. Despite 92.1% of women claiming knowledge about emergency contraception, only 31.2% of these answered 8 - 10 questions correctly (14 in total). The media were the most frequent source of information (63.4%). Most participants (67.5%) considered that emergency contraception is associated with severe adverse reactions. Furthermore, 76% did not know the time range of effectiveness after unprotected sexual intercourse. Youngest age (p = 0.038), higher education level (p < 0.001), increasing parity (p = 0.051) and previous use of emergency contraception (p = 0.011) were identified as the determinant sociodemographic factors for a higher level of knowledge about emergency contraception. Discussion: The use of emergency contraception after counselling by healthcare professionals was lower than reported in the literature. Conclusion: This study showed that female users of healthcare services were aware of the existence of emergency contraception, but they demonstrated a low level of knowledge about it, especially regarding the correct period of use, place of acquisition and safety issues.

Crepuscular and/or nocturnal bees fly during the dusk, the dawn or part of the night. Due to their short foraging time and sampling bias toward diurnal bees, nocturnal bees are rarely collected and poorly studied. So far, they have been mostly sampled with light and Malaise traps. However, synthetic chemical compounds resembling floral volatiles were recently found to be a promising alternative to attract these bees. By reviewing available literature and collecting original data, we present information on the attraction and sampling of nocturnal bees with scent-baited traps. Bees were actively captured with entomological nets while approaching to filter papers moistened with distinct chemical compound, or passively caught in bottles with scent baits left during the night. So far, all data available are from the Neotropics. Nocturnal bees belonging to three genera, i.e., Ptiloglossa, Megalopta, and Megommation were attracted to at least ten different synthetic compounds and mixtures thereof, identified from bouquets of flowers with nocturnal anthesis. Aromatic compounds, such as 2-phenyletanol, eugenol and methyl salicylate, and the monoterpenoid eucalyptol were the most successful in attracting nocturnal bees. We highlight the effectiveness of olfactory methods to survey crepuscular and nocturnal bees using chemical compounds typically reported as floral scent constituents, and the possibility to record olfactory preferences of each bee species to specific compounds. We suggest to include this method in apifauna surveys in order to improve our current knowledge on the diversity of nocturnal bees in different ecosystems.

The use of municipal solid waste compost (MSW) and biochar, two renewable resources with a low carbon footprint as components of substrates, may be an alternative to reducing peat and coir usage. The aim of this study was to assess the suitability of selectively collected MSW and biochar as components of the coir-based substrate to spinach grown. An experiment was carried out to evaluate five substrates, coir and four coir-based blends (coir + biochar + perlite, coir + municipal waste compost + perlite, coir + biochar + pine bark, and coir + biochar + pine bark) with 12% (v/v) MSW or biochar and 10% (v/v) perlite or pine bark. Spinach seedlings were transplanted into Styrofoam planting boxes filled with the substrate. Each planting box was irrigated daily by drip with a complete nutrient solution. Plants grown with MSW had a higher content of calcium. Shoot Mn increased in the biochar-containing mixes. The shoot dry weight of the plants grown in the different blends was higher than those grown in coir. Fresh yield was higher in mixes with MSW and perlite (3 kg/m2) or pine bark (2.87 kg/m2). Total phenols and DPPH antioxidant activity were not affected by the substrates. However, shoot ascorbate (AsA) content was higher or equal to those plants grown in coir. MSW and biochar are alternatives to reduce the use of coir and peat.

ABSTRACT Objective: Analyze the results of knowledge production from a graduate program for master’s degree in nursing. Method: This is a qualitative retrospective documentary study. Data were collected from the university library repository and the program website. In total, 83 dissertations were found, analyzed and arranged into five groups: worker’s health, care management, systematization of nursing care, health education, and nursing care. Results: The results indicate good practices such as manuals, guides, protocols, software, and products for systematization of care. They indicate concern about changing the reality with care practices and interventions, health education and continuing education. Final considerations: This study showed student commitment to the fields of practice when choosing the project theme. Students presented an intention to improve care, management, education and research, in the various dimensions of the profession.

Editorial Essay

One of the main premises of the Dentistry curricular guidelines is the integration of knowledge, bringing together the basic, clinical and public health areas. The aim of this research was to understand how the contents of the “basic cycle” contribute to dentists’ academic training. A qualitative study was performed, and developed through interviews of focal groups consisting of students from 2nd to 4th semester. The analysis produced five categories: decontextualization of social sciences, curricular structure, the gap between the basic and professional cycles, student resignation to the “basic cycle”, and teachers at the core of the process. It was concluded that the dichotomy between the basic and professional cycles complicates curricular integration and compromises students' commitment to their graduation. As a result, it is necessary to incorporate the principles provided in the Dentistry curricular guidelines, such as students’ proactive behavior towards the learning process and the teacher's role as a facilitator.

Herein, we describe nests of the orchid bee Euglossa cordata that were constructed in cavities of Aechmea distichantha (Bromeliaceae) stolons. We present data about nest and cell size, number of adults and brood, and analyses of larval provisions. The presence of E. cordata carcasses embedded in the resin of nest partitions indicates that these nests were used by multiple generations. Based on larval provisioning, E. cordata is polylectic and relies heavily on a few plant species.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of nitrogen source applied by fertigation to an enriched soil with organic compost on plant growth, mineral nutrition, and phytochemical contents in two successive harvests in coriander. The treatments were as follows: unfertilized soil, soil enriched with organic compost, and soil enriched with organic compost to which 60 kg N ha−1 as ammonium nitrate and as ammonium sulfate applied by fertigation were added. Ammonium nitrate addition allowed to obtain a high total fresh yield (3.6 kg m−2) with a low inorganic nitrogen input. Ammonium nitrate increased plant shoot dry weight; fresh yield; and shoot N, K, and Ca uptake in the first harvest. Ammonium nitrate relative to organic compost and to ammonium sulfate increased fresh yield by approximately 57 and 25%, respectively. However, ammonium sulfate in the first harvest greatly increased shoot total phenols, from 137 mgGAE/100 g FW in ammonium nitrate to 280.4 mgGAE/100 g FW. Coriander’s fresh yield, in the second harvest, was unaffected by nitrogen addition. However, ammonium nitrate increased shoot total phenols and FRAP activity. Overall, the shoot phytochemical accumulation in the second harvest was lower than in the first. The combined application of ammonium nitrate and organic compost is a strategy to reduce inorganic nitrogen application.

Bees are typically diurnal but around 1% of described species have nocturnal activity. Nocturnal bees are still poorly studied due to bias towards studying diurnal insects. However, knowledge concerning their biology and role as crop pollinators has increased. We review the literature on nocturnal bees’ traits and their host plants, and assess the crop pollination effectiveness of this neglected group. Nocturnal bees have visual adaptations to cope with low light intensities, and floral scents are a key sensory cue used to find their host flowers. Nocturnal bees generally show high flower constancy, the ability to vibrate flowers, and high transfer rates of pollen grains to stigmas. The flowers visited by nocturnal bees range from small radial and zygomorphic flowers to large brush blossoms; moreover, they visit plants with different flowering strategies. Nocturnal bees are effective pollinators of regional fruit crops in Brazil, such as cambuci (Campomanesia phaea), guaraná (Paullinia cupana), cajá (Spondias mombin), and in North America of cultivated pumpkins (Cucurbita species). However, they most likely are pollinators of several other crops. Strategies to host high numbers of nocturnal bees around cropping areas should be taken, such as preserving adjacent native forests, restricting soil management, providing food resources beyond crop flowers, and avoiding light pollution.

The effects of four commercial substrates, a peat-based substrate, and three coir types (coir pith, coir chips, and coir pith + fibers) on yield, phytochemical accumulation, and antioxidant activity were evaluated in Spinacia oleracea L. cv. ‘Manatee’. Soil-blocked spinach seedlings were transplanted into Styrofoam planting boxes filled with the substrate. Each planting box was irrigated daily by drip with a complete nutrient solution, and the irrigation scheduling was optimized to the peat. Leaf area and fresh yield in coir pith and coir pith + fiber were similar to those obtained in peat. However, shoot dry weight accumulation and leaf chlorophyll were lower in plants grown in coir. Substrate type did not affect leaf carotenoids. Total flavonoid content was higher in plants grown in the different types of coir. Total phenols and antioxidant activity (DPPH) were higher in plants grown in coir pith. This indicates that the different coir types, mainly coir pith, may provide an alternative to peat since they allowed a high fresh yield to be reached and the total flavonoids to be increased. In contrast, the levels of other phytochemicals and antioxidant activity were usual for spinach. However, further research is necessary to analyze the effects of irrigation scheduling and the nutrient solution adjusted to each growing medium on yield and phytochemical accumulation.

The solitary bees that use preexisting cavities can be captured in trap-nests allowing to collect data on nesting biology and associated organisms. This man-made trap-nest facilitates the understanding of environmental components and landscape composition in the fauna of solitary bees. Here, we aimed to increase the knowledge about trap-nesting bee species from four protected areas Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil and to test how abiotic local environmental components (temperature and rainfall) and forest cover affects the trap-nesting bee fauna. We recorded occupants from 847 nests founded by 17 bee species and seven cleptoparasite bees, associated to their host, summing 24 bee species sampled. The family with highest species richness was Megachilidae, and the species with the largest number of founded nests was Tetrapedia diversipes Klug (Apidae). Diptera, coleoptera, and hymenoptera parasitized 15.2% of the founded nests. The period of highest nest occupation occurred between November and February, which correspond to the warmest and most humid months in the region. We found significant positive correlation between the number of nests and monthly accumulated rainfall. We verified that Boraceia and Ilhabela have the best status conservation based on native forest cover and we sampled the highest diversity of species in these areas. We improved the knowledge on trap-nesting bees communities from Atlantic Forest on new species sampled in this biome with their nesting biology and highlighted that rainfall influences positively the nest founding throughout the year and native forest cover influences diversity of species.

In this study, we evaluated the effects of municipal solid waste compost supplemented with inorganic N on the physicochemical properties of soil, plant growth, nitrate concentration, and antioxidant activity in spinach. Experiments were carried out in neutral and acidic soils that were low in organic matter. A fertilized soil was used as a control, while four compost treatments—two compost rates of 35 and 70 t ha−1, supplemented or not with inorganic N (92 kg N ha−1 as Ca (NO3)2)—were applied by fertigation. The addition of compost increased the soil organic matter content and pH in both soils. The compost supplementation with N greatly increased the shoot dry weight and spinach fresh yield by nearly 109%. With the highest compost rate and 43% N applied, the yield increased in both soils, similar to results obtained in fertilized soil (3.8 kg m−2). The combined application of compost and N could replace inorganic P and K fertilization to a significant extent. The compost application at both rates and in both soils considerably decreased shoot Mn concentrations.

Meiosis is a differentiated program of the cell cycle that is characterized by high levels of recombination followed by two nuclear divisions. In fission yeast, the genetic program during meiosis is regulated at multiple levels, including transcription, mRNA stabilization, and splicing. Mei4 is a forkhead transcription factor that controls the expression of mid-meiotic genes. Here, we describe that Fkh2, another forkhead transcription factor that is essential for mitotic cell-cycle progression, also plays a pivotal role in the control of meiosis. Fkh2 binding preexists in most Mei4-dependent genes, inhibiting their expression. During meiosis, Fkh2 is phosphorylated in a CDK/Cig2-dependent manner, decreasing its affinity for DNA, which creates a window of opportunity for Mei4 binding to its target genes. We propose that Fkh2 serves as a placeholder until the later appearance of Mei4 with a higher affinity for DNA that induces the expression of a subset of meiotic genes.

In this article, we present a new corpus of writing and speech of children (Portuguese L1) in the early years of schooling: EFFE-On. Its content is available online for research, addressing mainly teachers, linguists and speech therapists. The EFFE-On was developed within the project “Do you write as you speak - Do you speak as you write?” in the Linguistic Centre of the University of Lisbon. Among other applications, the corpus enables: the identification of unconventional spellings; the comparison of unconventional spellings and their corresponding pronunciations; the assistance of the development and adaptation of educational and therapeutic materials; the study of phonological, morphological, syntactic, discursive and other aspects related to the text produced by children

The peptide ERα17p, which corresponds to the 295-311 fragment of the hinge/AF2 domains of the human estrogen receptor α (ERα), exerts apoptosis in breast cancer cells through a mechanism involving the G protein-coupled estrogen-dependent receptor GPER. Besides this receptor-mediated mechanism, we have detected a direct interaction (Kd value in the micromolar range) of this peptide with lipid vesicles mimicking the plasma membrane of eukaryotes. The reversible and not reversible pools of interacting peptide may correspond to soluble and aggregated membrane-interacting peptide populations, respectively. By using circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, we have shown that the interaction of the peptide with this membrane model was associated with its folding into β sheet. A slight leakage of the 5(6)-fluorescein was also observed, indicating lipid bilayer permeability. When the peptide was incubated with living breast cancer cells at the active concentration of 10 μM, aggregates were detected at the plasma membrane under the form of spheres. This insoluble pool of peptide, which seems to result from a fibrillation process, is internalized in micrometric vacuoles under the form of fibrils, without evidence of cytotoxicity, at least at the microscopic level. This study provides new information on the interaction of ERα17p with breast cancer cell membranes as well as on its mechanism of action, with respect to direct membrane effects.

Floral scent is an important component of the trait repertoire of flowering plants, which is used to attract and manipulate pollinators. Despite advances during the last decades about the chemicals released by flowers, there is still a large gap in our understanding of chemical communication between flowering plants and their pollinators. We analyzed floral scents of guarana (Paullinia cupana, Sapindaceae), an economically important plant of the Amazon, using chemical analytical approaches, and determined the attractiveness of the scent to its nocturnal bee pollinators using behavioral assays in the field. Pollen loads of attracted bees were also analyzed. Inflorescences of guarana emit strong scents, both during day and at night, with some semi-quantitative differences between day- and night-time scents. Synthetic scent mixtures containing some of the identified floral scent components, including the most abundant ones, i.e., linalool and (E)-β-ocimene, successfully attracted the nocturnal Megalopta bee pollinators. Pollen analyses revealed that many of the attracted bees had pollen grains from previous visits to guarana flowers on their bodies. Overall, our data show that guarana flowers attract nocturnal bee visitors by their strong scents and suggest that the chemical communication between this plant and its pollinators is a key component in crop production of this economically important plant species.

Bees use floral colour as a major long distance orientation cue. While it is known for bumblebees and honeybees that dominant wavelength (≙ colour hue), colour contrast and spectral purity (≙ saturation) are crucial for flower detection and discrimination, only little is known about colour preferences in stingless bees (Meliponini). In this experiment freely flying workers of two Brazilian species of stingless bees-Partamona helleri and Melipona bicolor-were tested for colour preferences concerning the colour parameters dominant wavelength, spectral purity and intensity (≙ brightness). Each individual bee had to perform 57 tests, in which a definite series of dual choices between colour stimuli varying in intensity, spectral purity or dominant wavelength were presented. The results show that P. helleri chose colours of higher spectral purity and preferred bluish colours, while M. bicolor made generalized colour choices. Intensity did not influence the colour choice of any bee species. The results of P. helleri are consistent with findings for honeybees and bumblebees, while colour preferences in M. bicolor seem to be absent.

Reproductive conflict expressed as aggression is common in social Hymenoptera. In eusocial species, as in honeybees, several mechanisms alleviate the conflicts and reduce aggressive interactions. Unlike their sister group, the orchid bees do not exhibit eusociality. Instead, most of the species seem to have lost sociality and some species have retained vestigial social behaviour. In the current study we investigated the aggressive interactions of females of Euglossa annectans Dressler through five generations of phylopatry and reuse of the natal nest. Although network analysis indicates that central individuals, those with more interactions, were more commonly the aggressors and others were more commonly the recipients, multiple attacks and several potential dominant female within the nest indicated a labile sociality. This suggests that there is an unstable social hierarchy in the species. Euglossa annectans, despite having overlapping generations, during which several individuals share a nest, there is no division of labour into reproductive and interactions are often competitive. Aggressive behaviours conducted by multiple fertile females were often followed by egg, larvae or pupae replacement.

The effects of three commercial substrates (a mixture of forest residues, composted grape husks, and white peat, black peat and coir) on plant growth and nitrogen (N) and nitrate (NO3) concentration and content were evaluated in spinach (Spinacia oleracea L. cv. Tapir). Spinach seedlings were transplanted at 45 days after emergence into Styrofoam boxes filled with the substrates and were grown during winter and early spring in an unheated greenhouse with no supplemental lighting. Each planting box was irrigated daily by drip and fertilized with a complete nutrient solution. The NO3 content of the drainage water was lower in coir than in the other substrates. However, shoot NO3 concentration was not affected by substrate type, while yield and total shoot N and NO3 content were greater when plants were grown in peat than in the mixed substrate or the coir. Leaf chlorophyll meter readings provided a good indication of the amount of N in the plants and increased linearly with total shoot N.

The aim of the present work was to investigate the influence of laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) produced by femtosecond laser on the friction behavior of silicon sliding on polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) in unlubricated conditions. Tribological tests were performed on polished and textured samples in air using a ball-on-flat nanotribometer, in order to evaluate the friction coefficient of polished and textured silicon samples, parallel and perpendicularly to the LIPSS orientation. In the polished specimens, the friction coefficient decreases with testing time at 5 mN, while it increases slightly at 25 mN. It also decreases with increasing applied load. For the textured specimens, the friction coefficient tends to decrease with testing time in both sliding directions studied. In the parallel sliding direction, the friction coefficient decreases with increasing load, attaining values similar to those measured for the polished specimen, while it is independent of the applied load in the perpendicular sliding direction, exhibiting values lower than in the two other cases. These results can be explained by variations in the main contributions to friction and in the wear mechanisms. The influence of the temperature increase at the interface and the consequent changes in the crystalline phases of PTFE are also considered.

The fatty acid signature of sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus (L.) muscle was used as a tool to detect feeding strategies used during the parasitic marine trophic phase of the species. Adult sea lampreys were collected near the mouth of six Portuguese rivers (Minho, Lima, Douro, Vouga, Mondego and Tagus) and muscle fatty acid profile was characterized. The analysis of fatty acid composition of muscle neutral lipids showed the formation of two groups, indicating that two feeding strategies may have been used by sea lampreys during the parasitic phase, based on the availability of ω-3 and ω-6 PUFA and on evidence of phytoplankton/zooplankton and bacterial detritus contribution in the sea lamprey host preferences. Two distinct lipid profiles were observed, probably related to two different trophic approaches, one typical of a top predator of a marine food web with a planktonic support, and the other much more diverse, including the same planktonic markers, together with biochemical clues that probably resulted from a parasitic phase that directly targeted fish that consumed detritus and benthic algae and/or fish from a food web with a detritivorous base.

Nests of Hylaeus aff. guaraniticus (Schrottky, 1906) were parasited by females of Gasteruption brachychaetum Schrottky, 1906 in trap nests in São Paulo (Brazil). This is thefirst host record of a Gasteruptiidae in the Neotropical Region. The behavior of a G.brachychaetum female entering a host's nest is described as follows: an inquiline female hovered near the host's nest, landed and detected that a female of H. aff. guaraniticus was inside the nest, waited for the host female to fly out, entered backwards into the nest, remained there for almost six minutes, and then went out the nest. The development time of immature stages of G.brachychaetum varied between 16 and 299 days.Ninhos de Hylaeus aff. guaraniticus (Schrottky, 1906)foram parasitados por fêmeas de Gasteruption brachychaetum Schrottky, 1906 em ninhos-armadilha em São Paulo (Brasil). Este é o primeiro registro de hospedeiro de um Gasteruptiidae na região Neotropical. O comportamento de uma fêmea entrando no ninho do hospedeiro é descrito: a fêmea inquilina pairou sobre o ninho do hospedeiro, pousou e detectou que a fêmea de H. aff. guaraniticus estava dentro do ninho, esperou a fêmea hospedeira voar para fora do ninho, entrou de costas no ninho, permanecendo no local por quase seis minutos, em seguida, partiu voando. O tempo de desenvolvimento dos imaturos de G.brachychaetum variou entre 16 e 229 dias.

This study shows the influence of climatic factors and the nectar and pollen collection by Melipona quadrifasciata in a natural habitat. Five colonies were studied in Parque das Neblinas, Mogi das Cruzes district (23º44’52”S/46º09’46”W), from October 2009 to September 2010. The flight activity of the bees was observed monthly, the temperature and relative humidity were registered using dataloggers and pollen loads were analyzed. The peaks of pollen collection occurred between 8:30-9:50am, while nectar is gathering along the day. The relation of resources sampling and environmental temperature is best described with a polynomial function, while in relation to relative humidity the curves of foraging activity is slightly asymmetric to left. A total of 24 pollen types were identified and the most frequents were Eucalyptus, Melastomataceae, Solanaceae and Myrcia. The tolerance to the environmental conditions is discussed, as well as the plants explored for pollen sources.

The interaction of bees with the tristylous flowers of Oxalis cytisoides Mart. & Zucc. (Oxalidaceae) was evaluated. The study was conducted in a semideciduous forest at the Fritz Plaumann State Park in Concórdia, Santa Catarina state. Two Oxalis cytisoides aggregations were found and the flower visiting bees were observed. The 3 floral morphs were found at the following proportions: 16 long-, 37 mid-, and 34 shortstyled individuals (n=87). Anthesis lasted one day (6:30 AM to 3 PM). No fruit was formed in the autogamy test; thus, pollination was dependent on the visitors. The pollen grain size varied between the stamens and morphs and formed subsets in accordance with the stigma height (long/mid/short). We collected 165 bees from 30 species visiting the flowers. Hypanthium divaricatum was the most abundant bee species (34%) and the males were often observed patrolling the flowers in search of females for mating. Analysis of the pollen loads from 34 females showed that 27 carried O. cytisoides pollen. The most frequent bees that carried O. cytisoides pollen grains on their bodies were considered pollinator agents, responsible for transferring pollen grains among the floral morphs.

In the last few years, two paradigms underlying human evolution have crumbled. Modern humans have not totally replaced previous hominins without any admixture, and the expected signatures of adaptations to new environments are surprisingly lacking at the genomic level. Here we review current evidence about archaic admixture and lack of strong selective sweeps in humans. We underline the need to properly model differential admixture in various populations to correctly reconstruct past demography. We also stress the importance of taking into account the spatial dimension of human evolution, which proceeded by a series of range expansions that could have promoted both the introgression of archaic genes and background selection.

BACKGROUND:Penetratin is a protein transduction domain derived from the homeoprotein Antennapedia. Thereby it is currently used as a cell penetrating peptide to introduce diverse molecules into eukaryotic cells, and it could also be involved in the cellular export of transcription factors. Moreover, it has been shown that it is able to act as an antimicrobial agent. The mechanisms involved in all these processes are quite controversial. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:In this article, we report spectroscopic, calorimetric and biochemical data on the penetratin interaction with three different phospholipids: phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) to mimic respectively the outer and the inner leaflets of the eukaryotic plasma membrane and phosphatidylglycerol (PG) to mimic the bacterial membrane. We demonstrate that with PC, penetratin is able to form vesicle aggregates with no major change in membrane fluidity and presents no well defined secondary structure organization. With PE, penetratin aggregates vesicles, increases membrane rigidity and acquires an α-helical structure. With PG membranes, penetratin does not aggregate vesicles but decreases membrane fluidity and acquires a structure with both α-helical and β-sheet contributions. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE:These data from membrane models suggest that the different penetratin actions in eukaryotic cells (membrane translocation during export and import) and on prokaryotes may result from different peptide and lipid structural arrangements. The data suggest that, for eukaryotic cell penetration, penetratin does not acquire classical secondary structure but requires a different conformation compared to that in solution.

Entrevista a André Braga e Cláudia Figueiredo, directores artísticos da companhia Circolando, fundada no Porto em 1999.

Este trabalho relata o comportamento agressivo de algumas espécies de abelhas nativas sobre Apis mellifera (espécie introduzida) durante visita as flores de plantas cultivadas no sul de Santa Catarina. Três espécies de Halictidae e Trigona spinipes atacam as abelhas do mel expulsando-as das flores de abóbora (Cucurbita maxima) ou investindo e perseguindo as antes de pousarem nas flores de brócolis (Brassica oleracea). Discute-se a disputa por recursos e a presença de A. mellifera no continente americano.

Artigo sobre as artes do circo.

Resumo: O Sistema Nacional de Avaliação do Ensino Superior tem como objetivo acompanhar os cursos de graduação, permitindo que adequações sejam realizadas, sendo um de seus componentes o Exame Nacional de Desempenho do Estudante (ENADE). O objetivo do estudo foi comparar as questões ¬das provas dos ENADE 2004 e 2010 com os conteúdos das disciplinas do Curso de Odontologia da UFRN a partir da percepção de alunos concluintes e professores. Para consolidação das respostas as disciplinas foram identificadas a partir dos conteúdos previstos nas Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais classificados em ciências básicas, saúde coletiva, propedêutica clínica e clínica odontológica. Observou-se desarticulação entre ciclo básico e ciclo profissionalizante, uma vez que os alunos sinalizaram nas respostas que não há coerência entre a extensa carga horária das disciplinas básicas e os conteúdos abordados sobre estas no ENADE. Uma das limitações para avanço nesta articulação é o isolamento destas disciplinas em Departamentos e Centros de Ciências sem articulação, os quais contribuem para a fragmentação do ensino em disciplinas isoladas e descontextualizadas, situação presente em várias instituições de ensino superior no Brasil. Para transformação desta situação é fundamental a autoavaliação constante que viabilize empoderamento aos atores diretamente envolvidos e interessados em um ensino superior de qualidade.

A modelagem preditiva tem sido aplicada para analisar a distribuição geográfica de espécies, a partir de extrapolações das características ambientais dos locais conhecidos de ocorrência. O interesse por esse tipo de modelagem deve-se à necessidade de respostas rápidas e fundamentadas para as ameaças que as espécies têm enfrentado, devido à perda de habitat, invasão de espécies exóticas, mudanças climáticas, entre outros. Este artigo oferece uma visão geral dos avanços recentes no campo da modelagem e visa incentivar a discussão e aplicação desse método, que pode auxiliar tanto na aquisição de conhecimento básico sobre a biologia das espécies, quanto na análise e formulação de políticas para sua conservação.

Resumo Os visitantes florais são animais que buscam, nas flores, recursos para si ou para sua prole. Às vezes uma mesma planta pode receber um espectro grande de visitantes, como é o caso de espécies cujas flores oferecem muito néctar. Porém, nem todo visitante floral realiza a polinização. Para ser um polinizador efetivo é necessário cumprir alguns requisitos, como: contato com a antera e o estigma, frequência de visita suficiente, fidelidade floral e a realização de uma rota adequada de visitação. Em muitos trabalhos sobre a estrutura de comunidades e, principalmente, sobre a rede trófica (ex. animal-planta), os autores adotam o termo polinizador para todo e qualquer visitante floral, categorizando-os com o mesmo papel e função para a planta. Neste trabalho, relatamos casos de visitantes florais que são polinizadores legítimos e efetivos, dos quais a planta depende de seu serviço para produção de frutos e sementes, distinguindo-os daqueles visitantes que não efetuam a polinização, ou não se tem certeza que o façam. Assim, espera-se ilustrar as diferenças, dando à devida importância e o peso correto para os muitos visitantes. Utilizamos abelhas como modelo, mas a idéia pode ser extrapolada para qualquer outro grupo de polinizador.

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze the development of the labor market in Gerontological Nursing in Brazil, between 1970 and 1996. Method: a descriptive-qualitative study with a historical approach that uses the oral history of 14 research nurses working in the historical period, based on the ideas of Eliot Freidson. Results: Nursing overcame barriers to change the care practices to elderly people in the period described, considering the lack of a specific labor market; the need for theoretical knowledge for Gerontology care; the scarcity of research and researchers in the field; the emergence of caregivers for elderly people; the construction of multidisciplinarity and the transformation of institutions for a long-term stay. Final considerations: the expansion of the labor market at the time was grounded on advances on the production of knowledge of the aging process, supported by the demographic transition, that determined the increase in the demand by elderly people for health services and the enactment of specific laws protecting this population.