Newsletter - Annals of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences

ISSUE 63

AABC - volume 95.3 2023

I am very pleased to introduce the regular issue 95-3 of the Annals of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences (AABC)! A total of 40 studies are published here in the following areas: Ecosystems (Ecosy - 10), Engineering Sciences (EnSci - 7), Animal Science (AnSci - 6), Microbiology (Mcbio - 4), Biomedical Sciences (BmSci - 3), Health Sciences (HeSci - 3), Social Sciences (SocSci - 2), Forestry Science (FoSci - 2), Mathematical Sciences (MaSci - 1), Cellular and Molecular Biology (CeMoBio - 1), and Geosciences (Geosci - 1).

The largest number of contributions comes from Ecosystems, with papers on how palm density and grazing affect plant communities, the genetic diversity and population structure of bee species, a review of the effects of mite fauna on apple trees, and a discussion on how traffic education campaigns can mitigate collisions between animals and vehicles.

Among the articles published in Animal Science is a study on the effects of droughts on livestock in semi-arid regions, another that explores the feeding ecology of parrots and macaws in urban areas, and one that discusses the discovery of a presumed extinct species of dwarf gecko from Fernando de Noronha which is based on specimens that were housed in a museum collection.

With regard to Engineering Sciences, this issue of AABC features a discussion on BIOPLAG and plagiarism, and an article that examines different strategies for achieving energy efficiency in crop silage production.

In Health Sciences, there is a systematic review of the effectiveness of turmeric derivatives regarding the medication of peripheral neuropathies in the animal model, as well as a study monitoring the treatments of parasitic diseases in a rural community in Brazil.
I would also like to draw your attention to a paper that discusses differential regional mortality due to COVID-19 (CeMoBio) and to a study about the concepts of Geotourism (Geosci).

As always, I would like to highlight that since 2000 all papers published by the AABC can be downloaded free of charge at the SciELO website (https://www.scielo.br/j/aabc/) and that previous editions of the Newsletter are available on the ABC website (https://www.abc.org.br/publicacoes/anais-abc/newsletter-aabc/). Please let your colleagues know about the publications of the AABC!

Alexander W. A. Kellner
Editor-in-Chief

MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES

1-Integral inequalities for closed linear Weingarten submanifolds in the product spaces

FÁBIO R. DOS SANTOS, SYLVIA F. DA SILVA & ANTONIO F. DE SOUSA

Within the theory of isometric immersions, the characterization of closed submanifolds with one of their constant curvatures by means of integral inequalities is a classic research topic. In our work, we obtain an integral inequality for a more general class of submanifolds, namely, the linear Weingarten submanifolds, in a given product space. As an application, we show that totally umbilical submanifolds and specific products of spheres are the only geometric objects that achieve equality. We emphasize that our result extends the classic Simons' integral inequality to minimal submanifolds on the sphere.

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BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

2- Preparation, optimization and evaluation of Osthole transdermal therapeutic system

MUHAMMAD NAEEM, TANIYA IQBAL, MUHAMMAD YOUSUF, ZARQA NAWAZ, SAJJAD HUSSAIN, ABDULHAKEEM S. ALAMRI, CHARIS M. GALANAKIS & ATIF ALI

Microemulsion based Gel therapeutic system of Osthole is prepared for treating Inflammation and to get rid of oral stomach toxicity. This system will perform sustained effect for prolonged period of time and to get rid of frequest dosing of two to three times a day. This system will produce both systemic and topical effects. In this study, the solubility and permeability of Osthole-loaded microemulsion were enhanced, which increased bioavailability. Box Behnken Design (BBD) was employed for optimizing microemulsions. Variables were related and compared using mathematical equations and response surface plots (RSP).  

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3- Comparative analysis of the biocompatibility of endothelial cells on surfaces treated by thermal plasma and cold atmospheric plasma

ALAN MAX T. SOUZA, JANINE KARLA F. DA SILVA BRAZ, GABRIEL M. MARTINS, JUSSIER DE OLIVEIRA VITORIANO, AURÉLIO G.A. NETO, DAVID M. NERY, VLADIMIR G. SABINO, EUDES E. DE SOUZA LUCENA, HUGO ALEXANDRE DE OLIVEIRA ROCHA, CARLOS AUGUSTO G. BARBOZA, CLODOMIRO A. JÚNIOR & CARLOS EDUARDO B. DE MOURA

The plasma is the fourth matter stage and can use for device surface modification. Two different plasma (non-thermal method and thermal method) had used to treat the titanium surfaces, and we analyzed biocompatibility through the response of human endothelial cells (Ea.hy926) on these surfaces. Titanium surfaces created by both plasma methods improve the endothelial cells biocompatibility methods; however, CAP was more advantageous because the results demonstrate high potential for biomedical applications, besides having low cost and ease of use. 

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4- N-Methyl-(2S,4R)-trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline isolated from Sideroxylon obtusifolium attenuates TPA-induced irritant contact dermatitis in mice P

PAULO IURY G. NUNES, ANA FLÁVIA S.C. VIANA, GREYCE L. SASAHARA, SABRINA M. DOS SANTOS, ANA PAULA N.N. ALVES, EDILBERTO R. SILVEIRA & FLÁVIA A. SANTOS

This article, delves into a promising naturally derived solution. Contact dermatitis, a common skin issue, can be uncomfortable, stigmatizing, and challenging to address. However, we've uncovered a potential treatment: N-methyl-(2S, 4R)-trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline (NMP), derived from the leaves of Sideroxylon obtusifolium, a plant species found in Brazilian territory, known locally as quixaba. Our study demonstrates that NMP serves as a promising topical anti-inflammatory agent, reducing inflammatory mediators and indicators, offering hope for effective relief with a lower risk of adverse effects compared to existing treatments on the market.

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HEALTH SCIENCES

5- Rehmannia Glutinosa Polysaccharide Regulates Bone Marrow Microenvironment via HIF-1α/NF-κB Signaling Pathway in Aplastic Anemia Mice

NA LIU, JUN-QIU LIU, YONG LIU, QING ZHU, DANDAN ZHENG, FENG LI, LING-ZHAN MENG & MIN QIU

This article, we explored the mechanism of Rehmannia glutinosa polysaccharide (RGP) on Aplastic anemia (AA) by mediating HIF-1α/NF-κB signaling pathway. Our findings, along with other studies in the field, suggest that RGP contributes to anti-inflammation and anti-apoptosis. Considering that HIF-1α/NF-κB signaling pathway plays a key role in AA, Busulfan was used to model AA in experiments. We indicated that RGP regulates the bone marrow microenvironment (BMM) via suppressing the activation of the HIF-1α/NF-κB signaling pathway. So RGP has a pharmacological effect on AA. 

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6- In vivo efficacy of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) in the treatment of peripheral neuropathy: A systematic review of animal models

RAFAEL S. SILVEIRA, ANDRÉ O. BALDONI, RENÊ O. COUTO, THAYS S. MENDONÇA & CAROLINE P. DOMINGUETI

We report on a systematic review of the efficacy of turmeric derivatives for the treatment of peripheral neuropathies in animal models. The 30 pre-clinical trials included evidenced that curcumin and its derivatives significantly ameliorate the injuries caused by diabetic and sciatic neuropathies; as well as for vincristine, cisplatin, and alcohol-induced neuropathies, especially concerning the functional recovery of the affected nerve. Therefore, turmeric stands out as a nutraceutical strategy for the treatment of peripheral neuropathies. Randomized Controlled Clinical trials still need to be performed to validate the efficacy of turmeric in the management of peripheral neuropathies in human. 

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7- Anthelmintic treatment follow up in a rural community in Camamu, Bahia, Brazil

MARINA M.B. FARIAS, NILO MANOEL P.V. BARRETO, WÉSLEI A.C. ARAÚJO, CÍNTIA DE LIMA OLIVEIRA, NOILSON LÁZARO S. GONÇALVES, KAMILA S.S. CAMPAGNOLLO, BERNARDO GALVÃO-CASTRO, MÁRCIA CRISTINA A. TEIXEIRA, NECI M. SOARES & JOELMA N. DE SOUZA

This  article deals with an extremely important issue for public health: the need to follow up parasitic diseases’ treatments. Many health professionals still have the misconception that intestinal parasites are easy to treat and, therefore, do not perform follow up on the treatment, or when they do, they use an insufficient number of samples or an inadequate diagnostic method. This paper demonstrates the low parasitological cure rate of Trichuris trichiura infection treatment, even after the use of two therapeutic protocols."

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CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

8- HLA haplotypes and differential regional mortality caused by COVID-19 in Brazil: an ecological study based on a large bone marrow donor bank dataset

JULIANO ANDRÉ BOQUETT, FERNANDA S.L. VIANNA, NELSON J.R. FAGUNDES, LUCAS SCHROEDER, MARCIA BARBIAN, MARCELO ZAGONEL-OLIVEIRA, TIAGO F. ANDREIS, LUIS CRISTÓVÃO M.S. PÔRTO, JOSÉ ARTUR B. CHIES, LAVINIA SCHULER-FACCINI, PATRICIA ASHTON-PROLLA & CLÉVIA ROSSET

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mortality rates varied among the states of Brazil during the course of the pandemics. A molecule from de immune system called human leukocyte antigen (HLA) is critical for a good immune response against COVID-19 and other diseases. Thus, individuals with different HLA molecules may trigger different immune responses against pathogens. In this study, we investigated the correlation between a set of HLA molecules and the different regional distribution of COVID-19 mortality in Brazil. We found that the HLA-A*01~B*08~DRB1*03 molecules may represent an additional risk factor for dying due to COVID-19.  

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MICROBIOLOGY

9- Effects of probiotic supplementation on the gut microbiota composition of adults: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials

ANA PAULA MÖRSCHBÄCHER, EMELIN PAPPEN, JOÃO ANTONIO P. HENRIQUES & CAMILLE E. GRANADA

The food supplementation with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) should improve human health through gut microbiome modulation. This work shows a systematic review of the literature on the effect of LAB supplementation on the gut microbiome using randomized clinical trials. 2,404 publications were identified, and only eight studies met the eligibility criteria. It was possible to identify that the time of probiotic supplementation needs to be improved to identify the modulation of the gut microbiome. The data presented in this study highlight the importance of carefully planning experiments to identify the effects of probiotics on specific populations. 

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10- Catalytic properties of amylases produced by Cunninghamella echinulata and Rhizopus microsporus

GABRIELA F. CAVALHEIRO, ANA CAROLINA DA COSTA, ANDREZA DE PAULA GARBIN, GEISA A. DA SILVA, NAYARA FERNANDA L. GARCIA, MARCELO F. DA PAZ, GUSTAVO G. FONSECA & RODRIGO S.R. LEITE

Enzymes that degrade starch (amylases) are applied in different industrial sectors, such as: textiles, biofuels, food and beverages. The enzymatic hydrolysis of starch occurs by the joint action of several enzymes and the main products released are sugars employed for energy purposes. The use of these enzymes in industrial processes must overcome the production cost barrier. In this context, the present work describes the amylase production by cultivation of the fungi Cunninghamella echinulata and Rhizopus microsporus in agro-industrial residues and evaluates their possible applications. 

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11- Characterization of alkaline metalloprotease isolated from halophilic bacterium Bacillus cereus and its applications in various industrial processes

KAINAT SAEED, SANIA RIAZ, ABDULLAH ADIL, ISMAT NAWAZ, SYED KAMRAN-UHASSAN NAQVI, AYESHA BAIG, MUHAMMAD ALI, IFTIKHAR ZEB, RAZA AHMED, TATHEER ALAM NAQVI

Proteases are a vital class of enzyme used in various industrial applications. Microorganisms are most important source to get variety of enzymes with unique features. Industries require enzymes with robust properties. Alkaline proteases are specific type of enzyme that belong to protease family and play vital role in breaking down proteins by hydrolyzing peptide bonds. The versatility of alkaline protease and their ability to function under alkaline conditions make them valuable tools in a wide range of industries and applications. The alkaline metalloprotease from Bacillus cereus has several unique properties, which make it a potential candidate for various industries and applications.

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12- Exopolysaccharides of lactic acid bacteria isolated from honeybee gut and effects of their antibiofilm activity against Streptococcus mutans

BASAR KARACA

Streptococcus mutans is responsible for cariogenic biofilms. Bacterial exopolysaccharides (EPS) could serve as antibiofilm agents. The antibiofilm effect of released and cell-bound EPS from Apilactobacillus kunkeei K1.10 and Latilactobacillus curvatus Kar.9b isolated from the gut of honeybees on S. mutans biofilm formation was determined. The greatest reduction in biofilm formation was observed with the released form of EPS. Some environmental parameters to promote EPS production were also tested. The addition of fructose was preferred to promote EPS production. The released EPS forms of Apilactobacillus kunkeei K1.10 and Latilactobacillus curvatus Kar.9b could be antibiofilm agents against S. mutans biofilms.

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ECOSYSTEMS

13- Palm density and grazing effects on plant communities: implications for livestock management in a Butia palm grove

GABRIELA C. SOUZA, JOÃO ANDRÉ JARENKOW, MATEUS RAGUSE-QUADROS, GIOVANNA MALDONADO, LEONARDO M. URRUTH, ÊNIO E. SOSINSKI JR & JULIANO M. OLIVEIRA

Butia palm groves are a phytophysiognomy characterized by a high stratum dominated by palm trees of the genus Butia and a typically grassland low stratum. Butia populations form variable densities, and these formations are usually used for livestock, variables that can synergistically affect the composition of species. Considering these variables, we developed hypothetical models to analyze how the density of a Butia palm trees and grazing disturbance affect the taxonomic and functional composition of plant community. Based on our results, we discuss how livestock management can contribute for the conservation of ecosystems like this one.

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14- Genetic diversity and population structure of two Euglossini bee species in a host-parasite relationship

DENILSON C. MARTINS, JOSÉ E. SANTOS JÚNIOR, DHIEGO G. FERREIRA, SILVIA H. SOFIA & PATRÍCIA M.C. ALBUQUERQUE

In our study, present study were: (i) to investigate genetic diversity and population structure of El. nigrita and Ex. smaragdina populations, sampled along a wide latitudinal range of Atlantic Forest, where the distribution of both species is co-occur; (ii) to make inferences on the evolutionary history of both species across the Atlantic Forest, and (iii) lastly, considering the wide distribution of both species through the Brazilian territory, we also investigated the evolutionary history of El. nigrita and Ex. smaragdina in a wider scenario, which included samples from others Brazilian forest domains. 

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15- A new record of Sulzbacheromyces caatingae (Basidiomycota, Agaricomycetes) from Mato Grosso do Sul and a worldwide infrageneric identification key

MARCOS J. KITAURA, MAYARA C. SCUR, JEAN-MARC TORRES, ALINE P. LORENZ & EMERSON F. LEITE

A basidiolichen, Sulzbacheromyces caatingae, was reported for the first time in the Mato Grosso do Sul state, and analyzed through anatomical, morphological and molecular approaches. The specimens from Mato Grosso do Sul have a light green to indistinct thallus, while specimens from Ceará, Paraíba, and Piauí states present a thin green crust on the substrate. The nuITS sequences were generated, and the distribution of S. caatingae was plotted with the haplotypes. Morphological differences were not reflected in the molecular analysis, which confirmed the identification of the species. In addition, an identification key to the known Sulzbacheromyces species was also provided.

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16- Long-term Ecological Research: Chasing fashions or being prepared for fashion changes?

HELENA G. BERGALLO, CLARISSA ROSA, ANA C. OCHOA, ANGELO GILBERTO MANZATTO, ARETHA F. GUIMARAES, AUREO BANHOS, CAROLINA V. CASTILHO, CLAUDIA F. BARROS, DARREN NORRIS, DEBORA P. DRUCKER, DOMINGOS J. RODRIGUES, FABRICIO B. BACCARO, IGOR H. LOURENÇO, JANSEN ZUANON, LIS F. STEGMANN, MARCELO R. ANJOS, MARCOS SILVEIRA, PATRICIA S.G. ARAÚJO, PAULO E.D. BOBROWIEC, RODRIGO FADINI, SELVINO NECKEL-OLIVEIRA, THAISE EMILIO, SERGIO SANTORELLI JUNIOR & WILLIAM E. MAGNUSSON

Long-term-ecological-research (LTER) faces many challenges and here we discuss how the RAPELD (standardized field infrastructure system) can help deal with these issues as a complementary technique in LTER studies. In RAPELD, sampling of ecological data can be carried out by different researchers, and even local communitarians, through standardized protocols, resulting in spatial data that can be used for comparisons across landscapes and ecosystems and also to answer temporal questions. Results can also be integrated into existing biodiversity networks, saving resources, maximizing results, and accumulating information in both spatial and temporal scales.

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17- Traffic education campaigns and animal-vehicle collisions in Brazil

BIBIANA TERRA DASOLER & LARISSA O. GONÇALVES

Mitigation measures to reduce Animal-vehicle collisions (AVC) are justified for three reasons: animal welfare, financial cost, and drivers' and passengers’ safety. Educational traffic campaigns aim to alert the population about the adoption of behaviors that bring safety and quality in traffic. We evaluated whether the impact of AVC was addressed in educational traffic campaigns used by state and national departments in Brazil. Although "collision" was the most frequent subject, AVC only appeared twice, both portraying domestic animals. Also, we highlighted that environmental issues were not defined as official subjects to traffic campaigns. 

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18- A new ROV storage device for deep-sea sampling

ESTÉFANE C. REIS, IAN V. DA ROCHA, MARIA PATRICIA CURBELO-FERNANDEZ, PRISCILA R. DA SILVA & MARCIA V. REYNIER

The logistics needed in terms of vessels and equipment to obtain preserved specimens make sampling deep-sea biota a difficult task. Using traditional techniques (trawls, nets, and dredges), and bringing specimens to deck through the water column results in body harm, stress, and even contamination. When sampling aims to maintain the biota alive with no or slight contamination or degradation by stress or damage, maintaining conditions similar to those found in situ is crucial. In order to sample and store this biota with the least amount of interference, a polypropylene box was created including adaptations for usage by remotely operated vehicles. 

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19- Soil-vegetation relationship in savanic formations of the Jalapão, Brazil

RODNEY H.O. VIANA, CARLOS ERNESTO G.R. SCHAEFER, PRÍMULA V. CAMPOS, ANDREZA V. NERI, GUILHERME R. CORRÊA, SOLANGE DE FÁTIMA LOLIS & PRISCYLA MARIA S. RODRIGUES

Our manuscript provides a contribution for a better understanding about how plant community composition and distribution is affected by abiotic filters (i.e. soil attributes) in the Savanic Formations of the Jalapão, state of Tocantins, Brazil. We selected two toposequences distributed in eight environments in the Jalapão vegetation mosaic in the Cerrado areas on the sandstone domains (Urucuia Formation): Serra do Espírito Santo with five areas and Serra da Sambaíba with three areas. Specifically, we evaluated the distribution of plant communities different, identifying which characteristics of the soil influence the vegetation composition. Our results revealed important patterns of plant-soil relationships that may be needed to establish conservation criteria at the local-scale. 

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20- Mite fauna on apples in southern Brazil - Review and perspectives

PRISCILA A. RODE, GABRIEL L. BIZARRO, GUILHERME ANDRÉ SPOHR, DANIELE MALMANN, MATHEUS SCHUSSLER & NOELI JUAREZ FERLA

This review aims to outline the distribution of mite fauna associated with apple trees, with emphasis on the main groups of economic importance and their potential natural enemies, highlighting phytophagous species and management possibilities. The searches were carried out in databases and the main keywords were Aculus schlechtendali, Malus domestica and Panonychus ulmi. Panonychus ulmi has been reported in America for decades, being of economic importance. The recent record of A. schlechtendali warns of the possibility of damage to orchards in the country and the information advances management information to be developed.

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21- Effects of atmospheric low-level jets on the mixing process of a large tropical reservoir

ANDRÉ L. REIS, FELIPE S. PACHECO, FELIPE M. PIMENTA, ROBSON B. PASSOS, GILBERTO FISCH, JOSÉ C. MENDONÇA & ARCILAN T. ASSIREU

This study investigated the effects of a phenomenon called Low-Level Jet (LLJ) in a large tropical reservoir. It was observed that the LLJ cools down the surface water of the reservoir through a process of mixing and upward movement. This occurs due to a combination of heat flux and strong winds during the LLJ. These changes in water temperature can have significant impacts on aquatic biota and water quality. Additionally, the LLJ can also influence greenhouse gas emissions from the reservoir. These findings are important for proper reservoir management and can affect activities such as sports fishing and fish farming.

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22- Decentralized composting: gated communities as ecologically promising environments

LUÍSA C.G. DE SOUZA & MARIA AUXILIADORA DRUMOND

This article presents an investigation of the acceptability of decentralized composting programs in gated communities. Research on decentralized composting grew out of the failure of centralized experiments, especially in low-middle-income countries. This is the first attempt we are aware of evaluation of the suitability of gated communities as scenarios of decentralized composting. We analyzed spatial and organizational characteristics, willingness to join the program, and favorable and adverse factors, pointing out alternatives, based on successful experiences, providing a diagnosis that guides the implementation of community composting in condominiums, institutions and neighborhoods, especially in developing countries.

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GEOSCIENCES

23- Reflections about the conceptual bases of Geotourism and its sub-segments Space Geotourism, Celestial Geotourism and Astrotourism to create a univocal definition

VITÓRIA SANTOS-SOUZA & BRUNO LEONARDO NASCIMENTO-DIAS

In this article we propose the discussion and analysis of elements that constitute the sub-segments of Geotourism - space and celestial - and which are commonly mistakenly associated with Astrotourism. For this purpose, secondary sources were used to identify concepts and practices related to each of the segments, with the main objective of reducing “conflicts” generated by these mistakes. Thus, as a final product of this research, univocal operational definitions were developed for Space, Celestial Geotourism and Astrotourism. 

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ANIMAL SCIENCE

24- Spatial and Temporal analysis (2008-2017) of droughts and their effects on livestock in the Brazilian semi-arid region

LEONARDO F. MORAIS, ANA CLARA R. CAVALCANTE, RAFAEL N. FURTADO, ADRYANE GORAYEB, DEODATO DO NASCIMENTO AQUINO, FELIPE H. MEIRELES NOGUEIRA & MAGNO JOSÉ D. CÂNDIDO

Animal production is an important source of income, especially for rural communities of the Brazilian semi-arid region, which facing degradation problems caused by anthropogenic activities, climate change, natural disasters and socioeconomic inequalities. Geoprocessing and remote sensing are useful methods to determine how weather disturbances can be detected early enough to allow for decisions to be taken and to avoid losses from environmental events. The development of this technology can assist the governmental developing public policies to analysis about the places of greatest growth in livestock farming in view of the risks of periods of climatic uncertainty.  

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25- First record of Brachymeria amenocles (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae) associated with larvae of Peckia (Peckia) chrysostoma (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) in Brazil

MÔNICA SALAZAR-SOUZA, JOSÉ MARIO d’ALMEIDA, MARCELO S. GONZALEZ, VALÉRIA M. AGUIAR & DENISE FEDER

Flies and parasitoid wasps are insects that coexist in nature in an intraspecific relationship. Parasitoids need the host to develop their offspring, acting in the natural control of many families of flies, during the larval and pupal development phases of these insects. This article reports the offspring of the wasps Brachymeria podagrica and Brachymeria amenocles raised on larvae of Peckia (Peckia) chrysostoma, a fly of medical and sanitary importance. The distribution of B. podagrica in the state of Rio de Janeiro is expanding, and the interaction between B. amenocles and P. (P.) chrysostoma is reported for the first time in Brazil. 

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26- Historical natural history collections allow the description of a new and presumably extinct species of dwarf gecko (Squamata: Gekkonidae: Lygodactylus Gray, 1864) from Fernando de Noronha Island, Brazil

LUIS M.P. CERÍACO & PAULO PASSOS

While going through historical specimens at the herpetological collections of the Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro we found specimens of an unidentified species of Lygodactylus gecko from Fernando de Noronha. Species of this genus are as small diurnal geckos which occur throughout sub-Saharan Africa, and South America. Our study indicates that these specimens differ from their mainland counterparts, and we confidently consider the Fernando de Noronha population as distinct and possibly already extinct species. The surprising discovery based on historical specimens is an important reminder of the importance of natural history collections for biodiversity research. 

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27- Ontogenetic variation of the Goyazana castelnaui H. Milne-Edwards, 1853 (Brachyura, Trichodactylidae), crab in the semiarid region of Brazil

DIÓGENES S. ALMEIDA, ANASTÁCIA N.C. MENEZES & RENATA A. SHINOZAKI-MENDES

An ontogenetic study using geometric morphometry was conducted to know the Goyazana castelnaui’s morphological variations. Carapace, pleon and right cheliped of 36 females, 43 males and 162 juveniles were photographed, afterwards landmarks were distributed in the images. The variations occurred mainly in the frontal and posterior region of the carapace, posterior and anterolateral region of the pleon and at the cheliped’s base. Canonical variation between sexes and between juveniles and adults varied significantly. The carapace showed dimorphism along ontogeny, while pleon and cheliped, both sexes are similar when juvenile, larger pleon in females and larger cheliped in males when grown.

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28- The Brazilian Atlantic Bushmaster Lachesis (Linnaeus, 1766) Mitogenome With Insights On Snake Evolution And Divergence (Serpentes: Viperidae: Crotalinae)

BRENO HAMDAN, VICTOR C. SEIXAS, GISELE L. NUNES, GUILHERME OLIVEIRA, SANDRO L. BONATTO, AMANDA VIDAL, EDER S. PIRES & RUSSOLINA B. ZINGALI

The double-stranded DNA contained in the mitochondria of eukaryotes has fascinated researchers, and it has been widely used in the analyses of population structure, genetic diversity, species identification, phylogenetics, origin and evolution of life.
More than 430 snake species occur in Brazil; however, only two had their mitogenomes assembled and annotated, with no contributions for genetic distance nor phylogeny at the snake family level. In this study, we sequence, assembled and annotated for the first time the mitogenome of the threatened population of the Brazilian bushmaster Lachesis, providing comparative mitogenome analyses, phylogeny and genetic distance data.

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29- Searching for food in a concrete jungle: feeding ecology of a Psittacine assemblage (Aves, Psittacidae) in a major Amazonian city

CRISTIANE S. SOARES, ADRIAN A. BARNETT, VERIDIANA V. SCUDELLER & SÉRGIO H. BORGES

A study of the parrot and macaw community in Manaus city, central Brazilian Amazonia, revealed how they adapt to survive in the concrete jungle. A 11-month study recorded diets for 8 city-based parrot and macaw species. Then any ecological adjustments were deduced by comparing their ecologies with those of the same species at a fully-forested site nearby. 
Results showed that, while city-living species ate fewer fruit-types than wild ones (52 vs. 71) and both communities ate many palm fruits (10-35% of diet), city-based birds ate exotic and ornamental fruits, compensating for forest loss, and allowing them to live alongside humans. 

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FORESTRY SCIENCE

30- Population structure, aggregation, and dispersal of Euterpe edulis Mart. at two sites of interior atlantic forest

KAROLINE A. BAGGIO, EDUARDO L.H. GIEHL & JOSÉ F. CÂNDIDO-JÚNIOR

Did you know that tropical forest degradation can alter both species interactions and population structure? Here we compared two populations of Euterpe edulis, commonly known as the juçara-palm, in sites with different levels of degradation. We observed that in the more degraded site, juçara-palm recruits tended to be close to adult palms. Meanwhile, we observed patches of juçara-palm recruits under the canopy of large trees in both areas. This suggests that even under the effect of environmental degradation, fauna that act as palm dispersers are still maintaining an interaction that is key to the survival of the palm species.

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31- Landsat data respond to variations in the structure of Caatinga plant communities along a successional gradient

FERNANDA KELLY G. DA SILVA, FERNANDO ROBERTO MARTINS, ADUNIAS DOS SANTOS TEIXEIRA, JEAN-FRANÇOIS MAS, BRUNO S. DE MENEZES, FLAVIO JORGE PONZONI & FRANCISCA S. DE ARAÚJO

To understand the changes that occur in vegetation after a disturbance, ecologists often carry out field studies, which demand time and money. Remote sensing is a useful tool for monitoring vegetation over large areas, however, it has limitations. We combined data obtained in the field with data obtained from the Landsat Satellite and investigated whether differences in Caatinga vegetation are related to remote data. We demonstrate that it is possible to characterize the changes in the Caatinga and that the images obtained at the end of the rainy season are the most suitable for these studies.

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ENGINEERING SCIENCES

32- Tensile bond strength of adhesive mortars with hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose and vinyl acetate-ethylene polymers after thermal storage

LEIDIMARA A.M. KOTOVIEZY, EDUARDO PEREIRA, ISAC J. SILVA, MARIENNE R.M.M. COSTA, PRISCILA O. TRENTIN & RONALDO A. MEDEIROS-JUNIOR

The aim of this article was to evaluate the influence of cement and polymer contents on the tensile bond strength of adhesive mortars after thermal storage. Ceramic tiling system specimens were prepared with seventeen formulations of adhesive mortars. The results showed that the cement content was the major factor concerning tensile bond strength. The vinyl acetate-ethylene polymer improved the tensile bond strength of mortars under thermal storage. However, the hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose content contributed to the tensile bond strength only when higher cement contents were used. Besides, microstructure analysis showed that ettringite was degraded during thermal storage. 

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33- BIOPLAG: An Approach to Detect Programming Plagiarism

KAIO P. GOMES, SIMONE N. MATOS & TARCIZIO ALEXANDRE BINI

In the context of plagiarism, this study aims to detect the degree of similarity among source codes automatically. A novel approach, BIOPLAG, bridges the domains of bioinformatics and computer science to propose a solution capable of addressing various levels of modifications in plagiarized source codes. This study evaluated 168 real-world samples of programming plagiarism by conducting three hands-on experiments involving college students and programmers. The evaluation process compared the proposed solution to other widely recognized tools such as MOSS and JPLAG. Upon concluding all experimental scenarios, BIOPLAG demonstrated superiority in four and equivalence in three out of seven.

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34- Comparative study on ignition delay time and burning rate of modified double-base propellant and fuel-rich propellant

LIAN-BO LI, TAO CHEN, WEI-XUAN LI & RONG-FU YU

In more complex and harsh environmental conditions, the pressure affects the ignition and combustion characteristics. Therefore, the paper studies the ignition and combustion characteristics of the modified double-base propellants (MDB propellants) and fuel-rich propellants (FR propellants) under low-pressure environment. Combining experiment and theory, the ignition delay time and burning rate of two kinds of solid propellants are compared and analyzed at low pressure by the laser ignition experimental device.

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35- Analysis of the conversion of cellulose present in lignocellulosic biomass for biofuel production

JAQUELINE A. ROBERTO, ESLY F. DA COSTA JUNIOR & ANDRÉA O. S. DA COSTA

Enzymatic hydrolysis is a key step in biomass-to-bioenergy conversion. Challenges arise due to biomass complexity, inhibitory factors, and lignin-induced recalcitrance. This study focuses on enhancing cellulose conversion to glucose from sugarcane bagasse. A kinetic model with added evaporation consideration is employed for optimized glucose concentration. Resultantly, a notable glucose concentration of 204.23 g.L^{- 1} is achieved from an initial potential of 44 g.L^{- 1}. This approach enhances the efficiency of enzymatic hydrolysis and glucose production for biofuel generation.

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36- Whole-plant corn silage harvesting modalities: energy efficiency and operational performance

LEONARDO LEONIDAS KMIECIK, GABRIEL G. ZIMMERMANN, SAMIR PAULO JASPER, DANIEL SAVI, LAURO STRAPASSON NETO & LUIZ RICARDO SOBENKO

This study assesses energy-efficient strategies for grain crop silage production. The research compares three harvesting methods: single-line forage harvester, total area forage harvester, and total area forage harvester with support transshipment. By instrumenting tractors with sensors to measure various parameters, including fuel consumption and production capacity, the analysis reveals that wider working-width forage harvesters are more effective in terms of production costs per harvested hectare. These findings offer valuable insights for optimizing silage operations, with implications for both researchers and the wider public interested in sustainable farming practices.

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37- Classifiers based on artificial intelligence in the prediction of recently planted coffee cultivars using a Remotely Piloted Aircraft System

NICOLE L. BENTO, GABRIEL ARAÚJO E.S. FERRAZ, RAFAEL ALEXANDRE P. BARATA, DANIEL V. SOARES, SABRINA A. TEODORO & PEDRO HENRIQUE DE O. ESTIMA

Coffee farming is of great importance on the world stage and Brazil currently stands out as the largest producer and exporter, evidencing scientific research on this theme. It is possible to classify and predict coffee cultivars by artificial intelligence, since coffee cultivars have differences that can be captured. Direct measurements were carried out on the plants in the field and vegetation indices were obtained through aerial imaging by Remotely Piloted Aircraft System. It is noteworthy that all tested algorithms were satisfactory with adequate performance of metric values. The neural network algorithm showed better accuracy to classify and predict coffee cultivars.

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38- Effect of Foam-mat Drying on Bioactive, Powder and Thermal Properties of Carrot Juice Powders

HULYA CAKMAK & VASFİYE H. OZYURT

In this study, egg albumen (EA) and egg albumen with whey protein isolate (WPI) were used as foaming agents for production of foam-mat dried carrot juice powders. The storage stability in terms of physical, chemical, thermal and microstructural properties of carotenoid-rich carrot powders were compared during 3 months of storage. Presence of WPI as foaming agent together with EA protected the carrot juice powders against physical, chemical and thermal degradation. The foam-mat dried carrot powders have a potential to be used in bakery, beverage or pasta formulations as functional ingredient for enrichment of nutritional composition.

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SOCIAL SCIENCES

39- Coordination mechanisms of rural land use planning. Combeima Canyon, Ibague, Colombia

CERGIO ANDRÉS REYES-BONILLA & ANDRÉS ERNESTO FRANCEL-DELGADO

Rural planning is still disconnected from urban planning and subject to the dynamics of the city. Therefore, we conducted a research on the characteristics of land use planning in a hydrological production area, considered an environmental heritage with high tourism impact. We reviewed national and local policies, regulatory applications, conducted surveys, and provided insights into the mechanisms for integrating rural and urban land in territorial planning.

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40- Discourse of the collective subject of river dwellers in the Brazilian Amazon regarding the transmission of knowledge about medicinal plants

JAÍLSON S. NOVAIS, MARKOS ROGÉRIO L. MOTA, CAROLINA W. KFFURI & IANI D. LAUER-LEITE

This study explores how riverine people in the Brazilian Amazon region perceive the factors affecting the transmission of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) regarding medicinal plants. Through interviews with 43 Vila Franca community residents (Pará State, Brazil), we identified key factors influencing TEK transmission. These included illness, family ties, and necessity, seen as crucial for TEK acquisition. Additionally, the locally Natural Remedies Project, the benefits of natural remedies, and limited access to modern medicines played collaborative roles in sustaining TEK. However, challenges such as lack of commitment, skepticism, and the preference for modern medicines posed threats to TEK continuity. The study reveals a complex interplay between local communities and their natural surroundings impacting the transmission of medicinal plant knowledge, with socio-economic and cultural factors endangering its preservation.

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All abstracts of the publications were provided by the respective authors.

Annals of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences
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