Focal Group Research Articles

Predictors of anti-VEGF efficacy in chronic central serous chorioretinopathy based on intraocular cytokine levels and pigment epithelium detachment subtypes.

The aim of this study was to compare intraocular cytokines among different types of pigment epithelial detachments (PEDs) in patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) and to investigate the association of cytokine levels and PED types with response to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy. We included 88 patients with chronic CSC and 30 controls. The anti-VEGF agent conbercept was given intravitreally to chronic CSC patients. Cytokines VEGF, interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, IL-10, interferon-inducible protein-10 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in aqueous humour were measured. Treatment efficacy, cytokine levels, changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and optical coherence tomography parameters were assessed at baseline and 1 month after treatment. Patients were divided into three groups: flat irregular PED (FIPED) with choroidal neovascularization (CNV), FIPED without CNV and focal PED. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was the only cytokine significantly higher in chronic CSC FIPED patients. There were no significant differences in VEGF between FIPED patients with or without CNV (p = 0.234). At 1 month after conbercept injection, treatment effective rates in FIPED patients with or without CNV were significantly higher than in patients with focal PED (p < 0.05). Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was improved in both FIPED groups (p < 0.05), but not in the focal PED group (p = 0.180). All three groups had significant decreases in central macular thickness (p < 0.05), and PED heights in FIPED patients were reduced (p < 0.05). Patients with FIPED in chronic CSC had elevated intraocular VEGF levels and responded favourably to conbercept. Anti-VEGF treatment may be an option for FIPED CSC patients with or without secondary CNV.

Beyond RuBisCO: convergent molecular evolution of multiple chloroplast genes in C4 plants.

BackgroundThe recurrent evolution of the C4 photosynthetic pathway in angiosperms represents one of the most extraordinary examples of convergent evolution of a complex trait. Comparative genomic analyses have unveiled some of the molecular changes associated with the C4 pathway. For instance, several key enzymes involved in the transition from C3 to C4 photosynthesis have been found to share convergent amino acid replacements along C4 lineages. However, the extent of convergent replacements potentially associated with the emergence of C4 plants remains to be fully assessed. Here, we conducted an organelle-wide analysis to determine if convergent evolution occurred in multiple chloroplast proteins beside the well-known case of the large RuBisCO subunit encoded by the chloroplast gene rbcL.MethodsOur study was based on the comparative analysis of 43 C4 and 21 C3 grass species belonging to the PACMAD clade, a focal taxonomic group in many investigations of C4 evolution. We first used protein sequences of 67 orthologous chloroplast genes to build an accurate phylogeny of these species. Then, we inferred amino acid replacements along 13 C4 lineages and 9 C3 lineages using reconstructed protein sequences of their reference branches, corresponding to the branches containing the most recent common ancestors of C4-only clades and C3-only clades. Pairwise comparisons between reference branches allowed us to identify both convergent and non-convergent amino acid replacements between C4:C4, C3:C3 and C3:C4 lineages.ResultsThe reconstructed phylogenetic tree of 64 PACMAD grasses was characterized by strong supports in all nodes used for analyses of convergence. We identified 217 convergent replacements and 201 non-convergent replacements in 45/67 chloroplast proteins in both C4 and C3 reference branches. C4:C4 branches showed higher levels of convergent replacements than C3:C3 and C3:C4 branches. Furthermore, we found that more proteins shared unique convergent replacements in C4 lineages, with both RbcL and RpoC1 (the RNA polymerase beta’ subunit 1) showing a significantly higher convergent/non-convergent replacements ratio in C4 branches. Notably, more C4:C4 reference branches showed higher numbers of convergent vs. non-convergent replacements than C3:C3 and C3:C4 branches. Our results suggest that, in the PACMAD clade, C4 grasses experienced higher levels of molecular convergence than C3 species across multiple chloroplast genes. These findings have important implications for our understanding of the evolution of the C4 photosynthesis pathway.

Human perception towards the association between the domestic rock pigeon and the insect vector of Chagas disease in an urban area of Argentina

This article focuses on identifying risk factors through the knowledge, perceptions, and prevention practices of the population regarding the rock pigeon and the vector of Chagas disease (vinchucas) in an urban area of Argentina. The study used interviews of focal groups, family nuclei with nearby nesting sites and without nearby nesting sites. Among the results, some risk factors that contribute to the infestation of vinchucas in houses were identified, such as presence of nesting sites of the rock pigeon, and frequency of cleaning the nests and of fumigation. We show that people that kept their houses clean of nests and routinely disinfected their homes had considerably lower probability of finding vinchucas within their houses. We also identify a general lack of knowledge about risk factors of Chagas disease related to the presence of nesting sites in houses, the form of dispersion of the vector and how to act upon encountering a vinchuca. However, respondents who presented nests in their houses associated the encounter of vinchucas with the presence of nesting sites. The respondents showed high levels of support for programs to control the population of the rock pigeon. It is important that the population at risk of contracting Chagas disease can combat this disease through their daily actions. Promoting better knowledge of risk factors would be an important advancement for community compliance and participation in the fight against Chagas disease.

MÃES QUE PERDERAM FILHOS ADULTOS: UM GRUPO FOCAL

Death, although being part of human development, in its last stage, it is still not so debated in social circles, being associated to pain and suffering, because it characterizes the breaking of affective bonds, besides making us remember of our own finitude. When a mother loses her son, she faces a lacerating pain, as if one part of her has died together with her son, it lacks words to define such pain. The present is a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and field research. The data collection was conducted through a focal group with four mothers who lost their children during adult stage, who have passed away at least five years ago, women who reside in a municipality in the northeast of Rio Grande do Sul state. The analysis and interpretation of data was carried out with content analysis. The relevance of this study resides in the possibility of producing reflections about maternal mourning allowing planning of actions which involve the mourners, family and community promoting health, resignification of feelings and completeness of the individual.

Phylogenomics and a revised tribal classification of subfamily Dipterocarpoideae (Dipterocarpaceae)

AbstractDipterocarpoideae, the largest subfamily in the Meranti family (Dipterocarpaceae) are an ecologically dominant group of trees throughout much of wet tropical Asia. Increasing anthropogenic pressures on this economically important tree family make it essential to resolve their complex evolutionary relationships and understand the distribution of genetic diversity throughout the family and distribution range. Dipterocarpaceae have been the focal group in a wide range of studies, owing to their economic value, importance in historical biogeography and key role in the evolution of the Asian tropical forest biome. Despite this, persistent taxonomic and evolutionary questions remain, ranging from questions on the geographic origin, sequence of dispersal and the identification of diagnostic characters to circumscribe proper evolutionary groups. Here we present a comprehensive phylogenomic hypothesis for Dipterocarpoideae, based on the analyses of plastome and nuclear cistron (NRC) data, and provide an in‐depth review on the validity of morphological characters underlying the new tribal classification proposed here for the subfamily. Phylogenomic relationships were inferred using maximum likelihood and Bayesian approaches. Estimates of origin and onset of diversification in major clades and lineages were reconstructed using plastome, nuclear and combined datasets. Results of the separate and combined genomic datasets partly corroborate elements of previous classification systems (with improved support at all levels for major clades) but provide strong support for revising the tribal classification of the subfamily into four main clades: Dipterocarpeae (Dipterocarpus), Dryobalanopseae (Dryobalanops), Shoreeae (Hopea,Neobalanocarpus,Parashorea, and all parts of a polyphyleticShorea) and Vaterieae (including all other presently accepted Dipterocarpoideae genera). Multi‐fossil‐dated divergence time estimation suggests Vaterieae first originated in the Late Cretaceous, followed by Dipterocarpeae, with subsequent rise of the Dryobalanopseae and Shoreeae in the Eocene. Diversification of all tribes commenced before the Early Miocene. Our results provide strong support for the position ofNeobalanocarpus heimii,Parashoreaand (sub‐)sections of the generaAnisoptera,Hopea,ShoreaandVatica. Hypotheses on the origin ofNeobalanocarpus heimiiby intergeneric hybridisation betweenAnthoshorea(maternally inherited) andHopea(paternally inherited) species were corroborated. Finally, our study provides support for future revisionary changes: (1) the elevation to generic rank of sections inShorea; and (2) revising the infrageneric classification ofHopeaas all (sub‐)sections were recovered as not monophyletic.

Andragogic strategies for English language oral communication improvement

Introduction: taking into consideration that university students are young adults, another way of teaching is needed. In this context, andragogic strategies must be applied to enhance their English language learning process. Objective: this research aims to apply andragogic strategies in the context of telework for the improvement of English oral communication of first-semester students of the industrial maintenance career of the Higher Polytechnic School of Chimborazo during the academic period October 2020 - March 2021. Methodology: This study implemented a quasi-experimental, descriptive, and mixed research. To achieve the purpose of this research, two focal groups took part. 80 students from the first semester of the Industrial Maintenance participated. The students belonging the parallel A formed the control group and the students who were registered in the parallel B formed the experimental group. The groups had the same number of students. At the beginning of the semester, the students took a pre-test; after that, the results were condensed and analyzed. Due to the low scores, the researchers planned a classroom intervention that focused the use of andragogic strategies namely discussions, problem solving, simulations, projects and analysis, to improve the students’ oral communication skills. After finishing the intervention, the students took the post-test with the same characteristics. The pre-test and the post-test had the speaking part of the PET (Preliminary English Exam). Results: After gathering data, they were analyzed through a statistical software. The means of each group were compared for the pre-test and the post-test as well. In the pre-test an equal level of English oral performance was evidenced; however, in the post test, a significant difference existed. The students belonging the experimental group obtained a mean of 5.48 for the pre-test; on the contrary, they obtained 11.40 in the post-test. On the other hand, the students who belonged the control group, kept the same level of English performance. Conclusion: Andragogic strategies are suitable and helpful to be used in the higher education to improve the students’ oral communication skills; therefore, teachers must use them to contribute with their improvement.

Abstract PO-256: Knowledge and attitudes of a sample of Latinx LGBQ population regarding cancer screening, prevention, and barriers: An exploratory study

Abstract Background The lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer/questioning (LGBQ) population, also referred to as sexual and gender minorities (SGM), is a medically underserved and understudied population in the United States. Literature has argued that, as of recent years, there are a limited number of early cancer detection and prevention guidelines catered specifically to LGBTQ+ community, which creates a gap in access to healthcare services for this population. Furthermore, there are potential barriers that exist for LGBT people, such as discrimination from healthcare providers and other societal constraints which could further contribute to the lack of screening for cancer. The purpose of this study is to explore the knowledge, attitudes, and individual experiences of LGBQ individuals regarding cancer prevention, screening, and treatment to develop educational material that would help cater the needs of this population Methods This study consisted of a series of structured qualitative interviews facilitated as focal groups. The interview guideline contained questions regarding the domains of knowledge, attitudes, and individuals experiences on cancer screening in SGM. The recruitment process was facilitated via online flyers in social media platforms and through local community organizations that provide services for the Puerto Rican SGM population. Participants that reached out were screened for eligibility based on age and self-identified gender and sexual orientation. The focal groups have been carried out via a video teleconferencing software to limit contact with participants considering COVID-19. The interviews have been recorded and transcribed ad-verbatim for analysis purposes. Thematic analysis with open ended coding is being used to analyze the data obtained. Results A total of 8 participants completed the informed consent and proceeded to participate in the focal groups. The cervical cancer focal group consisted of 4 participants who identified as lesbian, bisexual, and non-binary women. 2 self-identified gay men of prostate cancer focal group and the colorectal cancer focal group included 3 gay men. As analysis was carried out, the following recurring themes were identified: Treatment knowledge, Treatment limitations, General recommendations regarding Healthcare services, Social limitations for Healthcare services, Experiences on Healthcare settings. Discussion Preliminary analysis exposes participants exhibited a general lack of knowledge regarding cervical, prostate, and colorectal cancer symptomatology and screening procedures. In the case of the Cervical Cancer focus group, participants agreed their general experience in healthcare settings could be improved by educating healthcare providers on being more inclusive with the LGBTQ community and adjusting the healthcare setting to be less heterocentric. The participants in the focal groups for Prostate Cancer and Colorectal Cancer, on the other hand, stated that the approach should be directed towards educating the LGTTQ+ community on cancer symptomatology and cancer screening practices. Citation Format: Gabriela López Toledo, German J. Rivera Castellar, Elmer Marrero, Marta M. Sánchez Aracil, Mirza J. Rivera Lugo. Knowledge and attitudes of a sample of Latinx LGBQ population regarding cancer screening, prevention, and barriers: An exploratory study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: 14th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2021 Oct 6-8. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022;31(1 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-256.

THE POWER OF PLAY IN PEDIATRIC NURSING: THE PERSPECTIVES OF NURSES PARTICIPATING IN FOCAL GROUPS

ABSTRACT Objective: to understand how nurses assess the implementation of therapeutic play by the nursing staff in the care provided to children. Method: qualitative study addressing nurses providing pediatric care in hospitals located in five Brazilian regions. Face-to-face meetings were held with nine focal groups between January and August 2018. The sessions lasted two hours on average and were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed through inductive thematic analysis. Results: 52 nurses reported their perspectives regarding play and therapeutic play implemented in the care provided to children, which revealed The power of Play-Care implemented in nursing care: advancements and challenges and its subthemes: using puppets/dolls and dramatizing procedures; using distraction strategies to perform the procedures; wearing colorful and fun uniforms; recognizing the power of play in nursing care; and barriers challenging the connection between play and care in nursing practice. Conclusion: the power of Play-Care is manifested in the routine of nursing care through playful attitudes; however, these attitudes appear to be individual initiatives rather than systematized in the nursing process. Hence, there is a need to expand the possibilities of teaching this topic by promoting training programs, including practical activities and virtual learning environments.

Long-term assessment of the translocation of an endangered primate into an agroforestry system

Translocation is increasingly being used as a conservation tool in wildlife management, but long-term assessments of the animals’ establishment in the new habitat are rarely done. In addition, finding protected areas for translocations can often be a limitation, but habitat patches managed for productive purposes could potentially be used for translocations. Here, we present a translocation case study of the Endangered Mexican howler monkeyAlouatta palliata mexicanainto a forest fragment managed as an agroforest in the Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve (Mexico). We compared the behavior of the translocated focal group 6 yr after translocation with that observed 1 yr after translocation (Year 1 vs. Year 6), and with reference parameters for conserved forest. We also examined the 14 yr trajectory of the translocated population through published data. We found that in Year 6, monkeys spent less time on locomotion and more time consuming fruit than in Year 1. The focal group in Year 6 had doubled its activity area compared to Year 1. All behavioral parameters during Year 6 were similar to those reported for the species in conserved forest. During the first 14 yr, the translocated population increased at a rate of 1.29 ind. yr-1. We conclude that this translocation succeeded in establishing a thriving population and that certain agroforestry systems may be adequate habitat for primate translocations. We also discuss how the translocation of howler monkeys into defaunated habitats might help restore ecological functions associated with these primates, such as the dispersal of large-seeded plants. Long-term information on successful primate translocations has high practical value for designing adequate conservation strategies in anthropogenic landscapes.

Significados atribuídos pelos docentes às vivências envolvendo direitos humanos no ambiente acadêmico

Abstract: Introduction: Human Rights are inherent to the human condition, considering all aspects of life: the right to life, to an education, to freedom, to religion, to security and to work. Given that, it is important to nurture a Human Rights culture in educational institutions, aiming at improving inter-personal dynamics and the educational environment. The tutors’ development, in this aspect, becomes fundamental. Objective: To understand the meanings attributed by tutors to their experiences involving Human Rights situations in the academic environment as the first step to implement teacher development in this area. Methods: qualitative study involving tutors from a college located in northeastern Brazil, which employs the Problem-Based Learning methodology, between December of 2019 and September of 2020. The collection was performed through focal groups with intentional selection. The script for the discussion was based in the National Plan for Human Rights Education, The Human Rights Education Manual, The Universal Human Rights Declaration and articles related to the discussion topic. Bardin content analysis was used. The project was approved by the Ethics Committee under CAAE number 22696919.3.0000.5569. Results: The studied analytic categories were: gender and sexuality, communication and freedom of speech, social minorities and student self-esteem and stigmatization. During the process of reinterpreting the collected content, the following empirical subcategories were identified: ableism, fatphobia, psychophobia and interpersonal conflicts. The tutors revealed having experienced conflicts involving Human Rights, as follows: gender oppression; homophobia by students and teachers; lack of racial representativeness among the college student population; fatphobia in the academic environment; decrease in student’s performance due to mental health issues. The participant tutors also expressed insecurity when it came to intervening and giving feedback in such situations, as well as some lack of knowledge about Human Rights. Conclusion: The tutors reported episodes that demonstrated Human Rights violation practices in the academic environment and showed to be insecure about intervening in such situations, especially when these situations led to conflict between the students.

Mobile Application Usability Evaluation: A Study Based on Demography

An application or product is considered “usable” if it is pleasing, easy to use, and works as expected user interface. Most companies majorly focus on the application’s functional requirements but put minimal effort into user experience (usability). Consumers’ adaptation of these applications depends on the number of features and user interface. In this work, an android based application, “Houzcalls” is used for usability study using PACMAD usability model. This work is focused on the variations in PACMAD attributes based on the participants’ education and age. Participants are segregated into two major groups FG1 and FG2 based on their education. All the participants with more than 10 years of education are in FG1 while others in FG2. Each focal group is divided into four subgroups Under 25, 25-35, 36-45, and Over 45 based on their ages. The results have shown participants in FG1 have shown more Effectiveness, Efficiency, Satisfaction, Learnability, and Memorability. In contrast, they have committed fewer Errors and shown less Cognitive Load during usability testing as compared to FG2. These variations can also be seen age-wise as generally “Under 25 and 25-35” subgroups have shown better results than other subgroups. It is inferred from the study that application usability and acceptability can be increased by considering the general population during development which includes all groups of people based on education and age.

Permanent health education in a nursing technician course.

To assess the understandings of a pedagogical intervention on the Brazilian National Policy of Permanent Health Education targeted at secondary technical and vocational nursing students. Applied, pedagogical intervention study conducted with twenty-three students of a secondary technical nursing course; questionnaires, focal group, and thematic content analysis were employed. Intervention, collectively built by manager, nursing teachers, and researchers, is assessed to have led to a problematization of the concepts of education and continuing and permanent education. The following thematic categories emerged from the analysis: Prior knowledge of students and understandings of the classroom intervention; Relation between permanent education and educational welcome in health units; Ethics concerns and the articulation of care practice and theory; and Work process and approximations to permanent health education. The pedagogical intervention is assessed to have favored the critical reflection of the aspiring nursing technicians on permanent health education and the need for a collaborative pedagogical planning for aligning the health team's work process.

Amigos de Fibro (Fibro Friends): development of an educational program for the health promotion of fibromyalgia patients.

Educational practices are indicated to promote the health of people with fibromyalgia in primary health care. We aimed to develop an educative interdisciplinary program intended at the health promotion of individuals with fibromyalgia. It is a study protocol that was developed following three phases in the city of São Paulo city, Brazil. Qualitative research was carried out, through a focal group, with 12 individuals with fibromyalgia and 10 health professionals. A thematic content analysis was made according to the content proposed by Bardin. Fibro Friends is an interdisciplinary program with educational approaches that must be performed in 15 meetings, once a week for 1 h and 20 min. Participants were the following professionals: a Physiotherapist, a Doctor, a Psychologist, a Nutritionist, a Nurse, a Pharmacist/Druggist, a Speech Therapist, an Occupational Therapist, a Naturopath, and a Social Worker. A physical exercise program will also be carried out. The professionals must discuss in a lecture, conversation hearing, and/or group dynamic, about strategies to promote health and pain control in fibromyalgia. Fibro Friends is a program presenting educational interdisciplinary information to individuals with fibromyalgia, being considered a trend to future care. Fibro Friends is a practical guide, logical, and efficient to patients with fibromyalgia at the basic attention to health.

Percepções de pacientes na fila de espera para cirurgia bariátrica: contribuições a partir da experiência de um processo educativo

The present study is a qualitative research with the objective of analyzing the perceptions of patients in the face of the challenges in the bariatric surgery line through focal groups. All patients were treated with an outpatient protocol, however, they were divided into two groups, one participated in the educational process and the other did not. Four categories of analysis were drawn up and discussed in the light of the current literature. Patients from the educational process were able to express themselves with greater positivity in view of the challenges and they showed better resources for going through the emotional suffering, the worsening of comorbidities and the risk of death. The results show the potential of education in health and of group work in the promotion of self-care and well-being.

Sentidos e significados de profissionalismo médico para residentes de ginecologia e obstetrícia

Abstract: Introduction: Professionalism is an essential condition for the doctor’s performance. The specialty of Gynecology and Obstetrics (GO) has been marked by a growing demand for disciplinary proceedings. Faced with this reality, the American College of Gynecology and Obstetrics (ACOG) recommended recording destructive or hostile behaviors that affect patient safety and the quality of care, remediate them and educate the clinical staff of institutions about it. Despite its importance for the training of future professionals, the lack of consensus about its definition and measurement methods make it difficult to implement targeted actions aimed at this purpose. Objective: This study´s objective was to know the senses and meanings attributed by Gynecology and Obstetrics (GO) residents to medical professionalism. Method: An exploratory, qualitative study was carried out through focal groups with 21 GO residents from Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. The analysis of content in the thematic modality supported the data analysis and the interpretation was supported by Symbolic Interactionism. Results: The senses and meanings attributed to professionalism by the residents were expressed in four topics: set of conducts for the benefit of the patient; doctor-patient relationship and relationship with the work team; set of professional attributes; and moral and ethical exercise of the profession. Conclusion: Professionalism is understood as a set of characteristics that include the comprehensive training of the physician, based on skills, scientific knowledge, values, technical skills, clinical reasoning, enabling the exercise of Medicine with respect, morals and ethics.

Emotions and Stressing Situations Adaptation of Nursing Students in the New Normality

Background: New normality is uncertain in every sense, specifically in education and for many health disciplines. Being immersed in COVID-19 pandemics brought serious consequences for mental health, and is very important to handle emotions and stress coping strategies to obtain positive outcomes. Objective: To identify the most frequent emotions, as well as the adaptation strategies to the new normality faced by the students of nursing. Methods: Qualitative and phenomenological research, with the participation of 20 students from both genders in the middle term of nursing career at Faculty of Higher Studies Iztacala, National Autonomous University of Mexico, from August to November 2021. Information was collected from a focal group for ten sessions; analysis was according to De Souza Minayo, and there was a signed informed consent letter from participants. Results: Four categories emerged with sub-categories. Category I Maximized emotions. Sub-categories: 1) Frustration, anger, disappointment; 2) Personal disappointment, hopelessness, uncertainty; 3) Depression. Category II Support elements close to the new normality. Sub-categories: 1) Family communication; 2) Education for mental and physical health. Category III Stressing situations that exceeded the student. Sub-category: Disease in lovely ones. Category IV Stress coping strategies. Sub-categories: 1) Friends and relatives that help to get better; 2) Family values. Informers pointed out to have maximized emotion, and having no self-control on its negative outcomes occurred; in addition, the situation was not favorable at home with several losses of loved ones, as well as a poor economy that threatened students to give up studies. Conclusion: Emotions facing this new normality are very important and should be attended to, their proper handling will result in a new learning of socio-emotional abilities, stress coping strategies development, better adaptation and informed decisions taken.

An all-inclusive approach: A universal protocol for the successful amplification of four genetic loci of all Onscidea

Accounting more than 3,700 described species, Oniscidea is the largest and at the same time the only terrestrial isopod suborder inhabiting almost all terrestrial biomes. Despite the great effort dedicated on describing taxonomic diversity of Oniscidea, mainly employing morphology, there is still a considerable number of species/genera of uncertain generic/familiar assignment. Based on different morphological characters, alternative evolutionary relationships have been proposed to describe the diversity of Oniscidea at different phylogenetic levels. Accumulating morphological and genetic data are repeatedly challenging the monophyly of established taxa, undermining the validity of several morphological characters traditionally used in terrestrial isopod taxonomy, leading to often revisions of the current taxonomy of the Oniscidea . The use of genetic data facilitates the efforts to reconstruct the complex evolutionary history of the focal group by providing important data for the identification, delimitation, and description of species. The proposed protocol with universal PCR conditions and primers was used to successfully amplify COI, 16S, 28S and NAK loci in diverse Oniscidea taxa. The application of this protocol is anticipated to facilitate the generation of new genetic data and hence promote scientific research in Isopoda taxonomy, evolution, ecology, and other related fields.

Sustainable Social Technologies In The Semiárido Of Rio Grande Do Norte – Brazil

Along the Brazilian history, the federal government has invested in the construction of large-scale water works in the Northeastern region, aiming to fight drought in the Semiárido and to finish with the scarcity of water by means of public policies. However, the climatic context makes drought a natural characteristic of the Northeastern region and cannot be fought against, as it is a natural phenomenon in the area. The objective of the present paper is to investigate how social technologies implemented in the Semiárido have contributed to the strengthening of women’s production capacity in the Hipólito community located in the Mossoró municipality, (State of Rio Grande do Norte, Northeastern Brazil), with the implementation of fertilized cisterns, aiming at gender equality and sustainable agriculture as preconized by Agenda 2030. As a methodological procedure, a qualitative research was carried out, adopting the participatory observation and the focal group techniques. Twelve women who integrate the Mulheres em Ação group participated in the study. It was observed that women positively perceive the impacts of the social technologies of the Um Milhão de Cisternas (P1MC) and Uma Terra e Duas Águas (P1+2) programs in the Hipólito community. Moreover, agriculture practices involved in the construction of the water reuse technology in their yards yielded positive expectations regarding production by the addition of another social technology that will make a larger volume of water available to the community. It is concluded that social technologies coexisting with the Semiárido have contributed to a new territorial development model, consonant with the Semiárido characteristics.

VOLUNTEER SOCIAL WORK

Voluntary work has contributed a lot to social development both locally and globally. Many organizations have benefited from this type of work. Brazil is usually recognized internationally for both Football and Carnival, both with strong ethnic roots. However, little is said about the Social Impact of the so-called Samba Schools that organize the Carnival performances. This work aims to show how a Samba School in Sao Paulo, developed social work in their communities, that are very important and valued so much for by both communities by the institutions themselves and society; and therefore, they represent an important type of Local Social Entrepreneurship. The objective of the research is to identify what drives people to do voluntary work at the samba schools, what motivates them and what is the profile of the volunteer worker at the Unidos de Vila Maria Samba School. The research is qualitative, exploratory and literature about the volunteering theme, and carried out research on the type Focal Group with 8 integrates of samba school study. The research results show that despite prejudices still exist, volunteer work in samba schools improves motivation and helps to understand how the world can be better when projects are put into action that aim to help the marginalized and disadvantaged in society.

Acceptance of New Land-Use Activities by Hmong and Khmu Ethnic Groups: A Case Study in Northern Lao People’s Democratic Republic

Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) to address climate change has historically included little evaluation of how heterogeneous local communities respond to REDD+ interventions and new land-use activities. We assessed differences in the acceptance of new land-use activities as a function of livelihoods of the Hmong and Khmu ethnic groups in northern Lao People’s Democratic Republic, where REDD+ was implemented between 2011 and 2018. Our socioeconomic data, collected by a questionnaire-based survey and focal group discussions, showed that the Hmong more effectively incorporated support from REDD+ than the Khmu because the Hmong owned grazing land. Our findings highlight the importance of understanding the capabilities and characteristics of each ethnic group when implementing new land-use activities (i.e., designing and implementing alternative livelihoods) within a target area to ensure distributional equity in heterogeneous communities. Such a consideration should be included in land-use policy and also be a part of the social safeguards in the land-use sector.