Homeopatia no controle da lagarta-das-crotalárias.

São comuns os ataques da lagarta Utetheisa ornatrix em espécies de crotalárias na inflorescência e nas vagens. Quando a produção se destina à obtenção de sementes o controle de tal praga é realizado usualmente aplicando-se inseticidas fisiológicos ou com ação de contato. Este trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar o controle da lagarta-das-crotalárias com homeopatia (nosódio). O trabalho é referente à homeopatia popular aplicada em espécies de Crotalária paulina e Crotalária spectabilis, obtendo-se resultados satisfatórios. O uso da homeopatia apresenta-se como um importante instrumento na redução de custos no manejo de adubos verdes, na melhoria da qualidade das sementes e ainda amplia o desenvolvimento agroecológico da produção

Adubos Verdes como plantas de cobertura para o sistema de plantio direto em Porto Velho-RO.

Adubação verde é uma prática conservacionista, onde certas espécies de plantas são cultivadas, com finalidade de assegurar ou aumentar a capacidade produtiva do solo. As espécies de plantas mais utilizadas como adubos verdes são as leguminosas. Avaliou-se o desenvolvimento de seis espécies de Adubos Verdes, como plantas de cobertura nas condições edafoclimáticas para o município de Porto Velho. Os parâmetros analisados foram: massa seca, teor de N e percentual de cobertura do solo. O percentual de cobertura do solo e a coleta da parte aérea e raízes das plantas foram realizadas utilizando-se um quadrado de 0,25m² (0,5x0,5m) lançado aleatoriamente na parcela, com três repetições. As amostras foram acondicionadas em estufa com temperatura de 65°C até alcançarem peso constante, quando foram pesadas em balança eletrônica para obtenção dos valores de massa seca. O teor de N foi obtido através de sub-amostras da massa seca, pelo método de micro-Kjedahl. Conclui-se que as leguminosas que se destacaram foram feijão-bravo-do-Ceará, Indigófera tintória e feijão guandu

Decision for reconstructive interventions of the upper limb in individuals with tetraplegia: the effect of treatment characteristics

Objective: To determine the effect of treatment characteristics on the\ud decision for reconstructive interventions for the upper extremities (UE) in\ud subjects with tetraplegia. - \ud Setting: Seven specialized spinal cord injury centres in the Netherlands. - \ud Method: Treatment characteristics for UE reconstructive interventions were\ud determined. Conjoint analysis (CA) was used to determine the contribution\ud and the relative importance of the treatment characteristics on the decision\ud for therapy. Therefore, a number of different treatment scenarios using these\ud characteristics were established. Different pairs of scenarios were presented\ud to subjects who were asked to choose the preferred scenario of each set. - \ud Results: forty nine subjects with tetraplegia with a stable C5, C6 or C7\ud lesion were selected. All treatment characteristics significantly influenced\ud the choice for treatment. Relative importance of treatment characteristics\ud were: intervention type (surgery or surgery with FES implant) 13%, number\ud of operations 15%, in patient rehabilitation period 22%, ambulant\ud rehabilitation period 9%, complication rate 15%, improvement of elbow\ud function 10%, improvement of hand function 15%. In deciding for therapy\ud 40% of the subjects focused on one characteristic. - \ud Conclusion: CA is applicable in Spinal Cord Injury medicine to study the\ud effect of health outcomes and non-health outcomes on the decision for\ud treatment. Non-health outcomes which relate to the intensity of treatment\ud are equally important or even more important than functional outcome in the\ud decision for reconstructive UE surgery in subjects with tetraplegia

Сегментация изображения с помощью программного средства MatLab

In computer vision, image segmentation is the process of partitioning a digital image intomultiple segments (sets of pixels, also known as superpixels). The goal of segmentation is to simplify and/orchange the representation of an image into something that is more meaningful and easier to analyze. Imagesegmentation is typically used to locate objects and boundaries (lines, curves, etc.) in images. More precisely,image segmentation is the process of assigning a label to every pixel in an image such that pixels with thesame label share certain characteristics. The result of image segmentation is a set of segments that collectivelycover the entire image, or a set of contours extracted from the image

Decolonizing education in Africa: Curriculum reform, language policy, and indigenous knowledge systems

The movement to decolonize education in Africa has gained significant momentum as scholars, policymakers, and communities critically assess the legacy of colonial education systems. This research explores the imperative for curriculum reform, the re-evaluation of language policy, and the integration of indigenous knowledge systems as key strategies for advancing decolonization. The paper investigates how colonial epistemologies persist within educational structures, hindering efforts to cultivate culturally relevant and locally grounded pedagogies. By analyzing the implications of current policies and practices in various African countries, the study sheds light on the tensions and opportunities in transforming educational content and delivery. The research draws on qualitative data from case studies, policy documents, and academic literature to assess the readiness of African institutions to embrace a decolonized framework. Emphasis is placed on the significance of language as a vehicle of cultural identity and the crucial role of community knowledge holders in shaping curricula. Furthermore, the study considers how early childhood, primary, and higher education systems can benefit from inclusive and pluralistic approaches that validate African worldviews. The findings illustrate that while there are ongoing challenges, such as institutional resistance and resource limitations, there are also promising initiatives that reflect a commitment to epistemic justice. Ultimately, this paper proposes a strategic, context-sensitive approach to decolonizing education that acknowledges historical injustices while laying the foundation for a more equitable and empowering learning environment across the continent

Irradiação de larvas de Ceratitis capitata (Wied, 1824) (Diptera: Tephritidae) com raio X para sua utilização na multiplicação do parasitóide Diachasmimorpha longicaudata Asmead) (Hemiptera: Braconidae).

Siconbiol 2013

Between expression and equality: Constitutional challenges in adjudicating racially charged political speech in South Africa

This article critically examines the constitutional tension between the right to freedom of expression and the rights to equality and dignity in adjudicating racially charged political speech in South Africa. It focuses on the controversial chant "Kill the Boer" and interrogates how courts navigate the competing imperatives of protecting political expression while upholding non-racialism, equality, and human dignity. Through doctrinal and comparative analysis, including cases from Kenya and Rwanda, the article identifies inconsistencies in South African jurisprudence, particularly regarding symbolic speech and its real-world impact on minority communities. It highlights the judiciary's tendency to underplay psychological and symbolic harm, which undermines public trust and the transformative vision of the Constitution. The article further addresses the study's limitations, such as the limited engagement with primary data and potential judicial biases. It proposes reforms that prioritise restorative constitutionalism and a more context-sensitive approach to adjudicating hate speech, considering the feasibility of such measures within South Africa’s resource-constrained legal framework. The study contributes to broader debates on how transitional democracies can address historical injustice without enabling new forms of exclusion or harm

From emergency relief to structural redress: Rethinking South Africa’s SRD grant as a basic relief income program

The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, introduced as an emergency measure during the COVID-19 pandemic, has become a critical support mechanism for millions of South Africans. Although initially implemented to address the immediate economic fallout of the pandemic, the grant has persisted beyond the crisis, evolving into an essential component of the country’s social protection landscape. Its discontinuation at this stage would have devastating consequences, particularly for the large population of unemployed youth in townships who rely on the grant for basic survival, including securing a daily meal. Unlike other targeted grants such as those supporting children, the elderly, or students, the SRD grant is uniquely positioned to address the needs of working-age individuals excluded from formal employment and other social programs. In a context where South Africa’s apartheid legacy continues to shape patterns of poverty, marginalisation, and inequality, the SRD grant serves not only as a poverty alleviation tool but also as a vehicle for redress and inclusion. This paper advocates for institutionalising the SRD grant by transforming it into a permanent Basic Relief Income (BRI) program, designed as a near-universal income support for working-age adults with low or no income. The BRI is envisioned as a sustainable and inclusive safety net that recognises the socio-historical context of dispossession and responds to the structural exclusion faced by millions. By framing income support as both a developmental and restorative intervention, the proposed BRI model can play a vital role in promoting economic participation, social cohesion, and long-term national stability

Constitutionalism under pressure: Evaluating the legal framework for a government of national unity in South Africa

The establishment of South Africa’s 2024 Government of National Unity (GNU) marks a significant departure from post-apartheid electoral norms, raising critical questions about the constitutional viability of coalition governance amid political fragmentation. This paper interrogates whether the existing constitutional framework adequately supports a GNU model under contemporary conditions of socio-economic strain and institutional fragility. Through a qualitative legal analysis of constitutional texts, key policy documents, political declarations, and jurisprudential trends, the study assesses how mechanisms such as separation of powers, executive authority, and intergovernmental cooperation are interpreted and deployed within unity arrangements. It traces the historical emergence of power-sharing in South Africa, comparing the 1994 transitional GNU to the current iteration, and identifies core challenges such as executive ambiguity, accountability erosion, and legal uncertainty. The paper further evaluates the role of civil society, the judiciary, and political culture in safeguarding constitutional order. By synthesizing insights from state performance, party behavior, and legal analysis, it identifies both limitations and reform opportunities within South Africa’s constitutional architecture. The study concludes with recommendations for strengthening democratic resilience through clearer legal design, institutional clarity, and enhanced civic engagement, contributing to global discourse on constitutional adaptability in emerging democracies

Political economy of health reform: Unpacking stakeholder interests in South Africa’s NHI debate

South Africa’s journey toward universal health coverage through the proposed National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme reflects a deeply contested terrain of political, economic, and institutional interests. At the heart of the debate lies the struggle to transform an inequitable, dual-tiered healthcare system into a unified platform for equitable access. This article examines the political economy underpinning the NHI discourse by critically unpacking the roles, incentives, and power dynamics of key stakeholder groups, including government institutions, private healthcare providers, civil society, trade unions, political parties, and international actors. Using a political economy analysis framework, the study explores how stakeholder preferences and alignments shape the pace, design, and legitimacy of NHI reforms. It interrogates the conflicting narratives of equity and efficiency, state capacity versus market reliance, and centralized control versus decentralized delivery. Drawing on diverse reports, policy analyses, public submissions, and academic critiques, the research highlights how divergent ideological, financial, and institutional positions influence both policy content and public perception. Evidence from the research indicates that health reform in South Africa is not merely a technical endeavor but a deeply political process. Stakeholders engage in strategic behavior to either support, contest, or reshape the NHI, with implications for policy coherence, implementation feasibility, and constitutional alignment. The article concludes that sustainable health reform depends not only on sound policy design but also on transparent negotiation, inclusive dialogue, and adaptive political strategy. A nuanced understanding of stakeholder dynamics is therefore essential to realizing South Africa’s vision of health equity and universal coverage