The objective was to develop evidence -based recommendations and a research and educational agenda for the non-pharmacological management of hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA). The multidisciplinary task force comprised 21 experts: nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, rheumatologists, orthopaedic surgeons, general practitioner, psychologist, dietician, clinical epidemiologist and patient representatives. After a preliminary literature review, a first task force meeting and five Delphi rounds, provisional recommendations were formulated in order to perform a systematic review.

The results of two types of experiments are reported. In 1 type, Ss matched depth intervals on the ground plane that appeared equal to frontal intervals at the same distance. The depth intervals had to be made considerably larger than the frontal intervals to appear equal in length, with this physical inequality of equal-appearing intervals increasing with egocentric distance of the intervals (4 m-12 m). In the other type of experiment, Ss viewed targets lying on the ground plane and then, with eyes closed, attempted either to walk directly to their locations or to point continuously toward them while walking along paths that passed off to the side. Performance was quite accurate in both motoric tasks, indicating that the distortion in the mapping from physical to visual space evident in the visual matching task does not manifest itself in the visually open-loop motoric tasks.

Estimates of species extinction due to human impact on tropical forests have previously been based on the relationship between species number and area. Here we use a different approach to estimate loss of tree species in the Atlantic forest of northeast Brazil. We evaluate the characteristics of plant species, their avian dispersers and the distribution of the forest remnants on the landscape to estimate that about 33.9% of tree species in this region will become extinct on a regional scale. Because northeast Brazil is the most threatened sector of South American Atlantic forest, our results highlight the need to change the current conservation paradigm for this region. Rather than focus on the creation of isolated reserves in any medium-to-large forest remnant, a bioregional planning approach is urgently required to rescue this unique biota from extinction.

The 735,000-km 2 Caatinga is a mosaic of thorn scrub and seasonally dry forests, with more than 2000 species of vascular plants, fishes, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals. Endemism in these groups varies from 7% to 57%. Inappropriate land use has already caused serious environmental damage and accelerating desertification, which is currently threatening about 15% of the region. Moreover, the rich and diversified biota of the Caatinga is poorly protected: only 11 reserves (<1% of the region) are strictly protected areas. A conservation strategy for the Caatinga biota should be designed to (1) avoid further habitat loss and desertification, (2) maintain key ecological services necessary for improving the living standards of the rural population, and (3) promote the sustainable use of the region's natural resources. Implementing an effective conservation agenda for the Caatinga is not an easy task but, with creativity and consistent financial support, it should be possible to nurture this unique biome and guarantee the preservation of its rich and diversified fauna and flora, and, with this, the well-being of its rural populations.Cambiando el Curso de la Conservación de Biodiversidad en la Caatinga del Noreste de Brasil Resumen: La Caatinga, con 735,000 km 2 , es un mosaico arbustos espinosos y de bosques secos estacionalmente, con más de 2000 especies de plantas vasculares, peces, reptiles, anfibios, aves y mamíferos. El endemismo en estos grupos varía entre 7% y 57%. El uso inadecuado del suelo ha causado serios daños ambientales y acelerado la desertificación, que actualmente amenaza a 15% de la región. Más aun, la rica y diversificada biota de la Caatinga esta deficientemente protegida: solo 11 reservas (<1% de la región) sonáreas estrictamente protegidas. Se debe diseñar una estrategia de conservación para la biota de la Caatinga para (1) evitar mayor pérdida de hábitat y desertificación; (2) mantener servicios ecológicos claves, necesarios para mejorar los estándares de vida y (3) promover el uso sustentable de los recursos naturales de la región. La instrumentación de una agenda de conservación efectiva para la Caatinga no es una tarea sencilla pero, con creatividad y apoyo financiero consistente, sería posible nutrir a este biomaúnico y garantizar la preservación de su rica y diversificada fauna y flora, y, con esto, el bienestar de sus poblaciones rurales.

Amazonia is the largest and most diverse of the tropical forest wilderness areas. Recent compilations indicate at least 40,000 plant species, 427 mammals, 1294 birds, 378 reptiles, 427 amphibians, and around 3,000 fishes. Not homogeneous in its plant and animal communities, it is an archipelago of distinct areas of endemism separated by the major rivers. Biogeographic studies of terrestrial vertebrates have identified eight such areas in the Brazilian Amazon: Tapajós, Xingú, and Belém (all in Brazil); Rondônia (mostly in Brazil); and portions of Napo, Imeri, Guiana, and Inambari. They range in size from more than 1.7 million km 2 (Guiana) to 199,211 km 2 (Belém). Forest loss in each ranges from 2% to 13% of their area, except for Xingu (nearly 27% lost) and Belém, (now only about one-third of its forest remains). Napo, Imeri, and Guiana have >40% of their lands in protected areas, Inambari, Rondônia, Tapajós, and Xingu between 20% and 40%, and Belém <20%. Strictly protected areas in each, however, are limited-from 0.28% to 11.7%. Areas of endemism should be the basic geographic unit for the creation of conservation corridors of contiguous protected areas, providing broad connectivity on both margins and within the interior of areas of endemism. The aim is to build a conservation system that is large and resilient enough to circumvent global changes, accommodate improved living standards for local populations, conserve biodiversity, and safeguard the ecological services forests and rivers provide. Elected leaders are now realizing that the traditional economy based on cattle ranching and logging is unsustainable. Deforestation proceeds apace, but the federal government is implementing the Protected Areas Programme for Amazonia, which seeks to protect 50 million ha, and a number of state governments are now active in creating protected areas and incorporating appropriate conservation measures in their development plans. El Destino de lasÁreas de Endemismo Amazónicas Resumen: La Amazonía es elárea de bosque tropical más grande y diversa. Compilaciones recientes indican por lo menos 40,000 especies de plantas, 427 de mamíferos, 1294 de aves, 378 de reptiles y alrededor de 3,000 de peces. No es homogénea en sus comunidades plantas y animales, sino que es un archipiélago de distintaś areas de endemismo separadas por los ríos principales. Estudios biogeográficos de los vertebrados terrestres han identificado ocho de esasáreas en la Amazonía Brasileña: Tapajós, Xingú y Belém (todas en Brasil), Rondônia (la mayor parte en Brasil) y porciones de Napo, Imeri, Guyana e Inambari. Varían en extensión desde más de 1.7 millones de km 2 (Guyana) hasta 199,211 km 2 (Belém). La pérdida de bosque en cada una varía de 2% a 13% de su superficie, excepto Xingu (casi 27%) y Belém (solo permanece cerca de una tercera parte de su bosque). Napo, Imeri y Guyana tienen >40% de su extensión enáreas protegidas, Inambari, Rondônia, Tapajós y Xingu entre 20% y 40% y Belém <20%. Sin embargo, lasáreas estrictamente protegidas en cada una son lim...

Capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection (C 4 D) is presented in a progressively detailed approach. Through different levels of theoretical and practical complexity, several aspects related to this kind of detection are addressed, which should be helpful to understand the results as well as to design a detector or plan experiments. Simulations and experimental results suggest that sensitivity depends on: 1) the electrolyte co-ion and counter-ion; 2) cell geometry and its positioning; 3) operating frequency. Undesirable stray capacitance formed due to the close placement of the electrodes is of great importance to the optimization of the operating frequency and must be minimized.

Copaiba oleoresins are exuded from the trunks of trees of the Copaifera species (Leguminosae-Caesalpinoideae). This oleoresin is a solution of diterpenoids, especially, mono- and di-acids, solubilized by sesquiterpene hydrocarbons. The sesquiterpenes and diterpenes (labdane, clerodane and kaurane skeletons) are different for each Copaifera species and have been linked to several reported biological activities, ranging from anti-tumoral to embriotoxic effects. This review presents all the substances already described in this oleoresin, together with structures and activities of its main terpenoids.

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