Amazonia hosts the Earth's largest tropical forests and has been shown to be an important carbon sink over recent decades.sup.1-3. This carbon sink seems to be in decline, however, as a result of ...factors such as deforestation and climate change.sup.1-3. Here we investigate Amazonia's carbon budget and the main drivers responsible for its change into a carbon source. We performed 590 aircraft vertical profiling measurements of lower-tropospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide at four sites in Amazonia from 2010 to 2018.sup.4. We find that total carbon emissions are greater in eastern Amazonia than in the western part, mostly as a result of spatial differences in carbon-monoxide-derived fire emissions. Southeastern Amazonia, in particular, acts as a net carbon source (total carbon flux minus fire emissions) to the atmosphere. Over the past 40 years, eastern Amazonia has been subjected to more deforestation, warming and moisture stress than the western part, especially during the dry season, with the southeast experiencing the strongest trends.sup.5-9. We explore the effect of climate change and deforestation trends on carbon emissions at our study sites, and find that the intensification of the dry season and an increase in deforestation seem to promote ecosystem stress, increase in fire occurrence, and higher carbon emissions in the eastern Amazon. This is in line with recent studies that indicate an increase in tree mortality and a reduction in photosynthesis as a result of climatic changes across Amazonia.sup.1,10.
Ocelot is a Neotropical wildcat with a broad geographic distribution. The southernmost region of its distribution is an ecotone zone between biomes Atlantic Forest and Pampa in Brazil. Ocelot is ...rarely seen in this region, especially in the Pampa, being one of the most endangered wildcats in this region. The objective of this study is to predict the potential distribution of ocelots in the southern limit of it known distribution and to measure the percentage of protected areas coverage. We collected 24 records of the species in the state of Rio Grande do Sul and we modeled the potential distribution using seven distinct algorithms tested using two evaluation metrics (TSS and AUC). The variables with the highest percentage contribution to the models were: BIO8, BIO19, BIO7 (related to temperature and precipitation) and NDVI. Additionally, we observed that of the areas considered most suitable for the species (8,388 km
2
), only (39 km
2
or 0.46%) were included in the protected areas and these were primarily located in the Atlantic Forest biome. By contrast, the most suitable areas for the species in the Pampa biome were not covered by protected areas. We consider this to be a serious issue considering the species is endangered in the state.
The Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) carried on-board satellites yields invaluable data of global wave spectra since the early 1990s, with several satellites in orbit at present and more launches ...scheduled in the near future. However, the retrieval of wave information from SAR images constitutes a complex set of procedures. In this context, we have presented here a methodology to simulate SAR image spectra of ocean swell waves. SAR simulators are important tools for the implementation and evaluation of wave spectra retrieval schemes. The one proposed here is based on the Hasselmann Transform whose Modulation Transfer Functions (MTF's) account for the main physical processes involved in the imaging of ocean waves. A detailed description of its structure is provided. Through several test cases, we highlight some particularities of the relationship between SAR image spectra and wave spectra. We have evaluated the impact of the parameters settings and input information on the retrieval process, pinpointing possible shortcomings. The results indicated that useful information about the processes involved in the imaging of ocean swells can be derived from the SAR simulator.
ABSTRACT Cabossous tatouay Desmarest, 1804 is considered a rare species in southern South America, and Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, records of the species are scarce and inaccurate. This study ...reports 40 localities for C. tatouay, and provides a map of the species' potential distribution using ecological niche modeling (ENM). The ENM indicated that in this region C. tatouay is associated with open grasslands, including the areas of "Pampas" and the open fields in the highlands of the Atlantic Forest. This study contributes to the information about the greater naked-tailed armadillo in southern Brazil, and provides data key to its future conservation.
Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a infection caused by the thermodimorphic fungus
spp. (P.
and, mainly,
). This infection predominantly affects rural male workers aged between 30 and 50 years old who ...deal with soil on daily activities. Clinically, the disease is classified as acute/subacute phase, which evolves rapidly, secondary to dissemination of the fungus through to the phagocytic-mononuclear system, leading to fever, weight loss, and anorexia, associated with hepatosplenomegaly and lymphadenopathy, which can be complicated with suppuration and fistulization; and chronic phase, which corresponds to 74% to 95% of symptomatic cases, with a common pulmonary involvement. Central nervous system involvement is almost always a characteristic of the chronic form. Inhalation is the most common route of primary infection, usually affecting the lungs, forming the primary complex. From the primary complex, hematogenic dissemination can occur to any organ, including the brain and spinal cord. Although PCM of the central nervous system diagnosis is usually based on histopathological analysis and the imaging features are not specific for PCM, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging can demonstrate evidences of granuloma, abscess, meningitis, or a combination of these lesions, contributing to a preoperative diagnosis, especially when considered in conjunction with epidemiology. In this article, we review the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations and imaging aspects of neuro-PCM.
Carbon nanotubes (CN) have been studied to treat spinal cord injuries because of its electrical properties and nanometric dimensions. This work aims to develop a photopolymerizable hydrogel ...containing CN functionalized with an anti-inflammatory molecule to be used in situ on spinal cord injuries. The CN functionalization step was done using the drug (formononetin). The nanocomposites were characterized by morphological analysis, FTIR, Raman Spectroscopy, thermal analysis and cytotoxicity assays (MTT and HET-CAM). The nanocomposites were incorporated into gelatin methacryloyl hydrogel and exposed to UV light for photopolymerization. The volume of the formulation and the UV exposition time were also analyzed. The CN characterization showed that formononetin acted as a functionalization agent. The functionalized CN showed safe characteristics and can be incorporated in photocrosslinkable formulation. The UV exposition time for the formulation photopolymerization was compatible with the cell viability and also occurred in the injury site.
We designed a formulation that contains carbon nanotube functionalized by formononetin, sparing the use of polymers or other functionalization agent. This nanocomposite was incorporated in a pre-polymer formulation of gelatin methacryloyl, which after UV exposure forms a biocompatible hydrogel. The photocrosslinking process of pre-polymer provides the formulation administration on the injury site. Thus, this formulation intends to improve the reconnection process, acting as a scaffold to neural cell development (GelMA hydrogel), at the same time as delivering anti-inflammatory substances to modulate the inflammatory process (formononetin). In addition, the incorporation of carbon nanotube can promote neuronal outgrowth. Display omitted
•Formononetin can be used as functionalization agent for carbon nanotubes;•Nanocomposites (CNAFt and CNAFt(ox)) showed cytocompatibility;•Nanocomposites can be incorporated into photocrosslinkable formulation;•The formulation containing nanocomposite was photopolymerized in spinal injury site.
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a posture and movement disorder and different therapeutic modalities, such as the use of braces, have sought to favor selective motor control and muscle coordination in such ...patients. The aim of the proposed study is to determine the effect of the combination of posture-control insoles and ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) improving functional limitation in children with CP.
The sample will be composed of 24 children with CP between four and 12 years of age. After the signing of the statement of informed consent, the children will be randomly allocated to two groups: a control group using AFOs alone and an experimental group using both posture-control insoles and AFOs. Evaluations will be performed on five occasions: without any accessory (insoles or AFOs), immediately after, one month after, six months after and one year after AFOs or insole and AFOs use. The evaluation will involve the analysis of gait, static and functional balance, mobility and hypertonia. The three-dimensional assessment of gait will involve the eight-camera SMART-D SMART-D 140® system (BTS Engineering), two Kistler force plates (model 9286BA) and an eight-channel, wireless FREEEMG® electromyography (BTS Engineering). Static balance will be assessed using a Kistler force plate (model 9286BA). Clinical functional balance and mobility will be assessed using the Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up-and-Go Test and Six-Minute Walk Test. The posture-control insoles will be made of ethylene vinyl acetate, with thermal molding for fixation. The fixed orthoses will be made of polypropylene and attached to the ankle region (AFO). The results will be analyzed statistically, with the level significance set to 5% (p < 0.05).
RBR6d342s (http://www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/news/).
Airway epithelial cells (AEC) infected with SARS-CoV-2 may drive the dysfunction of macrophages during COVID-19. We hypothesized that the direct interaction of AEC with macrophages mediated by ...CD95/CD95L or indirect interaction mediated by IL-6 signaling are key steps for the COVID-19 severe acute inflammation. The interaction of macrophages with apoptotic and infected AEC increased CD95 and CD163 expression, and induced macrophage death. Macrophages exposed to tracheal aspirate with high IL-6 levels from intubated patients with COVID-19 or to recombinant human IL-6 exhibited decreased HLA-DR expression, increased CD95 and CD163 expression and IL-1β production. IL-6 effects on macrophages were prevented by both CD95/CD95L antagonist and by IL-6 receptor antagonist and IL-6 or CD95 deficient mice showed significant reduction of acute pulmonary inflammation post-infection. Our findings show a non-canonical CD95L-CD95 pathway that simultaneously drives both macrophage activation and dysfunction and point to CD95/CD95L axis as therapeutic target.
Display omitted
•SARS-CoV-2-infected airway epithelial cells (AEC) secrete IL-6 and express FasL•Infected apoptotic AEC or IL-6 increases Fas and CD163 expression on macrophages•Fas/FasL or IL-6 receptor antagonists prevent macrophage dysfunction•Non-canonical CD95L-CD95 pathway drives macrophage activation and dysfunction
Components of the immune system; Virology
This article addresses the Particle Swarm Optimization with Incremental Conductance algorithm (PSO-InC) performance as the maximum power point tracking algorithm (MPPT), when the photovoltaic system ...is under different partial shading patterns. The PSO-InC MPPT combines the global-searching capabilities of particle swarm optimization with the smoother search feature of the incremental conductance algorithm. The analysis proceeds from a systematic approach involving the system simulation for different Environmental conditions. Besides that, to accurately represent the effects of the inherent stochasticity of the PSO, diverse starting conditions were considered in each case. The main contribution, in this sense, consists of highlighting some PSC patterns that might compromise the effectiveness of the PSO, even though the average efficacy on searching the global MPP (GMPP) is over 89%. For instance, based on one of the exploited PSC patterns, one may note a decrement of the PSO effectiveness to a level as lower as 36%. This article also presents simulation results highlighting the PSO-InC MPPT dynamics under transient and steady-state conditions. Index Terms--hybrid intelligent systems, maximum power point trackers, particle swarm optimization, photovoltaic systems, solar power generation.
BRAZIL ROAD-KILL Grilo, Clara; Coimbra, Michely R.; Cerqueira, Rafaela C. ...
Ecology (Durham),
11/2018, Volume:
99, Issue:
11
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
Mortality from collision with vehicles is the most visible impact of road traffic on wildlife. Mortality due to roads (hereafter road-kill) can affect the dynamic of populations of many species and ...can, therefore, increase the risk of local decline or extinction. This is especially true in Brazil, where plans for road network upgrading and expansion overlaps biodiversity hotspot areas, which are of high importance for global conservation. Researchers, conservationists and road planners face the challenge to define a national strategy for road mitigation and wildlife conservation. The main goal of this dataset is a compilation of geo-referenced road-kill data from published and unpublished road surveys. This is the first Data Paper in the BRAZIL series (see ATLANTIC, NEOTROPICAL, and BRAZIL collections of Data Papers published in Ecology), which aims make public road-kill data for species in the Brazilian Regions. The dataset encompasses road-kill records from 45 personal communications and 26 studies published in peer-reviewed journals, theses and reports. The road-kill dataset comprises 21,512 records, 83% of which are identified to the species level (n = 450 species). The dataset includes records of 31 amphibian species, 90 reptile species, 229 bird species, and 99 mammal species. One species is classified as Endangered, eight as Vulnerable and twelve as Near Threatened. The species with the highest number of records are: Didelphis albiventris (n = 1,549), Volatinia jacarina (n = 1,238), Cerdocyon thous (n = 1,135), Helicops infrataeniatus (n = 802), and Rhinella icterica (n = 692). Most of the records came from southern Brazil. However, observations of the road-kill incidence for non-Least Concern species are more spread across the country. This dataset can be used to identify which taxa seems to be vulnerable to traffic, analyze temporal and spatial patterns of road-kill at local, regional and national scales and also used to understand the effects of road-kill on population persistence. It may also contribute to studies that aims to understand the influence of landscape and environmental influences on road-kills, improve our knowledge on road-related strategies on biodiversity conservation and be used as complementary information on large-scale and macroecological studies. No copyright or proprietary restrictions are associated with the use of this data set other than citation of this Data Paper.
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