Mapping and monitoring of forest carbon stocks across large areas in the tropics will necessarily rely on remote sensing approaches, which in turn depend on field estimates of biomass for calibration ...and validation purposes. Here, we used field plot data collected in a tropical moist forest in the central Amazon to gain a better understanding of the uncertainty associated with plot-level biomass estimates obtained specifically for the calibration of remote sensing measurements. In addition to accounting for sources of error that would be normally expected in conventional biomass estimates (e.g., measurement and allometric errors), we examined two sources of uncertainty that are specific to the calibration process and should be taken into account in most remote sensing studies: the error resulting from spatial disagreement between field and remote sensing measurements (i.e., co-location error), and the error introduced when accounting for temporal differences in data acquisition. We found that the overall uncertainty in the field biomass was typically 25% for both secondary and primary forests, but ranged from 16 to 53%. Co-location and temporal errors accounted for a large fraction of the total variance (>65%) and were identified as important targets for reducing uncertainty in studies relating tropical forest biomass to remotely sensed data. Although measurement and allometric errors were relatively unimportant when considered alone, combined they accounted for roughly 30% of the total variance on average and should not be ignored. Our results suggest that a thorough understanding of the sources of error associated with field-measured plot-level biomass estimates in tropical forests is critical to determine confidence in remote sensing estimates of carbon stocks and fluxes, and to develop strategies for reducing the overall uncertainty of remote sensing approaches.
Polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images are essential to understand forest structure and plan forest inventories with the purpose of natural resource management and environmental ...conservation efforts. We developed a method for estimating above-ground biomass (AGB) from power and phase-radar attributes in L-band images. The model was based on the variables “Pv” (from Freeman–Durden decomposition) and “σ°HH”, complemented by the attributes of Touzi decomposition “αS2”, “τm”, “ ΦS3”, and “ ΦS2”. The analyses demonstrated the contribution of volumetric, multiple, and direct scattering resulting from the interaction between the signal and the random structure of canopies and their forest biomass. The proposed model had good predictive capacity and a positive correlation (R2 = 0.67 and = 0.81, respectively), with Syx = 56.9 Mg ha−1 and a low average estimation error of 7.5% at R2 = 0.81 in the validation. An additional exploratory analysis of the parallel polarimetric responses did not reveal a defined pattern for the different phytophysiognomies—although all indicated a predominance of multiple and/or volumetric scattering. This fact can be related to the floristic and structural variation in the primary forest units, the degree of human intervention in legal logging, and the differences among succession stages.
We analysed the flora of 46 forest inventory plots (25 m x 100 m) in old growth forests from the Amazonian region to identify the role of environmental (topographic) and spatial variables (obtained ...using PCNM, Principal Coordinates of Neighbourhood Matrix analysis) for common and rare species. For the analyses, we used multiple partial regression to partition the specific effects of the topographic and spatial variables on the univariate data (standardised richness, total abundance and total biomass) and partial RDA (Redundancy Analysis) to partition these effects on composition (multivariate data) based on incidence, abundance and biomass. The different attributes (richness, abundance, biomass and composition based on incidence, abundance and biomass) used to study this metacommunity responded differently to environmental and spatial processes. Considering standardised richness, total abundance (univariate) and composition based on biomass, the results for common species differed from those obtained for all species. On the other hand, for total biomass (univariate) and for compositions based on incidence and abundance, there was a correspondence between the data obtained for the total community and for common species. Our data also show that in general, environmental and/or spatial components are important to explain the variability in tree communities for total and common species. However, with the exception of the total abundance, the environmental and spatial variables measured were insufficient to explain the attributes of the communities of rare species. These results indicate that predicting the attributes of rare tree species communities based on environmental and spatial variables is a substantial challenge. As the spatial component was relevant for several community attributes, our results demonstrate the importance of using a metacommunities approach when attempting to understand the main ecological processes underlying the diversity of tropical forest communities.
The sweet potato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci MED (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is highly harmful to solanaceous crops. The use of essential oils (EOs) is promising for the management of several ...insect pests, promoting both lethal and sublethal effects. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of sublethal concentrations of Pelargonium graveolens L'Her (Geraniaceae) EO on the feeding behavior of B. tabaci MED on tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L., Solanaceae). For this research, the electrical penetration graph (EPG) technique was used to monitor whitefly stylet activities on their host plants. Two sets of plants were previously sprayed with two concentrations of EO (the LC25 and LC50, which were determined in a mortality test), a third set was treated with the insecticide cyantraniliprole, and a fourth set received a control treatment. Our results indicate that the insecticide cyantraniliprole and the EO could both reduce the stylet feeding activity of B. tabaci MED, as well as reduce the number and duration of phloem sap ingestion events (waveform E2), which could avoid or reduce the transmission of viruses. Thus, the application of sublethal concentrations of P. graveolens EO, as well as exposure to cyantraniliprole, negatively affected the feeding behavior of B. tabaci MED. This information may contribute to the management of this pest and the reduction of the incidence of viruses in tomato production.
Bemisia tabaci MED (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is an important pest of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum, Solanaceae). We assessed the effects of Pelargonium graveolens (Geraniaceae) essential oil (EO) and the insecticide cyantraniliprole on the feeding behavior of B. tabaci MED on tomato. Using the electrical penetration graph (EPG) technique, our results indicate that both EO and cyantraniliprole negatively affected feeding of B. tabaci MED. This information may contribute to pest management and reduction of virus transmission by the insect.
Ketosis-prone type 2 diabetes (KPD) is an emerging form of diabetes mellitus characterized by unprovoked ketoacidosis, absence of autoimmunity and beta-cell dysfunction. The KPD may improve after ...initial glycemic compensation and evolve to exogenous insulin independence, most cases were observed in populations with African or Hispanic backgrounds. We reviewed the literature on KPD and, to date, only one case of KPD has been described in Brazil's multi-ethnic population. A group of adult Brazilian KPD patients without autoimmunity and insulinopenia was identified for this study. We report a retrospective study of four KPD cases (3 males) evaluated in southeast Brazil, the patients were overweight or obese, age between the third and fifth decades of life, had a family history of type 2 diabetes, hyperglycemia (809.5 ± 344.2 mg/dL), acidosis (pH 7.21 ± 0.07; normal range (nr): 7.35-7.45 and bicarbonate 9.1 ± 6.2; nr: 22-26 mEq/mL), ketonuria (142.5 ± 114.4 mg/dL; nr: absence), absence of glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies (GAD-65), and beta-cell function reserve (C-peptide 1.19 ± 0.53 ng/mL - nr: 1.1-4.4 ng/mL) on diagnosis. After glycemic compensation, there was increase of C-peptide (2.21 ± 0.41) indicating the recovery of beta-cell function and the time to insulin independence was 7.7 ± 3.5 months. They evolved after the period of glucotoxicity with insulin withdrawal and could be treated with oral antidiabetic therapy. This is the first case series of KPD described in Brazil being characterized by ketoacidosis at diagnosis, absence of autoimmunity, recovery of beta-cell function and insulin independence.
Surveying primary tropical forest over large regions is challenging. Indirect methods of relating terrain information or other external spatial datasets to forest biophysical parameters can provide ...forest structural maps at large scales but the inherent uncertainties need to be evaluated fully. The goal of the present study was to evaluate relief characteristics, measured through geomorphometric variables, as predictors of forest structural characteristics such as average tree basal area (BA) and height (H) and average percentage canopy openness (CO). Our hypothesis is that geomorphometric variables are good predictors of the structure of primary tropical forest, even in areas, with low altitude variation. The study was performed at the Tapajós National Forest, located in the Western State of Pará, Brazil. Forty-three plots were sampled. Predictive models for BA, H and CO were parameterized based on geomorphometric variables using multiple linear regression. Validation of the models with nine independent sample plots revealed a Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 3.73 m2/ha (20%) for BA, 1.70 m (12%) for H, and 1.78% (21%) for CO. The coefficient of determination between observed and predicted values were r2 = 0.32 for CO, r2 = 0.26 for H and r2 = 0.52 for BA. The models obtained were able to adequately estimate BA and CO. In summary, it can be concluded that relief variables are good predictors of vegetation structure and enable the creation of forest structure maps in primary tropical rainforest with an acceptable uncertainty.
Three strawberry cultivars (Dover, Campineiro, and Oso Grande), grown in the same commercial plantation, were harvested at the ripe stage and stored at 6, 16 and 25 °C, for 6 days. During this ...period, chemical composition and antioxidant activity were evaluated. Results showed an increase in total soluble sugars, anthocyanin and vitamin C contents, indicating that a new biosynthesis had taken place during storage. Low temperature negatively affected anthocyanin and vitamin C accumulation, and positively affected soluble sugars, while flavonols, ellagic acid and total phenolic contents remained almost the same or even decreased at all temperatures. Despite differences in anthocyanin content between varieties and its increase during storage (higher with increasing temperature), there was no difference in the antioxidant activity between cultivars, which decreased after harvesting, independently of the temperature of storage. Variations in the proportion dehydroascorbic acid/ascorbic acid (DHA/AA) showed that there were differences between cultivars concerning adaptation of the fruit to low temperatures. The data obtained here indicate that cold storage is an effective way to maintain strawberry quality, but a compromise between sensorial and nutritional values can be achieved at 16 °C, for all the cultivars.
One Health (OH) and Global Health (GH) are interconnected perspectives that may contribute to subsidizing GH policies. This scoping review aims to map the volume, nature, and characteristics of ...studies focused on the interface of OH and GH concepts. We used PubMed (MEDLINE), Embase, Scopus, and The Virtual Health Library (BVS) as the literature data sources for the review. The search strategy used the descriptors “one health”, “one health concept”, “one medicine”, “global health”, “international health”, and “planetary health” in title and abstracts. We included original research presented as articles in scientific journals, book chapters or conference papers written in English, Spanish, or Portuguese, exploring the intersections between OH and GH concepts, not necessarily as their primary objectives, and published up to December 31, 2021. A total of 1.060 references were identified in the databases after removing duplicates, 139 publications selected for full-text evaluation and 45 publications were included for analysis. All included publications were published between 2011 and 2021, with the highest concentration in 2014 (22.2%). First authors were most frequently from the United States (35.6%), followed by the United Kingdom (15.6%). Overall, seven key themes were identified zoonosis, emerging infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, food safety, policy, human resources, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The majority of the included publications employed OH concepts based on the United States Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, and the American Veterinary Medical Association definitions. We observed a common understanding of OH as an area of knowledge involving multiple disciplines and professionals and recognizing that both humans' and animals' health and the environment are interdependent. Although most authors demonstrated that health issues transcend national boundaries, a formal definition for GH was frequently not clearly identified. OH and GH interfaces are essential for accomplishing the 2030 Agenda and its SDG.
Paratuberculosis is an incurable infectious disease that affects several species, including goat (Capra hircus). The etiologic agent is Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) that has ...tropism for the intestine, causing anorexia, progressive weight loss and death. In goats, the main transmission route is the ingestion of water and food contaminated by infected feces. Affected animals also eliminate the agent through milk, with a potential biological risk to public health. Thus, the aim of this study was to conduct a research of the literature available in electronic media for a systematic review, followed by a meta-analysis of the results found on prevalence and diagnostic tests adopted in the detection of MAP antibodies and DNA in goat milk. The following search parameters were used: “Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis” AND (goat OR small ruminant) AND (milk OR pasteurized milk). Strictly obeying pre-established criteria, 437 articles were selected from the respective electronic databases of scientific content: ScienceDirect (285), PubMed (68), Web of Science (60) and Scopus (24), of which nine papers were elected to the construction of the systematic review and meta-analysis. The prevalence of MAP antibodies in milk detected by milk-ELISA ranged from 1.1 to 67.7% and the prevalence of MAP DNA in goat milk detected by MAP-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) ranged from 1.94 to 37.74%. A meta-analysis indicated a combined MAP infection prevalence of 8.24%, but with high heterogeneity among study findings (I2 = 98.7%). The identification of the MAP in goat milk implies the need for surveillance of the agent in order to prevent economic losses and impact on public health.
•The prevalence of MAP antibodies in goats' milk detected by milk-ELISA ranged from 1.1 to 67.7%.•The prevalence of MAP DNA in goats' milk detected by MAP-specific polymerase chain reaction ranged from 1.94 to 37.74%.•A meta-analysis indicated a combined MAP infection prevalence of 8.24%, but with high heterogeneity among study findings (I2 = 98.7%).•It was detected the presence of MAP was found in goat milk, implying the need for surveillance of the agent, in order to prevent economic losses and impacts on public health.
Objective to describe the evolution of COVID-19 in Brazil up until epidemiological week 20 of 2020. Methods this is an ecological study based on data and official documents from the Brazilian ...Ministry of Health and international organizations; comparisons were made between Brazil and other countries and incidence and mortality rates were calculated. Results by the end of epidemiological week 20, 233,142 cases, and 15,633 deaths had been confirmed for Brazil as a whole and 3,240 (58.2%) of the country's municipalities had reported at least one case; Brazil was at an earlier phase of the pandemic when compared to other countries, except Russia and Turkey, regarding cumulative cases, and except Canada regarding cumulative deaths; the highest rates were found in Brazil's Northern Region states, where Amazonas state had the highest incidence rates(4,474.6/1,000,000) and mortality rates (331.8/1,000,000). Conclusion Brazil is one of the countries with the highest number of confirmed cases and deaths, with marked regional differences.
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