Records of franciscana (Pontoporia blainvillei) from the coastal waters of São Paulo State, southeastern Brazil

Little is known about franciscana (Pontoporia blainvillei) in the coastal waters of São Paulo State (~23-25° S), Brazil. This is due to the lack of long-term research efforts directed towards this species. The data presented in this paper reflect the efforts of three research groups in collecting information from marine mammal stranding events along portions of São Paulo State coast. Data from 109 records, mostly of single stranding events (n=98), are presented. Ten individuals that were captured incidentally by gillnets were obtained from local fishermen. One calf was caught by a swimmer in shallow waters and released after four hours. The number of reported strandings was not evenly distributed throughout the year with more strandings being reported during summer, spring and winter months than in the autumn. Calves (n=28) were reported year-round with no significant seasonal differences. Six live strandings of calves were reported. Five of these calves died shortly after being held in small pools and one was released alive in coastal waters. Because of recent efforts in research and recovering of a relatively high number of dead animals, the easy accessibility to carcasses and local logistics, the central region of São Paulo State coast, known as 'Baixada Santista', offers the best potential to better develop P. blainvillei research

Morphology of the franciscana (Pontoporia blainvillei) off southeastern Brazil: sexual dimorphism, growth and geographic variation

Variations in body and skull morphology may exhibit geographic differences evidencing distinct population stocks. The objectives of the present study were to analyze such variation to test the hypothesis of a disjunct distribution of the franciscana (Pontoporia blainvillei) off the southeastern coast of Brazil. Body length and 39 cranial variables were measured from bycaught animals to considere sexual, ontogenetic and geographic variations. The areas studied were Espírito Santo (ES) (18°30'S-19°40'S), northern Rio de Janeiro (NRJ) (21°35'S-22°25'S) and São Paulo (SP) (23°30'S-25°30'S). Franciscanas from NRJ and SP presented significant sexual dimorphism, with the means for the metric characters larger for females than for males. Sexual dimorphism for franciscanas from ES was not examined due to limited sample size. The growth pattern for body and skull did not indicate clinal variation. The asymptotic values obtained for franciscanas from SP were smaller than the values obtained for franciscanas from NRJ and ES. Canonical discriminant analysis of the cranial metric characters indicated significant differences among the three geographic areas. Differences between areas ES and NRJ accounted for 85%; of the variation (axis 1). The remaining 15%; (axis 2) was due to difference between the area SP from the others. The geographic variation supports the hypothesis stock division in southeast Brazil; allopatry might be present. Therefore, three franciscana stocks from the southeastern coast of Brazil should be considered distinct for conservation and management actions

Morphology of the Guiana dolphin (Sotalia guianensis) off southeastern Brazil: growth and geographic variation

The objective of this study was to analyze the morphology of Guiana dolphin (Sotalia guianensis) to evaluate the existence of geographical variation along southeastern Brazil. Body length and 39 cranial variables were measured of specimens stranded or accidentally captured to consider ontogenetic and geographic variations. The areas studied were Espírito Santo (ES; 18°30’S-20°40’S), northern Rio de Janeiro (NRJ; 21°35’S-22°25’S), southern Rio de Janeiro (SRJ; 23°00’S-23°07’S) and São Paulo (SP; 23°30’S-25°30’S). Body length at age zero predicted by a non-linear Gompertz model for the Guiana dolphin was 148.3cm for area ES, 108.97cm for area NRJ, 98.4cm for area SRJ and 90.9cm for area SP. Asymptotic values were reached at about six years of age for total body length and cranial variations. These results indicate that Guiana dolphins reach adult size and sexual maturity simultaneously at six to seven years of age, when specimens cease to grow. The growth pattern for body and skull size indicated that there is variation between geographic areas. Guiana dolphins found in São Paulo are smaller than those analyzed in northern Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo, which implies a different growth rate. A canonical discriminant analysis of the cranial metric characters indicated significant differences between the four geographic areas. Differences between areas NRJ, SRJ and SP were responsible for 54% (axis 1) and 34% (axis 2) of the variation, respectively. The third axis depicted a difference between the area ES and the others. A partial overlap between geographic areas was observed in the projection of the species on the canonical axes, suggesting parapatry. Geographic variation recorded in this study is likely to be related to environmental adaptations. One of the areas that could play a role in the distribution of Guiana dolphin in the surveyed area is the central coast of Rio de Janeiro, which is characterized by the absence of river discharges, a narrowing of the continental shelf and upwelling influence that might be limiting the species occurrence in this area

Rendimento de grãos, componentes do rendimento e índice SPAD do feijoeiro (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) em função de época de aplicação e do parcelamento da aplicação foliar de molibdênio Grain yield, yield components and bean SPAD index of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in relation to time and partitioning of molybdenum foliar spray

Objetivando avaliar a influência da época de aplicação e do parcelamento da dose de molibdênio, aplicado via foliar sobre os componentes da produção e índice SPAD do feijoeiro (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), variedade Meia Noite, conduziram-se dois experimentos em área da Universidade Federal de Viçosa, no município de Coimbra, MG, semeados em março e julho de 2002. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos casualizados, com dez tratamentos e quatro repetições. Os tratamentos avaliados foram: 1- testemunha, sem Mo; 2- 80 g ha-1 de Mo aplicados 15 dias após a emergência (DAE); 3- 40 g ha-1 de Mo aplicados 15 DAE e 40 g ha-1 20 DAE; 4- 40 g ha-1 de Mo 15 DAE e 40 g ha-1 25 DAE; 5- 40 gha-1 de Mo 15 DAE e 40 g ha-1 30 DAE; 6- 80 gha-1 de Mo 20 DAE; 7- 40 g ha-1 de Mo 20 DAE e 40 g ha-1 25 DAE; 8- 40 g ha-1 de Mo 20 DAE e 40 gha-1 30 DAE; 9- 80 g ha-1 de Mo 25 DAE; 10- 40 g ha-1 de Mo 25 DAE e 40 g ha-1 30 DAE. Os dados dos dois experimentos foram submetidos a uma análise conjunta. A adubação foliar molíbdica aumenta a produtividade e o índice SPAD no cultivo de verão-outono com início aos 15 e 20 DAE, mas não aos 25 DAE. O parcelamento da dose não aumenta a produtividade. No cultivo de inverno-primavera, os tratamentos com molibdênio aumentam a produtividade.<br>A field trial was undertaken to evaluate the effect of the foliar application and dose partitioning of molybdenum on yield components and SPAD index of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), var. Meia Noite, sowed in March and in July of 2002, in an area of the Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Coimbra, MG. The randomized block experimental design was used with ten treatments and four replicates: The appraised treatments were: 1 control, without Mo; 2 - 80 g ha-1 Mo applied at 15 days after emergency (DAE); 3 - 40 g ha-1 Mo applied at 15 DAE, and 40g at 20 DAE; 4 - 40 g ha-1 Mo applied at 15 DAE, and 40 g ha-1 Mo at 25 DAE; 5 - 40 g ha-1 Mo applied at 15 DAE, and 40 g ha-1 Mo at 30 DAE; 6 - 80 g ha-1 Mo applied at 20 DAE; 7 - 40 g ha-1 Mo applied at 20 DAE, and 40 g ha-1 Mo at 25 DAE; 8 - 40 g ha-1 Mo applied at 20 DAE, and 40 g ha-1 Mo at 30 DAE; 9 80 g ha-1 Mo applied at 25 DAE; 10 - 40 g ha-1 Mo applied at 25 DAE, and 40 g ha-1 Mo at 30 DAE. ). Data of two trials were submitted to combined analysis. Molybdenum foliar spray increased yield and SPAD index in summer-autumn cultivation when started 15 or 20 DAE, but not 25 DAE. Dose partitioning had no effect on yield increase yield. In winter-spring cultivation, all molybdenum treatments increased yield

Potential approaches for the pricing of cancer medicines across Europe to enhance the sustainability of healthcare systems and the implications.

- CLEAN VERSION Introduction: There are growing concerns among European health authorities regarding increasing prices for new cancer medicines, prices not necessarily linked to health gain and the implications for the sustainability of their healthcare systems. Areas covered: Narrative discussion principally among payers and their advisers regarding potential approaches to the pricing of new cancer medicines. Expert commentary: A number of potential pricing approaches are discussed including minimum effectiveness levels for new cancer medicines, managed entry agreements, multicriteria decision analyses (MCDAs), differential/tiered pricing, fair pricing models, amortization models as well as de-linkage models. We are likely to see a growth in alternative pricing deliberations in view of ongoing challenges including the considerable number of new cancer medicines in development including new gene therapies and being launched with uncertainty regarding their value, continued high prices coupled with the extent of confidential discounts for reimbursement; however, balanced against the need for new cancer medicines. This will lead to greater scrutiny over the prices of patent oncology medicines as more standard medicines lose their patent, calls for greater transparency as well as new models including amortization models. We will be monitoring these developments

Potential approaches for the pricing of cancer medicines across Europe to enhance the sustainability of healthcare systems and the implications

Introduction: There are growing concerns among European health authorities regarding increasing prices for new cancer medicines, prices not necessarily linked to health gain and the implications for the sustainability of their healthcare systems. Areas covered: Narrative discussion principally among payers and their advisers regarding potential approaches to the pricing of new cancer medicines. Expert opinion: A number of potential pricing approaches are discussed including minimum effectiveness levels for new cancer medicines, managed entry agreements, multicriteria decision analyses (MCDAs), differential/tiered pricing, fair pricing models, amortization models as well as de-linkage models. We are likely to see a growth in alternative pricing deliberations in view of ongoing challenges. These include the considerable number of new oncology medicines in development including new gene therapies, new oncology medicines being launched with uncertainty regarding their value, and continued high prices coupled with the extent of confidential discounts for reimbursement. However, balanced against the need for new cancer medicines. This will lead to greater scrutiny over the prices of patent oncology medicines as more standard medicines lose their patent, calls for greater transparency as well as new models including amortization models. We will be monitoring these developments. © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor &amp; Francis Group