Linking bayesian belief networks and GIS to assess the ecosystem integrity in the brazilian Amazon.

Deforestation and climate change heavily impact the ecosystem of the Amazon rainforest threatening its resilience and the sustainability of many human activities. Land protection may prevent ecosystems and their services to deteriorate from the pressures of agricultural expansion, population growth and wood harvesting. In the Brazilian Amazon land protection occurs in several forms such as environmental conservation, setting biodiversity priority areas and the delineation of indigenous lands. Still, the effects are not clear as understanding of the ecosystems is incomplete and responses to human actions are highly uncertain. Bayesian Belief Networks (BBN) are models that probabilistically represent correlative and causal relationships among variables. BBNs have been successfully applied to natural resource management to address environmental management problems and to assess the impact of alternative management measures. By training the probabilistic relationships using field data, Remote Sensing data and GIS data the BBN can provide information on the ecosystems: the ecosystem integrity and their likely response to climate change or alternative management actions. An increasing number of studies train and apply BBNs with evidence originating from GIS data; a cumbersome and error prone soft-linking method requiring manual conversion of data files between the BBN and GIS software systems. This paper presents the full integration of a BBN software system within an existing GIS based Discussion Support System (DSS) illustrated by the case of the ecosystem integrity of the Brazilian amazon. The full integration speeds up the processing and thereby allows doing multiple runs within a short period of time such as a stakeholder workshop. Each consecutive run is based upon insights from a previous one. Furthermore, the DSS provides the management of different options, visualize spatial summaries and trade-offs between different impact indicators and see regional differences

Produtividade de linhagens de feijão tipo mulatinho no Submédio do Vale São Francisco.

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a produtividade de diferentes linhagens de feijoeiro-comum, do tipo mulatinho no submédio do Vale São Francisco. O estudo foi implantado utilizando o delineamento experimental de blocos casualizados, sendo que cada unidade experimental foi constituída por parcelas de quatro linhas, espaçadas entre elas em 0,3 m, com quatro metros de comprimento e três repetições. O experimento recebeu irrigação durante todo o período de condução, sendo que a lâmina aplicada foi determinada com base na ET0 obtida por meio de uma estação agrometeorológica instalada próxima a área experimental. O sistema de irrigação utilizado foi o gotejamento superficial, com uma linha de gotejadores para cada duas linhas de plantio e emissores espaçados 0,5 m entre si. As produtividades das linhagens CNFM 16230 e CNFM 16220 em valores absolutos foram de 2.628,93 kg.ha-1 e 2.563,46 kg.ha-1, respectivamente, não havendo diferença estatística da cultivar BRS AGRESTE, demonstrando o potencial produtivo para o Semiárido brasileiro

Avaliação de linhagens de feijoeiro-comum adaptados ao Vale do Submédio São Francisco.

Neste trabalho avaliaram-se linhagens de feijoeiro-comum do tipo carioca de ciclo normal, para a determinação do potencial agronômico de linhagens elite que se adaptem aos diferentes sistemas de produção no Vale do Submédio São Francisco. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos completamente casualizados, onde cada unidade experimental foi constituída de três repetições e parcelas de quatro linhas de quatro metros de comprimento. O estudo faz parte de um projeto da Embrapa Arroz e Feijão e tem como parceira a Embrapa Semiárido no desenvolvimento das avaliações de campo. Os materiais foram irrigados por gotejamento superficial, com base na ET0 determinada por meio de uma estação agrometeorológica. Foram realizadas avaliações de características agronômicas de importância, como a produção e a produtividade de grãos, ambas medidas em kg.ha-1. Os resultados obtidos mostram materiais com potencial próximo a variedades consagradas no mercado brasileiro e utilizadas como testemunha como é o caso da linhagem CNFC 16876, que produziu 2.690,75 kg.ha-1, o que significa uma diferença de apenas 1,36% a menos que a variedade testemunha PÉROLA, que produziu 2.727,78 kg.ha-1

Potencial produtivo de linhagens de feijoeiro-comum para o submédio do Vale do são francisco.

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o potencial produtivo de linhagens de feijoeiro-comum do tipo carioca de ciclo precoce para o submédio do Vale do São Francisco. Para tanto, o delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados, onde cada unidade experimental constitui-se de três repetições, com parcelas de quatro linhas com quatro metros de comprimento. O experimento foi irrigado com base na ET0 determinada por meio de uma estação agrometeorológica instalada próxima a área experimental e o sistema utilizado foi o gotejamento superficial, com uma linha de gotejadores para cada duas linhas de plantio e emissores espaçados entre si em 0,5 m. As avaliações realizadas durante o estudo foram da produção e a produtividade média de grãos, determinadas em kg.ha-1. As produtividades obtidas na área experimental, demonstram que dentre os 12 materiais avaliados, 9 apresentam potencial produtivo elevado, com produtividades médias de 2.584,25 kg.ha-1

Tools for analysis and conditional deletion of subsets of sensory neurons [version 1; peer review: 4 approved]

Background: Somatosensation depends on primary sensory neurons of the trigeminal and dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Transcriptional profiling of mouse DRG sensory neurons has defined at least 18 distinct neuronal cell types. Using an advillin promoter, we have generated a transgenic mouse line that only expresses diphtheria toxin A (DTA) in sensory neurons in the presence of Cre recombinase. This has allowed us to ablate specific neuronal subsets within the DRG using a range of established and novel Cre lines that encompass all sets of sensory neurons. // Methods: A floxed-tdTomato-stop-DTA bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) transgenic reporter line (AdvDTA) under the control of the mouse advillin DRG promoter was generated. The line was first validated using a Nav1.8Cre and then crossed to CGRPCreER (Calca), ThCreERT2, Tmem45bCre, Tmem233Cre, Ntng1Cre and TrkBCreER (Ntrk2) lines. Pain behavioural assays included Hargreaves’, hot plate, Randall-Selitto, cold plantar, partial sciatic nerve ligation and formalin tests. // Results: Motor activity, as assessed by the rotarod test, was normal for all lines tested. Noxious mechanosensation was significantly reduced when either Nav1.8 positive neurons or Tmem45b positive neurons were ablated whilst acute heat pain was unaffected. In contrast, noxious mechanosensation was normal following ablation of CGRP-positive neurons but acute heat pain thresholds were significantly elevated and a reduction in nocifensive responses was observed in the second phase of the formalin test. Ablation of TrkB-positive neurons led to significant deficits in mechanical hypersensitivity in the partial sciatic nerve ligation neuropathic pain model. // Conclusions: Ablation of specific DRG neuronal subsets using the AdvDTA line will be a useful resource for further functional characterization of somatosensory processing, neuro-immune interactions and chronic pain disorders

Respostas produtivas e estruturais da palma-forrageira Orelha de Elefante Mexicana em diferentes frequências e lâminas de irrigação.

Objetivou-se avaliar as respostas produtivas e características estruturais da palma-forrageira ?Orelha de Elefante Mexicana? (OEM) (Opuntia stricta (Haw) Haw) submetida a diferentes frequências de aplicação de água e lâminas de irrigação

Citalopram reduces aggregation of ATXN3 in a YAC transgenic mouse model of Machado-Joseph disease

Machado-Joseph disease, also known as spinocerebellar ataxia type 3, is a fatal polyglutamine disease with no disease-modifying treatment. The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor citalopram was shown in nematode and mouse models to be a compelling repurposing candidate for Machado-Joseph disease therapeutics. We sought to confirm the efficacy of citalopram to decrease ATXN3 aggregation in an unrelated mouse model of Machado-Joseph disease. Four-week-old YACMJD84.2 mice and non-transgenic littermates were given citalopram 8 mg/kg in drinking water or water for 10 weeks. At the end of treatment, brains were collected for biochemical and pathological analyses. Brains of citalopram-treated YACMJD84.2 mice showed an approximate 50% decrease in the percentage of cells containing ATXN3-positive inclusions in the substantia nigra and three examined brainstem nuclei compared to controls. No differences in ATXN3 inclusion load were observed in deep cerebellar nuclei of mice. Citalopram effect on ATXN3 aggregate burden was corroborated by immunoblotting analysis. While lysates from the brainstem and cervical spinal cord of citalopram-treated mice showed a decrease in all soluble forms of ATXN3 and a trend toward reduction of insoluble ATXN3, no differences in ATXN3 levels were found between cerebella of citalopram-treated and vehicle-treated mice. Citalopram treatment altered levels of select components of the cellular protein homeostatic machinery that may be expected to enhance the capacity to refold and/or degrade mutant ATXN3. The results here obtained in a second independent mouse model of Machado-Joseph disease further support citalopram as a potential drug to be repurposed for this fatal disorder.This work was funded by Becky Babcox Research Fund/pilot research award G015617, University of Michigan to M.C.C. and NINDS/NIH R01NS038712 to H.L.P. The work performed at the University of Minho was funded by the European Regional Development Funds (FEDER), through the Competitiveness Factors Operational Programme (COMPETE), and by National funds, through the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), under the scope of the project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007038. This article was developed under the scope of the project NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000013, supported by the Northern Portugal Regional Operational Program (NORTE 2020), under the Portugal 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the FEDER. This work was also supported by FCT and COMPETE through the projects [PTDC/SAU-GMG/112617/2009] (to P.M.) and [EXPL/BIM-MEC/ 0239/2012] (to A.T.C.); by FCT through the project [POCI-01-0145- FEDER-016818 (PTDC/NEU-NMC/3648/2014)] (to P.M.); by National Ataxia Foundation (to P.M. and to A.T.C.); and by Ataxia UK (to P.M.). S.D.S. and A.T.C. were supported by fellowships from FCT, SFRH/BD/ 78388/2011 and SFRH/BPD/102317/2014, respectively. FCT fellowships are co-financed by POPH, QREN, Governo da República Portuguesa and EU/FSE

Global access to technologies to support safe and effective inguinal hernia surgery:prospective, international cohort study

Technological advancement is important to improve healthcare quality and safety, especially in surgery1. For patients with an inguinal hernia, mesh and minimally invasive surgery are the two main technologies that have improved healthcare quality and safety2,3. The use of mesh is proven to reduce recurrence4,5. This avoids the need for further repairs, which are technically more challenging and have a higher risk for patients6. The use of minimally invasive surgery has proven advantages in bilateral hernias and in female patients2,3 and is recommended in unilateral repair where appropriate expertise is available2,3.Access to these technologies and the expertise required are not widely or equitably distributed at a global level. As it is the case for other technologies, countries in the Global South have more limited access1. At the same time, in this part of the globe, there is a higher prevalence and a higher burden of disease associated with inguinal hernias7. Several barriers to implementation in the Global South have been identified previously, including costs, distribution, and training8,9. To overcome these, studies reporting the use of mesh based on mosquito net mesh and evaluating training programmes have been conducted10,11. With these efforts and with global investment in new technologies and the expansion of existing technologies, it was expected that there would be an increase in their use in low–middle-income countries. Data assessing this variability have not been collected in a standardized way and are usually reported from single-country or single-region studies5,12. Therefore, identification of areas where improvement is most needed will be key to better inform policymakers.The overarching aim of this study was to evaluate access to technologies that are relevant to the treatment of inguinal hernia patients to identify the areas where improvement is needed. Therefore, the primary aim of this study was to evaluate the use of mesh and predictors of mesh use in elective inguinal hernia repairs and the secondary aims of this study were to evaluate the use of minimally invasive surgery and predictors of minimally invasive surgery use and to evaluate the safety associated with the use of mesh and the use of minimally invasive surgery

Perinatal and early life factors associated with symptoms of depression in Brazilian children

Background: Few studies have been conducted on the association between perinatal and early life factors with childhood depression and results are conflicting. Our aim was to estimate the prevalence and perinatal and early life factors associated with symptoms of depression in children aged 7 to 11 years from two Brazilian birth cohorts. Methods: The study was conducted on 1444 children whose data were collected at birth and at school age, in 1994 and 2004/2005 in Ribeirao Preto, where they were aged 10-11 years and in 1997/98 and 2005/06 in Sao Luis, where children were aged 7-9 years. Depressive symptoms were investigated with the Child Depression Inventory (CDI), categorized as yes (score >= 20) and no (score < 20). Adjusted and non-adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) were estimated by Poisson regression with robust estimation of the standard errors. Results: The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 3.9% (95% CI = 2.5-5.4) in Ribeirao Preto and 13.7% (95% CI = 11.0-16.4) in Sao Luis. In the adjusted analysis, in Ribeirao Preto, low birth weight (PR = 3.98; 95% CI = 1.72-9.23), skilled and semi-skilled manual occupation (PR = 5.30; 95% CI = 1.14-24.76) and unskilled manual occupation and unemployment (PR = 6.65; 95% CI = 1.16-38.03) of the household head were risk factors for depressive symptoms. In Sao Luis, maternal schooling of 0-4 years (PR = 2.39; 95% CI = 1.31-4.34) and of 5 to 8 years (PR = 1.80; 95% CI = 1.08-3.01), and paternal age < 20 years (PR = 1.92; 95% CI = 1.02-3.61), were independent risk factors for depressive symptoms. Conclusions: The prevalence of depressive symptoms was much higher in the less developed city, Sao Luis, than in the more developed city, Ribeirao Preto, and than those reported in several international studies. Low socioeconomic level was associated with depressive symptoms in both cohorts. Low paternal age was a risk factor for depressive symptoms in the less developed city, Sao Luis, whereas low birth weight was a risk factor for depressive symptoms in the more developed city, Ribeirao Preto.CNPq (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico - Brazilian National Research Council) [523474/96-2, 520664/98-1]FAPEMA (Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa e ao Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico do Maranhao)FAPESP (Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo - Sao Paulo Research Foundation) [93/0525-0, 97/09517-1, 00/0908-7

Physicochemical Characterization of Passive Films and Corrosion Layers by Differential Admittance and Photocurrent Spectroscopy

Two different electrochemical techniques, differential admittance and photocurrent spectroscopy, for the characterization of electronic and solid state properties of passive films and corrosion layers are described and critically evaluated. In order to get information on the electronic properties of passive film and corrosion layers as well as the necessary information to locate the characteristic energy levels of the passive film/electrolyte junction like: flat band potential (Ufb), conduction band edge (EC) or valence band edge (EV), a wide use of Mott-Schottky plots is usually reported in corrosion science and passivity studies. It has been shown, in several papers, that the use of simple M-S theory to get information on the electronic properties and energy levels location at the film/electrolyte interface can be seriously misleading and/or conflicting with the physical basis underlying the M-S theory. A critical appraisal of this approach to the study of very thin and thick anodic passive film grown on base-metals (Cr, Ni, Fe, SS etc..) or on valve metals (Ta, Nb, W etc..) is reported in this work, together with possible alternative approach to overcome some of the mentioned inconsistencies. At this aim the theory of amorphous semiconductor Schottky barrier, introduced several years ago in the study of passive film/electrolyte junction, is reviewed by taking into account some of the more recent results obtained by the present authors. Future developments of the theory appears necessary to get more exact quantitative information on the electronic properties of passive films, specially in the case of very thin film like those formed on base metals and their alloys. The second technique described in this chapter, devoted to the physico-chemical characterization of passive film and corrosion layers, is a more recent technique based on the analysis of the photo-electrochemical answer of passive film/electrolyte junction under illumination with photons having suitable energy. Such a technique usually referred to as Photocurrent Spectroscopy (PCS) has been developed on the basis of the large research effort carried out by several groups in the 1970’s and aimed to investigate the possible conversion of solar energy by means of electrochemical cells. In this work the fundamentals of semiconductor/electrolyte junctions under illumination will be highlighted both for crystalline and amorphous materials. The role of amorphous nature and film thickness on the photo-electrochemical answer of passive film/solution interface is reviewed as well the use of PCS for quantitative analysis of the film composition based on a semi-empirical correlation between optical band gap and difference of electronegativity of film constituents previously suggested by the present authors. In this frame the results of PCS studies on valve metal oxides and valve metal mixed oxides will be discussed in order to show the validity of the proposed method. The results of PCS studies aimed to get information on passive film composition and carried out by different authors on base metals (Fe, Cr, Ni) and their alloys, including stainless steel, will be also compared with compositional analysis carried out by well-established surface analysis techniques