The reproductive performance of the Red-Algae shrimp Leander paulensis (Ortmann, 1897) (Decapoda, Palaemonidae) and the effect of post-spawning female weight gain on weight-dependent parameters

Decapod species have evolved with a variety of reproductive strategies. In this study reproductive features of the palaemonid shrimp Leander paulensiswere investigated. Individuals were collected in the coastal region of Ubatuba, São Paulo, Brazil. In all, 46 ovigerous females were examined in terms of the following reproductive traits: fecundity, reproductive output, brood loss and egg volume. Leander paulensis produces a large number of small eggs with an average fecundity of 635 ± 246 eggs. Egg volume increased significantly from early (0.034 ± 0.008 mm3) to late development stage (0.05 ± 0.012 mm3). The reproductive output did not correlate with female size. The weight of females bearing stage 2 eggs was significantly higher than that of females carrying stage 1 eggs. We assume that the reason for this weight gain is the recovery of female reserves that have been depleted for egg production. Moreover, we emphasize that this weight gain must be considered when evaluating weight-dependent variables such as reproductive output or brood loss in relation to female weight. Otherwise, an overestimation of these variables might lead to inaccurate results.Decápodes desenvolveram uma ampla variedade de estratégias reprodutivas. Neste estudo foram investigadas características reprodutivas da espécie de PalaemonidaeLeander paulensis. Os indivíduos foram coletados na região costeira de Ubatuba, São Paulo, Brasil. Foram examinadas 46 fêmeas ovígeras quanto aos seguintes aspectos reprodutivos: fecundidade, investimento reprodutivo, perda de ovos e volume dos ovos. Leander paulensis produz uma grande quantidade de pequenos ovos, com fecundidade média de 635 ± 246 ovos. O volume dos ovos aumentou significativamente quando comparado o estágio inicial (0.034 ± 0.008 mm3) com o estágio final de desenvolvimento (0.05 ± correlação com o tamanho das fêmeas. Fêmeas com ovos no estágio 2 apresentaram massa corpórea seca significativamente maior que aquelas carregando ovos no estágio inicial. Esse aumento de massa parece ser decorrente da recuperação de reservas energéticas das fêmeas, que teriam sido utilizadas durante a produção de ovos. Além disso, deve-se considerar neste tipo de avaliação o aumento da massa corpórea em relação ao investimento reprodutivo, assim como da perda de ovos relacionada à massa das fêmeas ou qualquer outra variável dependente do peso

The Expected Impact of Climate in the Grapevine Culture, in Madeira Region, Portugal

It's increasingly important to know the effects of climate change on crops. This study aimed to determine the bioclimatic indices for the main wine-growing areas of Madeira island, for the current period and for two simulated climate scenarios to understand the potential and limits that will be imposed on the development of vine culture. The climate characterization process was mainly based on the Multicriteria Climatic Classification System (Géoviticulture MCC System) and used for the Winkler Index (WI), used to describe the suitability of crop cultivation in different climates. Heliothermal Index (HI) in general, showed that the regions analysed will not change in terms of heat accumulation, except for the region of Quinta Grande and Santana. For the Night Cold Index (CI), the regions of Quinta Grande, São Vicente, and Santana currently have minimum ideal temperatures for a good maturation of the vineyards. The Dryness Index (DI) showed that currently and in the simulated scenarios, all regions have not suffered from drastic water restrictions. In the regions of Quinta Grande, São Vicente, Ponta do Pargo, and Santana according to the Winkler Index (WI), the quality of the wines will change if the results of the simulations come true.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Cognitive Vehicular Networks: An Overview

AbstractCognitive Radio (CR) is extending the applications of wireless communications worldwide. Cognitive radio verifies the electromagnetic spectrum availability and permits the modification of the transmission parameters using the interaction with the environment. The goal is to opportunistically occupy spectral bands with minimum interference to other users or applications. Cognitive radio for Vehicular Ad hoc Networks (CRVs or CR-VANETs) is a new trend in the automotive market. Recent and future vehicles will offer functionalities for the transmission of intra-vehicular commands and dynamic access to wireless services, while the car is in transit. This paper describes the cognitive radio technology and its signal processing perspectives for the automotive market

Zoneamento Agroclimático da cultura da videira para a Ilha da Madeira - Portugal

A cultura da vinha possuiu uma elevada importância na produção de vinhos de qualidade na Ilha da Madeira. No entanto para que a produção da cultura venha a produzir de maneira mais satisfatória é extremamente necessário o conhecimento dos locais mais propícios para o desenvolvimento da cultura. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi realizar um Zoneamento Agroclimático para a cultura da videira na Ilha da Madeira, visando fornecer dados para a tomada de decisão de produtores e técnicos na seleção de novos locais para implementação da cultura. Para tanto, foram utilizados dados de 11 estações meteorológicas convencionais localizadas em toda a Ilha da Madeira com períodos de observação de 1961 a 1990. A obtenção do deficit hídrico foi obtida por meio do balanço hídrico proposto por Thornthwaite & Mather. Para o cultivo da videira na Ilha da Madeira, todo litoral Sul da Ilha, assim como boa parte do Norte, são áreas propicias para o desenvolvimento da cultura; no entanto no litoral sul, irrigação complementar é necessária para satisfazer as necessidades hídricas da cultura. Já no litoral Norte é necessário ter alguns cuidados com possível aparecimento de doenças fúngicas, devido aos grandes volumes de precipitação presentes na área.The cultivation of the vineyard has a high importance in the production of quality wines in Madeira Island. However for the production of the crop to produce in a more satisfactory way it is extremely necessary the knowledge of the most favorable places for the development of the culture. The objective of the present work was to carry out an Agroclimatic Zoning for the grapevine culture in the Island of Madeira, aiming to provide data for the decision making of producers and technicians in the selection of new places for implementation of the crop. For this purpose, data from 11 conventional meteorological stations located throughout the Island of Madeira were used with observation periods from 1961 to 1990. The water deficit was obtained through the water balance proposed by Thornthwaite & Mather. For the cultivation of grapevines on Madeira Island, all the southern coast of the Island, as well as much of the North, are areas conducive to the development of culture; however on the southern coast, additional irrigation is necessary to meet the water needs of the crop. In the North coast, it is necessary to have some care with possible appearance of fungal diseases, due to the large volumes of precipitation present in the area.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Anticipating the Climate Change Impacts on Madeira’s Agriculture: The Characterization and Monitoring of a Vine Agrosystem

Climate—Madeira Strategy (CMS) foresees two models to describe the climate scenarios for the Madeira region in 2050 and 2070. These scenarios anticipate an average temperature rise of 1.4 to 3.7 ◦C and a decrease in precipitation by 30 to 40%. Consequently, Madeira’s agriculture will suffer the impacts of climate change. To understand these impacts, a baseline of major agrosystem components needs to be established, with the ultimate goal to monitor its consequences in its functioning. CASBio project used the 1961–1991 and 2010–2020 meteorological data series to modulate climate conditions and characterize and monitor six agrosystems for 2 years. One of them was a vineyard, Quinta das Vinhas, representing a typical agrosystem in the Mediterranean climate. The annual and seasonal variation in climatic parameters, soil conditions, microbiological communities, floristic and insect diversity, and crop production was assessed, using a total of 50 parameters. The results were used to establish a baseline of the agrosystem components and their seasonal and annual variation. The major findings are: (i) winter and summer extreme events show a trend in temperature and precipitation supporting a fast change in climate; (ii) a critical imbalance between nitrogen fixing and denitrifying bacteria was identified, especially in summer, that could be determined by the rise in temperature and drought; (iii) among floristic diversity, the therophytes and geophytes confirm to be the most suitable indicators for the rise in temperature and reduction in precipitation in the agrosystems; (iv) an imbalance in favor of C. capitata plague was observed, associated with the summer rise in temperature and decrease in precipitation; (v) despite an increase in most of the grape varieties production, the Madeiran wine local varieties were shown to be less stable in productivity under observed climate conditions. The agrosystem baseline is a starting point for long term monitoring and allows for further quantifying the influence of climate change on agrosystem productivity, resilience, and sustainability.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Self-medication practice among pension housed patients at the central healthcare unit of Teresina

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of self-medication among pension housed patients at the central healthcare unit of Teresina in the downtown region. Method: This is an exploratory epidemiological study with a quantitative, cross-sectional descriptive approach. For data collection a semi-structured questionnaire was applied on the behaviors of 300 patients. Results: Of the total respondents, the practice of self-medication was common in 241 (80,33%) of individuals. The greatest achievement of this was seen in those coming from municipalities in the interior of Maranhao 116 (48,13%), which surpassed even that with a small gap the individuals from the interior of Piaui, to practice self-medication in 101 (41,91%). Conclusion: It is understood that self-medication is an old widespread practice. The search for relief from their ailments and the poor public healthcare offered to the population admits that individuals opt for self-medication as a first option

Estudio transversal de las estrategias de tratamiento clínico en la fibrilación atrial

BACKGROUND: Despite the high prevalence and clinical importance of atrial fibrillation (AF), there is no Brazilian study about the clinical profile of patients with AF and the most used treatment strategy (heart rhythm control vs. heart rate control) for them. OBJECTIVE: To assess the most used treatment strategy for AF in an outpatient clinic specialized in the management of that disease. In addition, the clinical profile of the population studied was provided. METHODS: Cross-sectional study assessing sequentially, in 167 patients with AF, the most used treatment strategy, as well as their clinical profile. A standardized form was used for data collection. The statistical analysis was performed by using the SPSS® software, version 13.0. RESULTS: In that population at high risk for thromboembolic events (61% had CHADS2 > 2), 54% of the patients had paroxysmal or persistent AF, 96.6% used vitamin K antagonists or acetylsalicylic acid, and 76.6% used beta-blocker (heart rate, 81.2% x heart rhythm, 58.8%; p 2 (60.5% x 39.5%; p = 0.07) and heart valve diseases (25.8% x 11.8%; p = 0.08) was observed in the heart rate control group. CONCLUSION: In that population at high risk for thromboembolic events, the heart rate control strategy was the most used.FUNDAMENTO: A despecho de la elevada prevalencia y importancia clínica de la Fibrilación Atrial (FA), no existen hasta el momento publicaciones brasileñas informando el perfil clínico y la estrategia de tratamiento (control de ritmo vs. control de frecuencia cardíaca) más utilizada en ese universo de pacientes. OBJETIVO: Evaluar la estrategia de tratamiento más empleada en la FA en ambulatorio especializado en el manejo de esa enfermedad. Secundariamente, se buscó describir el perfil clínico de esa población. MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal que evaluó secuencialmente, en 167 portadores de FA, la estrategia de tratamiento más empleada, así como el perfil clínico de esos pacientes. Se utilizó cuestionario estandarizado para recolección de datos. El análisis estadístico fue realizado por medio del software SPSS® versión 13.0. RESULTADOS: En esa población de alto riesgo para eventos tromboembólicos (61% con escore CHADS2 > 2), en que 54% de los individuos presentaban fibrilación atrial paroxística o persistente, 96,6% utilizaban antagonistas de la vitamina K o AAS, y 76,6% hacían uso de betabloqueante (81,2% frecuencia x 58,8% ritmo, p 2 (60,5% x 39,5%; p = 0,07) y valvulopatías (25,8% x 11,8%; p = 0,08) en el segmento de control de la frecuencia. CONCLUSION: En esa población de alto riesgo para eventos tromboembólicos, la estrategia de control de frecuencia cardíaca fue la más empleada.FUNDAMENTO: A despeito de elevada prevalência e importância clínica da Fibrilação Atrial (FA), não existem até o momento publicações brasileiras informando o perfil clínico e a estratégia de tratamento (controle de ritmo vs. controle de frequência cardíaca) mais utilizada nesse universo de pacientes. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a estratégia de tratamento mais empregada na FA em ambulatório especializado no manejo dessa doença. Secundariamente, procurou-se descrever o perfil clínico dessa população. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal que avaliou sequencialmente, em 167 portadores de FA, a estratégia de tratamento mais empregada, bem como o perfil clínico desses pacientes. Utilizou-se questionário padronizado para coleta de dados. A análise estatística foi realizada por meio do software SPSS® versão 13.0. RESULTADOS: Nessa população de alto risco para eventos tromboembólicos (61% com score CHADS2 > 2), em que 54% dos indivíduos apresentavam fibrilação atrial paroxística ou persistente, 96,6% utilizavam antagonistas da vitamina K ou AAS, e 76,6% faziam uso de betabloqueador (81,2% frequência x 58,8% ritmo, p 2 (60,5% x 39,5%; p = 0,07) e valvopatias (25,8% x 11,8%; p = 0,08) no segmento de controle da frequência. CONCLUSÃO: Nessa população de alto risco para eventos tromboembólicos, a estratégia de controle de frequência cardíaca foi a mais empregada.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de MedicinaUNIFESP, EPMSciEL

Transcriptional activity, chromosomal distribution and expression effects of transposable elements in Coffea genomes

Plant genomes are massively invaded by transposable elements (TEs), many of which are located near host genes and can thus impact gene expression. In flowering plants, TE expression can be activated (de-repressed) under certain stressful conditions, both biotic and abiotic, as well as by genome stress caused by hybridization. In this study, we examined the effects of these stress agents on TE expression in two diploid species of coffee, Coffea canephora and C. eugenioides, and their allotetraploid hybrid C. arabica. We also explored the relationship of TE repression mechanisms to host gene regulation via the effects of exonized TE sequences. Similar to what has been seen for other plants, overall TE expression levels are low in Coffea plant cultivars, consistent with the existence of effective TE repression mechanisms. TE expression patterns are highly dynamic across the species and conditions assayed here are unrelated to their classification at the level of TE class or family. In contrast to previous results, cell culture conditions per se do not lead to the de-repression of TE expression in C. arabica. Results obtained here indicate that differing plant drought stress levels relate strongly to TE repression mechanisms. TEs tend to be expressed at significantly higher levels in non-irrigated samples for the drought tolerant cultivars but in drought sensitive cultivars the opposite pattern was shown with irrigated samples showing significantly higher TE expression. Thus, TE genome repression mechanisms may be finely tuned to the ideal growth and/or regulatory conditions of the specific plant cultivars in which they are active. Analysis of TE expression levels in cell culture conditions underscored the importance of nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) pathways in the repression of Coffea TEs. These same NMD mechanisms can also regulate plant host gene expression via the repression of genes that bear exonized TE sequences. (Résumé d'auteur