Efectos del pastoreo en riqueza florística, biomasa y cobertura de un pastizal de albardón, Argentina

The effects of grazing and breaks resting were analyzed regarding the floristic richness, the production of the dry matter and forage coverage of a degraded pasture from the Parana River Delta. The study covered 13 months, divided into a first sub-period with three treatments: continuous grazing with high load (1 equivalent cow.ha-1), closure with bimonthly cuts of vegetation, and closure without cuts, and second sub-period with: waterlogging and without closures. Vegetation data was analyzed by multivariate methods. According to the results, in contrast to continuous grazing, two-month rests covered completely the soil, increased native species richness, forage species of spring-summer-autumnal growth appeared and improved the offering of dry-matter in this growing season by 22,5 %. It is possible to favor values of the studied variables of the pasture and to improve the forage offer with proper management.Se analizó el efecto del pastoreo y descansos sobre la riqueza florística, la producción de materia seca y la cobertura de un pastizal degradado en el Delta del Paraná. El estudio abarcó 13 meses, divido en un primer sub-período con tres tratamientos: pastoreo continuo con alta carga (1 equivalente vaca/ha), clausura con cortes bimestrales de la vegetación y clausura sin cortes, y segundo sub-período con: anegamiento y sin clausuras. Los datos de vegetación se analizaron mediantes métodos multivariados. Según los resultados, en contraposición al pastoreo continuo, con descansos de dos meses se cubrió totalmente el suelo, hubo un incremento en la riqueza florística nativa, aparecieron especies forrajeras de crecimiento primavero- estivo- otoñal y en dicha estación de crecimiento mejoró la oferta de materia seca un 22,5%. Es posible favorecer valores de las variables estudiadas del pastizal y mejorar la oferta forrajera con un manejo adecuado.Se analizó el efecto del pastoreo y descansos sobre la riqueza florística, la producción de materia seca y la cobertura de un pastizal degradado en el Delta del Paraná. El estudio abarcó 13 meses, divido en un primer sub-período con tres tratamientos: pastoreo continuo con alta carga (desde 1 equivalente vaca/ha), clausura con cortes bimestrales de la vegetación y clausura sin cortes, y segundo sub-período con: anegamiento y sin clausuras. Los datos de vegetación se analizaron mediantes métodos multivariados (análisis de componentes principales). Según los resultados, en contraposición al pastoreo continuo, con descansos de dos meses se cubrió totalmente el suelo, se registró un incremento en la riqueza florística nativa, aparecieron especies forrajeras de crecimiento primavero- estivo- otoñal y en una estación de crecimiento mejoró la oferta de materia seca. Es posible favorecer valores de las variables estudiadas del pastizal y mejorar la oferta forrajera con un manejo adecuado.The effects of grazing and breaks resting were analyzed regarding the floristic richness, the production of the dry matter and forage coverage of a degraded pasture from the Parana River Delta. The study covered 13 months, divided into a first sub-period with three treatments: continuous grazing with high load (1 equivalent cow.ha-1), closure with bimonthly cuts of vegetation, and closure without cuts, and second sub-period with: waterlogging and without closures. Vegetation data was analyzed by multivariate methods. According to the results, in contrast to continuous grazing, two-month rests covered completely the soil, increased native species richness, forage species of spring-summer-autumnal growth appeared and improved the offering of dry-matter in this growing season by 22,5 %. It is possible to favor values of the studied variables of the pasture and to improve the forage offer with proper management

Unified model of baryonic matter and dark components

We investigate an interacting two-fluid cosmological model and introduce a scalar field representation by means of a linear combination of the individual energy densities. Applying the integrability condition to the scalar field equation we show that this "exotic quintessence" is driven by an exponential potential and the two-fluid mixture can be considered as a model of three components. These components are associated with baryonic matter, dark matter and dark energy respectively. We use the Simon, Verde & Jimenez (2005) determination of the redshift dependence of the Hubble parameter to constrain the current density parameters of this model. With the best fit density parameters we obtain the transition redshift between non accelerated and accelerated regimes z_{acc}=0.66 and the time elapsed since the initial singularity t_0= 19.8 Gyr. We study the perturbation evolution of this model and find that the energy density perturbation decreases with the cosmological time.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures A new section adde

Study of neuropsychiatric and neuropsychological symptoms in Parkinson's disease patients selected for deep brain stimulation surgery

Introduction: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease that combines motor and non-motor symptoms. The motor symptoms are cardinal, however, these patients also present associated psychiatric and neuropsychological symptoms. Deep brain stimulation surgery (DBS) is a treatment used for patients in fluctuating and advanced phases of PD. The objective of this work is to detect psychiatric and neuropsychological signs and symptoms in patients with PD who are candidates for DBS surgery. Patients and methods: An observational cross-sectional cohort study was performed. Forty-one patients with a diagnosis of PD were evaluated. Patients were assessed with a semi-structured neuropsychiatric interview, neuropsychiatric scales, and a complete neuropsychological battery. Statistical analysis: A complete descriptive statistical analysis was carried out, correlations were evaluated with the Pearson test. Results: Forty-one patients with PD were evaluated, age 65.39 (SD 8.34), educational level of 11.95 years (SD 4.37). Previous psychiatric disorders were highly prevalent (68.5%). Mild-degree depressive symptoms and mild–moderate anxiety symptoms were observed, and impulsive symptoms and nocturnal behaviors were frequently reported. Patients presented amnesic-type cognitive impairment, with poor scores on executive and visuoconstructive tests. Significant correlations (p < 0.05) were found between the neuropsychiatric and neuropsychological scales. Conclusions: PD patients present frequently psychiatric disorders and cognitive impairment. It is of relevance to carry out a neuropsychological and neuropsychiatric evaluation with adapted and validated scales for the selection of patients for this type of surgery.Fil: Dillon, Carol. Universidad de Palermo. Facultad de Ciencias Sociales. Departamento de Psicología; Argentina. Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno"; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Leis, Adriana Mónica. Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno"; ArgentinaFil: Castro, Diego M.. Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno"; ArgentinaFil: García, Virginia. Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno"; ArgentinaFil: Zegarra, Cecilia. Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno"; ArgentinaFil: Perez Leguizamón, Patricio. Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno"; ArgentinaFil: Feldman, Mónica. Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno"; ArgentinaFil: Driollet Laspiur, Santiago. Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno"; ArgentinaFil: Viaggio, Maria Belen. Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno"; ArgentinaFil: Peralta, Cecilia. Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno"; Argentin

Risk of Conversion to Dementia in a Mild Behavioral Impairment Group Compared to a Psychiatric Group and to a Mild Cognitive Impairment Group

Background: There is insufficient available information on behavioral changes in the absence of cognitive impairment as factors increasing the risk of conversion to dementia. Objective: To observe and analyze patients with mild behavioral impairment (MBI), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and a psychiatry group (PG) to compare the risk of progression to dementia. Methods: From 677 initially assessed =60-year-old patients, a series of 348 patients was studied for a five-year period until censoring or conversion to dementia: 96 with MBI, 87 with MCI, and 165 with general psychiatry disorders, including 4 subgroups: Anxiety, Depression, Psychosis and Others. All patients were assessed with clinical, psychiatric, neurological, neuropsychological, and neuroimaging studies. Results: From 348 patients, 126 evolved to dementia (36.2%). Conversion was significantly higher in MBI (71.5%), followed by the MCI-MBI overlap (59.6%) and MCI (37.8%) groups, compared to PG (13.9%) (Log-rank p < 0.001). MCI patients mostly converted to Alzheimer's dementia, while MBI converted to frontotemporal dementia and Lewy body dementia. Patients in PG converted to Lewy body dementia and frontotemporal dementia. Conclusion: Conversion to dementia is significantly higher in patients with neuropsychiatric symptoms. The MBI concept generates a new milestone in the refining of diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases and the possibility of creating neuropsychiatric profiles. Its earlier identification will allow new possibilities for therapeutic intervention.Fil: Taragano, Fernando Emilio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. CEMIC-CONICET. Centro de Educaciones Médicas e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno". CEMIC-CONICET; ArgentinaFil: Allegri, Ricardo Francisco. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. CEMIC-CONICET. Centro de Educaciones Médicas e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno". CEMIC-CONICET; ArgentinaFil: Heisecke Peralta, Silvina Lidia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. CEMIC-CONICET. Centro de Educaciones Médicas e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno". CEMIC-CONICET; ArgentinaFil: Martelli, María I.. Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno"; ArgentinaFil: Feldman, Mónica L.. Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno"; ArgentinaFil: Sánchez, Viviana. Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno"; ArgentinaFil: García, Virginia A.. Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno"; ArgentinaFil: Tufro, Graciela. Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno"; ArgentinaFil: Castro, Diego M.. Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno"; ArgentinaFil: Leguizamón, Patricio Perez. Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno"; ArgentinaFil: Guelar, Verónica. Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno"; ArgentinaFil: Ruotolo, Eva. Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno"; ArgentinaFil: Zegarra, Cecilia. Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno"; ArgentinaFil: Dillon, Carol. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. CEMIC-CONICET. Centro de Educaciones Médicas e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno". CEMIC-CONICET; Argentin

Location-Specific Responses to Thermal Stress in Larvae of the Reef-Building Coral Montastraea faveolata

The potential to adapt to a changing climate depends in part upon the standing genetic variation present in wild populations. In corals, the dispersive larval phase is particularly vulnerable to the effects of environmental stress. Larval survival and response to stress during dispersal and settlement will play a key role in the persistence of coral populations.To test the hypothesis that larval transcription profiles reflect location-specific responses to thermal stress, symbiont-free gametes from three to four colonies of the scleractinian coral Montastraea faveolata were collected from Florida and Mexico, fertilized, and raised under mean and elevated (up 1 to 2 degrees C above summer mean) temperatures. These locations have been shown to exchange larvae frequently enough to prevent significant differentiation of neutral loci. Differences among 1,310 unigenes were simultaneously characterized using custom cDNA microarrays, allowing investigation of gene expression patterns among larvae generated from wild populations under stress. Results show both conserved and location-specific variation in key processes including apoptosis, cell structuring, adhesion and development, energy and protein metabolism, and response to stress, in embryos of a reef-building coral.These results provide first insights into location-specific variation in gene expression in the face of gene flow, and support the hypothesis that coral host genomes may house adaptive potential needed to deal with changing environmental conditions

In COVID-19 Health Messaging, Loss Framing Increases Anxiety with Little-to-No Concomitant Benefits: Experimental Evidence from 84 Countries

The COVID-19 pandemic (and its aftermath) highlights a critical need to communicate health information effectively to the global public. Given that subtle differences in information framing can have meaningful effects on behavior, behavioral science research highlights a pressing question: Is it more effective to frame COVID-19 health messages in terms of potential losses (e.g., "If you do not practice these steps, you can endanger yourself and others") or potential gains (e.g., "If you practice these steps, you can protect yourself and others")? Collecting data in 48 languages from 15,929 participants in 84 countries, we experimentally tested the effects of message framing on COVID-19-related judgments, intentions, and feelings. Loss- (vs. gain-) framed messages increased self-reported anxiety among participants cross-nationally with little-to-no impact on policy attitudes, behavioral intentions, or information seeking relevant to pandemic risks. These results were consistent across 84 countries, three variations of the message framing wording, and 560 data processing and analytic choices. Thus, results provide an empirical answer to a global communication question and highlight the emotional toll of loss-framed messages. Critically, this work demonstrates the importance of considering unintended affective consequences when evaluating nudge-style interventions

Higher COVID-19 pneumonia risk associated with anti-IFN-α than with anti-IFN-ω auto-Abs in children

We found that 19 (10.4%) of 183 unvaccinated children hospitalized for COVID-19 pneumonia had autoantibodies (auto-Abs) neutralizing type I IFNs (IFN-alpha 2 in 10 patients: IFN-alpha 2 only in three, IFN-alpha 2 plus IFN-omega in five, and IFN-alpha 2, IFN-omega plus IFN-beta in two; IFN-omega only in nine patients). Seven children (3.8%) had Abs neutralizing at least 10 ng/ml of one IFN, whereas the other 12 (6.6%) had Abs neutralizing only 100 pg/ml. The auto-Abs neutralized both unglycosylated and glycosylated IFNs. We also detected auto-Abs neutralizing 100 pg/ml IFN-alpha 2 in 4 of 2,267 uninfected children (0.2%) and auto-Abs neutralizing IFN-omega in 45 children (2%). The odds ratios (ORs) for life-threatening COVID-19 pneumonia were, therefore, higher for auto-Abs neutralizing IFN-alpha 2 only (OR [95% CI] = 67.6 [5.7-9,196.6]) than for auto-Abs neutralizing IFN-. only (OR [95% CI] = 2.6 [1.2-5.3]). ORs were also higher for auto-Abs neutralizing high concentrations (OR [95% CI] = 12.9 [4.6-35.9]) than for those neutralizing low concentrations (OR [95% CI] = 5.5 [3.1-9.6]) of IFN-omega and/or IFN-alpha 2

The psychological science accelerator’s COVID-19 rapid-response dataset

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Psychological Science Accelerator coordinated three large-scale psychological studies to examine the effects of loss-gain framing, cognitive reappraisals, and autonomy framing manipulations on behavioral intentions and affective measures. The data collected (April to October 2020) included specific measures for each experimental study, a general questionnaire examining health prevention behaviors and COVID-19 experience, geographical and cultural context characterization, and demographic information for each participant. Each participant started the study with the same general questions and then was randomized to complete either one longer experiment or two shorter experiments. Data were provided by 73,223 participants with varying completion rates. Participants completed the survey from 111 geopolitical regions in 44 unique languages/dialects. The anonymized dataset described here is provided in both raw and processed formats to facilitate re-use and further analyses. The dataset offers secondary analytic opportunities to explore coping, framing, and self-determination across a diverse, global sample obtained at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which can be merged with other time-sampled or geographic data